Displaying items by tag: A Strange Loop

About Face Theatre and Raven Theatre present a powerhouse co-production of the groundbreaking, Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange Loop, with book, music, and lyrics by Michael R. Jackson and direction by About Face Theatre Artistic Associate Mikael Burke. The highly anticipated Chicago premiere will run October 8-November 8, 2026, on the Johnson Stage at Raven Theatre, 6157 North Clark Street in Chicago. 

Tickets go on sale September 8, 2026, at www.raventheatre.com, (773) 338-2177, or in-person at the Raven Theatre box office. Ticket prices range from $30-$45 with discounts for seniors, military and theatre industry.

A Strange Loop made history by winning the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, marking the first time a musical written by a Black artist received the honor. Jackson's blistering, autobiographical masterpiece went on to capture the 2022 Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical. The story follows Usher, a Black, queer playwright who spends his days working as an usher on Broadway. He spends his nights struggling to write an original musical about a Black, queer playwright who spends his days working as an usher on Broadway. Lines blur, thoughts intrude, and soon he finds himself wrestling to break free from a very strange creative loop. This musical explores identity, race and sexuality through the lens of a young artist at war with a chorus of his own demons and inner voices on a journey towards understanding and self-love.

The cast includes: Eddie Weaver (Usher), Micah Mixon (Thought 1), Matheus Barbee (Thought 2), Christopher Wayland (Thought 3), Michael Turrentine (Thought 4), John-Payne (Thought 5), Naphtali Curry (Thought 6). The understudies are Jordan Harris (Usher), Simmery Branch (Thought 1), Aiden McCoy (Thought 2), Michael Davis Arnold (Thought 3), Shawn Smith (Thought 4) and Reginald Hemphill (Thought 5).

The creative team is: Mikael Burke (director), Kyu Park (music director), Breon Arzell (choreographer), Sydney Lynne (scenic designer), Brenden Marble (lighting designer), Hannah Kwak (sound designer), Matt Reich (associate sound designer), Janelle Smith (costume designer), Mariah Bennett (props designer), Chels Morgan (violence and intimacy designer), Terry Guest (associate director) and Christopher Richard Pazdernik (dramaturg). Christine D. Freeburg is the stage manager and Rachel Simmons and Charlotte Horton are the assistant stage managers. Catherine Miller is the casting director.

About Face Theatre Producing Artistic Director Megan Carney comments, "This co-production between About Face and Raven Theatre is a dream come true. Together we've assembled a team that is passionate about bringing complex Black queer lives to centerstage and uplifting this groundbreaking exuberant musical in Chicago. A Strange Loop meets the moment in a spectacular way, and we can't wait to share it with audiences this fall."

Raven Theatre Executive Director Jonathan Berry adds, "We are so thrilled to partner with About Face Theatre to bring the Chicago premiere of this bold, remarkable piece to the stage. It is rare to find a piece that is so fearlessly honest about an artist's experience.  A Strange Loop is a hilarious, touching, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting journey and Mikael Burke is the perfect director to bring it to extraordinary life on the Raven stage."

A STRANGE LOOP 
book, music, and lyrics by Michael R. Jackson 
directed by About Face Theatre Artistic Associate Mikael Burke 

Co-production between About Face Theatre and Raven Theatre 

Run Dates: October 8-November 8, 2026 

Previews: October 8-11, 2026

Location: All performances will take place on the Johnson Stage at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago.

Tickets: Raven Theatre box office, 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago; www.raventheatre.com; 773.338.2177

General Admission: $45; Student, Military, and Industry tickets $20. Previews $30.

Tickets go on September 8, 2026.

Schedule: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m.

CAST

Eddie Weaver (Usher)

Micah Mixon (Thought 1)

Matheus Barbee (Thought 2)

Christopher Wayland (Thought 3)

Michael Turrentine (Thought 4)

John-Payne (Thought 5)

Naphtali Curry (Thought 6)

Understudies: Jordan Harris, Simmery Branch, Aiden McCoy, Michael Davis Arnold, Shawn Smith, Reginald Hemphill and Gabriel Levi.

