Theater – Page 45 –

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...

Elizabeth McGovern in a previous production of "Ava: The Secret Conversations," coming to the Studebaker Theater in Chicago's Fine Arts Building. (Jeff Lorch)

Elizabeth McGovern channels Ava Gardner in ‘Ava: The Secret Conversations’

By Chris Jones

September 8, 2025 at 5:15 a.m.

The Evanston-born actress Elizabeth McGovern wrote and stars in a play about the Golden Age...

Audrey Billings, Casey Campbell, Nate Santana, Jon Hudson Odom and Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel in "Things With Friends" by American Blues Theater. (Michael Brosilow)

Review: ‘Things With Friends’ may be confusing, but American Blues’ signature intensity is back

By Chris Jones

September 7, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Kristoffer Diaz's satirical new play is set at a Manhattan dinner party as the rest...

JJ Niemann (center) and cast in "Catch Me If You Can" at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. (Michael Brosilow)

Review: ‘Catch Me If You Can’ has a real live-wire con man at the Marriott Theatre

By Chris Jones

September 5, 2025 at 5:15 a.m.

The Broadway star JJ Niemann plays the shifty Frank Abagnale Jr. in a Marriott production...

Cindy Gold plays Gertrude Berg in "The First Lady of Television" at Northlight Theatre in Skokie. (Greg Inda)

Northlight Theatre opens 50th season with eye-opening ‘The First Lady of Television’

By Cam'ron Hardy

September 5, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The world premiere play will be many audiences' introduction to Gertrude Berg, a television pioneer...

Jenna Fischer and Lee Kirk at a movie premiere at Warner Bros. Studios in 2018 in Burbank, California. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

Jenna Fischer of ‘The Office’ returns to the stage for ‘Ashland Avenue’ at the Goodman Theatre

By Chris Jones

September 5, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

There's more to her in the daughter she plays in this new Chicago-set story, written...

Olivia Lindsay and Emily Zhang in Strawdog Theatre Company’s production of "The F*** House." (Manuel Ortiz)

Review: In Strawdog Theatre’s world premiere, teenagers face the struggles of growing up in the ’80s

By Emily McClanathan

September 5, 2025 at 9:17 a.m.

Early on, the play sets up familiar coming-of-age tensions of maintaining old friendships versus cultivating...

Theater Wit is multi-stage venue at 1229 W. Belmont Ave. and a cornerstone of the Belmont Theatre District. (Theater Wit)

Theater Wit receives $600,000 grant to cut the cost of its rental stages

By Chris Jones

September 3, 2025 at 10:35 a.m.

The money will allow the Lakeview venue to reduce the rent it charges to other...

The Joffrey Ballet opens its season with "Carmen" at the Lyric Opera House. (Carolyn McCabe)

Dance for fall 2025: With our top 10, a toast to those who carry on

By Lauren Warnecke

September 4, 2025 at 4:31 p.m.

The landscape is ripe for something new to take hold. It will, but a glance...

Maya Drake as Ali in the North American tour of the musical "Hell's Kitchen." (Marc J. Franklin)

Theater for fall 2025: Our top 10 from ‘Amadeus’ to an Alicia Keys musical

By Chris Jones

September 4, 2025 at 4:31 p.m.

Also coming to Chicago-area stages these next few months, "Paranormal Activity" at Chicago Shakes, Billy...

Iliza Shlesinger at the CMT Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Comedy for fall 2025: Stand-up by Iliza Shlesinger, Ron Funches and Janeane Garofalo

By Ryan P. C. Trimble

September 4, 2025 at 4:29 p.m.

From shows at the Chicago Theatre to Lincoln Lodge to Zanies, your comedy calendar is...