Press Room

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast marks the return of Chicago Shakespeare’s summer musical, a cornerstone of the Theater’s rich tradition of family programming. 75 minutes of summer fun playing July 13–August 20, 2023 on Navy Pier.

Cast and creative team announced for William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors—Barbara Gaines celebrates a legacy of joyful collaboration in her final production as artistic director, in the Courtyard Theater beginning March 9.

More than 200 Chicagoland high school students and teachers unite for the return of Chicago Shakespeare Slam: Telling their own stories in conversation with Shakespeare—Final Bout in the Courtyard Theater at Chicago Shakespeare on January 19, 2023

Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s WorldStage Series returns with Wise Children’s Wuthering Heights adapted and directed by groundbreaking theatermaker Emma Rice. Acclaimed international co-production from the United Kingdom plays January 27–February 19, 2023 in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare.

Get into the holiday spirit with Christmas Carol: The Remix broadcast on WTTW Channel 11 (December 16–25, 2022) and the return of the Holiday Artisan Market (December 1–14, 2022).

Panel conversation “L is for Libertad: Exploring Cuba’s San Isidrio Movement alongside Measure for Measure” to follow the projected Spanish translation performance on November 15, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

A.B.L.E. (Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations) returns to Chicago Shakespeare Theater with RECONNECT, an all-day festival of performances and workshops on November 19, 2022.

Extension announced for World Premiere Musical The Notebook, with additional block of tickets on sale for performances through October 30

Cast and creative team announced for Measure for Measure, directed by Henry Godinez, and set in 1950s Cuba, as political unrest simmers beneath a world of glamour, music, and sensuality, October 21–November 27, 2022

Chicago Shakespeare Theater Executive Director Criss Henderson to step down after 33 years at the helm

World Premiere production of It Came From Outer Space extended by popular demand through July 31, 2022.

Cast and creative team announced for The Notebook, a World Premiere Musical based on the bestselling novel that inspired the iconic film. Performances begin September 6.

Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks presents ShakesFest: A Chicago Shakespeare Community Cabaret with pop-up performances in neighborhood parks, July 14–23, 2022.

Cast and creative team announced for world premiere of It Came From Outer Space, a new musical comedy from Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair based on the cult classic Universal Pictures sci-fi film, June 22–July 24, 2022.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces initial line-up for 2022/2023 Season.

Shakespeare’s 458th Birthday on April 23 is celebrated onstage, online, and in classrooms: Free streaming event TO BE, Stream & Study Romeo and Juliet in schools nationwide, and All's Well that Ends Well takes the stage.

Cast and creative team announced for William Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well, directed by Shana Cooper in the Courtyard Theater, April 22–May 29, 2022.

Barbara Gaines announces plans to step down as Artistic Director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater in 2023. Since founding the company in 1986, prolific director Gaines has paved the way for the Theater to become a world-class cultural institution with its three-theater campus on Navy Pier and wide-reaching artistic, educational, and community impact.

Schedule change announced for world premiere musical production of The Notebook, now slated to debut September 6, 2022.

Come Together this holiday season with hip hop hit Q Brothers Christmas Carol in limited engagement, December 7-23, 2021; The Holiday Artisan Market benefiting local artists is back by popular demand, December 2-5, 2021.

Academy Award-nominee David Strathairn stars in Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski, in a limited engagement, November 3-14, 2021.

As You Like It infused with the hit songs of The Beatles opens October 15, welcoming audiences back to in-person performances at the Theater for the first time in 18+ months.

Chicago Shakespeare Artists & Audiences “Come Together” for As You Like It beginning October 6; Upcoming Season Productions and Programs Announced for 2021/22.

Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks celebrates 10th Anniversary with re-envisioned creative program, DREAM: A Community Reimagining of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, August 24–September 4, 2021.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater welcomes artists back to make theater again as casts and creative teams are announced for upcoming productions presented on Chicago ShakesSTREAM platform; In November 2021, audiences return to the Theater for As You Like It infused with The Beatles.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces The Journey: An immersive theatrical event from famed illusionist Scott Silven, live from his home in Scotland for a limited engagement only, January 12–24, 2021.

