Displaying items by tag: top picks
Three Plays to See This Weekend - Shattered Globe Theatre, The Story Theatre and American Blues Theater Should Be High On Your List!
Chicago theatre‑goers have one of those rare, golden weekends where three very different companies are all firing at full power—each offering a production that hits a different part of the theatrical appetite: the intimate and unsettling, the bold and idea‑driven, and the emotionally classic. Together, Morning, Noon & Night, Pot Girls, and Come Back, Little Sheba create a kind of unofficial citywide festival of what Chicago does best: fearless storytelling, muscular performances, and theatre that actually has something to say.
Shattered Globe’s Morning, Noon & Night at Theater Wit
Shattered Globe has a knack for plays that sit right on the fault line between the personal and the political, and Morning, Noon & Night is exactly that kind of pressure cooker. It’s a story about a family unraveling in real time—funny, raw, and painfully recognizable. What makes it worth your weekend:
- Shattered Globe’s ensemble brings a lived‑in authenticity that makes the play’s emotional turns land with force.
- Theater Wit’s intimacy means you’re close enough to feel every shift in temperature between characters.
- The play’s themes—identity, addiction, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive—hit with contemporary urgency.
If you want theatre that feels like eavesdropping on a family at the exact moment everything changes, this is the one.
The Story Theatre’s Pot Girls at Raven Theatre
Directed by Ayanna Bria Bakari and written by Paul Michael Thomson, Pot Girls is the kind of world premiere Chicago audiences love to claim before it blows up elsewhere. It’s smart, messy, feminist, stoned, and deeply theatrical—an intertextual riff on Top Girls that stands entirely on its own.
Why it’s essential this weekend:
- It’s a Chicago world premiere—the kind of bold, idea‑driven new work our storefront scene is known for.
- The ensemble is electric, with performances that swing from hilarious to gut‑punching without losing momentum.
- It’s in conversation with Raven’s Top Girls, making it a rare chance to see two plays talk to each other across stages, eras, and feminist generations.
- Ayanna Bria Bakari’s direction keeps the play sharp, surprising, and emotionally alive.
If you want theatre that’s playful, political, and buzzing with creative energy, Pot Girls is the weekend’s must‑see.
American Blues Theater’s Come Back, Little Sheba
American Blues excels at reviving American classics with a clarity and compassion that makes them feel startlingly present. Come Back, Little Sheba is no museum piece—it’s a bruising, beautifully observed portrait of longing, regret, and the fragile hope that life might still change.
Reasons to go now:
- American Blues’ signature naturalism gives the play a heartbreaking immediacy.
- The production highlights the emotional intelligence of William Inge’s writing, revealing layers often lost in more traditional stagings.
- It’s a rare chance to see a mid‑century classic performed with the nuance and psychological depth it deserves.
If you’re craving a production that’s emotionally rich and quietly devastating, this is the one that will stay with you long after curtain.
It’s a weekend that shows the full spectrum of what this city’s stages can do—new work, re‑examined classics, and intimate ensemble‑driven storytelling. If you’re the kind of theatre‑goer who likes to feel plugged into the pulse of the city, this is the weekend to lean in.
TimeLine Theatre Company announces inaugural season at new Uptown home
05 March 2026 in Theatre BuzzTimeLine Theatre Company is thrilled to announce its 2026–27 Inaugural Season in the company’s first permanent home at 5035 N. Broadway…
Her Story Theatre's World Premiere "THE OFFICAL BIOGRAPHY" - Wednesday, April 1 at 7:30 pm at The Den Theatre
05 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreHer Story Theatre has announced the World Premiere of Kurt McGinnis Brown's two-hander THE OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY, to play March 28 –…
Steppenwolf Theatre Company Announces 2026/27 Season
04 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, under the leadership of Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis and Executive Director E. Brooke Flanagan, today announced its 2026/27 Season, marking the…
Three Plays to See This Weekend - Shattered Globe Theatre, The Story Theatre and American Blues Theater Should Be High On Your List!
