In this comic fantasy, four lovers find true love with the help of several bewitching fairies over a warm summer night. This virtual reading will be a gender bending romp through ancient Greece, with several of the characters played by actors of genders that are the opposite of those traditionally cast, again proving Oscar Wilde's assertion that "love is love is love." One of Shakespeare's most beloved plays, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM is a sly reckoning with love, jealousy, and marriage, and its popularity has never waned across the centuries since its first performance around 1596.

A timely story about an African-American living in corporate America that gets let go during the pandemic, becomes an Uber driver and struggles mentally with his sanity while trying to pay bills and keep up with life's obstacles during the pandemic. The play will be filmed at a Los Angeles studio and will be available for streaming exclusively as part of the Writers Theatre 2020-2021 Season from June 9 - July 11, 2021.

Jonie, a middle school theatre teacher, is standing at the threshold of her playwriting dreams when a regional company selects her new, avant-garde work to debut. Rehearsals seem to be going smoothly until the week before previews when she receives a video call from the artistic director. What happens next would be funny if it weren't so sad. This crappy comedy is based on actual events.

Shiau sites the seed of this work as witnessing the establishment of..."re-education camps," referred to by some as concentration camps, to forcibly contain Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other traditionally Muslim minority groups in China's Xinjiang Autonomous Zone. From her perspective, the insufficient effort and failure by world leaders to recognize and condemn this violent act leads to the necessity of the piece. Her hope for this work is to raise awareness of this humanitarian crisis.

Solo performer Ada Cheng explores how one learns womanhood, love, and abuse in different sociopolitical and cultural contexts through personal stories. An intense personal journey and autobiographical, this solo show weaves tales of breaking rules and broken hearts across borders. This performance is relevant to current debates about gender equality and women's status in American society and across the globe.

The Cripple of Inishmaan is a dark comedy by Martin McDonagh (The Pillowman, Seven Psychopaths, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) that follows Cripple Billy Claven on his journey from the shores of Ireland to Hollywood. The show provides laugh out loud dark comedy with heart. A guaranteed great way to spend a summer night.

Debbie's 2nd favorite holiday, right after Christmas, has always been the 4th of July, but this year she's not even in the mood for a festive hot dog. Tag along as little Debbie tries to make sense of everything that her mother went through, and it's not just the legal things, but all the stress is causing strange medical issues.

Of all the Spiegeltents in all the neighborhoods in all of Chicago, she walks into Caesar's joint, where Marco Antonio and his kitchen crew offer up a nightly feast. After 2000 years stuck inside the sarcophagus, will Cleopatra and her entourage find a new empire, true love and the delicious meal that they seek? Will there be love spice in the air? Guests are invited to join veteran comedians Frank Ferrante and Joe DePaul and an amazing cast of aerialists, acrobats, singers and dancers at Teatro ZinZanni to find out. Chris Jones (Chicago Tribune) calls Frank Ferrante's Caesar a performance "with so much wit and heart that you want him to sit down at your table and share your dinner," and one of the Top 10 Performances of the year. Described as the "Kit Kat Klub on acid," Teatro ZinZanni brings to Chicago an international cast of premier entertainers for its anticipated engagement. Teatro ZinZanni's founder Norm Langill will continue to direct the production. The menu will continue to be designed by Chicago's own Debbie Sharpe - The Goddess of The Goddess and Grocer. The included four-course gourmet feast features multiple entree selections, including vegan options. A fabulous à la carte cocktail menu, wine & beer list, and special occasion treats round out the dining experience.

A self-obsessed supervillain is mere minutes away from unleashing their simmering vengeance upon a helpless city, and right-hand helpers Oona and Jarlath are there every step of the way. Unfortunately (for them at least), something goes very, very wrong. Now these bewildered baddies must face an army of blood-thirsty foot soldiers, a formidable superhero, and their own feelings of distrust, self-worth, and burgeoning friendship in this new comedy.

Dynamic stage divas Felicia P. Fields and E. Faye Butler star in a cabaret concert of jazz, blues, gospel, and show tunes. These two powerhouse performers, supported by a stellar band, will have you rocking, reeling, laughing, and shouting your troubles away. The performance will be in the 31,000 sq-ft back parking lot of the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. General admission ticket reservations are sold to groups of persons in the same accepted health safety bubble. Like a restaurant, upon arrival, groups are escorted to designated spots. Each group seating location is based on date of purchase and at the full discretion of management. If you would like to be seated nearby another attending group, contact the Box Office.

Come and experience this timeless classic surrounded by the picturesque views of Melody Farm in Lake Forest Open Lands.

Grammy-nominee Ron Hawking returns to Drury Lane Theatre with his signature performance: Ron Hawking: The Men and Their Music! This swingin' concert pays homage to such iconic voices as the great Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Frankie Valli, and more. Live music makes its triumphant return to Drury Lane.

The world-premiere musical begins its national tour in Skokie. Popular Chicago comedienne Jan Slavin and Gold Coast award-winner Carla Gordon alternately star at The Bubbie. At a "taping" of her fictional TV cooking show, Bubbie entertains you with comedy skits, original songs, and the sage advice that only a Bubbie can dispense.

he world is turned upside down in Shakespeare's The Tempest when a ship is caught in a magical storm conjured by the powerful wizard Prospero. Compassion, forgiveness, and grace in exile are found on an island of magic and mystery, spirits and monsters, and the love that comes from rediscovery.

My Way is an award-winning, finger-snapping revue featuring countless songs recorded by crooning legend Frank Sinatra. This classy tribute transports you into the swinging era of "Old Blue Eyes", while showcasing some of the 20th century's most beautiful and popular songs. My Way features captivating singers, each highlighting a key element of "The Chairman of the Board's" one of a kind talent. Take a trip down memory lane while celebrating Sinatra's remarkable five-decade career. Unforgettable songs include: All of Me, Fly Me to the Moon, Strangers in the Night, New York New York, The Way You Look Tonight and many more. Let's fall in love and fly away with the music of one of the most celebrated recording artists of all time, just as he would have wanted it: a few stories, a few drinks, and plenty of knockout tunes.

Next to Normal is a 2008 American rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. The story centers on a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effects that managing her illness has on her family. Dad's an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal; their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens, appearing to be a typical American family. And yet their lives are anything but normal. Next to Normal takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family's story with love, sympathy and heart. Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life.

If there's one thing Americans can agree on, it's that 2020 was not the best way to begin a new decade. With guts and humor, punctuated with story and song, Ike Holter asks who we are in a world on the brink of explosion in this "sharp and satisfyingly foul-mouthed" (The New York Times) rallying cry for our times.