Category
Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel cover the Chicago scene, from marquee institutions to storefront premieres. This section gathers their commentary on world premieres, revivals, and the year's standout work.
Major Houses
Reviews and discussion of productions at the city's flagship companies, including Steppenwolf, Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, Writers Theatre, Northlight Theatre, and American Players Theater.
- Steppenwolf
- Goodman Theatre
- Lookingglass Theatre
- Writers Theatre
- Northlight Theatre
- American Players Theater
- Raven Theatre
- Griffin Theatre
Off-Loop & New Works
Coverage of smaller stages and world premieres across the city, including Timeline Theatre, Steep Theatre, House Theatre of Chicago, Strawdog Theatre, Sideshow Theatre, Congo Square Theatre, Halcyon Theatre, American Theatre Company, Black Ensemble Theater, MPAACT, Oracle Productions, Eclectic Full Contact Theatre, and First Floor Theater.
Recent Picks & Roundups
- The best of 2016 in Chicago theater — January 2017 roundup with year-end favorites.
- Radio reviews aired on WDCB, including discussion of The Apple Family Plays at Timeline Theatre.
- Reviews of Neil Simon's Laughter on the 23rd Floor at Eclectic Full Contact Theatre and Tyrant at Sideshow Theatre.
- Coverage of Twisted Melodies at Congo Square Theatre, addressing mental illness through music.
The Chicago theater scene moves at a remarkable pace, with critics like Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel working to keep listeners current on everything from marquee institutions to scrappy storefront premieres. Their commentary tends to move between world premieres and revivals, giving audiences a sense of what the year offers in terms of standout work. Conversations often center on flagship companies such as Steppenwolf, Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, and Writers Theatre, while also turning toward smaller houses. The format allows room for both big productions and emerging voices, helping audiences navigate the breadth of stage work happening across the city.
More from the Critics
Find additional reviews in the Reviews archive, or listen to the conversation on the Arts Section.
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