Theater – Page 36 –

Puppeteers Felix Mayes and Kevin Michael Wesson, with a puppet by Grace Needlman, in a production by Rough House Puppet Arts of Chicago. The company is contributing to this year's Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. (Evan Barr)

Chicago Theater Report: Puppet Festival shows, Idina Menzel at the Lyric and other upcoming hot tickets

By Chris Jones

November 3, 2026 at 3:51 p.m.

Along with a sneak peek at this year's Puppet Festival, we have news about a...

Isidora Kowalchuck, left, and Audrey Ollier playing Wilbur and Fern in LATTE Theater’s production of "Charlotte’s Web.” (Felicia Pfluger)

La Grange’s LATTE Theater takes ‘Charlotte’s Web’ production on the road

By Hank Beckman

November 3, 2026 at 6:02 a.m.

LATTE Theater Company of La Grange is introducing a new wrinkle to its fall production...

Sadieh Rifai, Katrina Lenk and Wendy Mateo in "Adirondack Chair Circle" at Steppenwolf Theatre. (Michael Brosilow)

Review: Stacked decks in ‘Adirondack Chair Circle’ at Steppenwolf Theatre

By Chris Jones

November 2, 2026 at 1:03 p.m.

Steppenwolf is staging the world premiere of a predictable moral satire that's mostly designed to...

The entire “Peanuts” gang debuted on television on Dec. 8, 1965 to share “the meaning of the season” when “A Charlie Brown Christmas” aired for the first time on the CBS network. (Photo provided by CBS TV Archive)

Potempa: ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ celebrating 60 years

By Philip Potempa

December 17, 2025 at 7:49 p.m.

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" debuted on national television on Dec. 8, 1965, with nearly half...

Actor Anthony Rapp stands among lit trees along Michigan Avenue on Dec. 12, 2025, in Chicago. He is starring in “Home for the Holidays” at Lookingglass Theatre. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Anthony Rapp has an eclectic mix of songs for ‘Home for the Holidays’ at Lookingglass Theatre

By Chris Jones

December 17, 2025 at 12:24 p.m.

The actor recently relocated from New York with his family and is doing a first-time...

James Sparling and Adam Bitterman in "Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Clowns" by City Lit Theater. (Steven Townsend)

Review: ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Clowns’ mixes up British detectives for a light holiday mystery

By Emily McClanathan

December 15, 2025 at 11:15 a.m.

Detective stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and G.K. Chesterton blend to create this world...

Isaiah Bailey as The Phantom and Jordan Lee Gilbert as Christine Daaé in the national tour of "The Phantom of the Opera" at Cadillac Palace Theatre. (Matthew Murphy)

Review: ‘Phantom of the Opera’ at Cadillac Palace Theatre keeps the memories and a classic staging alive

By Chris Jones

December 15, 2025 at 2:55 p.m.

Theater producer Cameron Mackintosh has been bringing long runs of grand theatrical spectacles to Chicago...

Jordan Lee Gilbert as Christine Daaé in the national tour of "The Phantom of the Opera" at Cadillac Palace Theatre. (Matthew Murphy)

Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber unveil their new tour of ‘Phantom of the Opera’

By Chris Jones

December 15, 2025 at 2:18 p.m.

Their musical has closed on Broadway but is coming back to life in a rejuvenated...

The Michigan City Chamber Music Festival presents two free concerts for the holidays, starring Nic Orbovich on violin, on Dec. 15 at the Michigan City Public Library and on Dec. 21 at the Bishop’s Mansion at Trinity Episcopal Church. (Photo provided by MCCMF)

Potempa: Sinatra-themed holiday show, ‘Santa Circus,’ and holiday orchestra concerts ring in the season

By Philip Potempa

December 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

Holiday shows fill the calendar

British actor Ian McKellen speaks at a "Shakespearean Breakfast" by the Royal Shakespeare Company at Middle Temple Hall in London on Nov. 12, 2025, to launch a new curriculum for teaching Shakespeare in schools. (Richard A. Brooks / AFP)

Ian McKellen will perform Shakespeare — and Gandalf — in Chicago

By Doug George

December 11, 2025 at 12:47 p.m.

The actor Sir Ian McKellen, a Shakespearean actor also known as the wizard Gandalf in...

Actor Isaiah Bailey, cast as the title role in the new North American Broadway tour of “Phantom of the Opera,” found a rousing applause after performing a song selection from the iconic musical Aug. 11, 2025 on stage in Millennium Park during the Broadway in Chicago Summer Preview Concert. (Phil Potempa/Post-Tribune)

Potempa: This Broadway ‘Phantom’ living stage dream

By Philip Potempa

December 11, 2025 at 8:32 a.m.

A newly launched tour of the iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Phantom of the Opera”...

Nicki Rossi as The Angel in "Part Two: Perestroika" from "Angels in America" by Invictus Theatre Company at the Windy City Playhouse. (Aaron Reese Boseman)

Best theater of 2025: Storefront shows and Court Theatre reign in our top 10

By Chris Jones

December 10, 2025 at 5:45 a.m.

Our list of the best on Chicago stages in the past year also visits Writers...

Trinity Irish Dance Company members rehearse at Katten Landau Studios in the Loop on April 13, 2025, in preparation for performances at the MCA in May. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Best dance of 2025: From Joffrey to Trinity, a year of big swings for Chicago dance

By Lauren Warnecke

December 10, 2025 at 5:30 a.m.

As long as I’ve tabulated this list of the best in Chicago dance, I don’t...