The live-looping hip-hop musical Mexodus recently won four Lucille Lortel Awards including Outstanding Musical, four Outer Critics Circle Awards including Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical, three Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Music, one Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical, and one Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical—the first Off-Broadway musical to win the award in 30 years.

In this celebration of the power of Black womanhood, seven women share their stories and find strength in each other's humor and passion through a fusion of poetry, dance, music, and song that explodes off the stage and resonates with all.

JERSEY BOYS returns to Chicago. JERSEY BOYS is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the story of how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were thirty.

Rediscover the magic of the holiday season with A Christmas Carol, the timeless tale that warms hearts and reminds us all of the true spirit of Christmas. Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter and lonely miser, is visited on Christmas Eve by three ghosts who take him on a journey through his past, present, and future. Along the way, he learns how to once again experience joy, compassion, and the power of generosity.

This Holiday Season, one actor takes five shots of whiskey and attempts to take part in an epic retelling of the greatest holiday story of all time...A CHRISTMAS CAROL! When this holiday season's most eligible miser is visited by three ghosts, will he change his ways, or get totally scrooged? The Drunk Shakespeare Society is decking the halls with DRUNK CHRISTMAS CAROL! A tipsy and twisted toast to the big Dickens himself, and the season of spirits (the alcoholic kind).

Featuring Alejandra Escalante (Ros) and Ryan Hallahan (Jake), two actors find themselves in an ever-shifting relationship during the most emotionally charged time of the year: the holidays. Set amidst the backstages and quick changes of beloved theatre classics, they try to keep the mess of their private lives offstage, whether they're falling in love or falling apart. Surprising, heartbreaking, and hopeful, All the World reminds us why-time after time-we keep stepping into the light, telling the story, and leaving it all on the stage.

Judy and Johnny are living their dream: the idealized 1950s suburban life. As Judy doubles down on her fully immersive retro domestic fantasy, the seams of their hyper-curated life begin to fray. What begins as a lifestyle choice becomes a revealing-and unsettling-interrogation of gender roles, identity, and what it costs to perform happiness.

Sparkling with the festive spirit of the holiday season, Shakespeare's magical romantic comedy is a delectable treat for the entire family. A snowy Athens gives way to the warm and colorful dream of a midsummer forest as Shakespeare's best-loved characters are consumed by the absurd chaos of love and the joy of friendship. Young love collides with a fairy feud and a bumbling group of amateur theatricals in the most warm-hearted play in the English language. An enchanting story of love, marriage, and magic, this holiday "Dream" will fill you with happiness and hope.

Experience the music of Lauryn Hill like never before at Candlelight: Tribute to Lauryn Hill, an intimate concert performed by the Metropolis String Quartet beneath the warm glow of hundreds of flickering candles. This multi-sensory experience reimagines the neo-soul icon's most beloved songs through elegant string arrangements, with a program that spans her Fugees era and landmark solo work, including "Ex-Factor," "To Zion," "Ready or Not," "Killing Me Softly," "Everything Is Everything," and "Doo Wop (That Thing)." The 60-minute performance transforms soulful hip-hop and R&B classics into something both familiar and entirely new, offering longtime fans and newcomers alike a fresh way to connect with one of music's most influential voices. Note: this is a tribute concert and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artist.

Your favorite cool cat takes the stage in this delightful musical adventure at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts! Based on the hit book series, this fun-filled show brings Pete and his friends to life with catchy songs, colorful characters, and plenty of heart. Student matinees and select Saturday performances are available, making this a purr-fect outing for families and young audiences alike!

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND UNAFRAID is set in 1972 at a bed-and-breakfast turned sanctuary for women escaping abuse. As the characters navigate their individual traumas, they form unexpected bonds, challenging societal norms and confronting their fears. This thought-provoking play offers a powerful look at feminism, survival, and solidarity as these women wrestly with their pasts while fighting for a better future.

Immerse yourself in the rococo grandeur of 19th-century Rome in this fizzy comedy of errors, returning to the Lyric Opera of Chicago stage for the first time in more than a decade with a vivid, period production directed by Mariame Clement. Donizetti's lively score animates the story of the aging bachelor Don Pasquale, whose disowned nephew enlists his wry fiancee and the Don's long-suffering doctor to orchestrate a complex series of dupes and double-crosses in a bid to reclaim his uncle's inheritance - all in the name of true love.

It's hard to be the New Guy in the world's most generic office. It's even harder to be the New Guy when you're the New Guy because you came out as transgender. And has anybody noticed that the boss is a Big Furry Monster? OH, BUDDY is a dark, absurdist comedy about how the bizarre demands of binary gender affect the way we take on roles in the workplace and beyond.

In Gunderson's fresh and heartfelt adaptation of Alcott's classic novel "Little Women," the four March sisters step onto the stage with new vitality and emotional clarity. As Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy navigate growing up during the Civil War, they chase dreams, confront loss and discover the fierce power of family. Splash Magazine calls it, "an absolute delight from start to finish." "Ideal for a multigenerational theatrical outing," says Pioneer Press. Chicago Stage and Screen hails it as, "a heartwarming experience perfect for the holiday season."

In Los Angeles, it's the job of this group of parents to watch movies all day. Every day. The ratings board sets the content level on up to 900 films per year. These parents watch every boring, bombastic, vile, and embarrassing scene shoulder to shoulder with their coworkers. Parental Guidance Suggested from playwright Kelle Long explores the hilarious interactions of this group and how movies are assigned ratings from G to R by the most innocent members of the movie business.

