Studebaker Theater — Attraction in Chicago

Solely based on our experience at the Empire Strips Back on Saturday, April 12, I cannot recommend this theater. I purchased tickets for this event on the first day they were made available (Jan. 11) and I purchased seats in Zone A for $84/person before taxes and fees. Each ticket cost $94 after tickets and fees and four seats were purchased. My friends remarked on the cost of the tickets and after I showed them the seating chart depicting where we were seated, they agreed. We showed up to the theater around 6:45, waited in line to enter, and waited for my husband to meet up with us. We entered the actual “theater” seating area around 7:10 for a 7:30 show. I showed our tickets to the staff member who asked if we were sitting in Zone A. I showed our tickets and they pointed us to the front of the theater. When we got to the front, there were no seats available. I showed a different staff member and they said that the show was “GENERAL ADMISSION” and all seats were first come, first serve. I showed them the tickets and seating chart which contradicted the information they were providing. We were then refused seating on the main floor and were asked to sit in the balcony. As you can see from the seating chart, TECHNICALLY Zone A is the first row of the balcony, so I wouldn’t have been so upset about spending the money had we been seated there. Nope! As you can see from the photo provided, we were seated somewhere near to Zone C. At intermission, I went down with my friend to inquire about a refund or some sort of compensation, and we were told by Guest Experience Manager, Megan Shehornyoung, that again, this event was general admission. I then showed her my seats and the chart and she backpedaled and said that well, technically the seats we were in were a part of the Zone A, which was again INCORRECT! She said that unfortunately, as is the way with most live entertainment these days, the venue had nothing to do with the ticketing and there was no way that the venue could refund me. She did, however, offer me drinks and merch, which I declined. There is no way that I would feel properly compensated $176 in merch and drinks (the seats we ended up sitting in retail for $44/ each, compared to my $84 paid). What I, and the rest of my group believe happened is that someone on staff got too lax with checking tickets, which resulted in folks who had NOT paid for Zone A to slip by and take seats paid for by other patrons. The couple in front of me had the same issue happen to them as well (I asked!). The venue insisted I contact Fever (the company who sold the tickets) for a refund, but they have only been willing to give me a credit for $80, which, again, is nowhere near the compensation expected when I paid twice as much fore seats I did not sit in. An incredibly disappointing experience that should have had a much...

We just went and saw The Body Guard the musical on a whim with my partner. It was our first time to this venue. The venue is easily accessible and located right across from grant park. The interior is lovely and it’s small enough that ever seat had a good view. The ushers and employees were very friendly and upbeat and we enjoyed watching them dance to the pre show music. Unfortunately the production we saw was pretty rough. The show starred 10-15 minutes late and the first several numbers were constantly interrupted by sound issues and mics not being turned on. Whoever was running sound for the show did an awful job. It was worse than most high school productions I have seen. We were constantly exposed to conversations backstage between the crew and the staff because mics were left on after actors had exited the stage. Whoever was in charge of the sound for the show really ruined the entire experience.

The two female leads had incredible vocals and were very talented. Over all the vocals for the show were really good, and most of the songs that were not lost to technical difficulties sounded well done. I also enjoyed the dancers on stage, they were really fun to watch and great performers.

Besides that - the rest of the show felt like it was a rehearsal. We had bought discount tickets for 25.00 from HOTTIX, but even that price did not match the production quality. I would unfortunately not recommend this show to anyone but would potentially return to the studebaker theater for another event. Possibly a recording or Wait Wait...

Being a tall guy attending venues has a small sense of dread on the seats. The Sting Concert last year was folding a 6' plus man into a seat designed in 1975 by a dwarf. The Studebaker theater is absolutely beautiful inside with stone ceilings in the lobby. The seats were great they were wide enough to be comfortable, plus gave me legroom to stretch my legs without banging my kneecaps. Plus they have small drink holders right in front of you. No more drinks knocked over by someone passing you. The snack bar at intermission was great, water, soda, candy for that blood sugar boost. The staff was never rude or abrupt. Every conversation was pleasant or helpful without being pushed or rushed. Great acoustics without echo, the sound was spot on. It is a great venue to catch a show I look forward to the next one. Plus parking is right next door and the parking exit is less than 60' from the entrance door. All around a 5...