Notes of Interest:

• Raven and About Face are producing together for the first time. Raven produced its first musical last season with the highly successful Octet, which extended its run before transferring to the Goodman Theatre.
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• The blistering Pulitzer Prize winning musical explores identity, race and sexuality through the lens of a young artist at war with a chorus of his own demons and inner voices on a journey towards understanding and self-love. It was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical at the 2022 Tony Awards.
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• A Strange Loop won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It is the first musical written by a Black artist to receive the honor.
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• A Strange Loop is autobiographical. Creator Michael R. Jackson spent years working as a Broadway usher at The Lion King, Mary Poppins, and Aladdin while struggling to write this piece. The show took roughly 18 years to get to Broadway, beginning as a simple personal monologue Jackson wrote shortly after graduating undergrad in 2002. Jackson clarifies that the show is an "emotional autobiography." While the literal plot points are fictionalized, the personal feelings of self-loathing, body image issues, and navigating a religious family are deeply real.
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About the Artists

Michael R. Jackson, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, composer, and lyricist is the creator of A Strange Loop, which the New York Times has called a "bravura meta-musical." The piece – which took Jackson eighteen years to create – won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2020, eleven Tony Award nominations, a New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and two Tony Awards – for Best New Musical and Best Book. Jackson has been named one of TIME Magazine's "100 Most Influential People" (2022) and has received numerous awards including a New Professional Theatre Festival Award, a Jonathan Larson Grant, a Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award, an ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson Award, a Whiting Award, the Helen Merrill Award for Playwriting, the Windham-Campbell Prize, and a Dramatist Guild Fellowship. He has appeared on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, CBS Sunday Morning, and Late Night with Seth Meyers, to name a few. He wrote book, music, and lyrics for the musicals White Girl In Danger and A Strange Loop (2019 world premiere at Playwrights Horizons in co-production with Page 73 Productions). Jackson holds a BFA and MFA in playwriting and musical theatre writing from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts. 

Mikael Burke (Director) is a Chicago-based director, deviser, and educator. A Princess Grace Award winner in Theatre and Jeff Award-winning director, his recent credits include: Oak by Terry Guest (Urbanite Theatre, World Premiere); Othello by William Shakespeare (Theatreworks Colorado Springs); Short Shakes! Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Notes from the Field by Anna Deveare Smith (TimeLine Theatre, Chicago Premiere); The Salvagers by Harrison David Rivers (Yale Repertory Theatre, World Premiere); Tambo & Bones by Dave Harris (Refracted Theatre Company, Chicago Premiere, winner of 8 Jeff Awards); Blues for an Alabama Sky by Pearl Cleage (Remy Bumppo Theatre Company); The Magnolia Ballet by Terry Guest (About Face Theatre, Chicago Premiere, winner of 2 Jeff Awards); Clyde's by Lynn Nottage (Theaterworks Hartford). Mikael is also an adjunct faculty member at DePaul University and Roosevelt University. MFA, The Theatre School at DePaul University.

Eddie Weaver (Usher) is making his Raven Theatre debut. An Atlanta native, Eddie is an actor, singer, and mover who earned his B.A. in Theatre Performance from Columbus State University. His previous credits include: A Strange Loop (Actors Express), Three Pianos (Florida Studio Theatre), Legally Blonde, Chicken & Biscuits, Purlie Victorious, and The Prom (Charleston Stage), among others.

Micah Mixon (Thought 1) graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BA in musical theater and a minor American Sign Language. Some of her favorite past roles: understudying for the Armelia McQueen and Nell Carter tracks in Drury Lane's Production of Ain't Misbehavin', Hailey in Final Girlies and Final Girlies (Director's Cut) at iO theater, and Tacooma in Three Little Birds at Young People's Theater.

Matheus Barbee (Thought 2) is an actor and singer based in Chicago, originally from North Carolina. He is thrilled to be making his Raven and About Face debut, reuniting with Mikael Burke after collaborating on Violet at Northwestern University. Chicago Credits include Sister Act, A Christmas Carol (Drury Lane), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Paramount), Diana the Musical (Theo Ubique), Goodnight Moon (Chicago Children's Theater), and The Play That Goes Wrong (Metropolis). Regional credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (as Chip at Indiana Repertory), Shrek the Musical (as Donkey at MGM Beau Rivage), West Side Story (as Chino at Surflight), Grease (MGM Borgata). Alumnus of Northwestern University.

