ELF THE MUSICAL AT CHICAGO'S AUDITORIUM THROUGH DECEMBER 14TH ONLY

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ELF THE MUSICAL 

BRAND-NEW TOUR OF

ELF THE MUSICAL

AT THE AUDITORIUM THROUGH DECEMBER 14 ONLY

"★★★★! Elf The Musical is a Christmas Gift. My grinchiness vanished, to be replaced with a big wide grin…THIS SHOW IS REALLY ELFIN' GOOD.” – Time Out New York

Crossroads Live North America and Temple Live North America, along with Broadway In Chicago are pleased to announce ELF THE MUSICAL will be sprinkling jolly joy as it starts tomorrow at The Auditorium (50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) for a limited engagement through December 14 only.

ELF THE MUSICAL, inspired by the hit film, is the hilarious and heartwarming tale of Buddy, a young orphan child whose life changes forever when he mistakenly crawls into Santa’s sack of toys one Christmas Eve. When he discovers he is human, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and, in turn, helps the Big Apple rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. This all-new tour is based on the acclaimed 2024 Broadway production, which was hailed by The New York Times, “The show has CRACKED THE CODE OF ALL-AGES COMEDY, the kind that will leave children and grown-ups equally helpless with laughter,” and celebrated by The New Yorker, “It’s enough to MAKE YOU BELIEVE IN THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS.” This modern-day holiday classic, says The Daily Beast, “is a gift for kids and adults, and a very ‘sparklejollytwinklejingley’ night out!”

Following two hugely successful seasons in London’s West End in 2022 and 2023, ELF THE MUSICAL returned to Broadway for the first time in over a decade in 2024, and spread holiday cheer to sold-out, record-breaking audiences once again. Over the course of ELF THE MUSICAL’s 8-week run, the show delighted over 94,000 guests and broke two Marquis Theatre Box Office Records.

ELF THE MUSICAL features a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone, Smash, Boop! The Musical), with songs by Tony nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Prom, The Wedding Singer). The musical returned to Broadway in an acclaimed production directed by Philip Wm. McKinley (The Boy From Oz, Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark) and choreographed by Olivier and Drama Desk nominee Liam Steel (Company ). Prior to that, this production was first staged at the Dominion Theatre in London’s West End and became the venue’s fastest-selling show in nearly a century, breaking its own box office records the following year at the same venue and becoming a firm holiday favorite for London audiences.

Restager Dave Solomon and Associate Choreographer Richard J. Hinds will helm the US tour creative based on the 2024 Broadway revival production. The creative team features set and costume design based on the original by multi-Olivier Award winner Tim Goodchild (Strangers on a Train, We Will Rock You, Royal Shakespeare Company), lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe (Bat Out of Hell, Mamma Mia! The Party), sound design by Tony Award winner Gareth Owen (MJ the Musical, Hell’s Kitchen), video design by Ian William Galloway(The Audience, The Light Princess), and hair and wig design by Sam Cox (Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club). Orchestrations are byDoug Besterman, dance arrangements are by David Chase, vocal arrangements are by Phil Reno, and music supervision, additional arrangements & orchestrations are by Olivier Award winner Alan Williams (Sunset Boulevard, Evita), with associate music supervision by Nate Patten and music direction by Charlie Yokom.

ELF THE MUSICAL was produced on Broadway by Temple Live Entertainment North America and Crossroads Live North America. General Management was by Wagner Johnson Productions. Mark Kaufman served as Creative Consultant for Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.

ELF THE MUSICAL is produced by special arrangement with MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL, New York, NY. www.mtishows.com

www.ElfMusicalTour.com
@elfthemusicaltour




TICKET INFORMATION (As of December 1, based on availability and subject to change)
Individual tickets for ELF THE MUSICAL are on sale now and range from $40.00 - $110.00 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. Patrons can also participate in a digital lottery for a chance to purchase $30.00 tickets for each performance, which is inclusive of all mandatory taxes, restoration, handling, and third-party fees. In addition to the lottery, a limited number of day-of-show, in person Rush tickets will be available for $49.00 for all performances. Click here for more info on Digital Lottery and In Person Rush. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 25 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

A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2025

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A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS NATIONAL TOUR

BRINGS THRILLS, SKILLS, AND HOLIDAY CHEER TO CHICAGO

LIMITED ONE-WEEK ENGAGEMENT!BROADWAY IN CHICAGO’S CIBC THEATRE

18 W. MONROE ST.

Elite Circus Artists, World Record-Holders, and Viral Performers from Around the Globe Light Up the Stage in This Family-Friendly Holiday Spectacle

