Articles filed under Professional Theater
-
How Paramount’s shows, including boffo ‘Million Dollar Quartet,’ help boost Aurora’s economyJul 19, 2025 1:58 pm - Before Aurora’s Stolp Island Theatre opened a year ago, Paramount Theatre president and CEO Tim Rater predicted it would contribute more than $3 million to the economy annually. So far, the venue’s acclaimed production of “Million Dollar Quartet” has generated more than $2.5 million in ticket sales alone, which doesn’t include the impact the near daily sell-out performances have on the local economy.
-
Making the world better: Glenview native earns starring role in Kokandy’s premiere of ‘Amélie’Jul 15, 2025 3:50 pm - A longtime fan of Kokandy Productions, Glenview native Aurora Penepacker is finally making her debut with the theater company as the titular do-gooder determined to improve the lives of others in the regional premiere of “Amélie.”
-
Things to do July 18-24: Kane, Lake and DuPage County Fairs, Naper Nights, Sugar Grove Corn Boil and moreJul 15, 2025 9:26 am - Mark your calendar for the Kane, Lake and DuPage County Fairs, Vernon Hills Days, Naper Nights, Lake Zurich Alpine Fest, Sugar Grove Corn Boil and more happening this week.
-
Spotlight: Metropolis revives epistolary love story ‘Dear Jack, Dear Louise’Jul 14, 2025 2:48 pm - The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre stages Ken Ludwig’s “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” Chicago Shakespeare Theater premieres Lauren Gunderson’s new play “Billie Jean,” and long-form improvisers TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi return to Goodman Theatre.
-
Best Bets: Comedian shares his life’s stories, Cantigny fetes French cultureJul 14, 2025 12:48 pm - Comedian Steve Solomon shares his life stories in Skokie, Cantigny celebrates French culture in Wheaton and Chicago’s iO Theater welcomes sketch-comedy troupes from around the country.
-
‘Chicago is my favorite city’: Broadway star Kathy Voytko returns to second home for ‘Beauty and the Beast’ roleJul 11, 2025 6:15 am - After seeing “Les Misérables” on tour in high school, Kathy Voytko was utterly captivated. She turned to her mom and said, “I think I want to do that.” Now, Voytko is a Broadway star who’s playing Mrs. Potts in “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace.
-
Things to do July 11-17: Dog Days of Summer, McHenry Fiesta Days, Kane County Fair, Vernon Hills Days and moreJul 08, 2025 6:08 pm - Mark your calendar for Glendale Heights Fest, Libertyville Dog Days of Summer, Itasca Fest, McHenry Fiesta Days, Kane County Fair, Vernon Hills Days and more happening this week.
-
Spotlight: Marriott hosts ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ vet in concertJul 08, 2025 2:01 pm - Nat Zegree brings his “Greatest Hits Rockin’ Request Show” to Marriott Theatre for two shows, Griffin stages a solo dramedy, walking plays return to the Morton Arboretum and Paramount revives the classic “True West.”
-
Family struggles to keep restaurant afloat in touching, Chicago-set ‘Dhaba on Devon Avenue’Jul 03, 2025 9:06 am - Writers Theatre and TimeLine Theatre’s premiere of “Dhaba on Devon Avenue,” set in Chicago’s “Little India,” is a solidly acted examination of identity, tradition and assimilation among members of Chicago’s South Asian community.
-
Leading lady Brittney Mack delivers soul-stirring performance in Goodman Theatre’s ‘The Color Purple’Jul 02, 2025 8:39 am - Brittney Mack’s stellar performance as Celie is one of many reasons to see Goodman Theatre’s triumphant revival of “The Color Purple.”