Tuesday, October 14, 2025

DISNEY'S FINDING NEMO Theatre For Young Audiences Version at Marriott Theatre - October 11 through January 4th

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Disney's Finding Nemo Theatre For Young Audiences Version at Marriott Theatre

October 11 2025 - January 4, 2026



Explore the big blue world with this lively new stage musical based on the beloved Pixar film

Big waves are rolling in this fall as Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences dives into its next production with the musical stage adaptation of the beloved Pixar film, DISNEY'S FINDING NEMO Theatre For Young Audiences Version. Full of heart, humor, and underwater adventure, this vibrant production will charm audiences of all ages, running October 11 through January 4. The one-hour musical journey is directed and choreographed by Amber Mak, with musical direction by Ellie Kahn. Each performance will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the cast.

“Bringing the story and beloved characters of 'Finding Nemo' to the stage is a true joy,” says Director and Choreographer Amber Mak. “At its core, this is a show about incredible resilience, unwavering perseverance, and the courage it takes to face the vast, unknown for someone you love. I can't wait for families to experience and share this beautiful and moving adventure as it comes to life with imaginative puppetry and incredible actors.”
Marlin, a nervous and overly protective clownfish, lives with his son, Nemo, in the Great Barrier Reef. While Nemo dreams of venturing beyond their cozy anemone, he’s suddenly captured and taken all the way to Sydney. Determined to bring him home, Marlin pushes past his fears and embarks on a daring ocean journey. Along the way, we meet unforgettable allies like the ever-optimistic Dory, the chill sea turtle Crush, and the encouraging Tank Gang, as father and son each discover their own courage while finding their way back to one another.
This production of DISNEY’S FINDING NEMO TYA stars Avelyn Lena Choi as “Nemo,” Devin DeSantis as “Marlin,” and Leah Morrow as “Dory.” The talented ensemble includes Andres DeLeon, Genevieve Jane, Charlie Long, Adelina Marinello, Tommy Rivera-Vega, Maya Rowe, Lorenzo Rush Jr., and Meena Sood. Understudies include Josh Bernaski, Madison Kauffman, Will Koski, and Teah Kiang Mirabelli. From December 11-22 the role of “Marlin”’ will be played by Patrick Michael Tierney.  
The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences team is led by Associate Artistic Director Katie Johannigman, with Associate Director & Choreographer Elizabeth Romero, Scenic Design by Milo Bue, Puppet Designer Jesse Mooney-Bullock, Costume Designer Theresa Ham, Lighting Designer Brian Elston, Sound Designer John Johnson, Media Designer Alex Gendal, Props Designer Wynn Lee, Wig, Hair and Makeup Designer Miguel Armstrong, Stage Manager Katie Dreher and Assistant Stage Manager Adam Hyde.
DISNEY’S FINDING NEMO TYA takes place most Wednesdays through Sundays at 10 am with select 12:30 pm performances. An ASL-interpreted performance will take place on December 11th at 10 am. Visit www.marriotttheatre.com or call 847.634.0200 for the exact schedule, as show times and dates may vary. Tickets are $16.75 (plus tax and handling fees). Call for substantial group discounts on over 20 tickets. Free parking is available at all performances.
DISNEY'S FINDING NEMO TYA is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

Monday, October 6, 2025

TONIGHT: Surabhi Ensemble and Las Guitarras de España Album Release Performance at City Winery Chicago Oct 6, 2025

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar: Adult Night Out

Surabhi Ensemble and Las Guitarras de España Album Release Performance at City Winery on Monday, Oct 6th, 2025

Guitarras Trotamundos - “Globetrotting Guitar” 

After returning from a successful tour of India, members of Surabhi Ensemble and Las Guitarras de España will come together for a global music and dance performance with the release of new music. The album titled “Guitarra Trotamundos” or “Globe Trotting Guitar” celebrates years of travel, study, teaching and performance to countries such as Vietnam, Spain, Portugal, Senegal, Mexico and India. The title is also a nod to the members of Surabhi Ensemble who have taken to jogging in various places with recent appearances in the Mumbai and Boston Marathons. This evening of music and dance is guaranteed to inspire with surprises and collaborating artists including Abdoulaye Conde (Kora - Guinea), Juan Dies and Lorena Iniguez (Sones de Mexico), Patricia Ortega (Las Guitarras de España), Kinnari Vora and Leticia Aravena (Indian and flamenco dance traditions), Chiara Mangiameli (USA/Italia), Ronnie Malley (Oud/Vocals - Arabic traditions), Saraswathi Ranganathan (Veena - India) and Carlo Basile (Spanish Guitar/Chicago).  Click HERE for tickets and full details.