Ho-ho-hold on to your seats! MagicSpace Entertainment and Broadway In Chicago are thrilled to announce that A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS begins performances tomorrow at the CIBC Theatre (18 W. Monroe St.) for a strictly limited one-week engagement through November 30. Individual tickets range from $39 - $117 and may be purchased at BroadwayInChicago.com or in-person at any Broadway In Chicago venue box office. A select number of premium seats are available. Additional fees apply for online purchases. Reservations for groups of ten (10) or more are available by emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com or calling 312-977-1710. For more information and the performance schedule, see below or visit BroadwayInChicago.com.

Loaded with nostalgia, charm, comedy, music, and magic, A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS showcases the world’s top cirque talent and takes audiences on a dazzling, winter wonderland journey, immersing them in the spirit of the season with a feel-good, holiday soundtrack featuring modern versions of popular Christmas classics. The show makes a perfect date night, fun family adventure, or group outing.

In A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS , the cast of world-class acrobats, contortionists and aerialists will mesmerize, twist, flip, and push the boundaries of imagination where gravity is defied and human potential knows no limits. The performers are supported by a captivating musical score that will tug at your heartstrings, elevate your spirit and have you tapping your foot and singing along to hit Christmas songs in the ultimate variety extravaganza. The festive show entertains audiences of all ages during an evening of spectacular feats, acrobatic antics, and magical performances complete with holiday hilarity and music.

The acts returning for the 2025 tour include audience favorites Jonathan Rinny (rolla bolla and unicycle performer), hair suspension artist and world record holder Leila Noone, juggler Christopher Stoinev, MC and magician Mark Clearview, and acrobats Duo Metta (Laura Lebron & Joseph Gray). New additions to the cast include world record holder for the jaw hang, Morgan Barbour, and elite contortionist Hannah Finn:Rinny, a fourth-generation circus performer making his return to A Magical Cirque Christmas, began his career in his family’s Argentine circus at age five. Now an acclaimed Rola Bola and unicycle artist, he’s wowed audiences worldwide, including a “best act” nod from AGT’s Simon Cowell.

Noone, a four-time American Ninja Warrior competitor and Guinness World Record holder, is ecstatic to return to the national tour of A Magical Cirque Christmas. She is known for her versatile performances and her role in the contemporary circus company Cirque Vida, based in Austin, TX.

Las Vegas resident Stoinev is a fifth-generation circus performer who started juggling at the age of five and hasn't stopped ever since. At eight years old, he was invited to perform at Premier Rampe, an International Circus Festival hosted in Monaco.

Clearview, an internationally acclaimed magician and mentalist, has performed for stars like Neil Patrick Harris and appeared on Penn & Teller: Fool Us. A former Canada’s Got Talent finalist who earned the Golden Buzzer and $25,000 cash prize, is also a world record holder. He now hosts NYC’s popular MAGIC, UNLOCKED.

Duo Metta’s Lebron and Gray met during acrobatic training in Costa Rica, where they built a strong bond over their mutual love for advanced acrobatics. They perform as a duo in Las Vegas and internationally, blending technical precision with artistic flair.

Barbour specializes in iron jaw, aerial ladder, and lyra. In 2024 she set the world record for “Heaviest Weight Held By Teeth Right-Side Up (387lbs).” She’s performed on five continents, in shows such as America’s Got Talent, Giffords Circus, Kazakh State Circus, and Circo de Natal do Coliseu dos Recreios.
Finn specializes in a one-of-a-kind spinning cube act. Known for rare skills like foot archery and the Marinelli Bend, she blends fluid movement with sculptural precision. With nearly two decades of experience, she has performed around the world for Harry Styles, The Roundhouse, The Box Soho, Glastonbury Festival, and more.

“Absolutely fantastic show. We took our six and three-year-olds and all had the best time,” said a happy reviewer after the Charlotte performance last year. “We will be making this a yearly Christmas tradition!” Another reviewer said, “Great for the whole family. The cast is incredibly talented. Mark keeps everyone laughing between the exciting acts.

Attendees of all ages at A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS will delight in the graceful, flexible, and hypnotic acrobatics, stunning gravity-defying performances and high-flying aerial artists, as well as many more surprises.





