Every year, in the very cold months of winter, Chicago Theatre Week inspires us and serves as a good reason to step out.
Chicago Theatre Week is brought to you by the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago. Currently in its 8th year, the much anticipated annual event which kicked off on February 13 will run through to the 23rd, allowing both locals and visitors to check out the unique range of theatres in Chicago, from regional hubs such as Broadway in Chicago and Goodman Theatre to small storefronts which includes Rivendell Theatre and Haven Chicago. During Chicago Theatre Week, tickets are offered at great discounted prices to more than 100 productions from dramas to musicals to improv at theatres all over the city. Priced tickets are available at $30, $15 or even less during the event.
Here is hubub’s picks for Chicago Theatre Week 2020 including ticket price offers.
MUSICAL–An American In Paris
An American in Paris brings exciting moments of music and dance to the theatre stage. An American GI, Jerry Mulligan, tries his best in the hustling city of Paris to make it as painter after World War II ends. The city of lights storied streets happens to be the dancefloor to a passionate and dazzling voyage into love, friendship and art. Based on the music of Ira Gershwin and George, this four-time Grammy Award nominee and Tony Award winner is definitely going to amuse you and the whole family. It will be showing at Drury Lane Theatre. Feb 19-Mar 29 for $30
DRAMA–Bug
A lonely waitress in a seedy Oklahoma motel room, falls head over heels in love and begins an unplanned affair with a young paranoid drifter, after which he begins to share his growingly mysterious delusions. They then see the first bugs…
Carrie Coon who takes on her husband Tracy Lett’s 1996 cult shocker Bug, stars in this production as Agnes and Namir Smallwood as Peter. This sensational, hilarious love tale is back to Chicago as one of the most anticipated shows of the season. With Tony winner David Cromer directing, this is certainly a must see show so don’t miss out! The show will take place at Steppenwolf Theatre Company from February 19 to March 15. Tickets cost $30.
DRAMA–Stick Fly
This wild and witty drama created by Lydia Diamond is one which stays in style. It surrounds a wealthy black family enjoying a summer weekend in Martha’s Vineyard which shoots up when the LeVay brothers come home with their new girlfriends for the first time to meet their imposing and wealthy parents. Their new girlfriends end up finding themselves under family scrutiny and tensions which results in almost everyone at the Vineyard finding themselves under a microscope, as they wrestle in debates about cultural expectations, class and race by the end of the weekend. Directed by Ron OJ Parson, WT Resident Director, this funny and moving drama will surely keep you talking way after the lights come up. Writers Theatre from February 15 to March 20 is where you can see Stick Fly. Tickets are going for $30.
COMEDY, DRAMA–Top Girls
Top Girls, an ultimately funny and whip-smart comedy drama by Caryl Churchill addresses issues around feminism, gender conformity, capitalism, family and career in numerous ways which have extended in a post-Lean In world. The story is about an Urbane career woman, Marlene (Linda Gillum) who is hosting an amazing dinner with a guest list of great women from ages past. Celebration and harmony from Marlene’s current promotion at work turns into regret, bitterness and anger as the ladies eat and drink. However, Marlene at this point draws inspiration from their life stories which is dimmed by their endured sufferings. Throughout this production, Churchill sends a message across that even though the world may sometimes be horrible to women, being horrible back is not the way to overcome it. Director Keira Fromm’s style serves the material well. Grab your tickets and enjoy. Top Girls will be showing at Theatre Wit from February 19 to February 22 at a $30.
DRAMA–Labyrinth
John Anderson finds himself carried away on luxurious trips to Latin America after having landed his dream job as a Wall Street Banker. He does this with an ultimate goal, which is, selling out loans to developing nations of the region anxious to borrow. As time goes by, John and his colleagues have no choice than to come to terms with the real price of going after their fortunes, as the banks’ unrestricted strategy of lending begins to push whole countries in the direction of bankruptcy, and the largest credit bubble in history is being threatened to burst and everything goes wrong.
