Theater – Page 2 –

Isis Elizabeth and James Lewis in August Wilson's play "King Hedley II" by City Lit Theater Company. (Steven Townshend)

Review: ‘King Hedley II’ at City Lit is August Wilson’s drama, intense and up close in a storefront theater

By Emily McClanathan

October 26, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Under Manny Buckley’s direction, rage relentlessly simmers in this “Century Cycle” play about a formerly...

Issachah Savage and the company of "Omar" at Lyric Opera of Chicago. (Cory Weaver)

Review: ‘Omar’ at Lyric Opera tells the extraordinary story of an enslaved scholar

By Chris Jones

October 25, 2026 at 2:23 p.m.

This Pulitzer-winning opera by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels is inspired by the memoir of...

Crystal A. Dickinson, Bill Irwin and Rachel Bloom in "The Imaginary Invalid" on Broadway at the Todd Haimes Theatre in New York City. (Joan Marcus)

Review: In ‘The Imaginary Invalid’ on Broadway, Bill Irwin clowns it up as Molière’s hypochondriac

By Chris Jones

October 22, 2026 at 9:00 p.m.

Had an enema recently? Did it leave you laughing? Medical humor is at the core...

Tristan Odenkirk, Rebecca Jordan and Ben Perry in Shattered Globe Theatre’s production of "Vladimir" at Theater Wit. (Michael Brosilow)

Review: Russian intrigue and profiles in courage in ‘Vladimir’ by Shattered Globe

By Emily McClanathan

October 19, 2026 at 10:39 a.m.

Part political thriller, part family drama, Erika Sheffer’s 2024 play offers a sobering exploration of...

Ed Harris and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in "Other Desert Cities" on Broadway at the Hudson Theatre in New York. (Emilio Madrid)

Review: In ‘Other Desert Cities’ on Broadway, Julia Louis-Dreyfus in an intense portrait of a family

By Chris Jones

October 18, 2026 at 11:00 p.m.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Ed Harris lead a potent revival of Jon Robin Baitz’s play, set in...

The Dance Theatre of Harlem performs "Firebird" in Chicago at the Auditorium Theatre on Oct. 17, 2026. (Jose Calvo)

Review: Dance Theatre of Harlem returns after 10 years with funky ‘Return’ and a ‘Firebird’ that transcends time

By Lauren Warnecke

October 18, 2026 at 12:33 p.m.

Robert Garland’s “Return” was a fitting opener in more ways than one. It marked the...

Eddie Weaver and cast in "A Strange Loop" at Raven Theatre in a co-production with About Face. (Joe Mazza)

Review: ‘A Strange Loop’ at Raven Theatre is very off-Loop, and breathtakingly good

By Chris Jones

October 15, 2026 at 12:45 p.m.

Michael R. Jackson's musical won the Pulitzer and Tony Awards, but it's just now being...

Highland Park native Marina Franklin, who has TV and film credits, including HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” is one of the headliners at the Funny is Female Comedy Festival, Oct. 22-25, at Comedy Plex in Oak Park. (Ashley Chappell)

‘Now there’s a girls’ club’: Funny is Female fest draws 50 comedians to Oak Park

By Myrna Petlicki

October 15, 2026 at 10:20 a.m.

More than 50 comics from around the country will be performing at the Funny is...

Ferdinand (Lawrence Grimm) and Will (Lenin Izquierdo) in "Any Rebellion of Will" at Trap Door Theatre. (George Hudson)

Review: ‘Any Rebellion of Will’ is an absurdist breath of fresh air at Trap Door Theatre

By Chris Jones

October 14, 2026 at 1:24 p.m.

This world premiere, penned by S.L. Daniels and accurately billed as a dark, absurdist comedy...

Director Stuart Gordon, co-founder of the Organic Theater Company, on May 12, 1981. (Anne Cusack/baiduhai)

Column: The legendary Organic Theater is gone, ‘Scream! Bleed!’ brings memories roaring back

By Rick Kogan

October 14, 2026 at 10:25 a.m.

New book remembers the formative Chicago theater company that gave us Joe Mantegna, Dennis Franz,...

Alana Arenas (as Morgan), Kara Young (Aziza) and cast in "Purpose" on Broadway at the Hayes Theater in New York. (Marc J. Franklin)

Chicago Theater Report: ‘Purpose’ returns, new Broadway shows in town and dinner with Basil Fawlty

By Chris Jones

October 13, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

New shows have been announced for an already busy fall and early 2027. If you...

Jeff Carlson in a scene from “Drive Through Fire,” a movie shot in Oklahoma City. (Will Turner)

Column: Can some Second City alums make Oklahoma City the new Hollywood?

By Rick Kogan

October 13, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

"Drive Through Fire" is the latest movie project from Jim Carlson and Kate Duffy, two...

Letonia Copeland-Hardin, who performs under the name LT, adjusts her collar while working on material in the green room before her set at The Lincoln Lodge in Chicago, Sept. 26, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

Funny you should ask: Chicago scientist says humor makes for better researchers

By Ryan P. C. Trimble

October 12, 2026 at 5:30 a.m.

Letonia Copeland-Hardin is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago and also a stand-up...