Going to the Show: What to Expect at a Village Follies Performance

So you've decided to see Village Follies — congratulations, you're in for one of the most fun, distinctly local nights of theater the North Shore has to offer. Here's a complete guide to what the show is, how to get tickets, and what to expect when you walk through the doors of Matz Hall.

What Is Village Follies?

Village Follies is an annual variety show fundraiser benefiting the Community House in Winnetka, IL. It's been an area tradition for more than 50 years, and what makes it special is that every performer on stage is also a writer, choreographer, or director of their own number. This isn't a scripted touring show — it's a genuinely homegrown production built entirely by volunteers from the community.

How to Get Tickets

Tickets for Village Follies are sold through the Show Tix page on villagefollies.com. Because seating is table-style, it's worth grabbing tickets early, especially if you want to reserve a full table for your group. If you reserve a whole table you also get a discount on your tickets. Tables tend to go quickly once dates are announced, so checking the site's Events page regularly in the lead-up to the show is a smart move.

What to Expect When You Arrive

A few things make a Village Follies night different from a typical trip to the theater:

• Table-style seating. Instead of rows of individual seats, the show is set up with tables, so you're seated with your group. 

• Bring your own food and drink. Patrons are welcome — and encouraged — to bring food and beverages to share at their table before the curtain rises. Think of it as a dinner-and-a-show setup, just BYO dinner. There is also access to a cash bar.

• A packed, fast-moving show. The full performance runs about two hours and features more than 30 short numbers, so there's no shortage of variety — parody songs, comedy sketches, dance numbers, and sketch comedy with a vaudeville flair.

• A cast of 30+ volunteers. Everyone you see on stage is a community volunteer, many of whom wrote or choreographed their own piece.

Where the Show Takes Place

Performances are held on the Matz Hall stage inside the Community House of Winnetka. The Community House is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and Village Follies operates as one of its sub-chapters — meaning the proceeds from every ticket sold go directly back into the Community House's educational and community programming.

More Ways to Experience Village Follies

Can't make it to a live performance, or want to revisit a past year's theme? Past productions are available to watch on the site's Video page, with footage from 2021 through 2024, plus a 2025 show DVD available to order directly through the site. It's a great way to get a feel for the show before your first visit, or to relive a favorite year afterward.

Beyond the Main Show: Fundraisers Worth Attending

Village Follies also hosts smaller fundraising events throughout the year that are open to the public — a Halloween Party each fall and a Winter Soiree each winter. Both are good lower-commitment ways to support the cause and meet some of the cast and crew before the big show.

Ready to Go?

Whether it's your first Village Follies show or you're a returning fan, here's the quick checklist before you head out:

1. Grab your tickets early through the Show Tix page.

2. Reserve a table if you're coming with a group.

3. Pack food and drinks to share before the show starts.

4. Arrive ready for two hours of genuinely local, genuinely funny entertainment.

For show dates, ticket links, and updates on the upcoming production, visit villagefollies.com or follow Village Follies on Facebook.