Theatre

Displaying items by tag: Broadway in Chicago

In the 2019 film Yesterday, a struggling musician wakes up in a world where The Beatles never existed. A similar theatrical case study could be done with every musical that might not exist without Hamilton; Operation Mincemeat should be first on the list.

That is not to say it is not enjoyable. In fact, Operation Mincemeat is exactly the kind of show that benefits from being seen in person. The score, written by SpitLip members David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts, is rarely the main attraction. Its appeal lies instead in the comedy, characterization and ingenuity required for five actors to tell the true story of an outlandish World War II operation involving a corpse, a fabricated identity and strategically planted documents.

Director Robert Hastie and choreographer Jenny Arnold build that story out of controlled theatrical chaos. Many of the funniest sequences have the spirit of “Make ’Em Laugh”: fast, physical bits driven by props and exaggerated reactions. Some jokes get a wonderfully disproportionate amount of production value – “Monty the Musical,” for example, is infinitely funnier because the show commits so completely to the bit.

Ben Stones’s scenic and costume designs are simple, endlessly adaptable and essential to the production’s speed. The set provides a flexible framework for the show’s constant transformations, while a change in silhouette or single accessory can distinguish one of the cast’s many secondary characters in seconds. The quick changes are thoughtfully constructed and flawlessly executed.

The cast meets that challenge of executing the creative team’s boisterous visions with tireless commitment. Katie Kleiger makes Ewen Montagu charming and exactly the right amount of insufferable, while Jake Bentley Young’s anxious, endearingly dorky Charles Cholmondeley feels like the most genuinely lived-in character. That sincerity makes Young’s quick steps in and out of secondary roles even funnier. Erin Ramirez gives Jean Leslie the intelligence and brightness needed to infiltrate the operation’s boys’ club, even if the writing leaves her less developed than she deserves.

Luke Antony Neville is the standout as no-nonsense secretary Hester Leggatt, finding comedy in her restraint before delivering the show’s most emotionally complete moment in “Dear Bill.” Neville performs with such clarity and tenderness that the musical briefly stops displaying its own cleverness and simply lets a person be heard, allowing Hester’s pain to reverberate throughout the theatre. Mariah Copeland is less successful when Colonel Johnny Bevan’s military pressure tips into overplaying but shines as the wildly funny Spanish consul Salvador Gómez-Beare and throughout her other transformations.

The Broadway Company of Operation Mincemeat. Photo by Matt Crockett.

The casting conceit is harder to assess. Every performer plays across gender, age, and nationality while cycling through their many roles, a choice fundamental to both the comedy and the show’s perspective on who is permitted to lead, fight, and be remembered. Yet some passages sound as though the score does not sit comfortably in the performer’s range. Since the tour preserves the original production’s basic character assignments, those rough spots feel less like an unavoidable cost of flexible casting than vocal challenges left unsolved.

Other problems are more practical. Between inconsistent diction, accents that could occasionally be pulled back, and uneven sound mixing, too many lines disappear. The dense exposition and distinctly British frame of reference already ask an American touring audience to keep up; every lost lyric risks taking a historical detail or joke setup with it.

The first act starts shakily, with bits that overstay their welcome and subplots that could be trimmed. Then, at some imperceptible point, I realized I was invested. Act II has stronger momentum, but its influences become more distracting. Escalating military conflict is repeatedly conveyed through punishingly paced, rapid-fire rap that feels less like character-driven storytelling than a theater kid channeling Christopher Jackson’s George Washington. Another number veers so close to the sound and structure of Six’s “Ex-Wives” that the resemblance is difficult to ignore.

The attempt to reckon with Montagu’s disregard for Glyndwr Michael, the real man whose body made the operation possible, also falls flat. The show wants to restore dignity to someone its characters treated as a prop, but that reckoning feels nearly as incidental to the musical as Michael initially does to Montagu – an unfortunate gap in a story about whose humanity history overlooks.

Still, Operation Mincemeat succeeds where it most needs to: in the room. This may not be a score I rush home to hear again, nor a musical that escapes the long shadow of its influences, but it is a tremendously inventive live performance. Its best moments come from what five gifted performers and an incredible creative team can make happen before our eyes.

Operation Mincemeat is running at the CIBC Theatre through October 11, before continuing its tour across North America through July 2027. Tickets are available at Broadway In Chicago.

Published in Theatre in Review

Broadway In Chicago is excited to announce two fan-favorite shows are returning to our stages this year: MAMMA MIA! and HADESTOWN. Current subscribers can add these to their season package when renewing by  clicking here or calling (312) 977-1717. Group tickets of 10 or more are now available for both productions by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling (312) 977-1710. Individual tickets will go on sale at a later date. For more information, see below or visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

MAMMA MIA!
March 9 – March 28, 2027
The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr.

