Spring came in like a vampire bite: fast, a little messy, and impossible to ignore. (Literally, twice.) If you missed any of it, consider this your catch-up before summer whisks us to outdoor music festivals, Free Shakespeare in the Park, or a secluded beach with a good book. Here are our most-read stories of the season:
Broadway finally got its bite back
Broadway had spent a season starving for a real blockbuster—plenty of worthy new plays, a few exciting revivals, but no heartbeat. Then The Lost Boys showed up and delivered a bloody good production that broke the vampire-musical curse that’s claimed Dracula, Lestat, and friends.
Why see it now: This is the rare blockbuster that earns the hype. Sure, it’s going on tour, but nothing will beat the production value at the Palace Theatre.
Chicago wasn’t about to let Broadway get all the fangs
Turns out Broadway wasn’t the only place vampires were coming out to play. At Lookingglass Theatre Company, Untitled Vampire Play mashes up Meet the Parents with What We Do in the Shadows, following a Chicago bartender who falls hard for his new girlfriend. Never mind that she’s centuries-old and has the bloodlust to prove it.
Why see it now: Silly summer fun with a regional cast worth the trip. The limited run closes July 12, 2026.
Eurovision handed us a hit with homework
DARA’s “Bangaranga” took the Grand Final and racked up over 8 million TikTok views in the lead-up to the Eurovision broadcast. But the title borrows a Jamaican patois phrase with roots stretching back to the 1930s, and that history is worth knowing before you add it to your playlist.
Why it matters now: It’s already the song of the summer.
It wants better content.
A memoir made the internet’s favorite dog-fosterer a must-read author
Isabel Klee’s Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I’ve Cried About turned her viral rescue-dog following into something deeper—and UCP has already optioned it for a TV series with Klee producing.
Why read it now: The show’s coming eventually, but discover Klee’s heartwarming story at your own pace.
Frida Kahlo is taking over the art world. Again
Between a new opera at the Met, an immersive installation at MoMA, and a major retrospective at the Tate Modern, 2026 isn’t subtle about whose year it is.
Why go now: Frida. London. Need we say more?
Two vampire romances, a very confident Bulgarian pop star, a Mexican icon, and an internet sensation later—spring is officially over. Not to fear. The summer lineup is already stacking up. Subscribe to our newsletter and support independent arts & culture journalism. It only takes a minute. ⏰
Featured illustration: AI-assisted, art direction by 1 Minute Critic.
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