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Big Noise Theatre

515 E Thacker St.
Des Plaines, IL 60016



Review: DESERTED at Redtwist Theatre


by Emily Werner - June 21, 2026

What did our critic think of DESERTED at Redtwist Theatre?...

Review: Tin Drum Theatre's SOUTHERN RAPTURE at Theater Wit


by Angela Lin - June 19, 2026

When honest artistic integrity meets conservative religious outrage, what follows is escalating frenzy, controlled chaos, and poignant reflections on what it means to produce art and tell the stories where they need to be heard — and the conflicting struggles that come with such intentions. Tin Dr...

Review: UNTITLED VAMPIRE PLAY at Lookingglass Theatre Company


by Rachel Weinberg - June 17, 2026

Untitled Vampire Play — a world premiere from Lookingglass ensemble member Kevin Douglas — is a fun, wacky romp. The play doesn’t take itself seriously, and director Devon de Mayo’s cast has plenty of fun with vampire and human antics alike. Douglas’s script draws on all sorts of vampire l...

Review: CATCH AS CATCH CAN at Steppenwolf Theatre Company


by Rachel Weinberg - June 15, 2026

I left Catch as Catch Can at Steppenwolf Theatre Company on Sunday night wondering exactly what I had just seen, and what, if anything, I was meant to take from it....

Review: LEOPOLDSTADT at Writers Theatre


by Rachel Weinberg - June 14, 2026

Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt follows multiple generations of an Austrian Jewish family from prosperity to despair — spanning over 50 years from 1899 to 1955. Now in its Chicago-area premiere at Writers Theatre, the late Stoppard’s final play includes a cast of 24 actors and many, many character...

Review: TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS at The Factory Theater


by Emily Werner - June 13, 2026

What did our critic think of TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS at The Factory Theater?...

Review: THE PRODUCERS at BrightSide Theatre


by Tina St. Angelo - June 13, 2026

What did our critic think of THE PRODUCERS at BrightSide Theatre?...

Review: SMILEY at Open Space Arts


by Angela Lin - June 13, 2026

We might not know if our relationships will have a happy ending, but we can guarantee a happy beginning. At the end of the day, isn’t that all we can ask for?...

Review: ANDY WARHOL PRESENTS: THE COCAINE PLAY at Jackalope Theatre


by Emily Werner - June 05, 2026

What did our critic think of ANDY WARHOL PRESENTS: THE COCAINE PLAY at Jackalope Theatre?...

Review: BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN at Chicago Shakespeare Theater


by Rachel Weinberg - June 05, 2026

Rugged masculinity meets forbidden queer romance in Brokeback Mountain. Based on Annie Proulx’s short story (which was adapted into a buzzy 2005 film starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger), Ashley Robinson’s play follows the clandestine romance between ranchers Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar o...

Past Shows

FOOTLOOSE

Sep 27 – Oct 13, 2024

Big Noise Theatre kicks off its 2024-2025 season with FOOTLOOSE, the stage adaptation celebrating the 40th anniversary of the iconic 1984 film. Directed by Matt...

James and the Giant Peach

James and the Giant Peach

Jan 4 – Jan 26, 2020

The fantastical tale of a boy, his insect friends and their amazing journey across the ocean on a giant piece of fruit.Roald Dahls "James and...

Peter and the Starcatcher

Peter and the Starcatcher

Jan 10 – Jan 26, 2020

A fresh take on the century-old tale of how the legendary Peter Pan comes to be.Tony-winning PETER AND THE STARCATCHER upends the century-old story of...

Xanadu

Xanadu

Sep 20 – Oct 6, 2019

A Greek muse inspires love, laughter and the worlds first roller disco (yep!) in this glitter explosion based on the 1980 cult film.This Tony Award-nominated,...

Kiss Me, Kate

Kiss Me, Kate

Sep 21 – Oct 7, 2018

Passions run high as leading lady Lilli and her ex-husband, actor/director Fred, battle onstage and off in a production of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew....

Chicago

Chicago

Apr 27 – May 13, 2018

From the composers of Cabaret and Kiss of the Spiderwoman. Another sexy and sophisticated Kander & Ebb romp! This sharp-edged satire featuring a jazzy score and astonishing dancing...

The Odd Couple

The Odd Couple

Jan 12 – Jan 28, 2018

There's a laugh a second in Neil Simon's hit Broadway play when two suddenly single pals – a sloppy sportswriter and a compulsively tidy news...

The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz

Jan 13 – Jan 28, 2018

Big Noise Theatre "Especially For Kids" brings to life, on stage, the most beloved tale of all time! Dorothy and her three friends trot delightfully...

Videos


EWP presents Robbie Fulks & Griffin William Sherry Showcase in Chicago EWP presents Robbie Fulks & Griffin William Sherry Showcase
Raue Center For The Arts (8/07-8/07)
Hedwig and the Angry Inch in Chicago Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Catalyst Ranch (7/09-7/26) PHOTOS
As You Like It in Chicago As You Like It
Gross (Theodore) Park (7/02-7/05)
Golden Girls The Laughs Continue in Chicago Golden Girls The Laughs Continue
UIS Performing Arts Center (11/14-11/14)
Lucy's Comedy in Chicago Lucy's Comedy
Raue Center For The Arts (10/09-10/09)
Lerner and Loewe's Brigadoon in Chicago Lerner and Loewe's Brigadoon
Music On Stage (10/03-10/18)
Theater of the Mind in Chicago Theater of the Mind
Theater of the Mind (6/04-8/30)
Talking About Godard in Chicago Talking About Godard
Curious Theatre Branch (5/29-6/28)
GreenRoom Improv in Chicago GreenRoom Improv
Raue Center For The Arts (9/05-9/05)
Musical SINGO in Chicago Musical SINGO
Raue Center For The Arts (6/26-6/26)