A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads.
And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget!

Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the

timeless hits of ABBA . On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited decades ago.

For over 25 years, people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story, and the music that make MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show.

HADESTOWN
April 27 – May 2, 2027
The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr.

COME SEE HOW THE WORLD COULD BE.

Welcome to HADESTOWN, where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this

acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter  and original director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today... and always.

HADESTOWN intertwines two love stories—that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone—inviting audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers and singers, HADESTOWN is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 26 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium™.
 

For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
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Published in Upcoming Theatre

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to welcome trailblazing hip hop artist and Chicago legend Da Brat as special guest host and MC at THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER, playing at Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.) Individual tickets are on sale now. Ticket prices range from $39 to $120 with a select number of premium seats available and may be purchased at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Additional fees apply for online purchases. Group sales of 10+ are available now by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling (312) 977-1710. See below for more ticket information and the performance schedule.

Featuring an all-star cast of dancers, an on-stage DJ, and an electric violinist, the family-friendly holiday spectacle brings a modern twist to Tchaikovsky's 130-year-old ballet and has thrilled audiences through more than 250 performances in over 70 cities.

Da Brat brings her groundbreaking history to the show. Born and raised in Chicago, she attended Kenwood Academy and The Academy Of Scholastic Achievement where she played seven different instruments in band. Her 1994 debut album, Funkdafied, entered the rap albums chart at number one and went platinum, making her the first female solo rapper to sell one million units. Her career has spanned music, television, radio and stage, with collaborations and performances alongside artists including Jermaine Dupri, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Aaliyah and The Notorious B.I.G. "I'm so excited to step into THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER for the first time and bring my own energy to such a creative celebration of hip hop and the holidays," says Da Brat. "The show has so much movement, personality, and spirit, and I can't wait to experience it with audiences in Chicago."

THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER is directed, choreographed, and co-created by Jennifer Weber, an Emmy winner and two-time Tony and Olivier Award nominee who also choreographed the international hit musical & Juliet, currently playing on Broadway. Executive producing is four-time Tony winner and two-time Olivier Award-winning producer Eva Price, whose productions have garnered six Olivier Awards, two GRAMMY Awards, two Emmy Awards and 20 Tony Awards. The remixed and reimagined version of the classic story turns the beloved Nutcracker score on its head. Hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky's timeless music blend together for a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event that takes audiences on a journey celebrating love, community, and the magic of the holiday season.

Just like the original, Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince go on a dream adventure battling a gang of mice, visiting the land of sweets and learning the lessons of the holiday season. Innovative digital graffiti and visuals transform the landscape of E.T.A. Hoffmann's beloved story from traditional 19th-century Germany to the vibrant, diverse sights and sounds of contemporary New York City.

Created in 2013 by Weber and writer Mike Fitelson, the production has continued to evolve through the creators' commitment to enhancing the show and a cast of dancers and breakers who raise the bar each year.

For tour dates and more information, visit www.hiphopnutcracker.com. For the latest news and updates follow THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER on Facebook and Instagram; #HipHopNutcracker.

 

TICKET INFORMATION (as of 9/16/26, based on availability and subject to change)
Individual tickets range from $39.00 to $120.00 and may be purchased at www.BroadwayInChicago.com or any Broadway In Chicago box office. A select number of premium seats are available. Additional fees apply for online purchases. For groups of 10 or more, email Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (312) 977-1710. Patrons can participate in a Digital Lottery for a chance to purchase $30 tickets for each performance. In addition to the lottery, a limited number of $49 rush tickets will be offered for each performance—available only in person at the box office on the day of the show. Click here for more information on Digital Lottery and In-Person Rush or visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT EVA PRICE (EXECUTIVE PRODUCER)
Eva Price is an NYCLU/ACLU honoree and Tony and Olivier Award-winning producer. Select Broadway credits include & Juliet, Titaníque, Liberation, Redwood, Jagged Little Pill, Oklahoma!, What the Constitution Means to Me, Dear Evan Hansen, and Peter & The Starcatcher. Off-Broadway, touring, and international credits include Titaníque (NYC, London, Canada, Australia, Paris), The Hip Hop Nutcracker, Shit. Meet. Fan., Mindplay, and Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical.

ABOUT JENNIFER WEBER (DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER)
Jennifer Weber's Broadway, West End, and international credits include & Juliet, 13 Going on 30, KPOP, Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical, and Kane and Abel. Additional credits include Take the Lead, American Idiot, Bring It On!, Teenage Dick, and Cruel Intentions. Film and television credits include Disney's Zombies 2 and the Emmy Award-winning While You Were Gone. Weber also co-created, directed, and choreographed the annual international holiday touring phenomenon The Hip Hop Nutcracker, and executive produced and co-choreographed The Hip Hop Nutcracker television special for Disney +.

