We live in one of the world’s top theater cities, surrounded by scintillating, challenging and groundbreaking work at every turn. We literally have a front row seat to what’s happening in the theater world — every top national tour seems to start here; world premieres bring in top national talent; and we are turning out […]
At the heart of Navy Pier is a pioneering home for the world’s great theater artists: Chicago Shakespeare. Annually, the Tony Award-winning company produces as many as 650 performances of 19 productions: large-scale musicals, newly commissioned works, programs for young audiences, international imports, and, of course, audacious imaginings of Shakespeare’s plays. It’s a dizzying amount […]
In these lazy days of summer, some of the Chicago-area theaters go on hiatus, but there’s still plenty to see — stories and musicals, both classical and brand-new. Or consider a trip to Wisconsin, where you might find some of those local actors who went away for the season. “The Bridges of Madison County“ Through […]
For the seventh year, our readers have voted for their favorite Chicago-area businesses in 11 categories. But before that, for the first time ever, we asked you to send us your nominations before voting began. We received more than 6,700 nominations! Now that the votes have been tallied, it’s time to announce our Best of […]
When David Catlin was creating Lookingglass Theatre’s stage version of “Moby Dick,” a sentence in the first chapter of Herman Melville’s novel jumped out at him. The narrator (that fellow who introduces himself by saying, “Call me Ishmael”) remarks: “I cannot tell why it was exactly that those stage managers, the Fates, put me down […]
In 2013, Lisa O’Hare originated the role of Sibella Hallward in “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” on Broadway. Now, she’s returning to a character from her past: Eliza Doolittle. O’Hare will play the role in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s “My Fair Lady,” which opens April 28. This will be the fifth production in Lyric’s […]
The Chicago theater scene has serious star power in May and June — with Stacy Keach embodying Ernest Hemingway in one drama, while Mike Nussbaum portrays Albert Einstein in another play. “Relativity” May 11 to June 18 The 93-year-old Mike Nussbaum is a marvel to behold, commanding stages with his nuanced performances. After playing Sigmund Freud […]
As spring blooms, local stages are bursting with brand-new works of theater. March and April will be strong months for regional and world premieres. “Linda Vista” March 30 to May 21 Pulitzer- and Tony-winning playwright Tracy Letts is back at his home theater with another world premiere. His previous play, “Mary Page Marlowe,” was the […]
As the new year begins, the highlights on local stages include the Marriott debut of a mega-popular musical, yet another new version of “Uncle Vanya” and world premieres of dramas at Northlight and Chicago Shakespeare. “Faceless” Jan. 26 to March 5 This venerable Skokie theater company is putting its spotlight on a young local playwright, […]
The Joffrey Ballet takes “The Nutcracker” to a dynamically different time and place in its groundbreaking new production of the holiday favorite. Yes, mice will take the stage in The Joffrey Ballet’s new production of “The Nutcracker” at the Auditorium Theatre this December. But Ashley Wheater, the company’s artistic director, declined to reveal the size […]