www.carlobasileguitar.com

www.surabhiensemble.org 

Saturday, September 27, 2025

REVIEW: EXP Rosemont VR Is Now Open and Ready for Date Nights or Family Friendly Fun

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EXP Rosemont VR 

THE MIDWEST’S LARGEST VIRTUAL REALITY DESTINATION

Photo credit: Ed Marshall

Photo credit: Dugan Kenaz-Mara


GUEST REVIEW

By Dugan Kenaz-Mara

EXP Rosemont is an incredibly unique experience. My partner and I did the Life Chronicles experience which led us through millions of years of Earth’s history. I was pleasantly surprised at how educational our VR journey was. We learned all about different plants, animals, dinosaurs, and early human ancestors in great detail, including what locations we explored would end up as in today’s world. If you know what a quetzalcoatlus is or you’re willing to learn, this experience is right for you. 

I would highly recommend the experience to a teenage audience. It’s a perfect blend of storytelling, learning, and independent exploration that young people will enjoy. 

Photo credit: Gabriel Fournier

The Life Chronicles adventure included an interesting story as a framing device to usher you through time. You join a scientist and a robot traveling to each period to collect objects that grant  your companion enough energy to transport you back home. Each step of the way you encounter challenges that you have to overcome as you search for these devices. In one  scenario it’s in a cave guarded by a group of Flores men - tiny human ancestors. In another it has fallen into a dakotaraptor nest. In another it is stuck in a tall tree you have to balance on a branch to receive. 

Credit: Excurio

One of the most compelling aspects of the VR experience is how up-close and personal you can get with various dinosaurs. During the Cretaceous period you get to watch a standoff between a triceratops and a T-Rex from 3 feet away. I was able to stand under a brontosaurus, touch an arthropleura (Giant centipede), and even ride on a trilobite (after being shrunk down). 

Credit: Excurio

The VR experience itself was incredible. The headsets are well calibrated and understand where you are in space so that your environment realistically shifts when you look up or down, crouch or turn. It is also responsive to your  environment, so that if you crouch to look under the waist-height water in an area, the sound changes as if you were really under the water looking at prehistoric fish. 

Photo Credit: Gabriel Fournier

Once you got the hang of what you were doing and where you were going it was easy to follow along and get immersed in the story. As you travel you will be given 2 location indicators - a blue square that you are supposed to be inside, and an orange one that shows up at your maximum exploring distance. After passing outside of those boundaries the simulation changes to a barren landscape where you are ushered back to where you need to be. The system keeps everyone in small isolated areas that expertly keep patrons from bumping into each other. During the experience you will see faint outlines of other patrons if you are getting close to each other, which alleviates the stress of not being able to see your environment. You are also given red barriers that appear if you get too close to a wall so you never have to worry about bumping into anything. Luckily you can also join the experience in groups. I was able to experience the show at the same time as my partner and see their avatar the whole time, unlike the other patrons who I could only see nearby. This let me communicate via taps and pointing whenever we wanted the other to notice a detail. 

Photo Credit: Michael Grondin

Another highlight of Life Chronicles was a conservation message near the end. Since the conceit is that you are traveling around from the future year 2223, one of the past stops is in the Tanzanian wilderness in the distant year of 2023. The robot you travel with remarks about the variety of species we can see and how climate change is impacting them, and that if they were around in that time, there would still be time to make a difference. 

The only problem I encountered during the whole hour-long experience was a slight headache towards the end from staring at the screen. There were some slight annoyances like walking virtually down a slope while being on flat ground in real life, or looking past the main action at some lower-quality background graphics, however none of those were enough to break the immersion for me. I also noticed some walking sticks that they could offer to those who would  like them. In the introduction we got to choose the level of immersion as well, meaning that a toned-down version of the experience was also available for anyone facing common issues with VR like vertigo. 

Ultimately, EXP Virtual Reality in Rosemont is a lot of fun and I recommend it to any dinosaur enjoyers, VR enthusiasts, or families looking for an immersive adventure to go on together.

Dugan Kenaz-Mara is a designer, photographer, educator, and graduate of Northwestern University's theatre program.




EXP, THE MIDWEST’S LARGEST VIRTUAL REALITY DESTINATION NOW OPEN IN ROSEMONT

In Collaboration with Producing Partner PHI Studio, EXP Launches with the VR Adventures 

Horizon of Khufu and Life Chronicles, Offering Visitors Epic Journeys 

Through Ancient Egypt and Earth’s Evolution

Tickets Now Available at www.EXPRosemont.com


PHI Studio, the internationally acclaimed Montréal-based innovator in

immersive arts, will launch EXP with two celebrated large-scale immersive expeditions—

Horizon of Khufu and Life Chronicles—produced by Excurio and distributed by PHI Studio.

