Emily McClanathan

Under Manny Buckley’s direction, rage relentlessly simmers in this “Century Cycle” play about a formerly incarcerated man trying to make a fresh start.

Part political thriller, part family drama, Erika Sheffer’s 2024 play offers a sobering exploration of courage, cowardice, and the gray areas in between.

In Amy Herzog’s 2011 play, a troubled 21-year-old man shows up at his grandmother’s Manhattan apartment in the middle of the night.

Musical elements set an effective mood, but some of the audience interaction in Instrumental'd production feels manipulative.

Heidi Schreck’s 2017 play, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, gets authentic surroundings in this new production by Ways and Means Theatre.

Marissa Murrell Myers's 2025 chiller about dead friends and a mysterious cabin in the woods makes its local debut Bramble Theatre Company.

Erik Gernand's world premiere offers a provocative premise that doesn't quite pay off, despite committed performances.

For theatergoers looking to kick off the spooky season, Glass Half Full Theatre’s “Yamel Cucuy” serves up a cocktail of ghost stories, slasher film tropes and a mythological journey through hell.

For theatergoers looking to kick off the spooky season, Glass Half Full Theatre’s “Yamel Cucuy” serves up a cocktail of ghost stories, slasher film tropes and a mythological journey through hell.

James Sie’s production captures the essence of the groundbreaking 1962 Madeleine L’Engle book that was unconventional for its time.

Tania Richard’s new solo play now onstage at American Blues Theater is warmly interactive and deeply personal.

Arlene Hutton’s thriller about reproductive rights is now making its Chicago premiere with Promethean Theatre Ensemble.

Generations of trauma are powerfully intertwined in this revival of British playwright Alice Birch’s 2017 drama, delivered by a standout Chicago storefront cast.

Generations of trauma are powerfully intertwined in this revival of British playwright Alice Birch’s 2017 drama, delivered by a standout Chicago storefront cast.

“Jesus is an answer; Judaism is a series of questions,” the Jewish comedian Alex Edelman says as part of his latest show, now in Chicago at Steppenwolf Theatre.

“Jesus is an answer; Judaism is a series of questions,” the Jewish comedian Alex Edelman says as part of his latest show, now in Chicago at Steppenwolf Theatre.

The 2012 musical based on the 1992 Disney film features some strong central performances, but is hampered by some shaky elements.

This Tony Award-winning musical has a superb touring cast to tell the story of the women’s suffrage movement in the decade leading up to the 19th Amendment.

Given the strength of the performances and direction, I suspect that “Hamlet” and “Earnest” will remain in my theatrical memory bank as highlights of my annual treks to Austin Gardens.

Kevin Webb stars in Conor McPherson's solo play about a frustrated middle-aged theater critic who falls in with a band of vampires.