“The Genesee Theatre- Think Outside The Box” by FrankMeccia

For those of us old enough to remember, Waukegan was the home of the legendary Jack Benny. And sitting in the historic Genesee Theatre, you can feel that sense of history. This beautiful, nearly 100-year-old theater holds more than 2,000 people, and it is a wonderful place to see a concert.

And here’s something you don’t hear very often in the Chicago area: parking for only $10! Even better, there is free street parking just one block from the theater. That alone makes the Genesee worth considering when you’re tired of paying outrageous prices just to park your car downtown.

But tonight wasn’t about the parking—it was about the music.

The evening started with Fran Moran and the Nervous Wrecks, and what a great way to open the show. They were energetic, entertaining, and had some really good original songs. One song in particular, “Saturday Night,” is the kind of tune that sticks with you. They played until after 8:15 p.m., warming up the packed theater before the main act took the stage.

Then came Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters.

I have to admit, I really didn’t know what to expect. The only thing I knew about Billy Bob Thornton was that he was an actor and, of course, that he had once been married to Angelina Jolie. But after tonight, I can tell you one thing: I’m a fan.

Thornton and the Boxmasters played for about 90 minutes, and the show was filled with energy, personality, and great music. Thornton was completely at home on stage, talking with the audience and giving us a performance that felt much more personal than some of the enormous arena concerts I’ve attended.

And then came something I found particularly unusual.

After the show, Billy Bob Thornton actually went out and met his fans.

Apparently, if you were wearing a baseball cap, you had the opportunity to meet him—and judging by the hundreds of people who lined up, baseball caps must be his trademark! The line stretched with fans eager to shake his hand, say hello, and get a moment with the man they had just watched perform.

I even bought one of his records.

Yes, a record.

For you younger folks, look it up!

The audience was packed, and judging from the crowd, there were plenty of people in my age group who were just as happy to be there as I was. It was one of those nights that reminds you that great live music doesn’t have to mean fighting your way into downtown Chicago, paying a fortune for parking, and spending even more for a ticket.

And that’s why I think Chicagoans should start looking north.

The Genesee Theatre has an impressive lineup coming up, with something for just about everybody. They’ve got Pink Floyd, KC and the Sunshine Band, Jefferson Starship, Alice Cooper, Alton Brown, and plenty more on the schedule. There’s something happening there almost every night of the week.

That’s what makes the Genesee such a great find. It’s not just a concert venue—it’s a beautiful historic theater with a wide variety of entertainment, reasonable parking, and a location that’s an easy drive from Chicago.

So the next time you’re looking for a great concert, don’t automatically head downtown.

Think Waukegan. Think Genesee Theatre.

It’s a hop, skip, and a jump from Chicago—and it’s a treasure you shouldn’t miss.

Genesee Theatre
203 North Genesee Street
Waukegan, IL 60085

Trust me: this is one Chicago-area theater worth discovering.    box office847-263-6300                 www.Geneseetheatre.com