Spotlight: ‘Shucked,’ Broadway’s corn-fed tuner, plays CIBC Theatre
‘Farm to fable’ tuner
The national tour of the Tony Award-winning musical “Shucked,” about a corn blight that threatens the lives and livelihoods of a small town, comes to the CIBC Theatre for a brief run. Tony winner Robert Horn (“Tootsie”) wrote the book and Nashville veterans Brandy Clark and Grammy Award-winner Shane McAnally composed the score and lyrics. The preview is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago. The show opens Wednesday, Jan. 8. $35-$125. broadwayinchicago.com.
Young playwrights showcase
Pegasus Theatre Chicago hosts its 38th Young Playwrights Festival. Reportedly the nation’s oldest festival of its kind, the Young Playwrights Festival premieres one-act plays by three Chicago high school students whose submissions are workshopped by professional theater artists. “For 38 years, Pegasus has produced new plays as an outlet for the young writers’ creativity. We look forward to sharing these playwrights’ stories inspiring the next generation of writers and audiences,” said executive and producing artistic director Ilesa Duncan in a prepared statement. Previews at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 3-4, at Chicago Dramatists, 798 N. Aberdeen Ave., Chicago. The festival opens at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, and runs at 7 p.m. Fridays and 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturdays through Jan. 26. $15-$30. pegasustheatrechicago.org.
Cabaret series commences
The BeauTown Cabaret, Curious Theatre Branch’s weekly series consisting of music and spoken-word performances, commences this weekend at The Facility Theatre. 5 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 5 through Feb. 23, at 1138 N. California Ave., Chicago. The venue is not accessible. $20 or pay-what-you can. curioustheatrebranch.com.
Theatre Week tix on sale Tuesday
Tickets go on sale next week for Theatre Week 2025, running Feb. 6-16 at suburban and Chicago venues. Discount tickets will be available for select performances of: Drury Lane Theatre’s “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”; Goodman Theatre’s “Fat Ham”; Court Theatre’s “A Raisin in the Sun”; Lookingglass Theatre’s “Circus Quixote”; and Writers Theatre’s “Frida … A Self Portrait,” among others. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7. $30, $15 or less. See chicagotheatreweek.com for participating theaters.
Elgin welcomes home Broadway veteran
Elgin native turned Broadway veteran Courtney Reed — who made her stage debut at age 6 playing a mouse in The Children’s Theatre of Elgin’s “Cinderella” — returns home for a concert at the Hemmens Cultural Center. Reed, who originated the role of Princess Jasmine in the Broadway production of “Aladdin” and also performed in “Moulin Rouge, The Musical!” and “In the Heights,” will be joined by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, at 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $20-$39. (847) 931-5900 or elginil.gov.
Puppet fest 2025
Puppeteers from around the world converge this month for the 7th Annual Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. Artists from China, India and Scotland will join fellow puppeteers from Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Puerto Rico and other countries as well as Chicago. Offerings include large spectacles and intimate shows, as well as family-friendly and late-night, adults-only productions showcasing both traditional and contemporary puppet styles. Jan. 15-26 at various Chicago venues. Most tickets range from $15-$48. See chicagopuppetfest.org for a schedule and venues.