Not all memorable theater is in the city. Chicago’s suburban theaters put on Jeff award-winning productions. But whether looking to the city or suburbs or both, one way to not miss a show you want to see is to save this Sneak Peek Series and mark productions for tickets or theaters for subscriptions. Enjoy! (Note: Some companies spell their work and space theater but others use theatre. Both are correct.)

North

 

Citadel Theatre

The theatre is in a school building at 300 S. Waukegan Rd. Lake Forest.

Citadel is doing “The Little Foxes, Sept. 28-Oct. 28 followed by Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”  Nov. 16-Dec. 23.  An early 2019 show is TBA but then “Sentimental Journey” is Apr. 26-May 26.

For tickets and other information call (847) 735-8554 and visit Citadel Theatre.

 

Marriott Theatre

The theatre does professional musical productions in the Marriott Resort at 10 Marriott Dr,. Lincohnshire.

The season continues with “Murder for Two” through Aug. 26 followed by Sweet Charity” Sept. 5-Oct. 28, “Shrek the Musical” (children’s show) Oct. 5-Dec 30 and concludes with “Holiday Inn” Nov. 7-Jan. 6.

In addition to the shows, the theatre is hosting  a fundraising concert in memory of director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell Sept. 17 called “We Three” featuring the stars of Marriott’s “Mama Mia,” Meghan Murphy, Cassie Slater and Danni Smith.

For show tickets call (847) 634-0200 and visit Marriott Theatre.  To get tickets to “We Three” call the Marriott or order on line tickets at  Ticket Master.

 

Metropolis Performing Arts Center

The Center, at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, is currently doing   “Beehine” through Aug. 25, then “Chorus Line” Sept. 20-Nov. 3 and “James and the Giant Peach Jr. Nov. 8-10. In 2019, productions continue with “Mouse Trap” Jan. 31-March 16 and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” May 16-June 29 and “Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story” July 18-Aug. 24.

For tickets and other information call (847) 577-2121 and visit Metropolis Performing Arts Center.

 

Music Theater Works

Productions are usually in Cahn Auditorium on Northwestern University’s campus at 600 Emerson St. at Sheridan Road, Evanston.

Currently “Anything Goes” continues through Aug. 25 then it’s “Judy Garland: Come Rain or Come Shine” Oct. 5-14 and “Into the Woods” Dec. 22-31 .

For tickets and other information call (847) 920-5360 and visit Music Theater Works.

Northlight  Theatre

The theatre is in the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd. Skokie

Northlight is doing “Curve of Departure” Sept. 13-Oct. 21 and “Mansfield Park” Nov. 8-Dec. 16. The season continues in 2019 with “Nina Simone: Four Women” Jan. 24-Mar. 2, “Landladies” Mar. 14-Apr. 20 and “Into The Breeches” May 9-June 16.

For tickets and other information call (847) 673-6300 and visit Northlight.

 

Piven Theatre

A theatre workshop/school at 927 Noyes St., Evanston, that also presents issues in potent but small doses, the 2018-19 season is highlighting  identity.

“The Telling Project” a  military and families experiences project, Oct. 5-14, Big Entrance” by Forte Chicago, Nov. 2-4, “Santuario|Sanctuary” a documentary theatre project by Proyecto Migración is Nov.16-18 and “Piven’s Young People’s Company Presentation” is Dec. 12-16.

The 2019 productions include “Lived Through This” Jan. 14-15, “The Adoption Project” Jan. 28-29, “Piven Workshop’s Performance Project” Feb. 11-12 and Feb 14-16 followed by “ABCD/Mad Like Us” Mar. 11-12 and “Hopelessly Devoted” a Capstone production is Apr. 6-May 5.

Also at Piven is the Three Crows production of “These Shining Lives” Sept. 13-30. For Three Crows tickets and other information visit Three Crows.

For Piven tickets and other information call (947) 866-8049 and visit Piven Theatre.

 

Skokie Theatre

The theatre is in a small, historic, movie theater building at 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie

Skokie Theatre is doing “Man of La Mancha” Sept. 7-30 and “Proof” Nov. 2-18. The season continues in 2019 with “Bonnie and Clyde, The Musical” Feb. 8-Mar. 3.

