Save the Seats: We’re back with tickets reserved at 18 shows for your New Year’s Eve 2021
To the top of the category of Pent-Up Demand: Entertainment Division, let us add getting out and doing something for New Year’s Eve this year. With tickets hard to come by at this late date, Save the Seats is back after taking a year off and here to help for 2021.
This is the annual Tribune feature with ticket reservations for Tribune readers for Dec. 31. Read on for 18 shows, concerts and other events around town with tickets set aside just for Tribune readers for Dec. 31. Many are for shows that are otherwise sold out. And they’re yours for the buying if you’re one of the first to call.
HERE’S HOW THIS WORKS
1. Check out the shows on offer. The theaters and other venues are holding tickets for their Dec. 31 performances in the Tribune’s name, and Tribune readers who call and request them when the box office or ticket line opens Wednesday can buy them at face value. Sorry, this is not a contest or giveaway — the tickets are not free.
2. Check prices and showtimes, have your credit card handy and call the phone numbers included here. In some cases, they’re not the usual box office numbers, and sales are mostly by phone. When you talk to the show’s representative, identify yourself as a Tribune reader and request the Save the Seats tickets.
3. If the tickets on offer are still unclaimed, you can buy them. Complete the transaction and you’re all set. In most cases, the tickets will be held for you at the will-call window.
Consider this the fine print: We’ve made every effort to ensure that showtimes and prices are correct, but some shows also add ticket fees and last-minute changes and cancellations can occur. The Tribune made the reservations, but participation and all sales arrangements are up to the venues. The Tribune is in no way associated with these shows; they’re just included in our feature. In each case, check the venue’s COVID protocols or for COVID-related cancellations.
On to the shows.
“Frozen”: This musical does not disappoint the fans that need it the most — the Disney stage adaptation about sister princesses is now playing downtown at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Nor does Caroline Bowman, the actress playing Elsa on this tour, who delivers a top-notch “Let it Go.” Claim your seats: Four tickets (at $179 per, sold in pairs) for both the 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. performances at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St. Call 312-977-1702.
Metro and Smartbar: DJs will be ringing in 2022 both upstairs and down on Clark Street. The lineup in Metro includes Hot Chip, DJ Heather, Michael Serafini and Garrett David. In Smartbar, it’s Ariel Zetina, Harry Cross, Jeff Derringer, Justin Aulis Long, Phillip Stone, Shaun J. Wright and Sevron. With guest hosts Shea Couleé, Valentine Addams and Sheeza Woman, and resident hosts Lucy Stoole, Nico and Jojo Baby. Claim your seats: 8 tickets (at $40 per, sold in pairs) with doors opening at 9 p.m. at Metro and Smartbar, 3730 N. Clark St. For this offer, email Dec. 22 to ask@metrochicago.com.
Zanies: The Tribune tips its New Year’s Eve hat to Zanies, bringing the funny for generations and letting Save the Seats in on the deal since 2005. On Wells Street this year, the headliner is Calvin Evans, a Zanies favorite and a regular face on the HBO Max series “South Side,” among other screen appearances. At the Rosemont club, it’s Jimmy Shubert, a finalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” Claim your seats: Four seats for all shows at both clubs. Showtimes are 8 p.m. ($35 per) and 10:30 p.m. ($45 per, includes party favors and Champagne toast). For Zanies Chicago, 1548 N. Wells St., call 312-337-4027. For Zanies in Rosemont, 5437 Park Place, call 847-813-0484.
Blue Man Group: Along with Zanies, the bald men of Blue Man have also been saving seats for Tribune readers since the feature began. Blue Man Group offers three performances on New Year’s Eve — the first two are especially for families, with gifts for kids and “midnight” countdowns at the end of the show with party hats and a Blue Dude rendition of “Auld Lang Syne.” Audiences at the 10 p.m. show get a countdown party with hats and noisemakers, confetti drop and, yes, “Auld Lang Syne.” Claim your seats: Four tickets for each show (at $89 per) at 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St. Call 630-216-8833.
“The Play That Goes Wrong”: Now at the Broadway Playhouse, the Cornley Polytechnic University Drama Society is proudly presenting “The Murder at Haversham Manor,” and it’s going splendidly. Except for a corpse that won’t stay dead, an inspector who can’t inspect and a missed cue or three. Oh, and watch out for the falling prop, that could have been rather dangerous. This is farce raised to art form. Claim your seats: Four tickets (at $85 per, sold in pairs) for the 7:30 p.m. performance at Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut St. Call 312-977-1702.
Teatro ZinZanni: Expect a four-course dinner and a tableside, and table-over, circus presented in a dazzling Spiegeltent at the Cambria Hotel in the Loop. With vocalists Liv Warfield and Cunio, aerial acts Dreya Weber and Duo 19, comedians Frank Ferrante and Tim Tyler, and acrobatic dancers Mickael and Vita. The menu is designed by Debbie Sharpe of the Goddess and Grocer. Claim your seats: Four tickets (at $199 per, sold in pairs) for the 8 p.m. performance at the Cambria Hotel Chicago, 32 W. Randolph St. Call 312-488-0900.
Davenport’s Piano Bar: Celebrate the big night with The Nitz and Howe Experience. Daryl Nitz and George Howe host a musical party that is part improv, part music and all cabaret. The intimate New Year’s Eve performance is limited to 50 tickets and includes a countdown to midnight with a Champagne toast and party favors. Claim your seats: Four tickets (at $25 per) for the 9:30 p.m. performance at Davenport’s Piano Bar and Cabaret, 383 N. Milwaukee Ave. Call 773-278-1830.
