James and Lou move from Chicago to London to escape their past... An original story set in the world of the terrifying Paranormal Activity film franchise, this thrilling new play will haunt you long after the lights go out. The North American Premiere production is written by celebrated Chicago playwright Levi Holloway, a Red Orchid Theare ensemble member whose Tony Award-nominated Grey House chilled Broadway audiences in 2023. Felix Barrett-pioneering founder and artistic director of the acclaimed Punchdrunk, whose immersive Sleep No More played more than 5,000 performances in a record-breaking 14-year run-directs. If you dare, turn up the fear factor with a special late-night showing on Halloween.

Like millions of Americans, Clara is doing her best to hold everything together-working hard, raising her tween daughter Stella, caring for an aging father, and supporting her under-employed ex-husband. But when she applies for U.S. citizenship ahead of a mother-daughter trip to Paris, her application is unexpectedly flagged, exposing minor infractions in her past and threatening the only home she's ever known. Blending grounded family drama with otherworldly wonder, this Chicago-set world premiere is a moving and provocative exploration of our country's most fundamental values.

Welcome to House of the Exquisite Corpse: Blood & Puppets. Pulses quicken as guests gather in a make-shift foyer, with a bar selling beer, wine and a horrifying specialty cocktail. Then, small groups trickle into the House via timed entries. Once inside, pulses race as visitors brave a dark, murky expanse, stopping by six "rooms" of puppet theater horror, peering through keyholes, cracks, and hidden doors to witness the carnage, and sometimes, humor, happening inside.

If you like fast-paced, edgy one-liners then get ready to be happy. Jimmy Carr is going back on tour with his brand-new show Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny. Jimmy is a household name in UK television, well known for hosting Channel 4's 8 Out Of 10 Cats, 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Big Fat Quiz Of The Year in addition to presenting Comedy Central's Roast Battle UK and Your Face Or Mine. He is a regular on all the top panel shows, including QI and A League Of Their Own, has performed as part of The Royal Variety Performance three times, hosts Channel 4 gameshow I Literally Just Told You and in 2025 will also host Last One Laughing UK on Amazon Prime.

An evocative tale of two men – one, a doctor, passionate and romantic; the other, a terrifying madman – and two women – one, beautiful and trusting; the other, beautiful and trusting only herself – both women in love with the same man and both unaware of his dark secret. A devoted man of science, Dr. Henry Jekyll is driven to find a chemical breakthrough that can solve some of mankind's most challenging medical dilemmas. Rebuffed by the powers that be, he decides to make himself the subject of his own experimental treatments, accidentally unleashing his inner demons along with the man that the world would come to know as Mr. Hyde.

A searing examination of race, power, and social expectation, this explosive classic of American theatre surges with racial tension and sexual politics. Keith Surney revives Amiri Baraka’s iconic tale for a contemporary audience with a production as confrontational as it is necessary.

A "best of" version of our annual spoopy show features never before repeated stories in our compilation. Hansel & Gretel, Pied Piper, Rapunzel and more.

Iliza Shlesinger has cemented herself as one of the world's premiere stand-up comedians. On March 11th, Shlesinger will release her 7th special, Iliza Shlesinger: A Different Animal, globally on Amazon Prime Video. An explosive and relentlessly funny hour, Iliza covers everything from shower sex, ugly wives and the ideal man to the truth about the ONE thing no woman wants as nothing is off limits. The special was filmed this past fall at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City.

Based on Chapter Seven of Bram Stoker's DRACULA, this gothic horror high seas adventure tells the shocking events aboard the cargo ship transporting Count Dracula's belongings from Transylvania to England. Suspicion, paranoia, and madness infect the crew as the harried sailors disappear one by one. Full of creeping mystery, vibrant language, rich characters, sinister vanishings, violent sea storms, swashbuckling action, monstrous puppetry, and, of course, a boatload of terrors, this is the Dracula tale you've never seen.

Join us for a thrilling night of entertainment when Tony Award-winning stars of stage and screen Brian Stokes Mitchell and Laura Benanti are onstage for one night only with the full force of the Lyric Opera Orchestra. You'll be swept away by a program that features Broadway favorites, jazz classics, and beloved selections from the Great American Songbook that will stay with you long after the curtain falls. Be a part of this very special event where you'll have the chance to mingle with fellow arts lovers and celebrate a new cultural season at Lyric. We don't want you to miss a moment of the music!

PRODIGAL SON is John Patrick Shanley's autobiographical coming-of-age story of a 15 year- old attending a private New Hampshire prep school in the 1960s. Jim is a restless and brilliant youth from a blue collar family in The Bronx who, after being expelled from yet another high school, receives a scholarship to the prestigious Thomas More Preparatory School. While Jim wrestles with his identity, Carl Schmitt, the headmaster, and Alan Hoffman, head of the English Department, are wrestling with what to do with their troubled new student. Is he a brilliant-though-troubled youth who, with the correct guidance, could do great things? Or, is he a lost cause that could tarnish the reputation of their illustrious school?

The Sporting Life is a bloody coming-of-age play about a sixteen-year-old girl who seeks out the witch in the woods to finally get her period.

A sketch comedy show that has been running for over 15 years brings a drinking game to the audience. Every time someone on stage dies, the audience drinks! DeathToll is a staple in Chicago comedy and each year brings new Halloween themed sketches front and center. This year's sketches are full of Lady Gaga song parodies, creepy dolls, a teen camp in the woods, and much more Halloween fun. Corn Productions in BYOB, so grab your favorite beverage! The actors will tell you the rules throughout the show and take you on the journey of Halloween night at Cornservatory.

The Theatre for Young Audiences adaptation of the beloved Pixar movie FINDING NEMO, with music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (Frozen). Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.

The Mark centers in a dystopian, classist, society, where a young Laborer named Raina is given an unexpected chance to join The Army. As she starts to acclimate to her new position and higher standing in society, a resistance is brewing among The Laborers. An assassination attempt upends Raina's life as she becomes caught in the middle of the war between the two classes, as well as her own battle of discovering who and what she believes in.

Hell hath no fury like a sorceress scorned. This centuries-old tale burns with unrelenting emotional fire, and in Cherubini's hands, it demands to be retold. Audiences witness the tragedy of Medea, a powerful sorceress betrayed by her lover, Giasone, who abandons her and their two children to marry another woman, Glauce, the daughter of the king Creonte. Given just 24 hours to accept her fate, Medea instead bends it to her will, with her accomplice, Neris, at her side, delivering vengeance that shakes the very foundations of the kingdom. A favorite of Beethoven himself, who considered Cherubini to be the greatest living composer of his time, Medea channels the raw power of Greek tragedy and sets it to unforgettable music, leaving audiences breathless as love curdles into rage, and a mother's heartbreak becomes her most devastating weapon.

Emmy-Award winning Actor Richard Thomas brings to life "the nation's one true comic genius" (The New York Times) in Mark Twain Tonight!, written and originally performed by Hal Holbrook. Join the millions who have cheered for the legendary one-man show, bursting with Twain's "uproariously funny" and "pungently wise" (Time Magazine) humor.

THE BOOK OF MORMON is the Winner of 9 Tony Awards including Best Musical! From Trey Parker and Matt Stone, four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of "South Park," and Tony Award-winner Robert Lopez, co-creator of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Avenue Q, comes THE BOOK OF MORMON, a new Broadway musical that Jon Stewart of The Daily Show describes as, "a crowning achievement, so good it makes me angry" and by Entertainment Weekly as "the funniest musical of all time." Don't miss your chance to see what Ben Brantley of The New York Times calls "the best musical of this century." Don't miss THE BOOK OF MORMON Chicago.

A musician and comedian based in Los Angeles, Morgan Jay has made appearances on MTV's Wild 'n Out, NBC, and Comedy Central. Morgan has carved out his own genre of performance art and comedy by creating a show built on imperfection, authenticity, relatability, shared experience and connection. His world class training and journey as a standup comedian has won him multiple awards and prestigious festival appearances.

