It is weirdly easy to drive right past it if you aren't paying attention. You’re cruising down Route 83 or stuck in that inevitable cluster of traffic near the Oakbrook Center mall, and there it is—a massive, sprawling complex that looks like a cross between a luxury hotel and a classic European opera house. People call it Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace or just Drury Lane, and honestly, if you live in Chicagoland and haven't been there for a wedding or a matinee, are you even from here?
Most folks think of it as just a theater. That is a massive understatement. It’s an ecosystem. We’re talking about a venue that manages to juggle a 971-seat proscenium theatre, a grand ballroom that probably sees more "I dos" than a Vegas chapel, and a dining scene that ranges from casual post-show drinks to high-end English tea service. It’s got that old-school, red-carpet energy that feels like it belongs in 1950s Hollywood, yet it’s smack in the middle of one of the busiest commercial corridors in Illinois.
The DeSantis Legacy and How This Place Actually Started
You can't talk about Drury Lane without talking about Tony DeSantis. He was a legend. A titan. He started with a small tent theater in 1949 and eventually built an empire of Drury Lane locations across the suburbs, including Northbrook and Water Tower Place. But the Oakbrook Terrace location, which opened its doors in 1984, was his crown jewel.
DeSantis had this very specific vision: he wanted high-quality theater accessible to the suburban masses without the nightmare of downtown parking or the $200 ticket prices of the Loop. He succeeded. Even after his passing in 2007, his family kept the torch burning. It’s still family-owned and operated, which is kind of a miracle in an era where everything is being swallowed by massive corporate entertainment conglomerates.
There's something deeply personal about the way the place is run. You see it in the chandeliers—there are thousands of crystals in that lobby—and you feel it in the service. It’s "old world" in a way that doesn't feel dusty, just well-maintained.
The Theatre: More Than Just Community Plays
If you’re expecting community theater vibes, you’re going to be embarrassed. This is professional, Equity-standard production work. Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace has a reputation for snagging Broadway-caliber talent and directors who know how to squeeze every ounce of emotion out of a script.
They don't just do Annie over and over again. Sure, they hit the classics—The Music Man, Guys and Dolls, Hello, Dolly!—but they also take risks. They’ve staged phenomenal versions of Next to Normal and Les Misérables that rival what you’d see at the Cadillac Palace. The acoustics in that room are remarkably tight. No matter where you sit, even in the "cheap" seats (which aren't actually bad), the sound hits you right in the chest.
One of the coolest things about their season structure is the variety. They usually run five major productions a year. Because it’s a regional powerhouse, they get to keep shows running longer than a traveling tour might stay in town. It gives the actors time to really settle into their characters, and it gives you a wider window to actually find a Friday night that isn't booked with kids' soccer games or work meetings.
The Sunday Brunch Ritual
Okay, we have to talk about the food. Specifically the brunch. If you know, you know.
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Drury Lane’s Sunday Brunch is basically a local rite of passage. It is overwhelming. It’s the kind of buffet where you need a tactical plan before you pick up a plate. You’ve got the omelet station, the carving station with prime rib that’s actually juicy, a ridiculous seafood spread, and a dessert table that looks like it was designed by a sugar-addicted architect.
People get dressed up for this. It’s one of the few places left where you’ll see three generations of a family sitting together, all wearing their Sunday best. In a world of "fast-casual" everything, there’s something genuinely nice about a place that expects you to sit down and spend two hours eating a crepe while a piano player performs in the background.
But it’s not just the brunch. The Lucille restaurant on-site handles the pre-theatre crowd. Pro tip: if you’re seeing a show, eat there. They time the courses perfectly so you aren't sprinting to your seat with a mouthful of cheesecake when the lights dim.
Weddings, Galas, and the Business of Celebration
If you’ve lived in DuPage County for more than five years, you have been to a wedding at Drury Lane. It’s statistically unavoidable. The ballroom space is gargantuan. We’re talking about a venue that can host a gala for 2,000 people or a small, intimate wedding in one of the side parlors.
What's fascinating is the logistics. On a typical Saturday, they might have three different weddings going on simultaneously, plus a sold-out evening performance of a musical, and the staff doesn't even break a sweat. It’s a well-oiled machine. They have on-site coordinators who have seen it all—from runaway brides to technical glitches with the AV—and they handle it with this calm, professional shrug.
For businesses, it’s a go-to for trade shows and award ceremonies. The proximity to the Oakbrook Center and several high-end hotels like the Hilton Suites and the Marriott makes it a perfect anchor for regional conferences. It basically turned Oakbrook Terrace into a mini-destination that isn't just about shopping.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Location
People often confuse Drury Lane with the Oakbrook Center mall. They are close, but they aren't the same thing. Drury Lane is technically in Oakbrook Terrace, not Oak Brook. It’s a small distinction, but if you’re putting it into your GPS, make sure you have the right city, or you might end up in a residential neighborhood wondering where the chorus line is.
Another misconception? That it’s only for "older people."
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While the matinee crowd definitely skews toward the retirement age, the evening shows and the revamped cocktail menus have started drawing a much younger demographic. They’ve leaned into contemporary hits like Waitress or Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, which pull in people who grew up on pop music rather than Rodgers and Hammerstein. They also host "Theatre for Young Audiences," which are shortened, hour-long versions of plays designed specifically for kids. It's a smart way to build the next generation of theater-goers.
The Technical Side: Behind the Scenes
The stage at Drury Lane is surprisingly versatile. Because they produce their own shows, they have an entire scene shop and costume department. They aren't just unboxing a set that was shipped from New York. They are building it.
The lighting rigs are state-of-the-art. If you watch a show like The 39 Steps or a big dance heavy production like Crazy for You, you can see the technical precision. The transitions are seamless. For a theater that’s been around for decades, they’ve done a great job of upgrading the "guts" of the building—the sound boards, the LED arrays, the hydraulic lifts—without losing the classic aesthetic of the auditorium.
Navigating the Logistics: Parking and Arrival
Let's be real: parking in the suburbs can be a nightmare, especially near the mall. But Drury Lane has a massive, free parking lot. That is a huge selling point. You aren't paying $40 for a garage in the city. You aren't walking six blocks in the Chicago wind. You park, you walk in, you’re there.
They also offer valet if you’re feeling fancy or if the weather is particularly miserable (which, let’s face it, is 50% of the year in Illinois).
If you’re coming from the city, it’s about a 30-to-40-minute drive depending on the Eisenhower Expressway’s mood. It’s worth the trek. You get a world-class experience for a fraction of the price of a Broadway in Chicago show, and you don't have to deal with the crowds at Union Station.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
In an era where we can stream anything on a 4-inch screen in our pockets, places like Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace shouldn't technically survive. But they do. Why? Because you can’t stream the smell of the theater or the collective gasp of a thousand people when a performer hits a high note.
It’s about the tangible experience. It’s about the fact that you can have a high tea in the afternoon, see a Broadway-quality show, and then walk over to a bar for a martini without ever leaving the building. It’s a vestige of a time when "going out" meant something substantial.
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Drury Lane remains a cornerstone of the Illinois arts scene because it refuses to be just one thing. It’s a theater, a restaurant, a wedding venue, and a community hub. It’s a place where the waiters know your name if you go often enough and where the actors often come out to the lobby after the show to say hello.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip to Drury Lane, don't just wing it. To get the most out of the experience, follow these specific steps:
1. Check the "Dinner and Show" Packages First
Don't book your tickets and your restaurant reservation separately. Drury Lane offers bundled packages that save you a decent chunk of change. You’ll get a multi-course meal at Lucille and your theater seat for a flat rate. It’s the most efficient way to do it.
2. Sign Up for the Newsletter for "Golden Tickets"
They occasionally run flash sales or "Golden Ticket" promotions where you can snag seats for half price. These usually pop up mid-week or for the final week of a show's run. If you’re flexible with your dates, this is how you save the most money.
3. Book Brunch Weeks in Advance
If you want to do the Sunday Brunch, do not show up and expect to get a table. It fills up fast, especially around holidays like Mother’s Day, Easter, or during the Christmas season. Aim to book at least 3-4 weeks out for a standard Sunday, and months out for holidays.
4. Explore the Local Area
Since you’re already there, make a day of it. The Oakbrook Center is right next door for some high-end shopping, and the Morton Arboretum is only about a 15-minute drive away if you want some nature before your indoor entertainment.
5. Arrive at Least 45 Minutes Early
Even if you aren't eating there, arrive early. The lobby is worth walking around, the bar makes a mean cocktail, and it gives you time to settle in before the "no late seating" policy kicks in. Plus, the people-watching is top-tier.
Drury Lane is one of those rare places that manages to feel like a special occasion every single time you walk through the doors. Whether you're there for a heavy drama, a lighthearted musical, or just a massive plate of crab legs at the buffet, it delivers. It's a reminder that sometimes the best entertainment isn't found in the heart of the city, but in a sprawling, crystal-filled palace just off the highway.