American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, is continues its 40th anniversary season with the reimagined classic Come Back, Little Sheba by William Inge and directed by Associate Artistic Director Elyse Dolan. Come Back, Little Sheba runs February 6 - March 22, 2026, in the American Blues Theater Studio Theater at 5627 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago. Due to the limited seating in the Studio Theater, the press openings are scheduled for Thursday, February 12 and Friday, February 13, 2026 at 7:00m.
Midwest town. Forced into marriage due to an unexpected pregnancy, former beauty queen Lola and recovering alcoholic Doc live a quiet life of heartbreak and regret until Marie, a young college student, becomes their boarder.
This must-see intimate and explosive immersive experience features American Blues Theater Ensemble members Philip Earl Johnson, Joslyn Jones, Gwendolyn Whiteside, and Artistic Affiliates Maya Hlava, Cisco Lopez, and William Anthony Sebastian Rose II.
Director Elyse Dolan comments, "I'm excited to surprise and thrill audiences with our intimate, immersive, in-your-face production. Though written 75 years ago, Inge's characters and their struggles—loss, addiction, infertility, loneliness—are still deeply relevant today."
Tickets, priced $34.50-$64.50, are on sale now the American Blues Theater box office, online at www.americanbluestheater.com, or by phone at (773) 654-3103.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
WILLIAM INGE (Playwright) [b. 1913 – d. 1973] Inge was educated at the University of Kansas at Lawrence where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech and Drama in 1935. After graduation and a brief attempt at post-graduate studies, he worked a variety of jobs, including highway laborer, news announcer, and high school teacher, before returning to school and earning a Master of Arts Degree from the George Peabody College for Teachers in 1943. Upon earning his Masters, Inge moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he landed a job as the drama and music critic for the "St. Louis Times." During the course of his duties at the "Times," Inge was fortunate enough to come into contact with Tennessee Williams, who invited the young critic to attend with him a production of The Glass Menagerie. Inge was so inspired by Williams' play that he decided to try his hand as a playwright. After completing his first script, Farther Off From Heaven (1947), Inge sent a copy to Williams who recommended it for production. The play was produced by Margo Jones in Dallas, Texas. Inge's next literary effort, Come Back, Little Sheba (1950), earned him the title of "most promising playwright of the 1950 Broadway season," but his career was only beginning to gain momentum. He followed this success with Picnic (1952), which won him a Pulitzer Prize, the Drama Critics Circle Award, the Outer Circle Award, and the Theatre Club Award. Next came Bus Stop (1955), which he would later adapt into a popular film starring Marilyn Monroe, and two years later, The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1957), a reworking of his first play, premiered on Broadway. By this time, critics were hailing Inge as another Tennessee Williams. Following The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, he won an Academy Award for his screenplay for "Splendor in the Grass" (1961).
ELYSE DOLAN (Director) is a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater, where she is also the Associate Artistic Director. Favorite directing credits include the Chicago premiere of If/Then at Brown Paper Box Co. and Blackbird at Blank Theatre Company. Her work as a director and/or assistant director has been seen at American Blues Theater, Raven Theatre, Redtwist Theatre, The New Coordinates, Babes with Blades, Oracle Theatre, Broken Nose Theatre, Prop Thtr, Commission Theatre, and more. She has also led sessions of Remy Bumppo Theatre Company's “Master Class: Scene Study” class. Elyse holds a B.A. in English Literature and Theatre from Denison University.
FACT SHEET / Come Back, Little Sheba
Title: Come Back, Little Sheba
Written by: William Inge
Directed by: Associate Artistic Director Elyse Dolan
Featuring: American Blues Theater Ensemble members Philip Earl Johnson, Joslyn Jones, Gwendolyn Whiteside, and Artistic Affiliates Maya Lou Hlava, Cisco Lopez, and William Anthony Sebastian Rose II
Dates: February 6 - March 22, 2026
Press Opening: February 12, 2026 at 7:30pm
Schedule:
Wednesdays: 2:00 PM (except February 11); 7:30 PM (February 11 only)
Thursdays: 7:30 PM
Fridays: 7:30 PM (except Feb 13 @ 7:00 PM)
Saturdays: 3:00 PM (February 21 & March 7 only); 7:30 PM (February 7, 14 & 28, March 14 & 21)
Sundays: 2:30 PM
Location: American Blues Theater, Studio Theater, 5627 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
Ticket prices: $34.50 - $64.50 (no hidden fees)
Box office: Buy online at www.americanbluestheater.com or by calling (773) 654-3103.
Special Access Events
Tickets: $34.50 – call theater for special rate
Touch Tour: Sunday, February 22 at 1:30 PM
Audio Described Performance: Sunday, February 22 at 2:30 PM
American Sign Language-Interpreted Performance: Friday, February 27 at 7:30 PM
Public Programming and Special Events
American Blues Theater is excited to offer audiences even more ways to engage with artists, neighbors and the larger community through its two programs The Commons and @Home Accessibility Series.
The Commons features readings, live concerts, open mics, game nights, town halls and more at American Blues. The @Home Accessibility Series features readings, live concerts, and town halls from the comfort of home via Zoom. For the most up-to-date programming schedule or to purchase tickets, visit www.americanbluestheater.com. Additional programming will be announced throughout the season.
About American Blues Theater
Winner of the prestigious National Theatre Company Award from American Theatre Wing (Tony Awards). American Blues Theater is an Ensemble of artists committed to producing new and classic diverse stories that ask the question: “What does it mean to be American?
The diverse and multi-generational artists have established the second-oldest professional Ensemble theater in Chicago. As of 2025, the theater and artists received 246 Joseph Jefferson Awards and nominations that celebrate excellence in Chicago theater and 44 Black Theatre Alliance Awards. The artists are honored with Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize nominations, Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Emmy Awards and numerous other accolades.