Chicago's The Goodman Theatre halted their Saturday matinee performance of 'Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom' due to the death of cast member Matt DeCaro, reports the Chicago Tribune. DeCaro appeared in Friday night’s performance with no evident issue.
Goodman Theatre has released footage of scenes from MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, August Wilson's landmark drama now playing through May 3, 2026 at the Albert Theatre, extended by popular demand.
MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM is a well-acted, slow-burn character study. August Wilson’s 1982 play centers on a fictitious 1927 Chicago album recording, as the musicians gather and wait for the notorious Ma Rainey (or Madam Rainey, as she demands they call her) to record her latest album. Ma Rainey has some dramatic tendencies — she’s an hour late to her own recording session and then comes in with a whirl of demands and suggestions for the session.
August Wilson’s Ma Rainey‘s Black Bottom returns to The Goodman, helmed by Chicago legends Chuck Smith and Harry J. Lennix. See rehearsal photos here!
All of the betrayal, passion, and poetry of Shakespeare’s most famous play—distilled into just 75 minutes. Watch the video trailer for Short Shakespeare! Hamlet at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Ma Rainey and her band return to The Goodman this spring in a major revival—and a reunion of two Chicago theater legends. Goodman Family Resident Director Chuck Smith directs August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom with Associate/Music Director Harry J. Lennix.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater announced the cast for Short Shakespeare! Hamlet, an original and accessible 75-minute adaptation directed by CST Artistic Director Edward Hall.
Writers Theatre will present the Midwest premiere of As You Like It, a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy. Watch video highlights from the show!
Writers Theatre will continue its 2025/26 Season with a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, adapted by Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery. Learn more!
In an expanded five-week run of weekday matinees, Chicago Shakespeare Theater is welcoming nearly 20,000 students in grades 4-12 from across the region to Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream, deepening CST's commitment to education programming.
The winners have been announced for the 2024 Joseph Jefferson Equity Awards, more commonly known as the Equity Jeff Awards. These awards are given for theatre arts produced in the Chicago area.
Featuring a strikingly charismatic yet grounded performance from its leading actor, HENRY V presents a compelling study of the excitement and danger inherent in even the best-intended feelings of nationalism.
Get a first look at Chicago Shakespeare Theater's production of William Shakespeare’s Henry V, staged by Artistic Director Edward Hall in the Courtyard Theater, now on stage through October 6.
The Jeff Awards revealed nominations for their 56th anniversary, celebrating excellence in Chicago's Equity theaters. Learn more!
Chicago Shakespeare Theater has announced the cast and creative team for William Shakespeare’s Henry V, staged by Artistic Director Edward Hall in the Courtyard Theater, September 6–October 6.
If new Artistic Director Edward Hall's RICHARD III is any indication of what Chicago audiences can come to expect during his tenure, they would do well to cheer, 'Long live the king.' The darkly comic historical thriller runs through March 3 at CST's Courtyard Theater.
Get a first look at Chicago Shakespeare Theater's production of William Shakespeare’s Richard III, staged by Artistic Director Edward Hall in the Courtyard Theater, February 2–March 3 in all new video!
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents William Shakespeare’s Richard III, staged by Artistic Director Edward Hall in the Courtyard Theater, February 2–March 3. Power, greed, ambition. A world where to win is everything. And to win at all costs. This marks the first major US production of Richard III to feature a woman with a disability in the title role.
Watch as Director Edward Hall and Katy Sullivan (Richard III) discuss reuniting to take on this epic political thriller RICHARD III at Chicago Shakespeare. Tony Award-nominated actor, Paralympic champion, and bilateral above-knee amputee Katy Sullivan makes her Chicago Shakespeare Theater debut in the title role.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater has revealed the cast and creative team for William Shakespeare’s Richard III. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
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