Theater

Fall theater preview: Plenty of intriguing musicals and plays coming to suburban, Chicago stages

Posted September 01, 2026 9:57 am

Barbara Vitello

Real-life married couple Timothy Edward Kane and Kate Fry play embattled former spouses and co-workers in Northlight Theatre’s premiere adaptation of the newspaper dramedy “The Front Page.” (Jeffrey L. Kurysz photo) Jeffrey L Kurysz

Talk about a rich harvest, suburban and Chicago theaters are overflowing with premieres (both world and regional) as well as a couple of timely revivals and remounts.

With subjects ranging from contraception to war to the duality of a man’s soul to the press and its freedom, these shows promise at the very least to spark conversation.

Here, in order of opening, are 15 (plus a few more) of autumn’s most intriguing musicals and plays.

Elizabeth Stenholt, center, plays new girl Cady Heron who’s adopted the popular girls known as The Plastics, from left Julia Hope Budd, Angel Alzeidan and Dariana Mullen in Paramount Theatre’s regional premiere of “Mean Girls.” (Adam Cannon photo)

“Mean Girls,” through Oct. 11 at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, (630) 896-6666, paramountaurora.com. Aurora’s Paramount has become something of the go-to Chicago area theater for musicals making their regional premieres. Following “Dear Evan Hansen” earlier this year, “Come From Away” and “Waitress” in 2025 and “Frozen” in 2024, Paramount stages “Mean Girls,” the stage adaptation of Tina Fey’s hit 2004 movie about high school queen bees. Des Plaines native Elizabeth Stenholt stars as the outsider who infiltrates girl world’s most popular clique.

Janet Ulrich Brooks, left, plays Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger; Mary Beth Fisher, right, plays suffragist/philanthropist Katharine McCormick, who helped fund the development of the birth control pill; and María Victoria Martínez, center, early trial test subject Ramona Delgado in TimeLine Theatre’s premiere of “The Birth of the Pill” by Jessica Huang. (Joe Mazza /brave lux, inc.)

“The Birth of the Pill,” Sept. 2 through Oct. 4 at TimeLine Theatre, 5035 N. Broadway St., Chicago, (773) 281-8463 x1, timelinetheatre.com. TimeLine Theatre inaugurates its 30th season with the premiere of “The Birth of the Pill,” adapted by playwright Jessica Huang from Jonathan Eig’s book. The play examines the development of the contraceptive that ensured women’s control over their reproductive futures, including the physicians, scientists and activists responsible for its creation and the women who participated in the clinical trials.

Janus Theatre Company’s all-female cast for its revival of “An Iliad,” includes, from left, Elizabeth Ley, Aneesah Jemei, Tiffany Jasinski, Susan P. Anderson, Jennifer Reeves Wilson and Lauren Sullivan. (Janus Theatre Company)

“An Iliad,” Sept. 3 through 4 at Janus Theatre, at The New Elgin Art Showcase, 220 Dupage St., Elgin, janusplays.com. Janus Theatre remounts “An Iliad,” Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare’s stage adaptation of Homer’s epic poem examining war and all its horrors. Artistic director Sean Hargadon directs an all-female cast, who play Euripides’ Trojan Women who survived the slaughter of their loved ones and the destruction of their city and are compelled to recount the tale. The production stars: Elizabeth Ley, Aneesah Jemei, Tiffany Jasinski, Susan P. Anderson, Jennifer Reeves Wilson and Lauren Sullivan.

“Black Girl from a White Suburb,” Sept. 4 through Oct. 4 at American Blues Theater, 5627 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, (773) 654-3103 or americanbluestheater.com. ABT opens its 41st season with “Black Girl from a White Suburb,” a world premiere solo show by actor/creator and ABT artistic affiliate Tania Richard chronicling her experience growing up in suburban Chicago.

Melvin Diggs and Nancy Luna rehearse for Goodman Theatre’s season-opening production of The 7 Fingers ensemble’s “The Attic: Things I’ve Seen While Lying on My Back.” (Milissa Martin)

“The Attic: Things I've Seen While Lying on My Back,” Sept. 5 through Oct. 4 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. (312) 443-3800 or GoodmanTheatre.org. Goodman Theatre premieres “The Attic” in cooperation with The 7 Fingers, a multidisciplinary, aerialist ensemble co-founded by trapeze artist Shana Carroll whose life story inspired the tale about what it means to be human.

David Moreland, downstage right, stars as the titular characters in Kokandy Productions’ remount of the musical “Jekyll & Hyde” in collaboration with Broadway In Chicago. (Evan Hanover photo)

“Jekyll & Hyde,” Sept. 8 through Nov. 8 at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, BroadwayInChicago.com. Kokandy Productions, whose acclaimed 2025 revival of the Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn musical received eight Joseph Jefferson Awards, remounts the production in collaboration with Broadway in Chicago. Adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s gothic thriller about the interplay between good and evil, Kokandy’s production stars David Moreland as the titular physician and his murderous counterpart.

“The Front Page,” Sept. 9 through Oct. 18 at Northlight Theatre, 1012 N. Church St., Evanston, (847) 563-8400, northlight.org. Northlight’s premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher’s new adaptation of Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur’s 1928 comedy about newspaper reporters covering a high-profile murder case, marks the return of the theater company to the suburb where it began 52 years ago. Artistic director BJ Jones’ production stars real-life husband and wife actors Timothy Edward Kane and Kate Fry as battling ex-spouses editor Walter Burns and his ex-wife and ace reporter, Hildy Johnson.

