Welcome to our highlights of events and entertainment on stage at Chicago’s theaters. From local productions to Broadway hits, our guide has the latest on shows in the city. Bookmark this page and check back for updates and ticket information.
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Teatro ZinZanni
What: The immersive, whirlwind theater experience that is Teatro ZinZanni reopens featuring a new show with a cast of comedians, aerialists, acrobats, singers, dancers and a gourmet meal, it brings comedy, music and cirque back after a long pandemic hiatus. Included among the performers are powerhouse vocalists Storm Marrero and Cunio, aerial acts Lea Hinz and Duo 19, veteran comedians Frank Ferrante and Joe DePaul and acrobatic dancers Mickael and Vita.
When: Re-opens July 8
Where: Spiegeltent ZaZou on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, 32 W. Randolph
Tickets: $119-$189; limited show only tickets $69.
Visit zinzanni.com/chicago.
Where: The 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, 32 W. Randolph
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Cabaret Concert
What: Two dynamic stage divas — Felicia P. Fields and E. Faye Butler — star in “Lettin’ the Good Times Roll,” a cabaret concert of jazz, blues, gospel and show tunes.
When: 7:30 p.m. July 9-10.
Where: The parking lot of North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie.
Tickets: $35-$45 (bring chairs and blankets).
Visit northlight.org.
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Rivendell Theatre
What: Rivendell Theatre presents “The Princess Strikes Back: One Woman’s Search for the Space Cowboy of Her Dreams,” a solo show written and performed by Victoria Montalbano. In 1997, 13-year-old Victoria was introduced to her perfect man, Han Solo, and she’s been looking for her version ever since.
When: Livestreams at 7:30 p.m. July 9-10 and on demand to July 16.
Tickets: $15
Visit victorianotvicky.com.
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American Ballet Theatre
What: The American Ballet Theatre returns to town with “ABT Across America,” Presented by the Auditorium Theatre, the acclaimed company performs pieces from its repertoire — Lauren Lovette’s “La Follia Variations,” the pas de deux from “Don Quixote,” Jessica Lang’s “Let Me Sing Forevermore” set to the music of Tony Bennett and Darrell Grand Moultrie’s “Indestructible Light” featuring music by Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Billy Strayhorn.
When: 7:30 p.m. July 8
Where: Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph.
Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
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Chicago Tap Theatre presents “Tap Secret!,” a new original show with a story conceived by JC Brooks with director Mike Weaver and choreographer Mark Yonally; the score is by Brooks. As the story goes, there’s a nefarious plot afoot to ensure pop music stays smooth, simple and easy to digest. Three young women hatch a plan to thwart the plan and ensure music remains rich and rhythmically complex. “Audiences can expect a fun satire of ’90s pop, amidst a story that deals with the importance of rhythmic sophistication both in our lives and in our music,” says Yonally. Performances are at 3 and 7 p.m. July 10 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $40. Visit chicagotaptheatre.com.
The Artistic Home Theatre
What: The Artistic Home presents “Summer on the Patio,” a seasonlong event which invites theatergoers to share in the creative workshop process via free staged readings and open rehearsals of three contemporary plays: Maria Irene Fornes’ “Mud” (To Aug. 27), Martyna Majok’s “Ironbound” (To Aug. 28) and Craig Wright’s “The Pavilion” (To Aug. 22).
Where: It all takes place at the company’s new space at 3054 N. Milwaukee with rehearsals in July and staged readings in August.
Admission: free
Visit theartistichome.org
Aura CuriAtlas Physical Theatre
What: Aura CuriAtlas Physical Theatre collaborates with interdisciplinary, conceptual storyteller S.L. Feemster for a staging of “ConFront(ed),” a digital-physical work with a trip-hop soundscape, crafted around the observations of nine bodies in motion.
When: Streams to July 14
Tickets: $5-$25
Visit: https://www.acphysicaltheatre.com
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Interrobang Theatre Project
What: Interrobang Theatre Project’s season closes with the online world premiere of Susan Chenet’s “Dingleberries,” directed by Georgette Verdin. The dark comedy, based on actual events, follows the story of a middle school theater teacher whose playwriting dreams begin to come true when a regional company selects her avant-garde play as its next production.
When: The play streams June 24-July 18
Tickets: $15
Visit: interrobangtheatreproject.org
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Summer in the Parks
What: Brightside Theatre and the Naperville Park District present “Summer in the Parks: The Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein.” The free hour-long revue features tunes from the iconic composers’ musicals including “The King and I,” “South Pacific,” “Oklahoma,” “The Sound of Music” and more.
When: Performances are at 7 p.m. June 30, July 21 and Aug. 11
Where: Wagner Family Pavilion in the 95th Street Community Plaza, 3109 Cedar Glade Dr., Naperville.
Visit: brightsidetheatre.com
Steppenwolf Theatre
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What: The final entry in the Steppenwolf NOW virtual season is “Where We Stand,” a storytelling tour-de-force about community and accountability written and performed by Donnetta Lavinia Grays. Through poetic verse and music, the drama challenges our ability to forgive and our ideas of mercy and who might deserve it. The filmed play captures a performance originally presented at Baltimore Center Stage co-produced with WP Theater.
When/tickets: A $75 ticket includes all six of the productions in the NOW series available online through Aug. 31
Visit: steppenwolf.org/now
Writers Theatre
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What: In Reginald Edmund’s “Ride Share,” a co-production of Black Lives, Black Words and Writers Theatre, everything in Marcus’ (Kamal Angelo Bolden) life is going smoothly until he’s laid off from his job. To make ends meet, he becomes a ride share driver. Edmund says the drama, directed by Simeilia Hodge-Dallaway, “takes us on a journey into the depths of the Black male experience in America.”
When: Streams June 23-July 25
Tickets: $40-$100
Visit writerstheatre.org
Summer Nights with Northlight
What: Summer Nights with Northlight is a cabaret series held at Evanston restaurants to benefit Northlight Theatre. The performers are Alexis J. Roston and Kelvin Roston Jr. (June 10, Good to Go Jamaican, 711 W. Howard), Linda Solotaire (July 27, Sketchbook Brewing Company, 4901 Main, Skokie) and Heidi Kettenring (Aug. 24, Peckish Pig, 623 W. Howard).
When: Performances times are 6 p.m.
Tickets: $60 includes light dinner and select drinks. Visit northlight.org.
Labyrinth Arts and Performance Collective
What: Labyrinth Arts and Performance Collectivepresents “Emerge,” a new cabaret series featuring music, drag performance, comedy and spoken word First up at 10 p.m. June 11 is the retro blues trio Improper Behavior featuring vocalist Sharon Waltham, guitarist Keith Fort and upright bass player Gregory Redfeairn.
When: every second Friday of the month
Where: Porkchop, 1132 W. Grand
Tickets: $20. Visit labyrinthartsperformance.com.
