Theater

Four musicians perform on stage; one sings and plays guitar in front, with a drummer, guitarist, and upright bassist behind. A bright neon APOLLO sign and red curtains are in the background.

by Tristan Bruns | September 11, 2026

Rock Around With “Buddy” at Drury Lane Theatre Joey Chelius resurrects the hitmaker and teen heartthrob in “The Buddy Holly Story.”

Seven actors on stage, some standing and some kneeling, appear engaged in a dramatic scene. One woman with red hair gestures passionately, while others look at her intently. A cross and simple set pieces are in the background.

by Mary Wisniewski | September 10, 2026

“The Man Who Fell With the Rain” Sells an Angel for Parts Trap Door Theatre puts on a simple yet powerful play based on a short story by magical realist master Gabriel García Márquez that makes one wonder if there's anything humans won't exploit.

A theatrical performance with a central figure standing triumphantly on a raised platform, surrounded by expressive dancers in dramatic poses, with colorful stage lighting and fog effects.

by Robert Eric Shoemaker | September 9, 2026

Kokandy’s Musicals for Now Chicago’s storefront company on the meaning of success.

A man gestures dramatically on stage under colorful lights, while a woman with long hair stands behind him. The set includes painted trees and artwork, evoking an artistic or theatrical scene.

by Rob Silverman Ascher | September 8, 2026

“Sunday in the Park With George” Shares the Downsides of the Art Life Kokandy's intimate staging focuses less on the grandeur of Seurat’s pointillist magnum opus and more on the cerebral tortures of being an artist.

A large group of performers stands on stage around a tall, illuminated tree with flowing fabric branches, set against a blue-lit backdrop.

by Todd Hieggelke | September 4, 2026

Can’t-Miss Chicago Stage Moments: Fall 2026

A man dressed as a cowboy kneels on stage holding a revolver, wearing a brown coat and black hat, with a wooden saloon backdrop and dramatic lighting.

by Mary Wisniewski | September 3, 2026

City Lit’s “Shane” Brings the Western Novel to the Stage Mark Pracht's adaptation of the 1949 book rewrites masculinity in a Western setting, with a phenomenal performance by lead Michael B. Woods.

Two people stand smiling in front of a wall sign that reads TimeLine Theatre Company. The person on the left has curly hair and wears a denim shirt; the person on the right has short hair and wears glasses and a dark shirt.

by Jonathan Eig | September 2, 2026

How “The Birth of the Pill” Moved From a History Book to the Stage Chicago author Jonathan Eig discusses “The Birth of the Pill” with Jessica Huang, who adapted his book into a play staging its world premiere this month at TimeLine.

Three people sit on the floor around a bed, laughing and drinking together in a cozy, colorful room with rugs, pillows, and a dresser. Empty chairs line the wall, and a photo is taped to a white door in the background.

by Rob Silverman Ascher | August 31, 2026

The Teenagers in “Adolescent Salvation” Are Not Just Kids The Chicago premiere of Tim Venable's play starts as a Zoomer screwball and ends as an indictment of the way adults fail to protect their children.

Three people in white lab coats examine a small animal cage. One person reaches inside the cage, while another holds a clipboard. The background is covered in layers of newspaper pages.

by Rob Silverman Ascher | August 27, 2026

Jackalope’s Living Newspaper Festival Brings Today’s Headlines to the Stage Jackalope's seventeenth edition of the festival turned five recent news stories into short plays, accompanied by filmed commentary from two news anchors.

A person in a red shirt and jeans sits thoughtfully on a black armchair on stage next to a lamp and books, with large windows and stage lights in the background.

by Amanda Finn | August 26, 2026

Siblings Struggle To Connect in “Sisters” at Writers Theatre The production, which shows the relationship between a human woman and her AI sister over decades, does little to push any conversation of this technology forward.

A close-up of a persons face, showing sweaty skin, slightly parted lips, and eyes looking to the side.

by Teddy Sandler | August 26, 2026

Grelley Duvall Recreates the Story of Sigourney Weaver’s Character in “Alien” At the Empty Bottle, drag, puppetry, acting, singing and dancing combine to make "Ripley" an ultimate work of art.

A woman in a red skirt and black top stands on stage as a man in a vest embraces her from behind. Other actors and dramatic lighting create a tense, theatrical atmosphere.

by Todd Hieggelke | August 24, 2026

Stage Top 5: September 2026

A man and woman stand closely together on a balcony at night, looking into each others eyes. They are dressed formally, with brick walls and shadows in the background, suggesting a dramatic or romantic scene.

by Mary Wisniewski | August 20, 2026

Music Theater Works Captures the Majestic Scope of “West Side Story” This production of Leonard Bernstein’s classic goes big in every way, featuring tremendous singers and actors, fabulous costumes, explosive choreography and a nimble twenty-two-piece orchestra.

A large crowd gathers at an outdoor amphitheater in a city, seated and standing near the stage under a steel canopy, with skyscrapers and trees in the background.

by Dennis Polkow | August 19, 2026

Broadway in Chicago’s Millennium Park Summer Concert Previews Their 2026-27 Season The evening of performances gave Chicago audiences a sampling of the productions that will appear on the company's stages in the year to come.

A large group of people pose and smile together in a cozy room with bookshelves, decorative ceiling, and warm lighting. Most are casually dressed and relaxed as they look at the camera.

by Robert Eric Shoemaker | August 17, 2026

Let Composers Rock Instrumental Theatre Company introduces the Chicago Theatre Composers Club.