Breon Arzell

Review: A STRANGE LOOP at Raven Theatre
by Rachel Weinberg - Oct 15, 2026

Michael R. Jackson’s wildly inventive and unique 2020 Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange Loop now makes its Chicago premiere. A Strange Loop is a “big Black and queer-ass American Broadway show,” in the main character Usher’s words, about the lead trying to write a musical called A Strange Loop that accomplishes the same. Usher, so named for his gig as a Broadway usher at The Lion King, has taken the job in the hopes that someday he’ll make it big as a musical theater composer/lyricist. Thus, A Strange Loop is an original and episodic look at the creative process.

Black Theatre Alliance Awards 2026 Nominations Announced
by Joshua Wright - Oct 14, 2026

The Black Theatre Alliance announced its 2026 award nominees and will present director Pemon Rami with its Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony in Chicago.

HOME, I'M DARLING to Open at TimeLine Theatre in November
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 14, 2026

TimeLine Theatre’s 30th Anniversary Season at its new home in Uptown rolls will continue in November with the company’s 100th production, the Chicago premiere of Home, I’m Darling by Laura Wade.

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE: A PLAY WITH MUSIC to Open at Kokandy Productions
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 5, 2026

Kokandy Productions will present a live adaptation of Anthony Burgess's dystopian novel directed by Derek Van Barham at The Chopin Theatre in Chicago.

Write Club Chicago Sets 17th Season Launch at Gman Tavern
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 18, 2026

Write Club Chicago announces six writer-performers competing in the essay-based bout format at Gman Tavern in Chicago's Lakeview East neighborhood, with cover band Gargamel performing after the event.

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE to Close Kokandy Productions' 2026 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 15, 2026

Kokandy Productions will present A Clockwork Orange: A Play with Music, starring Reilly Oh as Alex DeLarge, November 5-January 10 at Chicago's Chopin Theatre.

Eddie Weaver Will Lead A STRANGE LOOP Chicago Premiere at Raven Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Aug 27, 2026

About Face Theatre and Raven Theatre have announced casting for the Chicago premiere of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning musical A STRANGE LOOP, directed by Mikael Burke at the Johnson Stage.

Write Club Chicago to Return to Gman Tavern, Sets 2026 Dates
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 24, 2026

Write Club Chicago will launch its 17th season at Gman Tavern in Chicago's Lakeview East neighborhood, with additional bouts announced for the remainder of the year.

Photos: THE 17TH ANNUAL LIVING NEWSPAPER FESTIVAL Continues at Jackalope Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 21, 2026

See photos from Jackalope Theatre Company's 17th Annual Living Newspaper Festival, now playing through August 24 at the Broadway Armory in Chicago.

Jackalope Theatre Sets Plays, Casts for 17th LIVING NEWSPAPER FESTIVAL
by Stephi Wild - Jul 27, 2026

Jackalope Theatre Company has announced the plays, playwrights and casts for its 17th Annual Living Newspaper Festival, staged at the Jackalope Theatre in the Broadway Armory in Chicago.

Tania Richard's Solo Show BLACK GIRL FROM A WHITE SUBURB is Coming to American Blues Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 7, 2026

American Blues Theater will open its 41st Season with the world premiere of Black Girl from a White Suburb, a solo show by Artistic Affiliate Tania Richard, directed by J. Nicole Brooks.

Cast Set for OUT HERE World Premiere at Court Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 26, 2026

Court Theatre will present the new musical, Out Here. Directed by Chay Yew, this charming and bold take on the American kitchen sink drama brings Court’s 2025/26 season to a conclusion.

Video: 'Rocks in My Bed' from PLAY ON! at Signature Theatre
by Joshua Wright - Sep 3, 2025

Watch Wesley J. Barnes and Derrick D. Truby Jr. perform 'Rocks in My Bed' from PLAY ON!  Signature Theatre is now presenting Play On!, a musical based on Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night, set to the syncopated soundtrack of Duke Ellington’s greatest hits. Performances run through October 5, 2025 in Signature’s MAX Theatre.

Review: PLAY ON! at Signature Theatre
by David Friscic - Aug 23, 2025

Twenty-three songs from the catalogue of the legendary composer and musician Duke Ellington creatively exploding with swinging energy or calming with mellow moods are enough to make one’s mind spin ---but combine this with a creative book by Cheryl L. West (the project was conceived by Sheldon Epps) that is based on playwright William Shakespeare’s famous comedy Twelfth Night, and you have hit the merriment mother lode courtesy of the Signature Theatre. 

Video: First Look At PLAY ON! At Signature Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 22, 2025

A delightful musical based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and set to the syncopated soundtrack of Duke Ellington’s greatest hits, Play On! is now running through October 5, 2025. See brand-new video of the show!

Photos: PLAY ON! at Signature Theatre First Look Images
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 20, 2025

Signature Theatre is now presenting Play On!, a musical based on Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night, set to the syncopated soundtrack of Duke Ellington’s greatest hits. Get a first look at photos here! 

Video: Watch the Trailer For PLAY ON at Signature Theatre
by Michael Major - Aug 20, 2025

Signature Theatre has released the trailer for Play On!, a musical based on Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night and set to the syncopated soundtrack of Duke Ellington’s greatest hits. Watch the new video now!

Goodman Theatre, Paramount, and More Nominated For 2025 Equity Jeff Awards
by Stephi Wild - Aug 12, 2025

The Joseph Jefferson Awards will celebrate the 57th Anniversary of its Equity Theater Awards on Monday, September 29. Check out the full list of nominations here!

Video: Signature's PLAY ON Cast Rehearses 'Take the A Train'
by Michael Major - Aug 6, 2025

Signature Theatre has a video inside rehearsals for Play On!, with the cast rehearsing 'Take The A Train.' Play On! is a musical based on Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night and set to the syncopated soundtrack of Duke Ellington’s greatest hits. 

Cast and Creative Team Set for PLAY ON! at Signature Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 16, 2025

Signature Theatre has revealed the cast and creative team for Play On!, conceived by Sheldon Epps. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets here!