The restored Cadillac Palace Theatre was reopened during the fall of 1999, with the premiere of Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida. Since then, the Cadillac Palace has been the home to several pre-Broadway hits including The Producers – The New Mel Brooks Musical and Mamma Mia!, long-run engagements of Disney’s The Lion King and Oprah Winfrey presents The Color Purple, plus the national tour premieres of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh present Mary Poppins and Dreamworks’ Shrek the Musical. In 2017, the Cadillac Palace Theatre hosted the national tour premiere of Disney’s Aladdin.
The Box Office accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
Refunds/Exchanges
There are no refunds or exchanges on tickets purchased for Broadway In Chicago events. Tickets purchased from Broadway In Chicago cannot be resold, transferred or distributed to any ticket broker or any other person or entity for resale.
Dress Code
There is no required dress code. For all performances, attire should be comfortable and appropriate for the occasion.
Children
Children under the age of 5 are not permitted in the theatre.
Late Seating
Any patron who arrives late, or leaves the auditorium during the performance, will be seated at the discretion of the management staff.
Amenities
Concessions
Select refreshments from Broadway In Chicago concessions are allowed inside the auditorium. No outside food or drink is permitted in the theatre.
Parking
InterPark is the official parking garage of Broadway In Chicago. Present your ticket stub at the parking garage to receive the special theatre rate. Parking is available for the Cadillac Palace Theatre at 177 N. Wells St. Chicago, IL 60601.
Patron Security
Patron Security
For the protection of our patrons, theatre managers and private security personnel are on duty during all performances.
Bag Checks
Broadway In Chicago asks all guests to arrive early and travel light. For the comfort, safety and security of all patrons, Broadway In Chicago reserves the right to search bags for security reasons, regardless of size, but backpacks and other large bags that are approximately 10″ x 10″ or larger may be searched prior to entering the theatre. Should your bag be too large to fit under your seat, you will be required to check it. Bag check is $1.00 per item.
The theatre offers seating for patrons with accessibility needs. If you are in need of theatre tickets that require accessible seating you can purchase through Ticketmaster, but for personalized service call Broadway in Chicago’s accessibility line 312-977-1700 ext. 1259 or email the accessible office at [email protected].
Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
More information coming soon.
Assisted Listening Devices
Assisted listening devices are available at no charge to patrons and may be secured from the House Manager. Assisted listening devices must be secured with a driver’s license.
Service Animals
Service animals are permitted at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Service animals must be harnessed, leashed or tethered at all times, unless special circumstances exist, and will be required to rest under the seat of the individual with a disability, not in an aisle. If you’re an individual bringing a service animal, it is recommend that you contact Broadway In Chicago’s Accessibility line 312-977-1700 ext. 1259 or email the accessible office at [email protected].
The Palace Theatre opened at the corner of Randolph and LaSalle Streets in Chicago on October 4, 1926. Designed by legendary theatre architects the Rapp Brothers, the theatre originally opened as the flagship of vaudeville’s legendary Orpheum Circuit, and among the stars believed to have played the Palace in its early years are Jimmy Durante, Mae West, Sophie Tucker, Jack Benny and Bob Hope.
The theatre’s interior featured a splendor previously unseen in Chicago — a breathtaking vision inspired by the palaces of Fontainebleau and Versailles. The theatre’s distinctive characteristics included a lobby richly appointed in huge decorative mirrors and breche violet and white marble, which swept majestically
through a succession of lobbies and foyers; great wall surfaces enhanced with gold leaf and wood decorations; and 2,500 plush, roomy seats.
Despite the popularity of such acts, audiences in the late 1920s and early 1930s had begun to lose interest in vaudeville, and in 1931 the theatre was converted into a movie palace, initially presenting films with live stage shows, and then eventually showing only movies. When movie audiences began staying at home to watch television in the 1950s, the theatre managers, hoping to attract larger audiences, booked occasional Broadway shows into the theatre, such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starring Carol Channing. During the late 1950s, the Palace was fitted with special equipment to show films in Cinerama. During the mid-1970s, the management of the Bismarck Hotel transformed the auditorium into a banquet hall by removing the seats on the orchestra level and bringing the floor flush with the stage. In 1984, the theatre, now renamed the Bismarck Theatre, was converted into a rock venue. Sporadically used during the 1990s, the venue was completely restored and renovated during 1999, and reopened as the Cadillac Palace Theatre.
The restored Cadillac Palace Theatre was reopened during the fall of 1999, with the premiere of Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida. Since then, the Cadillac Palace has been the home to several pre-Broadway hits including The Producers – The New Mel Brooks Musical and Mamma Mia!, long-run engagements of Disney’s The Lion King and Oprah Winfrey presents The Color Purple, plus the national tour premieres of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh present Mary Poppins and Dreamworks’ Shrek the Musical. In 2017, the Cadillac Palace Theatre hosted the national tour premiere of Disney’s Aladdin.
