James M. Nederlander Theatre
James M. Nederlander Theatre
4.5
About
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 22 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago's Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.
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Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown / The Loop
Often visitors' first stop in Chicago, The Loop is a good starting point to sample the city's energy and flavor. This central business district boasts Michelin-rated restaurants, upscale hotels, premier shopping, and enough arresting architecture to keep your camera busy for hours. You won’t find too many photo galleries of downtown Chicago without a shot of Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. A stunning skyline coupled with cultural attractions like the Art Institute of Chicago present a Downtown where work and play peacefully coexist.
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- Lake • 2 min walk
- State/Lake • 2 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
- Becky LSullivan, Illinois214 contributionsGreat Experience! They care about mobility-challenged patrons!!I was incredibly impressed by the fact that they have a dedicated reservations department for special needs patrons. I wish all theaters were as dedicated to helping patrons with a variety of challenges be able to have great theater experiences. Every person we encountered was helpful and polite. While we did have a little issue with people sitting in our seats because they were confused and stressed and the labeling of the seats was a challenge for them to understand, we worked things out. The usher tried to get the lady to understand she was in the wrong seat, but we compromised to avoid a scene. The bathroom dedicated for people with mobility issues is nice, but after the show it could use more attention as other patrons found it more convenient to use than going downstairs to the other restrooms. The theater is incredibly gorgeous and happily very accessible. They know how to take care of people.Visited December 2022Written 5 January 2023
- Michelle C3 contributionsTina Turner on BroadwayThe Tina Turner Musical was spectacular. Superb performances, and the cast was terrific. The adult Tina Ari Grover and the child Tina Ayvah Johnson were marvelous. I recommend people see this Broadway musical before it's gone.Visited March 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 26 March 2023
- wendi aParis, France67 contributionsAlmost perfectWhat an amazing, beautiful venue. The only bémol was the lack of toilets for the ladies. The staff did the best they could with the 22 on the lower level, herding women in and out-but they really need to address the situation. But that aside it was fabulous!Visited August 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 1 September 2023
- ERICA T2 contributionsHamilton was 10/1Nice theatre. Show was great. Bathroom attendant had the extremely long moving quickly and effectively during intermission. More leg room would be nice but wasn’t terrible. Snack bar available and drinks as well.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 November 2023
- luvmylilangels38 contributionsBeautiful Theater!We had a wonderful time at this theater. We saw Hamilton. The theater is so beautiful. The staff was on the lookout for anyone not following the rules. This was nice, because it made the show more enjoyable. We sat towards the back of Orchestra Center and it was an amazing view! We were able to park very close. Hamilton was amazing!!Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
460 reviews
Excellent
325
Very good
108
Average
10
Poor
7
Terrible
10
luvmylilangels
STL38 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We had a wonderful time at this theater. We saw Hamilton. The theater is so beautiful. The staff was on the lookout for anyone not following the rules. This was nice, because it made the show more enjoyable. We sat towards the back of Orchestra Center and it was an amazing view! We were able to park very close. Hamilton was amazing!!
Written 15 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dianegTNgirl
Nashville, TN62 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
This theater is a site to behold. It's classic and extravagant. We saw Hamilton and it was priceless.
Written 7 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ERICA T
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Nice theatre. Show was great. Bathroom attendant had the extremely long moving quickly and effectively during intermission. More leg room would be nice but wasn’t terrible. Snack bar available and drinks as well.
Written 5 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wendi a
Paris, France67 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
What an amazing, beautiful venue. The only bémol was the lack of toilets for the ladies. The staff did the best they could with the 22 on the lower level, herding women in and out-but they really need to address the situation. But that aside it was fabulous!
Written 1 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott A
McHenry, IL201 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Great venue for a musical in Chicago. Seats and sound in the venue was very good. Highly recommend this facility for theatre in the city.
Written 30 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle C
3 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
The Tina Turner Musical was spectacular. Superb performances, and the cast was terrific. The adult Tina Ari Grover and the child Tina Ayvah Johnson were marvelous. I recommend people see this Broadway musical before it's gone.
Written 26 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danielroundtheworld
Chicago, IL229 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
I treated two friends to the evening performance of Cats on 2/25/23. I paid a lot of money for sears three rows from the stage. It was not an inexpensive night.
