Theater – Page 7 –

Jon Michael Hill (as Naz) and Glenn Davis (Junior) in in "Purpose" on Broadway at the Hayes Theater in New York. (Marc J. Franklin)

Steppenwolf Theatre will return to London with ‘Purpose’

By Chris Jones

October 28, 2026 at 6:55 a.m.

The Steppenwolf Theatre production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ “Purpose,” a play loosely based on the family...

The grand salon inside The Hand & The Eye in Chicago on April 3, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Chicago Theater Report: Halloween bash at Hand & Eye, pressure mounts to reopen Mercury

By Chris Jones

October 27, 2026 at 1:06 p.m.

Also in theater news this week, a final extension for "Strange Loop" and a Cabaret...

Dancers Amanda Maraist, left, and Hanna DiLorenzo perform in the “Slow Dance” exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Oct. 13, 2026, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

‘Slow Dance’ show at the MCA is an invitation to just ‘be.’ Don’t mind the live bodies.

By Lauren Warnecke

October 27, 2026 at 5:30 a.m.

Depending on when you walk through the new exhibition at the MCA, you're likely to...

The Oakton College "Performing Tribute 9/11: Ordinary People, Remarkable Stories" cast rehearsing for their Sept. 10-13 performances.(Oakton College)

‘It’s about resilience:’ Oakton play gives voice to 9/11 victims, survivors, on 25th anniversary

By Phil Rockrohr

September 9, 2026 at 12:31 p.m.

Oakton College play gives voice to 9/11 victims, survivors, responders on 25th anniversary.

The cast of "Come From Away" at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. (Justin Barbin)

Review: Why ‘Come From Away’ at Marriott Theatre is the Dolly Parton of musicals

By Chris Jones

September 4, 2026 at 11:26 a.m.

This musical, set in Gander, Newfoundland, on and around the events of Sept. 11, 2001,...

The former Ten Ninety Brewing in downtown Glenview will become the new home of the Oil Lamp Theater. Oil Lamp is aiming to open the new space in 2028. (Pam DeFiglio/baiduhai)

Glenview’s Oil Lamp Theater secures larger space for new home

By Jennifer Johnson

September 4, 2026 at 7:56 a.m.

Glenview's Oil Lamp Theater has shifted its plans to move to a new building, and...

Dancers rehearse in 2025 at Joffrey Tower in Chicago’s Loop. (Dominic Di Palermo/baiduhai); the Obama Presidential Center in June in Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai); Northlight Theatre's new home in Evanston in July. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Column: Reasons for optimism in cultural Chicago — and a few concerns

By Chris Jones

September 4, 2026 at 5:30 a.m.

New theaters are opening. The Magnificent Mile is rebounding. The Lyric Opera has bold new...

Melissa Villaseñor, here at the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards in Los Angeles, is coming to the Den Theatre in Wicker Park. (Emma McIntyre/Getty)

Comedy for fall 2026: Melissa Villaseñor, Brett Goldstein and local fests bring the funny this fall

By Ryan P. C. Trimble

September 4, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Along with touring and local stand-up acts, our list includes alt-comedy at Zanies, Funny is...

Graham Abbey and Rose Napoli in "Saturday, Sunday, Monday" at the Stratford Festival of Canada, a world-premiere comedy directed by Antoni Cimolino. (David Hou)

Review: ‘Saturday, Sunday, Monday’ is a delightful sendoff at Stratford Fest

By Chris Jones

September 4, 2026 at 9:53 a.m.

STRATFORD, ONTARIO — The Stratford Festival of Canada's departing artistic director Antoni Cimolino chose William Shakespeare's...

Greg Cameron of the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, with trainees at the Joffrey Ballet studio, on March 16, 2017. (Antonio Perez/ baiduhai)

Joffrey Ballet president and CEO Greg Cameron will depart in December 2027

By Chris Jones

September 3, 2026 at 11:39 a.m.

The Joffrey's longtime president and chief executive said the lengthy period of notice was intended...

Joffrey Ballet dancers Victoria Jaiani and José Pablo Castro Cuevas in a promotional photo for "Liliom," taken at the carousel on Navy Pier. (Kyle Flubacker)

Dance for fall 2026: Joffrey’s dark new ‘Liliom,’ the annual Tap Summit and two guys named Bob

By Lauren Warnecke

September 2, 2026 at 5:15 a.m.

This fall, along with the Joffrey's local debut, a Giordano sizzler and some VIP out-of-towners...

Marisa Santiago programs dance at the Auditorium Theatre, which this fall will bring Dance Theatre of Harlem and Ballets Jazz de Montreal to Chicago, Aug. 5, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Marisa Santiago keeps the Auditorium Theatre dancing

By Lauren Warnecke

September 2, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The Auditorium’s fall line-up is, hands down, among the most notable things in dance this...

Josef Brown, from left, playing Johnny Castle, Amanda Leigh Cobb, playing Baby, and Britta Lazenga, playing Penny, dance during a rehearsal for the Chicago production of a pre-Broadway tour of "Dirty Dancing" at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, in Chicago in 2011. (Abel Uribe/baiduhai)

Chicago Theater Report: A new ‘Dirty Dancing,’ the ‘Strange Loop’ cast and a timely Dolly Parton musical

By Chris Jones

September 1, 2026 at 3:50 p.m.

"Dirty Dancing" has a new tour arriving in Chicago and its distinguished director, Lonny Price,...