Top Rated Plays In Chicago - Theatre In Chicago

Four Legends. One Night. Music History Made. You may have loved Million Dollar Quartet in 2017 at Paramount Theatre - now imagine it set in Sun Studio itself. The new Stolp Island Theatre will be designed to immerse you in the experience so you can say "I was there!" On December 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins had a chance encounter at Sun Studio in Memphis. What transpired  was one of the greatest impromptu jam sessions in music history.

Daily Herald- Highly Recommended
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
Chicago Culture Authority- Highly Recommended
Broadway World- Highly Recommended
NewCity Chicago- Highly Recommended

The Lion King

Cadillac Palace Theatre

Experience the phenomenon as it once again leaps onto the Cadillac Palace Theatre stage. Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymor, whose visual images for this show you'll remember forever. Thrill to the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score including Elton John and Tim Rice's Oscar-winning song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" and "Circle of Life." Let your imagination run wild at the Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation Newsweek calls "a landmark event in entertainment."

Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
Buzz Center Stage- Highly Recommended
The Fourth Walsh- Highly Recommended

Elephant and Piggie's We Are In A Play

Young People's Theatre of Chicago at The Greenhouse Theater Center

The brilliant creators of "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" return to YPT with a delightful Vaudeville-style musical for all ages. MO WILLEMS and in-demand TYA composer DEBORAH WICKS LA PUMA adapt Willems' best-selling early-reader series into a rollicking musical that celebrates friendship, forgiveness, personal eccentricities, and the glorious fun of actually being in a musical!!

Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
Third Coast Review- Highly Recommended

Mr. Wolf

Steppenwolf Theatre

12 years ago, Theresa was stolen from her parents. Now a precocious 15-year-old, she has been rescued and returned to a family that had nearly forsaken hope-a family she neither recognizes nor understands. In ensemble member Rajiv Joseph's unflinching play, a miraculous reunion sets the stage for provocative conversations: what makes a house a home? What nightmares are we willing to face for the sake of our children? And ultimately, what part do we play in the grand saga of human existence?

Chicago Tribune- Highly Recommended
Chicago Sun Times- Highly Recommended
Daily Herald- Highly Recommended
Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
Stage and Cinema- Highly Recommended
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews- Highly Recommended
Chicago Stage and Screen- Highly Recommended
Around The Town Chicago- Recommended
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
Buzz Center Stage- Highly Recommended
The Fourth Walsh- Highly Recommended
MaraTapp.org- Highly Recommended
Chicago Culture Authority- Highly Recommended
Splash Magazine- Highly Recommended
Allie and the After Party- Highly Recommended
Broadway World- Highly Recommended

Dial M For Murder

Drury Lane- Oakbrook

An affair, a fortune on the line, and the perfect murder...But what happens when it all goes wrong? Find out in this riveting new adaptation.

Chicago Tribune- Recommended
Daily Herald- Highly Recommended
Stage and Cinema- Highly Recommended
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews- Highly Recommended
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
Buzz Center Stage- Highly Recommended
PicksInSix- Highly Recommended
NewCity Chicago- Highly Recommended

Twihard! A Twilight Musical Parody

Apollo Theater

TWIHARD! A Twilight Musical Parody is a side-splitting, fangtastic romp that hilariously reimagines the iconic Twilight saga with catchy tunes, uproarious humor, and an unforgettable twist. Audiences will sink their teeth into the beloved story of Bella and Edward, while poking fun at the supernatural world we all adore. Whether you are a die-hard Twilight fan or just looking for a howling good time, this musical parody promises an evening of laughter, love, and unforgettable moments.

Chicago Tribune- Highly Recommended
Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
Around The Town Chicago- Recommended
Third Coast Review- Highly Recommended
Chicago On Stage- Highly Recommended

Frederick

Chicago Children's Theatre at The Station

Little kids love Frederick and his quirky family of field mice who play and sing their way through the four seasons. As they gather food for the winter, Frederick seems as quiet as a mouse, daydreaming his way through summer while the other mice are hard at work. But when dreary weather arrives - surprise! - it?s Frederick, the artist among them, who has been storing up something special to help everyone survive the long cold winter.

Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
Stage and Cinema- Highly Recommended
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
Chicago Culture Authority- Recommended

Veal

A Red Orchid Theatre

Following a violent coup, a young woman named Chelsea becomes Queen of North America. Into her new palace walk three friends from middle school - Franny, Lulu and Noa - with whom she hasn't spoken in years. They've come to ask Chelsea for a big favor, but before she grants it, she's going to make them revisit their shared friendship - and its terrible end.

Chicago Tribune- Recommended
Chicago Sun Times- Recommended
Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
Stage and Cinema- Recommended
Chicago Stage and Screen- Highly Recommended
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
Buzz Center Stage- Highly Recommended
Busking At The Seams- Highly Recommended
Allie and the After Party- Highly Recommended
NewCity Chicago- Highly Recommended

Teatro ZinZanni: Love, Chaos and Dinner

Cambria Hotel Chicago Loop

Enter a realm where reality and dreams converge; an experience unlike any other! Teatro ZinZanni is a whirlwind of international cirque, comedy and cabaret served with a multi-course feast. Described as the "Kit Kat Klub on acid," the fast-paced action unfolds around, above and alongside you as world-class acrobats, musicians, divas, illusionists, madmen and aerialists fill the intimate Spiegeltent ZaZou, a unique jewel box mirror tent. Teatro ZinZanni's signature blend of Love, Chaos & Dinner has played to sold out audiences in Seattle and San Francisco, and now comes to Chicago's Cambria Hotel with its "feast for the senses." (The New York Times)

