
Sandbox Theatre Collective has announced their production of William Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1. Directed by Alex Albrecht and running August 14th-30th at Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro in North Center, the new Sandbox Theatre Collective Member Project explores the web of loyalty and expectations in the classic play. Tickets are available online.
Set on the brink of war, Henry IV, Part 1 combines action with high family drama in an intimate exploration of political pressure, personal reality, and the cost of investment in a system that betrays you. Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro will serve as the Boar’s Head Tavern, Royal Court, and battlefields of Shrewsbury as the new production investigates the relationships that have been captivating audiences for more than 400 years.
“Henry IV, Part 1 reflects what it means to live through a time of political frustration and fractured identity,” says director Alex Albrecht. “As we search for the ability to cope in a turbulent world, its characters wrestle with the same pressures we do and fight to overcome them on their own terms.”
The production features an ensemble cast of locally acclaimed and award-winning actors, including LJ Bullen as Hotspur, Katherine Damisch as Worcester, Robert Howard as Falstaff, Caleb Ryan Jones as Northumberland/Bardolph/Glendower, Nathan Keiller as Poins/John of Lancaster, Khnemu Menu-Ra as Sir Walter Blunt, Helena Scholz-Carlson as Prince Hal, Julia Stemper as Henry IV, and Michaela Voit as Mistress Quickly/Lady Hotspur.
The production team includes Samantha Flipp (Stage Manager), Becca Schwartz (Fight and Intimacy Director), and Laura Bouxsein (Costume Designer). Tickets are “pay what you want” and shows run on August 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, and 29th at 7:30pm and August 16th, 23rd, and 30th at 3:00pm.
Founded in 2022, Sandbox Theatre Collective began as a small group of Chicago artists looking to create a space where theatre-makers of all backgrounds could show up and create their own work. Since that first day, they have embraced a non-hierarchical leadership structure, put their focus into new and reimagined works, and created opportunities for as many local artists as possible. In the past three years, they’ve mounted full productions, performed in living rooms and local businesses, produced multiple new play development workshops (and a new musical workshop!), and they’re just getting started.
American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announces the recipient of the 2026 Blue Ink Award is Nia Akilah…
In times of stress, we often turn to familiar and comforting things: a favorite song, a dog-eared book, a movie…
Chamber music may be one of music’s most misunderstood children. An early form of classical music, it has always been…
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company is pleased to announce the cast, creative and production teams for the first production in its 2026…
Victory Gardens Theater (2433 N. Lincoln Avenue), an historic incubator for new play development, proudly announces the World Premiere staging of The…
Secrets, sisterhood and solving crime take center stage this fall in the world premiere co-production of Dead Girl's Quinceañera by Miami native…
Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to continue its 51st Season with the world premiere of Chicago playwright Stephanie…
Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Artistic Director Braden Abraham, concluded its 2025/26…
Chicago City Opera (CCO) presents an evening of two one act Mozart operas The Impresario and Bastien and Bastienne combined…
Producers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch, along with Broadway In Chicago are thrilled to announce THE NOTEBOOK, a new musical based…
Following last year’s smashing sold-out engagement, the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance proudly presents the return…
Guarneri Hall, an intimate state-of-the-art, custom-built classical music venue in the heart of downtown Chicago, proudly opens its 2026/27 season…
Chicago Magic Lounge welcomes back acclaimed magician David Parr as its Fall Artist in Residence with David Parr: Time Traveler, a new theatrical experience…
Nearly fifty years after its groundbreaking premiere, Ntozake Shange's for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow…
A quick history lesson: Anne Bonny and Mary Read are two of history’s most famous female pirates. Both women disguised…
The Tony Award® winning Best Musical, THE OUTSIDERS, based on the seminal novel by S.E. Hinton and Francis Ford Coppola’s landmark motion picture, returns to Chicago…
Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for Play On!, which opens the Theater's 40th Anniversary Season. This jazz musical tells…
Today, Goodman Theatre achieves a new milestone in its 100th anniversary season: Walter Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and Executive…
Kevin McCollum & Lucas McMahon and Mike Lavoie & Carlee Briglia, along with Broadway In Chicago announced today that Tony…
Lake Forest’s Citadel Theatre has announced the full cast and crew for its season opener - the satirical comedy EUREKA…
Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Chicago's only professional theater that seeks to advance women through the power of storytelling, announces the cast for…
Definition Theatre is proud to present How We Got On, a mix-tape for the stage by playwright Idris Goodwin and directed by Tyrone Phillips. How We…
The nonprofit service organization 3Arts announces the date for its annual 3Arts Awards Celebration, a festive evening of dynamic performances by Chicago artists and the…
A new company, Heart of Gold Theatre, is presenting the Chicago premiere of Mike Barlett’s An Intervention. Bartlett is a…
Carmela misses her papi, because papi is missing some of his papers.Chicago Children’s Theatre presents Carmela Full of Wishes, a…
Promethean Theatre Ensemble announced today it will stage the Chicago premiere of BLOOD OF THE LAMB, by Arlene Hutton, a gripping two-woman,…
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre’s new staging of The Wizard of Oz sends audiences down the yellow brick road with a…
Jackalope Theatre Company is proud to announce the schedule for the 17th Annual Living Newspaper Festival, August 20 - 24, at the Jackalope Theatre…
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre (CRDT), the Chicago-based dance company, is proud to announce its 2026 - 2027 season. In the coming year,…
It may be the middle of summer, but for fans of Universal’s “Love Actually,” Christmas comes early this year. GEA…
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents ADIRONDACK CHAIR CIRCLE – October 22 – December 6, 2026 – World Premiere!
Writers Theatre celebrates record-breaking 2025/26 Season with artistic growth and unprecedented ticket sales
American Blues Theater names Nia Akilah Robinson the recipient of the 2026 Blue Ink Award for her play Overnight at the Museum and announces featured finalists Benjamin Benne and Claire Crowley
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.