These debut experiences will anchor EXP, a groundbreaking 26,000-square-foot venue set to

open on Friday, September 26 in Rosemont’s Pearl District at 9900 Berwyn Avenue 


Developed in partnership with the Village of Rosemont, EXP marks a bold new chapter in the

evolution of entertainment. Designed as a next-generation immersive destination, EXP

seamlessly integrates art, new technologies and storytelling through a curated rotation of virtual

reality and sensory-rich experiences. This future-forward venue reimagines how audiences

engage with culture and technology, pushing the boundaries of what an immersive experience

can be.

Credit: Excurio

“These two works embody our commitment to bringing bold and rich immersive content to new

audiences,” said Eric Albert, PHI Studio’s CEO. “EXP will be a cultural catalyst for the Midwest,

and we’re proud to launch it with stories that bridge art, science and imagination.”


Visitors can travel back-in-time through two free-roaming, 45-minute virtual reality expeditions.

Headlining the opening slate is Horizon of Khufu, welcoming visitors to journey through a

historically accurate depiction of Egypt’s 4,500-year-old architectural prowess, the Great

Pyramid of Khufu. Guests will enter restricted chambers, ascend to the pyramid’s summit and

sail along the Nile during King Khufu’s funerary rites.


This Great Pyramid of Khufu is a wonder-of-the-world and was erected between 2,590 and

2,565 BC as 146-meter-high stone edifice, originally the largest ever built by man. Conceived to

house King Khufu in his final resting place, the pyramid is one of seven pyramids that continues

to attract and fascinate visitors from all over the world to this day. Horizon of Khufu is produced

by Excurio and developed in collaboration with Harvard’s Peter Der Manuelian and the Giza

Project. With over 1.5 million tickets sold worldwide, Horizon of Khufu has been hailed by

Forbes as “an art form evoking genuine emotion and empathy.”

Credit: Excurio

The second experience, Life Chronicles, invites guests on a family-friendly immersive journey

spanning 3.5 billion years of evolution. The adventure begins with the earliest microbes before it

moves through the explosion of marine life and towering prehistoric forests and transports

visitors into the Jurassic era to encounter giant marine reptiles and a family of dinosaurs from 67

million years ago. The journey continues with the rise of mammals and humanity, culminating in

a present-day African savanna where giraffes and zebras roam freely. Produced by Excurio

and France’s Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Life Chronicles delivers a scientifically

validated exploration of ancient paleo-landscapes brought vividly to life.

Credit: Excurio

"These world-class immersive journeys set the tone for what EXP is all about, bringing

innovative, globally acclaimed experiences to Rosemont for all to enjoy," said Rosemont Mayor

Brad Stephens. "This is just the beginning of our vision to establish EXP as a premier cultural

destination for both residents and visitors alike."


EXP visitors can enjoy both Horizon of Khufu and Life Chronicles within the same space and

timeframe. Guests have the flexibility to purchase tickets together and embark on different

journeys or share the same immersive expedition side-by-side.


The official trailers for each experience can be viewed here: Horizon of Khufu Trailer | Life

Chronicles Trailer.


Timed entry tickets for both experiences are now available at www.EXPRosemont.com. Tickets

start at $27 with dynamic pricing. Specially priced ticket packages are also available for families,

students and seniors. A VIP ticket package is also available and includes priority access, a

personalized badge and branded tote bag. The experiences available at EXP are designed for

ages 8+. EXP hours are: Monday – Tuesday closed, Wednesday – Friday 1 – 7p.m., Saturday –

Sunday 10a.m. – 10 p.m.

Credit: Excurio

About PHI Studio

PHI Studio has developed a reputation as an incubator for talent at the vanguard and as a

catalyst for the conception and implementation of immersive multidisciplinary projects. We are

continually exploring the ways in which technology can lead to new forms of artistic expression

and storytelling. PHI Studio is committed to collaborating with artists, producers, and partners to

foster the creation and development of innovative artworks at the vanguard, shaping the future

of the immersive experience.

About The Village of Rosemont

Rosemont, Illinois, Chicagoland’s business and entertainment suburb, is conveniently located

five minutes from O’Hare Airport and twenty minutes from Chicago’s downtown. Easily

accessible via the area’s major highways, Rosemont is home to the Allstate Arena, Donald E.

Stephens Convention Center, a wide variety of hotel and dining options, Rosemont Theatre,

Fashion Outlets of Chicago, Parkway Bank Park entertainment district and Impact Field.

