Theater

MAMMA-MIA-2.jpeg. Christine Sherrill (Donna Sheridan), and the Company of MAMMA MIA! 25th Anniversary Tour
Photo by Joan Marcus

Things to Do in Chicago April 25-May 1: The Mix

‘Mamma Mia!’ at the Nederlander Theatre, the spring One of a Kind Show at the Mart, and the Joffrey Ballet’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” are among some of the entertainment highlights in the week ahead.

By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times

Loop

Loop's weekend foot traffic exceeds level before pandemic, but retail vacancies still at record high

The Chicago Loop Alliance released its latest report on the Loop, finding that it offered some signs of a revival.

By Amy Yee

(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

_Bill W. and Dr. Bob_ - Photo credit Cortney Roles 4.jpg Bill (Ronni Marmo, left) and Dr. Bob (Thomas F. Evans) in "Bill W. and Dr. Bob."

Theater

'Bill W. and Dr. Bob' skims the surface of a complex and inherently profound story

Alcoholics Anonymous origin tale should be about the possibilities of personal transformation, but in this production the characters’ inner journeys feel flat.

By Steven Oxman | For the Sun-Times

Artistic designer Marquis Lewis, aka RETNA, brings a calligraphy motif to the sets of "Aida."

Theater

Lyric Opera's latest 'Aida' looks weird and sounds monotonous

With its baffling design and costumes, and singing that lacks nuance, production has little new to say about Verdi’s princess.

By Kyle MacMillan - For the Sun-Times

Theater

Lookingglass Theatre announces new artistic director, plan for upcoming productions

Also revealed on Wednesday was a rendering of the theater’s new lobby area, and the addition of Atra Asdou, Wendy Mateo, Ericka Ratcliff and Matthew C. Yee as ensemble members.

By Miriam Di Nunzio

5 Celeste Williams, Cindy Gold, Meg Thalken.jpeg

Theater

Hope springs eternal at all stages of life in Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's poignant 'Wipeout'

Three women share the laughter and tears that come with surviving seven decades of all that life can dish out in Aurora Real de Asua’s drama.

By Catey Sullivan | For the Sun-Times

A Streetcar Named Desire-photo by Amy Nelson.jpeg

Things To Do

Things to do in Chicago March 7-13: The Mix

Lyric Opera’s ‘Aida,’ a dance version of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and a Juanes concert are among the highlights of the week ahead.

By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times

Theater

Sting's music, Kate Prince's electrifying choreography weave mesmerizing tale of hope and survival in 'Message in a Bottle'

In shaping this combination of dance concert/juke-box musical, director-choreographer Kate Prince uses everything from break dancing to ballet to tell the story of a family forced into a perilous journey.

By Catey Sullivan | For the Sun-Times

A divorced dad (Rob McClure) disguises himself as a female nanny in order to see his kids (from left: Axel Bernard Rimmele, Giselle Guiterrez and Kennedy Alexandra Pitney) in "Mrs. Doubtfire."

Theater

'Mrs. Doubtfire' show succeeds more as movie tribute than as musical

Despite unmemorable songs, touring production stays true to the film and showcases an energetic star.

By Steven Oxman | For the Sun-Times

Zach Bryan performs Feb. 9 in Las Vegas.

Things To Do

Things to do in Chicago Feb. 29-March 6: The Mix

A trio of Zach Bryan concerts, the Goodman Theatre’s fresh take on Homer and a monster truck demo are among the week’s entertainment highlights

By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times

Manny Buckley, Jon Hudson Odom. Photo by Michael Brosilow (1).jpg

Theater

Two lives intersect amid one president's legacy in the searing 'Reclamation of Madison Hemings’

American Blues Theater’s taut, troubling tale de-deifies a nearly mythic figure in U.S. history while giving voice to the millions the Founding Fathers didn’t include as equals.

By Catey Sullivan | For the Sun-Times

The Shindellas photo by Ezelle Franklin.jpeg

Things To Do

Things to Do in Chicago — The Mix: Feb. 22-28

The Shindellas in concert, ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ the stage musical, and three world premieres at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago are among the highlights in the week ahead.

