Theater openings in January
Indiana
January 6th, 7:30 pm ET, Stageworks Staged Reading, It's Only A Play, The Acting Ensemble, Ensemble on the Avenue, 602 E. Mishawaka Avenue, Mishawaka. FYI www.actingensemble.com.
January 10th, Well Suited Theater, Comedy/Improv, Chicago Street Theatre, 154 Chicago Street, Valparaiso. FYI https://chicagostreet.ludus.com/index.php
January 17th, 7:30 pm, Beatniks' 18th Anniversary Preview Night, Beatniks on Conkey, 420 Conkey Street, Hammond. Free, donations accepted. FYI (219) 852-0848 or www.beatniksonconkey.com
January 23rd, 6:30 pm, Seedlings Theatre Company presents The Art of Murder: Interactive Mystery Dinner Theatre, The Hub NWI, 676 W. Division Road, Hebron, IN. $45-$50. FYI https://www.tixtree.com/e/the-art-of-murder-mystery-dinner-theatre-6739b3d48816?sc=364128042ca80970d796dd5c10dd8a1703e929321
January 23rd, 7:00 pm, Well Suited Theater presents Crazy Eights & That Other Person, Dinner & a double feature, Studio Diner Theatre, Chicago Street Theatre, 154 Chicago Street, Valparaiso. FYI https://chicagostreet.ludus.com/index.php
Illinois
January 4th, 2:30 pm, Pegasus Theatre Chicago presents 39th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, Chicago Dramatists, 798 N. Aberdeen, Chicago. Tickets: $15-$30 on sale November 28th. FYI PegasusTheatreChicago.org.
January 6th, North American Premiere, RAIN: for babies and their carers, Filament Theatre, 4041 N. Milwaukee, Chicago. RAIN is crafted specifically for newborns to crawling babies and their caretakers. $15-$30. FYI https://ci.ovationtix.com/35466/production/1257564
January 9th, 7:30 pm, Brightside Theatre presents Phantom in Concert, Madden Theater, North Central College, 171 Chicago Ave in Naperville. $32-$37. FYI 630-447-TIXS (8497) or www.BrightSidetheatre.com
January 10th, The Vivero presents THREE QUEENS BOUQUET, a “queernucopia” of works in progress by The VIVERO Founders, City Lit, Second Floor, Edgewater Presbyterian Church building, 1020 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chciago. Pay-what-you-can. FYI https://www.citylit.org/thevivero .
January 11th, 2:00 pm, Reading, FEAST! by Calamity West, 2026 New Stages Festival, Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago. Free. FYI (312) 443-3800 or GoodmanTheatre.org/NewStagesFestival
January 13th, 7:00 pm, Reading, Pennies by Hansol Jung, 2026 New Stages Festival, Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago. Free. FYI (312) 443-3800 or GoodmanTheatre.org/NewStagesFestival
January 14th, 7:00 pm, Reading, This Part of His Life Blooms by Christina Anderson, 2026 New Stages Festival, Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago. Free. FYI (312) 443-3800 or GoodmanTheatre.org/NewStagesFestival
January 14th, 7:00 pm, Justin Purcell's Magic Is People, Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark Street, Chicago. FYI (312) 366-4500 or chicagomagiclounge.com.
January 15th, 7:00 pm, Otherworld Theatre Company presents PROSPERA: A SCI-FI RETELLING OF SHAKESPEARE’S THE TEMPEST, Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont, Chicago. $15-$30. FYI (773) 975-8150 or www.theaterwit.org
January 16th, 7:00 pm, Suzy Eddie Izzard Talks Shakespeare N’Stuff [Forsooth], a one-night-only benefit. The Yard, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago. Tickets start at $80. FYI www.chicagoshakes.com
January 17, 7:00 pm, Reading, The Audience Unseen by Ike Holter, 2026 New Stages Festival, Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago. Free. FYI (312) 443-3800 or GoodmanTheatre.org/NewStagesFestival
January 18th, 3:00 pm, Chicago Opera Theatre presents Discovery Concert: In America's Embrace. Studebaker Theatre, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan, Chicago. $25-$65. FYI chicagooperatheater.org/
January 19th, 1:00 pm, Collaboraction presents a free staged reading of Lawndale King, Willie Round’s powerful new play about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s time living in Chicago’s North Lawndale community. Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago. FYI chicagohistory.org
January 21st, 7:00 pm, TimeLine Theatre Company presents Eureka Day, Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut, Chicago. FYI timelinetheatre.com, or www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
January 21st, 5:15, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Opening Night Prelude Reception, Fine Arts Building, 3rd Floor Balcony, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $125-$250. FYI chicagopuppetfest.org
January 21st, 7:00 pm, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents Dead as a Dodo, Wakka Wakka (Norway/U.S.), Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. 8 & up. $40- $48. FYI wakkawakka.org.dead-as-a-dodo. Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 22nd, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents The Harlem Doll Palace, Alva Puppet Theatre (New York City/U.S.), Reva & David Logan Center for the Arts, Theater East, University of Chicago, 915 E. 60th St., Chicago. 10 & up. $35-$43. FYI alvapuppettheater.com/theharlemdollpalace. Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 22nd, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents A Doll's House. Plexus Polaire (France/Norway), DePaul University’s Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Dr., Chicago. $40-$48. FYI plexuspolaire.com/une-maison-de-poupe. Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 22nd, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents Rhynoceron, KT Shivak (Chicago/U.S.), Chopin Theatre Mainstage, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. $35-$43. FYI ktshivak.com. Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 22nd, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents The Matchbox Shows, Laura Heit (Portland/U.S.), Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave., Chicago. 13 & up. $25-$33. FYI lauraheit.com/the-matchbox-shows, Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 22nd, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents The 4th Witch, Manual Cinema (Chicago/U.S.), The Biograph’s Začek-McVay Mainstage, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. 12 & up. $40-$48. FYI manualcinema.com/work/the-4th-witch. Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 22nd, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents La Méridienne, Théâtre de la Massue (France). Gourmet dinner plus puppet show, at a private location shared upon ticket purchase. 16 & up. $125; Purchase all 12 seats, get 10 percent off. FYI ezequiel-garcia-romeu.com/en/la-meridienne/. Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 23rdh, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents Nasty, Brutish & Short, Rough House Puppet Arts, (Chicago/International), Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave., Chicago. 16 & up. $15-$20. FYI roughhousetheater.com/nbs. Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 23rd, 7:30 pm, My Life as a Cowboy, Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson Ave Chicago. $25-$30. FYI www.openspacearts.org
January 24th, 3:00 or 7:00 pm, Chicago Premiere, Birds of North America, A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St., Chicago. $30-$50. FYI www.aredorchidtheatre.com.
