Theater

Spotlight: Satirical tuner ‘Spamalot’ gallops back to Chicago

Posted May 11, 2026 1:08 pm

The national tour of the Tony Award-winning tuner “Spamalot” returns to the CIBC Theatre in Chicago for a brief run. Courtesy of Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

‘Spamalot’ returns

“Spamalot,” the musical by Eric Idle and John Du Prez “lovingly ripped off” from the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” returns to Chicago for a brief run. The tour stars Major Attaway as King Arthur and Blake Segal as his loyal squire Patsy.

7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, May 19-22, and May 26, 28 and 29; 2 and 7:30 p.m. May 23 and 30; 1 and 6:30 p.m. May 24; 1 and 7 p.m. May 27; and 1 p.m. May 30, at the CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago. $35-$130. BroadwayInChicago.com.

Metropolis’ new family series

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre launches its new Theatre for Young Audiences program with “Around the World With Hans Christian Andersen.” An interactive show about the importance of storytelling, it incorporates such tales as “The Princess and the Pea,” “The Nightingale” and “The Ugly Duckling.”

10 a.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, through May 23, at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $15. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

From the screen to the stage

Trap Door Theatre concludes its 32nd season with “Le Bal,” a commission inspired by Ettore Scola’s 1983, dialogue-free film that chronicles 50 years of 20th-century French history via the events unfolding in a ballroom. Stephen Buescher devised the production and directs.

8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday through June 20, and 3 p.m. June 7 and 14 at 1655 W. Cortland St., Chicago. $32. (773) 384-0494 or trapdoortheatre.com.

Pegasus revives two-hander

Pegasus Theatre revives “In the Continuum,” Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter's two-hander about Abigail and Nia, who learn they have contracted HIV and are forced to navigate their new reality. Producing artistic director ILesa Duncan directs.

Previews on Friday and Saturday, May 15-16, at 798 N. Aberdeen, Chicago. The show opens Sunday, May 17. Adults $35, seniors $25, 21 and younger $15. pegasustheatrechicago.org.

Chicago theater company [producingbody] presents the Chicago premiere of “Spaceman.” Courtesy of Taylor Dalton

Sci-fi odyssey gets Chicago premiere

The theater company [producingbody] presents the Chicago premiere of “Spaceman,” a solo show by Leegrid Stevens, directed by Eric Slater. Ashley Neal stars as astronaut Molly Jennis and puppeteer Allyce Torres plays Ares in the sci-fi odyssey about the first human to visit Mars, who finds interplanetary travel is far easier than the psychological strain of having to spend so much time alone. Note, all audience members must place their cellphones into a locked Yondr pouch that stays with them throughout the production. Pouches will be unlocked as attendees exit the performance.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, May 19-20, at The Edge Off-Broadway, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave., Chicago. The show opens Thursday, May 21. $15-$45. producingbody.com.

First Floor Theater presents “WORK HARD HAVE FUN MAKE HISTORY” by playwright reid tang. Courtesy of Peter Bellamy

Experimental comedy

A dark, experimental comedy about alienation and capitalism (whose title echoes Amazon’s motto), “WORK HARD HAVE FUN MAKE HISTORY” is a play by reid tang that “blends humor, technology and existential dread” and “unfolds through surreal encounters and fractured conversations.” First Floor Theater’s production is directed by Tina El Gamal.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, through June 6, at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago. $10-$40. firstfloortheatre.com.