Jesse Mooney Bullock

Captivating, heartwarming, colorful, imaginative and down-right magical, Nashville Children’s Theatre’s world premiere production – it’s 19th in the past few years since executive artistic director Ernie Nolan’s arrival – of the theatre for young audiences version of Disney-Pixar’s Finding Nemo is just the latest theatrical hit from the venerable Nashville institution.

Should you feel the sudden urge to go home and bake some gingerbread upon leaving a performance of Nashville Children’s Theatre’s world premiere production of The Gingerbread Kid, rest assured it’s not a sign that you’ve developed cannibalistic tendencies. Rather, it’s part of a clever plot by director/choreographer/librettist Abe Reybold and executive artistic director Ernie Nolan (and their gang of creative artists) to ensure you’re immersed in the sweet-smelling world of confectionery treats while enjoying the brand-new musical that presents all manner of childhood tales in “bakery-fresh” packaging.

While the debate rages on about the proper time to start celebrating the holidays, Nashville Children’s Theatre may have devised the ideal plan with their current onstage offering – the world premiere of the theater-for-younger-audiences version of the recent Broadway musical Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.

Drury Lane Theatre continues its 2023-2024 season with the Broadway musical Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella for the holiday season.

Discover the nominations for the 55th Anniversary Jeff Awards for Equity Theater! Find out who made the cut and get ready for the highly anticipated awards ceremony.

Inland Pacific Ballet returns this spring with its spectacular landmark production of The Little Mermaid, the classic tale about a young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea for love.

Inland Pacific Ballet returns this spring with its spectacular landmark production of The Little Mermaid, the classic tale about a young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea for love.

Up next in Paramount Theatre’s 2022-23 Broadway Series is Into the Woods, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s brilliant reimagining of the Grimm Brothers fairy tales, February 1-March 19, 2023.

Up next in Paramount Theatre’s 2022-23 Broadway Series is Into the Woods, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s brilliant reimagining of the Grimm Brothers fairy tales, February 1-March 19, 2023.

Recognizing a strong return to the spotlight over the 2021-2022 Equity theater season, the Joseph Jefferson Awards in Chicago announced its nominations for theater excellence. This year’s nominees include 201 theater artists across 38 categories of excellence in theater production among shows from 43 companies.

The Joseph Jefferson Awards have announced this year's Equity nominations, including 201 theater artists across 38 categories.  The 54th anniversary Equity Jeff Awards will take place October 17, 2022, at Drury Lane in Oakbrook, IL. 

There is no place more magical – no art form more transformative – than the theater and now, thanks to the continued creativity and sense of wonder shared by Ernie Nolan and David Weinstein (given an assist from a timeless tale by J.M. Barrie), audiences are treated to an exhilarating flight of fancy via the award-winning pair’s sprightly and sparkling new musical take on the story of Peter Pan: Wendy’s Adventure to Neverland.  

The House Theatre of Chicago will launch its 20th Anniversary Season with an all-new wintertime tradition, a boldly reimagined staging of Hans Christian Anderson’s beloved fable, The Snow Queen, November 17-January 2 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago.

The House Theatre of Chicago announces its 20th Anniversary Season, “The House Reimagined” with live productions taking place at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St, and all new digital content being presented online.

Cabinet of Curiosity will present Sea Change, an outdoor celebration exploring the power of the sea and the feminine divine. It is a series of wild, strange, lovely puppet shows written by emerging female playwrights and lyricists Liz Chidester, Kasey Foster, Bethany Thomas, and Lindsey Noel Whiting.

Inland Pacific Ballet returns this spring with its spectacular landmark production of The Little Mermaid, the classic tale for all ages about the young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea for love. Inland Pacific Ballet's colorful and engaging production combines dance and imaginative puppetry to create a magical ocean world with a cast of delightful sea creatures, magnificent sets, and elaborate costumes. Aerial technology and creative lighting enhance the underwater illusion and bring The Little Mermaid to life in this enchanting undersea adventure. Four performances only at Lewis Family Playhouse in Rancho Cucamonga; Saturday, April 4 at 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.; and Sunday, April 5 at 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Inland Pacific Ballet returns this spring with its spectacular landmark production of The Little Mermaid, the classic tale for all ages about the young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea for love. This colorful and engaging production combines classical ballet and creative puppetry to create a magical ocean world with a cast of delightful sea creatures, magnificent sets, and elaborate costumes. Aerial Technology and brilliant new lighting enhance the underwater illusion and bring The Little Mermaid to life in this enchanting undersea adventure at Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, April 6-7; Lewis Family Playhouse in Rancho Cucamonga, April 13-14; and April 27-18 at Bridges Auditorium at Pomona College in Claremont.

Acclaimed Chicago director Amber Mak dazzled audiences with Paramount's production of Disney's The Little Mermaid. She made kids of all ages believe in Santa again with Elf The Musical. Now she's taking audiences over the rainbow and into another fantastical world with The Wizard of Oz, November 14, 2018-January 6, 2019 at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in Aurora. Press opening is Saturday, November 17, at 8 p.m.

The gala 49th Annual Equity Jeff Awards held at Drury Lane Oakbrook on Monday, November 6, celebrated a season of outstanding productions.

Seven world premiere plays seen first by Chicago audiences were among those receiving nominations by The Jeff Awards. 158 nominations in 33 categories honor Chicago Equity theatrical productions that opened between August 1, 2016 and July 31, 2017.