Cut off from the outside world due to its remote location and sinister reputation, Hill House has remained empty. Dr. Montague, an investigator of supernatural phenomena, breaks the isolation with a mission to delve into the house's morbid history. Joining him are three unacquainted guests, who are soon jolted by strange and eerie occurrences. When Dr. Montague's wife and a friend arrive, their attempt at direct communication with the departed spirits brings on a crisis that goads evil forces to a new and, for one of those present, fatal fury.

Chicago: Queerly Adapted From The Play You've Never Heard Of That Inspired The Musical You Can't Get Away From is a queer adaptation of Maurine Watkins’s 1926 play, Chicago. The play is a satire of lawyers and journalists and the criminals who keep them in business. It's the roaring 20s and Roxy Hart is desperate to get out of Cook County Jail and onto the Vaudeville stage. Join Redtwist in rediscovering this classic story of the Windy City written by the Chicago Tribune journalist who first reported on the real murderesses of Jazz Age Chicago.

Tony Baker teams up with fellow funnyman KevOnStage for a stand-up tag-team at The Chicago Theatre. The viral comedy duo-boasting billions of social-media views-will riff on pop culture, parenting and Midwestern quirks.

Adam Sandler needs no introduction, he has found enormous success as an actor, producer, musician, and writer. His last tours in 2022 and 2023 were sold out. The 2024 Netflix special Adam Sandler: Love You was filmed over two days in sold-out concerts in Los Angeles. 100% Fresh, which was Sandler's first comedy special in twenty years was released by Netflix in 2018. Warner Bros Records also released the audio companions for both the Adam Sandler: I Love You special and 100% Fresh. On screen, audiences can see Sandler in the highly anticipated Happy Gilmore 2 streaming on Netflix on and the upcoming Noah Baumbach film, Jay Kelly this fall.

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.

Nate Bargatze has had three late night appearances on Conan and had his own Comedy Central Presents in 2011. He has also been on CMT's "Comedy Stage", has written for Spike TV's Video Game Awards, and has been featured at the Montreal Comedy Festival, Bonnaroo, and more. Nate has performed for the troops in Iraq five times now. He was also featured this year as one of Esquire's Best New Comedians of 2012, as one of Marc Maron's comedians to watch in Rolling Stone and in Paste Magazine, and as one of the 10 Comedians Who Deserve Their Own TV Show on CoolMaterial.com

Day by day for more than 50 years, audiences have delighted in this modern musical fable that weaves together music, improv and infectious pop and rock songs. This Godspell finds a fractured and disconnected community gathered at a local diner discovering the transformative power of forgiveness and embracing radical love.

Not exactly comedians but more than just magicians, Penn & Teller bring a quirky combination of laughs and illusions to every performance. You're ready to laugh before they even trot out their tricks, with the big, brash Penn Jillette towering over his staid, unspeaking partner Teller. And once they dip into the bag of tricks they've been perfecting since the 1970s, you're simultaneously dazzled and delighted. Whether they're working with things like magic bullets, nail guns, and straitjackets, or just employing a seemingly ordinary deck of cards to demonstrate some sleight of hand, the duo can make you doubt your own senses as they appear to make the impossible happen right before your eyes. Sometimes they toss a touch of danger into the mix, and sometimes they simply play the whole thing for laughs, but whatever illusion they're unveiling, Penn & Teller can always pull it off.

Step into a world of glitter, fishnets, and rock 'n' roll with THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW! This cult classic is a wild ride packed with outrageous characters, unforgettable songs, and over-the-top theatrical flair. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering it for the first time, this electrifying musical promises a night of pure, unfiltered fun. It's the perfect way to celebrate the Halloween season.

Ben Schwartz is an American actor, comedian, writer, director and producer and he's bringing his Ben Schwartz and Friends Improv Show to Chicago! Schwartz will be accompanied by some talented improvisers straight from LA.

Follow Peter Pan and Tinkerbell to Neverland! The adventures are endless in a world of pirates and mayhem. Let your imagination fly to a place that allows you to NEVER GROW UP! All CKC productions feature professional actors, colorful scenery and costumes, sing-along songs, and plenty of audience participation. This show is perfect for children ages 2 to 10!

Chris Fleming has toured theaters around the country with his shows Showpig, Boba Everyday and Tricky Tricky. Chris's comedy has been lauded by The New York Times, Forbes, LA Weekly, Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, the New Yorker, The LA Times, Paste, The AV Club - and he's been named a Variety Comic To Watch. Chris has appeared in Netflix's Last Laugh, ABC's Abbott Elementary, Apple TV's Loot, and he can be heard voicing characters in The Great North, Twelve Forever, Summer Camp Island and Adventure Time: Distant Lands.

Condensed version of the hit Broadway musical tailored for young performers and audiences. Dive under the sea for a wild and whimsical adventure with SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, and the rest of Bikini Bottom as they band together to save their home from impending disaster' When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world!

A meditation on how we build our identity by following or running from other peoples' examples, featuring a queer love story, intergenerational trans friendship, characters overhauling their own identities, and the greatest dream of all: Seattle getting an NBA team again.

The Sky is Falling! The Sky is Falling! Join Chicken Little and her friends -- Ducky Lucky, Goosey Loosey, Turkey Lurkey and others-- as she journeys to tell The King the news! All CKC shows feature plenty of audience participation and run for one hour with no intermission. Chicken Little is targeted for children from 2 to 10 years old.

Facing exile at home, Orlando, Duke Senior, his daughter Rosalind and niece Celia seek safety and refuge in the Forest of Arden. Lost amidst the trees, these wounded souls end up finding a community of acceptance and transformational love, where all are welcomed and embraced. Featuring an original folk-pop score by Shaina Taub (Tony Award-winning composer of Suffs), this musical adaptation of Shakespeare's classic is an immersive dream-like tale of faithful friends, feuding families and chance encounters.

The thrilling production combines the breathtaking music and visuals from nine legendary video game titles into one unforgettable experience. PlayStation | The Concert transports fans into the epic worlds of games that have not only captivated its players, but are celebrated for their breathtaking and immersive soundtracks including "God of War," "The Last of Us," "Ghost of Tsushima," "Horizon," "Astro Bot," "Journey," "Helldivers 2," "Bloodborne," and "Uncharted."

The dynamic poeticism of Spoken Word and the piercing directness of Prose are at the forefront of this momentous theatrical experience inspired by the 1971 broadcast conversation between authors James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni. Infused with original composed music, choreography, and mural artwork, this will be an intellectual, spiritual, and artistic journey of a lifetime.

This comedy drama, which premiered at Steppenwolf Theatre in 2008 and transferred to Broadway in 2009, is set in a run-down donut shop in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. The owner, Arthur Przybyszewski, is a former 1960's radical whose routine is challenged when he hires Franco Wicks, a young African American man who has ideas for upgrading the shop.

Modern Butchood is an explosive, hilarious, new play about a big lesbian mess. This one woman show follows the misadventures of "Butch" the sardonic girlfriend of a semi-famous lesbian Tik-Toker. Dissatisfied in her relationship and seeking excitement, Butch begins sneaking out of her apartment at night, sparking a riotous descent into lust, chaos, and queer identity. Balancing sharp wit and biting examinations of queer life, Modern Butchood is a fresh theatrical experience you won't want to miss!

Vienna: a cacophony of music and intrigue. The emperor's composer, Antonio Salieri, holds court until the flamboyant entrance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: prodigy and wild child. The two artists begin a vicious and thrilling duet, a rivalry that will define their lives and legacies for years to come. Winner of 5 Tonys and 8 Academy Awards, Amadeus is the ultimate ode to ambition and musical genius, a brilliant requiem for a villain in history - but a hero in his own story. Vi saluto!

Get ready for a night of sharp wit, big laughs and unforgettable stories with Craig Ferguson, the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning comedian, actor, writer and director. Best known for hosting "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson," which ran for a decade and remains a cult favorite on YouTube, Ferguson's comedy blends outrageous charm with thoughtful insight. He's a two-time Grammy nominee for his stand-up specials, a New York Times bestselling author and a beloved voice in films like "Brave" and "How to Train Your Dragon."

