Theatre with a side of life
Porchlight Music Theatre launches its 29th season by presenting Cole Porter’s ANYTHING GOES. Ninety years ago ANYTHING GOES debuted as a madcap musical. The tale follows the antics of a stowaway, a debutante, a nightclub singer, a criminal and an English Lord on a cruise ship. Disguises, mistaken identities and vaudevillian-like gags pepper the quest for ...
Broadway in Chicago presents the pre-Broadway world premiere BOOP! THE MUSICAL. It’s official… I’ve been Boop-ed! Betty Boop is a cartoon character created by Max Fleischer in the 1930s. She gained fame in her portrayal of a damsel in distress. Although her curly hair, big eyes, short skirt and ample bosom are pretty recognizable, the story behind ...
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents a WorldStage Event from Scotland, ISLANDER the Musical. ISLANDER captivates with its unique storytelling. Human song and spoken word mingle together with the clicks and pulsed calls of whales. Two performers, Lois Craig and Julia Murray, tell the tale onstage with a couple microphones, a soundboard, minimal scenery and ample talent. Craig ...
Broadway in Chicago presents the all-new North American and Pre-Broadway Premiere Revival of THE WIZ. In 1974, William F. Brown (book) and Charlie Small (music and lyrics) conceived the hipper version of L. Frank Baum’s children’s book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” The Tony Award-winning musical was cast with black performers. The musical was later made ...
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents TWELFTH NIGHT. William Shakespeare tells a tale of shipwreck, romance and mistaken identities. A violent storm, maroons and separates twins on an island. Unable to find her brother, Viola disguises herself as a male page named “Cesario.” She works for Orsino. When Orsino sends “Cesario” with a message to Olivia, she falls ...
Broadway in Chicago presents BEETLEJUICE The Musical. The innovative team of Scott Brown (book), Anthony King (book) and Eddie Perfect (music and lyrics) said Beetlejuice three times turning the 1988 cult classic film into a highly-entertaining staged musical. Brown and King remain true to the essences of the movie. A hilariously crass spook, with green hair ...
Steppenwolf Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. In this political environment, Selina Fillinger’s play is particularly timely. Her clever premise suggests although an elected buffoon is the face of the POTUS office, the brains, heart and wit running the country is an ...
Broadway in Chicago presents COMPANY. Bobbie is turning 35. The milestone birthday has her questioning her life decisions. Her friends are married and having kids. Her old boyfriends are too! Bobbie looks back at her past relationships and her friends’ relationships for indicators of happily-ever-afters. She scrutinizes dating, marriage and divorce. And she does it in ...
Broadway in Chicago presents the Broadway-bound A WONDERFUL WORLD, a new musical about the life and loves of Louis Armstrong. Legendary trumpeter Louis Armstrong was an entertainer and led an entertaining life. The multi-talented performer’s story is told from the perspective of his four wives. Christopher Renshaw and Andrew Delaplaine conceived the idea and enticed Aurin ...
TimeLine Theatre Company, in conjunction with Broadway in Chicago, presents the Chicago premiere of THE LEHMAN TRILOGY. Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy in 2008 and was permanently closed by the Southern District of New York in 2022. How did a 164-year old institution that survived the Civil War, the Great War, the Stock Market Crash of 1929, ...