Theater – Page 4 –

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 4, 2026 at 1:08 p.m.

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

Anne Trodden is one of four women playing the role of Heidi in "What the Constitution Means to Me" by Ways and Means Theatre. (Daniel Howie)

Review: ‘What the Constitution Means to Me,’ staged in an American Legion post, is a play that always feels timely

By Emily McClanathan

October 2, 2026 at 2:08 p.m.

Heidi Schreck’s 2017 play, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, gets authentic surroundings in this new production...

The company of the North American tour of "Operation Mincemeat," in Chicago at the CIBC Theatre. (Matthew Murphy)

Review: ‘Operation Mincemeat’ at CIBC Theatre spins a true wartime story into a nutty musical

By Chris Jones

October 1, 2026 at 4:05 p.m.

The British comedy troupe SpitLip took a real World War II caper and made it...

This undated image provided by Matthew Murphy on Friday, Sept. 5, 2026, shows Sherri Shepherd holding a lamp from the Broadway production of “Aladdin.” (Matthew Murphy via AP)

Sherri Shepherd to join Broadway’s ‘Aladdin’ as the Genie, and she’s ‘beyond thrilled’

By Mark Kennedy

September 8, 2026 at 7:45 a.m.

Sherri Shepherd plans to join the hit musical “Aladdin” as the Genie.

Kirsten D'Aurelio and Heather Dennis in "Blood of the Lamb" by Promethean Theatre Ensemble. (Steven Townshend)

Review: ‘Blood of the Lamb’ imagines a dark future for reproductive rights

By Emily McClanathan

September 6, 2026 at 12:54 p.m.

Arlene Hutton’s thriller about reproductive rights is now making its Chicago premiere with Promethean Theatre...

Director Sheldon Epps talks to the cast of the musical "Play On!" during a rehearsal at Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, Aug. 25, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Sheldon Epps is bringing ‘Play On!’ to Chicago for a jazzy encore

By Chris Jones

September 6, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

His musical, based on Duke Ellington’s music and Shakespeare’s "Twelfth Night," opens soon on Navy...

The Oakton College "Performing Tribute 9/11: Ordinary People, Remarkable Stories" cast rehearsing for their Sept. 10-13 performances.(Oakton College)

‘It’s about resilience:’ Oakton play gives voice to 9/11 victims, survivors, on 25th anniversary

By Phil Rockrohr

September 9, 2026 at 12:31 p.m.

Oakton College play gives voice to 9/11 victims, survivors, responders on 25th anniversary.

The cast of "Come From Away" at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. (Justin Barbin)

Review: Why ‘Come From Away’ at Marriott Theatre is the Dolly Parton of musicals

By Chris Jones

September 4, 2026 at 11:26 a.m.

This musical, set in Gander, Newfoundland, on and around the events of Sept. 11, 2001,...

The former Ten Ninety Brewing in downtown Glenview will become the new home of the Oil Lamp Theater. Oil Lamp is aiming to open the new space in 2028. (Pam DeFiglio/baiduhai)

Glenview’s Oil Lamp Theater secures larger space for new home

By Jennifer Johnson

September 4, 2026 at 7:56 a.m.

Glenview's Oil Lamp Theater has shifted its plans to move to a new building, and...

Dancers rehearse in 2025 at Joffrey Tower in Chicago’s Loop. (Dominic Di Palermo/baiduhai); the Obama Presidential Center in June in Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai); Northlight Theatre's new home in Evanston in July. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Column: Reasons for optimism in cultural Chicago — and a few concerns

By Chris Jones

September 4, 2026 at 5:30 a.m.

New theaters are opening. The Magnificent Mile is rebounding. The Lyric Opera has bold new...

Melissa Villaseñor, here at the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards in Los Angeles, is coming to the Den Theatre in Wicker Park. (Emma McIntyre/Getty)

Comedy for fall 2026: Melissa Villaseñor, Brett Goldstein and local fests bring the funny this fall

By Ryan P. C. Trimble

September 4, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Along with touring and local stand-up acts, our list includes alt-comedy at Zanies, Funny is...

Graham Abbey and Rose Napoli in "Saturday, Sunday, Monday" at the Stratford Festival of Canada, a world-premiere comedy directed by Antoni Cimolino. (David Hou)

Review: ‘Saturday, Sunday, Monday’ is a delightful sendoff at Stratford Fest

By Chris Jones

September 4, 2026 at 9:53 a.m.

STRATFORD, ONTARIO — The Stratford Festival of Canada's departing artistic director Antoni Cimolino chose William Shakespeare's...

Greg Cameron of the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, with trainees at the Joffrey Ballet studio, on March 16, 2017. (Antonio Perez/ baiduhai)

Joffrey Ballet president and CEO Greg Cameron will depart in December 2027

By Chris Jones

September 3, 2026 at 11:39 a.m.

The Joffrey's longtime president and chief executive said the lengthy period of notice was intended...