Chicago entertainment events canceled, postponed due to coronavirus

Entertainment venues in and around Chicago are altering plans in response to concerns over exposure to the highly transmittable novel coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19.

We’ll be updating this page regularly with cancellations and postponements impacted by the outbreak.

Here’s the current list:

• Broadway in Chicago’s annual Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards event scheduled for June 1 has been canceled. 2020 student submissions are, however, still being accepted.
• “Waitress,” originally scheduled May 19-24 at the CIBI Theatre, has been rescheduled to Feb. 16-21, 2021. Refunds available at point of purchase.
• The 34^th annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games, set for June 19-20 have been canceled. Chicago Scots suggests making donations in support of its principal charity, Caledonia Senior Living and Memory Care.
• The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago is postponing Abby Z and the New Utility scheduled for April 9–11. Call the box office at (312) 369-8330) for a refund or donation to the Dance Center.
• Adventure Stage Chicago has canceled its Chicago premiere of “Ghost,” originally scheduled to play the Vittum Theater from April 25 to May 3.
• The University of Chicago Presents has canceled all performances and events through the end of May 2020. Email chicagopresents@uchicago.edu.
• “The Office! A Musical Parody,” scheduled for April 28-May 17 at the Broadway Playhouse, has been rescheduled to Feb. 9-21, 2021. Contact point of purchase for refunds/exchanges.
• “GOSHEN,” scheduled May 22-31 the Broadway Playhouse has been canceled. Contact point of purchase for refunds.
• The Rialto Square Theatre has announced postponement or cancellation of a series of events/concerts in March and April. Previously purchased tickets to rescheduled events will be honored at the new date. If you are unable to attend the new date, refunds are available at point of purchase.
• Lyric Opera of Chicago has canceled the three full “Ring” cycles which were set to begin on April 13, with performances through May 3. Additionally, the two performances of “Götterdämmerung” that were scheduled for April 4 and April 11 have been canceled, along with all “Ring” festival programming. Ticket holders are being notified regarding refunds/exchanges.
• The world premiere of the Broadway-bound “Once Upon a One More Time,” a musical built around the songs of Britney Spears, has been canceled. It had been scheduled to open in April at Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre.
• “The Bachelor Live on Stage,” scheduled for March 14 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, has been rescheduled to Oct. 10.
• The band Keane’s Cause and Effect Tour stop March 20 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre has been canceled.
• “My Fair Lady” at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, scheduled to run March 24-April 12, has been rescheduled to May 12-23, 2021.
• At the Broadway Playhouse, the run of “What the Constitution Means to Me” has been cut short. “The Choir of Man,” scheduled for April 21-26, is rescheduled to Feb. 2-7, 2021. And “The Crown — Live!,” scheduled for April 21-26 at the Broadway Playhouse, is rescheduled to Feb. 23-28, 2021.
• The return of “The Simon & Garfunkel Story,” scheduled for May 12-17 at the CIBC Theatre, is rescheduled to Dec. 1-6.
• AstonRep Theatre Company has canceled all performance of “When We Were Young and Unafraid,” scheduled to run April 9 – May 10 at The Edge Theater. Ticket holders will be contacted.
• Pride Films and Plays has suspended performance of “Dex & Abby” and “Five Encounters on a Site Called Cragislist” until further notice. The Lesbian Film Festival (March 30) has been canceled. Upcoming productions of “I Promised Myself to Live Faster” and “The Queen’s Fool: A Queer Fairytale” will begin previews April 23 and May 7, respectively, as originally scheduled. Email info@pridefilmsandplays.com for ticket refunds/exchanges.
• At the Mercury Theater, “Shear Madness” has cut short its run. Also, the scheduled production of “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” has been postponed, with previews now scheduled to begin April 24.
• The Gene Siskel Film Center has suspended operations beginning March 16 with a planned April 10 reopening.
• Blue Man Group Chicago has halted performances at the Briar Street Theatre beginning March 16. Tickets may be exchanged for other shows or refunds are available at the point of purchase. The blue guys said they “look forward to resuming our normal performance schedule as soon as possible.”
• Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, which had been one of the last holdouts in moving forward with its production of “Grey Gardens,” said Sunday that remaining performances are canceled. Sunday was to be opening night, and five preview performances went on as scheduled last week. Ticket holders may request refunds by e-mail at boxoffice@theo-u.org or by calling (773) 939-4101.
• The Art Institute of Chicago will close for two weeks beginning March 14, with plans to reopen the museum on March 28. All museum events — tours, lectures, performances, etc.— will remain on hiatus through April 10.
• The Museum of Contemporary Art will be closed through March 29.
• Black Ensemble Theater is suspending all performances of “The Healing” effective March 13; performances may resume in 30 days. Ticket holders may exchange their tickets for a future performance date by contacting the box office at (773) 769-4451.
• Lookingglass Theatre has canceled all remaining performances of “Her Honor Jane Byrne.” Ticket holders will be contacted.
• The 36th Chicago Latino Film Festival scheduled to take place April 16-30 at the AMC River East 21 Theatre has been postponed. The new dates will be announced in the near future.
• Drury Lane Theatre has canceled the remaining performances of “An America in Paris” effective March 13. All affected tickets for “Evita” and “Shrek the Musical” will be exchanged for a later dates. Ticket holders have been contacted via email; if you did not receive an email, please contact BoxOffice@DruryLane.com.
