Theater – Page 91 –

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...

Jeff Carlson in a scene from “Drive Through Fire,” a movie shot in Oklahoma City. (Will Turner)

Column: Can some Second City alums make Oklahoma City the new Hollywood?

By Rick Kogan

October 13, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

"Drive Through Fire" is the latest movie project from Jim Carlson and Kate Duffy, two...

Letonia Copeland-Hardin, who performs under the name LT, adjusts her collar while working on material in the green room before her set at The Lincoln Lodge in Chicago, Sept. 26, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Funny you should ask: Chicago scientist says humor makes for better researchers

By Ryan P. C. Trimble

October 12, 2026 at 5:30 a.m.

Letonia Copeland-Hardin is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago and also a stand-up...

Actor Michael Shannon, here in 2017, is back in Chicago to star in the world premiere play "Turret" by A Red Orchid Theatre. (Nancy Stone/baiduhai)

A Red Orchid’s new play ‘Turret’ has a father’s ghost — and Michael Shannon trapped in a bunker

By Chris Jones

May 9, 2024 at 5:15 a.m.

Playwright Levi Holloway said he began writing the play after the death of his father,...

Nate Santana and Paloma Nozicka with (back) Audrey Francis and Tim Hopper in “The Thanksgiving Play” at Steppenwolf Theatre. (Michael Brosilow)

Review: ‘Thanksgiving Play’ at Steppenwolf Theatre is a biting satire, humanly played

By Chris Jones

May 9, 2024 at 9:58 p.m.

Larissa FastHorse’s play, previously on Broadway, is set at an elementary school where a teacher...

Jalynn Steele, Christine Sherrill and Carly Sakolove in the touring musical "Mamma Mia!" at the Nederlander Theatre in Chicago. (Joan Marcus)

Review: This ‘Mamma Mia!’ at Nederlander Theatre comes with the Donna of all Donnas

By Chris Jones

May 3, 2024 at 11:45 a.m.

I've seen this show some 14 times and I'm a huge ABBA fan. I wanted...

Jason Alexander and Daniel Breaker in "Judgment Day" in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. (Liz Lauren)

Review: In ‘Judgment Day’ at Chicago Shakes, Jason Alexander delivers huge, old-school laughs

By Chris Jones

May 2, 2024 at 3:11 p.m.

As the story of a corrupt attorney, this is just the kind of smart satire...

Director and choreographer Christopher Gattelli on the rehearsal set of the new musical “Death Becomes Her” on March 27, 2024, in New York. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

‘Death Becomes Her’ gets a new life as a Broadway musical, opening in a world premiere in Chicago

By Chris Jones

May 2, 2024 at 11:37 a.m.

Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard are the leads of the stage adaptation of the '90s...

Alanna Lovely and the company of "Guys and Dolls" at Drury Lane Theatre. (Brett Beiner)

Review: ‘Guys and Dolls’ at Drury Lane Theatre needs a little more spark

By Chris Jones

May 1, 2024 at 4:01 p.m.

Interestingly, the famously problematic Cuba sequence of this justly beloved musical has been revised and...

Mark Montgomery and Cassidy Slaughter-Mason in "Brooklyn Laundry" at Northlight Theatre. (Michael Brosilow)

Review: ‘Brooklyn Laundry’ at Northlight Theatre is a truthful, moving story of a couple

By Chris Jones

April 30, 2024 at 12:03 p.m.

It's no small praise when I say that director BJ Jones' production of John Patrick...

Maleah Joi Moon, Chris Lee and cast in "Hell's Kitchen" on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in New York. (Marc J. Franklin)

‘Hell’s Kitchen’ and ‘Stereophonic’ lead Tony Award nominations, shows honoring creativity’s spark

By Associated Press

April 30, 2024 at 10:49 a.m.

Two Broadway shows celebrating the origins of sonic creativity — the musical “Hell’s Kitchen” fueled...

Lisa Dawn, Laura Leonardo Ownby and Kelli Walker act in the play, “Into the Earth With You” for Buffalo Theatre Ensemble. The play runs to June 2 at the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. (Rex Howard Photography)

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble premieres ‘Into the Earth with You,’ written by Amazon series creator

By Annie Alleman

April 30, 2024 at 6:12 a.m.

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble presents “Into the Earth With You” May 2-June 2 at the McAninch...

Jason Alexander in rehearsals for "Judgment Day" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. (Liz Lauren)

Talking to Jason Alexander about ‘Judgment Day’ on Navy Pier, and why George Costanza has the best fans

By Chris Jones

April 30, 2024 at 1:43 p.m.

In the play at Chicago Shakespeare, he plays a corrupt attorney threatened with eternal damnation....