Now a beloved Chicago tradition, The Goodman Theatre ushers in the holiday season with its adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic holiday story A Christmas Carol. Audiences look forward to the "bah humbugs," the electrifying arrival of the ghosts, the jubilant musical numbers and dancing, and Scrooge's joyful rediscovery of life, love and the Christmas spirit. Goodman's Carol continues to lift heats and spirits after four decades more than a million visitors, and the timeless holiday tale promises to be merrier and more magical than ever. The Daily Herald says the play is "the crown jewel of the holiday season" -- find out for yourself or relive the magic again.

Nikki Glaser brings her The Stunning Tour to Chicago with the kind of stand-up she’s become famous for: sharp, fearless, and hilariously candid, tackling modern dating, pop culture, and the awkward truths we all try to pretend aren’t real. Expect fast punchlines, big laughs, and Glaser’s signature no-holds-barred honesty delivered with the precision of a seasoned headliner.

On one fateful Christmas Eve, George Bailey teeters on the edge of despair, until an unexpected visitor reveals the extraordinary impact of his life. The immortal story of the classic film is told as a lively 1940s radio broadcast. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY blends humor, nostalgia and heart into a timeless reminder that the choices we make can change everything.

What happened to the boys who played Shakespeare's women? In the summer of 1606, six boy players warm-up, run lines, gossip, and fall in and out of love all in between rehearsals for the premieres of Antony and Cleopatra and Twelfth Night. As the plague and rising religious conservatism threaten their way of life, they are all forced to reconsider their futures on the stage.

A Shakespearean Dramaedy about jealousy, love, one's own perspective, and second chances. A lesser known piece but a wonderful play. This play follows two plots from different times, as the sins of the past are redeemed by the future.

We all have one- that box that sits in the back of your closet, keepsakes of times gone by, evidence of a life lived. Why do we hold onto that keychain, that ticket stub, that teddy bear? Each item carries a memory, a story known only to us. What stories do you keep in your box of miracles?

The Emmy-nominated PBS kids' TV show The Wild Kratts Live! brings an all-new theatrical stage show starring Martin and Chris Kratt to the Rosemont Theatre. First, the Kratt Brothers will share some "wow facts!" about animals, and then they'll pull on their Creature Power vests and gloves and begin activating Creature Powers -- live on stage -- with a touch of comedy, of course. And when the Wild Kratts receive a message that Zach and his Zachbots are invading the Tortuga, you'll join the duo on a quest filled with hilarious pratfalls and slapstick fun. Discover why Wild Kratts is so popular with kids and their families!

Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi is an intimate, candlelit concert that celebrates the sweeping, instantly recognizable melodies of Joe Hisaishi—best known for his iconic film music in the Studio Ghibli universe—reimagined for string quartet in a warm, cinematic setting where every theme feels close enough to breathe. Over the course of the program, Listeso’s quartet moves from soaring adventure to tender lullaby and quiet wonder, featuring beloved selections from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, Ponyo, and Howl’s Moving Castle, creating a nostalgic journey that’s as transportive for longtime fans as it is enchanting for first-time listeners.

This spellbinding, romantic journey begins with a simple encounter between two people. But what happens next defies the boundaries of the world we think we know—delving into the infinite possibilities of their relationship and raising questions about the difference between choice and destiny. Performed by alternating casts of two men and two women.

George Bailey-the Everyman from small town Bedford Falls whose dreams of escape and adventure were stopped by family obligation and civic duty-has fallen onto desperate times. Only a miracle can save him from despair. Told as a radio play with original music and classic holiday carols, it's "the don't miss show of the season" (Chicago Tribune). The annual production will feature favorite American Blues actors.

Experience unmatched holiday cheer with Frank Capra's beloved classic film, "It's a Wonderful Life," reimagined as a captivating live radio play, complete with foley sound effects and set in Oil Lamp's WBFR radio studio. Journey to Bedford Falls, where George Bailey's troubles lead him to wish he was never born. Clarence, an angel sent to intervene, steps in to make his wishes come true and George quickly learns just how many lives he has touched and just how blessed he really is.

Candlelight: Tribute to Dolly Parton reimagines the beloved country icon's catalog as an intimate classical concert, performed by the Metropolis String Quartet beneath the warm glow of hundreds of flickering candles. Over 60 minutes, the quartet moves through Dolly's most cherished songs, including "Jolene," "9 to 5," "I Will Always Love You," "Islands in the Stream," "Coat of Many Colors," "Here You Come Again" and "Light of a Clear Blue Morning," revealing the tenderness and storytelling at the heart of her writing through the voices of violin, viola and cello. Part of the popular Candlelight concert series, this multi-sensory experience pairs timeless music with a stunning, candlelit setting for an evening that is equally suited to devoted fans and newcomers.

The Squirrels have decked the halls, and Elephant and Piggie are ready to celebrate the season. But will Pigeon join the festivities-or fly off to the North Pole in search of the greatest gift ever? Celebrate the holidays with sing-along songs and laugh-out-loud antics as Mo Willems' most beloved characters come together for a heartwarming holiday musical that sleighs!

The musical, THE HOUSE WITHOUT A CHRISTMAS TREE, is based on the classic Christmas novel by Gail Rock and the beloved 1972 television movie. Set in rural Nebraska in 1946, young Addie Mills can't understand why her father won't allow them to have a Christmas tree in their house. She discovers the tree symbolizes a deeper wound that her family has buried. A deeply moving coming-of-age holiday tale set to music centering on a young girl whose simple wish heals her family's broken heart. Since its 2024 bow the creative team of Howe and Massolia have revised the piece with book revisions and new music & lyrics.

