New Seasons, New Shows, and a Returning Hit Musical

Obama is Back!

When I first moved to Chicago, there was a place down the street that I adored—Heartland Cafe. This bright green oasis was a place I frequented with friends, dishing all the latest news over sandwiches and coffee. It was a place where politics was often on the menu and even pre-Presidential Barack Obama held rallies there. It’s how I knew Rogers Park was the perfect place for me.

Although Heartland has, sadly, since closed and been demolished, that activist spirit is still alive and well. And on the evening of July 23rd at The Studebaker Theater, you could feel it because a group of invitees was gathered to preview 44 - The Musical ahead of its return run.

The room was electric. We waited in eager anticipation to feel hope again.

And from the moment narrator Joe Biden waddled down the aisle, it was clear we were in for a delightful snippet of the show. We only heard a smattering of songs from the musical, but I can’t wait to see it in all its showstopping glory at the end of August.

44 - The Musical runs from August 23 – September 21 at the Studebaker, 410 S. Michigan Ave. If you see it in the first few days of the run, preview tickets are $44 from the 23-27! Buy tickets here!

Chicago A&E News

• A Red Orchid Theatre kicks off its 33rd Season with the world premiere of Jojo Jones's dystopian dark comedy, Veal, directed by dado. Playing from September 25 to November 2, 2025, the production centers on Chelsea, the new Queen of North America, who reunites with three estranged middle school friends. Single tickets for Veal go on sale August 26, 2025, with season subscriptions available now.

• About Face Theatre announces its 2025-26 season, focusing on new works that promote LGBTQ+ equity through vibrant collaborations. The season kicks off in September with a Chicago staged reading of the Say Gay Plays project, featuring four new short plays on queer joy and activism, presented in partnership with Silk Road Cultural Center and Northeastern Illinois University. In March, the company will present the world premiere of Preston Max Allen's Modern Gentleman at Raven Theatre, a tender new play about a trans man navigating the dating world for the first time. Additionally, About Face will extend its successful touring show, Life Out Loud: Voices of Pride, bringing its engaging exploration of LGBTQ+ history to audiences throughout the region.

• Chicago Gourmet, powered by Invesco QQQ, will host its "Step Up To The Plate" food festival from September 25-28, 2025, with preview events starting in July. The event will transform the Harris Theater Rooftop and other Chicago venues into culinary arenas, featuring an all-star lineup of chefs and sports-themed experiences. Highlights include Tacos & Tequila, Hamburger Hop, Grand Cru, and new events like the Asian Late Night Market and Culinary World Series dinners. Tickets for the various events are on sale now.

• Goodman Theatre's Theater for the Very Young production, BOOK UP!, is a high-energy outdoor circus spectacle designed for children aged 0-5 and their families, aiming to foster a love of reading through movement, play, and magic. The show, co-directed by Raquel Torre and Tor Campbell, features juggling, tumbling, clowning, and aerial acrobatics, bringing stories to life as a traveling librarian sparks imaginations with a magical book cart. Remaining free performances are scheduled in various Chicago parks through August 10, and while tickets aren't required, registration is encouraged.

• PlayGround, a national playwright incubator, has announced the Chicago-based playwrights who will be part of its 2025-26 Writers Pool and Resident Playwrights Program. The Writers Pool includes Daniel Arzola, Siah Berlatsky, Andrea Berting, Jessie Bond, Anne Brady, Rachel Chin, Mikayla De Guzman, Kimberly Dixon-Mays, Betsy Dudak, Liz Haas, Dana Hall, James Hayakawa, Toby Inoue, Arti Ishak, Tanuja Devi Jagernauth, Jerluane Jenkins, Jessica Johnson, alfonzo kahlil, Juliet Kang Huneke, Alex Kingsley, Alan Maass, Sydney MacGilvray, Shail Modi, J.S. Puller, Shannon Pritchard, Jay Rehak, Matt Schutz, and Katherine Swan. From this talented group, Anne Brady, Jessie Bond, alfonzo kahlil, Juliet Kang Huneke, Karissa Murrell Myers, and Katherine Swan have also been selected for the prestigious Resident Playwrights program. These Chicago artists will contribute to the development of over 600 new short plays this season, with 96 staged across PlayGround's four communities.

• PlayMakers Laboratory brings back its popular sketch show, That's Weird, Grandma: Summer Vacation!, for a limited six-performance run from July 26 to August 10, 2025, at the Neo-Futurist Theater in Chicago. Directed by Brandon Cloyd, the show features professional actors performing hilarious and poignant stories written by Chicago elementary school students. Tickets are on sale now, offering a unique and family-friendly comedy experience that celebrates the vibrant imaginations of young authors.

• The Newness is scheduled for Tuesday, August 19th, at My Buddy's Chicago, offering a space for artists to share new and meaningful work. This event celebrates fearlessness, vulnerability, and collaboration through original music, spoken word, and other artistic expressions. The lineup for this vibrant night of art will be announced soon.

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

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