The Windy City's Theatrical Labyrinth: How Many Stages Has Chicago SwallowED?
Ah, Chicago. City of broad shoulders, deep-dish pizza, and... a whole heap of freakin' theaters! But just how many stages lurk within the city limits? That, my friends, is a question that has confounded even the most seasoned thespians (and probably a few overzealous hamsters on a theater-hopping wheel).
A League of Their Own: The League of Chicago Theatres to the Rescue
Fear not, fellow theater enthusiasts! There's a glimmer of hope in the darkness (well, maybe not literal darkness, because that would be bad for, you know, seeing the plays). Enter the League of Chicago Theatres, a fearless troupe of theater champions who, amongst other things, keep a running tally of the city's theatrical landscape.
So, How Many Theatres Are We Talking About? Buckle Up, Buttercup!
Here's where things get interesting. Brace yourselves, because the answer is a doozy: over 250 theaters call Chicago home! That's right, from the grand and historic (looking at you, Goodman Theatre) to the intimate storefronts where experimental pieces push the boundaries (and maybe the fire code, but that's a story for another time), Chicago's theater scene is a sprawling beast.
But Wait, There's More! (Because Chicago Doesn't Do Anything Small)
But hold on to your playbills, folks, because we're not done yet. This number doesn't even include the itinerant companies who pop up like theatrical whack-a-moles, or the rental venues that can be transformed from a yoga studio by day to a searing social commentary by night.
The Verdict: Chicago's Theaters Are Like Cockroaches... But in a Good Way (Mostly)
So, the final tally? Officially unconfirmed, but let's just say there are enough theaters in Chicago to stage a Shakespearean drama in every single neighborhood, with room left over for a passionate rendition of Les Mis.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a sudden urge to binge-watch every season of Chicago PD just to get my Windy City fix. And maybe, just maybe, see if I can score some last-minute tickets to something avant-garde and utterly bizarre. After all, in Chicago's theater scene, that's practically the norm.