People complain that you can't say anything anymore... Scotland's comedy superstar Daniel Sloss begs to differ. One of the biggest global ticket sellers in live stand-up, Daniel's massive tours to-date span 55 countries and he has been performing standup for literally more than half of his 35 years on this planet. In the process he has broken multiple box office records, published a "Pandora's Box of Self-Help Books" (Conan O'Brien) and created and toured 13 solo shows which include comedy specials "Jigsaw" and "DARK" on Netflix, as well as "X", "SOCIO", "HUBRIS" and most recently, "CAN'T". Daniel is delighted to unleash his devastatingly funny, Brand-new show "BITTER" on the Netflix is a Joke audience.

A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker is celebrating its 10th anniversary this season as it returns for another spectacular tour. Directed and choreographed by Jennifer Weber, this contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky's timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event. The Hip Hop Nutcracker is brought to life by a powerhouse cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop's founding fathers, who opens the show with a short set.

Out-of-work actor Daniel Hillard will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the kindly alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. As his new character takes on a life of its own, Mrs. Doubtfire teaches Daniel more than he bargained for about how to be a father. It's "the lovable, big-hearted musical comedy we need right now," raves the Chicago Tribune - one that proves we're better together.

Blue Man Group invites audiences to experience an all-new holiday production that reimagines the season through its signature blend of music, comedy, art, and immersive theatrical experience. Featuring classic holiday music performed on Blue Man Group's iconic custom instruments, the production follows the Blue Men as they discover the traditions, rituals, and joyful absurdities of the holidays while exploring timeless themes of generosity, presence, creativity, and human connection.

Who's Holiday! is a wildly funny and heartfelt adults-only comedy that tells the story of Cindy Lou Who as she recalls that Christmas Eve she first met the Grinch and the twisted turn of events her life has now taken.

A traveling troupe of actors comes to town to find no one celebrating Hanukkah. They must put on a show to save the holiday! Will they bring back the spirit of Hanukkah to the town? Will Hershel of Ostropol outsmart the goblins who haunt the old synagogue? In this adaptation of the Caldecott Honor-winning book, the story comes to life with music, puppets and a little bit of magic for families of all ages to enjoy.

The holiday season is about to get loud, sparkly, and slightly inappropriate, because Jefferey Cooke is back in "My Christmas Spectacular 2026!" - the show that has become Chicago's most beloved, most chaotic, and most aggressively festive holiday cabaret tradition. If you've ever wondered what would happen if Christmas swallowed a cabaret show and washed it down with a peppermint martini, this is your answer.

Candlelight: Tribute to Gwen Stefani reimagines the pop-punk princess's catalog in a way you've never heard it, performed live by the Metropolis String Quartet under the warm, flickering glow of hundreds of candles. From her No Doubt years to her solo chart-toppers, the 60-minute program spans ska-tinged anthems and dance-floor hits reborn as lush string arrangements, including "Just A Girl," "Hella Good," "Hollaback Girl," "The Sweet Escape," "What You Waiting For?," "Rich Girl," "Underneath It All," "Spiderwebs," and the swooning ballad "Don't Speak." It's an intimate, multi-sensory evening that trades stadium spectacle for candlelit atmosphere, letting familiar melodies land with fresh emotional weight. Part of the popular Candlelight concert series, this tribute is ideal for longtime fans, date nights, or anyone craving a distinctive live-music experience.

Following a string of holiday mishaps and a disastrous audition for the Miami Senior Center's production of It's a Wonderful Life, Dorothy begins to question her very existence. An angel intervenes, revealing that her roommates wouldn't last 20-minutes without her.

After last year's smash-hit, sold-out premiere, Tyler Anthony Smith and Patrick O'Keefe's WE ARE NOT UGLY PEOPLE (a.k.a. an unauthorized cabaret parody of Todd Haynes' film CAROL) is back-and this time for the hole holiday season. Everything that made you laugh your jingle bells off remains, but with an entirely new setlist, some new gags, and a slew of new Sarah Paulsons and Harges.

Candlelight: Tribute to Chris Cornell transforms the grunge icon's searing catalog into an intimate, multi-sensory concert experience, performed by a live string quartet surrounded by the warm glow of thousands of flickering candles. Over the course of an hour, the Listeso String Quartet reimagines the raw power and haunting melodies of Cornell's work across Soundgarden, Audioslave, and Temple of the Dog, with arrangements of favorites like "Black Hole Sun," "Like a Stone," "Spoonman," "Hunger Strike," and "Fell on Black Days." Stripped of distortion and amplification, these songs reveal the aching beauty and emotional depth that made Cornell one of rock's most distinctive voices. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering his music anew, this candlelit evening offers a moving, elegant way to experience one of alternative rock's greatest songwriters.

Eddie Carbone, a longshoreman living in Red Hook, Brooklyn, harbors an obsessive love for his niece Catherine. When two illegal immigrants arrive from Sicily — relatives seeking a new life in America — the fragile balance of his world begins to crack. Miller's masterwork is a story of family loyalty, the immigrant dream, and the dangerous line between love and possession. It's raw, relentless, and devastating.

