Chicago, the third-largest city in North America after New York and Los Angeles. As the birthplace of the skyscraper, its atmosphere bears a certain resemblance to New York. Though only a fraction of New York's size in population and area, this compact city is densely packed with captivating attractions, rivaling New York's in art, architecture, entertainment, and gastronomy. This short series introduces Chicago's charms by theme. The fourth installment explores Chicago's entertainment scene, from opera to jazz live performances.

No discussion of Chicago's entertainment scene is complete without mentioning opera, and in Chicago, opera means the Lyric Opera of Chicago. This is because it is counted among the three major opera houses in America, alongside the Metropolitan Opera and the San Francisco Opera, and has earned a high international reputation.

Since its founding in 1954, when Maria Callas, hailed as the greatest soprano of the 20th century, made her American debut there, the company has consistently captivated audiences with world-class performances by international singers, conductors, and directors.

In addition to standard operatic repertoire such as "Turandot" and "Rigoletto," the Lyric Opera is also known for presenting contemporary works, including "The Great Gatsby" by American composer John Harbison, showcasing a diverse range of performances.

Its home is the Lyric Opera House, renowned for its stunning Art Deco interior, considered one of the most beautiful opera houses in North America. The theater, renovated from a historic building constructed in 1929 by American industrialist Samuel Insull, boasts 3,563 seats, making it the second-largest opera theater in North America, after the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.

Lyric Opera of Chicago
20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606
https://www.lyricopera.org/

Navy Pier, a recreational area on landfill along the shore of Lake Michigan, is lined with attractions such as a Ferris wheel, cinema, museum, and food court. Originally a site for shipping docks and warehouses for Lake Michigan vessels, it was used as a naval pier during World War II, as its name suggests. Today, it is a popular Chicago spot visited by 9 million people annually. It's akin to Tokyo's Odaiba or Yokohama's Minato Mirai.

Located within Navy Pier, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents around 20 programs annually, including plays and musicals, with some being world premieres. It hosts 650 performances, attracting 225,000 audience members, making it one of Chicago's most popular theaters.

Inspired by the Globe Theatre of medieval London, which had ties to Shakespeare, the compact 500-seat theater space allows for an intimate experience, with every seat offering a close view of the stage, enabling the audience to feel the actors' passionate performances. It is a truly luxurious theater.

During my visit, I had the chance to see the musical "SIX," which has also been a hit in New York and London. The story, a whimsical tale of Henry VIII's six wives forming a band and singing about who had it worst to a rock soundtrack, was captivating. The six performers, dressed in striking black costumes adorned with gold, delivered powerful vocals and expressive performances, making the roughly 70-minute show feel like it flew by. The theater consistently offers engaging programs, so be sure to check it out when you visit Chicago.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater
800 E. Grand Avenue on Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois 60611
https://www.chicagoshakes.com/

Chicago is also renowned as a city of music. Blues and jazz, in particular, have developed uniquely as Chicago Blues and Chicago Jazz. The former, for instance, originated as African American work songs in the Mississippi Delta region in the 19th century, then traveled north to Chicago and evolved into a band format.

The latter emerged when musicians, seeking work after the entertainment districts in New Orleans were shut down following World War I, migrated to Chicago and created a unique style of jazz close to the blues. Chicago boasts numerous live houses and clubs where one can enjoy such music.

Among these, I visited Winter's Jazz Club, located in the heart of downtown Chicago. The club hosts live performances of various jazz styles, including swing and New Orleans jazz, with a focus on classic straight-ahead jazz, six days a week. While jazz clubs might seem intimidating, Winter's Jazz Club offers a stylish atmosphere and service that makes it welcoming even for tourists.

It's fitting that Chicago, the city of music, hosts the world's largest jazz festival, the Chicago Jazz Festival (held the weekend before Labor Day). The main stage is the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. This outdoor amphitheater, with its distinctive design by Frank Owen Gehry—also known for the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain—is a testament to Chicago's unique fusion of music, architecture, and art.

Winter's Jazz Club
465 N. McClurg Court (Promenade), Chicago, Illinois 60611
https://www.wintersjazzclub.com/

Jay Pritzker Pavilion
201 E. Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602
https://millenniumparkfoundation.org/art-architecture/pritzker-pavilion/

Though perhaps not widely known, Chicago has a long-standing tradition of enjoying magic performances in bars and nightclubs since the early 20th century. Numerous magic bars opened, becoming an integral part of the city's nightlife. However, their numbers gradually declined, and when the last one closed in 1999, the light of Chicago's magic culture seemed to extinguish. The Chicago Magic Lounge, which reopened in 2015, aims to rekindle that flame.

Upon arriving at the venue, located in the Andersonville neighborhood about a 20-minute drive from downtown Chicago, the first surprise awaited. The address led to what appeared to be a laundromat, with a hidden door providing access to the lounge.

On stage, magicians take turns performing top-tier illusions, filling the audience with gasps and laughter. Meanwhile, in the adjacent bar space, bartenders perform close-up magic at a more intimate distance, with patrons mesmerized by the skillful tricks while enjoying their cocktails and whiskey. Without overthinking it, one can simply marvel at the dazzling techniques presented one after another, laughing in delight. It was a time of relaxed enjoyment.

Chicago Magic Lounge
5050 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60640
https://www.chicagomagiclounge.com/