Christopher Wayland (Thought 3) is returning to Raven Theatre for the fourth time and is working with About Face Theatre for the first time. Previous roles at Raven include Peter in The Luckiest, Jib in Hoodoo Love, and Pharus Young in Choir Boy. He is a Professor of Acting at the Chicago College of Performing Arts and earned an MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. In the Chicago area, he is a member of the Rivendell Theatre Ensemble and has worked at Goodman Theatre, Court Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, First Folio Theatre, 16th Street Theater, Oak Park Festival Theatre, Jackalope Theatre Company, Griffin Theatre, Teatro Vista, Haven, Lifeline Theatre, Stage Left Theatre, and with Right Angle Entertainment. His television credits includes a recurring role on The Chi (Showtime), neXt (FOX), Chicago Med (NBC), and APB (FOX), as well as several commercials including national campaigns for Kellogg's and Lowe's.

Michael Turrentine (Thought 4) has worked as an actor, writer, dancer, and social justice educator in Chicago for over a decade and doesn't plan on slowing down soon. Some of the theaters he has worked with include Paramount Theatre, The Marriott Theatre, Drury Lane Theater, Court Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Gift Theatre and many others. His TV credits include South Side, Emperor of Ocean Park, Somebody Somewhere and others.

John-Payne (Thought 5) is a Chicago theatre-artist and performer and is making their debut with Raven Theatre working on A Strange Loop. We hold a responsibility in being conscious and active members of our community through the art we create, and John-Payne is dedicated to making lasting change for queer/black & brown theatre folk, and challenging the structures which prohibit that change.

Naphtali Curry (Thought 6) is an actor based out of Chicago, Illinois, making his Raven Theatre debut. Some of his theatre credits include Benny in Rent (Capital City) and Donkey in Shrek The Musical National Tour (2024). His Chicago theatre credits include Mitch Mahoney in Spelling Bee (Paramount), Valentine in Twelfth Night (Chicago Shakes), Paul Williams in Real Housewives of Motown (Black Ensemble), ensemble in Rent (Porchlight).

RAVEN THEATRE tells stories of today and the past that connect us to our cultural landscape. Raven's commitment to modern drama in all of its forms, as well as its first-class education programming, have helped it remain a cultural cornerstone on the north side of Chicago for 40 years and counting. For 44 years, Raven Theatre has been the home to revivals of modern dramas and thought-provoking new works to the Northside Chicago community, as well as theatrical education to the children and schools in the surrounding neighborhoods. Founded in 1983, Raven moved into its current home in 2002 with its 85-seat Johnson Stage and its 56-seat Schwartz Stage.

ABOUT FACE THEATRE advances LGBTQ+ equity through community building, education, and performance. Since our founding in 1995, we've been a national leader in producing groundbreaking theater throughout Chicago that centers and affirms people who identify as LGBTQ+ and other intersecting identities. Working with nationally recognized and emerging artists of all ages, our programs include award-winning productions, touring shows, a Youth Ensemble, and new work development through Re/Generation Studio. Learn more and get involved at aboutfacetheatre.com.

Raven Theatre, under the director of Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Berry, announces its 44^th season, to include Michael R. Jackson's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange Loop, directed by Mikael Burke in a co-production with About Face Theatre; Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, directed by Raven Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Berry; and Sharyn Rothstein's Tell Me I'm Not Crazy, directed by Georgette Verdin in a co-production with Rivendell Theatre Ensemble.

"With this season, we take what has always been essential about The Raven – plays that reach both back and forward to connect us to our cultural landscape – and expand it to include more voices, to take more risks, to be more in conversation with our current moment and to connect with our community, comments Jonathan Berry. "In Michael Jackson's boundary pushing, Pulitzer Prize winning musical A Strange Loop a young, black, queer playwright takes a perilous, ultimately beautiful journey of self- discovery. A poet returns to his family and a heartrending moment of decision in Tennessee William's stunning memory play, The Glass Menagerie. Tell Me I'm Not Crazy is Sharyn Rothstein's poignant, comedy about how one family struggles to feel in control during chaotically divisive times."