This Christmas, bring the whole family back to a simpler time with NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet! The acclaimed holiday tradition is live in theaters for the 30th anniversary tour. Gather friends and family to relive your fondest childhood memories. NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet is overflowing with larger than life puppets, breathtaking acrobatics and dazzling costumes. Experience the exquisite artistry of the international cast featuring dancers from all over the world performing at the highest level of classical technique. Share in the message of peace and harmony and get your tickets now!

Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons is a high-energy, candlelit concert that transforms two arena-sized catalogs into lush, cinematic string arrangements, performed live by the Metropolis String Quartet for an immersive hour of soaring melodies and big emotional payoffs. The program moves through fan favorites like Coldplay’s “Clocks,” “Adventure of a Lifetime,” “Fix You,” “The Scientist,” “Viva la Vida,” and “A Sky Full of Stars,” alongside Imagine Dragons hits including “Radioactive,” “Eyes Closed,” “Nice to Meet You,” “Follow You,” “Bad Liar,” and “Believer,” creating a “best of both worlds” evening where familiar choruses feel intimate, dramatic, and completely reimagined under the glow of candlelight.

Flying Monkeys follows two transport agents working in the so-called "troubled teen industry." Hired by a desperate mother, they arrive in the middle of the night to legally take her 15-year-old daughter from her home and deliver her to a residential treatment program across the country. What begins as a job governed by contracts and procedure becomes increasingly complicated as everyone involved is forced to confront what they believe desperation can justify.

The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical tells the story of our heroine, Holly, an overworked city executive forced to return to her quirky hometown to help her mother run the family business. Holly reunites with Mark, an old flame (who is now the local Sheriff!) and discovers the town’s long-running cookie contest cheating conspiracy involves a moose on the loose. As Holly juggles romance, small-town drama, and a looming corporate merger, she learns that love and community might matter more than work. Packed with immersive holiday moments and original pop songs such as, “Judge That Cookie” and “It Feels Like Christmas (Because It Is Literally Christmas),” the show offers a hilarious twist on the classic holiday movies you already know and love. It promises festive immersive fun for everyone whether you’re a hopeless romantic, a holiday movie superfan, or just in it for the moose.

Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is the record-setting Broadway holiday sensation which features the hit songs "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas" from the original animated special. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is "two sizes too small," decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday loving Whos. Magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss' original illustrations help transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville and helps remind us of the true meaning of the holiday season. Don't miss what The New York Times calls "AN EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCE! 100 times better than any bedtime story."

Jackie Taylor's The Other Cinderella is a beloved Black Ensemble Theater classic that has delighted audiences for decades. This joyful African American version of the timeless fairy tale is filled with laughter, soul, and heart. In this story, Cinderella is from the projects, the Stepmamma works at the post office, the Fairygodmama hails from Jamaica, and the Brothers from the Hood keep the kingdom jumpin'!

Fall in love with the holidays all over again at LOVE ACTUALLY IN CONCERT! As the beloved film plays in its entirety on a full-size screen, a live orchestra performs the soundtrack live, featuring music by Craig Armstrong alongside favorites including Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and "Love Is All Around."

Playing to sold out houses all over the world, Potted Potter takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real life game of Quidditch) into seventy hilarious minutes. This fantastically funny show features all your favorite characters, a special appearance from a fire-breathing dragon, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic!

Full of heart and 1960s flair, Hairspray follows Tracy Turnblad, a big-dreaming teen who lands a spot on “The Corny Collins Show.” But when she sees injustice in Baltimore, she sets out to integrate the dance floor, proving one girl can make a difference. With infectious songs like “Good Morning Baltimore” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” this musical makes the perfect closer to Music Theater Work’s 46th season: it is a joyful celebration of acceptance, self-love and standing up for what’s right.

Grab the sticky geckos, break out the duck cakes, and alert the grannies! It's time to meet the much-loved Heeler family, who will be coming to the Auditorium Theater with the Bluey live show, Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show! The Emmy Award-winning animated preschool series, which airs on Disney Junior, Disney Channel, and Disney+, will be "taking the show on the road"

Candlelight: Christmas Classics transforms a beloved holiday songbook into an intimate, multi-sensory concert performed entirely by the light of hundreds of flickering candles. The Metropolis String Quartet takes the stage for a 60-minute program that glides from timeless favorites like Carol of the Bells, O Holy Night, and Greensleeves to modern seasonal staples including Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You, Wham!'s Last Christmas, and Let It Snow. The evening also weaves in enchanting selections from The Nutcracker, Frozen, Anastasia, and The Holiday, giving the program a cinematic sparkle alongside its classical warmth. Part of the internationally acclaimed Candlelight concert series, this holiday edition invites audiences to slow down, settle into the glow, and experience the music of the season the way it was meant to be heard: up close, unplugged, and unforgettable.

Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings wraps the season's most beloved music in the warm, flickering glow of hundreds of candles for a truly enchanting hour of holiday magic. The Metropolis String Quartet performs timeless carols including Carol of the Bells, O Holy Night, Silent Night, Joy to the World, and Greensleeves, transforming familiar melodies into something intimate and transporting through the rich, expressive voices of four string instruments. Part of the wildly popular Candlelight concert series, this multi-sensory experience pairs world-class live music with a breathtaking candlelit setting, creating an atmosphere equally suited to a romantic evening out, a festive gathering with friends, or a memorable family tradition. Whether you come to rediscover the wonder of the classics or simply to soak in the ambiance, this hour of music by candlelight captures the spirit of the season beautifully.

