Destinos, 6th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival
September 28-November 12
In a theater world awash in tales of existential woe, Destinos is reason for optimism, producing some of the best, freshest and most important work you’ll see all season. Produced by the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA), this year’s festival, which features work from U.S. and Latin American creators, encompasses seventeen productions, including four world and two North American premieres.
312 Comedy Festival
October 27-November 5
Just because Chicago’s previous attempts at a world-class stand-up festival have failed to stick does not mean the national capital of comedy can’t support one, right? Especially with seasoned local producers Jam Productions and the co-owner of Zanies behind this one and headliners Nate Bargatze, Russell Peters, John Crist and Nicole Byer topping a lineup that sprawls across the city’s entertainment infrastructure.
BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical
CIBC Theatre
November 19-December 24
What do you get when you bring together a bunch of Tony Award and Grammy Award-winners and nominees, led by director-choreographer Jerry Mitchell (“Kinky Boots,” “La Cage aux Folles,” “Hairspray”) with an iconic animated singing and dancing sex symbol dating back to the Jazz Age? Anticipation. How has no one been able to bring Betty to dancing-singing life before?