Theater

Reviews of Chicago’s stage shows and news from the actors and actresses putting on the performances.

“Purpose,” directed by Rashad and written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, spares no punches, tackling family, politics and religion.
The well-known theater company was part of the Black Arts Movement in Chicago.
The four-day festival in the park is only one of 80 free events scheduled for the park this summer.
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.
Artistic director Susan V. Booth shapes a production of furious impact and impeccable ensemble work from the all-female, 13-strong cast.
Alcoholics Anonymous origin tale should be about the possibilities of personal transformation, but in this production the characters’ inner journeys feel flat.
With its baffling design and costumes, and singing that lacks nuance, production has little new to say about Verdi’s princess.
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.
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.
Lyric Opera’s ‘Aida,’ a dance version of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and a Juanes concert are among the highlights of the week ahead.
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.
Despite unmemorable songs, touring production stays true to the film and showcases an energetic star.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Magnificent Writers Theatre production of the Tony-winning show pulls you in to the characters’ world and you don’t want to leave.
Chance the Rapper, an investor in the project, will play an all-ages show Friday — the first major event at the restored theater.
Artist’s classic tunes deepen the characters in Conor McPherson’s melancholy musical now at CIBC Theatre.
Chance the Rapper at the Ramova and a Presidents Day celebration at the Chicago History Museum are among the highights in the week ahead.