The Theater Loop

They were the leads of big musicals ("Boop," "Tommy") or stars in other ways. Including an unprecedented top-10 double appearance.

“He was the godfather of the working Chicago actor,” said Barbara Gaines, former artistic director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Those who know jazz masters Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn will be whisked away by this "Nutcracker" set in 1930s New York.

Joffrey Ballet stage managers Mandy Heuermann and Katherine Selig bear the ultimate responsibility for every light cue firing on time, every prop piece placed where it needs to be and every set change going off without a hitch.

Across the country during the pandemic, nonprofit theaters lost their audiences and were forced to cut staff. Not at the Goodman Theatre.

Paulson is on fire all night long, torching not just anyone sharing Second Stage with her — including Elle Fanning — but half of the open-mouthed audience.

More than a handful of the year’s highlights leaned hard into storytelling, including the Joffrey's "Little Mermaid" and "Frankenstein."

This was an especially fine year for musicals but over the last 12 months, I’ve also admired everything from revivals to daring new plays.