Genesee Theatre (Waukegan, IL) Concert Venue / Theater

Less than an hour from Chicago, the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan is the kind of extravagant venue usually found in downtown theater districts. This former movie palace brings ornate glamour to the suburbs, staging musicals, plays, concerts, and film series. The Genesee Theatre was built in 1927 as a movie theater and live performance venue. Over the decades, it deteriorated, closing its doors in 1989. In 2004, a massively rehabilitated Genesee Theatre opened, complete with replicas of the original décor and an 18-foot crystal chandelier in the lobby.

The Genesee Theatre hosts small company performances of Broadway favorites, vaudeville-style acts, and ballet classics like The Nutcracker. A film series at the Genesee Theatre screens classics, which often turn into interactive sing-alongs. With four levels of seating, the Genesee Theatre has a capacity of over 2,400 people.

Concessions at the Genesee Theatre are available in the first floor Road Show Lounge. Most performances at the Genesee Theatre have the option of adding a Platinum Package, which includes a one-hour pre-show party complete with open bar and hors d’oeuvres. Valet parking at the Genesee Theatre is available for most performances.