Chicago Theater District: Best Shows During RSNA 2020

Chicago’s Theater District usually gives conference visitors an easy evening escape: a Broadway musical at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, a classic production at the Chicago Theatre, or a smaller performance near State Street. For Australian radiologists and medical teams attending RSNA, the district would normally have been a convenient addition to a busy professional schedule.

RSNA 2020 was scheduled for 29 November to 4 December 2020, with the scientific assembly planned around McCormick Place. However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the event completely. RSNA 2020 moved online, and Chicago’s major theatres were closed during this period, so there were no regular Broadway-style performances to attend in person during the meeting dates.

That makes the most accurate answer slightly different from a standard entertainment guide. The best “shows” associated with RSNA 2020 were the productions visitors would have considered before travel restrictions, alongside online cultural options and the theatre district’s landmark architecture.

For attendees joining from Australia, the timing also mattered. The programme ran overnight or in the early morning across Australian Eastern time zones, making a virtual meeting feel very different from an in-person convention followed by an evening at the theatre.

What happened to Chicago theatre in 2020

Chicago’s live performance scene was effectively paused in late November 2020. The Chicago Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, Nederlander Theatre and CIBC Theatre were not operating as normal public venues, and touring productions had been postponed or cancelled.

Broadway in Chicago’s calendar had been heavily disrupted throughout the year. Productions that might usually attract conference visitors—including large-scale musicals and touring theatre—could not provide a dependable option during the RSNA dates.

This is important for anyone researching the event retrospectively. A listing that describes Chicago theatre as though it operated normally in December 2020 may confuse the usual seasonal programme with what was actually available during the pandemic.

The Chicago Theatre as a landmark

The Chicago Theatre is one of the city’s most recognisable buildings, with its famous vertical sign and ornate interior. Even without a performance, it is an easy landmark to include in a walk around the Loop, particularly for visitors staying near the Magnificent Mile or River North.

In a normal year, its programme could include concerts, comedy and touring entertainment rather than only traditional plays. During RSNA 2020, the venue was best treated as a photo stop or architectural sight viewed from outside, subject to local restrictions.

Australians may find the downtown scale familiar in parts, but Chicago’s winter conditions are a serious consideration. Late November and early December can bring icy wind, early sunsets and snow, so a short walk between venues may be less comfortable than it appears on a map.

Broadway in Chicago’s major venues

The Cadillac Palace Theatre was a natural candidate for visitors seeking a large musical. Its lavish interior and central location make it one of the district’s headline venues, while the Nederlander Theatre offers a more intimate setting for touring productions.

The CIBC Theatre, formerly associated with major musical runs, is also within the central theatre cluster. In a normal RSNA year, these venues could suit different preferences: a high-energy musical for a group, a polished touring production for colleagues, or a short taxi ride back to a hotel after the curtain call.

None of those options should be presented as confirmed RSNA 2020 activities. The theatres were closed during the relevant period, and production schedules were subject to public-health orders. The most reliable cultural choices were therefore online performances, streamed concerts and recorded theatre content.

Virtual culture for an online meeting

With RSNA 2020 delivered online, attendees could build a cultural evening around the virtual conference rather than commuting from McCormick Place. The scientific programme provided the professional framework, while online concerts, theatre archives and museum tours offered a safer way to experience Chicago from home.

This arrangement was particularly relevant in Australia. A delegate in Melbourne or Sydney might finish a session at an awkward hour, take a break for breakfast, and then return for another presentation. Calling something an “evening show” depended on the viewer’s location, since Chicago afternoon could fall in the early morning in Australia.

A practical approach was to choose one recorded performance for a convenient local time rather than trying to reproduce a Chicago night out. “Arvo” planning, flexible work hours and a reliable home internet connection were more useful than booking a late dinner near State Street.

Staying near the theatre district

If the meeting had proceeded in person, accommodation near the Loop, River North or along the route to McCormick Place would have made theatre visits easier. Hotel selection mattered for radiology teams because room blocks, shared transport and predictable return times can be more valuable than choosing the closest building to a theatre.

The RSNA accommodation service covered 3-star, 4-star and 5-star hotels, helping individual professionals and delegations compare rates and organise rooms. For groups considering transport logistics, these shuttle hotel options were especially relevant to the planned convention venue.

In Australian terms, the appeal is similar to booking near the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre or Sydney International Convention Centre: a slightly longer hotel transfer may be worthwhile if it simplifies the whole group’s movements.

Planning a theatre evening in a normal year

For a future Chicago conference, theatre bookings should be made after checking the official venue calendar, performance length and transport arrangements. A Wednesday or Thursday evening is often easier for a professional group than the final night of a meeting, when colleagues may be packing or travelling.

Allow time for security checks, coat collection and winter transport delays. Chicago’s “L” trains can be useful, but a group returning late may prefer a pre-booked car or a hotel shuttle, especially when several delegates are travelling together.

Dinner timing also deserves attention. Australians accustomed to eating earlier may find downtown restaurant schedules manageable, but a popular venue can fill quickly before a 7 pm curtain. A quick meal, theatre bar or pre-ordered table can prevent a rushed arrival.

Making the most of the district beyond shows

The theatre area is part of a broader Loop itinerary. Visitors can combine the district with Millennium Park, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Art Institute of Chicago or a walk along the Chicago River, depending on opening hours and weather.

In 2020, access rules were changing frequently, and indoor attractions could close with little notice. Checking official updates before leaving the hotel was essential, as was carrying a mask and allowing extra time for changing requirements.

For an Australian delegation, the district would have worked best as a flexible bonus rather than the centrepiece of the trip. If a show was cancelled, the group could still enjoy Chicago architecture, deep-dish pizza, jazz history or a relaxed meal before returning to its hotel.

Theatre listings for RSNA 2020 should therefore be read with care: there was no normal in-person show calendar during the meeting. For future professional travel, however, Chicago’s Theatre District remains an excellent evening option when live performances, accommodation and transport are confirmed together.

When planning a later Chicago conference, review the official theatre schedules, secure suitable hotel rooms early and coordinate transport for the whole delegation so a night of live entertainment fits comfortably around the scientific programme.