800 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
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The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater History
The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare introduces a new trend in theater architecture to the city, with audience capacities ranging from 150 to 850. The dynamic design features nine mobile audience “towers” that can be arranged in a wide variety of ways. With each visit, you will come to “expect the unexpected” as the relationship between audience and actor is redefined by the vision of each production’s creative team. This season’s shows in The Yard highlight the versatility of this innovative new venue—from its largest proscenium configuration or a unique cabaret-like environment to an intimate thrust stage with runway aisles.
Shows at the The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
DATES PRODUCTION 9/22/2020 - 11/8/2020 The Notebook (2022) 9/12/2019 - 10/20/2019 The King's Speech (2019) 5/30/2019 - 7/28/2019 Bedknobs and Broomsticks (2019) 5/14/2019 - 8/4/2019 SIX (2019)
News
Review: PARANORMAL ACTIVITY at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Rachel Weinberg - Oct 17, 2025
This new PARANORMAL ACTIVITY play (based on Paramount Pictures’ PARANORMAL ACTIVITY horror films) has terrific stage effects and absolutely creeped me out. Based on the merits of the script alone, there’s not much to recommend in the material. But it leaves plenty of room for creepy effects and terrifying stage surprises — and the inventive and frightful production is definitely the selling point!
by Rachel Weinberg - Oct 17, 2025
This new PARANORMAL ACTIVITY play (based on Paramount Pictures’ PARANORMAL ACTIVITY horror films) has terrific stage effects and absolutely creeped me out. Based on the merits of the script alone, there’s not much to recommend in the material. But it leaves plenty of room for creepy effects and terrifying stage surprises — and the inventive and frightful production is definitely the selling point!
Review: BILLIE JEAN at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Rachel Weinberg - Jul 25, 2025
In Chilina Kennedy, director Marc Bruni and Lauren M. Gunderson have found a tenacious and hard-hitting actor to play the eponymous tennis legend in BILLIE JEAN. The role of Billie Jean King, who tirelessly fought for women to have equal pay in professional tennis, necessarily centers the play. Kennedy’s boundless energy and appealing spunk really give it life.
by Rachel Weinberg - Jul 25, 2025
In Chilina Kennedy, director Marc Bruni and Lauren M. Gunderson have found a tenacious and hard-hitting actor to play the eponymous tennis legend in BILLIE JEAN. The role of Billie Jean King, who tirelessly fought for women to have equal pay in professional tennis, necessarily centers the play. Kennedy’s boundless energy and appealing spunk really give it life.
Video: BILLIE JEAN is Now Playing at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jul 24, 2025
Performances are now underway for Billie Jean, running through August 10 in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Check out an all new trailer for the production in the video here!
by Stephi Wild - Jul 24, 2025
Performances are now underway for Billie Jean, running through August 10 in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Check out an all new trailer for the production in the video here!
Video: The Cast of BILLIE JEAN at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
by Emmy Rice - Jul 12, 2025
The comapny of Billie Jean at the Chicago Theatre shares their thoughts and excitement for the upcoming production from the rehearsal room! The production runs July 18–August 10, 2025, in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. See the video here!
by Emmy Rice - Jul 12, 2025
The comapny of Billie Jean at the Chicago Theatre shares their thoughts and excitement for the upcoming production from the rehearsal room! The production runs July 18–August 10, 2025, in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. See the video here!
Chilina Kennedy Will Lead BILLIE JEAN at Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Cast and Creatives Revealed
by Stephi Wild - Jun 12, 2025
Chicago Shakespeare Theater has announced the cast and creative team of the world premiere play Billie Jean, about sports icon and equality champion Billie Jean King.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 12, 2025
Chicago Shakespeare Theater has announced the cast and creative team of the world premiere play Billie Jean, about sports icon and equality champion Billie Jean King.
Review Roundup: 42 BALLOONS at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Michael Major - Jun 11, 2025
The North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons is now running at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Find out what critics thought of the new musical and read the reviews below!
by Michael Major - Jun 11, 2025
The North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons is now running at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Find out what critics thought of the new musical and read the reviews below!
Review: 42 BALLOONS at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Rachel Weinberg - Jun 11, 2025
“What makes a man try to fly in a lawn chair?” is 42 BALLOONS most repeated lyric. It’s on the nose — and it’s repeated across six interludes in Jack Godfrey’s new musical. Based on the real-life story of Larry Walters, who in 1982 reached a height of 16,000 feet flying a lawn chair accompanied by 42 leather balloons, the musical is squarely focused on that answer.
by Rachel Weinberg - Jun 11, 2025
“What makes a man try to fly in a lawn chair?” is 42 BALLOONS most repeated lyric. It’s on the nose — and it’s repeated across six interludes in Jack Godfrey’s new musical. Based on the real-life story of Larry Walters, who in 1982 reached a height of 16,000 feet flying a lawn chair accompanied by 42 leather balloons, the musical is squarely focused on that answer.