ABOUT MIKE FITELSON (WRITER/CO-CREATOR)
Mike Fitelson is the CEO of the United Palace, the 96-year-old Wonder Theatre in Washington Heights, Manhattan’s 4th  largest theatre. In 2014 as the executive director of the nonprofit United Palace of Cultural Arts (UPCA) he co-created “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” with Jennifer Weber, adapting the story and supplying the images for the scenery, and produced its premiere. Fitelson has worked to build the Northern Manhattan arts community for 24 years. He co-founded the annual arts festival, the Uptown Arts Stroll, in 2003; served in every capacity of the Manhattan Times, the bilingual community newspaper of Washington Heights and Inwood, from 2002-2011; and helped found the nonprofit Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance in 2006. 

ABOUT MAXIMUM ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS (MEP)
MEP (General Management) is a producing and management company founded by Avram Freedberg, Mary Beth Dale, Eva Price, and joined by Director of Operations Brent McCreary in 2024 and COO Michael Page in 2026. Select general management credits include Titaníque, Small Mouth Sounds, Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical, The Lion, The Hip Hop Nutcracker, and Colin Quinn: Long Story Short. maximumcompany.com

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 26 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium™.
Follow @BroadwayInChicago on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky #BroadwayInChicago

Published in Upcoming Theatre

Kokandy Productions’ Jekyll & Hyde, now presented by Broadway In Chicago at the Broadway Playhouse, arrives with the momentum of a bona fide Chicago phenomenon. After its run at Chopin Theatre was extended again and again - an almost unheard of feat for an intimate, homegrown musical - the show has now been picked up for a full commercial engagement, marking a major leap for the company and a testament to the production’s electric word of mouth. It is worth noting just how rare this is: Broadway In Chicago almost never transfers storefront productions, making this pickup one of the most significant Chicago theatre success stories in recent memory. Conceived for the stage by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn, this staging proves how a storefront success can scale beautifully without losing its bite.

This reimagined take on The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, drawn from Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story, uses Leslie Bricusse’s book and lyrics to follow Dr. Jekyll, a brilliant yet splintering scientist whose compassion fuels his most dangerous ideas. He turns to self‑improvement experiments - attempting to isolate and remove the darker impulses that plague human behavior. Only after the town council votes down his proposal to move forward does Jekyll test his theories on himself, unleashing a violent alter ego - Mr. Hyde - that refuses to stay contained and seeks revenge on those who dismissed his ideas as reckless.

While Jekyll’s experiments drive the plot, the production grounds his unraveling in two sharply drawn relationships: his earnest, hopeful romance with Emma and his complicated, magnetic connection with Lucy. Emma represents the future he’s desperate to protect, while Lucy embodies the vulnerability and desire he can’t fully control. Together, they give the story its emotional spine, showing how Jekyll’s transformation fractures not just his identity, but the lives of the women who care for him.

Kokandy dives into the duality with sharp humor, vivid theatricality, and a pulsing score that turns the transformation into both a spectacle and a psychological spiral. As Jekyll’s world cracks - friends endangered, morality blurred, identity slipping - the production keeps the tension taut, balancing gothic thrills with a surprisingly human core.

(center) David Moreland and the cast of Kokandy Productions’ production of Jekyll & Hyde.

What makes this staging stand out is its inventiveness: clever staging, bold physicality, and a cast that commits fully to the grotesque and the gorgeous – and, wow, can they sing. It’s no surprise audiences kept returning at Chopin, pushing the run far past its original closing date. That groundswell of audience demand is precisely what caught Broadway In Chicago’s attention - a level of traction strong enough to propel a storefront musical into a full commercial engagement. Seeing it now elevated to the Broadway Playhouse feels like the rare occasion when Chicago’s storefront originality gets the larger platform it deserves. In fact, upon entering, guests are handed stickers to mark how many times they’ve seen the show. Whether it’s their first visit or their seventh - the highest number I spotted - theatergoers wear it proudly, a small but telling sign of the cult‑like enthusiasm surrounding this production.

Directed by Producing Artistic Director Derek Van Barham, this production thrives on a razor‑sharp sense of style and drive. Van Barham shapes Jekyll & Hyde with the confidence of someone who knows exactly how to blend horror and heart into one seamless theatrical rhythm. A kinetic drive and deft wit run through the score thanks to Nick Sula’s music direction, ensuring crisp transitions and character‑focused vocal work. With a rare 15‑piece live orchestra on stage, the production’s musical power hits with a fullness and immediacy that elevates every passage. Brenda Didier’s choreography is the secret weapon — precise, playful, and radiating personality, it turns the show’s physicality into storytelling and amplifies the divide at the center of Jekyll’s collapse.