Rosemont continues to flourish and evolve, based on 69 years of growth and under the current

leadership of Mayor Bradley A. Stephens.

Friday, September 26, 2025

Harris Theater presents dynamic duo program by The Joffrey Ballet, Nov. 6-9, 2025

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar
HARRIS THEATER FOR MUSIC AND DANCE PRESENTS 
JOFFREY AT THE HARRIS: MATTERS OF THE HEART

 

Image credits (from top left, clockwise): Chanel DaSilva (credit: Stephanie Diani), The Main Squeeze, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa (Joe Shults), Broken Wings (Rosalie O’Connor)

Dynamic two-act program showcases World Premiere of Wabash & You, a Chicago love story by Chanel DaSilva with on-stage funk band, along with Midwest debut of Frida Kahlo-inspired Broken Wings, by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa

FIVE PERFORMANCES ONLY, NOVEMBER 6-9, 2025

The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance proudly presents what is certain to be a highlight of its Harris Theater Presents 2025-26 season – Joffrey at the Harris: Matters of the Heart – a dynamic program featuring The Joffrey Ballet performing works by two of today’s top female choreographers, Chanel DaSilva and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.

Drawing on themes of love and resilience, The Joffrey Ballet will perform the world premiere of DaSilva’s Wabash & You, a love story set in Chicago featuring live, on-stage accompaniment by The Main Squeeze funk band.

In addition the Company will perform the Midwest debut of Lopez Ochoa’s Broken Wings (2024), inspired by the life and art of Frida Kahlo and set to a score by in-demand UK-based ballet composer Peter Salem performed live by the Chicago Philharmonic, a Harris Theater Resident Company.    

“This collaboration with the Joffrey, our neighbors whose flagship home is just down Randolph Street from the Harris, feels both natural and long overdue,” said Harris Theater President and CEO Lori Dimun. “At a time when the arts – and our world – are navigating new challenges, dynamic collaboration is essential to sustaining a healthy future. To have a partner like the Joffrey, willing to embrace the opportunity and risk of sharing such vital work, is a gift. The Joffrey was a founding resident company of the Harris, helping to shape the Theater’s design and stage accommodations in its earliest days. This partnership reflects not only that shared history, but also our shared commitment to Chicago, to elevating important choreographic voices in dance.”

"When Chicago's cultural institutions come together, the city is at its most inspired," added Joffrey Ballet President and CEO Greg Cameron. "Partnering with the Harris Theater for Matters of the Heart reflects the strength and unity of our cultural landscape and is a testament to what's possible when organizations work in concert: beautiful storytelling, creative spirit, and powerful connections between artists and audiences. This is Chicago at its best: collaborative, creative, and committed to community."

"Welcoming back Chanel DaSilva and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa is a celebration, and a reunion, of two visionary artists whose stories pulse with fearlessness and beauty," said Joffrey Ballet Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director Ashley Wheater MBE. "In Matters of the Heart, Chanel and Annabelle's works speak in two different choreographic languages, but both strike the same universal chord: heartbreak is timeless. Matters of the Heart illustrates how powerfully women shape the stories dance can tell.”

The world premiere of DaSilva’s Wabash & You, set in downtown Chicago, is a modern twist on the classic girl-meets-boy love story, reminding audiences that love can find us anywhere at any time. But… does that mean that love will last forever? Wabash & You is a love letter both to the city of Chicago and to the hopeless romantics that live within us all. Notably, the music will be performed live by the dynamic and soulful Bloomington, IN-based funk band, The Main Squeeze. The band will be onstage with the dancers, both playing the soundtrack for the piece and being a part of the experience.

Lopez Ochoa’s Broken Wings tells the story of iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, highlighting her connection to her Mexican heritage through a unique blend of classical and contemporary dance. Originally commissioned by the English National Ballet, the work incorporates Mexican folk songs and draws on Kahlo’s paintings for its vibrant set and costume design. Broken Wings aims to capture Kahlo's spirit of resilience, pain, and love, transforming her story into a visual and emotional performance.  

Joffrey at the Harris: Matters of the Heart will be presented in five performances only, November 6-9, at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Street: Thursday and Friday, Nov. 6 and 7, at 7:30 PM; Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 PM and 7:30 PM; and Sunday, Nov. 9, at 2:00 PM.  Single tickets start at $46 (including all service charges) and are available at harristheaterchicago.org or by calling 312.334.7777. ASL interpretation and Audio Description will be available on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 PM.

