Theater

Reviews of Chicago’s stage shows and news from the actors and actresses putting on the performances.

The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival runs Jan. 18-28 at locations across the city.
Former Second City actor played a Santa Claus impersonator in the 1990 holiday classic.
Gender swap adds intrigue to Northlight Theatre’s showcase for a deadpan sleuth’s Holmesian powers of observation.
A Grinch musical, a hip-hop ‘Nutcracker’ and holiday concerts from jazz, blues and CSO musicians are among the highlights of the week ahead.
Directed by Gwendolyn Whiteside, the production is rich in holiday cheer without ever becoming soppy or sentimental.
The “America’s Got Talent” runner-up co-stars in “Boop! The Musical,” now in its pre-Broadway run at Chicago’s CIBC Theatre.
The hit Broadway show will make its North American tour debut with a 21-month run in Chicago starting next fall.
End the year in style with dance beats, comedy or a night of musical nostalgia.
While plot and supporting characters need more attention, Broadway-bound musical has spectacular songs and a winning star in Jasmine Amy Rogers.
It’s well cast and choreographed, but the production makes no attempt to comment on the 1968 musical’s sexist humor.
A Doja Cat tour stop, Cirque du Soleil’s holiday show and several ‘Nutcracker’ productions are among the entertainment highlights of the week ahead.
Two actors play dozens of roles in the myth-misted production at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Bound for Broadway, an eye-popping and high-intensity revival of the Motown-flavored musical both exhilarates and exhausts.
The Joffrey ‘Nutcracker,’ Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo, the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball, and a Pre-Kwanzaa Marketplace are among the highlights in the week ahead.
More recently, Sterhnagen had a recurring role in “Sex and the City” as Bunny MacDougal, the strong-minded mother-in-law of Charlotte (Kristin Davis), which brought her her third Emmy nomination.
Contract bargaining with the Chicago comedy theater has dragged on for more than two years.
The theater company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday for its new home at 5627 N. Lincoln Ave.
From repairing torn pants to stopping the walnuts from bumping into each other on stage, the work of Joffrey Ballet’s sewing team goes on long after the show starts.
Formerly ‘cutthroat’ castmates now perform together in ‘a gentler, kinder way,’ says group member Michael Ian Black.
Aurora’s Paramount Theatre has staged a solid version of “Charlie,” with a few tweaks to the 1964 book, written by Roald Dahl, some of which will undoubtedly confuse diehard fans.
From start to finish, the 75-minute tale will have you deep in your feelings when you’re not chortling at the ridiculous creativity of it all.
Directed and choreographed by Amber Mak, the production is rich in all the genre demands: glitter-and-tulle-draped castles, sparkle-dusted gowns, magical creatures, enchanted woods.
“Boop! The Betty Boop Musical,” the City’s official tree lighting ceremony, and the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival area among the cool things to check out in the week ahead.