For 65 years, THE SOUND OF MUSIC has been one of our "favorite things." With its timeless story and irresistibly charming score, this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic isn't just meant to be enjoyed - it's meant to be shared. Now, a critically acclaimed North American tour brings the cherished musical to stages across the country to teach a new generation to sing. Directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien (Hairspray), this vibrant and romantic tale of Maria and the von Trapp family will captivate audiences with its universal themes of love, resilience and the power of music. Featuring beloved songs like "Do-Re-Mi," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" and "Edelweiss," THE SOUND OF MUSIC is the iconic tale of a spirited nun who chooses not to live behind closed doors - and, by following her heart, learns to climb every mountain.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) will celebrate its landmark 30th anniversary with a major winter tour featuring a spectacular, reimagined staging of its treasured tale, "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve," followed by a high-energy second set. Renowned for delivering fans the ultimate "value for their dollar," TSO pairs its legendary audio/visual experience, complete with over-the-top lasers, pyrotechnics, and special effects, with fan-friendly ticket pricing that welcomes generations of fans year after year.

Winner of 6 Tony Awards, including Best Musical,Maybe Happy Ending tells the deeply human story of a chance encounter that sparks connection, adventure, and maybe even love. Helmed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Arden (Parade), Maybe Happy Ending has been called "one of the best musicals in years" (USA Today) and even "The best musical in eons!" (Observer). Don't miss the totally original new musical adventure that explores what it means to be human. Even if they're not.

It is 1911, and Harold Loomis and his daughter, Zonia, have been on the road for years, searching for Zonia's mother and, unbeknownst to Harold, chasing his forgotten song. Their journey leads them to Seth Holly's boardinghouse, where they meet Holly, his wife, and fellow boarders who, like them, are in relentless pursuit of love, identity, freedom, and purpose.

Performer Julia Masli creates a hilarious, yet moving and unpredictable live experience at the intersection of comedy and performance. What begins as playful improvisation evolves into a collective ritual of vulnerability, care and unexpected humor. Masli explores the subtle boundary between a laugh and a tear, proving that one lies very close to the other.

Declared “one of the best comedies in years” by The New York Times, Oh, Mary! is about a miserable, suffocated Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Unrequited yearning, alcoholism, and suppressed desires abound in this 80- minute one-act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln, through the lens of an idiot (playwright Cole Escola).

Sheltered in a converted storage unit in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Ashton and Reece sustain themselves by reenacting moments of hope from their past, until forces from the outside world challenge how best to carry hope forward.

Written by Tony Award Winning playwright RUPERT HOLMES Starring Michelle Azar as Ruth Bader Ginsburg Directed by Laley Lippard Supreme Court Justice "RBG" welcomes a friend of the family to her cozy chambers to convey, over the course of ninety fascinating and often funny minutes, a sense of her life and its many trials: losing her mother the day before she graduated as valedictorian of her Brooklyn high school ... being one of only nine young women studying law at Harvard while also raising a daughter and helping her husband battle cancer ... fighting for women's rights in the nineteen-seventies before condescending all-male courts ... and taking courageous stands for human rights as a voice of reason amid a splintering and increasingly politicized Supreme Court. An evening with a great and compassionate icon of straight-thinking American justice emerges ... an RBG who is not only "notorious" but victorious as she takes a stand for ordinary people facing the many challenges of a changing world. Bring your scrunchies, your hankies, your humor and your heart to this entertaining and uplifting event!

Based on the hit 1980 movie, this hysterical and empowering musical is the story of three unlikely friends who concoct a plan to get even with their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot of a boss. With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, 9 to 5 is a nostalgic joyride that proves there’s nothing women can’t do.

Pasión. Venganza. Tragedia. Romeo meets Julieta and their love shakes the very soul of the worlds they thought they knew. Shakespeare's classic tale of star-crossed young lovers from feuding families is transported to Miami in the early 1960s, as an influx of Cuban exiles find their dreams of returning to their homeland at odds with the reality of their new home. Director Henry Godinez brings his signature specificity to a dynamic bilingual adaptation in both English and Spanish with projected translation. As conflict escalates between the Montescos and Capuletas, the young couple defy the enmity between their families and the prejudices of their community-only to discover that love is the true universal language. Shakespeare's most evocative poetry comes to vivid new life performed in the intimacy of The Jentes Family Courtyard Theater.

Welcome back, St. Anthony's graduating class of 2002!?On the night of their 20th high school reunion, a group of misfit Millennial classmates reconnect for a familiar pregame: drinks, pot, a limo ride and a whole lot of messy memories. But, in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' riveting dark ensemble comedy, a specter looms over the proceedings, reminding us that time only marches forward, even for '90's kids. This Chicago premiere from the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of Purpose is a contemplative, hilarious and grave reflection on life and death.

"If you want to be cool, just be you!" When Pete the Cat meets the Biddle family, he helps everyone find their groove. As Jimmy faces his fears about second-grade art class, Pete inspires him to embrace creativity, confidence, and being himself. Based on the beloved bestselling book series, Pete the Cat is a groovy, globe-trotting musical adventure that takes audiences on a rock-and-roll journey to Paris and back in a colorful VW bus!

The Tony Award-winning phenomenon Illinoise returns to where it all began. Based on Sufjan Stevens' landmark album, this "mysterious, deeply moving and unforgettable dance-musical" (The New York Times) is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Justin Peck, partnering with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury to tell a hauntingly beautiful original story through live music, dance, and theater. After a sold-out world premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in 2024, Illinoise took Broadway by storm. Now, it returns to its spiritual home once more.

