| Casa Valentina Aug 22 - Sep 29, 2019 |
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Pride Arts Center - The Broadway
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| CASA VALENTINA is set in 1962, in an inconspicuous bungalow colony in New York's Catskill Mountains that caters to a very special clientele: cis-gender straight men who delight in dressing and acting as women while away on vacation. These white-collar professionals discreetly escape their regular routines to spend certain weekends safely inhabiting their chosen female alter-egos. But given the opportunity to share their secret lives with the world, the members of this hidden society must decide whether the freedom gained by openness is worth the risk of personal ruin. Based on real events and infused with Fierstein's trademark wit, this moving, insightful, and delightfully entertaining work offers a glimpse into the lives of a group of "self-made women" as they search for acceptance and happiness in their very own Garden of Eden. While the characters of CASA VALENTINA are not men who identify as gay, it continues Pride Films and Plays' exploration of all things gender related, that are essential viewing for all audiences. |
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| Lil Pine Nut: The Learning Curve of Pinocchio Aug 23 - Aug 31, 2019 |
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Chicago Dance Crash at
Ruth Page Center For Arts
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| Although Lil Pine Nut's wise old Cricket died before the show begins via a hammer to the head, he aids our wooden hero as a ghost in a journey that's "not a kid's show per se, but definitely suitable for children" according to creator Jessica Deahr. Pinocchio experiences first-hand the good and bad consequences of ditching school, trying to get rich quick, embracing the spotlight and grasping mortality. All the while, the Midwest's premier concert hip hop company weaponizes their branded aesthetic of high-energy movement in conjunction with recognizable hip hop and pop music artists, stylized costumes and forward-moving narration. |
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| Higher and Higher, A Feel-Good Rock 'N Soul Shindig Aug 25 |
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Marriott Theatre In Lincolnshire
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| Broadway showstopper Chester Gregory (MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL, HAIRSPRAY, SISTER ACT, DREAMGIRLS) dazzles in a night of solid gold hits. The star of Motown: The Musical leaves it all on the stage, wooing audiences with his glorious voice and white-hot dance moves. The New York Times calls him, "jaw dropping...over flowingly charismatic," noting that "Gregory has the audience eating out of the palm of his hand." Twist the night away with classic Motown-era rock 'n soul favorites including "Dancing in the Street," "My Girl," and "Superstition." |
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| Something Rotten! Aug 28 - Oct 20, 2019 |
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Marriott Theatre In Lincolnshire
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| Set in 1595 where farthingales and codpieces are the latest fashion trends, and the biggest celebrity in England is a playwright named William Shakespeare, SOMETHING ROTTEN! tells the story of brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom who are desperate to write a hit play and keep their acting company afloat, but are stuck in the shadow of a Renaissance rock star known as "The Bard." In a desperate attempt to outshine the Bard, Nick consults with a local soothsayer who foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting, which leads Nick and Nigel to set out and write the world's very first MUSICAL! But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz. The Tony-nominated score includes "Welcome to the Renaissance," "God, I Hate Shakespeare," "Bottom's Gonna Be on Top," and "Right Hand Man." |
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| Sons and Lovers Aug 29 - Sep 29, 2019 |
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The Greenhouse Theater Center
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| Based on the novel set in late 19th century England, SONS AND LOVERS dramatizes the early years of the spirited and brilliantly flawed writer D.H. Lawrence as he charted his course from a Midlands coal mining town into the larger world. The story portrays his parents' mismatched marriage and his own first love affairs while confronting the jealousy of his beloved mother about the women he brought into his life. In the process, Lawrence developed his views on the mystical role of sexuality in shaping the wholeness of the self and the power of determined creativity to overcome dark circumstances. |
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| Howards End Aug 29 - Oct 5, 2019 |
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Remy Bumppo Theatre at
Theater Wit
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| At the dawn of the 20th century, the independent Schlegel sisters seek to change the world. E.M. Forster's beloved classic novel is now an enthralling world premiere adaptation by Chicago playwright Douglas Post. Experience the journeys of three different families as they search for love, purpose, and connection against the tide of class, money, and sex. |
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| If You Die, I'll Die Aug 29 - Sep 12, 2019 |
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Annoyance Theatre
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| As Carrie Fisher dies on December 27, 2016, her mother, Debbie Reynolds dies within 24 hours: once again stealing the spotlight. This funny, touching comedy looks back through the lives of two Hollywood icons grappling with life after death. |
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| Monty Python's Spamalot Aug 30 - Nov 3, 2019 |
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Mercury Theater
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| SPAMALOT is an irreverent musical of the legend of King Arthur's quest for the Holy Grail. Spurred on by a plague with a 50% chance of pestilence and famine, Arthur recruits knights to accompany him on his quest in pursuit of the salvation of Camelot, and their own destinies. Along the way they encounter crazy shenanigans including the Lady of the Lake and her Laker Girls, flatulent Frenchmen with flying cows and blood thirsty, killer rabbits. |
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| The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) Aug 30 - Sep 15, 2019 |
