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The Center for Performing Arts

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UNIVERSITY PARK, IL 60484


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

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

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: LEOPOLDSTADT at Writers Theatre

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: SMILEY at Open Space Arts

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?…

Past Shows

DIVIDED

DIVIDED

Apr 29 – Apr 30, 2026

In a fractured America, their bond becomes their revolution.

Lizzy & The Triggermen

Lizzy & The Triggermen

Apr 25

Lizzy & the Triggermen transport you back to the glamour of the Prohibition Era, but with a sound and swagger that is thrillingly new. As...

By the Way, Meet Vera Stark

By the Way, Meet Vera Stark

Apr 9 – Apr 12, 2026

By The Way, Meet Vera Stark is a seventy-year journey through the life of Vera Stark, a headstrong African-American maid and budding actress, and her tangled...

Unleash the Beats

Unleash the Beats

Mar 28

Under the dynamic direction of internationally renowned dancer and choreographer Mark Yonally, Chicago Tap Theatre takes tap dance to the next level of creativity and...

All That Jazz

All That Jazz

Mar 7

All That Jazz is a high-energy celebration of American dance—past, present, and future. From the golden age of jazz to today’s bold new moves, this vibrant...

The Rat Pack

The Rat Pack

Feb 15

Step back in time to the glitz and glamour of 1960s Las Vegas in this unforgettable tribute to the original kings of cool—Frank Sinatra, Dean...

Halftime High Notes

Halftime High Notes

Feb 7

Celebrate John Concepción’s 16 years of Opera Up Close with this one-of-a-kind musical gridiron extravaganza!Get ready for the ultimate mashup of music and football spirit! This...

CeCe Teneal's Divas of Soul

CeCe Teneal's Divas of Soul

Nov 7

Take a ride on the "Midnight Train to Georgia" over "River Deep, Mountain High" while award-winning vocalist CeCe Teneal delivers you the "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" you deserve...

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Oct 25

Feel the antici…pation! One of the highlights of the Halloween season, The Rocky Horror Picture Show with live shadow cast returns to The Center’s stage...

La Llorona

La Llorona

Oct 18

Ballet 5:8, Chicago’s premiere female and minority-led ballet company, presents its critically acclaimed production La Llorona. This powerful performance reframes the legend of "La Llorona" through...

The Center Southland Spotlight

The Center Southland Spotlight

Oct 11

Experience the magic of musical theatre in The Center Southland Spotlight—a showcase of the best Southland community theatres and their 2025–26 season selections. The afternoon...

South Chicago Dance Theatre

South Chicago Dance Theatre

Sep 27

Kick off The Center’s 30th Anniversary Season with the electrifying artistry of South Chicago Dance Theatre (SCDT), one of Chicago’s most dynamic dance companies. In...

DOG SEES GOD

DOG SEES GOD

Apr 3 – Apr 6, 2025

An "unauthorized continuation," this play reimagines characters from the popular comic strip Peanuts as degenerate teenagers.

Rosie and The Rivets

Rosie and The Rivets

Mar 23

An electrifying female-fronted retrospective tribute to the first ten years (1954-1964) of Rock & Roll.

UPTOWN

UPTOWN

Mar 8

From New York City, the epicenter of contemporary Pop and Soul, Uptown is a group of men who combine the smooth stylings of R&B with...

DREAM

DREAM

Feb 28 – Mar 1, 2025

Join us for an exceptional dance showcase that celebrates the beauty of dreaming.

DRUMLine Live!

DRUMLine Live!

Feb 15

DRUMLine Live! embodies the soulful, high-stepping style of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching band experience.

LOVE Happens

LOVE Happens

Feb 8

The Silhouettes® acclaimed show, “LOVE Happens” is an entertaining, family-friendly shadow dance story filled with the types of love that fill our world.

HARANA

HARANA

Jan 26

An evening of arias, songs, and serenades.

Ruth Page's The Nutcracker

Ruth Page's The Nutcracker

Nov 23 – Nov 24, 2024

Featuring Original choreography by Ruth PageAdditional choreography by Larry Long, Dolores Long, and Birute BarodicaiteDirected by Victor AlexanderThis beloved holiday family classic is the only...

Re-Writing the Declaration

Re-Writing the Declaration

Nov 1 – Nov 3, 2024

Written and Directed by Quenna BarrettWhat happens when a class of young Black women and non-binary folx of color take a trip to 1776? A collage...