By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times

Entertainment and Culture

Bayless Family Foundation issues more than $500,000 in latest round of grants to Chicago theaters

Definition Theatre and Timeline Theatre Company were each awarded $180,000; Chicago Children’s Theatre received $100,000 and Remy Bumppo Theatre Company $50,000.

By Kade Heather

MagicFlute_1.jpeg. Tina Muñoz Pandya, Lauren Molina, Monica West and Russell Mernagh (standing, left to right) and Billy Rude are among the stellar cast of "Matchbox Magic Flute" at the Goodman Theatre.

Theater

'Matchbox Magic Flute' transforms Mozart's classic, taking it to fabulous new heights

It’s important to realize that this is not so much a version of Mozart’s opera but something new, with its own libretto adapted by Mary Zimmerman.

By Kyle MacMillan - For the Sun-Times

Café owner Dina (Sophie Madorsky, with Rom Barkhordar and Armand Akbari) is among the people in a remote Israeli town showing hospitality to stranded Egyptian musicians in "The Band's Visit."

Theater

In moving musical 'The Band's Visit,' strangers from distinct Mideast cultures find harmony

Magnificent Writers Theatre production of the Tony-winning show pulls you in to the characters’ world and you don’t want to leave.

By Steven Oxman | For the Sun-Times

Entertainment and Culture

Inside the Ramova Theatre — A look at the newly remodeled South Side venue

Chance the Rapper, an investor in the project, will play an all-ages show Friday — the first major event at the restored theater.

By Courtney Kueppers | WBEZ

(L-R) Aidan Wharton, David Benoit, Jennifer Blood and Jeremy Webb in the GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY North American tour (photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade).jpeg

Theater

'Girl from the North Country': How does it feel when the downtrodden sing Dylan songs? Captivating

Artist’s classic tunes deepen the characters in Conor McPherson’s melancholy musical now at CIBC Theatre.

By Steven Oxman | For the Sun-Times

Chance the Rapper performs at EBONY FWD in December in Miami Beach, Florida.

Things To Do

Things to do in Chicago Feb. 15-21: The Mix

Chance the Rapper at the Ramova and a Presidents Day celebration at the Chicago History Museum are among the highights in the week ahead.

By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times

_Mark David Kaplan and Company. Brett Beiner Photo.jpg

Entertainment and Culture

Minimalist 'Fiddler on the Roof' eschews traditional staging and loses too much of its charm

For starters, there’s no fiddler.

By Catey Sullivan | For the Sun-Times

The title character of "Antigone" (Aeriel Williams, right) disagrees with sister Ismene (Ariana Burks) about whether to bury their late brother, in defiance of the ruler.

Theater

Intimate 'Antigone' staging amplifies the Greek tragedy's big ideas

Court Theatre production strikes ideal balance between personal stories and Sophocles’ views on family vs. law and other issues still relevant.

By Steven Oxman | For the Sun-Times

Theater

‘Richard III’: Dark comedy dominates the tragedy in Chicago Shakes’ new take

Star Katy Sullivan demonstrates extraordinary physicality in director Edward Hall’s imaginative, sometimes overwhelming production.

By Steven Oxman | For the Sun-Times

“The Band’s Visit” photo by Wesley Hitt, Courtesy of TheatreSquared

Things To Do

Things to do in Chicago Feb. 8-14: The Mix

Mary Zimmerman’s ‘Magic Flute,’ a concert by Nashville’s Sarah Jarosz and the Chicago Botanic Garden’s orchid show are among the entertainment highlights in the week ahead.

By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times

Prince performs at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on Feb. 18, 1985.

Theater

Stage musical of Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ to debut in Minneapolis next year

The musical will be staged in the late singer’s hometown at the State Theatre.

By Associated Press

William Anthony Sebastian Rose II and Patrick Newson Jr. in Refracted Theatre Company’s production of “Tambo & Bones”

Theater

‘Tambo & Bones,’ ‘American Psycho,’ ‘The SpongeBob Musical’ top the 2024 Non-Equity Jeff Awards nominations

The accolades mark the 50th anniversary of the Chicago theater awards, which recognize excellence in non-Equity productions on local stages.

By Miriam Di Nunzio