Cirque Us Stories
Ages 3+. This joyful, high-flying performance brings stories off the page and into the air, weaving together themes of community, identity, and creativity through breathtaking
About the Theatre
The Center’s vision is to bring together diverse artists and audiences to create experiences and memories that activate compassion and transform the world. The Center for Performing Arts was founded in 1995, culminating a 10-year quest to bring a world-class performing arts facility to the Chicago Southland. Since its inception, the Center has served over 1.5 million individuals, introduced over 300,000 schoolchildren to arts-in-education experiences, and welcomed over 8,000 artists and touring companies; presenting dozens of local, national and world premieres. The Center annually serves over 50,000 residents from Cook, Will, and Kankakee counties in Northeast Illinois and Lake County in Northwest Indiana. In 2012, guided by the vision of creating an “arts infused university”, the Center became a unit of the College of Arts and Sciences. Our state-of-the art facility seats 1,165 patrons and is located at a vibrant and dynamic university setting that also houses an on-site Visual Arts Gallery and The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park (theNate), offering unique opportunities for pre- and post-show activities and gatherings. With free parking, a convenient location accessible to major highways and presentations ranging from opera to family programs, our venue has served as a vibrant cultural destination in the southland community since 1995.Upcoming Shows
SUGAR SKULL! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure!
This bilingual musical follows 12-year-old Vita as she discovers the meaning of remembrance and heritage through a magical journey with a lively candy skeleton.
Swan Lake by the United European Ballet Company
Step into the enchanting world of Swan Lake — a breathtaking story of love, magic, and triumph, brought to life through the legendary choreography of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, set to Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score.
Arrested Development
Hip-hop trailblazers and Grammy award winners Arrested Development perform incredible music about self-reflection and revolution. This show features classic hits like “Tennessee”, “People Everyday”, “Mr Wendal” and more. Along with music from their 2025 double album Bullets in...
William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Ages 12+. Step into a fresh, playful take on one of William Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. Performed by student and community artists from GovState’s Theatre and Performance Studies Department.
J is for Jazz: A Celebration of Oscar Brown, Jr.
Ages 5+. Experience the vibrant history and cultural impact of jazz through J is for Jazz, an interactive musical theater event honoring Oscar Brown Jr., featuring his daughters Maggie and Afrika, as Jae teaches her brother, Jason, about jazz's richness.
Ruth Page's The Nutcracker
Experience the beloved holiday classic featuring Clara, her magical godfather, a prince, and delightful performances by international artists and the Southland’s dance students in a stunning recreation of Ruth Page's original choreography.
It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Ages 8+. Experience the nostalgia of classic radio theater as talented actors bring George Bailey, Clarence the angel, and the residents of Bedford Falls to life. You will be transported into a vintage radio studio, complete with a Foley artist creating sound effects right...
The Greatest Love of All
A Tribute to Whitney Houston Starring Belinda Davids Not Affiliated with the Estate of Whitney Houston Whitney Houston’s musical legacy is brought to life in this critically acclaimed tribute concert described as “mind-blowingly spot on.” You will be stunned by the breathtaking...
Robert Townsend’s Living the Shuffle
Natural-born storyteller Robert Townsend (known for FX’s The Bear, Meteor Man, A Soldier’s Story, and The Five Heartbeats) takes you on a rollercoaster ride, from the dangerous Chicago streets, to performing Julius Caesar at a pimp convention in NYC. This one-man show takes you...
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra presents: Carmina Burana
Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana is not merely a concert; it is an event and a work of extremes. The opening and closing O Fortuna is one of the most overwhelming things a symphony orchestra and chorus can produce — a wall of sound that hits you in the sternum. Then, without warning...
Once On This Island
Once on This Island, by the Tony Award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, is a Caribbean adaptation of The Little Mermaid that follows Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with a wealthy boy named Daniel. As the gods wager on whether love or...
The Doo Wop Project presents Echoes of the Street
The Doo Wop Project, America’s premiere Doo Wop group, brings their dynamic 90-minute show “Echoes of the Street,” featuring classic Doo Wop hits and reimagined contemporary songs, to life for audiences of all ages. Experience their unique blend of nostalgia and modernity and...
The Southland Creative Spotlight
Experience the creativity and talent of The Southland, featuring music and dance from the region’s most gifted performers. From show-stopping solos to dynamic duets and energetic ensembles, it’s a celebration of local artistry and community spirit, bringing everyone together for...
