Theater – Page 118 –

Ferdinand (Lawrence Grimm) and Will (Lenin Izquierdo) in "Any Rebellion of Will" at Trap Door Theatre. (George Hudson)

Review: ‘Any Rebellion of Will’ is an absurdist breath of fresh air at Trap Door Theatre

By Chris Jones

October 14, 2026 at 1:24 p.m.

This world premiere, penned by S.L. Daniels and accurately billed as a dark, absurdist comedy...

Director Stuart Gordon, co-founder of the Organic Theater Company, on May 12, 1981. (Anne Cusack/baiduhai)

Column: The legendary Organic Theater is gone, ‘Scream! Bleed!’ brings memories roaring back

By Rick Kogan

October 14, 2026 at 10:25 a.m.

New book remembers the formative Chicago theater company that gave us Joe Mantegna, Dennis Franz,...

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

Chicago Theater Report: ‘Purpose’ returns, new Broadway shows in town and dinner with Basil Fawlty

By Chris Jones

October 13, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

New shows have been announced for an already busy fall and early 2027. If you...

Younger Noah (John Cardoza) and Younger Allie (Jordan Tyson), Older Noah (John Beasley) and Older Allie (Maryann Plunkett), and Middle Noah (Ryan Vasquez) and Middle Allie (Joy Woods) in the Chicago production of "The Notebook" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier.

‘The Notebook’ musical, born at Chicago Shakespeare, will open on Broadway in the spring

By Chris Jones

August 3, 2023 at 7:55 a.m.

"The Notebook," the new musical based on the 1996 Nicholas Sparks novel and the hit...

Alexis J. Roston and Bethany Thomas in "Marie and Rosetta" at Northlight Theatre.

Review: ‘Marie and Rosetta’ at Northlight Theatre takes an intimate look at the ‘Godmother of Rock ‘n’ Roll’

By Emily McClanathan

August 2, 2023 at 5:15 a.m.

From "Tina — The Tina Turner Musical" to "Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical," Chicago audiences...

The Panto Company USA's production of "Cinderella" will be presented Oct. 28 at North Central College in Naperville.

Naperville’s North Central College announces its upcoming entertainment season with tickets now on sale

By Michelle Mullins

August 1, 2023 at 4:34 p.m.

Tickets are on sale for North Central College's upcoming performing arts season, which features a...

Amy Kim and Parker Guidry in "The SpongeBob Musical" by Kokandy Productions.

Review: Fun just oozes from ‘The SpongeBob Musical’ by Kokandy Productions

By Emily McClanathan

July 31, 2023 at 5:05 a.m.

If you only look at their fall shows, Kokandy Productions seems to have a penchant...

Elijah Rhea Johnson as Michael Jackson, and cast, in the Broadway production of "MJ the Musical" at the Neil Simon Theatre in New York.
- Original Credit:

Becoming Michael: ‘MJ the Musical’ will star Roman Banks as the king of pop as tour launches in Chicago

By Jerald Pierce

July 28, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

The first album actor Roman Banks remembers playing around his house growing up was "The...

Haven Crawley, Molly Brennan and Mark Lancaster in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by Oak Park Festival Theatre.

Review: This lovely outdoor ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ by Oak Park Festival Theatre adds some up-to-date casting

By Emily McClanathan

July 27, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

There's always something special about seeing "A Midsummer Night's Dream" performed outdoors, and attending Oak...

Donovan Hoffer (as Stacee Jaxx) and cast in "Rock of Ages" at Mercury Theater.

Review: In ‘Rock of Ages’ at Mercury Theater, knockout singers bring nothin’ but a good time

By Chris Jones

July 26, 2023 at 8:40 a.m.

There are three golden rules for a great production of "Rock of Ages," the comedic...

Laura Bell Bundy (Sylvia), Alex Moffat (Clarke), LilliCooper (Marjorie), Eric McCormack (Beau) and Dana Steingold (Dierdre) in "The Cottage" on Broadway.

Review: ‘The Cottage’ on Broadway is a freewheeling farce that may not be for everyone

By Chris Jones

July 25, 2023 at 8:00 p.m.

Did somebody cancel the word "farce?" The new Broadway show by Second Stage is billed...

Lumiere (Christopher Kale Jones), Belle (Audrey Hare) and cast perform "Be Our Guest" in "Beauty and the Beast" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier.

Review: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at Chicago Shakespeare is a straightforward, bite-sized bit of Disney

By Emily McClanathan

July 25, 2023 at 12:15 p.m.

Although it's been nearly two years since most Chicago theaters began to reopen for indoor...

Samuel Roukin, Jon Hudson Odom, Jeff Perry and Mark Ulrich in "No Man's Land" at Steppenwolf Theatre.

Review: Jeff Perry is the intense center of Harold Pinter’s ‘No Man’s Land’ at Steppenwolf Theatre

By Chris Jones

July 24, 2023 at 12:33 p.m.

Variously resembling a judge, a turtle and King Charles III, Steppenwolf co-founder Jeff Perry commands...