Chicago Shakespeare announces holiday programming: Newly re-mastered Peter Pan – A Musical Adventure streaming FREE on-demand, December 19, 2020–January 1, 2021; First-ever virtual Holiday Artisan Market in support of local theatermakers and community artisans, December 3-6, 2020.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces its 35th Anniversary Season; In‑person performances and virtual streaming options offer new flexibility in 2020/21.

Due to health and safety measures mandated by the City of Chicago and Chicago Park District, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks moves from the Greens to your Screens: Audiences can virtually visit 18 neighborhoods with daily Green Show streams and bring Shakespeare to their own park or backyard with #MyMidsummerCHI, now through August 28.

Cast and creative team announced for ‘60s-inspired As You Like It infused with the hit songs of The Beatles, adapted and directed by Daryl Cloran, April 30–June 21, 2020.

The world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company returns to Chicago for first time in nearly 25 years with the North American Premiere production of The Taming of the Shrew, presented by Chicago Shakespeare in a limited engagement, April 15–May 2, 2020.

Spend your Saturday with Shakespeare: 75-minute Short Shakespeare! The Comedy of Errors is perfect introduction to Shakespeare for audiences of all ages, on Saturdays at 11:00am, January 25–February 29, 2020.

Cast and creative team announced for Emma, a new musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel with book, music, and lyrics by Paul Gordon and directed by Barbara Gaines, January 28–March 15, 2020.

Cast and creative team announced for Romeo and Juliet, staged by Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and featuring Edgar Miguel Sanchez and Brittany Bellizeare as the star-crossed lovers, October 31–December 22, 2019.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents Isango Ensemble’s A Man of Good Hope; Young refugee’s coming-of-age story vibrantly told through song and dance in a limited engagement, October 4–13, 2019.

Chicago hip hop sensations the Q Brothers Collective heat up the holiday season with Q Brothers Christmas Carol—the wildly entertaining 80-minute musical mashes up contemporary musical styles in limited engagement November 29–December 23, 2019.

Cast and creative team announced for North American Premiere production of The King’s Speech, written by Academy Award-winner David Seidler and starring Harry Hadden-Paton as King George VI and James Frain as Lionel Logue, in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, September 12–October 20, 2019.

GALA 2019 on June 10 raises $1.2 million benefiting education and community outreach initiatives; BMO Harris Bank and “The Chicago Actor” honored with Spirit of Shakespeare Awards; One-night-only performance by the cast of SIX.

Chicago Shakespeare presents a 75-minute musical stage adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, directed by Brian Hill, at Navy Pier all summer long, July 6–August 25, 2019.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater's SIX extended by popular demand through August 4; The Queens continue their reign in Chicago through the Summer.

Annual summer tradition Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks presents The Comedy of Errors FREE FOR ALL in 25 Performances in 18 Parks, July 18–August 18, 2019.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces its 2019/20 Season.

North American premiere cast announced for acclaimed new musical SIX, by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss; the six wives of King Henry VIII headline electrifying pop-concert musical in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, May 14–June 30, 2019.

Complete casting announced for Hamlet, in the Courtyard Theater, April 17-June 9, 2019; Maurice Jones takes on title role, joins company featuring Karen Aldridge, Tim Decker, Larry Yando, Sean Allan Krill, Paul Deo, Jr., Rachel Nicks, Mike Nussbaum, Greg Vinkler, Kevin Gudahl, Alex Goodrich, Samuel Taylor, Sarah Chalcroft, and Callie Johnson.

Following acclaimed pub tour across Ireland, The Abbey Theatre’s Two Pints, written by Booker-Prize-winner Roddy Doyle, is presented in The Pub at Chicago Shakespeare, culminating this season’s WorldStage series, March 6–31, 2019.

Cast and creative team announced for Short Shakespeare! Macbeth, a 75-minute abridged production of Shakespeare’s classic, adapted and directed by Marti Lyons; Public performances Saturdays at 11:00 a.m., beginning February 16.

New block of tickets on sale now: A Midsummer Night’s Dream extended by popular demand through February 3.

The National Theatre of Great Britain’s landmark production of JB Priestley’s classic thriller An Inspector Calls, staged by The Crown’s Stephen Daldry is presented in limited engagement in The Yard, beginning February 19.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater to stage acclaimed new musical SIX, the six wives of King Henry VIII unite in a musical celebration of empowerment beginning May 14; Previously announced premiere of Bedknobs and Broomsticks to be postponed.