In 1880s Paris, painter Georges Seurat is consumed by passion for his work, meticulously capturing every color and curve of the world around him. But as he chases perfection on the canvas, he risks losing Dot - the woman who inspires him. A century later, another George, Seurat's great-grandson, struggles with the same questions of meaning, legacy, and connection in a modern world that often overlooks the value of art.

The 2025 Tony Award-nominated for Best Musical and winner of three Best Musical awards (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and New York Drama Critics' Circle), Dead Outlaw is a wickedly irreverent tale based on the true story of bumbling bandit Elmer McCurdy. This dark comedy spanning more than a century delves into themes of fame and its repercussions as McCurdy's mummified body becomes a traveling curiosity across America and beyond.

An ordinary commute becomes a whirlwind instant of once-in-a-lifetime possibility. Laura, a suburban housewife, and Alec, a married doctor, meet by chance in a busy railway station. As their weekly encounters continue and they fall more passionately and wildly in love, the pair is forced to reconsider their settled lives and decide if this romance is undeniably hopeless or worth risking everything for. Based on the beloved Noël Coward film, this critically acclaimed stage adaptation features live performances of an indelible selection of Coward’s best songs. You won't want to miss one of the greatest love stories of all time brought to dazzling life with music, movement and theatrical magic.

As America struggles through the Great Depression and the world stands on the brink of a second World War, a young man tries to dream of a future beyond the stifling confines of his day to day existence. Tom Wingfield dreams of adventure while his mother Amanda desperately yearns for a secure future for her two children. Sister Laura retreats into the fragile confines of her glass menagerie. A long hoped for arrival of a gentleman caller sends the family hurtling towards either salvation or despair. After 30 years, Tennessee Willams groundbreaking, autobiographical masterpiece returns to the Raven Stage in a bold new production.

The year is 1942. War is looming. Times are uncertain. A love that knows no bounds is blooming over a series of heartfelt, hopeful and hilariously handwritten letters. Travel back in time for a simpler love story. One that begins on the page. One that starts with “Dear Jack” and “Dear Louise.”

In 1969, The Who created a rock opera that changed the course of music history. And now, it's back in a dazzling all-new production that feels more relevant than ever. Myth and spectacle combine in this fresh reinvention that includes the unforgettable anthems "I'm Free," "See Me, Feel Me," "Sensation" and "Pinball Wizard." After witnessing his father shoot his rival, the young Tommy Walker is lost in the universe, endlessly and obsessively staring into the mirror. An innate knack for pinball catapults him from reticent adolescent to celebrity savior. Tony Award-winning composer Pete Townshend and Tony Award-winning original director Des McAnuff find powerful resonance reexamining this classic story for today.

Daphne is in love with a woman she calls her "Wonder Woman," the kind of love that she can't remember having ever experienced before. But when a one-night stand from her past shows up, she'll do anything to keep her secret from her girlfriend. Inspired by the Greek myth of Daphne and Apollo, Sap is a poetic and timely new play about passion, power, bisexual erasure, domestic violence, and the danger of hiding who you are.

After graduating from college in Chicago, Katie and Evey move back south to found a Christian day school for girls in their conservative hometown. After a troubled student alleges the women are in a sexual relationship, the young girl's mother accuses the women publicly of homosexuality and tries to bring the school to ruin.

Parade is the daring, Tony Award-winning musical masterpiece from Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy) and Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, The Bridges of Madison County). Based on a true story, Parade follows Leo and Lucille Frank, a young Jewish couple from New York whose new life in early 20th-century Georgia is upended when Leo is accused of a devastating crime. As their marriage, faith and belief in justice are tested, they confront prejudice, political pressure and a community searching for someone to blame. In this unflinching, intimate production, Parade brings audiences face-to-face with a story of love, resilience and the enduring pursuit of truth.

Get ready for non-stop excitement as Rosemont roars to life with gravity-defying stunts, heart-pounding races, and plenty of big air! The world's best drivers tear up on the dirt as they battle for the Event Championship in four competitions: Racing, Skills, Donuts, and everyone's favorite, Freestyle, where Monster Jam trucks defy the laws of physics and do the impossible. Fans will be right in the middle of the action, helping to crown the Event Champion as they get to score the drivers in real time based on their skills, stunts, and saves.

Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the father she's never known brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited decades ago.

We Had a World premiered off Broadway in May 2025 at the Manhattan Theatre Club. "Rooted in a multigenerational Jewish family, Harmon has a gift for finding the universal in the specific, and the result is one of his most intimate and nakedly autobiographical works yet." (Stage and Cinema) Exeunt Magazine NYC wrote Harmon "traces a young man's relationship with both his mother and his grandmother - learning about art, theater, and the movies from one, and how (and how not) to conduct yourself in the world from the other."

Medea survived a treacherous journey from Mexico to the United States in search of a better life, but the promise of the American Dream is quickly unravelling. She sews exquisite garments in her backyard, suffocated by fear. Her son sheds tradition as fast as he can, trading huaraches for Vans. And her husband grows distant, seduced by ambition and proximity to power. Trapped between who she was and who America demands she become, Medea finds herself in a standoff with the very dream she risked everything to reach.

Astrid, a teacher, lives with Klara, her considerably younger partner - and also her former student. When Wolfram, the school's headmaster, drops by for a visit, he brings with him uncomfortable accusations, and the search for truth erupts into a wicked game of power and desire. In this psychological thriller with no easy answers, internationally-lauded playwright Marius von Mayenburg touches the nerve between past and present, professional and private, truth and lie.

