The nation’s most esteemed theatre production is arriving to Chicago and not even a half-priced ticket — which typically entails a disrupted view of a pole in your face and the second floor ceiling caving in on your peripheries — is going to give you a shot at seeing “Hamilton.” With tickets running from $380 to $800, let’s face it: you can’t even talk yourself into seeing this one. However, don’t be intimidated by the eminence of “Hamilton.” Chicago’s theatre scene is in a league of its own and offers other theatrical options. Take a step out of the city’s Theater District, and purchase six or seven quality play tickets for the price one Hamilton ticket.

“Life Sucks!” is the current production running at the Lookingglass Theatre until Nov. 6. Set in a midwestern cottage in an idyllic lingering between summer and autumn, a group of old friends, enemies, ex-lovers and in-laws confront questions that make up the human quandary. Paying homage to Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya,” “Life Sucks!” is a playful yet thought provoking tragic-comedy that may very well leave you with the notion that life does not suck after all. For discounted tickets visit Hottix.org.

Beyond the play itself, the real beauty of the production is in regards to the theater itself. Lookingglass Theater resides on Magnificent Mile, located in the Water Tower Water Works building —making each play a special experience for a night in the city. And while the average tickets for plays at the Lookingglass Theater range from $50 to $60, the fact that they remain in double digits makes it an acceptable price to pay for quality theater.

Considering plays often veer towards the expensive side, DePaul student Emme Lipscomb says attending comedy clubs is much more affordable and yet an equally entertaining option too.

“Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” is one of Chicago’s most dynamic and thrilling productions recommended by student Levi Clinton. The Neo-Futurists originally formed an ensemble in the 80s to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes while involving interactions and suggestions from the audience. Now an established voice in the Chicago, you can catch this production at the Neo-Futurarium located between Ashland and Foster.

The act includes little bit of improv, drama, bravery, comedy and madness inspired by the unconscious and randomness of Dada and Surrealism—Levi attests each show is “very quality.” Admissions range between $14 to $19. Clinton also recommends students check out the plays running at DePaul’s Theatre School and said theater students “will not fail to capture your imagination.”

While the next production to premiere at DePaul’s Theatre School, The Kid Who Ran For President,” doesn’t come out till Oct. 6, productions from the university are an easy walk down the block to check out quality theater.

“Fantasy Island for Dummies” premieres at the Trap Door Theatre Sept. 29. The cutting-edge production is inspired by an episode of “Fantasy Island,” where a ventriloquist accompanied by her cunning dummy play upon the adventures of wish fulfillment. The production inspires a journey into suppressed identities, as well as ancient Babylonian sex goddesses, as a seemingly perfect wife grapples with her rebellious side. Admission is $12 for students.

Holly Cerney, one of DePaul’s reference librarians is a member of the Trap Door ensemble.

“Trap Door has been around for 23 years, staging work that is much like its theatre space, hidden off the beaten path, speakeasy-esque and subversive,” Cerney said.

Regarding the production, Cerney said that it is “a world premiere with original music devised by Ruth Margraff and the Trap Door ensemble.” Cerney said the inspiration for “Fantasy Island for Dummies” “was born out of a strange union of various manifestations of our collective conceptions and fantasies of female imagery and identity.”

Plays at the Trap Door Theatre are one of the cheapest in the ludicrously expensive filled theatre city, and each and every student should take advantage of it.