Kokandy’s ensemble fires on all cylinders, creating a production that feels both wickedly fun and sharply realized. David Moreland anchors the show with a riveting, shape‑shifting performance as Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde, his vocal work and physical transformations giving the story its ferocious pulse. Moreland delivers a performance of remarkable physical and emotional intensity, one that stands out among the strongest I’ve seen. With visceral depth and vocal heat, Ava Lane Stovall shapes Lucy Harris into a woman suspended between danger and desire, her performance threading vulnerability through every moment of volatility. She makes Lucy’s internal tug of war feel immediate, giving the role a current that’s both seductive and unsettling. Meanwhile, Emily McCormick’s Emma Carew delivers a beautifully grounded counterbalance, her warm, expressive songs reinforcing the production’s moral center and offering the steadiness Jekyll’s world so desperately lacks.

(center) Ava Lane Stovall with (left to right) Quinn Kelch and Ismael Garcia and (below) Quinn Simmons in Kokandy Productions’ production of Jekyll & Hyde.

As Simon Stride and Spider, Quinn Kech moves effortlessly between clipped propriety and feral swagger, pairing sharp character work with vocals that cut cleanly through the score. A steady moral throughline comes through in Kevin Webb’s Gabriel John Utterson, his warm baritone and grounded presence giving the story its emotional ballast. Nathan Calaranan brings a dignified, resonant authority to Sir Danvers Carew, shaping each turn with clarity and restraint. Around them, the ensemble meets the material with full‑throated commitment - singing with power, acting with specificity, and charging every scene with the kind of collective intensity that makes this production feel larger than its footprint. Led by Jeff Award winners Moreland, Stovall, and McCormick, the ensemble’s collective impact makes this Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde feel vividly, thrillingly alive. The extended applause throughout the night were frequent and fully deserved.

The reimagined score is one of the production’s greatest triumphs, built on Frank Wildhorn’s music, yet reshaped into something leaner, sharper, and far more theatrical. Kim Scharnberg’s orchestrations give the music its dark, muscular edge, while Jason Howland’s arrangements sharpen its modern undercurrent. The orchestrations feel slyly contemporary and richly atmospheric, giving the story a sonic identity that matches Kokandy’s confident staging. Sula ensures every number lands with intention, whether it’s a brooding solo that tightens like a vice or an explosive ensemble sequence that floods the stage with adrenaline. And the vocal performances? They’re extraordinary – out of this world, presented with a clarity and force that elevate every musical moment.

The set evokes the grit and pressure of 1880s London without ever changing, a circular playing space with elevated risers that let the cast surround the action and heighten every moment of tension. Scenic designer Sotirios Livaditis, U.S.A., builds a world that’s intentionally fixed yet remarkably flexible, giving the ensemble multiple levels and angles to push the story forward. G. “Max” Maxin IV’s lighting and Matt Reich’s sound design sharpen that sense of immersion, shaping mood, focus, and dramatic impact from scene to scene. This talented design team gives us a unified environment that feels alive in its stillness - a single space that transforms through performance rather than mechanics.

Jekyll & Hyde comes highly recommended, not only for its inventive reworking but for the sheer theatrical command Kokandy brings to the Broadway Playhouse stage. Presented by Broadway In Chicago, the production (already extended) runs through November 8, 2026 at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, with a runtime of 2 hours and 35 minutes including an intermission. It’s a bold, stylish, and wildly entertaining take on a classic tale - one that proves Kokandy’s storefront artistry can thrive beautifully on a commercial stage. I walked away from this production genuinely amazed, struck by how fully Kokandy has transformed a familiar title into something fresh, fearless, and alive. It’s a milestone not just for Kokandy, but for Chicago theatre itself - a reminder that the city’s most daring work can rise all the way to the downtown marquee.

https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/shows/jekyll-hyde/

Published in Theatre in Review

Producer Jeffrey Seller and Broadway In Chicago have announced the world-premiere of the new musical THE PRINCESS BRIDE will begin performances in Chicago next summer at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, from July 19-August 22, 2027.

A miraculous blend of sword fights and satire, absurd fun and true romance, THE PRINCESS BRIDE has been both a beloved novel and celebrated film. Now, as you wish, it comes to enchanting life as a Broadway musical.

Like many timeless stories, this one asks the eternal question: Why does life have to be so complicated?