Set in an enchanting candlelit setting, TWILIGHT IN CONCERT offers a unique opportunity for audiences to relive the film that started it all in a cinematic live-to-film experience with a sensational live band. Musicians will take the stage to perform the beloved film score in perfect synchronization with the original movie, presented in its entirety on a massive cinema screen. Audiences will be completely captivated by the magical atmosphere with more than one thousand twinkling candles illuminating the grand stage, creating an ambiance that sets the tone for a truly romantic evening.

During these divided times, many people believe that open dialogue and discourse are the only tools to mend a wounded nation. Comedians Hasan Minhaj and Ronny Chieng believe the opposite: Hatred is the answer. This is not one of those tours where two friends co-headline a show so they can go on vacation together. Ronny and Hasan despise one another. And for one night only, in 19 cities, they will air their grievances - onstage, at the same time - about America, each other, and each other's entire family trees - for a paying audience.

One of the shyest attention hogs to ever do comedy, Ralph Barbosa's disarming and laid-back style has made him a stand-out on stage, on TV and online. Most recently, Ralph taped his Hulu comedy special that will release in 2025. In 2024, he was nominated as one of Variety's 10 Comics to Watch for 2024. After a breakout year in 2023, Ralph is touring theaters in 2024 with his North American theater tour, Ralph Barbosa: The Super Cool Ass Tour, which is selling out and adding shows.

Imprisoned by an authoritarian regime for unknown crimes and without trial, Wallace and Valdez live without hope of escape. They have only each other's voices to keep their minds alert and alive. When an enigmatic new prisoner arrives and begins communicating in code, both men develop new relationships to each other, their captors, and themselves. A darkly humorous examination of faith and trust and in an absurdly cruel world.

Welcome to Urinetown: a dystopian-like city experiencing a water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, which has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets forcing the citizens to pay to use public amenities. With gusto, show-stopping numbers, and a little bit of love, our hero Bobby Strong and his ragtag friends rise from the sewage to spark the revolution. Thanks to the clever writing of Hollmann and Kotis, in this Tony Award-winning hit (Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score), nothing is safe from witty criticism - capitalism, politics, the establishment, the anti-establishment, and even musical theater itself.

A family show where children will be able to sing and dance to their favorite songs and will be surprised by the adventures of their favorite YouTube characters. Join Bely, Beto, Pepo, Miguelito, Miguelita, Kelly and Perrón in a show that you will never forget.

Comedian, actor, and viral sensation Druski is hitting the road with his most ambitious project yet: the Coulda Fest Tour. Following the huge success of his sold-out festival in Atlanta, Druski is taking the show worldwide with a one-of-a-kind experience that fuses comedy, live music, and surprise celebrity appearances. With an all-star lineup of special guests and musical acts joining him on stage, this isn't just a comedy tour-it's a full-blown cultural takeover.

Rebellious and stifled by an overprotective single mother, Ali is lost until she meets her mentor: a neighbor who opens her heart and mind to the power of the piano. Set to the rhythm of the 90s, HELL'S KITCHEN is a love story between a mother and daughter. It's about finding yourself, your purpose, and the community that lifts you. Come remember where dreams begin.

Based on the hit 1992 film, this divine, feel-good comedy will have you rejoicing with your group this holiday season.

Pageantry and spectacle come to life in this iconic holiday musical. World War II is over, and former GIs Bob and Phil have become a highly popular song-and-dance team. The men travel to a quaint ski resort in Vermont where they meet Betty and Judy, an equally talented up-and-coming sister act. Once there, they realize the mountain resort is owned by their former General, who is on the brink of losing it all. "Let's put on a show in the barn!" is the classic answer to help the beloved General save his business, culminating with epic dance numbers, spectacular costumes and a finale rendition of "White Christmas" that will make you a believer.

The richest man in town has two daughters and one big problem: he refuses to marry the youngest, Bianca, until the eldest, Katherine, is married first. Much to her family?s dismay, Katherine repeatedly ? and violently ? rejects the men interested in her and her wealth, and refuses to sacrifice her independence. When a mysterious gentleman enters the mix, suddenly Kate sees that surrender is no sacrifice. Perhaps there is strength in submission.

The Nowaks of Buffalo, NY, have always believed in their family's miraculous Christmas Eve story—until Ruth decides to turn it into a one-woman show, only to have a deathbed confession threaten to unravel the legend. As the truth emerges, the Nowaks must face their faith, family and hilarious truths in this heartfelt comedy.

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.

Chris D'Elia is one of the most sought after performers in the comedy world. D'Elia is best known for his stand up and starring role on the NBC comedy series UNDATEABLE. His latest standup special, MAN ON FIRE, is now on Netflix. He currently hosts a highly successful weekly podcast CONGRATULATIONS WITH CHRIS D'ELIA, which launched in February 2017 and has since been a mainstay on iTunes' comedy podcast charts. Chris is signed on for a major supporting role in the Mitja Okorn-helmed romantic drama LIFE IN A YEAR, joining topliners Cara Delevingne, Jaden Smith, Nia Long and Cuba Gooding Jr. D'Elia can also be seen in the Netflix horror comedy LITTLE EVIL opposite Adam Scott and Evangeline Lilly.

The story of "Elf" begins one fateful Christmas Eve, when an orphaned baby boy accidentally crawls into Santa's sack of toys. When he's discovered upon Santa's return to the North Pole, a childless elf volunteers raise him. But growing up, Buddy the Elf, being human, doesn't make toys very well (he also keeps hitting his head on the rafters); so, when Buddy's birth father is discovered living in New York City, Buddy is dispatched from the North Pole to live with him. Once there, he thaws the hearts of gruff New Yorkers, and helps the Big Apple rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.

In this a-MEOW-zing musical show, Gabby unboxes a special acorn that needs the magical touch of a rainbow to grow. But when CatRat causes a color cat-astrophe and breaks the rainbow, Gabby and the Gabby Cats must find the colors again to set things right.

Meet Beatrice and Benedick: two ferociously independent individuals who have steadfastly avoided sharing their lives with anyone but themselves... until now. Despite their best efforts to remain single, falling for one another is inevitable in the wittiest and wildest of Shakespeare's comedies. CST welcomes back acclaimed director Selina Cadell, whose ground-breaking Hamlet starring Eddie Izzard broke box office records at CST and in theaters around the world. Set against the backdrop of romantic Italy, it's a warm-hearted ode to the power of love and the joy of partnership.

Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like "America," "Forever in Blue Jeans," and "Sweet Caroline," an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond's story was made to shine on Broadway-and head out on the road across America.

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.

Georgiana and Kitty, two best friends who have been overshadowed by older siblings, find their own adventure and new relationships. In true Austen form, there are letters that reveal secrets, arranged engagements and meddlesome siblings. Nothing, however, will stop these determined friends from forging their own way in a holiday tale filled with music, ambition and sisterhood. Talkin' Broadway calls "Georgiana and Kitty" "...a lesson in staying true to oneself and a testament to the powerful things that women can accomplish;" and the San Mateo Journal calls it, "A joyful, uplifting way to celebrate the holidays." Whether an Austen fan or a first timer to the series, this play will be a charming holiday treat.

The North Pole is in trouble. Santa and all the North Pole power players are indicted for fraud and it's up to the women to try and save their families from financial ruin. But how? Years of wealth and privilege have left them with a lot of designer clothes and jewelry, but little else. Luckily, Andy Cohen and the Bravo network swoop in to save the day with the perfect showcase for those with no talent or skills - reality television! Join Mrs. Ruth Claus, Mrs. Frosty The Snowman, Suzy Snowflake, Gladys Dasher, and others as they claw their way to instant fame.

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. Filled with original music and classic holiday carols, this critically acclaimed, warm "holiday favorite makes the bell ring every time." (Chicago Tribune) For 20 years, American Blues has treated audiences to a live retelling of the Frank Capra classic in a 1940s radio broadcast tradition, making It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! the second longest-running holiday play in Chicago!

