A guide to theater in Evanston and Chicago

Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre in its production of “1619: The Journey of A People” last summer.

Betsy Lecy, Arts & Entertainment Editor

September 24, 2024

For those craving a vibrant musical theater scene, no need to book a plane ticket to the Big Apple. Look no further than Northwestern’s backyard — Evanston and the greater Chicago area — for your fix of plays and musicals this school year.

Before the curtain rises on NU’s on-campus productions, check out this list of theater venues in the Evanston and Chicago area for your daily dose of dramatics.

Goodman Theatre

Goodman Theatre is the oldest and largest nonprofit theater in Chicago. The two-theater complex is the recipient of the Special Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre and is internationally recognized for its artists, productions and educational programs. With more covert narratives like “Inherit the Wind” and “The Magic Parlour,” the theater provides a unique, off-the-beaten-path experience, especially if you’re exhausted by mainstream musicals. For the most dedicated theater fans, the theater offers annual memberships for the 2024-2025 season, as well as a variety of discounts for those looking to catch a show without breaking the bank.

Steppenwolf Theatre

Ensemble is the ethos of the Steppenwolf Theatre. With around 49 members, the company has delivered productions to a multi-generational audience and can be the perfect place to add to your musical theater bucket list. Currently, the theater is showing two productions: “Noises Off” and “Happy Days Are Here (Again).” The former show is a British sex farce featuring a cast and crew that are scrambling to prepare for an opening night. Despite their earnest efforts, complete chaos reigns. Tickets for the showing range from $56 to $98, but a season membership is available for those looking to see a year’s worth of farces.

Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre

Only a short distance from campus at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center stands the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre. Here, audiences can enjoy both original and Broadway productions centered on Black and African diaspora storytelling. The wait to catch a show here won’t be long; the theater opens on Oct. 26 for the opening of the play “Until the Flood.” However, the theater has a variety of plans for the upcoming season and offers memberships for those interested in a full year of theater.

Theo

The theater’s name is no mistake. Deriving from Greek meaning “the divine gift,” the non-equity theater transcends your standard musical experience. The cabaret aspect creates an intimate setting in their 80-seat community-based venue. Theo compiles a variety of productions for theatergoers while they enjoy a drink. The theater is currently showing “Never Better,” a show narrating the struggles of a jaded college sophomore surviving in a world weighed down by grief, loneliness and fears of the future. Tickets for this production range from $40 to $45, but more avid theater-goers are welcome to purchase a season subscription.

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