Journey to Florin, where a sweet-natured giant, a six-fingered (well technically 11-fingered) scoundrel, a vengeance-obsessed Spaniard, and an overconfident meanie all conspire to make things incredibly difficult for two young lovers just trying to live happily ever after. Prepare to die laughing and fall in love all at the same time, all over again.

The creative team features a book by Tony Award winner Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone) and Tony-nominated Rick Elice (Jersey Boys), music and lyrics by Oscar-winning composers Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Frozen) and EGOT winner Robert Lopez (Frozen, The Book of Mormon), direction by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge!) and choreography by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton, In the Heights).

Producer Jeffrey Seller is one of the most successful American producers of our time. He produced the Tony Award–winning musicals Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights, and Hamilton. His shows have garnered twenty-two Tony Awards, including four for Best Musical. Jeffrey is the only producer to have mounted two Pulitzer Prize–winning musicals—Hamilton and Rent. He also revolutionized theater accessibility with the $20 ticket lottery for Rent, making theater affordable for all. 

The Princess Bride is based on the novel and Motion Picture written by William Goldman and the Motion Picture executive produced by Norman Lear and directed by Rob Reiner.

TICKET INFORMATION
THE PRINCESS BRIDE will be part of the next Broadway In Chicago season, on sale next month. Group tickets for 10 or more are on sale now by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Individual tickets will go on sale at a later date. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 26 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium.

For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
 

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#BroadwayInChicago

Published in Upcoming Theatre

In a world of theatrical adaptations, there really are two kinds: some reinvent their source material, becoming their own “new” art, while others understand that the real pleasure they provide is in the audience seeing some beloved thing from the past brought back to life. Dirty Dancing: The Musical falls firmly into the second category. Is it a great musical? Not quite. But that’s not its purpose. As a pop-culture ritual connecting a multigenerational audience over their shared love of a movie (which never tried to be “great” cinema, either), it is undeniably effective. And with Dancing with the Stars returning next week (surely a favorite for this musical’s audience), the timing of this particular Broadway in Chicago production’s exceptional ballroom dancing could not have been better.

With original screenplay and book by Eleanor Bergstein and direction by Lonny Price, the adaptation recreates the film largely through its familiar soundtrack, supplemented by a handful of original songs. It quickly becomes clear that the production was cast with dancing as its first priority. That choice pays off whenever the music takes over: the cast members are remarkably skilled dancers, and the show’s most kinetic sequences capture the sensuality and excitement audiences expect from Dirty Dancing. Much of that impact comes from choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie, whose work channels the film’s sensuality and athleticism with precision.

That energy largely disappears, though, when the dancing stops. Unfortunately, dialogue is often delivered with a stiffness that makes the performances feel robotic, leaving little sense of genuine connection between the characters. The chemistry missing from Baby and Johnny’s romantic scenes is just as absent from the story’s confrontations, friendships, and family relationships.

Blake Zelesnikar (Johnny Castle) and the DirtyDancing: The Musical Company. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Almost as noticeably, the ensemble rarely displays the tight-knit community that should exist among Kellerman’s dance staff. These characters live and work together within the same rigid system; their relationships should feel immediate and deeply established. Instead, much of the large cast feels underutilized, when not simply crowded on the stage. The exception is the final number at the end-of-season talent show, when everyone suddenly moves with the same electric energy. It sends the audience out on an undeniable high, while also revealing how much more vibrant the entire production could have felt with that sense of spirit throughout.

Vocally, the cast is professional and polished, with two extraordinary exceptions: Ethan Peterson as Billy Kostecki and Ashley LaLonde as Elizabeth. Their voices are absolutely stunning. Nearly every pin-drop emotional moment in the production comes not from the dramatic plot, but from one of them singing.

Alongside its dancing among the production’s greatest triumphs is its scenic design, which transports us to the 1960s Catskills. The work of scenic designer Brett J. Banakis, costume designer Linda Cho, and lighting designer Japhy Weideman is central to creating that world. The set does not rely on spectacle or theatrical magic but is astonishing because it’s so perfectly planned and constructed to hold every corner of Kellerman’s – from polished guest spaces to humbler staff quarters, indoors and out. Seamless transitions allow locations to shift smoothly without interrupting the story’s momentum. I only wish the choreography had taken greater advantage of that flexibility, using the architecture to create more breakout moments for an ensemble overflowing with talented dancers.

Ultimately, Dirty Dancing: The Musical succeeds at recreating the movie onstage but rarely explores what live theatre could add to it.

But despite any limitations, this production provides exactly what its audience desired: an enjoyable night powered by nostalgia, tremendous dancing, and a finale worth waiting for – even if it never becomes an exceptional musical independent of the film audiences already love.