Chicago Tribune- Recommended
Chicago Sun Times- Recommended
Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
Stage and Cinema- Highly Recommended
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews- Recommended
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
Buzz Center Stage- Highly Recommended
Third Coast Review- Highly Recommended
Chicago On Stage- Highly Recommended
PicksInSix- Highly Recommended
Chicago Culture Authority- Recommended
Splash Magazine- Highly Recommended

The Book Of Will

The Den Theatre

Without William Shakespeare, we wouldn't have literary masterpieces like ROMEO AND JULIET. But without Henry Condell and John Heminges, we would have lost half of Shakespeare's plays forever! After the death of their friend and mentor, the two actors are determined to compile the First Folio and preserve the words that shaped their lives. They'll just have to borrow, beg, and band together to get it done. Amidst the noise and color of Elizabethan London, THE BOOK OF WILL finds an unforgettable true story of love, loss, and laughter, and sheds new light on a man you may think you know.

Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
EpochTimes- Highly Recommended
Talkin Broadway- Highly Recommended
Stage and Cinema- Highly Recommended
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
Buzz Center Stage- Recommended
Third Coast Review- Highly Recommended
Chicago Theater and Arts- Somewhat Recommended
Chicago On Stage- Highly Recommended
Splash Magazine- Highly Recommended
Allie and the After Party- Recommended
NewCity Chicago- Highly Recommended

This Too Shall Slap

Second City

The Second City's 113th Mainstage Revue This Too Shall Slap is a wild sketch comedy show that spins the familiar into the absurd... and makes the absurd feel oddly familiar. Performed by a hilarious six-person ensemble who specialize in chaos, charm, and comedic whiplash, this show will keep you laughing, guessing, and possibly questioning your entire reality. Join us for a night where nothing is what it seems. Except the laughter. That's real.

Chicago Tribune- Recommended
Chicago Sun Times- Highly Recommended
Chicago Reader- Recommended
Chicago Stage and Screen- Highly Recommended
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
Third Coast Review- Highly Recommended

Amelie

Kokandy Productions at Chopin Theatre

Amelie is an extraordinary young woman who lives quietly in the world but loudly in her mind. She covertly improvises small but surprising acts of kindness that bring joy and mayhem. But when a chance at love comes her way, Amelie realizes that to find happiness she'll have to risk everything and say what's in her heart. Be inspired by this imaginative dreamer who finds her voice, discovers the power of connection, and sees possibility around every corner.

Chicago Tribune- Highly Recommended
Chicago Sun Times- Recommended
Daily Herald- Highly Recommended
Stage and Cinema- Recommended
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
Buzz Center Stage- Highly Recommended
Chicagoland Musical Theatre- Highly Recommended
Third Coast Review- Recommended
Chicago Theater and Arts- Highly Recommended
Chicago On Stage- Highly Recommended
PicksInSix- Highly Recommended
Chicago Culture Authority- Somewhat Recommended
Busking At The Seams- Highly Recommended
Broadway World- Highly Recommended
NewCity Chicago- Recommended

Wish You Were Here

Remy Bumppo Theatre at Theater Wit

Set in Iran from 1978 to 1991, this breathtaking and unabashed comedy-drama explores the evolving relationships among a group of five women during the escalation, height and aftermath of the Iranian Revolution.

Chicago Tribune- Highly Recommended
Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
Stage and Cinema- Highly Recommended
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
Chicago Theatre Review- Recommended
The Fourth Walsh- Recommended
MaraTapp.org- Highly Recommended
Allie and the After Party- Recommended

Catch Me If You Can

Marriott Theatre

Based on the hit film and the incredible true story, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is the delightfully entertaining musical comedy about chasing your dreams and not getting caught. Jet-set to the 1960s where charming, young con man Frank Abagnale Jr. posed as an airline pilot, a lawyer and a doctor - and then escaped police custody, all before he turned 22. When Frank's lies catch the attention of an FBI agent, he is pursued across the globe to pay for his crimes. Created by a Tony Award-winning dream team: book by Terrence McNally (The Full Monty, Ragtime) and a swinging score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Some Like it Hot).

Chicago Tribune- Recommended
Chicago Sun Times- Somewhat Recommended
Daily Herald- Recommended
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
Buzz Center Stage- Highly Recommended
Chicago Theater and Arts- Highly Recommended
PicksInSix- Highly Recommended
Splash Magazine- Highly Recommended
Broadway World- Highly Recommended

Gangsta Baby

Open Space Arts

Junior is a queer sex worker in Hastings suffering from PTSD. His life is plunged into further turmoil during a booking with a new client when his homophobic gangster father ?Senior? returns home. Why has his father returned? What does he want from his son? And why now? From writer and performer Cameron Raasdal-Munro, and director Rikki Beadle-Blair MBE, GANGSTA BABY explores themes of class, environmental issues, and how being shunned by a parent for being LGBTQIA+ can develop into internalized homophobia.

Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
Windy City Times- Highly Recommended
Stage and Cinema- Recommended
Around The Town Chicago- Somewhat Recommended
Chicago Theatre Review- Highly Recommended
NewCity Chicago- Highly Recommended

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