Chase Auditorium

It was a dream come true to see a live performance of Wait Wait… Don’t Tell me. Talk about one belly laugh after another and not wanting the show to end! The seats are comfortable, and the views aren’t obstructed since it’s a smaller, well-​designed layout. I’d go back in a heartbeat and recommend that any fan do the same!

This auditorium is about the only thing I like about Chase Bank. And that’s because I’ve gotten to attend many a Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me taping here on a Thursday night. I don’t know what else they do in this auditorium (except perhaps hold corporate gatherings to train their employees in deception, fraud and other corporate malfeasance,) but I sure do like coming here for the WWDTM show. It’s a great auditorium, and a perfect not-​too-​big, not-​too-​small place to experience a live show.

Like everyone else here, we went for a taping of Wait, Wait Don’t Tell me. If you live in Chicago or the surrounding area, you should definitely experience this at least once, regardless of your political bend. This was an absolute riot-​and the theatre is small enough to be intimate. I don’t think there’s a bad seat in the house-​very bright. This was the funniest thing I’ve done in a couple of years, (the last one being Annoyance Theatre’s mockery of Oprah’s last show.) You will laugh out loud continuously – so much fun.

Like everyone else we came here to watch «wait wait…». as far as the show is concerned, it is awesome obviously (or else why go to see the taping of a radio show??).
as an auditorium i think this place is as good as it gets for a show like this. I think there is not a bad seat in the house, the people sitting in front do not block the view and seats are comfortable and enough space between the seats to walk comfortably and the squeeze is not felt.
I would like to improve the way people enter the auditorium before the show and that is the only thing that would make the experience much better.
overall, quite a good audi for the show it hosts

So, I don’t know what else goes on in this auditorium, but we came for a taping of «Wait, Wait!», like almost every other reviewer.
This auditorium is pretty crappy as far as event spaces go. The ceiling is really low, the furnishings are super dark and it just feels like you’re trapped in a weird pit when you’re seated.
This theater is also unbelievably HOT. I’m usually a freezing cold person and this place was making me uncomfortable. The wine I consumed at dinner plus the heat of this space was making it impossible to stay awake.
Since other people have mentioned «Wait, Wait!», I will say the taping also left a lot to be desired. I usually enjoy listening to the show on WBEZ, but this taping was WAY too long and definitely had it’s off, super awkward, not-​funny moments. Like too many. Which is why it’s nice to just listen on the radio… someone edits all of the horrible stuff we had to listen to out so no one has to listen to it.
I doubt I’ll come back, especially for a $ 25 price tag. I’d rather go spend that money on beer.

I received a pair of tickets to the coveted Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me show. I didn’t think this show was so popular until I was told that the tickets were very hard to get due to sold out shows. Apparently the show is only recorded every Thursday evening.
When I arrived, the line had snaked around the waiting area to around 150 people. I was so shocked at how many people the Chase Auditorium could fit. The auditorium is actually two flights down from the waiting area. The seats are squeaky and old but were still comfortable. I ended up sitting in the last row towards the back because the seats filled up quickly. Despite sitting in the back, I had no problem hearing everyone on stage. The acoustics in the auditorium are very good.
The show was quoted to last about 90 minutes but I was there for almost two hours. The show was laugh out loud funny and I definitely recommend this show to everyone! If I get a chance to come back, I definitely will! I had never heard this show before but after this experience I’m a new fan!

Great acoustics, comfy seats, and a great venue for the taping of NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! Definitely worth the money to support the show and be part of the audience.

They say laughter can extend your life. If that is true, my visit to «Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me» added some time onto mine.
If you’re not familiar with the show, WWDTM is a news quiz show. That description doesn’t really do it justice because it makes it sound all dry, boring and nerdy. I assure you the first two adjectives are not true, but I suppose that last one is debatable — I have no problem getting my nerd on.
Live tapings occur on Thursday evenings at the intimate Chase Auditorium, in the basement of Chase Plaza, and last 90 minutes to two hours. There is no food or drink allowed in the auditorium, so I recommend a meal beforehand. One hour before the performance, will call opens and 30 minutes prior the auditorium opens up for seating. Since it is open seating, I recommend getting there early, especially if you’re a group. Or, if you’re like me, inadvertently send your friends on different dates and solve your group seating problems. The only low point was the hot, stuffy area we lined up in between will call and being released into the auditorium.*
Our taping went close to two hours, which I didn’t mind one bit. The hosts and panelists kept us laughing hysterically the whole time. What makes a live taping better than the podcast — in addition to seeing the hosts and panelists — is learning how the show gets made. It’s also a chance to witness all of the saucy (for NPR) bits that don’t make it into the podcast.
After the program they open up the floor for questions and you can meet the hosts and the panel. They also sell WWDTM merchandise afterward, including these hilarious pillows in the shape of Carl Kasell’s head.
If you’re a fan of the show, this is definitely something worth doing at least once! Check out Goldstar and you can grab tickets for under $ 20.
* Dear Gas Man (or Woman): The warm, sweaty aroma of the waiting area did not need your frequent and stinky contributions. Did you see all the people making faces and holding their noses because of you? I’m not sure if you had lunch at an all-​you-​can-​eat bean buffet or what, but those farts should be characterized as an act of terrorism. Take some Beano for chrissakes!

In the heart of downtown there is a hidden little gem called the Chase Auditorium. It’s nestled in the downstairs area of the ginormous Chase building. Luckily there are signs to point you in the right direction. I don’t think I would of found it otherwise. It’s also home to live tapings of NPR/​Chicago Public Radio’s, «Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me!» news quiz, which was the reason why I was there last night.
It’s a rip-​roaringly hilarious good time. You never know what will happen when the panelists get going. The parts I enjoyed the best were when one or more of the panelists would say something totally off the cuff and then Peter Sagal would chime in with, «Oops, I don’t think you’ll hear that on the broadcasted version.»
I had no idea how a radio show gets recorded so to be able to participate in one of my favorites was a very exciting experience indeed. Also, if you stay to the very end, you get to meet and greet with Carl Kasell, Peter Sagal and some of the panelists, which I would highly recommend doing, since they are great people and will sign autographs.
My only question is what do I have to do to earn a seat as one of the panelists?

I hate to simply echo the one previous review of the Chase Auditorium, but it was right on the money. I also attended a taping of Wait, Wait, and it was a fantastic experience. The auditorium itself does feel much smaller and more intimate than the capacity would suggest. The seats are comfy. The acoustics are perfect for the radio show experience.
What more can I say? If you get a chance to attend a taping of Wait, Wait at the Chase Auditorium, jump at it!

Great auditorium in the basement of the huge Chase bank building at 10 S. Dearborn.
We went for a taping of NPR/​Chicago Public Radio’s «Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me!» news quiz last week, and it was so great. Acoustics were fantastic, and the crowd of 500 or so felt much smaller than it actually was.
It was a bit warm inside, which made post-​dinner/​drinks staying awake a bit harder (especially when the «special guest» interview got a bit long), but overall its a nice little spot.