
|
Broadway In Chicago and Metra are pleased to announce a new promotion featuring nine shows coming to Chicago this summer: CHICAGO THE MUSICAL, LES MISÉRABLES, SPAMALOT, KINKY BOOTS, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, SUFFS, & JULIET, THE NOTEBOOK, and THE OUTSIDERS. |
|
|
|
|
|
Telegraph). Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, LES MISÉRABLES tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More” and many more. |
|
|
The original Broadway production was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards and won three, including best musical. The musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, SPAMALOT features well-known song titles such as “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This,” “Find Your Grail” and more that have become beloved classics in the musical theatre canon. |
|
|
by Cyndi Lauper, book by four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein , and original direction and Tony-winning choreography by Jerry Mitchell. |
|
|
dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.” |
|
|
musical SUFFS about the brilliant, passionate, and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. Created by Shaina Taub, the first woman to ever independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season, this “thrilling, inspiring and dazzlingly entertaining” (Variety ) new musical boldly explores the triumphs and failures of a struggle for equality that’s far from over. Winner of the Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Musical. |
|
|
ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love — her way. |
|
|
songs” (Entertainment Weekly), THE NOTEBOOK is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love, and features music by singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and a book by TV’s Bekah Brunstetter (“This Is Us”). |
|
|
who they want to become in a world that will never accept them. THE OUTSIDERS features Danya Taymor’s Tony Award winning direction that’s “refreshing, gritty, and endlessly effective.” (The New York Times). With “high-octane choreography” (New York Magazine), THE OUTSIDERS has been described as “more pulse-pounding than anything else on Broadway!” (Time Out New York). |
|
The producers of & Juliet and Broadway In Chicago announced today that pop music superstar Joey Fatone will join the North American Tour company of the smash hit musical, reprising the role of ‘Lance’ following his recent Broadway run. Fatone will join the touring cast for an exclusive two-week limited engagement when the show makes its triumphant return to Chicago. The production will run at The Auditorium™ from July 22– August 2. CONNECT WITH & JULIET |
|
|
|
TICKET INFORMATION (as of 4/14/26, based on availability and subject to change) |
Lights come down at the top of the show. We are clearly in a rehearsal hall as the ensemble lets us know that it’s opening night of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet – and they cannot be more excited to perform the material. Video and Projection Designer Andrezej Goulding helps guide the audience to the right time and place with images at the back of the stage representing Elizabethan England. Costume Designer Paloma Young dresses the actors with an impressive nod to the traditional. As they prepare for the opening number, Lighting Designer Howard Hudson zooms in on the cast with radiant color as they slowly move center stage. Fans in the audience may recognize the familiar starting notes of the song, but if not, the lyrics are likely to help fully draw you in:
“All you people can’t you see, can’t you see.
How your love’s affecting our reality.
Every time we’re down, you can make it right.
And that makes you larger than –“
William Shakespeare (Corey Mach) runs on stage to continue the song as this particular performance’s audience goes wild. &Juliet is a jukebox musical of iconic pop songs, and Max Martin (the talented creative behind Music and Lyrics) and book writer David West Read waste no time throwing us in with one of the famous throwbacks from the Backstreet Boys – “Larger than Life.” As the ensemble performed Jennifer Weber’s choreography, this audience felt one step away from jumping on their feet to dance along. The overall feel is like that of a pop concert, and the energy only heightens from there.
Directed by Luke Sheppard, & Juliet takes place on the opening night of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. As the cast prepares to rehearse the ending, his wife, Anne (Teal Wicks) unravels everything with a twist. What if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo but instead, went on living? What if the famous love story actually began with Romeo’s death, and instead created an opportunity for Juliet to go out and experience life? As Shakespeare and Anne co-write (and argue over) the new story, we are invited along on the journey as Juliet (Rachel Simone Webb) sees the world through new eyes – even inviting Anne and Shakespeare to learn a little something about their relationship along the way.
To say that Sheppard’s ensemble is full of stellar performers is an understatement. Each actor carried a vocal belt that rang from the rafters as they brought the boppy score to life. Pop fans will recognize a number of the hits including “Since U Been Gone,” “I Want it That Way,” “Domino,” “Roar,” and “It’s My Life.” Particularly when combined with Weber’s choreography and the vibrant design scheme, you might just find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat – afraid you will miss something if you so much as blink.

Michael Canu and the company of the North American Tour of & JULIET.
As much as the musical feels like a pop concert with high energy and fast-paced music, you might find that a large part of what sells the show is the heart – particularly as Anne learns to find her voice alongside Juliet.
In an effort to find agency, Anne writes herself into the story as one of Juliet’s best friends – helping her along as she gets over Romeo and finds new life in Paris, France. When Juliet finds herself in the middle of a major romantic decision, Anne sits her down and shares her own story. Her marriage to Shakespeare has never been easy, and she has to navigate the highs and lows of that every day.