An adult pantomime by Tom Whalley, author of last season’s SLEEPING WITH BEAUTY. Many years ago, the King and Queen of a far off kingdom were blessed with a baby girl with long, magical, downstairs hair. One day the jealous witch Mother F**ker kidnapped the child and locked her in a tower, selfishly squandering her merkin magic for herself. With the help of local hairdresser Dame Fanny Pigtail, her thick as s**t son Pascal, the dashing Prince Ride-her and the Hairy Fairy, will Rapunzel ever come out? Recommended for ages 18+

The Chicago Tribune hails JEFF ARCURI as "a joke machine," but he's much more than that--he's a person! Jeff has showcased his talent on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Comedy Central's Roast Battle, Laughs! on Fox, SiriusXM, and numerous comedy festivals nationwide. His subreddit, r/JeffArcuri, ranks in the top 1% of all subreddits, boasting over 235,000 active members. This makes him one of the pioneering comedians on the platform, frequently landing on the front page.

A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS , the ultimate holiday variety show will mesmerize, twist, flip, and jingle all the way to Chicago this holiday season. Showcasing the world's top cirque talent, the cast of world-class acrobats, contortionists, and aerialists will push the boundaries of imagination where gravity is defied and human potential knows no limits-taking audiences on a dazzling, winter wonderland journey where the performers are supported by a captivating musical score that will tug at your heartstrings, elevate your spirit and have you tapping your foot and singing along to hit Christmas songs in the ultimate variety extravaganza. This festive show entertains audiences of all ages making it a perfect date night, fun family adventure, or group outing.

Set in Victorian-era London, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol tells the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts that visit him one fateful Christmas Eve hoping to change his miserly ways. Continue your tradition or start a new one by gathering the whole family for the 30th anniversary of Drury Lane Theatre's heartwarming production. Complete with falling snow and magical illusions, the play is a visually-stunning experience and, at one hour long, perfect for children of all ages.

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.

1 actor. 19 characters. 90 minutes of rousing good cheer! In Dickens' Christmas Carol, Scrooge gets a chance to amend his ways, but what happened to his partner Jacob Marley? Find out in Lifeline Theatre's production of Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol, a one-man show written by Goodman Theatre's own Scrooge, Tom Mula, featuring a Jeff-nominated performance by longtime Chicago actor and Lifeline ensemble member, Phil Timberlake.

In this turn-of-the-century Victorian mystery, strange things start to happen as the seemingly perfect marriage of Jack and Bella devolves into something sinister. Why is the attic door locked? Whose footsteps wander the halls at night? And is that light really flickering... or not? Bella's reality is twisted into an indistinguishable tangle of truth, manipulation, and her husband's intentions, where certainty is uncertain for characters and audience alike.

In a world obsessed with beauty and power, what happens when someone is given the chance to remain perfect-forever? This modern interpretation dives headfirst into vanity, desire, and the danger of refusing to age, illuminating the darkest corners of our obsession with self-image and fame. DORIAN fuses gothic horror, biting satire, and cabaret flair into an unforgettable night of theater.

Frog and Toad share seasons of adventures in a jazzy, upbeat, Tony-nominated musical. Get ready for some hopping good holiday fun when Arnold Lobel's beloved amphibians jump from page to stage in a family holiday show the NY Times called "bright, bouncy and altogether lovable!" Whether baking cookies, planting a garden, flying kites or celebrating the holidays in style, Frog and Toad discover that life is more fun when it's shared with a friend!

ELF THE MUSICAL, inspired by the hit film, is the hilarious and heartwarming tale of Buddy, a young orphan child whose life is changed forever when he mistakenly crawls into Santa's sack of toys one Christmas Eve. When he discovers he is human, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and, in turn, helps the Big Apple rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. This all-new tour, based on the acclaimed 2024 Broadway production, was hailed by The New York Times, which said, "The show has CRACKED THE CODE OF ALL-AGES COMEDY, the kind that will leave children and grown-ups equally helpless with laughter," and celebrated in The New Yorker, "It's enough to MAKE YOU BELIEVE IN THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS." This modern-day holiday classic, says The Daily Beast, "is a gift for kids and adults, and a very 'sparklejollytwinklejingley' night out!"

In SIX, the queens of Henry VIII take the mic to reclaim their identities out of the shadow of their infamous spouse-remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an exuberant celebration of twenty-first-century girl power. The all-woman cast, backed by an all-woman band known as the "Ladies in Waiting," traverses the spectrum of modern-day pop with a soundtrack that has stormed up the UK charts.

It's almost Christmas, and Santa's list is missing! Join Mrs. Claus and the Elf Class of 2024 as they try to find it in time to save Christmas. Who stole the list? How will they get it back? Will Mrs. Claus save the day? Chicago Kids Company's biggest and most colorful show will put you in the Holiday Spirit in no time!

Prepare to be captivated by the incomparable John C. Reilly in Mister Romantic, a vaudeville show that has already garnered critical acclaim and captured the public’s imagination. Backed by a cracker jack band of multi Grammy winners Davíd Garza, Charles De Castro, David Piltch and Gabe Witcher, the New York Times calls the show "wryly funny, sometimes tender and sad, but always sincere" and Vanity Fair describes it as “fiercely funny” and says "John C. Reilly is one hell of a singer." Mister Romantic asks you to open your heart to the love all around you and marks a new chapter in Reilly’s acclaimed career.

Salt Creek Ballet's The Nutcracker marches back onto the North Shore Center stage with an affordable full-length holiday production performed in the grand tradition by a professional company with exceptional guest soloists! For a holiday production that first delighted audiences way back in 1892, Salt Creek Ballet's The Nutcracker demonstrates how to make this historic ballet and holiday tradition just as accessible and relevant today. The Nutcracker is the perfect way to introduce young children to the power and beauty of classical dance.

All aboard the magic train! Where should we go? Who shall we visit? The conductors are on a search for treasure in this play specifically designed for very young children. Join the conductors as they explore community and connection along the railroad lines! Featuring live music and playful audience participation, The Conductors is a silly, joyful, and engaging first theatre experience for children ages 2-6 and their families.

Award-winning comedy icons, writers, actors, and drag queen powerhouses BenDeLaCreme & Jinkx Monsoon are coming back to town with the wildly successful, internationally acclaimed, "The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show." Throughout the show's history Jinkx and DeLa have met sentient Christmas treats, twisted space-time with Dickensian Ghosts, escaped the meta clutches of their own holiday traditions, and led a harrowing rescue mission in the Nutcracker's Land of Sweets - You never know what wild and unexpected sleigh ride these queens have in store.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is widely considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular productions in history, playing to over 160 million people in 47 territories and 195 cities in 21 languages. Andrew Lloyd Webber's romantic, haunting, and soaring score includes "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," "Masquerade," and the iconic title song. It tells the tale of a disfigured musical genius known only as 'The Phantom' who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House. Mesmerized by the talents and beauty of a young soprano, Christine, The Phantom lures her as his protege and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine's love for Raoul, The Phantom's obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, madness, and passions collide.

'Twas the Night Before... is an exhilarating spin on the beloved Christmas classic as only Cirque du Soleil could imagine. This festive show about the wonders of sharing and friendship promises to spark lasting memories in the hearts of families this holiday season. Join Isabella, a curious girl who's become jaded by the hoopla surrounding Christmas, as she is whisked away to an upside-down, inside-out world where she meets characters inspired by the original timeless poem.

An avowed holiday skeptic, Aunt Trudy has been recruited to channel her late husband Joe's famous Christmas cheer over a Zoom call with family. But as Trudy becomes more absorbed in her own version of the Ebeneezer Scrooge story, the puppets take on a life of their own, and the family's call transforms into a stunning cinematic adaptation of Dickens's classic ghost story. After the stunning success of its online Christmas Carol, Manual Cinema uses its groundbreaking creativity and powerful storytelling to elevate one of the most famous holiday stories ever told to new heights in this unique theatrical experience. Featuring the combined talents of actors, puppeteers and musicians, come experience a new holiday tradition unlike anything else you've seen before.

