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I'm going to Chicago after all

Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 4:37 pm
by johnnyc
Well.......after telling everyone who asked (and some who didn't) that I had no interest in the Chicago run of BETM, I've changed me mind! :shock: :shock: I came down with a bad case of "missingtommyitis" when I returned from NY. The only cure is to go see him again. So, yesterday morning, I phoned Ticketmaster and purchased tickets for the first six preview shows, Thursday March 18 through the evening performance on Sunday, March 21. I think I got decent seats, but never having been in The Ford Center, I can't be certain.

Now for a hotel (no more than two blocks from the theatre of course). Ah ha! The Wit (owned by Doubletree, the chain that also runs my favorite NYC hotel) is a block and a half distant. Looks good. And I have enough miles with United to get a free flight.

Of course, I plan to keep looking for a better seat for the first preview (right now I'm in row A of the lower balcony, but way over near the left wall), and if I find one, the johnnyc box office will reopen. :lol: :lol:

OK, where is the seating chart? Where are we having dinner before the first preview? :D

Re: I'm going to Chicago after all

Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:02 pm
by Rich B
I knew you'd change your mind after missing Tommy last Saturday. :lol: I'll be at the same 6 shows, scattered around the orchestra section, except for the first night - I'm in row AA of the Dress Circle on the left. Have no idea how good these seats are.

The Wit hotel was my second choice but I decided on the Hampton Majestic 3 blocks away instead. I got a discounted rate plus a full hot breakfast so I went with them.

Rich

Re: I'm going to Chicago after all

Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 9:21 pm
by johnnyc
Rich B wrote: The Wit hotel was my second choice but I decided on the Hampton Majestic 3 blocks away instead. I got a discounted rate plus a full hot breakfast so I went with them.

Rich
About the Hampton breakfast, the hotel has no dining room and the breakfast is served in the lobby. It's more continental than a full. But continental suffices for a lot of people. The Hampton is tempting - free internet and less expensive rooms. And both it and the Wit are close to the Oriental Theatre, State Street shopping, Millennium Park, and the EL blue line, which goes to/from O'Hare for something like $2.85 each way (taxi is $40).

I may do some thinking before making my hotel reservation.

Re: I'm going to Chicago after all

Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:05 pm
by Rich B
johnnyc wrote: About the Hampton breakfast, the hotel has no dining room and the breakfast is served in the lobby. It's more continental than a full. But continental suffices for a lot of people.
True, they have no dining room but I think their breakfast is better than what most call 'continental'. Their website does say 'hot breakfast' and a Tripadvisor review says they offered ham and eggs among other things. I guess I'll have to wait and see.
johnnyc wrote: The Hampton is tempting - free internet and less expensive rooms. And both it and the Wit are close to the Oriental Theatre, State Street shopping, Millennium Park, and the EL blue line, which goes to/from O'Hare for something like $2.85 each way (taxi is $40).
Yes, the EL transportation is cheap. No way I'll get a taxi! I'll be coming into Midway Airport and they have the Orange line which goes right into town also, about 1 1/2 blocks from the Hampton. Definitely need hotel/transportation close to the theatre. Chicago has had some nasty March snowstorms.

Re: I'm going to Chicago after all

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 4:40 pm
by theluji
Hi John and Rich !
I'll be in Chicago for the 1st preview night and looking for a hotel.
It seems The Wit is the best location.
But I'm interested in staynig at Hard Rock Hotel...Is it a little far to walk from the theatre ?

Re: I'm going to Chicago after all

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 5:08 pm
by Rich B
theluji wrote:Hi John and Rich !
I'll be in Chicago for the 1st preview night and looking for a hotel.
It seems The Wit is the best location.
But I'm interested in staynig at Hard Rock Hotel...Is it a little far to walk from the theatre ?
It wouldn't be too far. According to Hotels.com, it's about 0.3 miles. On Hotels.com, find your hotel and click on Maps and Attractions. Under Landmarks, click 'Theatres' and select the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Then click on 'Measure' under the map and it will tell you to select a start and end point on the map and it will calculate how far, both by car and walking. It shows that from the Hard Rock to the theatre is about a 7 minute walk.

Rich

Re: I'm going to Chicago after all

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 5:27 pm
by theluji
Thank you for your kindly reply, Rich !

theluji

Re: I'm going to Chicago after all

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 2:47 am
by johnnyc
OK, during my Chicago stay from March 17 through 20, I'll be staying at the Hampton Inn Majestic, which is three or four blocks south of the Oriental Theatre. I got a King Deluxe room with sofabed, microwave, frig and free hi-speed internet. Breakfast in included too, all for $148 per night, avg. Not too bad. :D

Another reason I chose this hotel is because it's part of the Hilton chain, like my favorite NYC hotel. This means I can accrue more bonus points. Who knows? Perhaps one day I'll have enough points for a free stay at some Hilton hotel. 8-)