Oil Lamp Theater — Attraction in Northfield Township

This small, cozy, professional theater is utterly unique! Located in downtown Glenview, you walk into a comfy, old fashioned living room. You are greeted, introduced, and treated to candy, cookies, and hot apple cider. If you bring wine or other beverage, it's opened and served to you free of charge. You kind of wonder - where's the theater? Well, just through a side door, there's a 60-seat theater (no bad seats in this place), and stage. The play (a pulitzer-prize winner) was terrific, thanks to the perfectly cast professional actors and director. At intermission, you go into the living room lobby for a short (5 minute) break - enough time to grab a drink for the next act, a cookie and some candy - but not too long. I've never felt so welcomed in a theater before! In fact, we came back to see the play the next day! (and there's a parking lot right next door). Come and see - you won't regret it!

Now, it's a year since I wrote this review - and it's gotten BETTER!!! Please don't miss this theater, or its terrific shows. Most recent I saw (last night) was Murderers - a dark comedy, not to be missed. I haven't missed a show at this theater since I discovered it. Besides the professional theater, it is a warm and...

When I arrived, there was a man out front in a top hat greeting theatergoers like myself. A person greeted me at the door to ask my name, and had my ticket ready to go, also explaining that they had complimentary chocolate chip cookies, cashews and m&ms at the bar. I believe you could order wine, but I didn't look into it, so it might also have been a byob agreement; either way, there were definitely people with beer and wine. I got a seat in the very back, which was on a cushioned and comfortable high stool, and probably one of the best seats actually. The back row is actually only 10 rows back, and the theater is about five seats across, so a small, intimate setting. The play was excellent, and I enjoyed the entire experience. During intermission, which was about 10 minutes, many people lined up for the bathroom (I think there was maybe only one) and I went for a refill of cashews and m&ms to enjoy during the second half of the show. I'd love to see...

Very nice theater. Free parking and BOYB, what more could you ask for. The lobby is comfy and homey and there is a bar with cookies and M&Ms. The lobby feels intimate, like someone's home. The theater itself is in an oblong room. The seats are six across with big letters to denote the rows. There are six seats in each row. Rows are kind of close to each other...you can't walk pass folks in comfortably.

The performance we went to see was A Love Affair by Jerry Mayer. It was an interesting play about a 38 year marriage, funny and serious, with two sets of actors playing the older and younger version of the couple. The actors and actresses were very good, drawing me into the story. Not sure if all of the performances are this good, but I would be willing to go back here to see another performance. It was nice to see a live performance with bubbles and not spend an arm and a leg. Adult Tickets are $35 and Student Tickets are $20. You can buy...