The Beat Goes On

The Beat Goes On

Nov 2

Accomplished singer and stage actor Lisa McClowry stars as Cher.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Oct 25

with a Live Shadow Cast and Audience Partici…pation!CONTAINS MATURE THEMES AND STRONG LANGUAGE. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR PATRONS UNDER AGE 17. PATRONS UNDER THE AGE OF...

Sweeney Todd In Concert

Sweeney Todd In Concert

Oct 19

Just in time for Halloween, the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra returns to the Center, in partnership with the Jeff Award-winning Kokandy Productions, to perform Stephen Sondheim’s macabre masterpiece. Musical...

Queens of Rock and Soul

Queens of Rock and Soul

Oct 6

Headed by lead singer Dr. Cherise Joy Stone-Thompson “Joy Storm”, the Rock & Soul Band pays tribute to the women who revolutionized classic rock and...

Teen Performance Intensive

Teen Performance Intensive

Aug 5 – Aug 9, 2024

Dates: Monday, August 5-9, 2024, 9am – 4pmFee: $275Final showcase: Friday, August 9 at 7pm, approximately 50 minutesTickets to the Showcase are FREE, but registration is required.   Description: Stretch your artistic...

Annie KIDS

Annie KIDS

Jun 17 – Jun 28, 2024

Dates: Monday, June 17-21*, and June 24-28, 2024, 9am – 3pm, *No camp on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.Young Performer audition on...

Shrek

Shrek

Jun 10 – Jun 14, 2024

Dates: Monday, June 10-14, 2024, 9am – 3pmFee: $270 (includes 2 tickets to final show)Final showcase: Friday, June 14 at 7pm, approximately 50 minutesAdditional tickets:...

The Addams Family Young@Part

The Addams Family Young@Part

Jan 16 – Apr 30, 2024

Rehearsals: Tuesdays, January 16 – April 30, 2024; 5-7pm (no rehearsal/class on March 26)Cost: $360, includes 2 tickets to the final showAdditional tickets: $10Final Show:...

SOUL MIGRATION

SOUL MIGRATION

Apr 13

Composed by Orbert Davis, “Soul Migration” is a powerful, soul-stirring, musical tribute inspired by the stories of the 6 million African Americans who fled the...

The Exonerated

The Exonerated

Apr 4 – Apr 7, 2024

The Exonerated combines first-person narrative with letters, transcripts, case files, and legal records to tell the stories of six wrongfully convicted survivors of death row: Delbert...

She the People

She the People

Mar 2

A high-octane show entirely created, designed, and performed by the fearlessly funny women of world-famous comedy mecca The Second City, She the People is a mimosas-and-madness-fueled foray that...

123 Andrés

123 Andrés

Feb 7

10 a.m. and 12 noon* (*Sensory-Inclusive Performance with ASL Interpreter)Christina and Andrés can’t find their friend Juana, and their only clue is that she’s somewhere...

Muntu + Deeply Rooted

Muntu + Deeply Rooted

Feb 3

Muntu Dance Theatre performs authentic and progressive interpretations of contemporary and ancient African and African-American dance, music, and folklore. Their highly innovative repertory preserves traditional African...

Sons of Serendip

Sons of Serendip

Jan 20

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,...

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker

Dec 8 – Dec 10, 2023

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...

A Very Electric Christmas

A Very Electric Christmas

Dec 9

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...

It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life

Dec 1 – Dec 3, 2023

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 SeatingA special treat from the Center’s...

She Kills Monsters

She Kills Monsters

Nov 2 – Nov 5, 2023

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 ADMISSIONWhen...

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Oct 27

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,...

BroadwayWorld TV


Catch as Catch Can in Chicago Catch as Catch Can
Steppenwolf Theatre Company (6/04-7/12)
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
Rhythm World 36 Festival Showcase in Chicago Rhythm World 36 Festival Showcase
Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago (8/05-8/05)
Come From Away in Chicago Come From Away
The Little Theatre On The Square (7/30-8/09)
HITCH*COCKTAILS SUMMER OF SUSPENSE in Chicago HITCH*COCKTAILS SUMMER OF SUSPENSE
The Annoyance Theater (7/03-7/31)
GreenRoom Improv in Chicago GreenRoom Improv
Raue Center For The Arts (9/05-9/05)
The Dave Matthews Tribute Band in Chicago The Dave Matthews Tribute Band
Raue Center For The Arts (9/25-9/25)
The Outsiders in Chicago The Outsiders
Cadillac Palace (8/11-8/11)
Lucy's Comedy in Chicago Lucy's Comedy
Raue Center For The Arts (11/13-11/13)