Leadership support for the 2025-2026 Harris Theater Presents season is provided by: Irving Harris Foundation and Joan W. Harris, Abby McCormick O'Neil and D. Carroll Joynes, Chauncey and Marion D. McCormick Family Foundation, The Harris Family Foundation, Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Family Foundation and Alexandra C. Nichols, Jack and Sandra Guthman, ITW, Gregory J. O'Leary and Patricia A. Kenney, Nancy Dehmlow, William Blair & Company and Alaina Anderson, Reed Smith LLP and Peter M. Ellis, Marilyn F. and David J. Vitale, Bank of America, Gail Eisenhart Belytschko, Pamela Crutchfield, Ted A. Grady and Dr. Ross Slotten, Christine and Glenn Kelly, Merrillyn J. Kosier and James F. Kinoshita, Helen Hall Melchior, Frank Modruson and Lynne Shigley, The A. Montgomery Ward Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee, and Fifth Third Bank.

Joffrey at the Harris: Matters of the Heart is generously supported by Conagra Brands Foundation, Patricia A. Kenney and Gregory J. O’Leary, Gary Metzner and Scott Johnson, Courtney C. Shea, and Penelope R. Steiner, with additional support from Ted A. Grady and Dr. Ross Slotten, Merrillyn J. Kosier and James F. Kinoshita, Phil Lumpkin and Bill Tedford, and Mr. and Mrs. Alejandro Silva.

 

ABOUT THE JOFFREY BALLET

The Joffrey Ballet is one of the premier dance companies in the world today, with a reputation for boundary-breaking performances for 70 years. The Joffrey repertoire is an extensive collection of all-time classics, modern masterpieces, and original works. Founded in 1956 by pioneers Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, the Joffrey remains dedicated to artistic expression, innovation, and first-rate education and engagement programming. The Joffrey Ballet continues to thrive under The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director Ashley Wheater MBE and President and CEO Greg Cameron. For more information on The Joffrey Ballet and its programs, visit joffrey.org. Connect with the Joffrey on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

 

ABOUT THE JOAN W. AND IRVING B. HARRIS THEATER FOR MUSIC AND DANCE

The Harris Theater is Chicago's home for music and dance, connecting diverse audiences with artists from across the city, the nation, and the world. An anchor institution of Millennium Park and the first multi-use performance venue built in downtown Chicago since 1929, the Harris was established in 2003 to create a much-needed home for the city's vibrant community of midsize performing arts organizations. Today, the nonprofit Harris Theater features some of the most diverse arts and culture offerings in the city, from its Chicago-based Resident Companies to the world-renowned visiting artists who perform on its stage through the Harris Theater Presents series. The signature Harris Theater Presents series has featured acclaimed artists and ensembles including Joyce DiDonato, Batsheva Dance, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, New York City Ballet, English National Ballet, Joshua Bell, Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras, Angelique Kidjo, and Paris Opera Ballet. The Theater's education and community engagement initiatives build bridges between artists and community members, providing master classes, artist talks, and free tickets for more than 35 partner organizations throughout Chicago.

To learn more about the Harris Theater, Chicago's home for music and dance in Millennium Park, visit harristheaterchicago.org and follow us on Facebook, lnstagram, and Linkedln.


Thursday, September 18, 2025

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Disney and Pixar’s Coco in Concert Live to Film

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents 

Disney and Pixar’s Coco in Concert Live to Film

October 16 & 18, 2025


Following its wildly popular debut last season, Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Movie Nights at Lyric series expands in the 2025/26 Season starting with Disney and Pixar’s Coco in Concert Live to Film. Presented in English with projected Spanish titles, this special event combines the Oscar- and Grammy-winning score by composer Michael Giacchino with a live performance by the acclaimed Lyric Opera Orchestra, conducted by Gonzalo Farias. The beloved film will be projected on a massive screen above the stage for two performances only at the Lyric Opera House: Thursday, October 16, at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 18, at 2:00 p.m.

Along with Giacchino’s original score, Coco features the Oscar-winning song “Remember Me” by songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus additional songs co-written by composer Germaine Franco and co-director and screenwriter Adrian Molina. The film also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Directed by Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3), co-directed by Adrian Molina (Monsters University), and produced by Darla K. Anderson (Toy Story 3), Coco continues to inspire audiences worldwide with its unforgettable music and storytelling.

Coco tells the story of Miguel (voice of Anthony Gonzalez), a young boy who dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt), despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music. Following a mysterious chain of events and desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead. Along the way, he meets a charming trickster named Héctor (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together they embark on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

Chilean-born conductor Gonzalo Farias, Associate Conductor of the Houston Symphony, will lead the Lyric Opera Orchestra in these performances. A passionate educator and advocate for musical storytelling that builds community, Farias has previously held conducting posts with the Kansas City Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, and Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and served as Music Director of the Joliet Symphony Orchestra. His work has also been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and the League of American Orchestras.

