Steppenwolf’s “Windfall”/Photo: Sandro Miller

1
safronia
(Lyric Opera)
If you mostly know avery r. young as a poet laureate of the city or as a co-director of the Floating Museum, and missed his groundbreaking work on “Twilight: Gods” in 2021—a drive-through opera staged in an underground parking garage—you have two nights to see his work on this stage now.
Opens April 17

2
Windfall
(Steppenwolf Theatre)
This world premiere by ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney, described as a centerpiece of Steppenwolf’s fiftieth anniversary season, stars ensemble members Alana Arenas, Jon Michael Hill and Namir Smallwood, as well as artistic director Glenn Davis.
Opens April 9

3
The Great Gatsby
(Cadillac Palace)
Broadway in Chicago stages the musical version of the Jazz-Age tale—what Jay McInerney called “a collective self-image dear to many American hearts,” inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s own unrequited love from Lake Forest, the Midwest’s East Egg.
Opens April 21

4
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
(Goodman Theatre)
Chuck Smith and Harry J. Lennix reunite at the Goodman twenty-nine years later for this production of August Wilson’s classic about the “Mother of the Blues”—a taste of the Jazz Age in Chicago.
Opens March 28

5
Dry Powder
(Gwydion Theatre Company)
Watch as private equity does its extractive dance on a small-time luggage company in this Chicago premiere of Sarah Burgess’ high-finance play.
Moved to July