Chicago's Fall A&E Scene Is Heating Up 🔥

A Very Russian Discussion

“I am 85% music, 15% man,” quipped Hershey Felder as Sergei Rachmaninoff in Rachmaninoff and the Tsar at Writers' Theatre. A fitting thing to say for a pianist and composer who was so dedicated to his craft. Fitting too for a show that so profoundly features both Rachmaninoff the man as well as his music. Though in the case of the play, it would probably be 85% play and 15% music.

In Rachmaninoff and the Tsar, we witness Rachmaninoff on his deathbed, holding court in his mind with Tsar Nicholas II (Jonathan Silvestri). The two discuss everything from Rachmaninoff’s storied career to the fall of the monarchy in Russia and the composer’s immigration to the United States. Written by Felder, this show joins a growing line of his biographic plays centering on musicians. Weaving in some of Rachmaninoff’s incredible musical work, Felder takes us on a journey of self-exploration with a man not long for this world.

Unfortunately, that journey includes a lot of bloviating. In this tedious two-hander, the Tsar and Rachmaninoff go back and forth in bouts of one-note dialogue. Even as tempers soar or emotions run high, the repetitive movements of the two men, limited to wandering almost the same path to two benches across the floor for the entirety of the show, become frustratingly dull. This play is akin to a lecture on the lives of these men and sociopolitical discourse, which is perfectly fine if you’re deeply invested in those topics. But less so if you’re hoping for dramatic interest.

It’s unclear if the direction by Trevor Hay was the issue or Felder’s limiting scenic design. In either case, the performances by both Felder and Silvestri far outweigh the limitations of the book and staging. As a note, however, Felder’s scenic design is quite charming and deserves credit in the program.

Felder and Silvestri as Rachmaninoff and the Tsar, respectively, are incredible. They masterfully maneuver the hurdles of the book with ease. Particularly Felder, who, while giving his dialogue, often sits at the piano to play one of the composer’s many works. Even if he isn’t actually playing the music we hear, it is clear he knows these notes by heart as he hammers away at the keys. Silvestri, on the other hand, is a terrific foil for Felder. Stoking the heartache of a bygone time in both of the characters’ lives, Silvestri does his utmost to maintain the Tsar’s decorum. Yet, we can see the hurt in his eyes even if his face doesn’t show it.

One final note for Felder’s latest work, even if it’s a personal tradition, do the audience a favor and give them a chance to gracefully exit before transitioning into a post-show Q&A. Not everyone cares to attend a Q&A, yet even fewer want to walk out as it’s happening.

Rachmaninoff and The Tsar at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct, Glencoe, IL 60022. Running now through September 21, $50 - $110. Tickets are available online.

Chicago A&E News

• Arts in the Dark Parade, now in its 11th year, is a magical evening parade scheduled for October 18. The event celebrates Halloween as the "artist's holiday" and brings together world-renowned institutions and cultural organizations. It also highlights essential youth programs and aspiring artists in every field. See the parade as it goes down State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren.

• Black Ensemble Theater is presenting Blue Heaven, a new musical production written and directed by Daryl D. Brooks. The show celebrates the blues through the music of legendary artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and B.B. King. It will run from September 6 to October 26, 2025, at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center in Chicago. Tickets are available on the theater’s website.

• Chicago Exhibition Weekend (CXW25) will take place from September 19-21, featuring 50 participating galleries and creative spaces. This event highlights Chicago's vibrant cultural landscape for both locals and visitors. Building on last year's success, which drew 5,000 attendees, CXW25 is expanding to showcase the vitality of the city's commercial art scene.

• Chicago Fashion Week, a city-wide style extravaganza, will be held from October 9-19. The event features more than 50 fashion shows, retail marketplaces, and educational programs. These special events will take place in various locations across the Chicagoland area, from Highland Park to Hyde Park.

• Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Zell Music Director Designate Klaus Mäkelä will conduct Symphonie fantastique from October 16-18. The piece is a thrilling work by Berlioz about a lovesick artist obsessed with a young actress. This marks a notable performance in the orchestra's season. Tickets are available online.

