Sunday, 20 September 2026 02:02
Chicago Shakes' Play On!: With a Syncopated Harlem Beat
Written by Wesley David
There are some productions you watch, and then there are productions that make your heart swoon and your toe tap. Sheldon Epps’ Play On! is definitely the latter. Now playing at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, this exuberant musical takes Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, moves it to 1930s Harlem, adds the extraordinary music…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
- Play On
- Musical theatre
- Sheldon Epps
- Chicago Shakespeare Theater
- Chicago Shakes
- Duke Ellington
- Shakespeare
- Harlem
- Hailee Kaleem Wright
- Edred Utomi
- Krystal Joy Brown
- Cheryl L West
- African American
- Twelfth Night
- Edgar Godineaux
- Luther Henderson Jr
- Theodis Rodgers Jr
- live theatre
- on stage
- Chicago events
- chicago theatre
Tuesday, 22 September 2026 16:29
Step Right Up and Ride the Cyclone (The Musical) at Metropolis Arlington Heights
Written by Anne Rakowiecki
If anyone has ever told you to buckle up and enjoy the ride, they were talking about life—and even if they didn’t know it, they were talking about Ride the Cyclone, the musical. When six teenagers die in a rollercoaster accident and end up in purgatory, each arguing their case…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Erik Gernand is resident playwright at Redtwist Theatre, and his Prayer Circle is absolutely laugh-out-loud funny. The strength of this script is the characters—who are clearly defined and familiar types—and the performances, directed by Dusty Brown, are uniformly outstanding. Set in the cramped loft of a church (with stained glass…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 21 September 2026 14:49
American Blues Theater hosts its annual costumed fundraiser HALLOWEEN BOO BASH October 25th
Written by Buzz Center Stage
American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, presents Halloween Boo Bash, its annual costumed fundraiser benefiting artists' wages during Season 41. This popular, all-ages celebration features live performances and ghost stories, trick or treating in the theater, contests, seasonal bites and brews, and more. Halloween Boo Bash will be held…
Published in
Theatre Buzz
Tuesday, 22 September 2026 12:43
Acclaimed Mexodus musical makes Chicago premiere November 7-21 at Studebaker Theater
Written by Buzz Center Stage
Studebaker Theater, P3 Productions and Audible, in collaboration with Teatro Vista Productions, present the Chicago premiere of the groundbreaking, award-winning new hip-hop musical Mexodus, written and performed by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, choreographed by Tony Thomas, and directed by David Mendizábal. Mexodus plays a limited three-week run at Chicago's historic Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Avenue, from November 7 to…
Published in
Upcoming Theatre
Tuesday, 22 September 2026 14:15
Steppenwolf Presents GRACEFUL WARRIOR: AN EVENING WITH GARY SINISE - Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Written by Buzz Center Stage
Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to present Graceful Warrior: An Evening with Gary Sinise on Tuesday, November 24, 2026 at 7:30 pm in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theater, 1650 N. Halsted St. in Chicago. On the tails of Steppenwolf's celebrated 50th Anniversary Season, Co-Founder Gary Sinise joins Artistic Director Audrey Francis for this one-night-only conversation that bridges generations of…
Published in
Upcoming Theatre
Saturday, 19 September 2026 01:34
The Attic at Goodman Theatre Redefines Memoir Through Breathtaking Physical Storytelling
Written by Maddie Burroughs
At intermission, I sent Ken, Buzz Center Stage’s managing editor, a text: “So thankful I made it!! It’s intermission, and if there’s one show anyone sees it should be this.” By the time the lights came up at the end of The Attic, I couldn’t have agreed with intermission-me more.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 18 September 2026 17:22
Babes With Blades's Announces William Shakespeare's KING LEAR, playing October 22 - November 21
Written by Buzz Center Stage
Babes With Blades Theatre Company’s (BWBTC) announced today new production dates for the final production in its 2026 season, William Shakespeare’s King Lear, directed by Alison Dornheggen and fight choreography by Jess Pennachio, the new dates are now October 22 - November 21 in Theatre 3 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont. The running time, including intermission, is approximately…
Published in
Upcoming Theatre
Monday, 21 September 2026 10:56
Open Space Arts Presents BEFORE WE ARE HISTORY October 23 – November 8
Written by Buzz Center Stage
Open Space Arts presents BEFORE WE ARE HISTORY, a three-week theatrical exploration of LGBTQ+ theater created during and in response to the AIDS crisis, running October 23 through November 8, 2026, at Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson Ave. in Chicago.The project brings together plays that captured the lives, relationships, sexuality, fear,…
Published in
Upcoming Theatre
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Thursday, 17 September 2026 16:44
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show - December 6th at Auditorium Theatre
Written by Buzz Center Stage
The greatest holiday show south of the North Pole returns for its 9th year with another brand spankin' new wintertide wonder! Award-winning comedy icons, writers, actors, and drag queen powerhouses BenDeLaCreme & Jinkx Monsoon are coming back to town with the wildly successful, internationally acclaimed, The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show (BenDeLaCreme…
Published in
Upcoming Theatre
Thursday, 17 September 2026 16:40
Million Dollar Quartet - Stolp Island Theatre - Through January 3rd
Written by Buzz Center Stage
“Great Balls of Fire!” Chicago audiences have just one last chance to catch Paramount Theatre’s immersive musical Million Dollar Quartet, returning more than two years after its smash hit debut for a final run and holiday season comeback, October 7, 2026 - January 3, 2027.Four legends. One night. Music history made. Don’t…
Published in
Now Playing
Thursday, 17 September 2026 16:36
Holiday Cheer (and an earlybird discount) come to The Second City November 25th through December 27th
Written by Buzz Center Stage
Tis' the season for laughter and cheer! The Second City is decking its holiday lineup with shows for every sense of humor; including two hilarious holiday shows that promise big laughter for all ages. Whether you're craving a nostalgic night out or starting a new holiday tradition, The Second City makes any…
Published in
Upcoming Theatre
Monday, 31 August 2026 16:27
Announcing JK Entertainment’s 2026/2027 Season
Written by Buzz Center Stage
JK Entertainment is thrilled to announce the complete lineup for Season 2: When We Were Young and Unafraid and gods: A Musical Rampage. Individual tickets will go on sale at a later date. Subscriptions for the season will go on sale tomorrow, September 1, at www.jkentertainment.org/season-subscription. Season subscriptions start at $70. There will be…
Published in
Upcoming Theatre
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