Walkabout Theater Company returns to Chicago with Poor Poor Lear, a dark comedy written by Nina Sallinen and Katja Krohn, originally directed by Krohn and now directed by Kristan Schmidt. The production features Sallinen portraying a 90-year-old actress, also named Nina Sallinen, who performs King Lear in her apartment as a farewell to her career while confronting her own life’s parallels with the play. This updated version of the show, which first launched the company's mission in 1999, will run from March 12 to March 15 at the Chopin Theatre, featuring a special mystery guest each night.
Cast and Creative Team for Poor Poor Lear at Walkabout Theater
Cast
Nina Sallinen
Nina Sallinen
Ensemble
mystery guest
Creative Team
Chris Hayes
Founder
Kristan Schmidt
Director
Kristan Schmidt
Artistic Director
Nina Sallinen
Playwright
Nina Sallinen
Performer
Katja Krohn
Playwright
Katja Krohn
Director
News About Poor Poor Lear at Walkabout Theater
Walkabout Theater To Return To Chicago With POOR POOR LEAR
January 30, 2026 Walkabout Theater Company returns to producing in Chicago with the production that launched the company in 1999, Poor Poor Lear, written by Nina Sallinen and Katja Krohn.About the Theatre
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