Chicago is blessed with a terrific pool of actors, directors, choreographers and theater technicians and a community of theater-goers who really appreciate a good production. But it is still amazing that the Greater Chicago area has 250 theater companies. They share venues throughout the city and suburbs. Thus, there are lots of choices of where to go and what to see. (BTW, some of them like to spell theater as theatre. That’s OK.)
Because there are so many companies it is arguably hard to keep track of what everyone is doing so we’ll look at the 2018-2019 season by area starting with downtown from the Broadway Playhouse to Lookingglass Theatre and more.
First off, the expensive ticket shows seen in New York are brought to the Cadillac Palace, CIBC, Ford Oriental, Broadway Playhouse and sometimes Auditorium, by Broadway in Chicago. Here is what to expect so far at those venues during the 2018-2019 season.
Broadway Playhouse
Located at 175 E. Chestnut St.at Water Tower Place, it has “Heartbreak Hotel” now extended through Oct. 28, 2018.
Cadillac Palace Theatre
The theatre, 151 W. Randolph St. has the pre-Broadway world premier of “Tootsie” beginning Sept. 11 followed by “Miss Saigon” on Nov. 13 and “Fiddler On The Roof” Dec. 18. Then “Kinky Boots” opens on Jan 22, 2019 followed by “Dear Evan Hansen” on Feb. 12, “Come From Away” opens on July 30 and “The Band’s Visit opens next fall on Sept. 10.
CIBC Theatre
At18 W. Monroe, the theatre still has “Hamilton” which is expected to go through Jan. 20, 2019.
Ford Oriental Theatre
Located at 24 W. Randolph St., the theatre has ” Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” coming Oct. 2, followed by “Hello, Dolly” Oct. 23, then “The Book of Mormon” Nov. 20 and “The Play That Goes Wrong,” Dec. 4. Starting off 2019 is “The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson Musical” opening Jan. 8, followed by “A Bronx Tale” Mar. 12, “Anastasia” Mar. 26, then “Falsettos” May 28 and “Cats” on July 16.
For tickets and other information visit Broadway in Chicago and call (800) 775-2000.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Situated on Navy Piere at 800 E. Grand Ave. (On Navy Pier), CST currently has “Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure” through Aug. 19.
Coming this fall are “Big Mouth” Sept 12, “Nell Gwynn” opening Sept. 20, Circolombia’s “Acelere” on Oct. 23, “Fight Night,” also on Oct. 23, “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” on Nov. 20 and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Dec. 6.
The season continues with “Us/Them” opening Jan. 22, 2019, “L’Apres Midi D’un Foehn” on Jan. 23, then “Short Shakespeare Macbeth” opens Feb. 16 and “An Inspector Call’s opens Feb. 19, “Two Pints” starts Mar. 6, “Hamlet” opens Apr. 17 and “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” on May 30.
For tickets and more information visit Chicago Shakes and call (312) 595-5600.
Goodman Theatre
The theatre, at 170 N. Dearborn St., still has “Pamplona” through Aug. 19. Then “We’re Only Alive for A Short Amount of Time” opens Sep 15 followed by “A Christmas Carol” Nov. 17. For tickets and other information visit Goodman Theatre and call (312)443-3800.
Lookingglass Theatre
Located in the historic Chicago Water Works at 821 N. Michigan Ave, the theatre is currently doing “20,000 Leagues Under the Seas” through Sept. 9. “The Steadfast Tin Soldier: A Christmas Pantomine” opens Nov. 7, “Act(s) of God” starts Feb. 13, 2019 followed by “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” May 8. For tickets and more information visit Lookingglass Theatre and call (312) 337-0665.
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Located in what oldtimers know as the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr., the Lyric starts the 2018-19 season with “La Boheme” Oct. 6 followed by “Idomeneio” Oct. 13, “Siegfried” Nov. 3, “Il trovatore” Nov. 17 and “Cendrillon” Dec. 1 which extends into January.
The season continues in 2019 with “Elektra” opening Feb. 2, “Ariodante” Mar. 2, and a two-day performance of “An American Dream” (at Harris Theatre) Mar. 15, 17.
The season concludes with what has become an annual production of a popular musical. As a continuation of the Lyric’s celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s 100 birthday, for 2019 the musical is “West Side Story” opening on May 3.
In addition, the Lyric is holding two concerts, “Anna Netrebko in Recital” Dec. 2 and “Renée Fleming 25th Anniversary Concert and Gala” Mar. 23.
For tickets and more information visit Lyric Opera and call (312) 827-5600.
Silk Road Rising
Located in the Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington St., is currently holding a “New China Festival: Staged Readings of Plays From the Chinese Speaking World” (translated into English) through Aug. 19, 2018. For tickets and more information visit Silk Road Rising and call (312) 857-1234, x 201.
Plan now to catch the shows you really want to see.
Jodie Jacobs