play Archives - 1 Minute Critic

Gary Cole and Audrey Francis in Steppenwolf's "Catch as Catch Can."

Gary Cole plays both mother and son in ‘Catch as Catch Can.’ And that’s just the beginning

Lauren Emily Whalen Jun 16, 2026 0

Gary Cole playing an Italian-American mother and her son? Yes, you read that right. In Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s Catch as…

Jordan Arredondo and Courtney Ricki Green in "Untitled Vampire Play."

Reviews

‘Untitled Vampire Play’: the romcom Chicago didn’t know it was dying for

Lauren Emily Whalen Jun 15, 2026 0

Lookingglass Theatre's world premiere is a sharp, funny vampire play with a near-perfect cast and one ill-timed tonal detour.

Ra’Mya Latiah Aikens and Daniel Bravo Hernández in Free Shakespeare in the Park's "Romeo & Juliet."

Reviews

Free Shakespeare in the Park’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’ loses its passion chasing politics

Emily Chackerian Jun 11, 2026 0

Free Shakespeare in the Park's 'Romeo & Juliet' has a bold vision and a cast to match, but its border-town…

Jack Cameron Kay and Harrison Ball in "Brokeback Mountain." Photo by Kyle Flubacker.

Reviews

Music brings ‘Brokeback Mountain’ to life in Chicago Shakespeare’s North American premiere

Laura Zornosa Jun 9, 2026 0

'Brokeback Mountain' lands at Chicago Shakespeare—intimate, gorgeous, and nearly capturing Ennis and Jack's love.

(l-r) Jeorge Bennett Watson, Ken Barnett and Stephen Spinella in "Jerome."

Reviews

In ‘Jerome,’ a dying man’s last gift is someone to leave behind

Jerry Portwood Jun 2, 2026 0

A love story in which a dying man's most urgent project is making sure the people he leaves behind still…

Hot Sec

5 regional theater productions worth the trip this June

Matthew Wexler Jun 1, 2026 0

Considering a summer road trip? Put these five destinations on your radar for live theater and more cultural finds.

Xhloe Rice and Natasha Rolan in "And Then the Rodeo Burned Down."

Reviews

‘And Then the Rodeo Burned Down’ puts clown labor center stage. Xhloe and Natasha have the lighter

Matthew Wexler May 31, 2026 0

Xhloe and Natasha know who does the dangerous work at the rodeo, and who gets the glory. The clown always…

Naomi Latta and Hillary Fisher in "Girls Chance Music"

Reviews

In ‘||: Girls :||: Chance :||: Music :||,’ big ideas can’t find their rhythm

Matthew Wexler May 29, 2026 0

Eisa Davis's new play at Vineyard Theatre has rich themes—girlhood, chance, survival—but the production keeps audiences at arm's length.

Lydia Wilson and Phia Saban in "The Maids."

Reviews

In ‘The Maids,’ good help is hard to find

Matthew Wexler May 27, 2026 0

Kip Williams updates Genet's "The Maids" with AR filters and influencer culture at St. Ann's Warehouse.

2026 Tony Award featured actor and actress nominees

Hot Sec

The hardest Tony category to define. And the one performance that defines it anyway

Matthew Wexler May 24, 2026 0

What does it mean to win Best Featured Actor at the Tonys? A critic's framework for the most confounding category…

Gary Cole plays both mother and son in ‘Catch as Catch Can.’ And that’s just the beginning

‘Untitled Vampire Play’: the romcom Chicago didn’t know it was dying for

Free Shakespeare in the Park’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’ loses its passion chasing politics

Music brings ‘Brokeback Mountain’ to life in Chicago Shakespeare’s North American premiere

In ‘Jerome,’ a dying man’s last gift is someone to leave behind

5 regional theater productions worth the trip this June

‘And Then the Rodeo Burned Down’ puts clown labor center stage. Xhloe and Natasha have the lighter

In ‘||: Girls :||: Chance :||: Music :||,’ big ideas can’t find their rhythm

In ‘The Maids,’ good help is hard to find

The hardest Tony category to define. And the one performance that defines it anyway

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Gary Cole plays both mother and son in ‘Catch as Catch Can.’ And that’s just the beginning

What queer communities owe each other, according to Max Hovey

‘Untitled Vampire Play’: the romcom Chicago didn’t know it was dying for

How to get tickets to every 2026 Tony-winning Broadway show