Chicago Shakespeare Theater

We asked the cast of 42 BALLOONS to describe the show in 3 words—sign us up!

We are so excited to welcome Chicago audiences into the magic beginning tonight! 🎈✨

HYMN at @chicagoshakes.bsky.social 🎭
Adapted by playwright Lolita Chakrabarti to take place in Chicago, this play explores community and connection and is masterfully performed by its cast of two. Check it out if you can…and get there early to enjoy the pre-show playlist. Catch it through May 25.

Review: A Black bromance under stress in ‘Hymn’ at Chicago Shakespeare Director Ron OJ Parson foregrounds the power of friendship and the strength of Black familial bonds.

"This is a show about finally finding someone who has your back, and you surely will feel like this lovable show has your back, too." - @chicagotribune.com 🎶

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/04/r...

They spent years following the Kinks. Was this their final stop? What happens when you build your life — and your friendships — around a band that can’t keep it together forever.

It has been incredibly moving to welcome Kinks fans from around the world to SUNNY AFTERNOON, including Doug Hinman, Marianne Spellman, and Jim Napoli, featured in this @washingtonpost.com piece. God save The Kinks!

www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

🎈 CAST ANNOUNCEMENT 🎈

We’re thrilled to share the cast of the North American Premiere production of 42 BALLOONS, a soaringly original musical by Jack Godfrey inspired by an unbelievable true story.

✨ FLASH OFFER ALERT ✨

42 BALLOONS begins in just 42 days on 5/24, and we’re celebrating by offering $42 tickets TODAY ONLY*! Use code 42DAYS to book now, then tag a friend for a chance to win a poster signed by the cast 🎈

*through 11:59 p.m. CT 4/12/25, not valid on previously purchased tickets.

The Kinks were unapologetically authentic — and they changed rock forever. Now playing at @chicagoshakes.bsky.social, Sunny Afternoon captures the rise of The Kinks in a musical that hits like a rock concert. Read why the show is a must-see in @brookegmcdonald.bsky.social’s story at better.net!

Have had the privilege of seeing Hymn start to emerge in the rehearsal room through Chike Johnson and James Vincent Meredith’s truthful study, under the watchful eye of maestro director Ron OJ Parson. Feel very lucky indeed to have been here @chicagoshakes.bsky.social See you all soon! 🙏🏽

@chicagoshakes.bsky.social’s 2025-26 Season Announcement. 📣 🎭 So excited for this season! It’s got surprises, like Ain’t Misbehavin’ co-directed by André De Shields. Some spooky, with Paranormal Activity. And there’s Shakespeare, including the Q Brothers take on Julius Caesar and the RSC’s Hamnet.

Review: ‘Sunny Afternoon’ at Chicago Shakespeare chases the soul of Ray Davies and The Kinks This jukebox music plays tribute to the great British Invasion band, now in its North American debut in Chicago. The cast is led by a knockout Ray Davies.

“Fresh, vibrant, joyful, unpredictable and delightfully chaotic…” - @chicagotribune.com

Critics and audiences alike are feeling the joy and warmth of SUNNY AFTERNOON! ☀️

Now playing through April 27 🎸🇬🇧

Rehearsals for
hymn @chicagoshakes.bsky.social start next week. So excited to start this journey with Ron OJ Parsons directing James Vincent Meredith and ChikeJohnson.

“Sunny Afternoon” at @chicagoshakes.bsky.social 🇬🇧🎸
This rock ‘n’ roll time machine of a show tells the story of The Kinks with all the amped-up, chandelier-swinging performances you could hope for. If you’re a fan of rock ‘n’ roll or a fun night at the theater, you do not want to miss it. #theater

Love it when that happens! Took my 22 yr old to see Kink’s musical Sunny Afternoon @chicagoshakes.bsky.social and got a text a few days later that read, “I can’t stop listening to The Kinks.”

I'm skeptical about jukebox musicals and musician biography shows, but I really enjoyed "Sunny Afternoon" at @chicagoshakes.bsky.social. How could I not like a show with a bunch of great Kinks songs performed by an excellent cast? I got teary-eyed as they worked out how to play "Waterloo Sunset."

‘Sunny Afternoon’ opens soon at Chicago Shakes, telling the chaotic story of Ray Davies and The Kinks It’s getting its North American premiere on Navy Pier with a British and Chicago cast — expect the story of the British Invasion band and songs like “You Really Got Me” and “Lola.”

A great preview feature on SUNNY AFTERNOON by Chris Jones in the @chicagotribune.com today! The beloved music of @thekinksofficial.bsky.social ,
a brilliant cast and creative team, and collaboration with the legendary Ray Davies himself mix together to create an epic rock ‘n’ roll experience 🎸🎶

Reclaiming Shakespeare - Chicago Reader Peru's Teatro La Plaza makes their U.S. debut with a reimagined production of Hamlet devised with a cast of adults with Down syndrome.

"...the show reveals the power of choosing to be yourself in the face of limitations and prejudices." - @chicagoreader.com

You only have a few more chances to catch this gorgeous rendition of HAMLET from Teatro La Plaza. You don't want to miss it! 👑

The cast of SUNNY AFTERNOON had a wonderful time rocking out at @wgntv.com this morning 🎸🎶

Performances begin this Friday! Don't miss this epic musical journey based on the iconic songs of The Kinks 🇬🇧

In Teatro La Plaza’s ‘Hamlet,’ a cast with Down syndrome gives the Danish prince a whole new life Chicago Shakespeare Theater hosts the North American debut of a production that has been celebrated worldwide.

Looking forward to the North American premiere of Teatro La Plaza's "Hamlet" at @chicagoshakes.bsky.social! This production reimagines Shakespeare's play through the lived experiences of actors with Down syndrome. My preview article for @chicagotribune.com:

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/04/c...

“Do you like music? Does music excite you? If the answer in any shape or form is yes—even a little bit—then come to this, because you will walk out on cloud nine.” - SUNNY AFTERNOON Director Edward Hall 🎶🎸

Performances of SUNNY AFTERNOON begin March 21! Tickets available at the #linkinbio! 🎟️

After over 150 performances in 40+ cities around the world, Peru’s Teatro La Plaza comes to Chicago for 12 shows only, beginning 3/13! Blending Shakespeare’s text with personal anecdotes from their lives, young performers with Down syndrome take the stage in a profound reimagining of HAMLET👑

Danny + Oliver + Michael + Kieran 🎶🎸

The Kinks are in the building and these multidisciplinary rock stars sound amazing. You don’t want to miss them in action, starting March 21 in The Yard 🎟️

#thekinks #sunnyafternoon #chicagotheater #chicagothingstodo #musicaltheater #theatersky

Meet Jack Godfrey, the writer of 42 BALLOONS! 🎈

We’re thrilled to be bringing this unbelievable true story to life in a North American Premiere production later this year! Dream big, fly higher, and get your tickets today at the #linkinbio for performances beginning May 24 at Chicago Shakespeare 🎟️

Need plans for Valentines Day? Might we suggest a romantic comedy inspired by Shakespeare 💕🏹 #shakespeare #valentinesday #romanticcomedy #romcom

“Avaaz” at @chicagoshakes.bsky.social ✨🎭

So glad I was able to catch the final performance of this gem of a show at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.“Avaaz” is currently on tour, so keep an eye out to see if it’s coming to a theater near you.

#theater #photography