Experience the remarkable life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati like never before in Frassati, the critically acclaimed stage production by playwright Jeremy Stanbary. Returning in a powerful, newly updated touring edition, Frassati commemorates the centennial of the young Italian’s death and aligns with the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year and the canonization weekend of Blessed Frassati—offering audiences across America and beyond a chance to encounter a life of radical faith, boundless joy, and spiritual heroism.

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Frassati

Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture

Join us this December for a captivating retelling of It’s a Wonderful Life, brought to life as a 1940s-style live radio play. Set in the intimate round of the Paradiso, every seat offers a unique, up-close view of the beloved tale of George Bailey, his guardian angel Clarence, and the resilient community of Bedford Falls.

This immersive experience blends nostalgia with heart, drawing you into a world where kindness matters, neighbors look out for each other, and one life really can make a difference. Whether you’re returning as part of a cherished tradition or discovering the magic for the first time, this production will stir your soul and lift your spirits.

It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

Get ready to be transported to a bygone era and immerse yourself in the heartwarming tale of George Bailey, Clarence the angel, and the enchanting town of Bedford Falls. This live radio play adaptation promises to capture the spirit of the season like never before. Whether it’s a family tradition or your first time experiencing the magic, the production is sure to fill your heart with warmth and joy. Share the spirit with your loved ones, and make this a December to remember.

It’s A Wonderful Life

Join us for the next installment of In The Works, our staged reading series devoted to new plays in development by local playwrights.

“Lettie returns to her childhood home in Florida for Christmas, taking a break from her struggling acting career in New York. She finds the house empty and mid-renovation, her father on edge and haunted by strange occurrences in the space where her sister, Mara, died of an opioid overdose a year earlier. As the holidays approach, the family grapples with how to move forward in a home that, even stripped to its bones, refuses to let go of the past.”

In the Works: A Little Ghost Story

Copernicus Center

Podcast link: https://youtu.be/4hagYvrYbuM

The Artelize Podcast and Kasper Holten - Pedefining Opera for the modern world

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d36M5Hi6O80

The Artelize Podcast - A legacy of innovation in Opera: Celebrating Marc A. Scorca

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59E40S_EQSY

The Artelize Podcast: A love letter that was never sent

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THv6htilWtI

The Artelize Podcast and Adolfo Corrado: Mediterranean flavors, opera and social media

What if every moment in our lives was just one of infinite possibilities? What if each choice we make—or don’t make—splits the world into a new universe, a new timeline, a new version of ourselves? In Nick Payne’s critically acclaimed play Constellations, these mind-bending questions come to life through a remarkably intimate and emotional love story.

At the center of this poetic and innovative work are Marianne, a theoretical physicist, and Roland, a beekeeper. Their relationship unfolds across a multitude of parallel universes, with scenes repeating in variation, shifting subtly or drastically based on a single gesture, a different word, or a change of heart. Through this kaleidoscopic lens, Payne explores not only the nature of time and reality but also the deeply human experiences of love, regret, and the fragile beauty of connection.

Constellations is more than a romance—it’s a profound meditation on fate, free will, and the choices that shape our lives. Drawing inspiration from cutting-edge scientific theories, particularly quantum mechanics and string theory, the play asks: Are we free to choose our path, or are we bound by forces we cannot control?

Constellations

When Serge splurges on a controversial painting, it sparks a lively debate among his best friends, Marc and Yvan. What begins as playful banter soon escalates into heated arguments. As tensions build, their discussion of the subjective nature of art begins to expose the raw nerves at the center of the friendship. Will a piece of art sever their connection or bring them closer than ever?

Remy Bumppo Theatre Company

**Chicago Shakespeare Theater Presents: Hymn**

This spring, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) is proud to announce the world premiere of "Hymn," a deeply resonant play celebrating male friendship, written by the Olivier Award-winning playwright Lolita Chakrabarti. Running from April 29 to May 25, 2025, at the Courtyard Theater, this production marks a significant return for Chakrabarti, whose previous works, including the acclaimed "Red Velvet," have captivated CST audiences.

