Ken Payne
Coed Prison Sluts Does Just Enough
Let’s just start by saying Coed Prison Sluts is certainly not your average musical. Claimed as the longest running musical in Chicago, this Annoyance Theatre production takes its viewers inside a prison – a very unusual prison to say the least.
“Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical” is One Funny Adventure at Sea
Hilarity, madness, and good old-fashioned fun are high-flying in “Poseidon! The Upside Down Musical”, based on the book by David Cerda. Directed by Matthew Gunnels, Poseidon is the story about a ragtag group of “Poseidonites” who regularly get together to watch the 1972 disaster film The Poseidon Adventure.
“Art” is Smart…and Very Funny
Art gets underway when one of three friends purchases a very expensive painting - a white canvas. To his chagrin neither of his two friends “get it” in the way he does. While one friend, Marc, is outraged at the acquisition and forthright about his opinion, the other, Yvan, agrees to an extent, but hides his true feelings when confronted by Serge, the buyer. Serge, who is absolutely taken with the painting’s beauty, cannot understand why his friends don’t see it through his eyes.
Steppenwolf Goes Shakespeare with “The Tempest”
Ensemble member Tina Landau brilliantly brings the final work of William Shakespeare to life as Steppenwolf Theatre presents The Tempest thanks to her fantastic direction and strong performances by its cast. The performance, which runs through May 31st, is an ideal blend of humor and powerful drama and is enhanced by its colorful wardrobe and magical scenery. This is the first time in its prestigious history that Steppenwolf has taken on the work of Shakespeare.
Rent Makes A Triumphant Return to Chicago
Most “Rentheads” in Chicago probably thought they’d never get the chance to see “Rent” ever again with its original Broadway cast members. Now, for a limited time, they can. Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Gwen Stewart have all rejoined the cast while on its current national tour that can be seen here in Chicago at Oriental Theatre from March 31-April 12th.
“Last Days” is a real find
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot is extremely funny at times though it remains thought provoking and poignant throughout. Written by Stephen Adly Guirgis, director Craig J. Engel calls it one of the best scripts he has ever read – and he might be right. Guirgis masterfully blends humor and witty dialogue with the feelings of loneliness, guilt and heartbreak.
Police Academy Comes Alive!
Insanely funny would be the first words that come to mind in describing New Millennium Theatre’s presentation of Police Academy: Insurgency Emergency. Whether you’ve seen any of the seven Police Academy movies or not, you’ll be sure to enjoy this live adaptation directed by Adam Rosowicz who wrote the script along with Matt Russell.
Top Comedy Holiday Hit in David Bowie's Christmas Special
Though some presented huge, elaborate sets, known actors and a more traditional holiday message, it was New Millennium Theatre’s less extravagant production of The David Bowie Hepzikat Funky Velvet Flarney Solstice Spectacular, Live…From Space (otherwise known as the David Bowie Christmas Special 1977 Network Edit) that may have impressed me the most.
William Petersen Shines in "Dublin Carol"
Taking a brief hiatus from the hit television show C.S.I., William Petersen has returned to Steppenwolf Theatre, to reprise the role of John Plunkett in “Dublin Carol”. Written by playwright Conor McPherson and directed by ensemble member Amy Morton, “Dublin Carol” is a gritty story...
KA is a Spectacular Treat
From the moment I stepped foot into the 1,950 seat theater inside the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, I was awe. With the set of KA expanding along the sides and rear of the theater, the pre-show had Archers and Spearmen swinging about from platform to platform and above audience members as they searched...
