Chris Jones

Chris Jones is editorial page editor, as well as chief theater critic for the Chicago Tribune. He also serves as Broadway critic for the New York Daily News. His latest book is Rise Up! Broadway and American Society from 'Angels in America' to 'Hamilton.'" He has a Ph.D. from Ohio State and lives in Chicago with his wife and sons."

The cast of "Men of Soul" at Black Ensemble Theater performs a Bill Withers medley. (Aaron Reese Boseman)

Review: Black Ensemble Theater puts on a dance party with ‘Men of Soul’

July 2, 2026 at 3:10 p.m.

Aside from being a good time for almost everyone, “Men of Soul” is also a meaningful showcase for Chicago-based talent.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is Alexander Hamilton and Phillipa Soo is Eliza Hamilton in "Hamilton," the filmed version of the original Broadway production. (Disney+/TNS)

Chicago Theater Report: Sing-along ‘Hamilton’ is coming to Obama center, Hand & The Eye offers happy hour

June 30, 2026 at 1:55 p.m.

The new Obama Presidential Center will host a free sing-along screening of the filmed Broadway production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's "Hamilton" (the official musical of the Obama administration in all but...

Melanie Brezill, Andrea San Miguel, Shawn Pfautsch, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Will Koski, Linda Mugleston and Donterrio in "Iceboy! Or the Completely Untrue Story of How Eugene O’Neill Came to Write 'The Iceman Cometh'" at the Goodman Theatre. (Todd Rosenberg)

Review: In ‘Iceboy!’ at the Goodman, the laughs cometh above everything

June 30, 2026 at 10:39 a.m.

Nick Offerman is a witty Eugene O'Neill, Megan Mullany goes all-in as a Broadway diva and Sarah Stiles steals the show as her maid in the new musical chilling at...

Alexandra Silber and Andrew Samonsky in "A Little Night Music" at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. (Justin Barbin)

Review: Gorgeous ‘A Little Night Music’ is alive with desire and dread at the Marriott Theatre

June 29, 2026 at 5:30 a.m.

Director Nick Bowling has done some of the best work of his career in creating this in-the-round staging of Sondheim's musical. It's not to be missed.

Annie Sullivan, Anna Bortnick, Chas Lilly, Max Thomas, Kennedy Baldwin and Riley Woollen in the Second City e.t.c. Stage revue "Reality Detox: The Improv Experience." (Timothy M. Schmidt)

Review: ‘Reality Detox’ at Second City e.t.c. needs that old Second City chemistry

June 26, 2026 at 2:55 p.m.

For its 50th revue, Second City e.t.c. has transformed itself into an improv theater, with few pre-written sketches. It was a brave attempt at shaking things up.

The cast of "The Tempest" in the Festival Theatre, part of the 2026 Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario. (David Hou)

Column: At the Stratford Festival, an artistic director retires. Prematurely, of course.

June 26, 2026 at 5:30 a.m.

As the departing leader of this essential Canadian theater festival, Antoni Cimolino leaves a legacy that will be hard to forget and impossible to replace. Just watch his "Tempest."

Zachary Keller, Robert Tully and the cast of the touring musical "Water for Elephants," in Chicago at the Nederlander Theatre. (Matthew Murphy)

Review: ‘Water For Elephants’ arrives in Chicago, a blend of circus and story

June 25, 2026 at 1:31 p.m.

This 2024 Broadway musical is an adaptation of the 2006 novel and more recent movie, set during the tawdry 1930s days of the American circus.

Lucrecia Ortiz in "Port of Entry" by the Albany Park Theater Project in August 2023. (Eric Strom and Sarah Joyce)

Chicago Theater Report: New leaders for Albany Park Theater Project and a cast for ‘Sunday in the Park’

June 23, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

Also in theater news this week, the national tour of "Water for Elephants" arrives in Chicago, and theater founder Bill Pullinsi's life will be celebrated soon at the Broadway Playhouse.

Cory Goodrich and cast in "Nunsense" at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. (Caitlin Dennis)

Review: The immortal ‘Nunsense’ resurfaces at Drury Lane Theatre

June 19, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

This familiar show is very funny under the direction of E. Faye Butler and in the hands of an experienced cast of comedic performers in the western suburbs.

Richard Young and Sam Strange in "Champions of Magic," currently at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago. (Ricardo Hererra)

Review: ‘Champions of Magic’ brings big, fun, family-friendly illusions to the Studebaker Theater

June 18, 2026 at 1:13 p.m.

Audiences get witty, homemade versions of David Copperfield-style illusions — replete with Rube Goldberg-like contraptions, fire, pyrotechnics and cheerfully low-rent escapology.

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