More than 300 Chicagoland high school students and their teacher coaches unite in Chicago Shakespeare Slam 2018, culminating in Final Bout in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare on December 10.

Wildly popular holiday tradition Q Brothers Christmas Carol returns to The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, November 20 – December 30, 2018; John Hoogenakker in special engagement as Scrooge.

Cast and creative team announced for vibrantly reimagined A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Courtyard Theater, beginning December 6, 2018; Company of 22 features Grey’s Anatomy star T.R. Knight with Alexandra Silber, Edward O’Blenis, Cristina Panfilio, Tyrone Phillips, Melisa Soledad Pereyra, and Eric Schabla and Sam Kebede.

Chicago Shakespeare presents internationally acclaimed BigMouth, beginning September 12; launches Big in Belgium—Chicago, three pioneering events representing next wave of boundary-pushing theater.

Announcing Circolombia: Acéléré Circus troupe combines jaw-dropping acrobatics with dance and music, culminating Destinos – Chicago International Latino Theater Festival with a limited engagement in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, October 23–November 4, 2018.

Casting announced for Olivier Award-winning new comedy Nell Gwynn, directed by Christopher Luscombe; Scarlett Strallen and Timothy Edward Kane lead North American premiere, September 20–November 4, 2018.

In celebration of Illinois Bicentennial, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tours to Peoria—free performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Glen Oak Park, August 18 & 19.

Casting announced for Peter Pan – A Musical Adventure, directed and choreographed by Amber Mak, onstage this summer at the Theater’s home on Navy Pier, beginning June 27

Announcing GALA 2018 on June 8, 2018 benefitting the Theater’s education and community outreach initiatives; Spirit of Shakespeare Award Honorees Marilynn and Carl Thoma and John Lithgow, with one-night-only performance by Heather Headley and Chris Mann.

Annual summer tradition Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream FREE FOR ALL in 25 Performances in 18 Parks, July 25–August 26, 2018.

WorldStage at Chicago Shakespeare welcomes back Ireland’s Druid theatre company with its award-winning Waiting for Godot, directed by Tony Award-winner Garry Hynes, in a limited engagement, May 23–June 3, 2018.

Chicago Shakespeare announces 14 productions in the 2018/19 Season, featuring programming across the Theater’s performance spaces—the Courtyard Theater, the theater Upstairs, The Yard, and in the lobby’s Pub—fully activating the Theater’s campus on Navy Pier.

Teller (of Penn & Teller) and Aaron Posner, creators of sold-out The Tempest, return to stage Macbeth—fantastical tale of dark magic and ambition, in thrilling culmination of the season in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, beginning April 25

Electrifying new take on storied rivalry: Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots face off in Schiller’s Mary Stuart—at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, beginning February 21, 2018.

Rehearsals begin for Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night’s Dream—Abridgment brings Shakespeare’s enchanted comedy to students and families in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, beginning February 3rd.

More than 300 Chicagoland high school students unite in Chicago Shakespeare Slam 2017, culminating in Finals Bout on Chicago Shakespeare’s Courtyard Stage on December 11.

Extraordinary life of trailblazing African-American actor whose Othello shocked nineteenth-century London explored in Red Velvet—staged by Gary Griffin and featuring celebrated Stratford Festival actor Dion Johnstone, beginning December 1.

Chicago Shakespeare opens innovative theater on Navy Pier, The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare; Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Tuesday, September 12; Inaugural performance, James Thierrée’s The Toad Knew, on Tuesday, September 19.

Highly anticipated return of Q Brothers Christmas Carol announced—presented in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, November 21–December 31; Tickets on sale now

Cast and Creative Team announced for The Taming of the Shrew staged by Barbara Gaines; All-woman cast takes on Shakespeare’s raucous comedy, September 16–November 12, 2017

World’s Stage Production from México announced: Teatro Línea de Sombra’s Amarillo in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare as part of the inaugural Chicago International Latino Theater Festival – Destinos, October 17–29, 2017

Chicago Shakespeare presents GALA 2017 on June 9, 2017 in support of Theater’s civic and educational initiatives—featuring first look at The Yard and one-night-only performance from Broadway’s Heather Headley & Jessie Mueller 

Casting announced for Madagascar – A Musical Adventure, the DreamWorks animated film brought to life onstage at Navy Pier, July 13–August 27; Rachel Rockwell to direct

Shakespeare in Love directed by Rachel Rockwell extended by popular demand—now playing though June 18

Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tours 25 performances of Romeo and Juliet FREE FOR ALL to 18 neighborhood parks across Chicago, July 26–August 27, 2017.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces 2017/2018 Season—including the introduction of innovative third venue, The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare.