Whammy, Indeed: Koechner’s Stand‑Up Evolves at The Den
24 May 2026 in Theatre in ReviewDavid Koechner stormed into The Den Theatre’s Mainstage this weekend with the kind of unruly, big‑hearted presence that instantly reminded…
Spaceman: Into the Quiet Terror of the Void
22 May 2026 in Theatre in ReviewSpaceman, presented by [producingbody], touches down at The Edge Off-Broadway with a quiet, unnerving force, pulling audiences into the fragile…
Inside a Real ‘Fire House’ You Are Immersed in Phantasmic Lives of Firefighters
22 May 2026 in Theatre in ReviewSet in Chicago’s oldest fire station (now Firehouse Art Studio) the immersive play "Fire House” is only loosely tethered to…
Spamalot Is Every Monty Python Fan’s Dream Come to Life
21 May 2026 in Theatre in ReviewSpamalot rides into the Windy City courtesy of Broadway In Chicago, inviting theatergoers to join King Arthur’s quest now through…
Raven Theatre announces the 2026-27 season
20 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatreRaven Theatre, under the director of Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Berry, announces its 44th season, to include Michael R. Jackson's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange…
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents ALEX EDELMAN: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO
20 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFollowing a critically-acclaimed, sell-out run of Just For Us at Steppenwolf Theatre and around the globe, Tony and Emmy Award-winning comedian Alex Edelman returns…
Announcing the 26/27 Season at Goodman Theatre
20 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatreOn the heels of an unprecedented Centennial Season, Goodman Theatre sets a bold stage for its second century. Walter Artistic…
Black Button Eyes Productions to stage Conor McPherson's one-actor play ST NICHOLAS, June 26 - July 26
20 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBlack Button Eyes Productions has announced it will follow up its hit co-production (with City Lit Theater) of STRANGE CARGO:…
Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces As Long As You're Asking: A Conversation with Jason Alexander
20 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the return of Jason Alexander for a special event, As Long As You're Asking: A Conversation with Jason Alexander.…
Midsommer Flight to stage Shakespeare's comedy AS YOU LIKE IT free in six Chicago parks June 26 – August 2
20 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFor its 13th free summer production, Midsommer Flight will present one of Shakespeare's most highly regarded and popular comedies. AS YOU…
Chicago Magic Lounge welcomes back fan favorite Ondřej Pšenička for a limited run this summer
19 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Magic Lounge, Chicago's home for close-up magic, announces the return of world-renowned magician Ondřej Pšenička in a limited run of his hit…
Porchlight's FREE Summer Concert Series Returns - BROADWAY IN YOUR BACKYARD
19 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatrePorchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the return of its free summer concert series Broadway in your Backyard, July 6 - September…
Ian Frank named Shattered Globe Theatre’s new Producing Artistic Director
19 May 2026 in Theatre BuzzChicago’s Shattered Globe Theatre announced today that Ian Frank has been selected, following a national search, to be the company’s…
OPERA FESTIVAL OF CHICAGO PRESENTS VERY VERISMO! JUNE 13 AT THE JARVIS OPERA HALL
19 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatreOpera Festival of Chicago opens its 2026 festival season with Very Verismo!, that includes a VIP reception and a captivating concert celebrating…
Couch Penny Ensemble presents An Oak Tree by Tim Crouch, running June 19-July 5 at the Greenhouse Theater Center
18 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatreTwo actors. One has rehearsed the play. The other has neither seen nor read it. A different performer joins the…
AstonRep Productions to stage US Premiere of Liisa Repo-Martell's new adaptation of Chekhov's UNCLE VANYA, June 18 – July 5 at the Edge Off-Broadway Theatre
18 May 2026 in Upcoming DanceAstonRep Productions, the theatre and film production company that has produced over 30 stage productions in Chicago, has announced it…
A Red Orchid’s The Targeted Builds a Case for Compassion
18 May 2026 in Theatre in ReviewIf you’ve ever worked in an urban coffee shop, chances are you’ve encountered at least one ultra-paranoid kook who believes…
Rocky in Concert Delivers a Knockout Night Despite Technical Stumbles
17 May 2026 in Theatre in ReviewMarking Rocky’s 50th anniversary, Rocky in Concert arrived at the Auditorium Theatre in a highly anticipated Auditorium Philms presentation featuring…
No Dialog, Yet Strongly Affecting, Trap Door's 'Le Bal' Is Like Nothing You've Seen
16 May 2026 in Theatre in ReviewCan you have a play run 90 minutes with no dialog? Indubitably, as Trap Door Theatre demonstrates with its new…
C'est Drôle: Tartuffe, or, The Charlatan brings classic humor to Wrigleyville theatre
15 May 2026 in Theatre in ReviewWhile many of my classmates were signing up for Spanish classes, I thought it would be terribly useful to sign…
A New Home, A Necessary Warning: Timeline’s Enemy Lands Hard
15 May 2026 in Theatre in ReviewTimeline Theatre unveils their chic, new Uptown home with its inaugural production–Henrik Ibsen’s ever-relevant “An Enemy of the People”. A…
Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces 40th Anniversary Season
15 May 2026 in Theatre BuzzChicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Director Kimberly Motes announce today the company's 40th Anniversary Season. America's leading Shakespeare Theater curates…
Chicago Dance Crash presents expo/sd — a genre-bending, world-premiere repertory performance!