Hailee Kaleem Wright plays Vy in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s “Play On!” a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” set to music from Duke Ellington. (Jeff Sciortino photo)

“Play On,” Sept. 11 through Oct. 18 at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, (312) 595-5600, chicagoshakes.com. CST incorporates Duke Ellington classics “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” and “I’m Beginning to the See the Light” among others into “Play On!,” its retelling of William Shakespeare's “Twelfth Night” set to music. Sheldon Epps helms the revival featuring an updated book by Cheryl L. West.

“A Wrinkle in Time,” Sept. 11 through Oct. 18 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago, (773) 761-4477, lifelinetheatre.com. Lifeline opens its season with ensemble member James Sie’s adaptation of the young adult science fiction tale “A Wrinkle in Time,” a rumination on good and evil by Madeleine L’ Engle in which a young girl, her brother and their friend attempt to rescue their missing father from a “monstrous darkness that threatens the universe.”

Paul Oakley Stovall, left, Rebecca Spence, her dog Snooper, and Jessica Ervin appear in Rivendell Theatre Company’s premiere of “Bonnie’s Last Flight.” (Jeffrey L. Kurysz) Jeffrey L Kurysz

“Bonnie’s Last Flight,” Sept. 12 through Oct. 17 at Rivendell Theatre Company, 5779 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago, (773) 334-7728, rivendelltheatre.org. Rivendell concludes its 30th season comprised entirely of world premieres, with Eliza Bent’s workplace comedy. Set on an airplane, the comedy centers around retiring crew member Jan (ensemble member Rebecca Spence) on her last day on the job. Ensemble member Devon de Mayo directs a mostly Rivendell cast.

Johnny Galecki, left, plays Tennessee Williams and Jacob Moskovitz plays Marlon Brando in Lookingglass Theatre Company's Chicago premiere of “Kowalski.” (Emil Cohen photo)

“Kowalski,” Sept. 15 through Oct. 25 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St., Chicago, (312) 337-0665, lookingglasstheatre.org. Johnny Galecki, best known as Leonard Hofstadter on CBS’ long-running “The Big Bang Theory” and Jacob Moskovitz (“Elle”) star in Lookingglass’ Chicago premiere of “Kowalski” by Gregg Ostrin. Galecki plays Tennessee Williams and Moskovitz plays Marlon Brando in this play about an imagined meeting between the playwright searching for the male lead for his play “A Streetcar Named Desire,” and the young actor auditioning to play the brutish Stanley Kowalski in what became one of the 20th century’s most significant dramas.

“Ride the Cyclone,” Sept. 16 through Oct. 25 at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121, MetropolisArts.com. Copley Theatre’s planned revival of the Canadian cult tuner “Ride the Cyclone” last season was canceled in response to Aurora cutting back on financial assistance. But Aurora’s loss is Arlington Heights’ gain. Metropolis will revive the musical by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell about six high school choristers killed in a freak roller coaster accident who compete to win a second chance at life. Lillian Castillo, who co-starred in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s 2015 U.S. premiere, helms the production.

Rebecca Jordan plays a Russian investigative reporter targeted by the government in Shattered Globe Theatre’s Chicago premiere of the political drama “Vladimir” by Erika Sheffer. (Jeffrey L. Kurysz photo) Jeffrey L Kurysz

“Vladimir,” Oct. 2 through Nov. 14 at Shattered Globe Theatre, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, (773) 975-8150, SGTheatre.org. As Vladimir Putin tightens his grip on Russia, a journalist attempts to speak truth to power, endangering her sources and herself in the process in Erika Sheffer’s political drama based on true events. SGT’s Midwest premiere is directed by ensemble member Lou Contey and features a mostly Shattered Globe cast.

Barrington playwright Stephanie Alison Walker’s “Adirondack Chair Circle” premieres at Steppenwolf Theatre this fall. (Camilla Frontain photo)

“Adirondack Chair Circle,” Oct. 22 through Dec. 6 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1646 N. Halsted St., Chicago, (312) 335-1650, steppenwolf.org. Barrington playwright Stephanie Alison Walker’s satirical “Adirondack Chair Circle” gets its world premiere courtesy of director Pam MacKinnon and Steppenwolf Theatre Company. A group of suburban moms take on the local school board in an attempt to keep controversial books out of the school library. Except that not every mom is on board with book banning.

“Heroes of the Fourth Turning,” Oct. 29 through Dec. 6 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St., Chicago, (312) 943-8722, aredorchidtheatre.org. A reunion between four recent graduates of a tiny Catholic liberal arts college and its incoming president goes awry when political views collide in Will Arbery’s play examining “a country at war with itself.” A Red Orchid ensemble member dado helms the Chicago premiere.

Of note

Special mention to Marriott Theatre for its in-the-round revival of “Come From Away” coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, beginning Aug. 26, MarriottTheatre.com; Steppenwolf Theatre’s revival of the blistering sibling rival drama “Topdog/Underdog” starring ensemble members Glenn Davis and Namir Smallwood beginning Sept. 17, steppenwolf.org; Goodman Theatre — in collaboration with Barrington Stage Company and Hartford Stage — premieres the comic thriller “Dead Girl’s Quinceañera,” beginning Sept. 26, GoodmanTheatre.org and Drury Lane Theatre promises a grand production of the family favorite “Annie” beginning Nov. 4, drurylanetheatre.com.