Chicagoans take theater seriously. Not that they’re obsessed with dramas, no, but the art of theater-going, yes. Here theaters range from the classics like the Goodman, Ford Center (Oriental Theater), and (of course) Chicago Theater to the king of comedy, Second City. In the middle of these two genres is the Harris Theater, whiPicture 7ch masterfully presents options worthy of the classics and funny enough for the kids at Second City. The reason the Harris Theater’s so successful in diversity is that it partners with some of the best performing arts companies, allowing the theater to be on the forefront of all things dance, musical, comedy and drama.

Just take a look at some 2010 highlights to come:

Mikhail Baryshnikov in a solo dance performance, an evening of insight with the “Master of the Musical,” Stephen Sondheim, the Harris Theater debut of Lang Lang under the baton of his mentor Christoph Eschenbach, the Chicago premiere of Orquestra de Sao Paulo with virtuoso percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie.

The theater’s calendar is jam packed with performances making its repertoire new and fresh, especially compared to the big-boy theaters whose stage productions last for months at a time. And for those who still can’t enough of Harris Theater, there are plenty of classes and volunteering opportunities to keep everyone entertained.