The two friends I took with me are non-binary MTF and were in line with me at the men’s room during intermission where they currently feel comfortable. I accompanied them to make sure they felt safe and comfortable. A staff member named Thomas made a big scene and immediately came over to us and said they had to go to the women’s room. Everyone saw it and my friends were very hurt and embarrassed. We actually left the show and didn’t return after intermission.
This discrimination is unacceptable and I will never pay to see a show here again.
The two friends I took with me are non-binary MTF and were in line with me at the men’s room during intermission where they currently feel comfortable. I accompanied them to make sure they felt safe and comfortable. A staff member named Thomas made a big scene and immediately came over to us and said they had to go to the women’s room. Everyone saw it and my friends were very hurt and embarrassed. We actually left the show and didn’t return after intermission.
This discrimination is unacceptable and I will never pay to see a show here again.
Written 26 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becky L
Sullivan, IL214 contributions
Dec 2022
I was incredibly impressed by the fact that they have a dedicated reservations department for special needs patrons. I wish all theaters were as dedicated to helping patrons with a variety of challenges be able to have great theater experiences. Every person we encountered was helpful and polite. While we did have a little issue with people sitting in our seats because they were confused and stressed and the labeling of the seats was a challenge for them to understand, we worked things out. The usher tried to get the lady to understand she was in the wrong seat, but we compromised to avoid a scene. The bathroom dedicated for people with mobility issues is nice, but after the show it could use more attention as other patrons found it more convenient to use than going downstairs to the other restrooms. The theater is incredibly gorgeous and happily very accessible. They know how to take care of people.
Written 6 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Connie S
11 contributions
Nov 2022
the show was good, seat was good except for very cramp and no leg room. The bathroom facilities were poor, almost missed the 2nd part of the production waiting in line. No chance for any refreshments during intermission.
Written 21 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irina
United States10,634 contributions
Aug 2022
James M. Nederlander Theatre has a very long history.
Designed by the renowned architects George L. and Cornelius W. Rapp, it opened in Chicago in 1926. It was originally named Oriental Theatre. The interior design and lavish decoration of the 2,253-seat theatre is breathtaking: it is done in oriental style, and the theatre looks opulent and grand.
The theatre was given the name "Nederlander" in 2019, in honor of James M. Nederlander (1922 -- 2016) -- an American theatrical producer and patriarch of Broadway. In 2000, The Nederlander Organization launched the Broadway in Chicago program, implementing the pre-run of the theatre productions in Chicago, before they start to play on Broadway.
In August, we enjoyed The Devil Wears Prada -- a modern musical, that played in this historic venue. The balcony seats we got at a group rate, turned out to be excellent --- BALC-C, Aisle 14 -- providing an easy access to the seats and a proper, very good, open view and perception of the stage, with excellent lighting and acoustics.
The Devil Wears Prada musical was performed by the cast of the accomplished, talented actors, whose ensemble left a very strong, positive impression of the whole show, that was very well staged and directed. The main characters were skillfully portrayed by Beth Leavel (Miranda Priestly), Taylor Iman Jones (Andy Sachs), Javier Munoz (Nigel Owens), who all had a very convincing stage presence, both in acting and singing. The show was dynamic and well choreographed; the leading and supporting actors were wonderful; the group dancing numbers were excellent and exciting, and to me they also looked as some of the strongest parts of the show! I wish that Beth Leavel had more solo singing numbers, to make the show more balanced and to give the audience more pleasure to enjoy her powerful voice. Overall, the musical is a solid production, and it was gratefully received by the audience.
The musical ran in two acts, with a fairly short intermission, the theatre staff we met were polite and helpful, no masks were required as obligatory to wear. James M. Nederlander Theatre is located on W Randoplh St, in the Theatre District of Chicago Loop.
Designed by the renowned architects George L. and Cornelius W. Rapp, it opened in Chicago in 1926. It was originally named Oriental Theatre. The interior design and lavish decoration of the 2,253-seat theatre is breathtaking: it is done in oriental style, and the theatre looks opulent and grand.