“The Magic Parlour”: This show by third-generation magician Dennis Watkins takes place in classy surroundings at the Palmer House Hilton, perfect for a Chicago New Year’s night out. His 90-minute show includes close-up magic, sleight of hand, mind-reading and other illusions (as well as beer, wine and soft drinks). New Year’s Eve will mark the show’s 10-year anniversary — following the 9:30 p.m. show, Watkins will host a reception with a 10th birthday cake and Champagne toast at midnight. Claim your seats: Four tickets (at $89 per) for the 7 p.m. performance and four tickets (at $109 per) for the 9:30 p.m. performance at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St. Call 312-300-6803.
“Love, Actually? An Unauthorized Musical Parody”: Now at the Apollo Theater Chicago, a spoof on the 2003 Christmas movie starring Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley and others that spins together a number of separate stories and romantic couplings. As told onstage through a blur of costume and wig changes, the show is written by Bob and Tobly McSmith and directed by Tim Drucker. Claim your seats: Four tickets (at $59 per) for the 5 p.m. performance at the Apollo Theater Chicago, 2550 N. Lincoln Ave. Call 773-935-6100.
“Billy Elliot: The Musical”: A boy from a Northern England mining town grows up to love dance in this Tony Award-winning stage musical by Lee Hall and Elton John, based on the 2000 movie. It’s presented by Music Theater Works in Skokie. Claim your seats: Eight premium-section tickets (at $92 per) for the 8 p.m. performance at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Call 847-673-6300.
“Holiday Inn”: As Tribune critic Chris Jones pointed out in his recent review, many Chicago theatergoers assume this seasonal musical with songs by Irving Berlin is from the 1940s or thereabouts, when it first reached the stage in 2014. The New Drury Lane production, directed by Matt Crowle, is a romantic comedy about two guys vying for the affections of the same young woman, and the cast in Oakbrook Terrace is terrific. Dinner service ($75-$80) is available and there will be a Champagne toast at midnight. Claim your seats: Twenty tickets (at $74 per) for both the 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. performances at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Call 630-530-0111.
“Mr. Dickens’ Hat”: This new holiday show at Northlight Theatre is a play with music penned by Michael Hollinger and directed by David Catlin. It begins with a Victorian hat shop and Charles Dickens’ top hat, and from there becomes an elaborate story involving thieves, a plucky young heroine and a debtors prison. Claim your seats: Four tickets (at $79 per) for the 8 p.m. performance at Northlight Theatre, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Call 847-673-6300.
New Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve Concert: The New Philharmonic, conducted by Kirk Muspratt, rings in the New Year on the College of DuPage campus with guest baritone Ted Allan Pickell. The program features works by Rossini, Tchaikovsky, Johann Strauss II and John Williams, as well as some musical surprises. Claim your seats: Six tickets (at $67 per, sold in pairs) for the 8:30 p.m. performance at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Call 630-942-4000 (box office opens at noon).
“Dishwasher Dreams”: This one-man show at Writers Theatre in Glencoe is by writer and comedian Alaudin Ullah, directed by Chay Yew. A stand-up comedian whose family hails from Bangladesh is in Los Angeles on the verge of show-business success when a family crisis forces him back to New York. He finds himself deferring his dreams while confronting his family history. Claim your seats: Four tickets (at $35 to $90 per) for the 7:30 p.m. performance at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. Call 847-242-6000.
Chicago Magic Lounge: No better place to watch 2021 disappear than the Magic Lounge. Head inside the fake laundromat on Clark Street for a special New Year’s Eve show beginning at 10 p.m. The evening starts with close-up magic at your cabaret table, followed by an hour of stage magic performed by Chicago Magic Lounge favorites Luis Carreon, Ryan Plunkett and Justin Purcell. Full-service bar and kitchen service. All tickets include a commemorative Champagne flute and a Champagne toast. Claim your seats: Eight tickets (at $75 to $110 per) for the 10 p.m. event at Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark St. Call 312-366-4500.
“A Christmas Carol”: The Goodman’s stage play of the Charles Dickens classic, directed this year by Jessica Thebus, is a holiday tradition now in its fifth decade, starring Larry Yando as Ebenezer. You owe yourself a visit with a ghost or three this New Year’s Eve. Claim your seats: Twelve tickets (at $35 to $65 per) for the 2 p.m. performance at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Call 312-443-3800.
“I’m Not a Comedian ... I’m Lenny Bruce”: Written by and starring Ronnie Marmo and directed by Joe Mantegna, this show first opened in Chicago in 2019 as the story of one of the most legendary comedians of the 20th century, drawing from Bruce’s court battles championing free speech as well as many of his original comedic bits and insights from his writing. It’s back after a pandemic pause in the cabaret at Mercury Theater Chicago. Claim your seats: Two VIP tickets (at $79 per) and four regular tickets (at $69 per) for the 7 p.m. performance at the Venus Cabaret Theater at the Mercury, 3745 N. Southport Ave. Call 773-360-7365.
“A Recipe for Disaster”: Windy City Playhouse’s “A Recipe for Disaster” is a show with a twist — it’s a comedy night out in the basement of Petterino’s in the Loop that includes food tastings designed by chef Rick Bayless and cocktail and wine pairings by Lanie Bayless. The story is by Rick Bayless, along with Windy City artistic director Amy Rubenstein and associate artistic director Carl Menninger, based on Bayless’ real-life experiences in the restaurant game, a farce set on a night when everything that could possibly go wrong does. Claim your seats: Six tickets (at $130 per) for the 8 p.m. performance at Petterino’s, 150 N. Dearborn St. (entrance on Randolph). Call 773-891-8985.