Chicago Shakespeare announces summer family musical: Madagascar – A Musical Adventure, based on DreamWorks animated film and brought to life onstage at Navy Pier beginning July 13

Oscar Award-winning film Shakespeare in Love comes to the stage in highly anticipated theatrical event, April 15–June 11

Cast and creative team announced for Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet—Abridgment brings Shakespeare’s classic to life, beginning February 25

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces cast and creative team for Love’s Labor’s Lost—Shakespeare’s exuberant romantic comedy staged by Marti Maraden, February 7–March 26, 2017

World Premiere Chicago Shakespeare commission The Book of Joseph—chronicling one family’s remarkable story spanning occupied Poland to present-day America—directed by Barbara Gaines and featuring Chicago favorite Francis Guinan

December events wrap up Shakespeare 400 Chicago; yearlong festival projected to reach 1.1 million attendees at 863 events

Chicago Shakespeare Theater commission The Q Brothers’ Othello: The Remix opens off-Broadway to rave reviews

350 high school students from across Chicagoland unite in Battle of the Bard Shakespeare slam, inaugurated as part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago. Finals at Chicago Shakespeare set for November 14, 2016

New commission for Shakespeare 400 Chicago and Navy Pier Centennial, undreamed shores—a solo micro-journey from Australia’s one step at a time like this in 3rd Chicago Shakespeare collaboration

Casting announced for Mike Bartlett’s King Charles III—Winner of the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Play—featuring Downton Abbey’s Robert Bathurst in the title role

New Chairman of the Board of Directors announced—Steve Solomon, Exelon's Vice President of Corporate Relations and Exelon Foundation President; Four additional members elected to the Board

Shakespeare 400 Chicago’s Culinary Complete Works headlines exclusive Grand Cru event at Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet, September 24 & 25, 2016

Culmination of Barbara Gaines' thrilling saga, Tug of War: Civil Strife encompasses Henry VI, Parts 2 & 3 and Richard III as centerpiece of yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago celebration

Shakespeare 400 Chicago comes to historic concert venue with Theater Zuidpool's Macbeth from Belgium—Alternative rock concert of the Scottish Play at Thalia Hall, August 21 & 22

“September of Shakespeare” highlights yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival—featuring artists from China, Poland, Mexico, India, Australia, as well as events and performances spanning theater, music, cuisine and exhibitions

Comedian and improviser David Carl in a riotously funny breakout hit from New York Fringe, David Carl's Celebrity One-Man Hamlet—part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago, July 12–17, 2016

Largest citywide event of Shakespeare 400 Chicago, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tours 25 performances of Twelfth Night FREE FOR ALL to19 neighborhood Parks, July 14–August 14, 2016

Celebrated UK theater-maker Tim Crouch in I, Malvolio, a hilarious and thought-provoking rant by Tweflth Night's slandered steward—only 5 performances as part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago, June 2–5, 2016

Thrilling saga of Shakespeare's histories from Barbara Gaines—Tug of War: Foreign Fire including Edward III, Henry V and Henry VI, Part 1—begins limited engagement of only 18 performances on May 12

GALA 2016 on April 23, 2016 raises record $1.4 million in honor of Shakespeare's 400-year legacy, culminated in spectacular fireworks over Lake Michigan

April 23, 2016 marks 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s legacy—Shakespeare 400 Chicago highlights include season’s first spectacular fireworks at Navy Pier, special guest performance by Alan Cumming at Chicago Shakespeare and Riccardo Muti conducting Verdi’s Falstaff

2016-17 Line-up Announced for the Theater's 30th Anniversary Season—Twenty productions ranging from works inspired by Shakespeare and world premieres to standout performances by artists from around the globe

The Q Brothers’ hip-hop adaptation of Shakspeare’s tragedy, Othello: The Remix, returns after world tour to theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare as part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago with performances April 12–May 8

"All Chicago’s a Stage" with Shakespeare 400 Chicago—Yearlong festival marks global celebration of 400-year legacy, with April highlights around Shakespeare’s birthday and anniversary of his death on April 23

Culinary Complete Works line-up announced as part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago celebration—38 of Chicago's most celebrated chefs explore Shakespeare’s 38 plays throughout 2016

Chicago Shakespeare and Navy Pier announce plans to build an innovative, bold theater space on Chicago's lakefront: The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare. "Our City, Our Shakespeare" fundraising initiative for capital, artistic and endowment funds also announced.

