It cost too much to renovate, the drinks are too expensive, and you'll never see a ticket cheaper than $45 because of the Theatrical Wardrobe Union and expensive muni-bond interest payments. Â But what the hell else are you going to do? Â The lineup is decent, if inconsistent, and there is usually something worth going to at least once or twice a year.
The challenge of the Genesee will be to find smaller, alternative uses for the theatre between marquee shows. Â The film series are a good start. Â I'd like to see them expand that line of thinking.
This is a beautiful theater. They have a parking lot right behind the theater for $10.00 In side they have a small bar, cash only with a few snacks , beer, wine, other beverages.
The theater is vintage. They have lovely seats and decorations. I'd say there isn't a bad seat in the place. They have the traditional orchestra seats and balcony.
What a beautiful place!
My father used to take me there when I was a little girl and to see it come back to it's original grand beauty was out-standing.
They offer a variety of performances, shows and entertainers.
I have seen many and have always been impressed by the show itself and the theater.
The whole place is amazingly beautiful and splendid to look at.
Please if you are in the area, you can't miss this historic place!
This place would be MUCH more pleasant to visit if it wasn't in the city of Waukegan.
I have been here a few times for shows...David Copperfield, most recently to see Straight No Chaser. I have no complaints about the theatre itself and the staff has been fairly pleasant as well.
My complaint is with the city itself. Last time we were here we used up all of our cash at the restaurant we decided to go eat at in the area before the show (next time eat at home as there is NO good place to dine at around this theatre). After our meteoker dinner, we then headed over to the theatre to find out that we had to pay ten bucks to park. The area of this theatre is in downtown waukegan...but nothing special. The lady collecting the cash only for the parking said that we could use the ATM inside the theatre but we had to come back out to pay right away because she was leaving before the show ended. The ATM was broken so we were told to walk a few blocks to a bank. The bank had an ATM inside but did not have the option to swipe at the door to enter (we were told this is because there was too much crime in this city). We then walked over to another bank --SAME THING!! We finally walked almost a good 2 miles before we came across a bank with the drive thru that we just walked up to FINALLY get our cash and get the HELL out. Â We missed the first 20 min of the show.
OK--so I know..we should have extra cash--BUT seriously, should have NOT taken so dang long when banks and atms were located minutes away....SO again--cool theatre--very nostalgic feel, old school outfits that staff wears..but LOCATION does not even deserve 1 star.
My young family and I spent two evenings at the Genessee recently for the Latino film festival and its gala opening. Â This is an incredibly beautiful space--even in the lobby; and they put on a wonderful reception in the upstairs lounge. Â All the staff was courteous, even to our five-month-old (wasn't expecting that for attending a film festival!) Â It was great to see other young families in there too. Â During the film itself, we discovered that the balconies and the front half of the lower level are best for viewing--otherwise, the underside of the balcony cuts off the view. Â This is so much more fun a place to go for movies than a multiplex; my husband discovered you can order a beer with your popcorn and everyone behaved themselves even with alcohol available.
All the big acts coming through tend to be out of our budget, but film festivals and similar events at this venue are going to be very high-priority for our local leisure time from now on!
It was my first time at the Genesee Theatre. I came for an afternoon Laurie Berkner concert for the kids. In case any of you know the cable channels Nick Jr. and Noggin, then you know Jack's Big Music Show. Laurie is the curly-haired, red-headed woman with the guitar who hops up and down when she sings and lots of cute kids dancing around.
The theatre had a great view despite the fact we were way in the back in row FF to the right of the stage. On the outside, it looks like the vintage 1920s era movie house. Inside, it's been modernized yet retains the classic architecture that makes it so great. While not as elegant as the Chicago Theatre, it has its own ornate beauty, comfortable seats and great sound. The aisles were wide enough for the kids to hop up and down and dance in the aisles. Yes, a Laurie Berkner show is like a Grateful Dead type experience for the 3-6 year old crowd.
Looking at its layout, it's a design that really works. I wish some newer theatres were built this way with the comfort of the audience in mind. Definitely going on my list of best places to see a show.
we just attended an event last week, on a Friday evening! Â without too many frills, here's what I thought --
-pros-
... Â ease of parking, esp if you arrive early. Â valet and self-park were literally across the street from each other.
... Â nice facility, only visited one bathroom, but it was clean and well-appointed, no bad smells
... Â good sound system, nice decor
... Â small venue, everything is 'close' ... on the main floor, the soundboard is right behind you just a few dozen rows back, and you can see the stage, even if only 1 person is standing there
-cons-
... Â THERE IS NO WHERE DECENT TO EAT, ONLY A MCDONALD'S seemed clean enough, within walking distance of the theatre. Â I wish I had known this beforehand, we would have treated ourselves to something delish ahead of time, because we were coming here to see Anthony Bourdain give a 'talk' ... and he specifically mentioned McD's during this event, so I was cringing in my seat as we felt truly the best choice was the McD's. Â one joint reeked of chlorine bleach, and the 2 other places were totally unprepared for the theatre crowd. Â totally understaffed, filthy, and just ... awful. Â hence McD's.