TICKET INFORMATION (as of 11/24/25, based on availability and subject to change)
Individual tickets range from $39-$117 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 ten or more, call Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or email GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com . Patrons can participate in a Digital Lottery for a chance to purchase $25 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.

For more information, visit www.MagicalCirqueChristmas.com. Celebrate the magic of the season and follow @AMagicalCirqueChristmas on Facebook and Instagram.

ABOUT MAGICSPACE ENTERTAINMENT
MagicSpace Entertainment, a LiveCo Company, is a boutique producing and presenting firm focused on first-class properties and productions. Based in Park City, UT, the company has produced and presented national tours, Broadway shows, concerts, museum exhibits and sporting events worldwide for over 40 years with a powerhouse producing team focused on providing creative, marketing, and general management expertise. www.magicspace.net.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 25 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, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
Follow @broadwayinchicago on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok #broadwayinchicago

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).

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert Live to Film October 25, 2025

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Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas 

in Concert

One night only, Saturday, October 25 at 7:30 PM at The Auditorium

What’s this?! Back by popular demand, see one of Tim Burton’s most celebrated films like never before! The full-feature film, The Nightmare Before Christmas, will be projected on the big screen with live accompaniment by the Chicago Philharmonic bringing Danny Elfman’s darkly charming score to life. Families are welcome and costumes are encouraged. After all, this is Halloween!  ChiIL Mama will be there... will YOU?! 

Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts. ©Disney. All rights reserved. MPAA Rating: PG 

Date

Oct 25, 2025

Event Starts

7:30 PM

Doors Open

One Hour Prior to Show

On Sale Here: https://www.auditoriumtheatre.org/events/detail/tim-burtons-the-nightmare-before-christmas-in-concert-710723

The Chicago Philharmonic performs Danny Elfman’s iconic score while the film plays on the big screen

The Auditorium (Chicago’s landmark stage at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) and The Chicago Philharmonic continue the second season of the Auditorium Philms Concert Series, a multi-media experience presenting iconic films brought to life with scores performed in concert. Next up is Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas in concert, the cult-classic stop-motion masterpiece with an iconic score by Danny Elfman. The film will play on The Auditorium’s big screen while the Chicago Philharmonic, under the direction of long-time collaborator conductor Thiago Tiberio, performs the score live in sync with dialogue and sound effects from the original film. The one-night-only presentation takes place Saturday, October 25 at 7:30 PM at The Auditorium, 50 E Ida B Wells Dr. Due to high demand, new tickets have just been released for this presentation. Tickets are available at auditoriumtheatre.org or by calling The Auditorium’s Ticket Service Center at 312.341.2300. Subtitles will be shown during the live performance.

Preceding the performance, The Auditorium will host a hauntingly fun VIP Halloween Party with specialty themed food and drink and a costume contest. Costume contest competitors can win several prizes including gift cards to local establishments and free tickets for upcoming Auditorium and Chicago Philharmonic events. The VIP Halloween Party begins at 6:00 PM. Tickets for the party are $45.

Though only a modest box-office success upon its release in 1993, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas quickly became an enduring favorite and continues to be a Halloween-time staple. The meticulously crafted stop-motion animation film tells the story of Jack Skellington- the king of Halloween Town- who accidentally discovers Christmas Town and attempts to take over the holiday with disastrous effects. The film’s stunning visuals are enhanced by an iconic score written by then frontman of the band Oingo Boingo Danny Elfman. Elfman drew on musical influences from the past like Kurt Weil, George Gershwin and even Gilbert and Sullivan to make the music in the film feel both nostalgic and otherworldly. Audiences for Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas In Concert will have the opportunity to hear the instantly recognizable tunes from the film like “This is Halloween” and “What’s This?” performed live by a full orchestra in the context of the film.

“Audiences continue to tell us how much they love our Auditorium Philms Series,” said The Auditorium CEO Rich Regan. “Whether it be for a family night, a date night or simply a night out, we are proud of the variety of films with orchestras that have graced our stage.  Each presentation allows audiences to see their favorite films in an entirely new light, and what’s a better way to celebrate Halloween than with a screening of Nightmare Before Christmas.  We look forward to welcoming everyone to The Auditorium.”

“We are proud to co-present this film with The Auditorium and to bring Danny Elfman’s score to life for Chicago audiences,” added Chicago Philharmonic Executive Director Terell Johnson. “This project highlights what great cultural partnerships can do: combine cinematic storytelling with the power of live orchestral music to create an immersive, communal experience.”