Subscriptions to the three-play season start at $120 are currently on sale at raventheatre.com. Subscribers receive priority season, and save up to $50 off regular tickets prices, plus discounts on      tickets for family and friends, 10% off concessions, and 20% off tickets to Raven Theatre's Resident Company The Story Theatre

The 2026-2027 season is:

The 2022 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical
and the 2020 Pulitzer Prize Winner
A STRANGE LOOP
by Michael R. Jackson
directed by Mikael Burke
in a co-production with About Face Theatre
October 8-November 8, 2026
Opening: October 14, 2026

Usher is a Black, queer playwright who spends his days working as an usher on Broadway. He spends his nights struggling to write an original musical about a Black, queer playwright who spends his days working as an usher on Broadway. Lines blur, thoughts intrude, and soon he finds himself wrestling to break free from a very strange creative loop.

This blistering, groundbreaking, Pulitzer Prize winning musical explores identity, race and sexuality through the lens of a young artist at war with a chorus of his own demons and inner voices on a journey towards understanding and self love.

Tennessee Williams' memory play directed by Raven's new Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Berry
THE GLASS MENAGERIE
by Tennessee Williams
directed by Jonathan Berry
February 11-March 21, 2027
Opening: February 17, 2027

As America struggles through the Great Depression and the world stands on the brink of a second World War, a young man tries to dream of a future beyond the stifling confines of his day to day existence.

Tom Wingfield dreams of adventure while his mother Amanda desperately yearns for a secure future for her two children. Sister Laura retreats into the fragile confines of her glass menagerie. A long hoped for arrival of a gentleman caller sends the family hurtling towards either salvation or despair.

After 30 years, Tennessee Willams groundbreaking, autobiographical masterpiece returns to the Raven Stage in a bold new production.

From the playwright of Raven's hit production Right to be Forgotten
TELL ME I'M NOT CRAZY
by Sharyn Rothstein
directed by Georgette Verdin
in a co-production with Rivendell Theatre Ensemble
April 30-June 13, 2027
Opening: May 12, 2027

Life can be overwhelming at any stage – kids to raise, in-laws to deal with, work-life to balance. In an age of shifting gender dynamics and rising cost of living, it can be a struggle to feel in control. But for recent retiree Sol Koening, a neighborhood crime wave proves to be the final straw. He buys a gun, joins a shooting range and sends his loving family running for cover.

As barbed jokes fly and tempers flare, the once-close family threatens to break apart in this hilarious comedy about two generations struggling to find common ground in an America at odds with itself.

This production is a Chicago premiere from the playwright of Raven's smash hit Right to be Forgotten.

ABOUT RAVEN THEATRE COMPANY

Raven Theatre tells stories of today and the past that connect us to our cultural landscape. Raven's commitment to modern drama in all of its forms, as well as its first-class education programming, have helped it remain a cultural cornerstone on the north side of Chicago for 40 years and counting.

For 44 years, Raven Theatre has been the home to revivals of modern dramas and thought-provoking new works to the Northside Chicago community, as well as theatrical education to the children and schools in the surrounding neighborhoods. Founded in 1983, Raven moved into its current home in 2002 with its 85-seat Johnson Stage and its 56-seat Schwartz Stage.

Subscription Series – Raven offers three productions in its subscription series, all in the East Stage, focusing on revivals of works primarily from the late 19th century to the present and including both Chicago and World Premieres.

Educational Programming – Raven provides teaching artists to neighborhood schools for in-school theatrical residencies, a field trip program for elementary school students, and a robust children's theatrical summer camp program.

With efforts in the community, in neighborhood schools, and on the stage, Raven plays an important part in the city's cultural landscape.

Raven Theatre Company is funded in part by The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, JCCC Foundation, Paul M. Angell Foundation, Polk Bros Foundation, S&C Electric Company Fund, and The Shubert Foundation. This project is partially supported by a CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. This programming is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. For more information visit www.raventheatre.com.