Articles filed under Performing Arts
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Theater spotlight: Elvis, ‘West Side Story’ and AI-inspired ‘Sisters’ grace suburban stagesAug 04, 2026 8:38 am - This week on suburban stages, Elvis Presley tribute artist Brandon Bennett channels The King, Music Theater Works revives “West Side Story,” and Writers Theatre opens its 35th season with the AI-inspired drama “Sisters.”
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McHenry County Fair introduces its first Round Bale RumbleAug 03, 2026 12:41 pm - The McHenry County Fair (Aug 4-9) introduces its first Round Bale Rumble competition, where teams race to push massive hay bales. The weeklong fair features rodeo, quad racing, demolition derby, live music, food-eating contests, look-alike competitions, and various free family activities at the Woodstock fairgrounds.
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Music Theater Works’ 24-member orchestra delivers ‘West Side Story’ as Leonard Bernstein intendedJul 29, 2026 4:52 pm - For Music Theater Works’ revival of “West Side Story,” percussionist, arranger and conductor Justin Kono will lead a 24-musician orchestra, one of the largest Chicago-area musical theater orchestras in recent memory.
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Goodly Creatures’ Shakespeare in the Park aims to be accessible to allJul 29, 2026 5:00 am - Goodly Creatures describes its Shakespeare in the Park program as “Disney Shakespeare,” with performances shortened and adapted for a wide range of audiences. This year they will perform “As You Like It” in Geneva, Schaumburg, Elgin and Algonquin.
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Spotlight: Broadway vet Laura Benanti commences national tour at SteppenwolfJul 28, 2026 4:38 pm - Tony Award-winner Laura Benanti brings her solo show to Steppenwolf Theatre, and Gift Theatre stages the Chicago premiere of the relationship drama “Marble,” this week in Chicago-area theater.
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Concerts July 31 to Aug. 6: Lollapalooza, Ariana Grande and moreJul 28, 2026 4:20 pm - Upcoming concerts include The Smashing Pumpkins, Charli xcx, Olivia Dean and Tate McRae at Lollapalooza in Chicago’s Grant Park, Ariana Grande at the United Center, Laurie Berkner at Ravinia Festival and more.
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Best Bets: Horror fans converge on Rosemont for Flashback WeekendJul 28, 2026 12:57 pm - Horror fans will be heading to Rosemont for the annual Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention. Meanwhile, the Morton Arboretum celebrates Asian culture, the Glenn Miller Orchestra swings into North Central College, and Cantigny invites fans to a 19th-century baseball game.
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Things to do July 31 to Aug. 6: Lake and McHenry County fairs, National Night Out and moreJul 27, 2026 6:16 pm - Mark your calendar for the Lake and McHenry County fairs, National Sports Collectors Convention, Taste of Roselle, Chicago Italian Beef Fest, National Night Out events and more.
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Out of their comfort zone: Comics riff on audience suggestions at Batavia’s Comedy VaultJul 22, 2026 5:51 pm - As part of the Bits and Buckets showcase at Batavia’s Comedy Vault, comedians Brando Harris and Vinny Cerone encourage fellow comics to riff on topics suggested by audience members. “We wanted the audience to feel they’re really part of the show,” Harris said.
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Aurora’s Paramount Theatre earns best tuner Jeff noms for all four of its musicalsJul 22, 2026 12:00 pm - Paramount Theatre earned 20 equity Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for its 2025-2026 season, which included acclaimed regional premieres of “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Come From Away.”