Review: THE DANCE OF DEATH at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
by Rachel Weinberg - February 19, 2026
When I think of Steppenwolf, I often think of family members crying, screaming at one another, or some combination of the two. So the sparring between spouses Alice and Captain Edgar in August Strindberg’s 1900 play THE DANCE OF DEATH feels right at home. In a surprisingly funny and sharp version ...
Review: DEAR EVAN HANSEN at Paramount Theatre
by Tina St. Angelo - February 17, 2026
What did our critic think of DEAR EVAN HANSEN at Paramount Theatre Aurora IL?...
Review: HAMNET at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Rachel Weinberg - February 14, 2026
Royal Shakespeare Company’s HAMNET is a dramatic and languid stage adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 buzzy novel of the same name....
Review: THE OUTSIDERS First National Tour Presented by Broadway in Chicago
by Rachel Weinberg - February 13, 2026
THE OUTSIDERS presents an original and vibrant stage adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s classic 1967 novel about the conflict between Tulsa teen gangs the Greasers and the Socs (short for socialites). The musical — and particularly director Danya Taymor’s inventive and visually dynamic staging — pu...
Review: ON YOUR FEET! at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, IL
by Tina St. Angelo - February 12, 2026
What did our critic think of ON YOUR FEET! at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, IL?...
Review: HOLIDAY at Goodman Theatre
by Rachel Weinberg - February 10, 2026
Goodman Theatre continues its centennial season with the endearing and lively romantic comedy HOLIDAY....
Review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire IL
by Tina St. Angelo - February 07, 2026
What did our critic think of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire IL?...
Review: DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS at Lazy Susan Theatre Co.
by Misha Davenport - February 07, 2026
What did our critic think of DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS at Lazy Susan Theatre Co.?...
Review: STEREOPHONIC National Tour Presented by Broadway In Chicago
by Rachel Weinberg - January 29, 2026
David Adjmi’s STEREOPHONIC pulls back the curtain on making a rock album — with all of the minute details, inane band member conversations, and painstaking, spirited artistic conversations that come with it. It centers on an unnamed Fleetwood Mac-esque band in the late 1970s as they record (and ...
Review: EUREKA DAY Presented By Timeline Theatre And Broadway In Chicago
by Zac Thriffiley - January 28, 2026
Timeline Theatre and Broadway in Chicago have gifted audiences with a EUREKA DAY that cements the play as one of the most prescient in the contemporary canon while also reaffirming Chicago’s reputation as an ambassador of daring theatrical works....
Past Shows
Sapph-isticated Histories: Women Across Time
Mar 22 – Mar 29, 2025
This March, SMH will stand for Sapphics Making History, when Violet Surprise Theatre presents seven short plays about women who refine, define, and redefine the expression...
SapphFest: Pride Off Into the Sunset
Jun 23
Violet Surprise Theatre presents SapphFest: Pride Off Into the Sunset. Our seventh and final virtual variety show is teeming (and streaming) with audacity and authenticity,...
Lavender Menaces
Apr 26 – Apr 27, 2021
Sapphics save the day!Lesbian Visibility Day, that is. Violet Surprise Theatre presents Lavender Menaces, a play festival celebrating Sapphic superheroines. Eight 10-minute plays will be...
SapphFest: A Snowball's Chance in L
Jan 22
When it comes to Chicago winters, there's no business like snow business, and since we're still in ice-olation, we're going to have ourselves a so...
SapphFest: All Boo'd Up
Oct 22
Join Violet Surprise Theatre for a virtual variety show showcasing ethereal material by creepy comediennes, potent poets, diabolical dancers, prestidigitating playwrights, and sinister singers. From...
SapphFest: Summer Lovin'
Aug 27 – Aug 28, 2020
Summer dreams, gripped by livestreams... This summer, the heat is online, where you'll experience love at first site during Violet Surprise Theatre's virtual variety show,...
SapphFest: Summer Queerance
Jul 30 – Jul 31, 2020
It's a cruel summer, leaving you queer on your own. So join Violet Surprise Theatre for SapphFest: Summer Queerance, a virtual variety show presented with...
SapphFest: Pride Edition
Jun 25 – Jun 26, 2020
Violet Surprise Theatre presents SapphFest: Pride Edition, a virtual variety show celebrating queer women and non-binary artists from all over the country and internationally, through...
SapphFest
May 28 – May 29, 2020
Violet Surprise Theatre presents SapphFest, a digital variety show celebrating queer women and non-binary artists from all over the country and internationally, through storytelling, comedy,...
Lez Beaus
Feb 14 – Feb 16, 2020
You can take the "gal" out of Galentine's Day, but wouldn't you rather take the gal out ON Galentine's Day? Preferably to Lez Beaus, a...
Videos