Chicago Spring/Summer 2026

Megan Mullally at the Goodman! From June, if you're back.

Updated On: 3/2/26 at 05:41 PM

Kokandy Productions is putting on "Hair" in July at the Chopin Theatre. They are hands down one of the best musical companies here in Chicago. What they are able to do with with so little is kind of incredible. Their phenomenal Jekyll and Hyde is actually going to be a part of the Broadway in Chicago theater season in the fall. 

If you can get out to Aurora. Paramount Theatre is putting on South Pacific. They are the opposite of Kokandy in that they put on huge productions with large casts and amazing set designs.

I believe Writer's Theatre is doing Leopolstadt

I would urge you to check out some of the smaller store front theatres like Theatre Wit, Rivendale, American Blues Theatre...there's always so much going on here.

Just saw this in the Chicago Tribune:

Separately, Chicago Shakespeare Theater says it has postponed its previously announced production of the musical “Ain’t Misbehavin'” due to performer schedule conflicts and has replaced it with a new marital comedy by Scooter Pietsch, titled “Fault.”

Teri Hatcher and Enrico Colantoni will star, with Jason Alexander returning to Chicago Shakespeare to direct. Performances will begin on April 18 and run through May 24 in The Yard on Navy Pier (tickets and more information at www.chicagoshakes.com).

SteveSanders said: "Just saw this in the Chicago Tribune:

Separately, Chicago Shakespeare Theater says it has postponed its previously announced production of the musical “Ain’t Misbehavin'” due to performer schedule conflicts and has replaced it with a new marital comedy by Scooter Pietsch, titled “Fault.”

Teri Hatcher and Enrico Colantoni will star, with Jason Alexander returning to Chicago Shakespeare to direct. Performances will begin on April 18 and run through May 24 in The Yard on Navy Pier (tickets and more information at www.chicagoshakes.com)."

Thank you…this was not on their page a couple of days ago!

Theo Ubique consistently does strong shows and it looks like their production of The Drowsy Chaperone (through April 19) keeps that record intact. Review from Chris Jones in the Chicago Tribune.  Tickets: https://theo-u.com/drowsy-chaperone/

 

Other events to consider:

• student production of RENT at the Bob Newhart Theatre, Loyola University
• student production of FUN HOME in the South Loop’s Getz Theatre, Columbia College
• a night at the wonderful CHICAGO MAGIC LOUNGE
• WAIT, DON’T TELL ME at the Studebaker Theatre
• Monday night showtunes at SIDETRACK

Updated On: 3/23/26 at 10:22 PM

SteveSanders said: "Chicago Shakespeare Theater says it has postponed its previously announced production of the musical “Ain’t Misbehavin'” due to performer schedule conflicts..."

Code for "ticket sales were bleak and we had to cancel."

The production was to be directed by Andre Deshields who has a very clear, very public schedule conflict. What a misinformed, but easily verifiable thing to say. 

 

Was curious as well…probably would have gone out of pure curiosity had she been in it. 
 

Not sure if it’s still open, but Windfall at Steppenwolf was an epic mess and to be avoided. 

2.5 stars from Chris Jones at the Chicago Tribune for Brokeback Mountain at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/06/05/review-brokeback-mountain-chicago-shakespeare/

SteveSanders said: "2.5 stars from Chris Jones at the Chicago Tribune for Brokeback Mountain at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/06/05/review-brokeback-mountain-chicago-shakespeare/"

Yeah, we saw it a few weeks ago and it's not good. Amazing set design, and I was actually seated next to the set designer. However, this did not work at all. It felt like it was maybe at one time supposed to be a musical, but that didn't work, so this hybrid situation of a play and songs was created. For me the songs, just stopped the narrative cold and didn't really add anything to the piece. 

The two leads were fine, with Jack Cameron Kay giving the stronger performance as Jack. For me, the best performance came from Cordelia Dwendy as Alma. 

My biggest issue is that I never felt the tragedy. I never had the feeling of many years passing, which is vital to the tragedy of the story. This may be one of the few times where I felt they should have had younger and older versions of the leads. By the time we get to the tragic end, I just didn't feel much of anything. 

I would be shocked if this moves to NYC. If it does it is going to require some huuuugee names as the leads.

In better theater news, I did just see Catch as Catch Can at Steppenwolf and if you want to see some insane feats of acting, go see this show. It stars 3 actors doubling up on roles as parent and child. There is a Christmas scene in this show that has to be at least 10 minutes long where they are playing these multiple characters simotaneously. Its crazy impressive and thrilling. The play itself is okay, I have to admit there were moments where I was confused what was going on. But to see these 3 performances take on this challenge is worth the price of the ticket alone.

I'm seeing Iceboy! on the 27th, can not wait.