“After seeing the incredible energy and excitement around Singin’ in the Rain last season — a one-night-only sellout — we knew we had to bring more Movie Nights to Lyric,” says John Mangum, General Director, President & CEO of Lyric Opera of Chicago. “They are a wonderful way to welcome new and younger audiences into the opera house, share the thrill of live orchestral music, and celebrate beloved films in a truly unforgettable setting.”

In addition to projected Spanish titles at both performances, Coco in Concert Live to Film will include accessible offerings such as American Sign Language interpretation and SoundShirt technology at the Saturday matinee. This presentation marks the first of two Movie Nights at Lyric in the 2025/26 Season, with Disney’s Mary Poppins in Concert Live to Film to follow on April 10 & 11, 2026.

Tickets start at $43 (all fees included). For tickets and more information, call 312.827.5600 or visit lyricopera.org/coco.

This presentation is licensed by Disney Concerts.

Lyric’s 2025/26 Season is presented by the Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation.

Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Official Airline, United Airlines, and acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.  


About Disney Concerts

Disney Concerts is the concert production and licensing division of Disney Music Group, the music arm of The Walt Disney Company.  Disney Concerts produces concerts and tours, and licenses Disney music and visual content to symphony orchestras, choruses and presenters on a worldwide basis. Disney Concerts’ concert packages include a variety of formats, such as “live-to-picture” film concerts, and themed instrumental and vocal compilation concerts that range from instrumental-only symphonic performances to multimedia productions featuring live vocalists and choirs.  Featuring concerts from the largest movie franchises in the world – from Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar and 20th Century Studios – current titles include the Star Wars Film Concert Series, Toy Story, Disney Princess: The Concert, Coco, The Lion King, Up, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Infinity Saga Concert Experience.

About Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to redefining what it means to experience great opera. The company is driven to deliver consistently excellent artistry through innovative, relevant, celebratory programming that engages and energizes new and traditional audiences.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO John Mangum and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Lyric is dedicated to reflecting, and drawing strength from, the diversity of Chicago. Lyric offers, through innovation, collaboration, and evolving learning opportunities, ever-more exciting, accessible, and thought-provoking audience and community experiences. We also stand committed to training the artists of the future, through The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center; and to becoming increasingly diverse across our audiences, staff, programming, and artists — magnifying the welcoming pull of our art form, our company, and our city.

Through the timeless power of voice, the splendor of a great orchestra and chorus, theater, dance, design, and truly magnificent stagecraft, Lyric is devoted to immersing audiences in worlds both familiar and unexpected, creating shared experiences that resonate long after the curtain comes down.

Join us @LyricOpera on InstagramTikTokYouTubeThreads and Facebook. #LongLivePassion

For more information, visit lyricopera.org.

Thursday, September 4, 2025

TimeLine Theatre's World Premiere of Sandra Delgado's HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF STARS

 ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List

TimeLine Theatre's World Premiere of Sandra Delgado's HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF STARS

MOTHERHOOD, MARIJUANA AND THE MULTIVERSE COLLIDE IN A CHICAGO-SET STORY OF FAMILY, IMMIGRATION, AND AMERICAN IDENTITY

TIMELINE THEATRE REVEALS CAST FOR WORLD PREMIERE OF

SANDRA DELGADO’S HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF STARS,

DIRECTED BY KIMBERLY SENIOR, OCTOBER 8 - NOVEMBER 9

Sandra Delgado (right) plays Clara and Charlotte Arias is Clara’s daughter, Stella, in TimeLine Theatre’s world premiere of Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars. Delgado, also the playwright, plays a single mom in Chicago suddenly faced with the prospect of deportation. TimeLine Associate Artist Kimberly Senior directs. Credit: Joe Mazza / brave lux, inc.

TimeLine Theatre Company has revealed the complete cast for this fall’s Chicago-set world premiere Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars by Sandra Delgado, directed by TimeLine Associate Artist Kimberly Senior, the first production of TimeLine Theatre's milestone 29th season. 


Delgado’s captivating new family drama will feature its author, one of the city’s most celebrated “triple-threat” theater artists who was also the creator and star of the legendary smash hit La Havana MadridDelgado will play the role of Clara, a single mom in the “sandwich generation,” simultaneously caring for her aging father and tween daughter, who is suddenly faced with the prospect of deportation.


Delgado’s fellow cast members are Charín Álvarez (Vega/Chava, she/her), Ramón Camín (Papi, he him), Brian King (David, he/him), and Donovan Marquis Diaz (Ruben, he/they/any), with Charlotte Arias (she/her) and Simona Gueglio-Saccone (she/her) alternating as Stella, Clara’s tween daughter. 