Articles
Review: Refracted Theatre's I'M GONNA MARRY YOU TOBEY MAGUIRE at Den Theatre
This farcical Off-Broadway show is sure to leave you laughing while making you simultaneously nostalgic and relieved you’re no longer in the throes of middle school.…
Review: PRAYER CIRCLE at Redtwist Theatre
Redtwist Theatre begins its 22nd season, entitled “State of Violence”, with the world premiere of Prayer Circle. This is resident playwright Erik Gernand’s second play with Redtwist since his successful Jeff-winning The Totality of All Things in 2024. What is brought to the stage is an enjoyab…
Review: PLAY ON! at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Play On! is a lively retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Conceived by Sheldon Epps (who also directs) and with a book by Cheryl L. West, Play On! transports Shakespeare’s story to Harlem, New York. West’s book skillfully weaves Duke Ellington’s songs into the narrative.…
Review: LILIOM at Joffrey Ballet At The Lyric Opera Of Chicago
Joffrey Ballet soars in John Neumeier's LILIOM…
Review: DANCING WITH BOB: RAUSCHENBERG, BROWN AND CUNNINGHAM ONSTAGE at Harris Theater
The Trisha Brown Company shimmers in their tribute to Bob Rauschenberg.…
Review: THE BIRTH OF THE PILL at TimeLine Theatre Company
TimeLine Theatre Company’s The Birth of the Pill takes some big swings...and sometimes misses. Adapted for the stage by Jessica Huang from Jonathan Eig’s book, it’s certainly relevant now. And Huang’s script takes “A People’s History of the United States” approach to storytelling. The …
Review: BLACK GIRL FROM A WHITE SUBURB at American Blues Theater
Richard brings us on a deeply personal journey through trauma and belonging in finding and regaining her voice in a society built by and catered to white people.…
Review: Kokandy Productions' JEKYLL & HYDE at Broadway In Chicago
Jekyll & Hyde is rarely produced, and Kokandy brings it to vivid life in this new, larger venue. As Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde and Lucy, David Moreland and Ava Lane Stovall really lead the way for the ensemble with their captivating performances. And in its most compelling moments, this Jekyll & Hyde truly…
Review: THE ATTIC at Goodman Theatre
The Attic: Things I’ve Seen While Lying On My Back is genuinely a unique experience at the Goodman. The 7 Fingers Co-Founder Shana Carroll wrote, directed, and choreographed this world-premiere autobiographical performance piece that shares vignettes from her life story. An international company o…
Review: A WRINKLE IN TIME at Lifeline Theatre
What did our critic think of A WRINKLE IN TIME at Lifeline Theatre?…
Past Shows
49 total · showing 41–49
Sons of Serendip
Back by popular demand! This Billboard charting quartet returns to win your hearts once again with their ethereal and emotionally stirring interpretations of pop music, arranged with a unique blend of vocals, harp, piano, and cello. Sons of Serendip won the hearts of fans and...
The Nutcracker
The Original San Jose Nutcracker will capture your imagination and transport you to a magical world of brave toy soldiers & dancing snowflakes. For over 58 years, San Jose Dance Theatre has created countless family memories and holiday traditions with their magical production of...
A Very Electric Christmas
Saturday, December 9 at 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. Follow the story of a young bird named Max and his family, as they begin their journey south for the winter. When Max gets blown off course and ends up at the North Pole…his adventure begins! Dancing toy soldiers, caroling worms and...
It's a Wonderful Life
Friday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 2 at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, December 3 at 2:30 p.m. Limited On Stage Tiered Seating A special treat from the Center’s Staff to You! This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With...
She Kills Monsters
Thursday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 3 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 4 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, November 5 at 2:30 p.m. Performed in Sherman Hall - GENERAL ADMISSION When Agnes finds her late sister Tilly's Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she stumbles into a journey of...
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Let’s do the Time Warp again! with a Live Shadow Cast and Audience Partici...pation! One of the oddest cult films ever made, this kinky, rock'n'roll, science fiction, horror satire is the perfect night out for Halloween. A young couple Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan...
DEARLY BELOVED... A Tribute to Prince
This group made up of former members of the New Power Generation (NPG) have built a reputation for playing as if their famous boss was still front and center. Their shows are a non-stop musical kaleidoscope of the most iconic chart-topping hits from all eras of Prince's career...
SUGAR SKULL! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure
SUGAR SKULL! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure is a touring bilingual/bicultural musical for young audiences and families that uses traditional regional music and dance from Mexico to tell the story of twelve-year-old Vita Flores. Vita thinks her family has gone loco planning a...
Opera Up Close presents Opera Titans: The Power and Passion of Verdi, Wagner, and Puccini
ON STAGE CABARET SEATING Life is Short: Opera is Long. Not sure where to start on Wagner’s Ring Cycle? This is a chance to hear highlights from epic operas of Verdi, Wagner, and Puccini in one afternoon. Hear the unamplified power of the human voice up close and on stage with...
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Fleetwood Max Raue Center For The Arts (10/03-10/03) |
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Love Story: A Tribute to Taylor Swift Raue Center For The Arts (11/07-11/07) |
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Mean Girls Paramount Theatre (8/26-10/11) |
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Million Dollar Quartet Stolp Island Theatre (10/07-1/03) |
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Rotary Rocks The Raue: James Garner's Tribute to Johnny Cash Raue Center For The Arts (10/24-10/24) |
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Blond Ambition: A Tribute to Madonna Raue Center For The Arts (11/07-11/07) |
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Memphis The Musical Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building (10/24-10/25) |
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Party Girl Stars and Garters Theater (9/26-9/27) |
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Black Latina (The Play) Comes to Chicago UrbanTheater Company (10/16-10/18) |
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Raks Inferno: Halloween Cirque Burlesque The Newport Theater (10/09-10/09) |