Step into the spirit of the season with ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH EXPERIENCE A JOHN DENVER CHRISTMAS - an intimate, nostalgic journey back to the 1970s, when John Denver's music filled the airwaves and hearts across the country. Led by acclaimed performer Rick Schuler, this enchanting holiday concert features beloved Denver classics like "Rocky Mountain High," "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Annie's Song," and "Sunshine On My Shoulders." The evening also includes a heartfelt tribute to Denver's iconic holiday specials, with seasonal favorites such as "Aspenglow," "Silent Night," "Joy to the World," and "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire." Whether you're a lifelong fan or discovering Denver's music for the first time, this show will leave you feeling inspired and full of holiday cheer. A true celebration for all ages-don't miss the unforgettable event that brings the magic of John Denver to life.

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson travel to the country to spend the holidays with an old army comrade of Watson's. What they don't know is that one of the other guests at this English manor is a notorious international thief. When a priceless present is stolen during a Christmas pantomime, can Sherlock discover the culprit before the curtain falls? Carols, courtship and comedy bring cheer to the cold winter in this holiday treat.

Steppenwolf Theatre and Mark Cortale invite you to ring in the holidays with A Merry Little Christmas with Megan Hilty. Join the two-time Tony Award nominee and her longtime friend and music director Matt Cusson as they weave together classic and contemporary holiday tunes along with Broadway favorites - all sure to get you in the spirit of the season!

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!

In the early years of his young adult life C.S. Lewis believed the story of Christ's birth was nothing more than feel-good myth. That all changed after a particular encounter with his great friend and fellow author, J.R.R. Tolkien. Although both men loved mythology in general, Tolkien was convinced that the Jesus myth was the one true myth. That was the start of Lewis' journey from Atheism to Christianity. From that point on, Christmas, for Lewis, took on an entirely different meaning. Here we find him at his home near Oxford on Christmas Eve hosting a group of Americans who are spending the holiday in England. They are about to experience an unforgettable assortment of Yuletide recollections which stimulates a whole range of emotions - curiosity, laughter, gladness and even some tears. Above all, they will discover how that encounter with Tolkien forever changed his Christmas celebrations.

For more than 100 years, the beloved story of a spunky, red-headed orphan who lands a holiday stay with Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, a billionaire trying to do good has delighted and inspired audiences around the world. Perfect for the holidays and the whole family, Annie, winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written including “Tomorrow,” “NYC,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” and others.

"Mannheim Steamroller Christmas" by Chip Davis has been America's favorite holiday tradition for over 35 years! Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics along with a selection of compositions from Chip's groundbreaking Fresh Aire series which introduced the distinctive Mannheim sound to all of America. The program celebrates the group's recent anniversary of 35 years since the first Christmas album and over 40 years since the first Fresh Aire album and includes dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting. Experience the magic as the spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller.

At Berkeley, California's ultra-progressive Eureka Day School, every decision is made by consensus. But when a mumps outbreak hits, the school's carefully cultivated culture of inclusiveness spirals into chaos. As parents and board members clash over vaccines, personal freedoms, and viral misinformation, a community built on open-minded ideals implodes. TimeLine's Chicago premiere of Spector's Tony Award-winning play tackles one of the defining questions of our time: how do you build consensus when no one can agree on the truth?

John and his daughter Caitlyn are birders. As they scan the skies over their backyard in suburban Maryland looking for elusive birds, years go by. Relationships begin and end. Children grow up and parents age. The climate and the world change in small and vast ways. BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA takes a close look at the relationship of a father and daughter over the course of a decade as they struggle to understand the parts of one another that defy understanding.

Using elements of absurdity and black humor, Green Corridors is a poetic, harrowing journey through a world fractured by war. Ukrainian playwright Natalka Vorozhbyt's deeply human storytelling, brought to life by Kay Martinovich, invites us to bear witness to displacement, resistance, and the echoing pain of conflict and offers a poignant and urgent reflection on displacement, survival, and identity.

Mary Jane is a resilient young mother caring for her chronically sick child. Despite the mundane and sometimes unthinkable reality of his illness, she finds herself building a community of women from all walks of life. This intimate drama of profound ideas is a powerful and compassionate portrait of caregiving and the importance of ordinary human kindness.

When the sitting governor gets kicked out of office for, you guessed it, corruption, it's time for someone new to take the throne... uh...the role. And the polls are in, it's time for an outsider. Enter bumbling brainiac Ned Newley. With bright ideas and hope in his eyes, he's the perfect candidate - on paper. It will take a team of dedicated pollsters, campaign coordinators and more notecards than one can count, to turn him into a poised politician who can expertly avoid questions like it's his job. This knee-slappingly hilarious play will have the audience reaching across the aisle to share a laugh. Audiences may even find a renewed sense of hope for politics...okay maybe not... but they'll at least enjoy an absolutely hysterical and highly entertaining break from the news.

Stereophonic mines the agony and the ecstasy of creation as it zooms in on a music studio in 1976. Here, an up-and-coming rock band recording a new album finds itself suddenly on the cusp of superstardom. The ensuing pressures could spark their breakup - or their breakthrough. Written by David Adjmi, directed by Daniel Aukin, and featuring original music by Arcade Fire's Will Butler, Stereophonic invites the audience to immerse themselves - with fly-on-the-wall intimacy - in the powder keg process of a band on the brink of blowing up.

Filled with the exhilarating music of the Miami Sound Machine, this celebration of Gloria Estefan's greatest hits will have you dancing in the aisles.

A pair of inept police officers set up a sting operation to trap an embezzling mayor meeting his female accountant...in a pair of matching hotel rooms. What could go wrong? Confusion fills the stage with doors slamming, clothes flying and bagpipes bleating...all adding up to an over-the-top tale of mix-ups. "Unnecessary Farce" is penned by Paul Slade Smith, playwright of BTE's 2024-2025 smash-hit season opener, "The Outsider," both of which are directed by Kurt Naebig. Broadway World calls "Unnecessary Farce" "the comedy we all need." "Absolutely recommended for a great night of laughter and fun," says DC Theater Arts.

In the high stone tower of an isolated naval fortress, Alice and Edgar approach their 25th wedding anniversary, haunted by shadows of resentment and bitterness. When Alice's cousin Kurt comes to visit, the delicate balance of their dreary cohabitation falls off its axis, cracks growing into canyons. In Conor McPherson's riff on August Strindberg's master class in marital warfare, a timeless love triangle waltzes to the surreal rhythm of madness, plunging us all into the deep.

The Enormous?Crocodile?is weaving his way through the jungle with his tummy rumbling ... Only the other jungle creatures can foil his secret plans and clever tricks, but they're going to have to find a large amount of courage to stop this greedy brute. From Trunky the Elephant to Muggle-Wump the Monkey, get to know the menagerie of creative puppets in the U.S. premiere tour of this smash U.K.-hit production. You'll go from the jungle into outer space and back again, just in time for a wild dance party!

From Tony Award winner Richard Greenberg comes a sparkling contemporary adaptation of Philip Barry's classic play that inspired the beloved 1930s film starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn. In the wealthy world of the Upper East Side Setons, matters of the heart are a family affair. Enter a romantic prospect from a decidedly different background-and privilege, class and personal fulfillment are thrown into sharp relief. Robert Falls directs this fresh new take on the eternal question: work to live or live to work?

Artistic Director Edward Hall stages CST's first-ever 75-minute adaptation of Shakespeare's timeless classic. Reeling from grief, the young Prince of Denmark navigates the loss of his father, his mother's betrayal, and relationships torn apart-offering a chance for young audiences to see themselves reflected through a 400-year-old story. In addition to welcoming 20,000 students to weekday matinees, this captivating production will offer performances on Saturdays for the public. Plus, every performance includes a post-show conversation with the cast to give you an insider's perspective into bringing the story to the stage!

