'Sky's the limit' for popular Chicago Theatre Week

For theater lovers anticipating Chicago Theatre Week, which begins Thursday, Feb. 9, there is good news and bad news. The good news is they can select from 125 productions, including musicals, dramas and solo shows. The bad news is that some performances are already sold out.

That's not unexpected given the popularity of the fifth annual midwinter, mini-fest and the price of tickets, which are $15 and $30 depending on the production.

Chicago Theatre Week has succeeded beyond the wildest dreams of Deb Clapp, executive director of the League of Chicago Theatres, which partners with Choose Chicago to co-sponsor the event. Last year it attracted about 11,000 visitors from 40 states.

“People are buying tickets for theaters they've never been to before,” Clapp said of ticket sales, which have increased 36 percent over last year. “They're trying something new, which is exactly what we want.”

Suburban theaters participating include Buffalo Theatre Ensemble in Glen Ellyn, Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest, Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, First Folio Theatre in Oak Brook, Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights, Northlight Theatre in Skokie, Paramount Theatre in Aurora and Williams Street Repertory in Crystal Lake.

In Chicago, Black Ensemble, Blue Man Group, Broadway in Chicago, Chicago Shakespeare, Court, Emerald City, Goodman, The Hypocrites, Lifeline, Raven, Rivendell, Shattered Globe, Steppenwolf and Timeline are among the dozens of theaters participating.

Having expanded to 11 days in 2014 to accommodate the demand for performances, Chicago Theatre Week has not yet reached the saturation point. And may never reach it.

“The sky's the limit,” Clapp said.

Each year, more theaters produce or extend shows to coincide with Theatre Week. The 125 productions included as of the press deadline are the most in Chicago Theatre Week history, she said.

“And it continues to grow,” Clapp said. “The main thing is for people to celebrate Chicago theater for the tremendous cultural asset it is.”

Chicago Theatre Week

When: Feb. 9-19

Where: At theaters and arts venues throughout the suburbs and Chicago

Tickets: $15, $30. See

chicagotheatreweek.com for a schedule and tickets.