The League of Chicago Theatres’ sixth annual Chicago Theatre Week will run this year from Feb. 8-18 and will feature more than 120 productions in theaters across the city and suburbs. While several productions are free, most shows come at the discounted price of $15 or $30. Dates, shows, and tickets can be found at ChicagoTheatreWeek.com. When purchasing tickets, use discount code CTW18 to receive the special Theatre Week price.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see and support some of Chicago’s best theater at a great price this February! Here are the shows you won’t want to miss.
Make It Better Theater Columnist Robert Loerzel’s Picks:
“Blind Date” at Goodman Theatre
“This world premiere takes us behind the scenes as Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev negotiate during the final act of the Cold War,” Loerzel writes. “The Goodman’s artistic director, Robert Falls, will direct the play by Rogelio Martinez, who also explored Cold War themes in his dramas ‘Ping Pong’ and ‘Born in East Berlin.’ This one is being promoted as ‘a compelling and edgy comic journey through the intricacies of statesmanship.’”
“A Moon for the Misbegotten” at Writers Theatre
“In Eugene O’Neill’s bittersweet final completed play, a man and his daughter learn that their rented farmland in rural Connecticut might be sold out from underneath them,” Loerzel writes. “Played by Jeff Award winner A.C. Smith and Bethany Thomas, they scheme to avoid eviction by their cynical, alcoholic landlord, Jim Tyrone (played by veteran Wisconsin actor James DeVita). William Brown, who has directed so many stellar productions over the years at Writers Theatre, will bring his deft touch to this classic drama.”
“Skeleton Crew” at Northlight Theatre
“With the looming threat of layoffs, tensions rise in a Detroit factory’s break room, testing the friendships of autoworkers fighting for their survival,” Loerzel writes. “Directed by Ron OJ Parson in its local premiere, Dominique Morisseau’s comedy-drama was proclaimed one of the year’s 10 best shows by Time Magazine after its first run in New York. And the Detroit Free Press called it a ‘bold, funny, ultimately empowering play.’”
Loerzel also recommends “Sex With Strangers” at Citadel Theatre, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and “Breach” at Victory Gardens Theater.
Make It Better Editor’s Picks:
“My Wonderful Birthday Suit!” at Chicago Children’s Theatre
This exploration of kindness and generosity through a magical birthday party is recommended for kids ages 4-7.
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at Drury Lane Theatre
Drury Lane Theatre ends its season with this Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice classic.
“We’re Gonna Be Okay” at American Theater Company
American Theater Company presents the Chicago premiere of this play, set during the Cuban Missile Crisis, by Basil Kreimendahl.
“Cabaret” at Paramount Theatre
This hit Broadway show set in 1930s Berlin makes its way to Aurora this winter.
“The Wolves” at Goodman Theatre
This play about a girls’ soccer team was a finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