Dirty Dancing: The Musical runs at the James M. Nederlander Theatre through September 20th. Tickets are available at https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/shows/dirty-dancing-the-musical/.

Published in Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 26 August 2026 11:50

Kokandy's JEKYLL & HYDE Extended by Popular Demand

Broadway In Chicago is pleased to announce a darkly delicious Halloween surprise: Kokandy Productions’ critically acclaimed revival of JEKYLL & HYDE will be extended by popular demand through November 8. For a frightfully good group night, discounted group rates for parties of 10 or more may be purchased beginning today, Wednesday, August 26 at 10:00 AM, by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 312-977-1710. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com. A new block of individual tickets for this cauldron of thrills will go on sale tomorrow, Thursday, August 27, for the extended performances October 27—November 8, 2026. Individual tickets, priced from $45 to $110 with a select number of premium seats available for all performances, may be purchased at www.BroadwayInChicago.com or in person at any Broadway In Chicago venue box office. Additional fees apply for online purchases. Kokandy Productions’ Jekyll & Hyde will play the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E. Chestnut St.) from September 8 to November 8. For the performance schedule and additional ticket information, see below.

Leading the multi-award-winning Jekyll & Hyde cast this Halloween season for a hauntingly good night at the theatre are Jeff Award winners David Moreland (Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde), Ava Lane Stovall (Lucy Harris), and Emily McCormick  (Emma Carew). Also featured are Jake Elkins (Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde alternate), Dani Pike (Lucy Harris alternate), Nathan Calaranan (Sir Danvers Carew), Ismael Garcia (Lord Savage) (they/he), Joe Giovannetti (Gabriel John Utterson), Jon Parker Jackson (Bishop of Basingstoke) (he/they), Quinn Kelch (Simon Stride, Spider) (he/him), Quinn Rigg (General Lord Glossop, Bisset), Gabby Sauceda-Koziol (Sir Archibold Proops) (she/her), Quinn Simmons (Nellie, Poole) (they/he/she), Maiko Terazawa (Lady Beaconsfield), and Kevin Webb (Gabriel John Utterson) (he/him). Understudies are Jeffrey Gougis Jr (Sir Danvers Carew, Gabriel John Utterson), Emily Ling Mei (Emma Carew) (she/her), and Anna Seibert (Lucy Harris) (she/her). Swings are Andrew Lund, Halli Morgan, Caitlin Preuss, and Jaxson Smith.

The distinguished creative team for Jekyll & Hyde, conceived for the stage by Steve Cuden & Frank Wildhorn and based on the story by Robert Louis Stevenson, features a book & lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and music by Frank Wildhorn, orchestrations by Kim Scharnberg, arrangements by Jason Howland, direction by Derek Van Barham, music direction by Nick Sula, and choreography by Brenda Didier.

ABOUT JEKYLL & HYDE
Murder and chaos are pitted against love and virtue in this sweeping gothic musical. The epic struggle between good and evil comes to life on stage in the musical phenomenon, Jekyll & Hyde. Based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson and featuring a thrilling score of pop rock hits from multi-Grammy- and Tony-nominated Frank Wildhorn and double-Oscar and Grammy-winning Leslie Bricusse, Jekyll & Hyde has mesmerized audiences the world over.

JEKYLL & HYDE is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

 
 

TICKET INFORMATION (as of 8/26/26, based on availability and subject to change)
Individual tickets, priced from $45 to $110 with a select number of premium seats available for all performances, may be purchased tomorrow, Thursday, August 27, at www.BroadwayInChicago.com or in person at any Broadway In Chicago venue box office. Additional fees apply for online purchases. Discounted group rates for parties of 10 or more may be purchased beginning today, Wednesday, August 26 at 10:00 AM, by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 312-977-1710. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 26 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium.

ABOUT KOKANDY PRODUCTIONS
Founded in 2010, Kokandy Productions seeks to leverage the heightened reality of musical theatre to tell complex and challenging stories, with a focus on contributing to the development of Chicago-based musical theatre artists and raising the profile of Chicago's non-Equity musical theatre community.

The company's artistic staff is comprised of Derek Van Barham (Producing Artistic Director), Scot Kokandy (Executive Producer), Nicholas Reinhart (Associate Producer), and Adrian Abel Azevedo & Leda Hoffman (Artistic Associates). The Board of Directors includes Preston Cropp, Scot Kokandy, Danielle Sparklin and Katie Svaicer. 