"Hymn" is set against the vibrant backdrop of Chicago, a creative reimagining from its original London setting at the Almeida Theatre. The play intricately weaves the lives of two middle-aged Black men, exploring the depths of their bond through an intimate lens that delves into the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the complex dynamics of relationships between brothers, fathers, and sons.

Lolita Chakrabarti shares her inspiration for the play, stating, "I wanted to write a story of two Black men who find love with each other—a familial, platonic love. My own male friends have often surprised me with their sensitivity, femininity, fussiness, insecurities, fun, kindness, and warmth—the list goes on. 'Hymn' was born out of my desire to tell a different story." Her anticipation to bring this narrative to Chicago is palpable, promising a rendition that resonates with the city's rich cultural tapestry.

Tickets for "Hymn" will go on sale later this summer, with the run time and additional details to be announced. This premiere is a must-see event for theater enthusiasts and anyone drawn to powerful storytelling and profound explorations of human connections.

Location: Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Courtyard Theater, 800 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. For more information, visit the Chicago Shakespeare Theater's website or contact the box office at 312.595.5600.

Hymn

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

A deeply resonant tribute to male friendship

In the spring, Olivier Award-winning playwright Lolita Chakrabarti returns to Chicago with Hymn. Originally set in London in its premiere at the Almeida Theatre, Chakrabarti will reframe the play for CST to be set in Chicago. This soul-affirming story charts the lives of two middle-aged Black men as they form a deep bond in an intimate exploration of the loyalties and betrayals of brothers, fathers, and sons. Chakrabarti’s Red Velvet enjoyed an acclaimed run at CST in 2017; other notable credits include Life of Pi, now on tour across North America, and Hamnet, a stage adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel that premiered at the Royal Shakespeare Company last year.

How far would you go to chase a dream?

A.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations—a Chicago-based nonprofit that creates theatre and film for, with, and by individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), is thrilled to return to Chicago Shakespeare Theater with a punk-inspired re-telling of Frankenstein.

Frankenstein

The most beautiful thing offered to humans is our capacity to love, and the most difficult? Loyalty to God in the face of human opposition­—a relevant topic today, as the two are increasingly at odds. Human nature doesn’t change however, and over 2,500 years ago, we see in this story a young woman of Thebes facing the same challenge.

Antigone

From Peru, a joyful celebration of self-expression. Blending Shakespeare’s text with personal anecdotes from their lives, a group of young performers with Down syndrome take the stage in a lively and profound theatrical experience. Presented in partnership with the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA), CST welcomes Teatro La Plaza from Lima, Peru with its bold and energetic reimagining of Hamlet. Offering a provocative look at questions of inclusion and discrimination, the performers explore the central question “To be or not to be?” through their own experiences, and a mix of pop music, dance, and wry humor.

Teatro La Plaza's Hamlet

In a sweltering motel room in the Mojave Desert, May and Eddie lick their wounds and get ready for another relentless round. This brawl is eternal and infernal. And the Old Man is always watching.

Fool For Love

Steppenwolf Theatre Company

“Is the American Dream at the expense of the American Negro?” This was the topic on February 18, 1965 when an overflow crowd packed the Cambridge Union in Cambridge, England, to bear witness to a historic televised debate between James Baldwin, the leading literary voice of the civil rights movement, and William F. Buckley Jr., a fierce critic of the movement and America’s most influential conservative intellectual. The stage was set for an epic confrontation that pitted Baldwin’s call for a moral revolution in race relations against Buckley’s unabashed elitism and implicit commitment to white supremacy. This historic clash reveals the deep roots and lasting legacy of racial conflict that continues to haunt America.

Debate: Baldwin vs. Buckley

DePaul University Welcome Center

**Event: Jaja’s African Hair Braiding at Chicago Shakespeare Theater**

**Dates:** January 14 - February 2, 2025  
**Location:** The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, 800 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611  
**Written by:** Jocelyn Bioh  
**Directed by:** Whitney White  
**Run Time:** Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission  
**Tickets:** Available for purchase later this summer. Subscribe for updates.

**About the Play:**  
Making its regional premiere straight from a twice-extended Broadway run, "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding" is a comedic play that offers a vibrant glimpse into the lives of a group of West African immigrant women in Harlem. Set in a bustling hair salon, this narrative unfolds over a sweltering summer day filled with love, dreams, and secrets. As the day progresses, the tight-knit community faces the boiling point of their uncertainties, challenging what it means to be an outsider on the edge of the place they call home.