An unlikely foursome ascends Mount Kilimanjaro in this sharp satire. The dramedy follows a tour guide, Tanzanian-American tourist, and two missionaries as they make their way to the "Roof of Africa." They must confront questions of identity, access, and who deserves a place on the mountain. Featuring American Blues artists Manny Buckley, Ian Paul Custer, William Anthony Sebastian Rose II, and J.G. Smith.

Based on the 1992 film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, THE BODYGUARD is a thrilling, romantic musical that combines high-stakes suspense with unforgettable music. Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Both expect to be in charge of their situation - what they don't expect is to fall in love.

Adi, a struggling painter, is on holiday at the seaside with his glamorous wife, Tekla, who has recently published a wildly successful book. Left alone at the hotel while his wife is celebrated, Adi strikes up a conversation with a magnetic stranger, Gustav. As the two talk into the night, their budding friendship enters darker waters when Gustav becomes fixated on Tekla and Adi’s relationship. This classic psychological thriller by August Strindberg, newly adapted with biting wit by Jen Silverman (Witch, The Roommate), is an electrifying portrayal of three souls trapped in an intricate web of deception, seduction and revelation.

When the surviving members of the Bartersville High class of 1933 gather in their small Texas hometown to celebrate their 50th reunion, they soon find themselves in the middle of a hilarious whodunnit. Over punch bowls and sandwich platters, a decades-old murder case is thrown wide open when the septuagenarians are confronted by a ghost from their past and they must all face their own scandalous secrets. Written by award-winning playwright Celeste Bedford Walker and directed by Jerry Dixon, Reunion in Bartersville is produced in association with Tony Award winner LaChanze, who returns to Chicago Shakespeare Theater after the acclaimed Jaja's African Hair Braiding. This quick-witted comedy first premiered at the Billie Holiday Theatre in Brooklyn in 1987-now it finds new life in Chicago, celebrating its 40th Anniversary alongside CST. Audiences will be dying of laughter!

A photojournalist and foreign correspondent must decide: are they meant to capture a moment or change its ending? When a choice is made and the dust settles, they must pick up the pieces and forge a way forward. Take a look behind the lens in this smart, witty drama and discover what it costs to hold the camera and make time stand still.

When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach... and launches a journey of enormous proportions. Suddenly, James finds himself in the center of the gigantic peach - among human-sized insects with equally oversized personalities - but, after it falls from the tree and rolls into the ocean, the group faces hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements. Thanks to James' quick wit and creative thinking, the residents learn to live and work together as a family. The dangerous voyage is a success, but the adventure takes a whole new twist once they land on the Empire State Building.

In this brand new musical by Kyle Reid Hass, a gay whore and his activist lover plot to murder a homophobic pastor. But their rebellion doesn't go unnoticed - they may have just pissed off a pantheon of ancient deities who aren't ready to be sidelined. Blending biting satire, queer chaos, and divine reckoning, gods is a furious, funny, and fearless piece of new musical theatre.

Burn the Floor Presents Maks & Peta Live! is the ultimate high-voltage dance extravaganza, exploding with jaw-dropping choreography and breath-taking moves, filled with infectious energy and irresistible charm, celebrating the pure joy of dance.

Welcome to HADESTOWN, where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today... and always. Intertwining two mythic tales - that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone - HADESTOWN is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.

Nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a joyful celebration of hope and perseverance. Bursting with color, energy, and some of Broadway's most memorable songs, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's beloved musical reimagines the story of Joseph, a dreamer whose gift of prophecy and bright optimism set him apart from his eleven brothers. When jealousy lands him in trouble, Joseph's journey takes him from the depths of despair to the heights of success.

Jordan and Kelsey meet as teenagers at Magic Camp and become inseparable friends, but a moment of betrayal leads to a decades-long falling out. Now in their 30s, with Jordan an established, but struggling magician, and Kelsey a recent divorcee, they reunite in ways both tender and explosive. When the stakes are at their highest, this time-hopping, queer romance asks if old wounds can be healed with the help of a little Chicago stage magic?

Life can be overwhelming at any stage - kids to raise, in-laws to deal with, work-life to balance. In an age of shifting gender dynamics and rising cost of living, it can be a struggle to feel in control. But for recent retiree Sol Koening, a neighborhood crime wave proves to be the final straw. He buys a gun, joins a shooting range and sends his loving family running for cover. As barbed jokes fly and tempers flare, the once-close family threatens to break apart in this hilarious comedy about two generations struggling to find common ground in an America at odds with itself.

Hershey Felder, known for his hit portrayals of musical geniuses in his beloved composer series, now takes the stage as a different musical artist: himself. In this deeply moving new play, Felder pulls back the curtain on his own story. Growing up in Montreal as the child of Polish and Hungarian immigrants, a young Felder discovers the piano, its captivating music connecting him to his unsuspected heritage, while opening up a remarkable new world full of adventure, possibility, heartbreak, and connection.

"Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!" Set sail for high seas adventure in YPT's world-premiere, family-friendly adaptation of the beloved coming-of-age classic. The pirate legend begins right here, with buried treasure, "X" marks the spot, peg legs, shoulder parrots, sea shanties, and charismatic rogues! Join YPT for a swashbuckling world premiere that will keep the whole family on the edge of their seats.

safronia is an epic poem told through the vibrant music of the hundreds of thousands who journeyed to Chicago during the Great Migration-and a revelatory conclusion to the 2026/27 season. It celebrates the sonic legacy of artists like Curtis Mayfield, Nina Simone, and Oscar Brown Jr., and completely reimagines the scope of the American classical music landscape.