04 March 2026 in Now PlayingChicago theatre‑goers have one of those rare, golden weekends where three very different companies are all firing at full power—each…
TIN DRUM THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF SOUTHERN RAPTURE, JUNE 11 - 28, AT THEATER WIT
04 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreTin Drum Theatre Company is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the Chicago premiere of Southern Rapture at Theater Wit,…
Splish Splash: A Day on the Lake - Goodman Theatre - Through March 22nd
04 March 2026 in Now PlayingTeamwork, bravery and fun are at the forefront of Splish Splash: A Day on the Lake, The Goodman's latest Theater for the…
A Wondrous Production of Oscar Wao at The Goodman Theatre
04 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewBased on the novel by Junot Díaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao follows neurodivergent and perpetually lovelorn college…
In Timeless ‘Come Back, Little Sheba,’ American Blues Theater Speaks for Today, as Well
03 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewWith spot-on performances across a large cast, William Inge’s 1949 script for “Come Back, Little Sheba” is receiving a definitive…
Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical" featuring Meat Loaf's greatest hits at The Auditorium on April 9 - One Night Only
03 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Auditorium (Chicago's landmark stage at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) presents Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical direct from London's…
THE JOFFREY BALLET ANNOUNCES 2026–2027 SEASON AT LYRIC OPERA HOUSE
03 March 2026 in Upcoming DanceAshley Wheater MBE, The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet, today announces the Joffrey's 2026-2027 season at…
BrightSide Theatre's PRIVATE LIVES April 10 - 26, Meiley-Swallow Hall in Naperville
03 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBrightSide Theatre has announced the full cast and artistic team for its production of PRIVATE LIVES, the third mainstage production of…
A professor finds himself in a firestorm in The Ally, the 2025 Pulitzer-nominated new play by Itamar Moses, at Theater Wit March 20-May 2
03 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFrom the Tony Award-winning author of The Band's Visit comes a provocative new play about identity, loyalty, and the complexities of unity.A…
NICK OFFERMAN SET TO JOIN MEGAN MULLALLY FOR THE MUSICAL EVENT OF THE SUMMER AT GOODMAN THEATRE: ICEBOY! OR THE COMPLETELY UNTRUE STORY OF HOW EUGENE O'NEILL CAME TO WRITE THE ICEMAN COMETH
02 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe new musical that will melt your heart just got even hotter! Emmy Award-winning actor Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) returns to…
Pot Girls: An Intelligent and Multilayered Explosion of Poetry and Feminism
02 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThe Story Theatre’s world‑premiere staging of Paul Michael Thomson’s Pot Girls bursts to life in a vivid, full‑throttle production at…
The Glitch in the New Normal - Shattered Globe Theatre’s Morning, Noon & Night
01 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewKirsten Greenidge’s Morning, Noon & Night, currently receiving its Midwestern premiere at Shattered Globe Theatre, is an ambitious, mind-bending exploration…
One-person comedy FULLY COMMITTED - Begins Friday, March 13 - 7:30 pm at The Den Theatre
01 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFULLY COMMITTED, the one-actor tour de force comedy by Becky Mode, will play The Den Theatre March 13-28, 2026. It…
Lyric Opera presents world premiere of new American opera by avery r. young
01 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreLyric Opera of Chicago continues its commitment to bold, new work with the world premiere of safronia, a landmark musical composition…
The Play That Goes Wrong at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre A Most Perfectly Planned Train Wreck
01 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThe Chicago Metropolitan area has a soft spot for a beautiful disaster, and The Play That Goes Wrong delivers the…
Trap Door Theatre Presents: The Cuttlefish, or the Hyrcanian Worldview. Opening March 19th
26 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreTrap Door Theatre is thrilled to continue its mainstage work of their 32nd season with a production of Trap Door's favorite…
Hell in a Handbag Productions Presents The Golden Girls: The Cheese Pyramid A Lost Episodes Parody – May 8 – June 21, 2026 at The Clutch
