A gripping portrait of a man caught between the life he wants and the past he can’t escape, City Lit Theatre’s production of King Hedley II pairs an intensely unpredictable central performance with a charismatic ensemble to bring August Wilson’s exploration of family, trauma, and personal responsibility to life. I have an admission to make:…
A magic show that reaches back through centuries of history, David Parr: Time Traveler combines the evolution of the art form with mind-bending tricks and lively audience participation, creating an evening that will leave you wondering how he did it long after the show ends. People who only know Chicago from the news have no…
Blending the spirit of Shakespearean tragedy with the messiness of modern family life, Hayward explores the ghosts we carry, the histories we inherit, and the complicated love that can hold a family together even as it threatens to pull them apart. When I was first introduced to classic literature in elementary school, I didn’t care…
A Halloween party where nobody is safe and the body count keeps climbing, Death Toll turns improvised sketch comedy into a delightfully twisted drinking game packed with absurd scenarios, over-the-top deaths, and plenty of creepy mischief. It’s that time of year again, when houses are decorated with webbing and skeletons appear on the lawns. But…
A playful mystery about three teenage girls determined to uncover what happened to their missing friend, Dead Girl’s Quinceañera uses the language of true crime to explore friendship, girlhood, and what happens when young people see things the adults around them don’t. Storytelling is an incredible art. While many of us have broad imaginations, the…
An extraordinary fusion of storytelling, dance, aerial artistry, music, and visual spectacle, The Attic: Things I’ve Seen While Lying On My Back turns one woman’s life into a theatrical experience so full of movement and invention that you won’t want to look away. As I was watching this show, a fleeting thought floated in and…
A thought-provoking drama about two strangers brought together by grief, The Swallow gradually reveals the complicated truths hidden beneath an ordinary voice lesson, exploring identity, family, and how we remember the people we love. Specific events in time affect all of us. Whether global, national, or personal, the details of the experience are burned into…
A remarkable story born from an unimaginable moment in history, Come From Away finds humanity, connection, and laughter in the aftermath of tragedy, reminding us that sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones that show us what people are capable of when they come together. Having been a Broadway musical nerd my entire life,…
A classic Western tale of loyalty and family, Shane makes its world premiere on stage, transporting audiences to 1889 Wyoming with rugged characters, a mysterious hero, and a young narrator who sees the adventure through very different eyes. Ever since the Western genre became popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it has been…
