Theater – Page 31 –

Jacqueline Guillén, Ariana Burks and Carmen Berkeley in "Dead Girl’s Quinceañera" at the Goodman Theatre. (Justin Barbin)

Review: ‘Dead Girl’s Quinceañera’ at Goodman Theatre turns an apparent abduction into a teenage caper

By Chris Jones

October 6, 2026 at 2:57 p.m.

Phanésia Pharel's new play has a lively cast of adults playing teenagers, and is not...

The actor John C. Reilly is returning to Steppenwolf Theatre for a second engagement of his show, “Mister Romantic.” (Bobbi Rich)

Chicago Theater Report: John C. Reilly is back in Chicago, Baby heads to Broadway and how to get into the Uptown Theatre

By Chris Jones

October 6, 2026 at 1:46 p.m.

The national tour of “Dirty Dancing” in Chicago last month turned out to be a...

Martin "Tre" Dumas III and Bril Barrett of M.A.D.D. Rythms at the Harold Washington Cultural Center in Chicago on Aug. 6, 2026. (Kevin Serna/for Chicago Magazine)

Review: M.A.D.D. Rhythms hoofers from past and present shine, despite technical challenges

By Lauren Warnecke

October 7, 2026 at 2:24 p.m.

M.A.D.D. Rhythms co-founders Bril Barrett and Martin “Tre” Dumas III performed some of the finest...

Lake Bluff and Lake Forest native Kirsten Fitzgerald, Artistic Director of A Red Orchid Theatre, will direct that company’s Chicago premiere of “Birds of North America” by Anna Ouyang Moench, Jan. 15 to Feb. 22. (Jeff Kurysz)

Lake Forest/Lake Bluff native is artistic director of a theater, directs a play, will act in another play later this year

By Myrna Petlicki

January 13, 2026 at 6:15 a.m.

Serving as Artistic Director of A Red Orchid Theatre is a full-time job for Lake...

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

By Chris Jones

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

Tracy Letts’ wild black comedy opens in New York with its 2020 Steppenwolf cast, newly...

So Young An and Martha Graham Dance Company in Martha Graham’s "Diversion of Angels." (Melissa Sherwood)

Dance for winter 2026: Our top 10 includes Joffrey, Red Clay and a visit from Martha Graham

By Lauren Warnecke

January 7, 2026 at 11:50 a.m.

Steppenwolf's LookOut series steps up. The Joffrey and Hubbard Street have winter series. And look...

American contralto Marian Anderson appears at the Metropolitan Opera House with general manager Rudolf Bing in New York. (AP Photo/Tom Fitzsimmons, File)

Today in History: Marian Anderson sings with the Metropolitan Opera

By Associated Press

January 7, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

On Jan. 7, 1955, Marian Anderson became the first African American to sing with the...

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

By Chris Jones

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

Longtime Chicago theater artist Sandy Shinner is resigning as Shattered Globe’s producing artistic director, though...

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

By Chris Jones

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

Also on stage in Chicago in the coming weeks, the first national tour of "Stereophonic"...

The audience applauds during a taping of NPR’s “Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me” in the historic Studebaker Theater on Sept. 14, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Tickets on sale this week for 2026 Chicago Theatre Week

By Doug George

January 5, 2026 at 5:45 a.m.

Discounted tickets are on sale for dozens of theater productions in the city and suburbs...

Natalie Merchant leaps as she performs a song during the Mother Goose & the Cabinet of Wonder show with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center in Chicago’s Loop, May 9, 2026. (Josh Boland/baiduhai)

Musician Natalie Merchant brings Mother Goose and other rhymes to life for the next generation with Cabinet of Wonder

By Darcel Rockett

May 12, 2026 at 1:21 p.m.

Melding music, play and Mother Goose tales, singer Natalie Merchant worked with the Chicago Symphony...

A baby enjoys the Australian version of "RAIN: for babies and their carers." (ArtPlay)

Theater’s newest audience: Babies

By Nina Metz

January 1, 2026 at 1:44 p.m.

Chicago's Filament Theatre has created a sensory performance installation for babies.

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

By Chris Jones

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

Our list of the best shows on New York's Great White Way this past year...