TimeLine Theatre’s world premiere drama Hundred and Hundreds of Stars features (from left) Sandra Delgado (Clara, also the playwright), Charín Álvarez (Vega/Chava), Charlotte Arias (Stella), Ramón Camín (Papi), Simona Gueglio-Saccone (Stella, alternating), Brian King (David) and Donovan Marquis Diaz (Ruben).

Performances of Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars will be hosted by Lookingglass Theatre Company in the historic Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, while TimeLine continues construction of its new home in Uptown. Previews start October 8 and performances run through November 9.


Meet the moment of TimeLine’s 2025-26 season and save as much as 25 percent off regular tickets to Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars with a 2025-26 TimeLine FlexPass. Four options, on sale now from $134 to $278, assure the best seats and offer impressive flexibility throughout TimeLine’s three-play season: Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars; the Chicago premiere of Eureka Day, January 13 - February 22, 2026, presented at Broadway In Chicago's Broadway Playhouse, and An Enemy of the People, the inaugural production at TimeLine's new home in Uptown, debuting in May 2026. 


Single tickets for Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars are on sale now. For more information and to purchase a TimeLine FlexPass or single tickets, call the TimeLine Box Office at (773) 281-8463 x6 or visit timelinetheatre.com.

(left) Chicago "triple threat" theater artist Sandra Delgado wrote and will perform in TimeLine Theatre's world premiere of Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars. (right) Delgado (left) plays Clara and Charlotte Arias plays her daughter, Stella, in Delgado's timely new drama about a single mom in Chicago suddenly faced with the prospect of deportation. Arias alternates in the role of Stella with Simona Gueglio-Saccone. Credit: Joe Mazza / brave lux, inc.

Motherhood, marijuana and the multiverse: Shining light on American identity

Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars blends grounded family drama with otherworldly wonder for a moving and provocative exploration of our country’s most fundamental values, while echoing stories pulled from today’s news of families being torn apart. 


Like millions of Americans, Clara is doing her best to hold everything together—working hard, raising her tween daughter Stella, caring for an aging father, and supporting her under-employed ex-husband. But when she applies for U.S. citizenship ahead of a mother-daughter trip to Paris, her application is unexpectedly flagged, exposing minor infractions in her past and threatening the only home she’s ever known.


“After the election, I thought this play I’ve been working on for years is suddenly of the moment. Someone has to produce it,” said Delgado. “People aren’t often forced into action beyond watching the news, until it becomes personal. So this is a very personal family tale, not unlike those playing out more and more, every day in Chicago and around the U.S.” 


Delgado added, “the play also explores the multiverse, or the possibility of an infinite number of parallel universes, and astral projection, the ability of a person’s spirit to travel to distant places. These bring layers of magic and hope to an otherwise daunting tale of a mother at risk of losing her daughter and being sent to a country she has never known.”


“I can’t think of a more timely topic than this play about a mother being pulled away from her daughter, forced from the only home she has ever really known,” said Artistic Director PJ Powers. “Sandra’s script is moving, provocative, funny, and deeply emotional, putting a human face on the headlines surrounding us today.”


Powers continued: “Set in 2015, this play is also a testament to TimeLine’s mission of connecting past with present, underscoring that a broken immigration system is not new, yet its resonance with where we are today in 2025 couldn’t be more apparent. We are deeply honored to launch this transformative year for TimeLine by welcoming back our longtime colleague, director Kimberly Senior, and premiering Sandra’s must-see new work.”

(left) Chicago "triple threat" theater artist Sandra Delgado wrote and will perform in TimeLine Theatre's world premiere of Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars. (right) Delgado (left) plays Clara and Charlotte Arias plays her daughter, Stella, here holding handmade tin stars referenced in Delgado's newest work, a grounded family drama mixed with otherworldly wonder. Arias alternates in the role of Stella with Simona Gueglio-Saccone. Credit: Joe Mazza / brave lux, inc.

The full production team for Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars includes Sandra Delgado (Playwright, she/her), Kimberly Senior (Director, she/her), Regina García (Scenic Designer, she/her), Mieka van der Ploeg (Costume Designer, she/they), Christine A. Binder (Lighting Designer, she/her), Willow James (Sound Designer, he/him), Nicolas Bartleson (Properties Designer, he/him), Eme Ospina-López (Projections Designer, they/él), Raquel Torre (Choreographer, she/her/ella), Yasmin Zacaria Mikhaiel (Dramaturg, she/they), Dina Spoerl (Dramaturgical Display Designer, she/her), Natalie Friedman (Assistant Director, she/her), Nora Brooks and Lindsay Mummert (she/her) (Co-Assistant Scenic Designers), Megan Pirtle (Assistant Costume Designer, she/her), Ellie Fey (Assistant Lighting Designer, she/her), Anna Rogelio Joaquin (Assistant Dramaturg, she/her), Isabel Patt (Stage Manager, they/them), Kate Nagorski (Assistant Stage Manager, she/her), and Maddie Curtin (Young Performer Supervisor, she/her).

