Navy Pier Chicago Shakespeare Theater - centrally located on the Pier with 510 available seats.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

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Recipient of the 2008 Regional Theatre Tony Award, Chicago Shakespeare Theater opened its new seven-story facility
at Navy Pier in 1999, bringing a new dimension to the Pier and creating a permanent home for Shakespeare in the
heart of Chicago.
outside view of Shakespeare Theater

The year-round theater complex is centrally located on the Pier. Inside this beautiful courtyard-style theater, the main floor, dress circle and gallery wrap gracefully around the thrust stage. In the intimate 510-seat theater, only nine rows separate the most distant seat from the actors on stage, and the gallery is suspended just 20 feet above the action. The complex also features a flexible 180-seat theater, Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, rehearsal spaces, an English-style pub, a Shakespeare resource center for educators, and lobby and reception areas with views of Lake Michigan and Chicago's skyline.

Now Playing

Julius Caesar
by William Shakespeare
directed by Jonathan Munby

in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater
February 5–March 24, 2013

When men feel they can no longer trust their elected leader, where is the line between patriotism and personal ambition? Acclaimed British director Jonathan Munby—whose work has graced the stages of Royal Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare's Globe—ignites the fiery power of the most enduring political assassination in history. Within the uniquely personal setting of CST’s Courtyard Theater, audience members feel each spark of emotion as words are wielded like knives in Shakespeare’s epic tale of ambition, betrayal and consequence.

Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet
directed and adapted by Rachel Rockwell

in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater
Saturday mornings at 11:00 a.m. • February 23–March 23, 2013

Experience all the passion and drama of true love found—and tragically lost—in this 75-minute abridged production. The feverish intensity of youth explodes on CST's stage in a high-energy, entertaining, family-friendly introduction to Shakespeare on Saturday mornings. Following the performance, audience members are welcome to join the cast for a discussion and photo opportunities in the lobby.

Recommended for ages 10 and up.

Approximate Running Time: 75 minutes (no intermission), plus 15-minute post-show discussion.

Othello: The Remix

a hip-hop adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Othello
created, directed and music by GQ and JQ
developed by Rick Boynton

Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare
March 12–April 28, 2013

This fresh urban take on Shakespeare’s tragedy returns home for a limited engagement on the heels of an acclaimed world premiere at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, and wildly successful tours to Germany and Edinburgh. The CST-commissioned hip-hop adaptation of Othello is spun out and lyrically rewritten over original beats by The Q Brothers—America’s leading re-interpreters of Shakespeare through hip-hop (Funk It Up About Nothin’, The Bomb-itty of Errors). Whether you’re looking for a rockin’ night of rhythm and rhyme or a new way to think about Shakespeare, Othello: The Remix delivers an intense, high energy spin like no other.

Recommended for mature audiences (contains adult language)

For more information or to purchase tickets, please call the Chicago Shakespeare Theater Box Office at 312.595.5600,
or go to their website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

Access Shakespeare

Chicago Shakespeare Theater is committed to bringing outstanding theater to persons with disabilities, including hearing and visual impairments. Accessible seating is available in both theaters, as are large-print programs and assistive listening devices. If disability assistance is required, please call the Box Office at 312.595.5600 or 312.595.3752(TTY).

Duo-Interpreted Sign Language Performance

A designated performance of every production is interpreted in American Sign Language. Please call the Box Office at 312.595.5600 (phone) or 312.595.3752 (TTY) to book your tickets, and ask to be seated in the sign-interpreted section, which is close to the stage.

Audio-Described Performances

A designated performance of every production is audio-described. Please contact the Box Office at 312.595.5600 to book your tickets, and ask to reserve a listening device. Audio-description begins 15 minutes before the curtain with introductory remarks.

For more information, including the dates of this season's sign-interpreted and audio-described performances, please visit chicagoshakes.com/access.

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