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Aleatoric Theatre Company at
Piven Theatre
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| The 3 time Reader Recommended company is back with their rip-roaring romp of "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)". The 3 actors will attempt a feat unheard of in the history of human civilization. Meticulously and effortlessly cram all of Shakespeare's 37 plays in 97 minutes. Can it be done? Come find out. |
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| Newsies Sep 4 - Oct 20, 2019 |
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Paramount Theatre
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| Straight from the headlines of turn of the century New York comes the true story that had Broadway roaring before it even opened. Featuring unforgettable songs audiences have fallen in love with again and again and a story that will make audiences want to stand up and cheer. High in the skyscrapers of New York City, Joseph Pulitzer is plotting a way to increase the revenue of his declining newspaper, while down in the streets, newsboys hawk papers on corners barely making enough to survive. When Pulitzer raises the price of the paper, delivery boy Jack Kelly organizes a strike to show the news tycoon and his gang of cronies they're not going to be pushed into the gutter. |
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| Midsummer (A Play with Songs) Sep 4 - Oct 6, 2019 |
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The Greenhouse Theater Center
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| A rowdier, Scottish-ier version of Once, MIDSUMMER (A Play with Songs) is a wickedly funny retelling of one seemingly mismatched couple's lost weekend of wine, song, shagging and outrageous parking fees. Accompanying themselves on a range of instruments, Mr. Mulvaney and Ms. Cross belt out the joyous folk-pop score in this one-of-a-kind musical that is a genuine love letter to the great city of Edinburgh - and the splendidly un-Hollywood endings you just might find there! |
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| The Great Leap Sep 5 - Oct 20, 2019 |
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Steppenwolf Theatre
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| When an American basketball team travels to Beijing amidst tensions in the late 80s, past relationships collide with present day revelations. Witty and weighty, this Chicago premiere explores cultural barriers, political risks and personal sacrifice. Lauren Yee's The Great Leap is sure to be compelling to basketball fans, history buffs and everyone who has ever had a dream. |
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| Horse Girls Sep 5 - Sep 22, 2019 |
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The Greenhouse Theater Center
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| Welcome to the dark and twisted world of Ashleigh Whitford, illustrious twelve-year-old leader of the Lady Jean Ladies, South Florida's most exclusive horse club. Something truly foul threatens the stables and stability of this tween cult, throwing the girls into crisis mode. An immersion into middle school deception and lies, Horse Girls infiltrates the world of pre-teens, their obsessions, their insecurities, their selfies and their desperate need to find a place in the world. |
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| Be Here Now Sep 5 - Oct 19, 2019 |
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Shattered Globe Theatre at
Theater Wit
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| Bari, an atheist and misanthrope, loses her job teaching nihilism in NYC and ends up working in a fulfillment center in her small hometown. Her empathetic co-workers push her toward yoga, meditation, and a blind date in the pursuit of happiness. But recently, her recurring headaches have gotten more intense, manifesting as ecstatic and almost religious experiences - and they are changing her entire outlook. She's almost... happy! When she finds out that these rapturous headaches may be killing her, Bari needs to choose: does she live a shortened, joyful life - or does she risk a return to her past life of misery. Be Here Now takes audiences on a hilarious and poignant quest for meaning in modern life. |
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| Holmes and Watson Sep 5 - Oct 6, 2019 |
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McAninch Arts Center
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| Keeps you guessing. Three years following the mysterious "death" of Sherlock Holmes at Reichenbach, there have been many who've claimed to be Holmes, all debunked as imposters by the faithful partner of the sleuth, Watson. But now three separate men insist that they are the infamous literary master, having survived that encounter at the Falls. Full of twists and turns, this is a riveting and clever adventure from award-winning playwright Jeffrey Hatcher. |
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| Five Presidents Sep 6 - Oct 19, 2019 |
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American Blues Theater at
Stage 773
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| There was only one day in history when all five of these U.S. Presidents were in the same room at the same time: the holding room prior to entering the memorial service for President Richard Nixon. Five Presidents is the presentation of this once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, as imagined by "The West Wing" and "House of Cards" writer Ensemble member Rick Cleveland. |
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| Tiny Beautiful Things Sep 6 - Oct 13, 2019 |
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Victory Gardens Theater - Biograph
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| Based on the best-selling book by Cheryl Strayed and adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, Tiny Beautiful Things personifies the questions and answers that "Sugar" was publishing online from 2010-2012. When the struggling writer was asked to take over the unpaid, anonymous position of advice columnist, Strayed used empathy and her personal experiences to help those seeking guidance for obstacles both large and small. Directed by Vanessa Stalling (Photograph 51 Court Theatre, A Shayna Maidel TimeLine Theatre, The Wolves Goodman) Tiny Beautiful Things is a story about reaching when you're stuck, healing when you're broken, and finding the courage to take on the questions which have no answers. |
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