"Dear Evan Hansen: Today is going to be a good day and here's why..." That's how Evan starts every day, writing himself a letter about why it's going to be a good day. It's a coping mechanism for this lonely, anxious high schooler looking to fit in. It's because of these letters that Evan finds himself telling a well-meaning, little white lie that snowballs into a blizzard of untruths. In the end, his unforgettable journey demonstrates there is a place for everyone to feel love, acceptance and to be seen-even when you make mistakes.

This Broadway adaptation of Ibsen's timeless drama presents a sympathetic, striking and powerful Hedda in the classic tale of her struggle to find a means of escape from a loveless, ordinary existence. Beginning with the return from her honeymoon, Hedda finds herself bored of her husband and longing for the days when she was free to exercise her wild and independent whims. With the return of an old flame and a proposition from an amorous judge, she begins a dangerous game, amusing herself by manipulating and destroying everyone around her in an attempt to regain control of her life.

Miss Julie wants to abandon her upper-class, aristocratic life and escape the expectations that trap her. Jean, her servant, wants to climb the social ladder and rise through the ranks of society. Over the course of a wine-soaked evening, the two jockey for position, using sex, status, and strategy to collide and combust.

Midwest town. Forced into marriage due to an unexpected pregnancy, former beauty queen Lola and recovering alcoholic Doc live a quiet life of heartbreak and regret until Marie, a young college student, becomes their boarder. Must see intimate and explosive immersive experience.

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.

No CGI here! Experience an epic journey of theatrical imagination. Dragons and treasure and orcs-oh my! Tolkien's saga of Middle-earth begins right here. With a small acting ensemble and a soaring original score, YPT's engaging and innovative staging reminds us that the least among us all can change the course of great events.

In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967, Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their Greaser family of 'outsiders' battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs. THE OUTSIDERS navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the Greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them. With a dynamic original score, THE OUTSIDERS is a story of friendship, family, belonging...and the realization that there is still "lots of good in the world."

Warwickshire, 1582. Agnes Hathaway, a natural healer, meets the Latin tutor, William Shakespeare. Drawn together by powerful but hidden impulses, they create a life together and make a family. When the plague steals 11-year-old Hamnet from his loving parents, they must each confront their loss alone. And yet, out of the greatest suffering, something of extraordinary wonder is born. Experience the US premiere of the Royal Shakespeare Company's stage adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's best-selling novel, adapted by award-winning playwright Lolita Chakrabarti (Hymn, Life of Pi, Red Velvet), and directed by Erica Whyman. Pulling back a curtain on the story of the greatest writer in the English language and the woman who was the constant presence and purpose of his life, Hamnet is a love letter to passion, birth, grief, and the magic of nature.

Raven Theatre continues its commitment to timely plays in the theatrical canon, presenting Caryl Churchill's masterpiece on feminism, class, and politics, TOP GIRLS. From an Algonquin round table boasting some of history's most notable women, to the halls of the Top Girls Employment Agency, Marlene's exchanges with the women around her create a vivid and compelling exploration of their aspirations through time. Heralded as one of the best British plays of the 20th century, TOP GIRLS navigates the shifting dynamics of a patriarchal society.

The classic, Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy Harvey by Mary Chase, directed by Lisa M. Ramos, features Elwood P. Dowd, who insists on including his friend Harvey at all of his sister Veta's social gatherings. Trouble is, Elwood is the only one who can "see" Harvey, a shapeshifting "pooka" who appears as a six-and-a-half-foot-tall rabbit. To avoid future embarrassment for her family, Veta decides to have Elwood committed to a sanitarium. Veta is mistakenly admitted after claiming she too can see her brother's "hallucination" after all these years, but she is later freed. Elwood eventually arrives at the sanitarium, looking for Harvey. But it seems that Elwood and his invisible companion have had a strange influence on more than one of the doctors.

At an elite prep school, Sherri Rosen-Mason is leading the charge for change—until her own son’s Ivy League dreams put her ideals to the test. This sharp, compelling drama digs into the lengths we’ll go to protect our children, and the complicated truths that surface when personal stakes get too close to home.

Kubrickian is an existential dark comedy about three men trapped in a white space waiting to have their vocal cords ripped out. And all

Raising a teenager is hard. And for Mia and Dailyn it's not going smoothly. As they get ready for older sister Alex to come home, an unsettling visitor steps out of the algorithm, their plans glitch into chaos.

In the alleys of a sunless Big City, sibling stray cats Kitty and Tom use the garbage around them to make their world a more magical place. But when Kitty trades one of Tom's precious creations for some magic beans, Tom angrily throws them away-only to have them sprout into a magnificent beanstalk. When they climb it, they discover why the sun has vanished from the city below (hint: a giant is involved). A world premiere with music for kids ages 4-10 and their families.

Music On Stage presents the first community theatre production of "Arthur and Friends Make a Musical." Based on the beloved children's show, this musical for young audiences tells the story of Arthur the aardvark, whose teacher has announced his class has been selected to write and perform a musical for all of Elwood City to see! Everyone is thrilled at the opportunity . . . everyone but Arthur, that is. What should he do? Arthur feels more and more nervous as the big performance gets closer and closer . . . but with the help of his family and friends Buster, Brian, Francine, and Muffy - and even little sister D.W., Arthur learns the importance of being his best, unique self.

Oscar knows that a nerdy Dominican college freshman isn't anyone's idea of a romantic hero. But with the encouragement of Yunior, his new roommate, he is determined to give love another chance. But as Oscar sets out from New Jersey to Santo Domingo to prove his undeniable hope, can he shake the dark "fuk?" that has haunted his family for generations? Junot D?az's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel comes to vivid life in this world-premiere stage adaptation, a celebration of risk and the power of perseverance against all odds.

Trapped under house arrest, novelist Maria Celia and her sister Sofia can still hear the rumors of the Russians' departure from Cuba in 1991. While awaiting news from Maria's exiled husband and dreaming of their freedom, the two sisters find their small world unexpectedly shaken by the arrival of a romantic young piano tuner and a charismatic military officer infatuated with Maria's writing. Pulitzer Prize winner Nilo Cruz (Anna in the Tropics) weaves an authentic tale of oppression, human spirit, and intertwining fates in a world of shifting global politics.

Based on actual events, CHANGING CHANNELS is set backstage at the DuMont Television Network in New York City in 1952. It is the peak of the "Red Scare" and 151 actors, authors, and journalists are put on the Red Channels list, with alleged ties to communism. As Cold War hysteria sweeps the nation, actress Maggie Carlin finds herself accused just as her hit comedy show is taking off.

HAMILTON is a revolutionary piece of theatre, with a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and directed by Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations from Alex Lacamoire, it tells the story of America's founding father Alexander Hamilton. It has received numerous awards and accolades, including Tony, Grammy and Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, as well as a special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors. Drawing from Ron Chernow's acclaimed biography, HAMILTON is now seen by audiences around the world as an essential representation of America then, told by America now.

Music Theater Works kicks off its 46th season with CATS, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s electrifying, Tony Award-winning musical. In this immersive production set in a larger-than-life British flat, audiences may join the magical and all encompassing world of the Jellicle Cats as they gather for the annual Jellicle Ball, where one will be chosen for a new life. Through a series of dazzling musical numbers, each cat shares their story— from the mischievous Rum Tum Tugger, to the mysterious Macavity and the once-glamorous Grizabella. Featuring unforgettable songs, breathtaking choreography and a whimsical atmosphere, CATS is a celebration of life, community and the power of memory.

Idle Muse celebrates 20 years of productions with The Three Musketeers. Based on Alexander Dumas' celebrated 1844 novel, the Jeff Award-winning Robert Kauzlaric adapts the French tale of swashbuckling intrigue, adventure and fellowship as newly-minted musketeer D'Artagnan and the famous "three inseparables," Athos, Porthos and Aramis take on the machinations of a scheming cardinal and his minions.