• Northlight Theatre has suspended all performances of “Intimate Apparel,” effective March 13. Ticket holders will be contacted regarding refunds/exchanges.
• The Museum of Science and Industry be closed March 14 through April 6.
• Cirque du Soleil has canceled the return engagement of “Alegria,” scheduled for June 5-28 at Soldier Field’s South Lot. Ticket holders who made purchases through the Cirque website or by phone will be contacted/refunded by Cirque. Contact point of purchase for all other refunds. Cirque customer service can be reached at 1-877-9 CIRQUE (1-877-924-7783).
• The Den Theatre has canceled all performances through April 12. The closure includes The Haven Lounge. Canceled performances include: “Pineapple” (through April 11); Queer Soup Night (March 15); Haven Guest House (March 16 and 22); Vape Naysh, presented by First Floor Theater (Tuesday, March 17 & Wednesday, March 18 at 7:30 pm); “Blackbird” (March 21 – April 26); Alex Cuba (March 21); Akaash Singh (March 27); Chicago Dance Crash KTF (March 28); Cameron Esposito’s Save Yourself Book Tour (March 29); “Deathscribe” (March 30); “Under The Tree” (April 1–May 3); Kurtis Conner (April 3-4) Erik Griffin (April 10-11). Refunds are being issued; questions should be made via e-mail to boxoffice@thedentheatre.com.
• Navy Pier has postponed the April 3-12 run of “The Let Go,” a free, temporary public art installation and dance-based town hall from Nick Cave.
• The Shedd Aquarium will be closed through March 29.
• Lincoln Park Zoo will be closed through April 10.
• The Harris Theater has canceled all planned events and performances through April 12. Information about potential rescheduling will be made public in the days ahead. The box office will operate during normal hours by phone and online only. If you have questions about ticket donations, exchanges or refunds email info@harristheaterchicago.
• Steppenwolf Theatre Company is canceling the remaining performances of “Bug” on March 12-15. The remaining student and public performances of “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” will also be canceled. Also canceled are the remaining performances of “Plano” in the 1700 Theatre. Ticket holders will be contacted.
• The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) announces that all CSOA-presented concerts at Symphony Center scheduled through April 12 are canceled. This includes all associated pre- and post-concert special events. For refunds or exchanges, visit cso.org.
• Goodman Theatre is suspending all performances starting March 13 until further notice for “School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play.” “Molly Sweeney” has been postponed to an April 20 opening. Options for ticket holders include a credit toward a future Goodman production or a tax deduction for the total value.
• The Auditorium Theatre has canceled all performances/events for the next 30 days. That includes scheduled performances by illusionist Shin Lim (March 14), American Ballet Theatre (March 19-22) and dance troupe Shen Yun (April 2-5). Theater staff will be contacting patrons regarding ticket options.
• The Second City suspended performances at its Old Town theater beginning March 13 through March 26 or until further notice. Ticket holders for performances scheduled March 13-26 can contact the box office at (312) 337-3992 or via live chat at secondcity.com.
• At the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, remaining performances of “The Secret of My Success” have been canceled. People with tickets will receive a credit for use at the Paramount or RiverEdge Park. In addition, April performances by Killer Queen, Frank Calends, “Stomp!,” Straight No Chaser and Jay Leno will be rescheduled.
• The world premiere of “Hit Her With the Skates,” at the Royal George Theatre has suspended performances until April 21. Theater staff will contact patrons who purchased tickets at the box office. Inquiries about Ticketmaster or third-party ticket purchases must be made directly to those outlets.
• House Theatre of Chicago has canceled all performances of “Verboten” and “Henry V.”
• Griffin Theatre Company has canceled all remaining performances of “Mlima’s Tale.” Contact the box office at (773) 338-2177 for a refund or credit to a future Griffin production.
• The Spring One of a Kind Show, scheduled for April 24 – 26 at the Merchandise Mart has been cancelled.
• Victory Gardens Theater has canceled the run for its upcoming production of “Dhaba on Devon Avenue.” Ticket holders will be notified of refund/exchange options.
• Lifeline Theatre has postponed productions of ‘Middle Passage” and “Neither” until April 13.
• Raven Theatre announced it is suspending all performances of “A Doll’s House “(scheduled through March 22) and its children’s production of “Aesop’s Amazing Adventures in the Land of Fables” (scheduled through May 5).
• A Red Orchid Theatre’s run of “Do You Feel Anger?” will close after the March 13 performance. Affected ticket holders are being notified.
• Chicago Children’s Theatre is canceling all remaining performances of “Red Kite, Brown Box.” The spring opening of “Me...Jane: the Dreams & Adventures of a Young Jane Goodall” has been postponed until the fall.
• The New Colony has canceled “Under The Tree,” scheduled to play April 1 – May 3 at The Den Theatre, Contact the box office via e-mail at boxoffice@thedentheatre.com with questions.
• Theatre at the Center and The Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana, is suspending all public events and performances through April 29. The weekly Sunday Champagne Brunch and the Easter Brunch seatings on April 12 have also been canceled. Contact the box office at (219) 836-3255.
• The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum will close to the public for 30 days beginning March 13 until April 13.
• Merit School of Music has canceled the majority of programming and events until further notice.
• The March 14 show by comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias at the United Center has been postponed to a date to be announced later.
• Also at the United Center, the country music duo Dan + Shay postponed an April 17 performance to Aug. 15.
• Ravinia has canceled all public and privately-hosted events at the park until June 1, including six remaining spring concerts at Bennett Gordon Hall. Ticket holders have been notified about refunds.

