The Factory Theater - Chicago, Illinois

The Factory Theater: An Overview

Nestled in the heart of Chicago, The Factory Theater stands as a vibrant hub for performing arts enthusiasts. This intimate and dynamic venue offers a unique theatrical experience that combines artistic excellence with accessibility and comfort. Serving as a crucial part of Chicago's rich cultural landscape, The Factory Theater provides a platform for both emerging and established artists to showcase their talents in a variety of performance genres.

Location and Accessibility

Located at 1623 W Howard St, Chicago, IL 60626, The Factory Theater is easily accessible by public transportation, making it convenient for visitors from all parts of the city and beyond. The theater is particularly noted for its wheelchair-accessible entrance, ensuring that the venue is welcoming and accommodating for patrons with mobility challenges. This commitment to accessibility extends throughout the entire experience, from entry to seating arrangements, allowing everyone to fully appreciate the performances.

Performing Arts Venue

At its core, The Factory Theater specializes in performing arts theater. It operates as a space dedicated to hosting live performances across various genres, primarily focusing on drama, comedy, and musical theater. The venue is known for embracing a diverse range of artistic expressions, from intimate chamber plays to larger-scale musical productions. This versatility allows for a dynamic programming schedule that keeps audiences engaged and excited about upcoming shows.

Programming and Production Style

The Factory Theater prides itself on featuring a wide array of productions, as reflected in the positive feedback received. Viewers have expressed appreciation for the quality of performances and the caliber of writing, particularly highlighting great plays written by local playwrights. The venue has hosted productions like the musical "stabbed in the heart," which was noted for its cozy yet functional space that accommodates props and even a small orchestra. Another highly recommended preview mentioned was "Wise Guys: The First Christmas Story," described as consistently funny and campy, embracing a low-budget production style that adds charm and personality to the show. This approachable production aesthetic makes theater more accessible to a broader audience.

Facilities and Amenities

Enhancing the overall visitor experience, The Factory Theater offers several amenities. A restaurant located on-site provides convenient dining options before or after performances. The venue accepts various payment methods, including traditional credit cards and debit cards, as well as modern payment solutions like NFC mobile payments, ensuring a seamless transaction process for ticket purchases and any on-site expenses.

Visitor Experience and Reputation

With a strong reputation built over time, The Factory Theater boasts an impressive average rating of 4.7/5 based on 95 Google My Business reviews. Patrons consistently praise the venue's cleanliness, comfort, and ease of navigation. The helpful and friendly staff are frequently mentioned as a highlight, contributing significantly to the positive atmosphere. The intimate setting, despite its cozy size, is often described as perfect for performances, offering an immersive experience for the audience. The combination of high-quality productions, comfortable facilities, and excellent service makes The Factory Theater a must-visit destination for anyone seeking exceptional live theater in Chicago.

Recommendations for Visitors

For those planning to attend a performance at The Factory Theater, we strongly recommend checking the official schedule and purchasing tickets in advance, especially for popular shows. Taking advantage of the on-site restaurant before or after the performance can be a delightful part of the evening. Remember to arrive a few minutes early to secure your preferred seating, and be prepared to engage with the friendly staff and fellow theatergoers. The Factory Theater offers a unique blend of intimate atmosphere and professional production value, making it an exceptional choice for anyone seeking quality performing arts entertainment.

Key Features Summary

Location: 1623 W Howard St, Chicago, IL 60626

Contact: Phone: 3122755757 | Website: thefactorytheater.com

Specialties: Live performances, Performing arts theater, Local playwrights, Musicals, Comedies

Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Amenities: Restaurant, Multiple payment options (credit/debit, NFC)

Reputation: 4.7/5 average rating (95 reviews)

👍 Reviews of The Factory Theater

Zainab A.

5/5

Excellent theater. venue was clean, comfortable, and easy to navigate. staff were helpful and friendly. even with the cozy venue size, shows have room for props and even a small orchestra! saw a great musical - “stabbed in the heart”. will be back for more shows!

Jennifer K.

5/5

Great place to see shows. Very funny plays written by local playwrites

Fred B.

5/5

Just saw a preview of "Wise Guys: The First Christmas Story". It was wonderful! Consistently funny and campy. Highly recommend it! They embrace a low-budget production that adds to the personality and charm of this show.

James Y.

4/5

First time in a while that I visited. A bit of a cta trip from downtown but it quite close off the red-line Howard stop. Theater itself is quite nice if you like intimate settings. The play I saw had a nice seating arrangement with patrons on three sides but only 3 rows deep. The only reason I dinged one star was it's convenience to me being long but that's just me. The distance won't keep me from going again in the future..

Margaret R.

1/5

I didn't have a chance to see the play, bc The Factory Theater still (Spring 2024) holds to the lockdown mask policy. Unfortunately, we found out upon arrival. This information needs to be displayed explicitly on the website box office.

Jim S.

4/5

Nice small space for about 50 audience surrounding the stage. Duchess of Malfi is a classic revenge tragedy that makes less sense the longer it goes. But lots of fun, and even more Renaissance magical lore.

Elizabeth M.

5/5

Amazing!! The shows are always awesome. You can have a drink before or after at the bar next door (you can bring a drink with you to the show). Tickets are reasonable and the entertainment is always a good time!

Matthew S.

5/5

I sure love this theater. I’ve seen two shows now and will undoubtedly be back for more. It’s such a nice little venue and the people are so friendly.