JEKYLL & HYDE Previews Begin: September 8, 2026
JEKYLL & HYDE Opening Night: September 16, 2026
JEKYLL & HYDE Performance Run: September 8—October 25, 2026
JEKYLL & HYDE Extension Dates: October 27—November 8, 2026
 

www.kokandyproductions.com
Follow Kokandy Productions on
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Follow Broadway In Chicago @BroadwayInChicago on
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Published in Upcoming Theatre

Broadway In Chicago is delighted to announce that single tickets for the upcoming engagement of the 10th Anniversary tour of the hilarious hit Broadway musical WAITRESS are on sale now. Featuring music and lyrics by Grammy® Award-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, WAITRESS will play Broadway In Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.), October 13-18. Single ticket prices range from $43.00 to $121.00 with a select number of premium seats available. See below for more ticket information and the performance schedule.

Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county — and a satisfying encounter with someone new — show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.

WAITRESS opened April 24, 2016 at Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Based upon the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, WAITRESS is the first Broadway musical in history to have four women in the four top creative team spots, with a book by Jessie Nelson, a score by Grammy® Award-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles (composer of “Love Song” and “Brave”), choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Tony Award®-winner Diane Paulus. The WAITRESS Tour features Direction and Choreography re-created by Abbey O’Brien, and includes Scott Pask, Scenic Design; Suttirat Anne Larlarb, Costume Design; Ken Billington, Lighting Design; Brian Walters, Sound Design; Bernie Ardia, Hair Design; Nadia DiGiallonardo, Music Supervision. Arrangements by Nadia DiGiallonardo and Sara Bareilles, and Orchestrations by Sara Bareilles and The Waitress Band. Casting by ARC Casting.

“WAITRESS is a little slice of heaven!” says Entertainment Weekly, and is “Warm, witty, wise and hilarious. A wonderful treat.” according to London’s Express Online!

"It's an empowering musical of the highest order!" raves the Chicago Tribune.  Don't miss this uplifting and hilarious musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.
 

Connect with WAITRESS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaitressOnTour/ 
Instagram: @waitressontour
Twitter/X: @WaitressOnTour
#WAITRESSTOUR

 

TICKET INFORMATION (as of 8/17/26, based on availability and subject to change)
Single ticket prices range from $43.00 to $121.00 with a select number of premium seats available and may be purchased at www.BroadwayInChicago.com or in person at any Broadway In Chicago venue box office starting today, Monday, August 17. Additional fees apply for online purchases. Group orders of 10 or more may be purchased by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 312-977-1710. For more information visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 26 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium.
Follow @BroadwayInChicago on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky #BroadwayInChicago

Published in Upcoming Theatre

The League of Chicago Theatres will host its annual benefit, the 2026 Spotlight Gala: Unmask the Night, Embrace the Drama at City Hall – Recess, 838 W. Kinzie St. on Monday, October 19, 2026.  The evening will celebrate the rich legacy of Chicago theatre. More than 300 friends of Chicago theatre are expected to attend to raise funds to support the League's programs, which uplift Chicagoland's member theatre companies.

Individual tickets are available for $350 per person, and all proceeds benefit the League of Chicago Theatres which promotes, supports, and advocates for theatre in Chicago. To purchase tickets, or for sponsorship opportunities and participation information, visit https://leagueofchicagotheatres.org/gala/ or call (312) 554-8900. The celebratory evening will include a cocktail hour, the awards ceremony and a dessert reception with entertainment by local theatre companies, to be announced.

The event will honor Luther Goins with the Tribute Award, Ellen Placey Wadey of the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, with the Philanthropic Award and Ron OJ Parson with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The winner of the Broadway In Chicago Emerging Theatre Award will be announced and presented at the event. Nominated by a committee of industry professionals, educators and League of Chicago Theatres board members, three finalists are selected each year, and from those, a majority vote from the League membership determines the winner. The award was created in 2007 to encourage, support, and promote young theatres in Chicago that have demonstrated great ability, promise, artistic excellence, and fiscal responsibility in business practices. Broadway In Chicago provides a $5,000 cash prize to the winning company. Previous award recipients include: The Story Theatre, Interrobang Theatre Project, Perceptions Theatre, Broken Nose Theatre, Route 66 Theatre Company, Sideshow Theatre Company, Jackalope Theatre Company, Oracle Productions, The House Theatre of Chicago, Silk Road Theatre Project (now Silk Road Rising), the side project, Steep Theatre, The New Colony, Theatre Seven of Chicago and 16th Street Theater.

Nominations are now open for the Broadway in Chicago Backstage Champion Award, which recognizes the contributions of an unsung, behind-the-scenes hero and carries a $1000 award. Nominations can be submitted here: https://leagueofchicagotheatres.app.neoncrm.com/forms/broadway-in-chicago-backstage-champion-award-nomination-form.

