Theater – Page 94 –

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...

Alexandra Silber and cast in "The Music Man" at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. (Liz Lauren)

Review: Lovely ‘Music Man’ at Marriott Theatre is all about Marian the librarian

By Chris Jones

April 19, 2024 at 7:46 a.m.

Why does Marian the librarian fall for that slick con man Harold Hill, he who...

Kyle Ramar Freeman as Lion, Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, Wayne Brady as The Wiz, Phillip Johnson Richardson as Tinman and Avery Wilson as Scarecrow in "The Wiz" on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre in New York. (Jeremy Daniel)

Review: ‘The Wiz’ on Broadway is freshened up and ready for an adoring audience

By Chris Jones

April 17, 2024 at 10:00 p.m.

For a lot of Broadway fans, the return of the Super Soul Musical to the...

Nick Druzbanski is Toad and Eduardo Curley-Carrillo is Frog in Chicago Children's Theatre's "A Year with Frog and Toad." (Amy Nelson)

Review: ‘A Year with Frog and Toad’ is a sweet musical about a pair of amphibian besties

By Emily McClanathan

April 18, 2024 at 4:07 p.m.

Nostalgic parents and young theatergoers alike will find plenty to smile about in the spring...

Eden Espinosa and cast in "Lempicka" on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre in New York. (Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)

Review: ‘Lempicka’ struggles to make a painter’s life work as a Broadway musical

By Chris Jones

April 14, 2024 at 10:00 p.m.

Clearly, the show starring Eden Espinosa feels like its subject has not enjoyed her due...

Jason Schmidt (as Sodapop), Renni Anthony Magee (Steve), Daryl Tofa (Two-Bit), Tilly Evans-Krueger (Ace), Sky Lakota-Lynch (Johnny), Joshua Boone (Dallas) and Brent Comer (Darrel), with Brody Grant (as Ponyboy, center) in "The Outsiders" musical at the Jacobs Theatre in New York. (Matthew Murphy)

Review: In ‘The Outsiders’ on Broadway, what should be Ponyboy’s story has a grown-up chill

By Chris Jones

April 11, 2024 at 9:55 p.m.

The new musical adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel has a fresh roots score by Jamestown...

The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. (Nancy Stone/ baiduhai).

Chicago Shakes 2024-25 season: Royal Shakespeare Co. returns, plus Kinks musical and ‘Lord of the Rings’

By Chris Jones

April 9, 2024 at 4:08 p.m.

Britain's Royal Shakespeare will come to Chicago next fall for the first time in 30...

J.G. Smith (center) as Erica, with Erin Long, Khloe Janel and Dustin Valenta in "Inanimate" at Theater Wit. (Charles Osgood)

Review: ‘Inanimate’ plunges into the world of a woman attracted to a Dairy Queen sign

By Emily McClanathan

April 9, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Trading in a real type of sexual orientation, Erica's story, now on stage at Theater...

Lorenzo Rush Jr., Rob Lindley, Erik Hellman, Nate Burger and cast in "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" at Court Theatre, directed by Charles Newell. (Michael Brosilow)

Column: Exit Charles Newell from Court Theatre, in the guise of a Rosencrantz or a Guildenstern

By Chris Jones

April 8, 2024 at 3:12 p.m.

When I interviewed Charles Newell about his planned June 30 exit from the Court Theatre...

Comedian Tom Dreesen speaks at Bryn Mawr Country Club in Lincolnwood during an event in 2017. Dreesen will return to the area in May for two programs where he'll share stories from his early days growing up in the south suburbs as well as his lengthy career in comedy. (Jose M. Osorio/baiduhai)

Landmarks: 50 years into a star-studded career, Tom Dreesen holds tight to south suburban roots

By Paul Eisenberg

April 6, 2024 at 5:15 a.m.

Pioneering comedian Tom Dreesen, who grew up in Harvey, credits caddying at Ravisloe Country Club...

Tim Robinson's "I Think You Should Leave" tour is displayed on the marquee of the Chicago Theatre on April 4, 2024. (Christopher Borrelli / baiduhai)

Tim Robinson’s ‘I Think You Should Leave’ tour is guests, unaired sketches and the occasional awkward moment — just like the show

By Christopher Borrelli

April 5, 2024 at 10:51 a.m.

What’s made the Netflix show an instant classic is how deftly it reveals the terms...