Theater news
Oregon High School will present its fall play, “Dystopia! The Hungry Maze Game of Divergent Death” by Don Zolidis on Friday, Nov. 7 and Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. in the OHS Auditorium.
DeKalb youth theater company Lightbeam Players will present its show “Secrets Lie Beyond” on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025.
Additional performers in the 2025-2026 season include the Soweto Gospel Choir, Cirque Kalabanté and many more.
Improv Playhouse celebrates its 25th anniversary season in its newly expanded Libertyville theater space with a thrilling Halloween weekend presentation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.”
Mariachi Rock Revolution will combine traditional mariachi music with rock music.
The two-time Tony Award nominated musical is a family favorite that brings generations together to celebrate the magic of the holidays.
'Puffs' will be presented Nov. 14-16 and Nov. 21-23.
This festive spin on the Tony-nominated hit brings together four legendary voices – Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley – for a one-of-a-kind holiday jam session at Sun Records.
Dixon Stage Left announces an improv workshop with Stephen Osborne. It's a 6-week course that will meet from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Nov. 4 through Dec. 16 at 105 S. Peoria Ave. in Dixon.
Classical Arts Entertainment presents “Swan Lake” Ballet at the Rialto Square Theatre in downtown Joliet on Sunday, Nov. 16.
Woodstock’s Theatre 121 will produce the world premiere of the script, “It’s a Wonderful Christmas Carol” for several shows in November at the Woodstock Opera House.
Dixon Stage Left’s first Senior Theatre showcase performance, “We Still Got It!”, will be Sunday, Oct. 26 at The Next Picture Show.
Lyons Township Theatre presents the play, “The Outsiders” at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 and Nov. 1 and 2 p.m. Nov. 2 at in the North Campus Reber Center.
The final curtain hasn't fallen on small town community theater across the nation. That's the case in Polo, where performers of all ages and experience levels come together for a few shows a year to entertain and amaze local crowds.
Jim Healy will present his one-person play, “Louis Jolliet: A Solid Path Through Water,” at the Joliet Area Historical Museum at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2.
The future of the Joliet park has been in question since the park manager was put on administrative leave.
It is time for a brain-busting, pizza-loving fundraiser. Timber Lake Playhouse is looking for people ready to show off their smarts, bring friends, form a dream team and join TLP at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Manny’s Pizza, 211 Main St. in Savanna.
Improv Playhouse has announced the launch of IP Act 3, a performance showcase workshop designed for adults ready to rediscover their creative spark, step into the spotlight and experience the joy of theater in a supportive, workshop and community-driven environment.
Alan Barillaro will launch his new middle-grade book "Bunns Rabbit."
River Valley Players, based in Henry, is celebrating its 49th season with "Shrek, the Musical" a stage adaptation of the 2001 hit film starring Mike Myers as the curmudgeonly but ultimately kind-hearted ogre.
The Vince Carney Community Theater at 108 S. Main St. in Rochelle will present “An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe” on Oct. 17-19 and 24-25, 2025.
Stage 212 in La Salle will hold auditions for its Winter 2026 production of the musical “Little Women” on Friday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m. at the theater, 700 First St.
Auditions will be held at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Morrison. The play will be presented on Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6.
Performing Arts Guild will present an original work, “Tapestry of Shadows,” Friday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 12, at 2 p.m. in Mt. Morris.
Performances run Oct. 10-12 at the Sandwich Opera House.
Performing Arts Guild's latest play, titled "Tapestry of Shadows", will be performed this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Allure of Pinecrest Grove Theatre in Mt. Morris. Tickets can be had at the Allure of Pinecrest Grove Theatre in Mt. Morris on the days of the performances, at performingartsguild.com or by calling 815-734-2103.
People came to the City Council meeting wanting answers on Joliet plans for Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park.
Lemont High School's drama club will feature “Little Women” for nightly shows from Oct. 16 to 18.
This fall, the Mt. Morris Performing Arts Guild will present Tapestry of Shadows, a theatrical tribute to Edgar Allen Poe. The show will consist of four of Poe’s most haunting works – The Raven, The Black Cat, The Cask of Amontillado, and The Tell-Tale Heart.
Stage 212 in Princeton announced its 2026 season, “Nostalgia Reimagined: Escaping Into Connection,” featuring four diverse productions exploring connection, memory, and imagination.
Performances are set for Oct. 10-11 and 14.
Festival 56 has appointed Marc Bitler as its new Producing Artistic Director, marking his return to the Princeton theater company after a decade away.
Based on the comic strip by Harold Gray, “Annie” won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and features well-known songs such as “Tomorrow.”
The city of Joliet won't comment on status of the park manager, but says it has hired outside lawyers to look into operations at Bicentennial Park.
Enjoy discounts to select shows and free programming during October.
The Rochelle Township High School Theater Department will present its fall play, “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” by Don Zolidis, Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 2-4, at 7:30 p.m. each night in the RTHS Auditorium. Entry for adults is $5 and student entry is $3.
The MAC, located on the College of DuPage campus in Glen Ellyn, opens its 2025-26 season with Steve Solomon's 'My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm in Therapy' Sept. 28.
Day Jones interviews Grace McCormick with the production of "Mystic Pizza" at Engle Lane Theatre in Streator. The show runs from October 5-10 and tickets are on sale
The Polo Area Community Theatre is kicking off its 20th season with a production of "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical". Performances will be held at the Old Polo Town Hall, now home to PACT, located at 117 N. Franklin Ave. Dates for the performances are Sept. 19, 20 and 26 at 7 p.m. and Sept. 21 and 27 at 2 p.m.
The Lombard Historical Society will host an interactive mystery performance presented by the Kirkwood Players from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Nazareth Academy will present “The Addams Family,” a macabre musical comedy based on the iconic characters created by Charles Addams
Additional shows include "Annie," "9 to 5" and "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story."
National touring artists Orianthi, Buckcherry and Dishwalla will perform at The Dixon Theatre this fall.
Upcoming shows include 'Come From Away,' 'Heartbreak Hotel,' 'Frozen The Musical' and 'Little Shop of Horrors.'
Polo Area Community Theatre is preparing for the first show of its 20th season, which will take place in the Old Polo Town Hall that now belongs to PACT.
Mound Grove Cemetery in Kankakee came alive with the sounds and stories of Kankakee County’s history during the biennial Cemetery Walk: Voices of the Past on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025.
The Dixon Young Actors group will perform "Dare to Dream Jr." at The Dixon: Historic Theatre at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24.
Improv Playhouse, one of Lake County’s premier performing arts institutions, is thrilled to announce the expansion and relocation of its training and performance hub to a new, dynamic space at 130 N. Milwaukee Ave. in downtown Libertyville.
Timber Lake Playhouse in Mount Carroll will hold world-premiere performances of the musical “Glü” from Friday, Aug. 22, through Sunday, Aug. 31.
The Mainstage season wraps up with 'Bridges of Madison County' Sept. 12-21, but concerts continue through early December.