## Must-See Chicago Performances: Spring 2025
Chicago’s 2025 arts calendar promises a vibrant season of performances. To help you navigate the offerings, we’ve curated a shortlist of shows predicted to sell out quickly, spanning various genres and venues. From award-winning plays to captivating ballets and electrifying music, this list offers something for everyone.
Theater:
* _Fat Ham_ (Goodman Theatre, Jan. 11–Feb. 23): This Pulitzer Prize-winning play, a modern reimagining of *Hamlet*, centers on a young, queer Black man at a family barbecue. Directed by Tyrone Phillips and featuring Trumane Alston and Ronald L. Conner, this production promises a fresh and compelling take on a classic. Tickets from $25.
* _A Raisin in the Sun_ (Court Theatre, Jan. 31–March 2): Court Theatre brings Lorraine Hansberry’s seminal work, a cornerstone of American theater, back to its South Side home. Directed by Gabrielle Randle-Bent and starring Brian Keys and Shanésia Davis, this production marks a significant homecoming for this powerful story of an impoverished family’s hopes and dreams. Tickets from $23.50.
* _Betrayal_ (Goodman Theatre, Feb. 8–March 16): This star-studded production of Harold Pinter’s complex love triangle features Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe winner Helen Hunt alongside Ian Bradford and Robert Sean Leonard. Directed by Goodman artistic director Susan V. Booth, this is a must-see for theater lovers. Tickets from $25.
* _Circus Quixote_ (Lookingglass Theatre, Jan. 30–March 30): Marking a triumphant return for the Lookingglass Theatre Company, this world premiere blends acrobatics and the story of Don Quixote. Featuring Cuban dancer Michel Rodriguez Cintra, this production signals a vibrant comeback for a beloved Chicago institution. Tickets from $30.
* _What Doesn’t Kill You_ (Raven Theatre, May 1–June 7): This two-hander by Keiko Green explores the raw aftermath of loss and a complex love triangle, promising an emotionally charged and captivating experience. Tickets not yet available.
* _Diana_ (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, May 23–July 6): This Midwest premiere of the Broadway-bound musical revisits Princess Diana’s 1981 royal wedding, featuring music and lyrics by David Bryan of Bon Jovi. A unique opportunity to experience a large-scale story in an intimate setting. Tickets from $25.
Music:
* Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few (Harris Theater, March 11): Catch this potentially final performance by the acclaimed young jazz saxophonist and his band before they embark on individual projects. Tickets from $23.
* Shemekia Copeland (SPACE, March 30): Experience the powerful voice of Grammy-nominated blues queen Shemekia Copeland in an intimate Evanston setting. Tickets from $28.50.
Dance & Opera:
* _The Listeners_ (Lyric Opera House, March 30–April 11): This buzzed-about new opera by Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek makes its Chicago premiere, starring Chicago native Nicole Heaston. Tickets from $42.
* Twyla Tharp’s Diamond Jubilee (Harris Theater, April 10–12): Legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp celebrates 60 years of dance-making with a collaborative performance featuring Third Coast Percussion. Tickets from $52.90.
* Klaus Mäkelä Conducts Mahler’s Third Symphony (Symphony Center, April 24–26): A rare opportunity to experience the future Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director before his official appointment in 2027. Tickets from $75.
* _Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland_ (Lyric Opera House, June 5–22): Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s ballet adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic makes its Chicago premiere with the Joffrey Ballet. Tickets from $36.
* _She Who Dared_ (The Studebaker Theater, June 3–8): The Chicago Opera Theater presents the world premiere of this opera celebrating the women who desegregated the Montgomery bus system. Tickets from $59.50.
Musical Theater:
* _Kimberly Akimbo_ (CIBC Theatre, June 10–22): This Tony Award-winning musical, featuring three-time Tony-nominated actress Carolee Carmello, tells a poignant and moving story of a teenager aging rapidly. Tickets not yet available.
This list represents a selection of highly anticipated performances. For a complete listing and to purchase tickets, please consult individual venue websites. If we’ve missed your favorite, let us know at arts@wbez.org.