15 May 2026 in Upcoming DanceOn July 24th and 25th at 7:00 pm, Chicago Dance Crash will present expo/sd, a world premiere concert at the Ruth…
Steppenwolf Presents LAURA BENANTI: NOBODY CARES - August 6 – 9, 2026
14 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatreDirect from an acclaimed run at Edinburgh Fringe and two sold-out Off-Broadway engagements, Steppenwolf Theatre is pleased to present Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares, a…
BrightSide Theatre announces 2026-27 season - THE ADDAMS FAMILY, THE SECRET GARDEN: IN CONCERT, KEN LUDWIG'S BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY, and AVENUE Q
13 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBrightSide Theatre has announced its 15th season of presenting professional theatre in Naperville. Its 2026-27 mainstage slate of four productions will…
Chicago City Opera presents Strauss Masterpiece Der Rosenkavalier
13 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago City Opera (CCO) presents one of late-Romantic composer Richard Strauss' most beloved works, Der Rosenkavalier. Composed by Strauss to…
The Magic Parlour Extends Through December 31! Plus Special Guest Eric Jones Joins This Summer
13 May 2026 in Now PlayingA special guest star, a new block of tickets, and more magic comes to The Magic Parlour this summer. Acclaimed third-generation Magician Dennis…
OAK PARK FESTIVAL THEATRE ANNOUNCES 51ST SEASON "HAMLET" AND "THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST"
12 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Oak Park Festival Theatre, Oak Park's premiere Equity theatre and the oldest professional classical theatre in the Midwest, today announced…
METROPOLIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE ANNOUNCES ITS UPCOMING 2026-27 SEASON INCLUDING RIDE THE CYCLONE, THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, THE MATCH GAME AND RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S OKLAHOMA!
12 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatreMetropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights at 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce its…
Everybody Got a Secret: York Walker’s Covenant Haunts The Goodman
12 May 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThe Goodman Theatre’s Covenant announces York Walker as a playwright ascending rapidly into the highest tier of American theater. This…
Latest Articles
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Whammy, Indeed: Koechner’s Stand‑Up Evolves at The Den
Written by Ken PayneDavid Koechner stormed into The Den Theatre’s Mainstage this weekend with the kind of unruly, big‑hearted presence that instantly reminded audiences why he had been a comedy fixture for more than two decades. People knew him as the blustering Champ…
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Spaceman: Into the Quiet Terror of the Void
Written by Ken PayneSpaceman, presented by [producingbody], touches down at The Edge Off-Broadway with a quiet, unnerving force, pulling audiences into the fragile headspace of an astronaut drifting far from home and even farther from certainty. Under Eric Slater’s beautifully calibrated direction, playwright…
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Inside a Real ‘Fire House’ You Are Immersed in Phantasmic Lives of Firefighters
Written by Bill EslerSet in Chicago’s oldest fire station (now Firehouse Art Studio) the immersive play "Fire House” is only loosely tethered to a realistic portrayal of what fire fighters do. What it conveys is an impressionistic vision of the experience that fire… -
Spamalot Is Every Monty Python Fan’s Dream Come to Life
Written by Angelo CamposSpamalot rides into the Windy City courtesy of Broadway In Chicago, inviting theatergoers to join King Arthur’s quest now through May 31 at the CIBC Theatre. Fans of Monty Python and the Holy Grail - the 1975 cult classic -…
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