• Goodman Theatre will open its 2025/2026 Centennial Season with the world premiere of Ashland Avenue, a new play by Lee Kirk. Directed by Susan V. Booth, the play stars Emmy Award nominee Jenna Fischer and Francis Guinan, and explores a family's changing dynamics and the struggle of a local business. The production runs from September 6 to October 5 at the Albert Theatre, with tickets currently on sale.

• Goodman Theatre is holding an open call for youth performers to audition for its upcoming production of A Christmas Carol. Auditions for children and teens ages 5-17 will take place on September 20 on a first-come, first-served basis. No prior theater experience is required, and performers are asked to prepare a short monologue or poem and a song. The 48th annual production of this holiday classic will run from November 15 to December 31.

• Joffrey Ballet is marking its 70th anniversary with the U.S. premiere of Liam Scarlett's Carmen. Running from September 18-28, 2025, the ballet tells a tale of love, betrayal, and defiance. This production is set within a 1930s Spanish cigarette factory, bringing a gritty, compelling setting to the classic story. Tickets are available online.

• Open House Chicago, a free public festival, will take place on October 18-19. It offers access to over 150 sites of architectural, historical, and cultural significance across dozens of Chicago neighborhoods. For one weekend only, you can explore everything from residential buildings to breweries and local landmarks, fostering a sense of civic pride.

• Steppenwolf Theatre Company is launching its 50th Anniversary Season with the Chicago premiere of Mr. Wolf, a new family drama by ensemble member Rajiv Joseph. The play, directed by K. Todd Freeman and featuring several ensemble members, will run from September 11 to November 2, 2025. Tickets are currently available for purchase through the theater's website or box office.

• Steppenwolf Theatre Company's LookOut Series is launching its Fall 2025 season with a focus on showcasing diverse Chicago-based artists and stories. Highlights include a multimedia performance by artist Tony Fitzpatrick, a three-part series by Black chamber music collective D-Composed, and a solo show from Teatro Vista Productions. The performances will be held in the intimate 1700 Theater and are part of the company's 50th-anniversary celebration.

• The Chicago Architecture Biennial, themed "SHIFT: Architecture in Times of Radical Change," is celebrating its 10th year as the largest architecture and design exhibition in North America. Opening on September 19 and running through February 28, 2026, the event features free exhibits and programming at the Chicago Cultural Center and other locations throughout the city. This biennial aims to showcase innovative architectural ideas and design in a public and accessible way.

• The Chicago International Film Festival is celebrating its 61st edition as North America’s longest-running competitive film festival. This year's festival will run from October 15-26. It will continue its tradition of showcasing a diverse selection of films from around the globe. Passes are available online.

• The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is hosting its fourth annual Chicago Performs festival from September 18-21. This four-day event showcases electrifying performances by artists like Robyn Mineko Williams & Artists, Helen Lee/Momentum Sensorium, and Red Clay Dance Company. The festival will feature performances both inside and outside the museum's walls, highlighting a diverse range of artistic talent. Tickets are available online.

• The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago will unveil a major new exhibition, Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind, on October 18. This is one of the most comprehensive exhibitions to date of the trailblazing artist, musician, and peace activist. The MCA is the only U.S. venue for this showcase, which will run through February 22, 2026. Tickets are available online.

• The Sarah Siddons Society will present its 2025 Award to Tony Award-winning actress Beth Leavel for her outstanding achievements in theater, which include numerous Broadway roles. The award ceremony will take place on November 17, 2025, in Chicago and will include musical performances from her most memorable shows. Proceeds from the benefit will support the society's scholarship program for theater students in the Chicago area.

• The Western Bar & Kitchen is now open in Chicago's North Center neighborhood, offering authentic flavors of the Southwest. Founded by hospitality veterans Farrell Walsh and Kyle McCabe, the independent bar and kitchen fills a unique niche by combining local beers, classic cocktails, and a great food menu in a warm, welcoming space. The name and concept are a nod to its location on Western Avenue, which once marked Chicago's western frontier and embodies the same bold, pioneering spirit as the American West.

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