 

Originally commissioned by the Chicago Park District’s Theatre on the Lake In the Works project, in partnership with Chicago Dramatists, previous development of Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars included stagings as part of Goodman Theatre’s New Stages Festival in 2018 and Northeastern Illinois University’s thINKtank Series, co-produced in partnership with Teatro Vista, in 2024.

Sandra Delgado (front) plays Clara and Charlotte Arias is Clara’s tween daughter, Stella, in TimeLine Theatre’s world premiere of Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars. Arias alternates in the role of Stella with Simona Gueglio-Saccone. Credit: Joe Mazza / brave lux, inc.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE


Previews are Wednesday, October 8 through Friday, October 10 at 8 p.m., Saturday, October 11 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sunday, October 12 at 4 p.m., and Tuesday, October 14 at 7 p.m. Regular performances continue through November 9: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m.

BUYING TICKETS


Single tickets to Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars are on sale now, priced $40–$95. For tickets and information, visit timelinetheatre.com or call the TimeLine Box Office at (773) 281-8463 x6.


Preview tickets are $40 - $60. Single tickets to regular performances are $62 - $95. Prices vary based on performance date and seat location. Student discount is 35% off regular price with valid ID. TimeLine is also a member of TCG’s Blue Star Theatre Program and is offering $30 tickets to U.S. military personnel, veterans, first responders, and their spouses and family.

 

All listed prices are inclusive of fees.


Ticket buyers ages 18-35 may join TimeLine’s free MyLine program to obtain access to discounted tickets, special events and more. Discounted rates for groups of 10 or more are also available. Visit timelinetheatre.com/discounts for more about available discounts.

LOCATION/TRANSPORTATION/PARKING


TimeLine’s production of Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars is hosted by Lookingglass Theatre Company in the historic Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson Street on the southeast corner of Michigan Avenue, just south of Water Tower Place.


Pre-paid discounted parking and validated parking is available the day of the performance at three convenient parking options located less than a block from the theater: 875 N. Michigan Avenue, Water Tower Place and The Olympia Center Self Park. Let the Box Office know upon arrival, and staff will provide validation. Or, try the parking app SpotHero.


Lookingglass is convenieniently located a short walk from the CTA Red Line stop at Chicago Avenue and State Street. For Purple and Brown line riders, a quick ride east on the #66 (Chicago) bus will take you right to the theater. The #146 (Inner Drive/Michigan Express), #151 (Sheridan), and #147 (Outer Drive Express) buses also stop on Michigan Avenue, directly in front of Lookingglass Theatre. 


Visit timelinetheatre.com/venues/lookingglass-theatre for additional information, including driving directions and nearby dining recommendations.

DISCUSSIONS


Post-Show Discussions: A brief, informal post-show discussion hosted by a TimeLine Company Member and featuring the dramaturg and members of the production team after the 7 p.m. performances on Wednesday, October 22; Thursday, October 30; and Thursday, November 6.


Pre-Show Discussions: Starting one hour before the performance, 25-minute introductory conversations will be hosted by a TimeLine Company Member and the dramaturg before the Sunday, October 19, 2 p.m. matinee.


Company Member Discussion: A post-show discussion with the collaborative team of artists who choose TimeLine’s programming and guide the company’s mission on Sunday, October 26 at 2 p.m.


Sunday Scholars Panel Discussion: A one-hour panel discussion featuring experts on the themes and issues of the play alongside a member of the production team in a moderated discussion, following the performance on Sunday, November 2 at 2 p.m.


All discussions are free and open to the public.

ACCESSIBILITY


Captioned Performances: Open-captioned performances with a text display of words and sounds heard during performances are Saturday, November 1 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.


Audio-Described Performance: On Saturday, November 8 at 2 p.m., the performance will feature narration about visual elements of the production around the dialogue, available for individual patrons via headphones.


An accessible entrance to Lookingglass is located directly to the west of the main entrance at 163 E. Pearson St. using the wooden double doors. Lookingglass offers accessible seating for all performances on the ground floor and balcony for all patrons who use a wheelchair, scooter, walker, other mobility aid, or cannot use stairs. Lookingglass also has a variety of aisle seating options available. Please contact TimeLine Theatre’s Box Office for more information at (773) 281-8463 x6.

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