Applications are also open for the Broadway In Chicago Emerging Theatre Award here: https://leagueofchicagotheatres.org/broadway-in-chicago-emerging-theatre/. Nominated by a committee of industry professionals, educators and League of Chicago Theatres board members, five finalists are selected each year, and from those, a majority vote from the League membership determines the winner. Broadway In Chicago provides a $5,000 cash prize. Previous award recipients include: Previous award recipients include: The Story Theatre, Interrobang Theatre Project, Broken Nose Theatre, Route 66 Theatre Company, Sideshow Theatre Company, Jackalope Theatre Company, Oracle Productions, The House Theatre of Chicago, Silk Road Theatre Project (now Silk Road Rising), the side project, Steep Theatre, The New Colony, Theatre Seven of Chicago and 16th Street Theater.

About Chicago theatre 

Chicago theatre is the leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theatres throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theatres to the most renowned resident theatres in the country, including 6 which have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago's theatres serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. Each year Chicago theatres send new work to resident theatres across the country, to Broadway, and around the world. For more information, visit www.chicagoplays.com.

The League of Chicago Theatres' Mission Statement

Theatre is essential to the life of a great city and to its citizens. The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theatres, which leverages its collective strength to support, promote and advocate for Chicago's theatre industry. Through our work, we ensure that theatre continues to thrive in our city.

For a comprehensive list of Chicago productions, visit the League of Chicago Theatres website, ChicagoPlays.com. Available discounted tickets are listed at HotTix.org.

Published in Theatre Buzz

Broadway In Chicago is pleased to announce Blue Man Group will bring its first-ever holiday production, "A NEW HOLIDAY SURPRISE," on the road this season. Chicago audiences will be among the first in the country to experience the all-new production. Tickets go on sale this Friday, August 21. BLUE MAN GROUP’S A NEW HOLIDAY SURPRISE will play Broadway In Chicago’s CIBC Theatre (18 W. Monroe St.) for a limited three-week engagement, November 24 – December 13.

“Bringing Blue Man Group's first-ever holiday production to Chicago is an exciting milestone and a natural evolution of the iconic Blue Man experience,” said Marie-Josée Adam, President and CEO of Blue Man Group. “The holidays are about creating unforgettable memories, and we're thrilled to offer audiences a fresh, immersive celebration that blends the music, humor, creativity and joyful unpredictability that have defined Blue Man Group for decades.”

The brand-new production will feature classic holiday music performed on Blue Man Group's iconic custom instruments, while following the Blue Men as they discover the traditions, rituals and joyful absurdities of the holidays while exploring timeless themes of generosity, presence, creativity and human connection. Equal parts hilarious, heartwarming and visually unforgettable, “A NEW HOLIDAY SURPRISE,” offers audiences a unique holiday tradition that celebrates what brings us together.

Blue Man Group is a vibrant, interactive experience that has captivated audiences from all around the world. The non-verbal group communicates through music, art, and comedy, creating powerful connections without saying a word. As the Blue Men navigate our world with curiosity, audiences are invited into a captivating, communal experience that sparks creativity and ignites the imagination.

ABOUT BLUE MAN GROUP
Blue Man Group is a global entertainment phenomenon, known for its award-winning theatrical productions, iconic characters and multiple creative explorations. Blue Man Group performances are euphoric celebrations of human connection through art, music, comedy and non-verbal communication. Since debuting at New York’s Astor Place Theatre in 1991, the live show has expanded to additional domestic residencies playing in Las Vegas, Orlando and multiple tours, reaching more than 50 million people worldwide. Blue Man Group is universally appealing to a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds, and continually injected with new music, fresh stories, custom instruments and sensory stimulating graphics. Blue Man Group is owned and operated by Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.
 

For more information, please visit BLUEMAN.com.
Follow @BlueManGroup on
Facebook ● Instagram ● TikTok ● YouTube



PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Tuesday, November 24 – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 25 – 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 26 – No Shows (Thanksgiving)
Friday, November 27 – 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 28 – 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 29 – 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 1 – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 2 – 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 3 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 4 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5 – 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 6 – 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 8 – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 9 – 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 10 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 11 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 12 – 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 13 – 1:00 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION (As of August 17, based on availability and subject to change)
Individual tickets for BLUE MAN GROUP’S A NEW HOLIDAY SURPRISE go on sale Friday, August 21 and range from $39.00 - $120.00 with a select number of premium tickets available. Ticket price listed is when purchased in person at the box office. Additional fees apply for online purchases. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 26 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, The Auditorium, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.
 

For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
Follow @BroadwayInChicago on
Facebook ● Instagram ● TikTok ● Bluesky ● YouTube
#broadwayinchicago

Published in Upcoming Theatre
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