Ma Rainey's band is waiting. It's 1926 Chicago, and "The Mother of the Blues" takes her time getting ready to record. Tensions and temperatures rise as the musicians recount tales of rage, joy, betrayal and faith in astonishing stories and a heart-stopping climax. Chicago legends Chuck Smith and Harry J. Lennix reunite for the play that smashed box office records in its 1997 Goodman premiere for this major revival of "a genuine American masterpiece" (Chicago Reader).

Delight in Shakespeare's glorious comedy! In the middle-class and very English hamlet of Windsor, joyous revelry abounds as the ladies of the town-the ebullient Mistress Page and Mistress Quickly-band together to have the last laugh over the lewd, but loveable, Falstaff. The production is staged by foremost Shakespeare director Phillip Breen, who has quite literally written the book on Merry Wives and leads a Shakespeare Institute seminar entitled "Walking in A Windsor Wonderland: Some Ramshackle Reflections on Directing Shakespeare's Greatest Comedy." Breen's eclectic range of work expands beyond theater to encompass opera, musicals, and cabaret, as well as being a regular collaborator with Vivienne Westwood for London Fashion Week.

Direct from New Zealand comes the joyfully immersive Mrs. Krishnan's Party. Step into the back room of Mrs. Krishnan's corner shop where garlands decorate the ceiling, music flows, and Mrs. Krishnan is throwing a party like no other. Food simmers on the stove, laughter abounds, and strangers become friends in this celebration of life. The actors juggle cooking, music, and guests in an unfolding drama where no two nights are the same. This production marks the Chicago debut of New Zealand's acclaimed Indian Ink Theatre Company, which for more than two decades has mined the collision of East and West to create spirited, artful storytelling.

Father of the Bride is the classic comedy that has touched our hearts for decades. Based on the novel that inspired the Elizabeth Taylor and Steve Martin films, this hilarious yet bittersweet play reminds us that sometimes the greatest love a father can give to his daughter is to let her go.

This is a story about money. Don't let them fool you otherwise. When Mac loses his child in a clash with the local police, he is visited by three strangers who advise him to take the city's cash settlement, relocate and forget his grief - or else stay and remain impoverished surrounded by memories of the world his child fought so hard to protect. This world premiere from Academy Award-winning ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney explores how grief, justice, sexuality, gender, history and even pride become secondary concerns in the wake of currency.

Jane, an employee at a big tech company, has been placed on leave after video of her screaming breakdown at work went viral. Her employers tell Jane she must be evaluated by crisis therapist Loyd before she can be reinstated to the job that gives her life meaning. Their first session together, however, quickly escalates into an epic showdown with a shocking and disturbing twist. A Broadway and Off-Broadway sensation, this intense psychological thriller skewers the insidiousness of the internet, the meaning of work and the ramifications of a secret revealed.

Young author Oliver Adams is on the brink of success, with his novel set to be published and soon to be adapted for the Broadway stage! When he, the famed (and married) playwrights, and his longed-for leading lady all converge for a weekend at a Newport mansion, the housekeeper that would rather they all leave isn't the only thing that goes awry. In a romantic screwball comedy that hearkens back to days gone by, only the power of theatre can save the play, Oliver's novel, and his heart.

Dawn has a house, a husband, and a family, but she wants more. She wants her ex-girlfriend, Robin. She wants nothing to change and she wants everything to change, and she wants it all on her own terms. As she?s caught between what?s been and what?s next, Dawn must learn to abandon expectations, harmonize with loved ones, and trust the process. If she can do all that, she might just learn a new song.

A visit from old friends takes an unexpected turn when a bombshell accusation throws niceties out the window. Hospitality turns to havoc. Sanity shatters into shambles. Manners take a backseat as two couples are pushed to their limits during a weekend in the country. Will they be able to pick up the pieces over wine and muffins or will their poor behavior leave them irrevocably broken? Find out in this sharp-witted play by acclaimed playwright Theresa Rebeck.

8-year-old Tina Denmark is a charming, sociopathic child star who’ll stop at nothing to land the lead role in her school musical. As her ambitious mother, Judy, transforms from a naive housewife to a Broadway diva, Tina’s psychotic drive for fame escalates, leading to a hilariously dark and twisted musical journey.

Sven Svensen and Ole Olsen have been best buds since kindergarten, but all that changes on the morning of Ole's ice-fishing bachelor party. Could they be something more than friends, or is Sven destined for something even more wild and strange. This fantasia on Midwestern masculinity invites us to consider the limits of Queerness. Dream ballet included.

THE GREAT GATSBY is a "Broadway extravaganza that explodes with life and energy" (Entertainment Weekly). Based on the classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the Tony Award-winning new musical is an unforgettable journey of love, wealth and tragedy that brings the Roaring Twenties to life on stage.

Kick up your heels and tap your toes! The joint is jumpin' this Fall with a major new production of the musical revue set in the golden age of the Harlem Renaissance in the '20s and '30s. The musical's original creator and director, Tony, Olivier, and Outer Critics Circle Award-winner Richard Maltby, Jr. is joined by the legendary Andre De Shields-an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner and member of the original 1978 Broadway cast-to reimagine, reframe, and direct a new production for a new generation of audiences. This infectiously joyful tribute to Fats Waller celebrates the enduring spirit of Black artistry as a multi-talented quintet of performers belts out more than 30 hit songs from Waller and other artists-including "The Joint is Jumpin'," "Honeysuckle Rose," and the title track "Ain't Misbehavin'." CST produces this fresh, new production that goes straight to the heart of Waller's music, brought to life by the extraordinary artists who began it all.

Welcome to the Unity and Hope Conference. A gathering of the most persecuted, tortured, and misunderstood people in the entire world. They call themselves Targeted Individuals, and they are victims of a vast and covert program of systematic torture, surveillance, and harassment by global intergovernmental powers. Over the course of this weekend in the woods they will discuss strategies to take down the deep state, bring awareness to their plight, and, despite their suffering, stay human.

Welcome to the greatest rock 'n' roll show not on Earth! LOKI arrives at Asgard, bringing chaos, comedy, and three monstrous (maybe) children. LOKI tangles with Odin, Thor, and the mysterious Freya; each with their own agenda; their own secrets-but all paths lead to one eternal question: In an us vs. them world, can we envision a new mythology? Ensemble member Heather Currie directs this epic musical world premiere from the Jeff award-winning team of Howe and Calvit.

Andrew Rally has it all: TV fame, a glamorous girlfriend, a devoted agent, the perfect New York apartment and the chance to play Hamlet in Central Park. There's just one problem-he hates Hamlet. When his agent recalls a romance with legendary actor John Barrymore in Andrew's very apartment, a seance summons Barrymore's ghost. From that moment on, Andrew's life is no longer his own. Things spiral into hilarious chaos as he battles with self-doubt, Shakespeare, his own sword and a swashbuckling specter determined to push him toward greatness.

South Pacific is a beloved musical tale that follows World War II armed services personnel through spy missions, war-time drama and romance in a tropical paradise with warm breezes, breathless sunsets and B52 bombers. Balancing duties to their country with their island expectations, ensign Nellie Forbush and lieutenant Joseph Cable suddenly find themselves irresistibly falling in love on foreign soil. But will that love translate back in the States?

In a church basement meeting room, a group of people -always eight-gather to sing. Told via chamber-inspired, a cappella music, OCTET investigates the total impact of internet and technology addiction on modern society, from Dave Malloy, writer of Tony-winning NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812.

This musical play, complete with down home country humor and big-hearted emotion, includes hits "Crazy", "I Fall to Pieces", "Sweet Dreams", "Walkin' After Midnight" and more!

Expect one devilish twist after another in Covenant, a mythic and suspenseful new play hailed as "blackout-and-blood-curdling-scream deliciousness" (New York Magazine),"undeniably spooky (and) absolutely enjoyable" (TheaterMania). He left the small Georgia town a struggling guitarist-and returned a blues star. As rumors of a darker deal abound, it becomes clear that he's not the only one with a secret...or seeking salvation. This "striking Southern gothic work" (New York Times) explores the power of belief and the thin line between rumor and truth.