**Why You Should See It:**  
Acclaimed playwright Jocelyn Bioh brings to life the vibrant women of Jaja's African Hair Braiding, offering audiences a unique opportunity to explore the rich diversity and universality of the immigrant experience in America. This play is a heartfelt tribute to the beauty of diversity, culture, and the sense of community that binds us all.

**Additional Information:**  
- **Parking and Directions:** Detailed information available on the Chicago Shakespeare Theater website.  
- **Dining Options:** A variety of dining options are available near the venue.  
- **Accessibility:** The theater is committed to accessibility for all patrons. For more information, visit the Chicago Shakespeare Theater website.

**Production Credits:**  
"Jaja’s African Hair Braiding" is a co-production of Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Arena Stage, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre, presented in association with Madison Wells Live and LaChanze.

**Contact Information:**  
- **Box Office:** 312.595.5600  
- **Website:** [Chicago Shakespeare Theater](https://www.chicagoshakes.com)

Don't miss this world premiere production that celebrates the spirit of community and the resilience of the human heart. Subscribe today for updates and ticket information.

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding

In 1947, Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell’s first letters sparked a friendship that spanned 30 years, crossing continents and filling countless pages. Their correspondence, a blend of poetry and personal musings, became the anchor of their tumultuous lives. Despite rare meetings, their connection transcended the bounds of a traditional love story, evolving into a profound friendship.

Dear Elizabeth

Dante 360 takes you on a journey through Dante’s Divine Comedy in an immersive, multi-dimensional experience. Blending theater, visual art, and music, Dante 360 brings to life on stage the epic journey Dante takes through Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory, inviting audiences to explore themes of human and divine love, redemption, and the afterlife.

Dante 360

Meet Kenneth, a 38-year-old longtime bookstore worker, who is perfectly content with his after-work routine: a mai tai (or two) at the local tiki bar. But when his employer decides to close the store, Kenneth must also turn the page and choose a new direction—including some daring steps into a world he has evaded. BOLD Producer Malkia Stampley makes her Goodman directing debut with this “tender, delicately detailed portrait” (The New York Times) about new beginnings.

Primary Trust

Goodman Theatre

The cast and crew of Nothing On are scrambling to prepare for opening night, but despite their earnest efforts, the production is an absolute mess. Line flubs and lost props and missed cues, oh my! Can this beleaguered ensemble overcome egos and jealousies to pull the show together in time?

Noises Off

Science and religion go head-to-head in this iconic courtroom showdown. A small-town educator’s trial for teaching the theory of evolution becomes a battle royal of wits, wisdom and will for two of the country’s most powerful lawyers. In a bold retelling for today, Goodman Resident Artistic Associate Henry Godinez directs an all-new production of one of the greatest dramas of the 20th century, based on the real-life Scopes “Monkey” Trial of 1925—an “explosive episode in American culture” (New York Times).

Inherit The Wind

In today's world where social media dominates our lives, the play "It's Complicated" showcases the hidden lives of a man with a secret, a couple whose relationship is on the
brink of collapse, and a wise-cracking niece who loves drama! This original stage play reflects real life
with its mix of drama, humor, and music. It's an experience not to be missed!

Play events in Chicago, IL

Frassati

Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture...

It’s A Wonderful Life: A ...

Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture...

It’s A Wonderful Life

Athenaeum Center Theatre

In the Works: A Little Gh...

Copernicus Center

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast - A ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast: A l...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

Constellations

Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture...

ART

Remy Bumppo Theatre Company

Hymn

Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier...

Hymn

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Frankenstein

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Antigone

Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture...

Teatro La Plaza's Hamlet

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Fool For Love

Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Debate: Baldwin vs. Buckl...

TimeLine Theatre Company

Jaja’s African Hair Braid...

Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier...

Dear Elizabeth

Remy Bumppo Theatre Company

Dante 360

Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture...

Primary Trust

Goodman Theatre

Noises Off

Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Inherit The Wind

Goodman Theatre

It’s Complicated

Greenhouse Theater Center