choosechicago.com Explore Chicago theatre and performing arts at choosechicago.com/things-to-do/theater-performing-arts . Foundation , which offers tours of the famed recording studio that spawned hits from artists such as Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, and Chuck Berry. Once the 1883 residence of a wealthy Chicago banker, the Driehaus Museum has been lovingly restored inside and out. It features permanent and temporary exhibitions showcasing the Gilded Age and beyond. EVENING Michigan Avenue’s Symphony Center does double duty, acting as home base for the prolific Chicago Symphony Orchestra , as well as hosting classical music programs and special open rehearsals. Refining the landscape of acting and performance since 1974 with an ensemble cast that has included John Malkovich and Pulitzer Prize-winning Tracy Letts, Steppenwolf Theatre Company plays are always must-see events. A recent multimillion dollar expansion includes a stunning 400-seat theatre-in-the-round. With a mission to eradicate racism through theatre, the Black Ensemble Theater has become a vibrant, internationally renowned arts institution in the Uptown neighborhood. For more than 60 years, The Second City has been making audiences laugh with its unique form of improv comedy, which includes a variety of nightly shows at its multistage Old Town venue. Rooted in African American dance, music, and folklore, Muntu Dance Theatre brings audiences out of their seats and into the aisles with its unique synthesis of dance, rhythm, and song. AUTHOR’S TIP Chicago offers numerous free concerts and performances around the city, including at Grant and Millennium Parks, the Chicago Cultural Center, and neighborhood street festivals. National Museum of Mexican Art Black Ensemble Theater CHICAGO THEATRE WEEK The city celebrates its critically acclaimed theatre scene with a 10-day extravaganza, offering discounted tickets to more than 100 shows. Take the opportunity to discover new talent in neighborhoods across the city, presenting everything from rousing musicals to avant-garde dramas. Learn more at chicagotheatreweek.com . TOP PHOTO: GRAHAM CHAPMAN 25
Chicago Visitors Guide 2023: Page 25
