All stories by Doug George on BroadwayStars

Friday, September 22, 2023

Haunted houses 2023: Our 18 must-scares this Halloween season by Doug George

Many are open this weekend. There are even a few new ones this year — and whether or not you’ve heard of Raven’s Grin Inn in Mount Carroll, read on.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:30PM
Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Broadway in Chicago 2024 season: ‘Girl From the North Country,’ ‘The Kite Runner’ and ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ by Doug George

The recently announced world premiere “Death Becomes Her” is also joined by "Peter Pan" and a return for “Mamma Mia!”

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 03:22PM
Friday, September 1, 2023

‘Hamilton,’ coming back to Chicago, will have daily $10 ticket lottery by Doug George

Along with the return of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical is its #HAM4HAM ticket lottery.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:00AM
Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Phylicia Rashad will direct at Steppenwolf Theatre next season by Doug George

The Tony Award winner will direct “Purpose” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, about an Illinois family at the center of Black American politics.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:00PM

New 312 Comedy Festival is coming to Chicago this fall by Doug George

Current headliners include Nate Bargatze, Russell Peters, John Crist and Nicole Byer.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:30PM
Monday, August 14, 2023

2023 Equity Jeff Award nominations announced, with the Goodman at the top of the list by Doug George

Nominations are in for this year’s 55th anniversary awards for Chicago-area theater.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:00AM
Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Teatro ZinZanni will return to Chicago in the fall by Doug George

This follows news last month that the current dinner-and-cirque production Cabaret ZaZou was closing.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:45AM
Saturday, June 17, 2023

Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan comedy tour adds second Chicago date by Doug George

A second night has been added to Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan’s comedy tour, coming to Chicago.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 09:00AM
Friday, June 9, 2023

Dinner circus show Cabaret ZaZou is closing in the Loop by Doug George

Cabaret ZaZou will close July 2, the latest iteration of a dinner circus show that has played in the Loop since 2019.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:00PM
Friday, May 12, 2023

Columbia College Chicago awards honorary degree to Tribune theater critic Chris Jones by Doug George

The Chicago college will present the degree as part of commencement ceremonies this weekend.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 04:55PM
Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Northlight Theatre’s 2023-24 season includes BJ Jones directing a new John Patrick Shanley play by Doug George

The upcoming slate will be performed at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 02:00PM
Monday, March 6, 2023

Joffrey Ballet’s 2023-24 season: From ‘Frankenstein’ to a return for ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ by Doug George

The Chicago company’s 68th season also includes, of course, a holiday return for "The Nutcracker."

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:00AM
Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Updated ‘Hamilton’ timeline: From Miranda’s ‘joke’ to Obama’s White House to Broadway to Chicago and back by Doug George

Timeline of the musical "Hamilton," from creator Lin-Manuel Miranda reading Ron Chernow's 2004 book to the recording-breaking Broadway musical. It comes full circle in Chicago in 2019, where…

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:30AM
Monday, February 13, 2023

Milwaukee Rep’s 70th anniversary season includes new musical by Violent Femmes singer by Doug George

The 2023-24 season includes a world premiere musical with music and lyrics by Gordon Gano of the Violent Femmes.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:15PM
Thursday, December 8, 2022

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ is back in Chicago, with a Chicago actor as Evan. It’s as grueling a role as they say it is. by Doug George

Chicago's Anthony Norman leads the musical on tour. He once told his agent he didn’t feel right for the role, but in the audition, "something just clicked."

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 11:02AM
Friday, December 2, 2022

Joffrey Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ opens this weekend by Doug George

The annual production of the Chicago favorite opens Saturday at the Lyric Opera House and runs through late December.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 02:17PM
Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Chicago Latino Theater Alliance appoints Jorge Valdivia as new executive director by Doug George

Valdivia comes to CLATA from the National Museum of Mexican Art, where he served as the director of performing arts.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 02:21PM
Wednesday, October 26, 2022

iO Theater is reopening in Chicago next week by Doug George

The famed improv comedy institution iO Theater is reopening Nov. 3, according to an announcement Wednesday.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 03:02PM
Friday, October 21, 2022

Mercury Theater’s 2023 season runs from ‘Lady Day’ to ‘Young Frankenstein’ by Doug George

Other musical titles for the upcoming year include the Huckleberry Finn adventure “Big River” and the '80s bash “Rock of Ages."

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:52PM
Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Comedy for fall 2022: In our top 10, Maria Bamford back at the Den and Chris Rock live in the Loop by Doug George

Live stand-up shows can be found most anywhere and everywhere in the Chicago area, we boiled fall down to these 10.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:15AM
Friday, August 19, 2022

Madison Square Garden Entertainment considers spinning off theaters, including Chicago Theatre by Doug George

MSG announced Thursday that it is considering spinning off its theaters and live entertainment business to create a separately-traded company.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 12:26PM
Sunday, June 26, 2022

Isn’t this loverly? ‘My Fair Lady’ arrives at last in Chicago by Doug George

The tour features Shereen Ahmed as Eliza Doolittle and Laird Mackintosh as Professor Henry Higgins.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:00AM
Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Writers Theatre’s 2022-23 season includes ‘Once’ and ‘Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol’ by Doug George

Writers Theatre in Glencoe has announced a four-title 2022-23 season, including productions of Manual Cinema’s “Christmas Carol” and the musical “Once.”

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:00PM
Friday, May 20, 2022

NEA gives more than $2 million to Illinois and Chicago arts organizations by Doug George

The National Endowment for the Arts has announced 52 grants to Chicago and Illinois organizations, totaling $2,172,510, as part of nationwide grant-making this week.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 04:15PM
Thursday, May 12, 2022

Dance for Life’s star-filled lineup at Auditorium Theatre announced for summer 2022 by Doug George

Chicago Dancers United has announced the lineup for this summer’s Dance for Life, coming to this August to the Auditorium Theatre.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:00AM
Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Mike Birbiglia, currently doing a show at Steppenwolf, will fill in as guest host on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ by Doug George

Mike Birbiglia has some schedule juggling to do — he’s filling in as guest host on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” this week after Kimmel announced Monday he has COVID-19.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:45AM
Tuesday, April 26, 2022

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ and ‘Anastasia’ are returning to Chicago later this year by Doug George

The fan-favorite musicals “Dear Evan Hansen” and ”Anastasia” are returning to Chicago in 2022, says Broadway in Chicago.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 08:55PM
Friday, April 22, 2022

Chicago Shakes announces upcoming slate of shows including ‘The Notebook,’ the final season with Barbara Gaines as artistic director by Doug George

Upcoming titles include a world premiere musical based on “It Came from Outer Space,” the long-anticipated “The Notebook” and Barbara Gaines leading her final show.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 02:01PM
Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Northlight Theatre announces 2022-23 season, including ‘The Porch’ with Appalachian music and a new holiday ‘Pemberley’ play by Doug George

Northlight Theatre's coming season kicks off with a blue collar comedy and also includes "Andy Warhol in Iran."

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:00PM
Wednesday, March 23, 2022

‘Where We Belong’ will be final show of Goodman Theatre season by Doug George

In the solo play, Mohegan theater-maker Madeline Sayet travels to England in 2015 to pursue a Ph.D. and finds a country on the eve of the Brexit vote.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 01:40PM
Wednesday, March 2, 2022

‘Hadestown’ opens in Chicago at last. What is this show? by Doug George

This will be the first time this musical has played in Chicago and you have less than two weeks to catch it — what exactly is this show again?

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune Subscription at 06:20AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards