I've been for quite a few of the Broadway shows this season in the Palace Theatre. I had a great time each visit and definitely recommend going. I just wish they had a smaller subscription package to the Broadway series in case you didn't want to see all the shows. Beauty and the Beast was a definite favourite of mine and Pippin was neat too.
But I'm updating my review mainly because of the Playhouse Square tour that I just took. Free tours happen monthly and you get to see all the lobbies of the theatres and go on and back stage in all of them as well unless they are in use. Tours are advertised to take 90 minutes, but mine lasted over 2 hours with our excellent husband and wife team volunteer tour guides.
Tour groups are small and the whole event wasn't really well attended so you can get all your questions answered and take pictures wherever you want. Our guide even humoured a couple members of my tour group and showed them areas he was originally not planning to take us.
If you are interested in the historical past of the theatres from their founding to the present day, including their closing down and refurbishment, this tour is for you. If you just like to check out areas usually off limits like the dressing rooms (not glamorous at all) and behind the curtain, this tour is for you. If you are into architecture and design and want to know where all the theatre lighting came from, etc. this tour is for you.
Tours start at 10a and leave every 15 minutes till 11:30a. Meet in the State Theatre Lobby. No reservations needed. For date info: http://www.playhousesquare.org/about-playhousesquare-main/take-a-tour