Fall Theatre Picks

This fall is filled with coveted openings and shows already being extended. I picked my top, do not miss shows that will get you through to the Thanksgiving Holiday and the onslaught of festive programming that will soon take over. Before you begin looking for Santa and the Rockettes, here is what you have to see:

Thirteen-year-old Ian Thigpen (front) makes his Chicago Children’s Theatre debut as Milo in Milo Imagines the World, a world premiere musical based on the contemporary children’s book by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson. The cast, including (from left) Brianna Buckley, Juwon Tyrel Perry, Livia Robin, Jake Ziman and De’Jah Perkins. Credit: Joe Mazza brave lux chicago

For the kids. Milo Imagines the World at Chicago Children’s Theatre until November 10. A world premiere Joyce Award winning children’s musical set on a single subway ride through NYC. We get to meet Milo (Ian Thigpen), his sister Adrienne (Livia Robin), and all of the strangers that turn into fantastical characters living lives so very different from Milo’s. A show for ages 6 and up that is filled with laugh out loud humor, imagination, and devastating realities all seen through a child’s eyes. This is the type of big feelings for a small audience type of production that our kids need right now. It does what theatre does best and sparks important conversations about our weird, scary, and special lives. 

Linda Reiter as Becky Nurse and jailer Adam Schulmerich in Shattered Globe's Becky Nurse of Salem written by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Polly Noonan. Photo by Liz Lauren

For those who can’t turn off the news and need a feminist boost of rage. Shattered Globe’s Becky Nurse of Salem at Theatre Wit until November 16. Think Salem Witch Trials in the Lock Her Up era and you will get Sarah Ruhl’s depiction of smashing the patriarchy one point in history at a time. Set in Salem Massachusetts, Becky Nurse is at the ripe age of being straight up over it all and the audience watches as life begins to unravel and she has to choose what outside help she accepts to put it all back together again. A dark comedy showcasing the female curse and our broken unsupportive world filled with bandaids that only add further repercussions. Becky loses it all and yet still finds her voice  by facing the destruction head on. 

Emily Holland with (front, L to R) Cat Christmas, Spencer Diaz Tootle and Mollyanne Nunn in The Story Theatre’s world premiere of the love object. Photo by David Hagen

For every fame lover and pop superstar follower. The Story Theatre’s the love object at Raven Theatre until November 3. If you grew up during the height of Britney Spears and NSYNC, the love object is your Millenial dream production bringing recourse to those who trample anything and anyone to get to the top and the aftermath of getting what you want the most. Within the 24 hours before pop-star Ramona hits the stage for her sold-out stadium tour, we get sex tape scandals, hidden agendas, and the over sexualization of young women. In the end, is anyone on top if you have to sell your soul for the sake of celebrity? In its fourth season and breaking ground for Chicago artists, The Story Theatre is carving a space for important, current tales to be told.