Rashaad Hall in “Welcome to Jesus” at American Theater Company/Photo: Michael Brosilow
Top 5 World Premieres of 2017
“The Firebirds Take the Field,” Rivendell Theatre Ensemble
“La Havana Madrid,” Teatro Vista
“Pass Over,” Steppenwolf Theatre Company
“Welcome to Jesus,” American Theater Company
“The Wolf at the End of the Block,” Teatro Vista
—Kevin Greene
Jacquelyne Jones, Liz Chidester, Camille Robinson and Leah Davis in “Lizzie” at Firebrand Theatre/Photo: Marisa KM
Top 5 Chicago/Midwest Premieres of 2017
“At The Table,” Broken Nose Theatre
“A Disappearing Number,” TimeLine Theatre Company
“Gloria,” Goodman Theatre
“Lizzie,” Firebrand Theatre
“An Octoroon,” Definition Theatre Company
—Kevin Greene
Tim Hopper in Annie Baker’s adaptation of “Uncle Vanya” at Goodman Theatre/Photo: Liz Lauren
Top 5 Revivals of 2017
“Blues for an Alabama Sky,” Court Theatre
“The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz,” The House Theatre of Chicago
“Picnic,” American Theater Company
“Puff: Believe It Or Not,” Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
“Uncle Vanya,” Goodman Theatre
—Kevin Greene
Leea Ayes, Celeste M. Cooper and Nora Carroll in “BLKS,” a world premiere by Aziza Barnes, at Steppenwolf Theatre Company/Photo: Michael Brosilow
Top 5 Comedies of 2017
“BLKS,” Steppenwolf Theatre Company
“Destiny of Desire,” Goodman Theatre
“Hookman,” Steep Theatre
“King of the Yees,” Goodman Theatre
“Two Mile Hollow,” First Floor Theater
—Kevin Greene
Victor Musoni in Dominique Morisseau’s “Blood at the Root,” a collaboration between The Yard and Jackalope Theatre/Photo: Evan Hanover
Top 5 Best of the Rest of 2017
“Blood at the Root,” The Yard and Jackalope Theatre
“Beyond Caring,” Lookingglass Theatre Company
“Gender Breakdown,” Collaboraction
“The Nether,” A Red Orchid Theatre
“We’re Gonna Die,” Haven Theatre
—Kevin Greene
The ensemble of “The Magic Flute” at Lyric Opera of Chicago/Photo: Andrew Cioffi
Top 5 Operas of 2017
“Charlie Parker’s Yardbird,” Lyric Opera of Chicago
“The Consul,” Chicago Opera Theater
“Die Walküre,” Lyric Opera of Chicago
“Magic Flute,” Lyric Opera of Chicago
“Songs From The Uproar,” Chicago Fringe Opera
—Aaron Hunt
Top 5 Headlining Comedy Shows from Chicago Natives of 2017
Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher at The Vic
Emo Philips at Zanies
Joel Kim Booster at Schubas
Just Nesh at Zanies
Kathy Griffin at North Shore Center
—Zach Freeman
Top 5 Nationally Touring Stand-up Shows of 2017
Ali Wong at Chicago Theatre
Louie Anderson at City Winery
Norm Macdonald at The Vic
Neil Hamburger at Lincoln Hall
Patton Oswalt at Athenaeum
—Zach Freeman
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