Video: 42 BALLOONS North American Premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Joshua Wright - Jun 4, 2025
Get a first look at Chicago Shakespeare Theater's North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons in this all-new video. 42 Balloons is an ‘80s-inspired musical based on the unbelievable true story of Larry Walters’ daring lawn chair flight.
by Joshua Wright - Jun 4, 2025
Get a first look at Chicago Shakespeare Theater's North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons in this all-new video. 42 Balloons is an ‘80s-inspired musical based on the unbelievable true story of Larry Walters’ daring lawn chair flight.
Photos: 42 BALLOONS North American Premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 29, 2025
Chicago Shakespeare Theater is presenting the North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons. Get a first look at photos here and learn more about the production!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 29, 2025
Chicago Shakespeare Theater is presenting the North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons. Get a first look at photos here and learn more about the production!
Video: Inside Rehearsals for 42 BALLOONS at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
by Joshua Wright - May 20, 2025
Get a first look inside rehearsals for Chicago Shakespeare Theater's North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons. 42 Balloons is an ‘80s-inspired musical based on the unbelievable true story of Larry Walters’ daring lawn chair flight.
by Joshua Wright - May 20, 2025
Get a first look inside rehearsals for Chicago Shakespeare Theater's North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons. 42 Balloons is an ‘80s-inspired musical based on the unbelievable true story of Larry Walters’ daring lawn chair flight.
Charlie McCullagh and Evelyn Hoskins to Star 42 BALLOONS North American Premiere
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 14, 2025
Chicago Shakespeare Theater has revealed the cast of the North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons. See who is starring and learn more about the production!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 14, 2025
Chicago Shakespeare Theater has revealed the cast of the North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons. See who is starring and learn more about the production!
Review: SUNNY AFTERNOON at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Rachel Weinberg - Mar 31, 2025
If you enjoy the music of The Kinks, you’ll enjoy SUNNY AFTERNOON.
by Rachel Weinberg - Mar 31, 2025
If you enjoy the music of The Kinks, you’ll enjoy SUNNY AFTERNOON.
Review: JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Rachel Weinberg - Jan 21, 2025
With JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING, Jocelyn Bioh pulls off a challenging theatrical feat: She makes a slice-of-life play consistently engaging and entertaining. Set in Harlem at a hair salon of the same name, JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING follows a group of West African immigrant women working there — along with some of their customers. Bioh has populated her play with a cast of big personalities and peppers in just enough of the stylists’ backstories to allow us to learn more about them.
by Rachel Weinberg - Jan 21, 2025
With JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING, Jocelyn Bioh pulls off a challenging theatrical feat: She makes a slice-of-life play consistently engaging and entertaining. Set in Harlem at a hair salon of the same name, JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING follows a group of West African immigrant women working there — along with some of their customers. Bioh has populated her play with a cast of big personalities and peppers in just enough of the stylists’ backstories to allow us to learn more about them.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater Will Stage 42 BALLOONS North American Premiere
by Joshua Wright - Jan 9, 2025
Chicago Shakespeare Theater will stage the North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons. From the multi-award-winning producers Kevin McCollum (Oh, Mary!, Rent), Andy Barnes and Wendy Barnes (SIX), and Sonia Friedman Productions (Merrily We Roll Along), 42 Balloons is an ‘80s-inspired musical based on the unbelievable true story of Larry Walters' daring lawn chair flight.
by Joshua Wright - Jan 9, 2025
Chicago Shakespeare Theater will stage the North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons. From the multi-award-winning producers Kevin McCollum (Oh, Mary!, Rent), Andy Barnes and Wendy Barnes (SIX), and Sonia Friedman Productions (Merrily We Roll Along), 42 Balloons is an ‘80s-inspired musical based on the unbelievable true story of Larry Walters' daring lawn chair flight.
Review: THE LORD OF THE RINGS at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Rachel Weinberg - Jul 29, 2024
I think LOTR die-hards will appreciate the world-building and the visual spectacle of this production, but the material needs editing and more focus and refinement on key moments and characters.
by Rachel Weinberg - Jul 29, 2024
I think LOTR die-hards will appreciate the world-building and the visual spectacle of this production, but the material needs editing and more focus and refinement on key moments and characters.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 10, 2024
by - Apr 10, 2024
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 10, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by - Apr 10, 2024
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 10, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Videos