Tickets are also now available for the final presentation in the 2025 season of The Auditorium Philms Concert Series The Holiday in concert, on December 20.

About The Chicago Philharmonic Society 

Founded by musicians of the Lyric Opera Orchestra in 1989, The Chicago Philharmonic Society is on a mission to reimagine the orchestra concert experience. With nearly 200 musician members and a unique system of musician governance, the organization is one of the most versatile, innovative, and ambitious orchestras in the country.

Chicago Philharmonic proudly collaborates with the greatest artists of our time, in every genre. Past collaborations have included The Joffrey Ballet, English National Ballet, Kishi Bashi, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Joshua Bell, Tank and the Bangas, William Basinski, the American Ballet Theatre, Ryan Speedo Green, and more.

In 2021, Crain’s Business Chicago 40 Under 40 awardee Terell Johnson joined the organization as Executive Director. Since then, the orchestra has become a force for innovation and inclusion in the city’s performing arts ecosystem with a series of increasingly high-profile events. 2024 brought the orchestra’s debut at Lollapalooza Chicago with Icelandic jazz/pop sensation Laufey as the first orchestra to ever perform at the famed festival; a highly anticipated return to Ravinia Festival with a World Premiere tribute to Whitney Houston and a concert with the Violent Femmes; and the World Premiere tour of An Evening with Sleeping At Last culminating in a sold-out debut at Carnegie Hall. Learn more at www.chicagophil.org.

About Thiago Tiberio

Mr. Tiberio is a specialist in musical synchronization to film, having conducted orchestras in scoring sessions during most of his career. This naturally led to positions in live-to-picture concert productions, such as Star Wars Live in Concert, Pixar in Concert, Danny Elfman: Music from the Films of Tim Burton, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Lord of the Rings: Live to Projection, and others. He premiered the fully orchestrated version of Coco in Concert for Disney, closing the 2019 Ravinia Festival, with the Chicago Philharmonic.

Tiberio is the official conductor of America’s Wonders, the world’s first 3-dimensional, IMAX-style cinematic journey with live orchestra—a celebration of America’s most breathtaking national parks and cities with classical, pop, and original music meticulously synchronized to picture. He also composed and orchestrated a large portion of the music in the show.

Get ready for thrills, chills, and symphonic magic! The Auditorium Auxiliary Board and Chicago Philharmonic Associate Board invite you to an exclusive VIP pre-concert Halloween party before Disney in Concert: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas performed live by the Chicago Philharmonic.

VIP Party: October 25 at 6:00pm

Concert: 7:30pm at The Auditorium

Tickets are selling fast. Reserve yours today!

Your $45 VIP upgrade includes:

Costume contest with fabulous prizes (gift cards, free tickets & more)

Two complimentary themed cocktails or mocktails

Halloween candy, snacks & photo ops galore

Then settle in for the full-feature film projected on the big screen with Danny Elfman’s iconic score brought to life by the Chicago Philharmonic, conducted by Maestro Thiago Tiberio.

Please note: VIP access is sold separately and must be added at checkout when purchasing concert tickets.

Get Concert Tickets + VIP Upgrade

Costumes encouraged. Ages 21+ for VIP upgrade.

About The Auditorium

The Auditorium, located at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive in Chicago, is an Illinois not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural, community, and educational programming to all of Chicago and beyond as The Theatre for the People. The organization also is committed to the continued restoration and preservation of this National Historic Landmark that originally opened in 1889.

The Auditorium’s 2025-26 performance season features a dynamic mix of cultural events from ballet to rock and roll and everything in between. Some of The Auditorium’s fall highlights include musical appearances from David Byrne (Oct. 28-Nov.1), ARRIVAL From Sweden: The Music of ABBA (Nov. 6), Tortoise (Nov. 11), Sarah McLachlan (Nov. 22) and Sting (Nov. 24); evenings with esteemed guests including Kamala Harris (Oct. 11), Sarah Millican (Oct. 17-18), and Hasan Minhaj and Ronny Chieng (Nov. 7); and theater and dance presentations including Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater (Nov. 15) and Elf The Musical (Dec. 2-14) For more information on The Auditorium and a complete listing of events at The Auditorium please visit auditoriumtheatre.org.

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 

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.

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.

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 Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Threads and Facebook. #LongLivePassion For more information, visit lyricopera.org.