Theater

1_CST_JUDG_Liz Lauren.jpgJason Alexander makes his Chicago stage debut in the world premiere comedy Judgment Day at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel. Performances begin April 23, 2024. Photo by Liz Lauren.

Theater

Jason Alexander's latest role plumbs the meaning of life and beyond in 'Judgment Day'

Alexander plays a sleazy lawyer who gets a lifechanging wakeup call in the world premiere comedy at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

By Courtney Kueppers | WBEZ

Columnists

Joffrey production of "Midsummer Night's Dream" includes humble dried plant in a starring role

The play uses “hay” — actually raffia, derived from palm leaves — to cover the stage for each performance.

By Neil Steinberg

Theater

To be or not to be Hamlet (and everybody else)? Eddie Izzard answers the question in solo show

The veteran stand-up comedian, activist, marathoner stars as the title — and every — character in Shakespeare’s iconic work.

By Selena Fragassi - For the Sun-Times

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey's Revelations. Photo by Dario Calmese_012.jpg

Things To Do

Things to Do in Chicago April 11-18: The Mix

Expo Chicago, a Kane Brown concert and the Chicago Latino Film Festival are among the entertainment highlights of the week ahead.

By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times

Vegas Cirque Show Closure. Beatles member John Lennon is projected on the screen during the preview of "Love," a new Beatles-themed Cirque du Soleil show, in Las Vegas, June 27, 2006. On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, it was announced that the final curtain will come down July 7 on Cirque du Soleil's long-running show “The Beatles Love," a cultural icon on the Las Vegas Strip that brought band members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr back together for public appearances throughout its 18-year run.

Entertainment and Culture

Cirque du Soleil's 'The Beatles Love' ending Las Vegas run after 18 years

Cirque announced on Tuesday that the show housed at the Mirage will end on July 7, part of the iconic hotel-casino’s major renovation plan to rebrand itself into the Hard Rock Las Vegas.

By Rio Yamat | AP

Entertainment and Culture

Latino artists audition for casting directors in push to promote diversity on stage and screen

Participants in the open casting call in Chicago had three minutes to perform anything they wanted in front of representatives from local theater and talent agencies.

By Mitch Dudek

In "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," the title characters (Erik Hellman, left, and Nate Burger, right) banter with the leader of a traveling acting troupe (Lorenze Rush Jr.).

Theater

In riveting Court production, 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern' captures worries, wit of Hamlet's stooges

Nate Burger and Erik Hellman have a chemistry that crackles in Charles Newell’s staging, which plays up the meta-theatrics of Tom Stoppard’s absurdist take on Shakespeare.

By Catey Sullivan | For the Sun-Times

Marc Akinfolarin (from left), George Knapper, Mark Loveday, Ifan Gwilym-Jones and Cal T King are among the ensemble cast of "The Choir of Man." Michael Brosilow Photo.jpg

Theater

'Choir of Man' is a rollicking good time filled to the brim with song, suds and sentimentality

The atmosphere is part after-hours St. Patrick’s Day celebration, part frat party, and — once the music starts — part cover-band concert.

By Catey Sullivan | For the Sun-Times

Things To Do

Things to do in Chicago April 4-10: The Mix

A Matthew Sweet concert, a one-man show about Chopin and exhibitions by Chicago artists Robert Earl Paige and Christina Ramberg are among the city’s entertainment highlights in the week ahead.

By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times

2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones - Arrivals

Theater

Helen Hunt, 'The Color Purple' heading to Goodman Theatre for 2024-2025 season

Four world or Chicago premiere productions are among the lineup for the theater’s 99th season.

By Miriam Di Nunzio

“I’m Flying.” (from L) Micah Turner Lee as John, Reed Epley as Michael, Hawa Kamara as Wendy, Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan in the national touring non-Equity production of "Peter Pan" at the Nederlander Theatre. Photo: Matthew Murphy

Theater

For the youngest of theatergoers, 'Peter Pan' remains a magical experience

Many kids in the audience came dressed up. I would recommend parents encourage it, as their youngsters will undoubtedly make new friends at intermission finding others who love the characters they do, or who identify with other ones.

By Steven Oxman | For the Sun-Times

Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny performs at the Crypto.com Arena during his "Most Wanted" tour in Los Angeles, March 13, 2024. (Photo by Valerie Macon / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)

Things To Do

Things to do in Chicago March 28-April 3: The Mix

Bad Bunny in concert at the United Center, “Churchill,” the one-man show, Percival Everett in conversation about his new book, and the return of Chicago Architecture Center River Cruises are among the highlights in the week ahead.