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• Pop star Billie Eilish postponed her North American tour, including a March 24 date at the United Center. Tickets will be valid on the new dates, to be announced later.
• Country stalwart Reba McEntire’s April 24 show at the Allstate Arena moves to July 24 as part of a tour rescheduled to summer. Previously purchased tickets will be honored.
• The Chicago engagement of “Be More Chill” announced a three-month postponement. Originally slated to begin April 17 at the Apollo Theater, the show will now begin performances on July 7. Beginning March 16, the Apollo Theater box office will reach out to ticket holders with information on exchanges. Tickets for dates beginning July 7 will be honored.
• Porchlight Music Theatre is postponing its 25th Anniversary ICONS Gala honoring Broadway legend Joel Grey scheduled for Monday, March 23, at the Ritz-Carlton. The rescheduled date will be announced at a later time.
• Trap Door Theater has suspended its run of “Lipstick Lobotomy” and postponed its production of “The Water Hen” that had been scheduled to open May 7.
• Country music superstars Little Big Town postponed their March 13 and 14 concerts at the Chicago Theatre to Oct. 22 and 23.
• Court Theatre has announced the entire run of “The Lady from the Sea” has been canceled; the remaining performances of “An Iliad” have been postponed; new performance dates/times will be announced at a later date. Contact the box office at (773) 753-4472.
• The Chicago Flower and Garden Show, scheduled for March 18-22 at Navy Pier, has been canceled.
• Effective March 16, the Old Town School of Folk Music is suspending all classes, concerts, private lessons, workshops, and jams. All locations will be closed to the public through March 29.
• Congo Square Theatre Company has cancelled the remaining two weeks of i “Day of Absence,” at Victory Gardens Theatre. Refunds are available at point of purchase.
• The National Museum of Mexican Art is postponing all public events through the end of March. This includes events that are part of the Sor Juana Festival. The museum currently plans to host all April events.
• With everyone’s health in mind, the Museum is postponing all public events through the end of March. This includes events that are part of the Sor Juana Festival.
• Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir and his band Wolf Bros have postponed their March 12 concert at the Chicago Theatre until Oct. 20.
• The downtown and South Side St. Patrick’s Day parades and related activities have been postponed by the city of Chicago.
• The Chicago Children’s Choir has canceled the World Music Festival slated for 3:30 p.m. March 14 out of “an abundance of caution.”
• In response to the University of Chicago’s announcement to postpone large group events, Hyde Park School of Dance’s production of “Amira: A Chicago Cinderella Story,” scheduled for March 28-29, has been postponed.
• The Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University has announced cancellations/postponements of public events through April 15. Their public galleries are currently still open to the public.
• The Marcus Roberts Trio’s concert, scheduled for March 14 at Nichols Concert Hall at the Music Institute of Chicago has been rescheduled to for August 1, 2020. The tribute to Art Blakey on March 28 and the Formosa Quartet on April 4, are also being postponed (new dates to be determined). Visit musicinst.org for more information.
• Bienen School of Music has canceled all concerts and events from April 3 to 27. Patrons with tickets to an event during this period will be issued a refund and no further action needs to be taken.