World Premiere

by Tristan Bruns | September 28, 2026

Fly Away on “Bonnie’s Last Flight” Rivendell Theatre Ensemble celebrates the culmination of their thirtieth anniversary season with this world premiere by playwright Eliza Bent.

Five actors on a stage set resembling a laboratory; three wear white lab coats, one woman sits with a cane, and another woman sits at a desk in a purple suit, with bottles and lamps on the table.

by Mary Wisniewski | September 16, 2026

“The Birth of the Pill” Shows Contraception’s Inception The adaptation of Jonathan Eig's book on the pill's invention struggles to express the complexity of a topic suited for a documentary.

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 actors perform on stage; one reclines on a bed in a blue coat, holding a map and gazing at another in green, while a third sits nearby in pink, watching the interaction. The setting suggests a theatrical, possibly comedic, scene.

by Rob Silverman Ascher | August 6, 2026

“yo ho.” Is a Queer Love Story Set on the High Seas The world premiere from Babes With Blades Theatre Company is a comic twist on the fabled romance between the noted pirates Mary Read and Anne Bonny.

A woman in a black dress dusts a large, upright ice block with a bearded man frozen inside, while a tall man in a black suit stands behind her in a room with art deco furniture and a staircase.

by Christine Trevino | July 6, 2026

“Iceboy!” Keeps Things Cool at the Goodman Goodman concludes their centennial with a star-studded musical comedy headlining real-life couple Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman.

Five women are gathered around a table in a rustic wooden room with bunk beds. One woman stands with hands on hips, while the others sit or stand, engaged in conversation. A sign on the table reads “Property of Serene Pines.”.

by Mary Wisniewski | May 22, 2026

Camping with Conspiracy Theorists at A Red Orchid In “The Targeted,” a new play by Hanna Kime, conspiracy theorists gather at a rustic retreat for a meeting of the “Solidarity and Truth Summit.”

A group of actors in period costumes stand on stage, some raising bottles in a toast. The background features dramatic lighting, candles, and a painted backdrop, creating a theatrical and historical atmosphere.

by Mary Wisniewski | May 13, 2026

“Scaramouche” Is a Swashbuckling Good Time The musical version of the classic novel makes its world debut at City Lit Theater, a comedy-adventure-romance mixed with dueling and song.

A modern, multi-story theater building with large glass windows and a vertical sign reading THEATRE. People walk and bike outside, with nearby trees, cars parked, and adjacent urban buildings. A person in glasses is in the foreground.

by Todd Hieggelke | May 1, 2026

Stage Top 5: May 2026

An older man in a suit stands triumphantly with a sword raised, foot on the back of a young man lying face down on a living room floor, with elegant furniture and bookshelves in the background.

by Ted C. Fishman | April 30, 2026

“Fault” Is in the Scars: Battling Couple Comedy Crackles and Cracks Jason Alexander directs this world premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, a “marital combat” play with tightly wound action that takes repeated shots at the intimate lives of its coupled characters.

Two actors stand on a dimly lit stage facing each other, one in a red plaid shirt and khakis, the other in a long dark coat; an audience sits in the background and a person stands at the top of the stairs.

by Amanda Finn | April 27, 2026

“Windfall” Begs the Question: What Is the Cost of a Life? Tarell Alvin McCraney’s world premiere at Steppenwolf examines the aftermath of a police killing.

An elderly man with a gray beard and disheveled hair is holding a phone to his ear. He appears concerned or focused while speaking. He is wearing a dark jacket against a plain background.

by Hugh Iglarsh | March 23, 2026

“The Official Biography” Tells a Story About Storytelling A pure product of Chicago’s collaborative theater culture, this new play from Her Story Theater digs deep into the nature of art and truth.

A black and white photo of a person lying motionless on a table, partially covered by a sheet, in a dark and empty room. A spotlight illuminates the body, emphasizing a somber and dramatic atmosphere.

by Hugh Iglarsh | March 6, 2026

“The Shape of the Bones” Has Promise but Needs To Be Fleshed Out Playwright Spencer Huffman’s religious drama—and New Theatre Project’s first production in a conventional theater space—boasts some excellent performances in a story that doesn’t quite satisfy.

A young woman sits on a throne with a guard to her right.

by Mary Wisniewski | October 9, 2025

In “Veal,” the Tormented Middle School Friend Becomes Queen of North America The new dystopian play is the kind of in-your-face, challenging theater that A Red Orchid can do so well.

by Mary Wisniewski | October 1, 2025

The Bloody History of A Seventeenth Century Countess Is Told in Idle Muse’s New Production "The Blood Countess" reveals the story of Erzsébet Bathóry, a Hungarian countess who was tried and convicted for allegedly killing hundreds of young girls.