The theatre was given the name "Nederlander" in 2019, in honor of James M. Nederlander (1922 -- 2016) -- an American theatrical producer and patriarch of Broadway. In 2000, The Nederlander Organization launched the Broadway in Chicago program, implementing the pre-run of the theatre productions in Chicago, before they start to play on Broadway.
In August, we enjoyed The Devil Wears Prada -- a modern musical, that played in this historic venue. The balcony seats we got at a group rate, turned out to be excellent --- BALC-C, Aisle 14 -- providing an easy access to the seats and a proper, very good, open view and perception of the stage, with excellent lighting and acoustics.
The Devil Wears Prada musical was performed by the cast of the accomplished, talented actors, whose ensemble left a very strong, positive impression of the whole show, that was very well staged and directed. The main characters were skillfully portrayed by Beth Leavel (Miranda Priestly), Taylor Iman Jones (Andy Sachs), Javier Munoz (Nigel Owens), who all had a very convincing stage presence, both in acting and singing. The show was dynamic and well choreographed; the leading and supporting actors were wonderful; the group dancing numbers were excellent and exciting, and to me they also looked as some of the strongest parts of the show! I wish that Beth Leavel had more solo singing numbers, to make the show more balanced and to give the audience more pleasure to enjoy her powerful voice. Overall, the musical is a solid production, and it was gratefully received by the audience.
The musical ran in two acts, with a fairly short intermission, the theatre staff we met were polite and helpful, no masks were required as obligatory to wear. James M. Nederlander Theatre is located on W Randoplh St, in the Theatre District of Chicago Loop.
Written 6 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will purchasing tickets at the box office help avoid excessive processing fees like on Ticketmaster?
Is there a dress code
BwayInChi
Chicago, IL2 contributions
Our recommendation is to dress comfortably for being in a large group, and if you are susceptible to cold, light jacket, shawl or sweater just in case as building temperature can be affected by many factors including number of guests, amount of humidity and the rapidly changing outside temperatures of Chicago.
How early can I get in before showtime
BwayInChi
Chicago, IL2 contributions
Doors open 45 minutes prior to performance and doors to the theatre open 30 mins prior.
jaclr
Houston, TX59 contributions
What is dress circle?
BHH1103
Springfield, IL38 contributions
The Dress Circle is a set of seats that are under the balcony. I would avoid sitting there. Some of them are hard to view the show from unless you're in the front few rows. If you're in the back rows (seats labeled Z or something) you'll be totally under the balcony and they'll be posts in the way.
Can u check bags before Mean Girls?
Bonnie T
Chicago, IL1,847 contributions
I would call the theatre. You might be better off leaving them at your hotel.
How early can we arrive at the Nederlander Theatre? Can we walk around by the stage beforehand?
Go2theZoo
Layton, UT961 contributions
We got there 45 minutes ahead, which was oodles of time. They didn't let us in until 20 minutes before the show. However, it was good to be early to take advantage of a short line for the bathroom. It would be fairly impossible to use the bathroom during intermission and not miss some of your show.
Lisa P
11 contributions
What kind of food and beverages do they serve at the theater?
Broadway In Chicago
Chicago, IL
Snacks, such as candy, pretzels, popcorn. They also have water,soft drinks, wine, beer and mixed/specialty partner drinks available
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Claim your listingJames M. Nederlander Theatre - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about James M. Nederlander Theatre
- Hotels near James M. Nederlander Theatre:
- (0.02 km) Cambria Hotel Chicago Loop - Theatre District
- (0.18 km) Staypineapple, An Iconic Hotel, The Loop Chicago
- (0.22 km) Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel
- (0.29 km) Virgin Hotels Chicago
- (0.20 km) theWit Chicago, a Hilton Hotel
- Restaurants near James M. Nederlander Theatre:
- (0.01 km) Garrett Popcorn Shops
- (0.02 km) MrBeast Burger
- (0.03 km) Intermission Bar and Kitchen
- (0.04 km) McDonald's
- (0.05 km) The Dearborn
- Attractions near James M. Nederlander Theatre:
- (0.05 km) Teatro Zinzanni
- (0.05 km) Gene Siskel Film Center
- (0.13 km) Medieval Torture Museum
- (0.12 km) The Chicago Theatre
- (0.07 km) Goodman Theatre