For tickets and other information call (847) 677-7761 and visit Skokie Theatre.

 

Writers Theatre

Designed by architect Jeanne Gang and her Studio Gang, WT has two stages in an award-winning building at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe; The Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre and the The Gillian Theatre.

“Vietgone” continues through Sept. 23 in Nichols, “Witch” is Sept. 26-Dec. 16 in Gillian and  “Twelth Night or What You Will” is Nov. 7-Dec. 16  in Nichols.

Then, in 2019 “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is Feb .6-Mar. 17 in Nichols and  “A Number” is Mar. 20-June 9 in Gillian and “Next to Normal”is  May 8-June 16 in Nichols.

For tickets and other information call (847) 242-6000 and visit Writers Theatre.

 

West

 

Drury Lane Theatre

The theatre is at the Drury Lane Resort, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace.

Drury Lane Theatre continues “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” through Aug. 26 then is doing “Little Shop of Horrors”  Sept. 5-Oct. 28 followed by “Beauty and the Beast” Nov. 9 –Jan. 27  and “Mama Mia !” Feb. 7-Apr. 14.

For tickets and other information call (630) 530-0111 and visit Drury Lane Theatre.

 

First Folio Theatre

The theatre uses the rooms and grounds of the Mayslake Peabody  Estate at 1717 W. 31^st St. Oak Brook.

First Folio is doing “The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story” Oct. 3-Nov. 4. Shows continue in 2019 with “All Childish Things” Jan. 23-Feb. 24, “The Firestorm” Mar. 27-Ap.r 28 and   “Henry V” July 10-12

Fir tickets and other information call(630) 986-8067 and visit First Folio.

 

Jedlicka Performing Arts Center

The Center is at 3801 S. Central Ave., Cicero.

“The Last Five Years” Aug. 24-Sept 8. “Red Bike” Oct. 25-28 “The Amish Project” Feb. 15-Mar. 2  “Eurydice” Apr. 19-May 4.

For tickets and other information call (708) 656-1800 and visit Jpac Theatre.

 

Madison Street Theatre

The theatre, at 1010 Madison St. Oak Park, has “Passin’ Where the River Bends” Sept. 7-9. For tickets and other information call (312) 282-1750 and visit MSTOakPark.

 

Oak Park Festival Theater

The theater, 157 Forest Ave., has chosen “Against the Tide” as its theme for the current season.

The African Company is continuing “Richard III through Sept. 1 then “A Dickens Carol” the story behind it follows Nov. 24-Dec 30.

For tickets and other information call (708) 445-4440 and visit Oak Park Festival.

 

Overshadowed Productions

The theater, 900 Foster Ave., Medinah, is doing “A Tale of Two Cities, The Musical” Sept.14-Oct. 6., Coming in November is “It’s A Wonderful Life.”

For tickets and other information call (630) 250-7518 and visit Overshadowed Productions.

 

Paramount Theatre

The theatre is in a historic movie palace at 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora

Paramount is doing “Legally Blond”  Sept. 5-Oct. 21 , “The Wizard of Oz” Nov. 14-Jan. 2, “The Producers” Feb. 6-Mar. 17 and “August Rush” Apr. 24-June 2.

For tickets and other information call (630) 896-6666 and visit Paramount Aurora.

 

Sixteenth Street Theatre

The theatre,  6420 16^th Street, Berwyn, is doing “Kolas” Sept. 20-Oct. 27. For tickets and other information call  (708) 795-6704 and visit 16th Street Theater.

 

Theatre of Western Springs

The theatre is at 4383 Hampton Ave., Western Springs.

It is doing “Silent Sky”  Sept. 6-16, “The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Abridged” Nov. 9-11 and “A Christmas Carol, the Musica” Nov. 30-Dec. 9. In 2019 is “101 Dalmations Mar. 15-19 and “The Wizard of Oz” Apr/ 19-28.

For tickets and other information call (708) 246-4043  and visit Theatre of Western Springs.

Jodie Jacobs