Start the New Year with Something Different!

January is the time of year when we feel like we’ve hit a rut. The holidays have passed and it’s a long time before the summer fun begins once again. Don’t fret – we’ve found some great things for you to do. Some theater favorites are just arriving in Chicago and we’ve got a unique shopping experience to tell you about. Also, due to popular demand, the Chicago Model City exhibit has been extended. If you’re interested in city planning and architecture, you won’t want to miss this. Finally, we know it’s cold right now, but we have some fun suggestions for you, both indoors and out.

Theater Lovers - Take Notice!

January brings some significant changes to Chicago theater. The long-running Jersey Boys will be closing January 10, 2009. This Tony Award winning musical is saying goodbye to the Bank of America Theater; this is your last chance for Jersey Boys tickets. January 10 is also the last day to see the wacky Addams Family in the musical playing at the Ford Center. Get your Addams Family tickets before they depart Chicago.

While we’re sad to see these two popular musicals leave our city, we welcome some fan favorites. First, you can plan a wonderful evening out to the Rosemont Theatre, near O’Hare Airport, to see Mamma Mia!, playing January 19-24. The Rosemont Theatre is a nice-sized facility; not too big, not too small, with 3,400 seats. First step, get your Mamma Mia tickets; then make your reservation for dinner at the nearby Nick’s Fishmarket, Carlucci Restaurant, Morton’s Steakhouse or Café La Cave for a special dining experience.

Dreamgirls comes to Chicago January 19 at the historic Cadillac Palace Theatre (Monroe Street, just west of State Street). Telling the story of a 1960’s Motown group, Dreamgirls is full of music and drama. Get your Dreamgirls tickets soon, this show closes January 31.

Private Lives, a comedy about relationships, especially those of the love-hate variety, runs January 6 through March 7 at the intimate Chicago Shakespeare Theater located on Navy Pier. Private Lives first hit London theater in 1930, then Broadway in 1931, which is the year the film of the same name was made, starring Robert Montgomery and Norma Shearer. Private Lives tickets will go fast.

See Chicago Traveler's Complete Theatre Performance Listings.

In the West Loop neighborhood, just steps from Harpo Studios where the Oprah show is taped, Oprah has opened a beautiful 5,500 square foot store featuring everything Oprah. The store itself is quite stunning, with a welcoming décor and open layout. Here you’ll find over 900 different items, all personally approved by Oprah and many with the “O” logo.

Whether shopping for yourself or for a gift, there’s ample variety - - clothing, key chains, coffee mugs, dog leashes, umbrellas, note cards, home décor and more. Women’s clothing ranges from t-shirts to cashmere and all is available in sizes small to 3X. You’ll also find various clothing with the Oprah Winfrey Show logo and the Harpo Studios logo. Great gifts can be found in the baby “O” section. The African Crafts section features wares handmade by South African artisans, with proceeds helping their local economies. Prices are quite reasonable - - the Oprah Store offers the quality and value you expect from Oprah.

Visit the Oprah Store website and take a video tour of the store, narrated by Oprah herself.

The Oprah Store
37 North Carpenter Street - Chicago, IL 60607 - (312) 633-2100

 The 320 square-foot exhibit features five themes, including Global City (the importance of O’Hare Airport), Connected City (the creation of the “L”, which is the elevated tracks around the main business area known as “the Loop”), Green City (the introduction of the Chicago Climate Action Plan), Beautiful City (the implementation of Daniel Burnham’s Plan of Chicago for city beautification) and New City (the effects of the plan to demolish and rebuild certain areas of the city).

For a technical and interesting explanation on how the buildings for the 3-D model were created, check out the Baxter International video. Chicago Model City is open for viewing (no charge) 7 days a week from 9:00 am to 6:30pm. On Fridays and Saturdays at 12:30 pm, Chicago Architecture Foundation volunteers lead 20-minute Gallery Talks to educate visitors on the various themes of the exhibit. To attend a Gallery Talk, meet in the Sante Fe Building atrium – no need for reservations.

Chicago Model City
Chicago Architecture Foundation, Atrium Gallery
224 South Michigan Avenue - Chicago, IL 60604 - (312) 922-3432

Not quite that extreme? Another exciting winter event is Snow Days Chicago, January 29-31. Grant Park becomes a winter wonderland with a national snow sculpting competition, dog sled demonstrations and snowboard demonstrations and competition. This family event includes various activities for the kids. Hours are 4pm – 8pm on Friday; 11am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is FREE!

Finally, if you’re an outdoor type, but prefer the warm weather months, you can begin preparing now. Visit McCormick Place to see the Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show, which runs January 13 - 17. This event is an absolute wonderland for boating and outdoor enthusiasts, with hundreds of boats and RVs to take a look at and booths for all sorts of related products and services. Even if you’re not in the market for a new boat or RV, you can have lots of fun just looking or enjoying the unique events, such as Dock Dogs Competition, where powerful dogs run from a dock to a 40-foot pool of water to see which dog can jump the longest, highest and fastest.

There will be an interactive pirate show and trout fishing for kids 12 and under. Another new feature – an antique and classic boat display. Tickets are just $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $4 for kids 13-15 (free for kids 12 and under). Check the show’s website for ticket discounts and more information.

See the Chicago Event Calendar for other local events.

Chicago Highlights is a publication of Chicago Traveler. For more issues, see the Chicago Highlights Archive.