26 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreHell in a Handbag Productions is excited to continue its 2025/26 season with the world premiere of The Golden Girls: The Cheese…
Announcing FAULT, an exciting addition to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater 2025/2026 Season
26 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces Fault, an exciting addition to the 2025/2026 season starring film and television star Enrico Colantoni (English Teacher, Galaxy Quest, Veronica Mars)…
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao - Goodman Theatre - Through April 12th
26 February 2026 in Now PlayingThe Goodman announces an eight-performance extension for the world premiere of Marco Antonio Rodríguez's English stage adaptation of The Brief Wondrous Life of…
THE DEN THEATRE ANNOUNCES APRIL COMEDY SHOWS
26 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Den Theatre today announced its lineup of April 2026 comedy shows at the theatre's Wicker Park stages at 1331 N.…
Spamalot at CIBC Theatre on Sale Friday, February 27th
26 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago is is delighted to announce that tickets for SPAMALOT will go on sale on Friday, February 27. SPAMALOT will play Broadway In…
JACKALOPE THEATRE COMPANY LAUNCHES ITS YOUNG AUDIENCE PROGRAMMING WITH THE WORLD PREMIERE OF THE DRESS-UP PLAY, MARCH 7 - 22, AT THE BROADWAY ARMORY PARK
26 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreJackalope Theatre Company is proud to present its first production for young audiences and the launch of its 18th season…
The Gift Theatre announces its 25th Anniversary Season
25 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Gift Theatre, led by Artistic Directors Brittany Burch and Jennifer Glasse, announces its 25th Anniversary "Homecoming" Season. The landmark 2026…
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre 2026 Season to feature voices of contemporary female playwrights
25 February 2026 in Theatre BuzzFleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, the Evanston theatre company that has been thrilling audiences with stories of the Black American and African diaspora experience since…
Chicago, the Musical Tickets On Sale Now
24 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreCHICAGO THE MUSICAL is BACK IN TOWN and is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of…
Cast and production team announced for US Premiere of THE SUGAR WIFE, playing March 28 – May 3 at Theater Wit
24 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Artistic Home's 2025-26 season — its 25th — will conclude with the US premiere of THE SUGAR WIFE, a 21st Century…
LES MISÉRABLES THE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR OF THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR MUSICAL WILL MAKE ITS FINAL CHICAGO RETURN THIS SPRING
24 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago has just announced casting for the Chicago engagement of Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel…
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Her Story Theatre's World Premiere "THE OFFICAL BIOGRAPHY" - Wednesday, April 1 at 7:30 pm at The Den Theatre
Written by Buzz Center StageHer Story Theatre has announced the World Premiere of Kurt McGinnis Brown's two-hander THE OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY, to play March 28 – April 19 at The Den Theatre in Chicago. When young black journalist Xan Smith is assigned to interview the once successful, now… -
TimeLine Theatre Company announces inaugural season at new Uptown home
Written by Buzz Center StageTimeLine Theatre Company is thrilled to announce its 2026–27 Inaugural Season in the company’s first permanent home at 5035 N. Broadway in Uptown. This long‑awaited milestone launches a bold new era for TimeLine, inviting audiences to experience the company’s work in…
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A Wondrous Production of Oscar Wao at The Goodman Theatre
Written by Maddie BurroughsBased on the novel by Junot Díaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao follows neurodivergent and perpetually lovelorn college student Oscar as he fixates on the fukú – a generational curse he believes has haunted his family’s love lives… -
Three Plays to See This Weekend - Shattered Globe Theatre, The Story Theatre and American Blues Theater Should Be High On Your List!
Written by Buzz Center StageChicago theatre‑goers have one of those rare, golden weekends where three very different companies are all firing at full power—each offering a production that hits a different part of the theatrical appetite: the intimate and unsettling, the bold and idea‑driven,…
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