'Man Spread' Away in Spacious Seats at Windy City Playhouse

IRVING PARK — Windy City Playhouse promised to offer a different kind of theater experience, emphasis on experience.

So, does it deliver?

We'll leave the reviews of the Playhouse's production of "End Days" to the experts, though after catching Monday's press preview, we're leaning more toward Hedy Weiss' "highly recommended" than Chris Jones' curmudgeonly take.

Let's talk, instead, about the seats.

^{Swivel chairs make for a comfy theater-going experience. DNAinfo/Patty Wetli}

Unlike every other theater we've ever patronized, at least half of the seats at Windy City are swiveling lounge-style chairs. They're grouped in pairs and separated by small tables that are just large enough to hold a couple of drinks and small appetizer plates.

What this translates into most noticeably for the theater-goer: space.

Guys can "man spread" away to their heart's content in the roomy seats without encroaching on neighbors. And smaller attendees, so often penalized for their petite frames by taking knees to the back or elbows to the ribs, can enjoy an unmolested evening.

^{The Windy City Playhouse seating puts patrons front and center. DNAinfo/Patty Wetli}

Simply by changing its seating style, Windy City has negated a number of the little annoyances that are keeping people away from theaters in droves in favor of a night in at home.

For that, we say bravo.

^{The Windy City Playhouse lobby doubles as a bar/lounge. DNAinfo/Patty Wetli}

^{Tina Gluschenko as Sylvia Stein in the Windy City Playhouse production "End Days." Justin Barbin}