The Best Chicago Theater Deals

The fall theater season is upon us! Here are some ways to see shows without breaking the bank.

Best Limited-Time Deal: Hot Tix $20 Shows

Buy $20 tickets in advance to upcoming shows, such as “A Chorus Line,” “Nunsense,” “Shrek the Musical,” and much more. This deal ends Sept. 3, or while supplies last.

Best if You’re Lucky: Broadway in Chicago Lottery

Enter a lottery to see “MJ, The Musical." If you’re selected as a winner, you have 60 minutes to pay for your tickets, so be sure to check your email often. Sounds too good to be true? Your fave newsletter editor Sidney Madden nabbed tickets to Hamilton, so you know it’s for real!

Best if You’re Scrolling: TodayTix

Check out this site for last-minute theater tickets, such as half-off tickets to “Collected Stories” at the Oil Lamp Theater, or $15 tickets to “Baby” at the Citadel Theatre. You can also enter for a chance to win lottery tickets to sold-out shows through the app.

Best for Spontaneous Chicagoans: Goodman Theatre

Check for remaining mezzanine seats at the downtown theater at 10 a.m. each performance day. You can also check for these half-price tickets at the box office at noon.

Best for Young Folks: Chicago Shakespeare Theater

If you’re under 35, you can watch productions of Shakespeare at Navy Pier for just $20. Thousands of these discounted tickets are allocated throughout the season — nab yours by signing up for their free membership.