The two begin to sing Celine Dion’s “That’s the Way it Is” – which is quite the tonal shift. In contrast to the larger-than-life choreography and light show from earlier, Sheppard pairs it down – focusing on the two women simply sitting in chairs at the center of the stage. We are left with little more than the actors themselves and their stunning vocals – filled with the heartbreaking emotion of the moment. If you’re anything like this writer, you may even find yourself moved to tears – watching these two women empower each other to not only move on, but also aim for better.
Full of jaw-dropping talent and creative pizazz, & Juliet is a theatrical event that leaves you wanting more. Especially for those who grew up listening to the pop sensations of the Backstreet Boys and Brittany Spears, the musical is sure to thrust you into nostalgia.
Run Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes, with intermission
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
& Juliet runs through December 15 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre – 151 W Randolph St. See the Broadway in Chicago website for more information regarding tickets.
Spaceman, presented by [producingbody], touches down at The Edge Off-Broadway with a quiet, unnerving force, pulling audiences into the fragile…
Set in Chicago’s oldest fire station (now Firehouse Art Studio) the immersive play "Fire House” is only loosely tethered to…
Spamalot rides into the Windy City courtesy of Broadway In Chicago, inviting theatergoers to join King Arthur’s quest now through…
Raven Theatre, under the director of Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Berry, announces its 44th season, to include Michael R. Jackson's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange…
Following a critically-acclaimed, sell-out run of Just For Us at Steppenwolf Theatre and around the globe, Tony and Emmy Award-winning comedian Alex Edelman returns…
On the heels of an unprecedented Centennial Season, Goodman Theatre sets a bold stage for its second century. Walter Artistic…
Black Button Eyes Productions has announced it will follow up its hit co-production (with City Lit Theater) of STRANGE CARGO:…
Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the return of Jason Alexander for a special event, As Long As You're Asking: A Conversation with Jason Alexander.…
For its 13th free summer production, Midsommer Flight will present one of Shakespeare's most highly regarded and popular comedies. AS YOU…
Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago's home for close-up magic, announces the return of world-renowned magician Ondřej Pšenička in a limited run of his hit…
Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the return of its free summer concert series Broadway in your Backyard, July 6 - September…
Chicago’s Shattered Globe Theatre announced today that Ian Frank has been selected, following a national search, to be the company’s…
Opera Festival of Chicago opens its 2026 festival season with Very Verismo!, that includes a VIP reception and a captivating concert celebrating…
Two actors. One has rehearsed the play. The other has neither seen nor read it. A different performer joins the…
AstonRep Productions, the theatre and film production company that has produced over 30 stage productions in Chicago, has announced it…
If you’ve ever worked in an urban coffee shop, chances are you’ve encountered at least one ultra-paranoid kook who believes…
Marking Rocky’s 50th anniversary, Rocky in Concert arrived at the Auditorium Theatre in a highly anticipated Auditorium Philms presentation featuring…
Can you have a play run 90 minutes with no dialog? Indubitably, as Trap Door Theatre demonstrates with its new…
While many of my classmates were signing up for Spanish classes, I thought it would be terribly useful to sign…
Timeline Theatre unveils their chic, new Uptown home with its inaugural production–Henrik Ibsen’s ever-relevant “An Enemy of the People”. A…
Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Director Kimberly Motes announce today the company's 40th Anniversary Season. America's leading Shakespeare Theater curates…
On July 24th and 25th at 7:00 pm, Chicago Dance Crash will present expo/sd, a world premiere concert at the Ruth…
Direct from an acclaimed run at Edinburgh Fringe and two sold-out Off-Broadway engagements, Steppenwolf Theatre is pleased to present Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares, a…
BrightSide Theatre has announced its 15th season of presenting professional theatre in Naperville. Its 2026-27 mainstage slate of four productions will…
Chicago City Opera (CCO) presents one of late-Romantic composer Richard Strauss' most beloved works, Der Rosenkavalier. Composed by Strauss to…
A special guest star, a new block of tickets, and more magic comes to The Magic Parlour this summer. Acclaimed third-generation Magician Dennis…
The Oak Park Festival Theatre, Oak Park's premiere Equity theatre and the oldest professional classical theatre in the Midwest, today announced…
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights at 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce its…
The Goodman Theatre’s Covenant announces York Walker as a playwright ascending rapidly into the highest tier of American theater. This…
Real Chicagoans don’t gatekeep hidden gems. Whether it’s hidden bars behind laundromats, the best Billy Goat location (under Mag Mile),…
Spaceman: Into the Quiet Terror of the Void
Inside a Real ‘Fire House’ You Are Immersed in Phantasmic Lives of Firefighters
Spamalot Is Every Monty Python Fan’s Dream Come to Life
Raven Theatre announces the 2026-27 season
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.