Unassigned
After watching Dick Clark with Grandma, some of our fondest New Year’s Eve memories involve live shows. With theatre, you get all the excitement of going out on the town with a happy crowd, yet you’re guaranteed seats and professional entertainment. What’s more, theatres usually charge a lot less than clubs and bars, with perks like a Champagne toast and after-party included in the ticket price. Here’s a sampling of shows, from the super-sexy to the family-friendly.
Comedy Sportz
Comedy Sportz caters to both family and adult audiences by offering its competitive improv comedy show in three time slots on New Year’s Eve. For the main event, there’s the 10 pm show complete with the After Party, which includes dancing and cash bar until 2 am. Families and early birds have their choice of either the 5 pm or 7 pm performances, which offer party favors and a cider toast.
For added fun, the theater has put a special twist on the logistics of an early toast. “We countdown to midnight for the place where it is actually turning midnight,” explains Greg Werster, Managing Partner of Comedy Sportz Chicago. “Last year that was South Georgia, a small island in the South Pacific that is only inhabitable three months out of the year. With our new curtain times this year, we hope to find a location where people actually live.”
5, 7 and 10 pm, The Comedy Sportz Theatre, 929 W. Belmont Ave., $21 for early shows and $30 for late show and After Party. 773.549.8080
iO
iO rings in 2010 with four shows in its two theatres, plus a late-night dance party. “Come bring in the New Year with lotsa funny,” suggests Brian Posen of The Cupid Players, who will perform their critically-acclaimed musical sketch comedy, Cupid Has a Heart On in the Del Close Theatre at 10:30. In the same time slot, the interactive Bye Bye Liver: The Chicago Drinking Play will run downstairs in the Cabaret Theatre. Both shows conclude with a midnight toast and party.
For the early-evening option, audiences have their choice of The iO Musical featuring the Deltones or Dominizuelan, the female comedy duo, performing People in the City. “If people don’t want to stay for a late-night thing and they have other plans, they can come to the 8 o’clock show,” says Charna Halpern, co-founder of iO. “They have a great time, and then they can go party hop. If anyone wants to stay here, they come at 10:30 and this is their final destination.”
For the theatergoer whose night isn’t complete without some booty-shaking, iO’s post-show party offers the best of both worlds at no extra cost. “All the iO people come here after midnight, and they all dance, and they always include the audience members,” says Charna. “It gets to be this fun, rowdy party where Champagne is constantly flowing. Everyone always says it was the best New Year’s ever.”
8 and 10:30 pm, iO, 3541 N. Clark St., $20-25, 773.880.0199
Navy Pier
Navy Pier’s Family New Year’s Eve Bash
It’s early, it’s family friendly, it’s got dancers and music and fireworks and . . . it’s free! Mia Park of TV’s Chi-ca-go-go hosts this event, which includes dance performances by The Chicago FootworKINGz, Total Domination Youth Dance Ensemble, The World Champion Double Dutch Team, Pink Panthers, and music by The Goblins. Navy Pier’s always fun for local families, but this is an especially great way to give out-of-town kids a Chicago experience to remember. We recommend arriving early.
6 – 7:45 pm, Fireworks at 8:15, Navy Pier, Winter WonderStage in Festival Hall, Free Admission
The Neo-Futurists
Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind
“Too Much Light is the perfect way to ring in the New Year,” says Lindsay Muscato, Managing Director of the Neo-Futurarium. “We try to get through 30 plays in 60 minutes, and when the buzzer stops, we toast! And 2010 begins.”
Doors open at 9:30 pm for some Whole Foods hors d’ouvres and non-alcoholic drinks. The show starts promptly at 11 (it has to if they’re going to get through thirty plays by midnight!) and concludes with New Year’s cheers and pizza. But that’s not all – each patron receives a commemorative Champagne flute with the Neo logo. Anyone who’s ever waited in the cold for TML, only to be turned away, need not fear on New Year’s Eve because advanced tickets are a must. So get on that before the longest-running show in Chicago sells out once again.
Doors at 9:30 / Show at 11:00 pm sharp (no late arrivals), The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave., $40 advance tickets required, 773.275.5255
pH Productions
Sin in 2010: A New Year’s Eve Party For Everyone
Now we’re getting naughty. This New Year’s Eve, the late-night comedy masters at pH will unveil a brand new, R-rated, improvised show called Phetish. The evening also includes burlesque performances by members of Vaudezilla, food, drinks, games, prizes, and a live ball drop.
“pH is offering a great alternative to the typical expensive night in a crowded club this New Year’s Eve,” says Brett Mannes, Marketing Director of pH Productions. “A mixture of live comedy, burlesque dancers and an outrageous party means a wonderfully sinful night for anyone and everyone looking to do something a little different — and a little dirty — for cheap.”
10 pm, Studio Be, 3110 N. Sheffield Ave., $20 in advance and $30 at the door, 773.732.5450
