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nederlanderchicago

James M. Nederlander Theatre


Ticket Information

Box Office Hours
Box office hours vary, please call (312) 977-1700 or click here for the current week’s hours.

Tickets
Purchase tickets online, at the theatre box office, or by phone at 800-775-2000.

Group Tickets (10+)
Call 312-977-1710 or email [email protected].


Location


About This Theatre

This theatre, originally named the Oriental Theatre, opened to much fanfare on May 8, 1926. Designed by the legendary George L. and Cornelius W. Rapp, it was one of the first motion picture palaces designed to create a complete experience for the theatre patron.

Still to this day, the décor is a virtual art museum including large mosaics of an exotic prince and princess, an inner foyer with elephant-throne lighting and multicolored glazed Buddhas, and an auditorium of “hasheesh-dream design.”

Over the years it presented popular first-run motion pictures, complemented by lavish stage shows. Among the many stars that played the theatre are The Three Stooges, Judy Garland, Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker, Fanny Brice, Duke Ellington, and Danny Kaye. Although management changed hands several times the theatre continued to feature films and hosted live performances by such artists as Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and Little Richard.

Soon the theater fell into disrepair. In an effort to preserve the theatre, it was added to the Federal National Registry of Historic Places in 1978, but the building continued to crumble. The theatre was closed to the public in 1981, and the site was considered for a shopping mall and cinema. In 1996, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley stepped in and announced that the venue would be restored to its original grandeur for the presentation of live stage musicals.

Renamed the Ford Center for the Performing Arts in 1997, the restoration was completed in October 1998 and opened with the Chicago premiere of Ragtime. Broadway In Chicago, formed in 2000, began to light the stage with the record-breaking run of Wicked for three and a half years and the long-run production of Billy Elliott, along with many Pre-Broadway World Premieres including: The Addams Family, Big Fish, On Your Feet!, The SpongeBob Musical, Escape to Margaritaville, Pretty Woman: the Musical, and The Cher Show with many more to come.

In February 2019, the theatre was renamed the James M. Nederlander Theatre, in honor of the legendary Broadway theatre owner and producer and patriarch of Broadway James M. Nederlander. As the founder of Broadway In Chicago, he championed theatre in Chicago having presented shows here for over six decades.

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Policies

Payment

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 James M. Nederlander 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.


Theatre Staff

Contact Information
312-977-1700
[email protected]

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Accessible Seating

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 James M. Nederlander 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].

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This theatre, originally named the Oriental Theatre, opened to much fanfare on May 8, 1926. Designed by the legendary George L. and Cornelius W. Rapp, it was one of the first motion picture palaces designed to create a complete experience for the theatre patron.

Still to this day, the décor is a virtual art museum including large mosaics of an exotic prince and princess, an inner foyer with elephant-throne lighting and multicolored glazed Buddhas, and an auditorium of “hasheesh-dream design.”

Over the years it presented popular first-run motion pictures, complemented by lavish stage shows. Among the many stars that played the theatre are The Three Stooges, Judy Garland, Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker, Fanny Brice, Duke Ellington, and Danny Kaye. Although management changed hands several times the theatre continued to feature films and hosted live performances by such artists as Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and Little Richard.

Soon the theater fell into disrepair. In an effort to preserve the theatre, it was added to the Federal National Registry of Historic Places in 1978, but the building continued to crumble. The theatre was closed to the public in 1981, and the site was considered for a shopping mall and cinema. In 1996, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley stepped in and announced that the venue would be restored to its original grandeur for the presentation of live stage musicals.

Renamed the Ford Center for the Performing Arts in 1997, the restoration was completed in October 1998 and opened with the Chicago premiere of Ragtime. Broadway In Chicago, formed in 2000, began to light the stage with the record-breaking run of Wicked for three and a half years and the long-run production of Billy Elliott, along with many Pre-Broadway World Premieres including: The Addams Family, Big Fish, On Your Feet!, The SpongeBob Musical, Escape to Margaritaville, Pretty Woman: the Musical, and The Cher Show with many more to come.

In February 2019, the theatre was renamed the James M. Nederlander Theatre, in honor of the legendary Broadway theatre owner and producer and patriarch of Broadway James M. Nederlander. As the founder of Broadway In Chicago, he championed theatre in Chicago having presented shows here for over six decades.

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