January 25th, 11:30 am, Miss Holmes Returns, Concert Reading Series, Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood, Chicago. $103. FYI www.lifelinetheatre.com.
January 25th, 8:00 pm, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents Does a Dog Have Buddha Nature? Blair Thomas (Chicago/U.S.), Chopin Theater, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. $35-$45. Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 26th, 7:00 pm, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents Laura Heit Short Films, Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $25-$33. Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 26th, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents The Sex Lives of Puppets, Blind Summit Theatre (England), The Biograph’s Začek-McVay Mainstage, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. 18 & up. $40-$48. FYI blindsummit.com/whats-on/the-sex-lives-of-puppets. Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 28th, 7:00 pm, Little Shop of Horrors, Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. FYI (847) 634-0200 or www.marriotttheatre.com
January 28th, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents Trust Me for a While, Plexus Polaire (France/Norway), Reva & David Logan Center for the Arts, Performance Hall, 915 E. 60th St.,, Chicago. $35-$43. Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 29th, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents About Ram, Katkatha Puppet Arts Trust (India), Dance Center of Columbia College, 1306 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. 5 & up. $15-$35. FYI katkatha.org, Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 29th, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents A Doll’s House, Plexus Polaire (France/Norway), MCA Chicago, 205 E. Pearson St., Chicago. 14 & up. $40-$48. FYI plexuspolaire.com/une-maison-de-poupe. Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 29th, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents The House, Sofie Krog Theatre (Denmark), Steppenwolf’s Merle Reskin Space, 1624 N. Halsted St., Chicago. 13 & up. $35-$43. FYI sofiekrog.com/the-house/. Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 29th, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents The Left Hand of Darkness, Untitled Theater Company No. 61 & Yara Arts Group (New York/Chicago/U.S.), New Works Project. Northwestern University’s Wirtz Center Chicago Abbott Hall, 710 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago. $35-$43. FYI untitledtheatre.com, yaraartsgroup.net, tomleeprojects.com. Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 29th, 7:30 pm, Mary Jane, Northlight Theatre, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. FYI (847) 673-6300 or www.northlight.org
January 30th, 6:00 pm, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile, Studebaker Theatre in the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan, Chicago. Adults $30-$68, Children $20-$54. Performances through February 1st, https://chicagopuppetfest.org/event/the-enormous-crocodile/. Continuation through February 21st, enormouscrocodilemusical.com/chicago
January 30th, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents Oil Pressure Vibrator, Geumhyung Jeong (South Korea), MCA Chicago, 205 E. Pearson St., Chicago. 18 & up. $40- $48. FYI geumhyungjeong.com. Tickets: chicagopuppetfest.org
January 30th, Hand of God, Northwestern University, Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Centers, Hal & Martha Hyer Wallis Theater, 1949 Campus Drive, Evanston. $12-$20. FYI https://wirtz.northwestern.edu/mfa-hand-to-god/
January 30th, 7:00 pm, ONE KNIGHT ONLY! Sir Ian McKellen Onstage with Gandalf, Shakespeare, and YOU! A One-Night Benefit. Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago. Visit
January 30th, 7:30 pm, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble presents Unnecessary Farce, Playhouse Theatre, McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn. FYI (630) 942-4000 or https://atthemac.org/buffalo-theatre-ensemble/
Wisconsin
January 9th, 7:30 pm, Milwaukee Rep presents The Fisherman's Daughters, Stackner Cabaret, Associated Bank Theater Center, 108 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI. FYI (414) 224-9490 or www.MilwaukeeRep.com.
January 13th, 7:00 pm, Milwaukee Rep presents The Lehman Trilogy, Checota Powerhouse Theater, Associated Bank Theater Center, 108 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI. FYI (414) 224-9490 or www.MilwaukeeRep.com.
**** January 24th, First Stage presents Lovabye Dragon, Goodman Mainstage Hall, Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut St., Milwaukee, WI. Ages 3-8. FYI (414) 267-2961 or firststage.org
Michigan
Elsewhere
January 28th, Paranormal Activity, Harman Hall, Shakespeare Theatre Company, 610 F St. NW, Washington, DC, FYI https://www.shakespearetheatre.org/
January 28th, The Book Club Play, TheatreSquared, 477 W. Spring Street in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas. FYI (479) 777-7477 or theatre2.org/subscribe.
January 30th, 7:30 pm ET, February 1st, 2:30 pm ET, INTELLIGENCE, Virginia Opera, Harrison Opera House, 160 W. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, VA. FYI https://vaopera.org/subscriptions
International
**** Family Friendly