Theater – Page 96 –

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...

Olivia Lindsay and Michaela Petro in "Far Away" by Chicago New Theatre Project. (George Hudson)

Review: How this for atmosphere? ‘Far Away’ is staged on a real factory floor

By Chris Jones

March 26, 2024 at 2:44 p.m.

I've never before picked up my ticket at a box office under a sign offering...

William Anthony Sebastian Rose II and Patrick Newson Jr. in “Tambo & Bones” by Refracted Theatre Company. (Ricky Kluge)

Refracted, Kokandy and Theo are big winners of 2024 Non-Equity Jeff Awards

By Doug George

March 26, 2024 at 2:43 p.m.

Refracted Theatre Company's “Tambo & Bones” swept the play categories at the Jeff's 50th anniversary...

Harry Lennix, Alana Arenas, Glenn Davis, Tamara Tunie, Ayanna Bria Bakari and Jon Michael Hill in "Purpose" at Steppenwolf Theatre. (Michael Brosilow)

Review: ‘Purpose’ skewers the Jesse Jackson story — it’s the explosive play Steppenwolf has been waiting for

By Chris Jones

March 29, 2024 at 6:24 a.m.

Set around a Black family's dining room table and following a story much like that...

Clockwise from center, ensemble member Jon Michael Hill, Harry Lennix, ensemble members Alana Arenas and Glenn Davis, Tamara Tunie and Ayanna Bria Bakari star in Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s world premiere of “Purpose” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by Phylicia Rashad. (Michael Brosilow)

Waukegan native Jon Michael Hill stars in Steppenwolf’s ‘Purpose’

By Annie Alleman

March 25, 2024 at 9:09 a.m.

Waukegan native Jon Michael Hill can be seen in the world premiere of the new...

Amanda Drinkall and Alina Taber in "A Streetcar Named Desire" at Paramount's Copley Theatre in Aurora. (Liz Lauren)

Review: ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ at Paramount has all of that Tennessee Williams pain

By Chris Jones

March 25, 2024 at 1:04 p.m.

I had a sense this “Streetcar” was going to be good when I first saw...

Indiana Woodward and New York City Ballet in George Balanchine's "Serenade." (Erin Baiano)

Review: After 18 years, the New York City Ballet returns to Chicago

By Lauren Warnecke

March 22, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

The first of two programs this weekend is narrowly focused on the NYCB’s first three...

The company of "Sondheim Tribute Revue" at Theo Theatre. (Elizabeth Stenholt Photography)

Review: ‘Sondheim Tribute Revue’ is custom-made by Theo Theatre

By Chris Jones

March 22, 2024 at 5:45 a.m.

The great thing about Sondheim (well, one of the great things) is how well his...

Paul Alexander Nolan and the cast of "Water for Elephants." (Matthew Murphy)

Review: ‘Water for Elephants’ is one of the most authentic circus-themed shows to make it to Broadway

By Chris Jones

April 2, 2024 at 2:26 p.m.

This hugely talented crew sings, dances and are laudably believable as acrobats, aerialists and roustabouts...

Harry Lennix, ensemble members Alana Arenas and Glenn Davis, Tamara Tunie, Ayanna Bria Bakari and ensemble member Jon Michael Hill in Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s world premiere of "Purpose" by

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. (Michael Brosilow)

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins births a Chicago political drama at Steppenwolf with ‘Purpose’

By Chris Jones

March 21, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

Jacobs-Jenkins describes "Purpose" as a play about Black political life in the late years of...

Victoria Pedretti, Caleb Eberhardt and Jeremy Strong in "An Enemy of the People." (Emilio Madrid)

Review: Jeremy Strong and Michael Imperioli battle in ‘An Enemy of the People’ on Broadway

By Chris Jones

March 19, 2024 at 9:21 a.m.

Whatever the limit of the Gold shenanigans, they all feel very much in service of...