In Labyrinth, renowned U.K writer Beth Steel converts the Latin American Debt Crisis into a rollercoaster ride. This is a show which will leave you short of words in the end and amused at the same time. Labyrinth will be showing at The Den Theatre from February 20 to 29 with tickets going for $15 and $30
COMEDY, DRAMA–Do You Feel Anger?
Well-meaning Sofia finds herself in a position she is not happy about. She recently got hired at a Debt Collection Agency as an Empathy Coach, and obviously, she has her work cut out.
Do You Feel Anger? is a scandalous play about insanity and the endangerment of conspiracy in the world where certain people’s emotions are placed on a high priority than others. Written by Mara Nelson-Greenberg and Directed by Jess Mcleod in its Chicago premiere, this comedy play showing at Red Orchid Theatre is expected to bring an intensity which will serve its purpose well and keep you glued to the stage till the end of the show.
DRAMA–A Doll’s House
A Doll’s House is truly having a moment and it’s a show not to overlook during the Chicago Theatre Week!
Amira Danan stars as Nora, a spirited young Norwegian housewife happens to be a revolutionist who finds herself trapped in the 1870s patriarchal world. She enjoys a comfortable life with her husband, Torvald until things decide to take a sharp turn and go against her with the reappearance of an old acquaintance, who threatens to divulge Nora’s secrets. Her marriage, relations and world begin to fall apart, and this is when she begins to speak out her mind and questions herself about her life priorities and what she wants for herself.
This masterpiece is a different adaption by Raven Theatre on tap from Ann-Charlotte Hanes Harvey and Kristen Brandt. Tickets will be selling for $30 and the show runs from February 20 to March 22 at Raven Theatre.
DRAMA–The Leopard Play
This is an actioned-packed new play from dearest local playwright Isaac Gomez.
The Leopard Play, also known as Sad Songs for Lost Boys is about a young man who returns from home along the border between the U.S and Mexico after a decade of walking away in search for answers about the mysterious death of his uncle, but end up discovering old memories from his past and the men he tried to escape from. This play is an uncovering of truth between lies, intimacy between violence and figuring out how to cherish and love the one thing you despise the most. This world premiere production commissioned by Steep Theatre is directed by Laura Alcalá Baker. This is a family affair so do well to catch this play at the theatre with your loved ones before February 29 at $15.
COMEDY, DRAMA–Barbecue
UIC Theatre introduces Barbecue, written by Robert O’Hara and directed by Derrick Sanders.
This comedy drama is about a family, the O’Mallerys who have gathered to share some barbecue in their local park and also have a tête-à-tête talk with their sister Barbara, whose carelessness and heavy use of drugs has left her siblings with no choice than to intervene. However, the matter becomes harsh and moody as family stereotypes crashes with difficult realities, and racial politics shuts up the stories we believe and tell about our past and present.
This is one of the long-awaited shows of the season, so if you have never checked it out, the Chicago Theatre Week discount makes for a perfect opportunity. Tickets are only selling for $7.50 and the show is taking place at UIC Theatre from February 21 to 23
DRAMA, MUSICAL–Verböten
If you are in Chi-Town during the Chicago Theatre Week, you have no excuse not to go and see Verböten. This play is inspired by the true story of the young punks of Chicago. A must see for that matter.
Verböten is about a band made of outsider teens with complicated home situations. As time goes by and they prepare for a show at The Cubby Bear which will forever change their lives, the fear of their parents destroying the fabric of their customised punk rock outfit scares them which they try to avoid. The story is derived from Brett Neveu’s book, directed by Artistic Director Nathan Allen with music and lyrics by Verböten’s guitarist Jason Narducy. Verböten will be showing at Chopin Theatre from February 22 to 23 at $30
During the Chicago Theatre Week, there’s always something for everyone across the 200+ theatres in Chicago. Bring out the whole family and explore hubub’s 10 handpicked shows to check out during this year’s Chicago Theatre Week.
Got any favourite shows you have seen which we haven’t mentioned of?
Feel free to drop the title in the comment section below and tag @ hubub on all social media platforms.
Enjoy the Festival of Plays and get to fall more in love with the Beautiful city of Chicago!
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