Chris Jones – Page 20

Carrie Coon and Namir Smallwood in Steppenwolf Theatre's "Bug" on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York. (Matthew Murphy)

Review: Once a storefront theater curiosity, ‘Bug’ opens big on Broadway

January 8, 2026 at 8:49 p.m.

Tracy Letts’ wild black comedy opens in New York with its 2020 Steppenwolf cast, newly alarming, led by Namir Smallwood and Carrie Coon.

Director Sandy Shinner talks with Steppenwolf's Amy Morton in 2001 at a Chicago coffee shop. Morton at the time was directing "Glengarry Glen Ross" and Shinner was staging "The Glamour House" at Victory Gardens. (Stephanie Sinclair/baiduhai)

Artistic director of Shattered Globe Theatre is stepping down

January 6, 2026 at 5:38 p.m.

Longtime Chicago theater artist Sandy Shinner is resigning as Shattered Globe’s producing artistic director, though she will remain a part of the ensemble.

Artistic director Robert Falls at the Goodman Theatre on Sept. 13, 2021. He returns to his former theater to direct "Holiday." (Brian Cassella / baiduhai)

Theater for winter 2026: ‘Hamnet,’ a local ‘Evan Hansen’ and Robert Falls returns to the Goodman

January 6, 2026 at 5:30 a.m.

Also on stage in Chicago in the coming weeks, the first national tour of "Stereophonic" and David Byrne's much-anticipated "Theater of the Mind."

Alana Arenas (as Morgan), Kara Young (Aziza) and cast in "Purpose" on Broadway at the Hayes Theater in New York. (Marc J. Franklin)

Best Broadway of 2025: ‘Purpose,’ George Clooney and ‘Boop!’ in our top 10

December 29, 2025 at 5:30 a.m.

Our list of the best shows on New York's Great White Way this past year includes several shows that Chicago audiences saw first.

Sondra Radvanovsky in "Medea" by Lyric Opera of Chicago. (Cory Weaver)

Best of 2025: Top 10 performances on Chicago stages this year

December 26, 2025 at 5:45 a.m.

Beginning with Sondra Radvanovsky at the Lyric and including Steppenwolf's Caroline Neff as well as Ryan Hake as the lead of "Angels in America."

Blake Montgomery in "Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs ‘A Christmas Carol’ Again" at Theater Wit. (Joe Mazza)

Review: ‘Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs “A Christmas Carol” Again’ (and again) at Theater Wit

December 18, 2025 at 11:52 a.m.

Blake Montgomery's solo show at Theater Wit both pokes holes in our annual obsession with the Dickens story and embraces its warm-hearted message.

Glenn Davis, co-artistic director at the Steppenwolf Theatre, is the Chicagoan of the Year in Theater, Dec. 11, 2025, in Chicago. Davis was a producer for the Tony and Pulitzer award wining play “Purpose.” (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Chicagoan of the Year in Theater: Glenn Davis is helping lead Steppenwolf into a new era

December 18, 2025 at 5:45 a.m.

Along with moving to Broadway with the Pulitzer Award-winning play "Purpose," he and co-artistic director Audrey Francis have renewed Steppenwolf's place in American theater.

Actor Anthony Rapp stands among lit trees along Michigan Avenue on Dec. 12, 2025, in Chicago. He is starring in “Home for the Holidays” at Lookingglass Theatre. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Anthony Rapp has an eclectic mix of songs for ‘Home for the Holidays’ at Lookingglass Theatre

December 17, 2025 at 12:24 p.m.

The actor recently relocated from New York with his family and is doing a first-time cabaret show on Michigan Avenue.

Isaiah Bailey as The Phantom and Jordan Lee Gilbert as Christine Daaé in the national tour of "The Phantom of the Opera" at Cadillac Palace Theatre. (Matthew Murphy)

Review: ‘Phantom of the Opera’ at Cadillac Palace Theatre keeps the memories and a classic staging alive

December 15, 2025 at 2:55 p.m.

Theater producer Cameron Mackintosh has been bringing long runs of grand theatrical spectacles to Chicago for nearly half a century now. Delivering a big night out for regular folks remains...

Jordan Lee Gilbert as Christine Daaé in the national tour of "The Phantom of the Opera" at Cadillac Palace Theatre. (Matthew Murphy)

Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber unveil their new tour of ‘Phantom of the Opera’

December 15, 2025 at 2:18 p.m.

Their musical has closed on Broadway but is coming back to life in a rejuvenated touring production. Some changes in that chandelier?

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