By Mary Houlihan

PT_Streetcar_A740638_credit LIz Lauren.jpeg

Theater

'Streetcar Named Desire' remains definitive, searing war of wills in solid Paramount production

The strength of this production at the Paramount’s intimate Copley Theatre isn’t that it’s especially atmospheric, or sexy, or theatrical; instead it focuses on and succeeds at providing a resolute narrative and thematic clarity.

By Steven Oxman | For the Sun-Times

013_William Anthony Sebastian Rose II and Patrick Newson Jr.jpg William Anthony Sebastian Rose II and Patrick Newson Jr. in Refracted Theatre Company’s production of “Tambo & Bones” . Photo by Ricky Kluge

Theater

Refracted Theatre Company's 'Tambo & Bones' tops list of 2024 Non-Equity Jeff Award winners

“Tambo & Bones” received eight awards overall on Monday night in a ceremony that also marked the 50th anniversary of honoring excellence in Chicago’s Non-Equity theater community.

By Miriam Di Nunzio

(clockwise from left) Harry Lennix, ensemble members Alana Arenas and Glenn Davis, Tamara Tunie, Ayanna Bria Bakari and ensemble member Jon Michael Hill in Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s world premiere of Purpose by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by Phylicia Rashad, playing now through April 28, 2024. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

Theater

Chicago-inspired ‘Purpose’ explores fictionalized iconic Black family in blistering Steppenwolf production

Clearly inspired by Chicago’s Jackson family — as in Jesse and Jesse Jr. — the play is set at a transitional moment when the family must process a problematic recent past and consider the future.

By Steven Oxman | For the Sun-Times

Raye Zaragoza as 'Tiger Lily' Photo by Jeremy Daniel.jpg

Theater

‘Peter Pan’ star brings powerful representation to Tiger Lily role

Actress Raye Zaragoza celebrates her Native American heritage in a bold new way in a revamped production of the musical.

By Selena Fragassi - For the Sun-Times

Dan Smyers (left) and Shay Mooney, set to perform Friday at the United Center, are new judges on "The Voice."

Things To Do

Things to do in Chicago March 21-27: The Mix

A Dan + Shay concert, a new take on ‘Peter Pan’ and a stand-up show by Ali Wong are among the entertainment highlights of the week ahead.

By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times

Purpose 1. Photo by Michael Brosilow.jpg. (clockwise from left) Harry Lennix, ensemble members Alana Arenas and Glenn Davis, Tamara Tunie, Ayanna Bria Bakari and ensemble member Jon Michael Hill in Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s world premiere of Purpose by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by Phylicia Rashad, playing now through April 28, 2024. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

Theater

At Steppenwolf Theatre, Phylicia Rashad is reimagining the Black family drama

“Purpose,” directed by Rashad and written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, spares no punches, tackling family, politics and religion.

By Mike Davis - WBEZ

Obituaries

Val Gray Ward, founder of Kuumba Theatre Workshop, pioneering Black theater company in Chicago, dead at 91

The well-known theater company was part of the Black Arts Movement in Chicago.

By Mitch Dudek

An aerial view of Millennium Park on opening day in 2004.

Entertainment and Culture

Common, Fruko y sus Tesos to headline Millennium Park 20th anniversary festival

The four-day festival in the park is only one of 80 free events scheduled for the park this summer.

By Miriam Di Nunzio

Olivia Rodrigo performs at the Grammy Awards in February.

Things To Do

Things to do in Chicago March 14-20: The Mix

Olivia Rodrigo in concert, the St. Patrick’s Day parade and green river celebration, and the Phylicia Rashad-directed “Purpose” at Steppenwolf are among the highlights in the week ahead.

By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times

ThePENELOPIAD_3.jpeg. Tyler Meredith, Helen Joo Lee, Amira Danan, Aja Alcazar, Elizabeth Laidlaw and Allison Sill and Jennifer Morrison. (In front) .

Theater

Goodman Theatre's masterful 'Penelopiad' gives powerful voice to the women of 'The Odyssey'

Artistic director Susan V. Booth shapes a production of furious impact and impeccable ensemble work from the all-female, 13-strong cast.

By Catey Sullivan | For the Sun-Times