Chicago Shakespeare and Navy Pier announce plans to build an innovative, bold theater space on Chicago's lakefront: The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare. "Our City, Our Shakespeare" fundraising initiative for capital, artistic and endowment funds also announced.

Filter Theatre, in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company, presents a raucous, music-infused Twelfth Night as part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago, March 1–13, 2016

Newly abridged Short Shakespeare! Twelfth Night, adapted and directed by Kirsten Kelly, is presented as part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago with public performances Saturdays at 11:00 a.m., March 5–April 9, 2016

Celebrated Royal Shakespeare Company actor Paterson Joseph stars in Sancho: An Act of Remembrance—a chronicle of the daringly determined life of Charles Ignatius Sancho, first British-African to vote—as part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago, February 17–21, 2016

Belarus Free Theatre’s subversive look at power and exile, King Lear, makes its American debut as part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago, February 5–14, 2016

Shakespeare 400 Chicago line-up announced and festival catalog unveiled at British Consul General event; casting for Barbara Gaines’ Tug of War also announced

Cheek by Jowl and Moscow Pushkin Drama Theatre's Measure for Measure kicks off Shakespeare 400 Chicago at Chicago Shakespeare, January 27–31, 2016

Casting announced for William Shakespeare’s Othello directed by Jonathan Munby, a signature production of the Shakespeare 400 Chicago celebration, in CST’s Courtyard Theater February 18–April 10, 2016

Mayor Emanuel announces Largest global celebration of playwright’s 400-year legacy in 2016: Shakespeare 400 Chicago; Will Engage Top Chicago Cultural Institutions in Yearlong International Festival

Mayor Emanuel announces Largest global celebration of playwright’s 400-year legacy in 2016: Shakespeare 400 Chicago; Will Engage Top Chicago Cultural Institutions in Yearlong International Festival

Chicago Shakespeare-commissioned musical Sense and Sensibility makes West Coast Premiere at The Old Globe in production directed by Barbara Gaines  

Student-teacher ensemble from across Chicago neighborhoods presents CPS Shakespeare!, marking tenth anniversary of award-winning arts-in-education program

David Ives hilariously retools a classic in The Heir Apparent, staged by Tony Award-winning director John Rando, in the Courtyard Theater beginning November 29.

Chicago Shakespeare cast recording of the world premiere production of Sense and Sensibility, with book, music and lyrics by Tony-nominated composer Paul Gordon, is now available.

Hip-hop holiday tradition A Q Brothers’ Christmas Carol returns to the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, November 28, 2015–January 3, 2016.

U.S. premiere of new musical Ride the Cyclone directed and choreographed by Rachel Rockwell begins performances September 29, 2015

Inventive reimagining of Shakespeare’s The Tempest directed by Aaron Posner and Teller and featuring magic from Teller, music from Tom Waits and choreography by Pilobolus begins performances September 8, 2015

Mayor Emanuel announces Largest global celebration of playwright’s 400-year legacy in 2016: Shakespeare 400 Chicago; Will Engage Top Chicago Cultural Institutions in Yearlong International Festival

Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s GALA 2015 Raises $1.2 Million For Chicago Shakespeare in Urban Communities

Disney’s The Little Mermaid staged by Rachel Rockwell takes family audiences “under the sea” July 3–August 16, 2015. 

Nation’s Largest Urban Shakespeare tour Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks brings 26 performances of Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits to 18 neighborhood parks across Chicago, FREE FOR ALL, July 17–August 16, 2015.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater Announces 2015/16 Season: innovative reimaginings of the classical canon, new work developed at CST and the world premiere of Gaines' ambitious Shakespeare history cycle celebrate the playwright’s four-hundred-year legacy