Theatre entertainment in Chicago
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Steppenwolf Theater
This legendary name in Chicago theater was founded by Terry Kinney, Gary Sinise and Jeff Perry in a church basement. It quickly outgrew one space after another, won a Tony award for regional theater excellence, and is now a leading international destination for dramatic arts. Among the many famous alums who have gone on to illustrious careers are John Malkovich, Gary Cole and John Mahoney. Productions are of the highest quality. A tip to save dough: the box office releases 20 tickets for $20 for each day’s shows. They go on sale at 11am Monday to Saturday and at 1pm Sunday, and are available by phone. They go fast.
reviewed
-
B
Goodman Theatre
The Goodman reigns with Steppenwolf as Chicago’s top drama house, and its Theater District facility is gorgeous. It specializes in new and classic American productions, and has been cited several times as one of the best regional theaters in the USA. Its annual production of A Christmas Carol has become a local family tradition. Goodman’s distinguished Artistic Collective is another great source of new work.
reviewed
-
C
Redmoon Theater
The interaction of humans and puppets is key to the magical, haunting adaptations of classic works like Moby Dick and new commissions like The Princess Club, a fairly twisted look at children’s fairy tales. The innovative nonprofit troupe, headed up by performance artists Blair Thomas and Jim Lasko, never fails to mesmerize. Be ready – the puppets can get downright creepy.
reviewed
-
D
Victory Gardens Theater
Long established and playwright-friendly, Victory Gardens specializes in world premieres of plays by Chicago authors. The Wall St Journal called it ‘one of the most important playwright theaters in the US.’ It’s located in the historic Biograph Theater, where bank robber John Dillinger – aka Public Enemy Number One – was shot in 1934.
reviewed
-
E
Trap Door Theatre
This ragtag operation once had to hold a fundraiser to purchase a bathroom for its tiny theater, but it is starting to draw bigger audiences for its consistently great productions of European avant-garde plays and originals. A recent production of The Bitter Tears of Petra Van Kant won three illustrious local After Dark awards.
reviewed
-
F
Chicago Dramatists
For a visit to the heart of Chicago’s dramatic scene, step into this small, functional theater space, a testing ground for Chicago’s new playwrights and plays. It’s no surprise that this embracing environment has earned stunning results; current resident playwrights are Emmy nominee Susan Lieberman and Nambi E Kelly.
reviewed
-
G
Court Theatre
A classical company hosted by the University of Chicago, the Court focuses on great works from the Greeks to Shakespeare, and various international plays not often performed in the USA. The 2010 season saw Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women and Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess among the lineup.
reviewed
-
H
Royal George Theatre
The Royal George is actually three theaters in one building. The cabaret venue stages long-running mainstream productions such as Late Nite Catechism, a nun-centered comedy. The main stage presents works with big-name stars, and the gallery hosts various improv and small-troupe works.
reviewed
-
I
Black Ensemble Theater
This well-established group saw its fledgling production of The Jackie Wilson Story attract wide attention and national tours. The focus here has long been on original productions about the African American experience through mostly historical, biographical scripts.
reviewed
-
J
Lookingglass Theatre Company
This company took a step into the big time with the opening of its new, spacious digs on Michigan Ave. The ensemble cast – which includes cofounder David Schwimmer of TV’s Friends – loves to use physical stunts and acrobatics to enhance its thought-provoking plays.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Prop Thtr
This long-running troupe presents fresh stage adaptations of literary works by serious writers, from Nabokov to William Burroughs. The well-executed productions are typically dark in theme. Prop Thtr is a big part of the buzzed-about annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival.
reviewed
-
L
Bailiwick Arts Center
This facility boasts two stages seeing a constant stream of productions of all walks from the resident Bailiwick Repertory. The high quality of performances have won many civic honors, including an induction to Chicago’s Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.
reviewed
-
Factory Theater
This company has been staging ridiculous (Poppin’ and Lockdown 2: Dance the Right Thing) and marginally serious plays for over 15 years. It still maintains a nervy, irreverent edge that makes its schedule a must for Chicago theater and comedy fans.
reviewed
-
M
600 N Michigan Theaters
Despite the name, the entrance to these centrally located theaters is off Rush St. This comfortable complex is quiet during the week and features six screens of various sizes, plus a café and a concession stand on each of its three floors.
reviewed
-
Next Theatre Company
Like many of Chicago’s most exciting companies, Next was founded in the ’80s and has grown into one of the region’s most dynamic, celebrated performance spaces, encouraging local premieres.
reviewed
-
N
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Snuggled into a beautiful, highly visible home on Navy Pier, this company is at the top of its game, presenting works from the Bard that are fresh, inventive and timeless.
reviewed