... Â the lobby and ticket areas are kind of small, so i would recommend you move to the 'inner lobby' or grab chips and a drink in the non-VIP lounge (well, unless you actually have VIP tickets that let you into that area ;)
... Â and if you are super-short, like me, this does NOT have STADIUM SEATING, so I was constantly shifting to get a view, but like I said earlier, when I could see it was great.
all in all, we would attend another event here. Â but either pack a meal to eat on the train or car on the ride up, or be prepared to have chicken nuggets for din-din. Â there is also balcony but our seats were not up there but I imagine it was also nice :)
You don't have to be a movie mavin to appreciate the Classic Films at the Genesee series.
For starters the admission is only $6 and half that if you are a student, senior or can show military ID.
The snack bar has the usual fare but also has beer and wine for reasonable prices. When was the last time you watched a movie with a glass of wine?
Another plus is that the balcony at the Genesee is open for patrons to enjoy; what a treat to be able to experience a balcony view of a motion picture. Few theaters have balconies these days and the ones that do generally have them closed because of liability concerns.
Most of the films start with period correct newsreels, cartoons and "coming attractions"; it's almost like being at a showing of the film when it was a first run.
There are some blockbuster films included in the 2009 Classic Films series so why not pick one out for a night of great entertainment.
Went here for the first of their classic film showings. It was great to see Casablanca on the big screen in this great historic theatre. Seating was a little cramped, but what do you expect at on old theatre? The whole experience was cheapened a little by the cheap register on a folding table used to sell tickets at the front door. Would have been nice to be able to walk up to the ticket windows and buy tickets, but oh well. All in all this is a great theatre with tons of character and I will definitely be back to see American Graffiti and ET!
Review Source:The theatre has been renovated and looks great. Â It gets a wide assortment of acts that come in between CHI and MIL. Â Comedy, music, film, kids, and I am sure other stuff. Â Parking is easy and plentiful.
While there are parts of downtown Waukegan that are being remodeled I am not sure if it is working as one older restaurant has recently closed and another one has closed after being open for only about a year. Â This makes me wonder what the majority of people who go to the shows do if 2 restaurants have closed within 1 block of the theatre.
The theatre is great and offers a great time, great decor.
I just went here for the first time in my life this last week. When I was little this was an area of town that you just didn't go to. I was aware of the renovations and my mother had been several times and raved about the place. It's really beautiful. It has a great historic feel. I don't think there is a bad seat in the house. The staff was all very friendly and helpful. Parking was right across the street and inexpensive and I felt completely safe walking around. I will definitely come back!
Review Source:My girl and I went to see Taylor Hicks here a little less than a year ago. We had never been there before and had no idea what to expect. It was the weirdest concert experience I think I have ever had. This theater is not built or intended for popular music acts. It is meant for plays, stand-up comedy, and other types of stage shows but definitely not big concerts. During the concert, people wanted to stand up, but as soon as they did, ushers with flashlights would come and tell them to sit back down. I couldn't believe it. It was so weird that between songs Hicks even said to "let the people enjoy themselves!" We are big fans and had seen him a couple weeks before at the House of Blues. The two concerts were like night and day. They should really be more careful about the acts they schedule for their theater if they don't want people to have fun.
Review Source:A great old theatre with a suprising selection of events. Â A lot of older rock groups come through here (Gordon Lightfoot, Herman's Hermits and Morrissey recently) as well as comedy acts and some old films. Â When I came here last, they were playing a Jack Benny film to celebrate the former Waukegan resident. Â Every small town should have a place like this.
Review Source:Oh how I wish this place were closer..doesn't have to be Chicago, then it would lose some of it's small town charm.
This theater is just gorgeous, you kept hearing that word form people around you. Beautiful chandeliers, and ornate plaster work. Not a huge theater, this is to your advantage, not a bad sight line in the place.
And a funny observation, they put the right number of stalls in the ladies room when they did the renovation. Maybe they short changed the guys. Because there was no waiting and even open stalls at intermission for us ladies. The guys had a line to get into theirs. Well at least at this theater, they'll get the idea.
It is a drive, so I go there only when it's someone I really want to see, and the reward is, you do get to see them. And not on a jumbo-tron.
I went here as a child for a play, and remember it was very very big and old. It looks great now, the recent renovation is very cool and I hope it makes a difference in this downtown in need of help. They've had some good acts, so check out their lineup. Worth it to see an old-time theater in its beauty.
Review Source:Okay, so I noticed other people yelping about places they worked, so I thought I would jump on the bandwagon. Â Even if I didn't work here, I would consider this theatre to be one of the finest around. Â The renovation is beautiful (there is seriously not a bad seat in the house) and the top name entertainment is stellar. Â Why else would I make the drive up from Wicker Park to Waukegan every day if it wasn't cool?
Review Source:
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