New Seasons and Special Events

Hi Everyone!

Apologies for the hiatus; I came down with the flu and was out of commission for quite a while over the last two weeks. Suffice it to say, I haven’t seen or done much in that time. Hopefully, the myriad announcements make up for it!

Also, I’ll be in NYC for most of the first week of November, so that following issue will be a special out-of-town edition of ShowCago.

Talk to you all soon,

Amanda

Chicago A&E News

• A Red Orchid Theatre will present the Chicago premiere of Anna Ouyang Moench's father-daughter drama, Birds of North America, directed by Kirsten Fitzgerald. The play, featuring John Judd and Cassidy Slaughter-Mason, runs from January 15 to February 22, 2026. The story follows John and his daughter Caitlyn, two birders, over a decade as they struggle to understand their changing relationship against the backdrop of an evolving world. Single tickets for the production, located at 1531 N. Wells St., go on sale Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

• The Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago (BACA) is hosting its 24th annual Black Excellence Awards to celebrate Chicago's talented Black artists in theatre, dance, music, film, literary, and visual arts. The event will take place on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 7:30 pm at the Black Ensemble Theater. The evening will also feature the presentation of three Special Honor Awards to Pemon Rami (Film), Eve L. Ewing (Literature), and Professor Roxanne Stevenson (Music and Music Education). Tickets are available for purchase online.

• Court Theatre will present a fresh adaptation of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, adapted and directed by Marti Lyons, running from November 14 to December 14, 2025. Lyons' interpretation focuses on feminine desire and turns the classic tale of deception and gender dynamics inside out, examining the complexities of power and submission. The production, which promises to be more than a "standard Shrew," features a large ensemble cast and is the first under the tenure of Artistic Director Avery Willis Hoffman. Tickets are currently available.

• Gallagher Way will host the Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville starting Sunday, November 23, offering a free-admission, German-inspired holiday experience through December 31 with shopping, traditional food, and beverages like Glühwein. The location will also feature Winterland activities, including the Ice Rink opening on November 23, a Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 5, and weekly Holiday Movie Nights. Additionally, visitors can take photos at Santa’s Workshop and attend special Teddy Bear Tea and Breakfast with Santa events at Hotel Zachary's Alma throughout December.

• Hell in a Handbag Productions will present the world premiere of its holiday parody, The Real Housewives of The North Pole, written by Artistic Director David Cerda. Directed by Tommy Bullington, the show will run from November 20, 2025, to January 4, 2026, at The Clutch performance space in Chicago. The cast features ensemble members and others, including David Cerda, and tickets are currently on sale.

• Kokandy Productions is reviving the gothic horror musical Jekyll & Hyde, marking the first Chicago staging in over 15 years, just in time for Halloween. Running now through December 21, 2025, at the Chopin Theatre Mainstage, this production will feature a full orchestration and a 15-piece orchestra. Directed by Derek Van Barham, the cast will be led by David Moreland in the titular roles, alongside Ava Lane Stovall as Lucy Harris and Emily McCormick as Emma Carew. Tickets for this haunting tale, based on the Robert Louis Stevenson story, are available now.

• The Lit & Luz Festival of Language, Literature, and Art returns to Chicago from November 9 to 14, 2025, for its 12th year of cross-cultural, bilingual programming at several venues across the city. Organized by MAKE Literary Productions, the festival brings together writers, poets, and artists from Mexico and Chicago for a dynamic week of talks, readings, performances, and exhibitions. This year's theme, "Repair / Reparar," invited participants to explore the artist's role in reimagining and restoring shared realities through creative collaboration across borders. For more information, check their website.

• Porchlight Music Theatre will present the world premiere of its new holiday revue, Porchlight Sings the Season, for two nights only on Monday, December 8 and Tuesday, December 9 at The Rhapsody Theater. Directed by Brenda Didier and Michael Weber, the production celebrates the holidays with a selection of music from Broadway and Hollywood shows like Mame, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Holiday Inn. The revue will feature performances by Porchlight luminaries, including Adrian Aguilar, Neala Barron, Sharriese Hamilton, and George Keating. Tickets are available online.

• Rivendell Theatre Ensemble is celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season with a lineup of new plays by women, along with its annual new play festival. The season includes the world premieres of Alex Lubischer’s Pivot, Melissa Ross’s Do Something Pretty, and Eliza Bent’s Bonnie’s Last Flight, with the season beginning with the "Fresh Produce" festival. For $95, the now available Riv Pass offers a ticket to all three shows, invitations to special readings and events, and allows holders to attend each production multiple times.

• Rivendell Theatre Ensemble is kicking off its 30th Anniversary Season Campaign with a benefit screening of the award-winning independent film Ghostlight on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Davis Theater. The critically acclaimed film, a "love-letter to the Chicago Theater community," was a breakout hit at Sundance and stars RTE founders Keith Kupferer and Tara Mallen, along with their daughter Katherine Mallen Kupferer. The event will feature the filmmakers and cast, and tickets are available through the Rivendell Theatre Ensemble website.

• The Sarah Siddons Society is honoring Tony Award-winning actress Beth Leavel with its 2025 Award for outstanding artistic achievement in theatre. Leavel, celebrated for numerous Broadway roles including The Drowsy Chaperone and The Prom, will be presented with the award at the Society's Benefit on Monday, November 17, 2025, at The Arts Club of Chicago. The evening will include a reception followed by a program featuring musical selections from Leavel's career, performed by acclaimed Chicago theatre artists.

• Steppenwolf Theatre Company is set to stage a new production of August Strindberg's The Dance of Death, adapted by Conor McPherson and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov. This "master class in marital warfare" features an ensemble cast, including returning co-founder Jeff Perry, along with Cliff Chamberlain and Kathryn Erbe. The play will run from January 29 to March 22, 2026, in the Downstairs Theater, with single tickets going on sale Thursday, November 13, 2025.

• The Goodman Theatre continues its 48-year holiday tradition with Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, running from November 15 through December 31. The production is newly directed by BOLD Artistic Producer Malkia Stampley and features Christopher Donahue returning as Ebenezer Scrooge, with Chiké Johnson also performing the role for ten shows. With a mix of returning and debut performers, including Ella Boparai as Tiny Tim, tickets are available online for this beloved Chicago holiday classic.

• Wild Door Theater is launching its inaugural production this fall with the Chicago debut of Noah Haidle's play, Smokefall, directed by Andrew Gallant. The show will run from November 10 - December 21 at Theater Wit, performed in the round for an immersive and intimate experience. This debut signals the new company's mission to create bold, heartfelt work that bridges theatrical imagination and emotional truth. Tickets are available online.

  Do you have Chicago-based A&E news to announce?

Email me at [email protected]!

My Other Recent Reviews

• “Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars” at Timeline Theatre

• “Revolution(s)” at the Goodman Theatre

ShowCago

Below, you will see a “buy me a coffee” link. I do not intend to put a paywall on this newsletter (though bonus subscriber content may be introduced in the future), so I’ve included this little "tipping” button.

Attending shows or events, in addition to my full-time freelance work, comes at a financial cost. Whether it's transportation fares or grabbing coffee after a long day to get me through a three-hour Shakespeare after an eight-hour day, every little bit helps.

Regardless, I hope you enjoy this newsletter!

Buy Me A Coffee