This tender, touching story follows Ernestine Ashworth as she celebrates her birthday from age 17 to 101-all while baking her birthday cake. Through a seamless montage of moments, Ernestine grapples with love, loss, family and the passage of time, continually asking the timeless question: "What's it all about?" The Chicago Sun-Times calls it "emotionally rich;" and the Chicago Tribune says, "'Birthday Candles' is precisely why people go to the theater...It's a personal piece but you'd swear it was about you." BTE Managing Artistic Director Emeriti and Ensemble Member Connie Canaday Howard, who starred in Steve Scott's staging of BTE's 2020 production "The Cake," reteams with Scott as she takes on the lead role of Ernestine.

Based on the rip-roaring novel by Rafael Sabatini. Radicalized by his friend's brutal murder on the eve of the French Revolution, a sardonic provincial lawyer repeatedly evades disaster by taking on a series of new identities-first an insurgent orator, then a traveling comic actor, and finally a master swordsman.

The story follows the titular orphan, who, after having been raised in a harsh workhouse, escapes to 1830s London where he's taken in by a gang of pickpockets, led by the elderly criminal Fagin, who discovers the secret of Oliver's parentage. Through it all, Oliver never loses his innocence as he dreams of a better life. Featuring themes of courage, determination, and the enduring power of love, "Oliver!" is a heartwarming show with a classic Golden Age score, featuring standards such as "Where Is Love," "I'd Do Anything," and "As Long as He Needs Me" that you'll be sure to love all over again.

Evanston playwright Gloria Bond Clunie's sweet, funny, and energetic adaptation follows three Harlem girls as they vie for the crown of Hula-Hoopin' Queen! Championed by Oprah Winfrey, this Chicago Public Library's "Best of the Best" award-winner is a joyful reminder of the essentials that bind our communities.

Le Bal is a newly commissioned adaptation of Ettore Scola's iconic film-a sweeping, dialogue-free production that tells the story of political and personal transformation through dance, music, and fashion. Set to a score composed and curated by Danny Rockett, Le Bal uses movement and sound to capture the emotional pulse of a changing world. From intimate moments to global shifts, this immersive theatrical experience brings decades of U.S. and world history vividly to life.

SPAMALOT, which first galloped onto Broadway in 2005, features a book & lyrics by Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle. The original Broadway production was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards and won three, including best musical. The musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, SPAMALOT features well-known song titles such as "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," "The Song That Goes Like This," "Find Your Grail" and more that have become beloved classics in the musical theatre canon.

Wyoming 1963: a wild landscape of extreme rural poverty and insular conservative communities. When Ennis and Jack take jobs on the isolated Brokeback Mountain, all their certainties of life change forever as they flounder in unexpected emotional waters of increasing depth. This intense tale of an irresistible and hidden love spans twenty years and is interwoven with soulful, original Country Western songs, performed live onstage.

When a prodigal son returns to blue collar New England, his homecoming sets off a spiraling crisis for two families, threatening not only their relationships but their very identities. In Mia Chung's wildly inventive Catch as Catch Can, three actors take on six roles, bridging generation and gender, in a theatrical tour-de-force that upends the kitchen sink drama and asks what happens when we refuse to play the roles we're prescribed. Spanning hilarity, stunning virtuosity and outright horror, this ferocious Chicago premiere - featuring an all-ensemble cast - must be witnessed to be believed.

At the dawn of the 20th century, Vienna is the heart of European culture. While an extended family gathers in the elegant Merz home for the holidays, two brothers-in-law passionately debate their conflicting visions for the future of their family and the Jewish people--a tension that will echo through the generations that follow. Traversing decades of joy and strife, from 1899 to 1955, the latest Tony and Olivier Award-winning masterpiece and most personal play from Tom Stoppard follows one family's reckoning with a past it cannot escape and a future it cannot control.

Two out of Three Falls is a gritty wrestling drama about a woman's ill-advised match up against her father's killer.

Straight from Broadway, Jason Robert Brown's musical masterpiece The Last Five Years comes to Oil Lamp Theater. This widely beloved show takes audiences on the romantic rollercoaster of Jamie and Cathy as they fall in and out of love over the last five years. Told from each individual's perspective - one chronologically and one backwards - audiences will be swept into the unique storytelling and find an anti-love story full of humor and heart. Hailed as a powerful and intimate production, this Drama Desk Award-winner for Outstanding Music is not to be missed.

Based on true events, Kinky Boots follows the journey of two people with nothing in common- or so they think. Charlie Price reluctantly inherits his father's shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father's legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As Charlie and Lola work together to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they realized... and discover that you change the world when you change your mind.

New York City, 1938-Broadway's brightest star, Vera Vimm (Megan Mullally), is at the top of her game. But when she adopts a 40,000-year-old Neanderthal discovered frozen in the Arctic, the spotlight begins to shift. As Iceboy thaws, he unexpectedly becomes a theatrical sensation, inspiring the "father of the American drama" and challenging his legendary mother for center stage. It's All About Eve...if only Eve was a caveman. Three-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall directs and choreographs the newest musical from the creators of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Urinetown.

Get ready to laugh the summer away with nuns from the Little Sisters of Hoboken. This beloved revue will have you in stitches as the five sisters stage a variety show fundraiser filled with outrageous musical numbers and zany comedy.

After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life-and love-beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.

Direct from Broadway, comes the acclaimed Tony Award-winning musical Suffs about the brilliant, passionate, and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. Created by Shaina Taub, the first woman to ever independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season, this "thrilling, inspiring and dazzlingly entertaining" (Variety) new musical boldly explores the triumphs and failures of a struggle for equality that's far from over. Winner of the Outer Critics' Circle Award for Best New Musical.

Created by the Emmy-winning writer from "Schitt's Creek," this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn't end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love-her way. Juliet's new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including "Since U Been Gone‚" "Roar," "Baby One More Time," "Larger Than Life‚" "That's The Way It Is," and "Can't Stop the Feeling!"-all from the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there's life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.

Based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, THE NOTEBOOK tells the story of Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. "Full of butterfly-inducing highs and beautiful songs" (Entertainment Weekly), THE NOTEBOOK is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love.

A timeless tale of love and rivalry, West Side Story brings Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to the streets of 1950s New York. Caught between the tensions of two warring gangs—the Jets and the Sharks—Tony and Maria find themselves drawn to each other despite the violence that surrounds them. Featuring iconic songs like “Tonight,” “America” and "Somewhere,” West Side Story remains one of the most powerful and enduring musicals of all time.

Modern dating is a mess. Sometimes to find Mr. Right you need to find Mr. Wrong even if that means seeing someone stuck on their ex, awkward encounters of the intimate kind and lots of horrible coffee dates. Opposites attract in this feel-good musical that will transport audiences into the heart of your favorite guilty pleasure rom-com. Created by acclaimed musical team Ryan Cunningham and Joshua Salzman and inspired by Jane Austen's gold-standard romance novel "Pride and Prejudice," this delightful musical will make you fall head over heels.

Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story chronicles the life and music of rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly from his early start in Texas to his meteoric rise to fame and untimely death at the age of 22. Experience the original sound that changed rock and roll music as we know it.

Music Theater Works presents the first professional production of Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville in Chicago since its pre-Broadway run. Set sail for a tropical getaway with this feel-good musical packed with island vibes and beloved Buffett classics. This lighthearted romantic comedy follows Tully, a laid-back island singer, and Rachel, a career-focused tourist, as their worlds collide at a beachfront resort. With a story about adventure, self-discovery and living life to the fullest, Escape to Margaritaville is the ultimate musical vacation for Parrot Heads and newcomers alike.

Broadway’s favorite little orphan returns to Drury Lane for the first time in over 20 years! This heartwarming musical will delight you and your family during the holiday season with cheer, optimism, and the power of love.

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.

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.