Sam Shankman

Review: OCTET at Raven Theatre
by Rachel Weinberg - May 8, 2026

Though it’s a musical about a support group for internet addicts, Dave Molloy’s Octet is delightfully analog. And that’s precisely the point — Molloy’s musical invites audiences to look away from their screens and lean into this intimate, inventive, and fully a cappella show. Molloy (perhaps best known for Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812) has written the kind of show that gives me hope for the future of new musicals. Octet is timely, creative, often funny — and truly, wholly original. And based on the recent news about the forthcoming movie musical directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, it has commercial legs.

Photos: Dave Malloy's OCTET At Raven Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - May 5, 2026

Raven Theatre in Chicago has released production photos for OCTET, the a cappella musical by Dave Malloy. Directed by Keira Fromm, performances take place on the Johnson Stage.

Cast and Crew Set for Dave Malloy's OCTET at Raven Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 23, 2026

Chicago's Raven Theatre Company has revealed the cast and production team for Dave Malloy's Octet, directed by Keira Fromm and running April 30 - June 7, 2026.

Full Cast & Creative Team Set For PASSION At Blank Theatre Company
by Emmy Rice - Jun 1, 2025

Blank Theatre Company has announced the cast and creative team for the second musical of their 2025 season, Passion, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by James Lapine and is based on the film 'Passione d'Amore', originally directed by Ettore Scola.

Cast Set For DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS at the Young People's Theatre of Chicago
by Stephi Wild - Nov 11, 2024

The company's  2024-2025 season will launch with the return of the all-ages musical that sold-out every performance in YPT's inaugural season. Learn more about the show!

The Beautiful City Project Will Host March Cabaret CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
by Stephi Wild - Feb 26, 2024

The Beautiful City Project has announced the cast of its interactive March cabaret, CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE. With over 30 performers coming ready with 3 60-second cuts of songs, the audience will choose which of the 3 songs it wants to hear throughout the night.

The Beautiful City Project's CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE to be Presented in March
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 19, 2024

The Beautiful City Project has revealed the cast of its interactive March cabaret. Learn more about the performance and see how to purchase tickets!

Photos/Video: First Look At FIDDLER ON THE ROOF At Drury Lane Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 6, 2024

Drury Lane Theatre has released first look photos and video of its final show of the 2023/2024 season, the beloved Fiddler on the Roof.

Photos & Video: First Look at FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Drury Lane Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 6, 2024

Get a first look at photos and video of Drury Lane Theatre's Fiddler on the Roof. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Cast Set for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Drury Lane Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 10, 2024

Drury Lane Theatre has revealed the cast of Fiddler on the Roof, directed by Elizabeth Margolius. See photos below!

Photos: Mercury Theater Celebrates The Opening Of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 23, 2023

Mercury Theatre Chicago celebrates the opening of  the monstrously funny Mel Brooks musical YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. See photos from opening night below.

The Young People's Theatre of Chicago Presents the World Premiere of DORY FANTASMAGORY
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 22, 2023

Following a sold-out run of Mo Willems' Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, the Young People's Theatre of Chicago's inaugural 3-Play 2022-23 season concludes this May with the world premiere stage adaptation of Abby Hanlon's popular early-reader book, Dory Fantasmagory.

Young People's Theatre Of Chicago's DON'T LET THE PIGEON RIDE THE BUS Adds Performances
by Blair Ingenthron - Jan 21, 2023

The Young People's Theatre of Chicago has announced three additional performances of Mo Willems' high-spirited and hilarious new TYA musical, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.

Photos: A NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT, The Beautiful City Project's Fundraising Party For Season Of Concern
by Stephi Wild - Jan 4, 2023

The Beautiful City Project held it's Holiday fundraising event A NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT, with proceeds to benefit Season of Concern, on Friday, December 19th at Floating World Gallery.

A NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT, A Holiday Party Featuring An All-star Cast, to Raise Funds And Awareness For Season Of Concern
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 29, 2022

The Beautiful City Project has announced the cast of it's Holiday fundraising event A NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT, with proceeds to benefit Season of Concern, an incredible Chicago organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to Chicagoland theater practitioners.

Young People's Theatre Of Chicago to Present Chicago Premiere Of DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 25, 2022

The Young People's Theatre of Chicago's inaugural 3-Play 2022-23 season will continue with the Chicago premiere of Mo Willems' high-spirited and hilarious Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

World Premiere Science-Themed Musical PEABODY Launches Young People's Theatre Of Chicago 2022-23 Season
by Blair Ingenthron - Oct 2, 2022

The Young People's Theatre of Chicago's (YPT) inaugural 3-Play 2022-23 season launches with the highly anticipated world premiere production of the science-themed musical, Peabody - A Musical Comedy for Intrepid Young Scientists. With a book by Emmy Award-winning Glen Berger (PBS' Arthur; FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman) and music and lyrics by Grammy-nominated Morgan Taylor (Gustafer Yellowgold), Peabody runs Oct 29 - Nov 20 at the Greenhouse Theater Center.

Review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at The Citadel Theatre, Lake Forest
by Tina St. Angelo Wetzel - Sep 23, 2022

Feed Me/Do Not Feed the Plants - which is it?

Cast Announced For Citadel Theatre's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Stephi Wild - Aug 15, 2022

Citadel Theatre Company will open its 2022-23 on Sept 17 with LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, a beloved classic from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, based on the Roger Corman film of the same name. T

IMAGINE U STORYTIME Continues With New Stories Through July 19
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 11, 2020

E. Patrick Johnson, professor of African American studies and performance studies, shares a?oePrecious and the Boo Hag,a?? a children's fairytale by Patricia C. McKissack and Onawumi Jean Moss, as the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts at Northwestern University a?oeImagine U Storytimea?? series continues.