Brendan has a story, one that hurts to tell.?He's lost his job, his marriage has ended and he's headed back home to settle his late mother's affairs. It's there that he finds the need to talk, as an unthinkable secret from his childhood demands attention. A provocative confession with haunting implications about memory and revenge, Adam Rapp's The Night Fawn offers a sunset to our season - but real monsters don't wait to come out after dark.

Experience the phenomenon as it once again leaps onto the Cadillac Palace Theatre stage. Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymor, whose visual images for this show you'll remember forever. Thrill to the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score including Elton John and Tim Rice's Oscar-winning song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" and "Circle of Life." Let your imagination run wild at the Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation Newsweek calls "a landmark event in entertainment."

Hailed as “the perfect musical comedy,” this brassy favorite follows a cast of gamblers and dreamers from New York City to Havana and back as they chase luck, love, and redemption. Enjoy Frank Loesser’s iconic score, featuring “Luck Be a Lady,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” and more, brought to life by an all-star cast and the Lyric Opera Orchestra.

Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day. But when she's unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity finally start to come true. That is, until J.D., the mysterious teen rebel, teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it's murder being a somebody...

Jane is adrift. She suffers a recurring nightmare in which a young man breaks into her house. Her husband recommends that she speak to someone about her growing anxiety. Jane finds a therapist who could help, but her quest leads to a dangerous discovery. Featuring American Blues ensemble member Editha Rosario-Moore. Winner of the 2024 Blue Ink Award for playwriting.

Take one step, one small step into this powerful song cycle about facing your fears, changing your mind, embracing new experiences and leaping into the unknown. Written by acclaimed composer and lyricist Jason Robert Brown, audiences are invited to experience the bold characters and unique stories in a musical unlike any other they may have seen.

A miraculous blend of sword fights and satire, absurd fun and true romance, THE PRINCESS BRIDE has been both a beloved novel and celebrated film. Now, as you wish, it comes to enchanting life as a Broadway musical. Like many timeless stories, this one asks the eternal question: Why does life have to be so complicated? Journey to Florin, where a sweet-natured giant, a six-fingered (well technically 11-fingered) scoundrel, a vengeance-obsessed Spaniard, and an overconfident meanie all conspire to make things incredibly difficult for two young lovers just trying to live happily ever after. Prepare to die laughing and fall in love all at the same time, all over again.

JUST IN TIME, the acclaimed "runway hit" (Variety) that is taking Broadway by storm, will make a splash in Chicago. An "utterly electrifying" (Entertainment Weekly) new musical, JUST IN TIME brings to life the story of Bobby Darin, the legendary singer whose short but remarkable journey took him from teen idol to global sensation. Packed with his biggest hits, including "Beyond the Sea," "Mack the Knife," "Splish Splash," and "Dream Lover," JUST IN TIME is "a helluva good time at the theater" (Time Out) and a "wallop of joy" (NY Post).

A Tony Award-winning and classic musical comedy set in small-town 1950s America, Bye Bye Birdie tells the story of rock & roll star "Conrad Birdie." When Conrad gets drafted into the Army, he plans to say a final goodbye to the town of Sweet Apple, Ohio - but not without a farewell kiss! Based on the events of Elvis Presley's own draft into the Army in 1957, Bye Bye Birdie is a sweet, lighthearted musical filled with young romance and just a bit of chaos featuring the classics "Put on a Happy Face," "How Lovely to Be a Woman" and, of course, "Bye Bye Birdie."

It's been years since legendary singer Omara Portuondo last entered a recording studio. Once known as the "Queen of Feeling," her voice was celebrated throughout Cuba - until she vanished from the spotlight. But when an ambitious young record producer brings her a rare opportunity, the elusive diva must finally reckon with her past. Hailed as a "jaw-dropping, soul-stirring must see" (The Washington Post), the Tony and GRAMMY Award-winning BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB™ is a journey through music and memory into the beating heart of Havana. A world-class company brings the story of the iconic album to thrilling life in this tale of big dreams, second chances, and music that needs no translation.

If an opportunity comes knocking, would you shake its hand? In this dark comedy, one may find out just what it takes to come out on top. Will their fate be sealed with sorcery or do they dare to dance with the devil? How far would you go to make your wildest dreams come true?

Cameron Mackintosh's and Disney's Tony Award-winning "Best Musical" Mary Poppins brings its timeless magic to audiences of all ages. Set inside a child's oversized Victorian doll house that bursts open with imagination, wonder and theatrical magic, everyone's favorite nanny arrives with her iconic umbrella to take the Banks family, and audiences, on an unforgettable journey. Featuring beloved songs including "A Spoonful of Sugar," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and "Step in Time," this enchanting production is filled with breathtaking dance, dazzling visual moments and heartwarming storytelling. A magical experience for both children discovering the wonder of the story for the first time and adults rediscovering the joy and nostalgia of a beloved classic, Mary Poppins is a family adventure where imagination takes flight and everything is truly "Practically Perfect."

Mean Girls, based on the 2004 film, is a musical comedy with an original story by "Saturday Night Live's" Tina Fey. Centered around Cady Heron, a transfer student from Africa, as she makes her new home right here on the North Shore. Attempting to learn the ropes of public school and popularity, Cady takes on "The Plastics," a clique ruled by their Queen Bee, Regina George. Will Cady rise to the top and end Regina's reign? Find out more in the cult classic, Mean Girls, it's "totally fetch!"