REVIEW: World Premiere of The Dress-Up Play Via Jackalope Theatre Now Extended Through March 29, 2026

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND JACKALOPE THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCED ADDED PERFORMANCES FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF  THE DRESS-UP PLAY NOW EXTENDED THROUGH MARCH 29th  AT THE BROADWAY ARMORY PARK Adult Only and Family Friendly Performances Added for this New Play by Juliet Kang Huneke and Directed by Karina Patel Recommended for ages 4+. The running time is 60 minutes with no intermission.  REVIEW By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara I adored The Dress-Up Play from the first moments of group art making in the lobby to the rousing standing ovation. Playwright, Juliet Kang Huneke has created an immersive playroom that teaches diversity, inclusion, and individuality in a fun and playful way. Highly recommended. ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List. ★★★★ Four out of four stars. (L to R) Jett Parr, Keimon Shook and Casey Whisler in THE DRESS-UP PLAY, by Jackalope Theatre, now extended through March 29. Photo by Joel Maisonet Photography Four very different young friends meet up for a dress-up play date and hilarity and life lessons ensue. Everyone is invited to play dress-up from their seats or get more involved if that's your jam. There's space for a couple of families to sit in the set, and a chance to volunteer for a runway show towards the end, in your own unique outfit.  (L to R) Keimon Shook and Aidan Henri. Photo by Joel Maisonet Photography The actors playfully and gently guide the audience through an enlightening series of wardrobe changes. The message is never heavy handed as actors model sharing, playing well with others, and respect. They also show responses to bullying, and how to compromise when parental and institutional rules smash up against self expression. This is such a clever and timely take on acceptance and inclusion, as legal and physical attacks on trans and gender nonconforming humans are escalating at an alarming rate. The Dress-Up Play reminds us that boys can enjoy purses and dresses and girls can be knights and pirates, and those choices hurt no-one. In fact, we're all better off for ditching narrowly defined gender roles and allowing ourselves and others more choices of how to dress, and how to be in the world.  The Reader critic, Kerry Reid and ChiIL Mama critic, Bonnie Kenaz-Mara had a blast picking accessories based on prompts. You're never too old to play dress-up! Even the grandparents in the crowd were happily letting their inner children out to play.  Bring the littles in your life or round up your friend group and come to the added 18+ performance on Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m. (an adults only performance, recommended for ages 18 years old and older, that may include improvised language not suitable for younger audiences). Other show times are recommended for all ages 4+.  Keimon Shook in THE DRESS-UP PLAY, by Jackalope Theatre. Photo by Joel Maisonet Photography It's always an adventure at Jackalope Theatre, beginning with a winding maze through Broadway Armory. Follow the mythical horned jackrabbit signs through the hallways, up the staircase, and past aerielists. There you will find a charming little theatre doing brave new works like the world premiere of The Dress-Up Play. Jackalope Theatre has long been a favorite of ours here at ChiIL Live Shows, for their plays for grownups. My son, Dugan, was in Northwestern University's theatre program with both the playwright and director, so I was particularly excited to check out their new family friendly show.   I left with a handmade card, a gem, and stickers. The best takeaway though was a joyful glow that had the whole audience grinning and celebrating both our individual creativity and our power as a community to curb bullying and embrace creative self expression with an open mind. Don't miss this.  (L to R) Keimon Shook, Jett Parr, Casey Whisler and Aidan Henri  Bonnie is a Chicago based writer, theatre critic, photographer, artist, and Mama to 2 amazing adults. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly). Keimon Shook in THE DRESS-UP PLAY, by Jackalope Theatre, now extended through March 29. Photo by Joel Maisonet Photography Jackalope Theatre Company is proud to announce additional performances for the world premiere of The Dress-Up Play by Juliet Kang Huneke, now playing through March 29, directed by Karina Patel, at the Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N Broadway St.The added performances are Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m. (an adults only performance, recommended for ages 18 years old and older, Friday’s performance may include improvised language not suitable for younger audiences) and Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29 at 11 a.m. The current performance schedule is Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 - $35 with student and Edgewater resident discounts available. Subscription and single tickets are now available at JackalopeTheatre.org or call/text the box office at 773.340.2543. The Dress-Up Play is a new family-friendly production from Jackalope. New friends gather in a bedroom to play dress up. But who gets to wear what? Do our clothes have to match what we look like outside? And what if our outside doesn’t match our inside? Filled with tutus, fake mustaches, scarves and fierce runway walks, The Dress-Up Play is an immersive fashion party for all ages that celebrates self-expression, open-mindedness and the wholeness of everyone. Casey Whisler in THE DRESS-UP PLAY, by Jackalope Theatre, now extended through March 29. Photo by Joel Maisonet Photography The cast of The Dress-Up Play includes Keimon Shook (he/him, Remi); Casey Whisler (she/her, Olivia); Aidan Henri (they/he/she, Aiden) and Jett Parr (they/them, Miles).  The creative team for The Dress-Up Play includes Juliet Kang Huneke (she/they, playwright); Karina Patel (she/her, director and new works manager); AJ Links, CSA(she/her, casting director), Eric Turner (he/him, production manager); Seojung Jang (she/her, lighting designer); Newton Schottelkotte (they/she, sound designer); Amal Salem (she/her, stage manager); Hudson Therriault (he/him, accessibility manager); Amira Danan (she/her, development director) and Kaiser Ahmed (he/him, artistic director),  Playwright Juliet Kang Huneke  ABOUT JULIET KANG HUNEKE, PLAYWRIGHT Juliet Kang Huneke is a playwright and performer who is passionate about theatre that is larger than life. Her new TYA play, Hannah and Halmoni Save the World! recently had its world premiere at Filament Theatre. In addition, she was awarded the 2023 ReImagine: New Plays in TYA grant to develop Hannah and Halmoni with Filament. Juliet is also a 24 Hour Plays Nationals alum. Other Chicago writing credits include: Echo’s Inferno (The Understudy), Home for the Summer (Theo Ubique, American Music Theatre Project), Mycelium (Playground Chicago) and Mechanicals (Impostors Theater Co Footholds Vol. 4).  Director Karina Patel  ABOUT KARINA PATEL, DIRECTOR Karina Patel is a devised theatre artist, director and dramaturg originally from London, United Kingdom. She is currently the New Works manager at Jackalope Theatre Company and literary associate at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Patel has developed new and devised work with The Story Theatre, The Understudy Chicago, APIDA Arts, TimeLine Theatre Company, Avalanche Theatre, Token Theatre, 24 Hour Plays and more. She has also served as an assistant director at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Court Theatre and the Repertory Theatre of St Louis.  MORE FROM JACKALOPE WORLD PREMIERE Andy Warhol Presents: The Cocaine Play May 27 - July 6, 2026 Written by Terry Guest Directed by AmBer Montgomery Previews: Wednesday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 21 at 2 p.m. Performance schedule: Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. The Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway St. JackalopeTheatre.org/2024-2025-season Tickets: $15 - $45 It’s 1962 in New York City and Andy Warhol (no, not that Andy Warhol) is stuck. He hasn’t finished a painting in years and has no new ideas. When a mysterious actress named Marilyn Monroe (no, not that Marilyn Monroe) stumbles into his life, she sends him down an epic path of madness, murder, betrayal and the desperate pursuit of fame, sex and beauty. Andy Warhol presents: The Cocaine Play is a 100% fake story about 100% real people that asks how far are you willing to go for the chance at superstardom.  17th Annual Living Newspaper Festival August 20 - 24, 2026 Performance schedule: Thursday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. and Monday at 7:30 p.m. The Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway St. JackalopeTheatre.org/2024-2025-season Tickets: $15 - $35 The Living Newspaper Festival is inspired by the 1930s Living Newspapers of the Federal Theatre Project that created stories based on recent events. This year’s Festival includes world premieres inspired from recent news headlines. Performances, show times, dates are subject to change. ABOUT JACKALOPE THEATRE Jackalope Theatre Company expands the definition of American Identity by engaging with communities to produce works that celebrate diverse perspectives. Jackalope is a premier home for new and exciting Off-Loop Theatre based in Chicago's Edgewater and Rogers Park neighborhoods. They are committed to cultivating new voices that contribute to an expanding American culture and mythology. Each season, Jackalope produces full-length plays, new play development programming and provides free classes in partnership with the Chicago Park District. Season 18 is made possible by the continued generosity of Season Sponsors Michael and Mona Heath.

Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences Presents CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY February 13 through March 28, 2026

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Peter Blair, Executive Producer 

Peter Marston Sullivan, Artistic Director 

Katie Johannigman, Associate Artistic Director

Presents 

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Discover Roald Dahl’s World of Pure Imagination

Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, presents its next delicious adventure with the musical stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved tale, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Packed with wonder, creativity, and a world of pure imagination, this scrumptious production will delight theatre‑goers of all ages, running February 13 through March 28. The 70-minute musical journey is directed and choreographed by Jeff Award winner Amber Mak, with musical direction by Isabella Isherwood. Each performance will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the cast.

"Getting the opportunity to dive into the whimsical world of Roald Dahl is a true full-circle moment for me,” said Mak. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a story I grew up with—one that ignited my own imagination as a child, just as it has for so many others. At its heart, this is a story about the power of a dream. We see Willy Wonka, a man whose heart has begun to harden against the world, rediscover hope and inspiration through the eyes of young Charlie Bucket. I am especially thrilled to work with this all-star cast, including the incredible Kai Edgar, who brings such a rich history to the role of Charlie from having done the national tour."

This production of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY stars Kai Edgar as “Charlie Bucket,” George Keating as “Willy Wonka,” Rick Hall as “Grandpa Joe," Avelyn Lena Choi as “Violet Beauregarde,” Gordon Henry Heisler as “Mike Teavee,” Elin Joy Seiler as “Veruca Salt”, Elias Totleben as “August Gloop”, Veronica Garza as “Mrs. Teave”, Darian Goulding as “Mr. Salt”, Megan Long as “Mrs. Bucket, Cherry Sunday,” Michael Earvin Martin as “Mr. Beauregarde,”Elizabeth Romero as “Mrs. Green,” and Elizabeth Telford as “Mrs. Gloop”. Understudies include Elliot Angsurat, Viva Boresi, Madison Kauffman, Steve McDonagh, Teah Kiang Mirabelli, and Jason Richards.

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, Costume Designer Theresa Ham, Costume Design Assistant Mollie Spoerer, Lighting Designer Megan Wines, Sound Designer Stefanie Senior, Media Designer Tony Churchill, Assistant Media Designer Averie Leger, Props Designer Wynn Lee, Dialect Coach Susan Gosdick, Wig, Hair and Makeup Designer Miguel Armstrong, and Stage Manager Katie Dreher.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY takes place most Wednesdays through Sundays at 10 am with select 12:30 pm performances, and plenty of spring break performances! An ASL-interpreted performance will take place on March 14th 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 $18.75 (plus tax and handling fees). Call for substantial group discounts on over 20 tickets. Free parking is available at all performances.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

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

ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List

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.