November is when Chicago theater runs two seasons at once. The fall openings are still finding their audiences, the holiday shows start arriving before Thanksgiving, and the Loop trades its fall tours for family fare. Here is what is worth your evenings this month, starting with the five that define it.
The five that define the month
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Jentes Family Courtyard Theater
November 11, 2026–January 3, 2027
Artistic Director Edward Hall stages Shakespeare’s romantic comedy as a holiday show: a snowy Athens that melts into a warm, colorful forest. The same 14-actor company is playing The Winter’s Tale in repertory through Dec. 12, and you can see both in one day on Nov. 21 and 24 or Dec. 5 and 12. (For comparison, see our review of an earlier Chicago Shakespeare production from 2012.)
Tickets: Chicago Shakespeare
- Heroes of the Fourth Turning
A Red Orchid Theatre
Previews October 29–November 7; regular run November 12–December 6, 2026 (no performance Nov. 26)
The Chicago premiere of Will Arbery’s Pulitzer finalist, directed by ensemble member dado, with ensemble member Kirsten Fitzgerald as Gina. Four young conservative Catholics gather near midnight in Wyoming to toast their old mentor, and the party turns into an argument about faith, politics, and who gets to be understood. Expect a small room and a play that does not let anyone off the hook. Content advisories include gunshots and strong language.
Tickets: A Red Orchid Theatre
- Don Pasquale
Lyric Opera of Chicago, Lyric Opera House
November 12–27, 2026
Donizetti’s comedy about an old bachelor, a disinherited nephew, and the scheme cooked up to win the money back. It returns to Lyric for the first time in more than a decade in Mariame Clément’s period Glyndebourne production, with Music Director Enrique Mazzola conducting, Misha Kiria in the title role, and Ying Fang as Norina. There are only six performances. (For comparison, see our 2012 review of an earlier Lyric production.)
Tickets: Lyric Opera
- Little Shop of Horrors
Porchlight Music Theatre, Začek McVay Mainstage at the Biograph
November 4–December 13, 2026
Menken and Ashman’s doo-wop horror comedy about a Skid Row flower-shop clerk and the plant that wants to be fed. It’s the most fun musical you can see this month that has nothing to do with Christmas. (For comparison, see our review of an earlier production at American Blues Theater, 2016.)
Tickets: Porchlight Music Theatre
- A Christmas Carol
Goodman Theatre, Albert Theatre
November 13–December 31, 2026
The city’s longest-running holiday tradition is back in Tom Creamer’s adaptation, directed this year by Malkia Stampley, with Tim Hopper making his debut as Scrooge (Kareem Bandealy is the alternate). Children under 5 are not admitted. ASL-interpreted, audio-described, Spanish-subtitled, and open-captioned performances fall Dec. 4–6. (For comparison, see our review of an earlier Goodman edition from 2014.)
Tickets: Goodman Theatre
Also on the November board
Jersey Boys — CIBC Theatre, Nov. 10–22, 2026. The Four Seasons story comes back to the Loop on its 20th-anniversary tour. It’s a two-week stop. (See our review of the 2015 tour.) Tickets
Disney’s Frozen — Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire, Nov. 4, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027. Ashley Rodbro directs the stage version in the round, with all the film’s songs plus new ones written for the stage. Tickets
Annie — Drury Lane Theatre, Oakbrook Terrace, Nov. 4, 2026–Jan. 10, 2027. This is the orphan’s first return to Drury Lane in more than 20 years, and it’s the suburban family pick. (See our review of an earlier production at Paramount Theatre, 2012.) Tickets
A Clockwork Orange — Kokandy Productions at the Chopin Theater Mainstage, Nov. 5, 2026–Jan. 10, 2027. Anthony Burgess’s own stage version of his novel: Alex, his droogs, and Beethoven. It’s the month’s anti-holiday option. Tickets
All the World — Northlight Theatre, 1012 Church St., Evanston, Nov. 11–Dec. 20, 2026. A Lauren M. Gunderson world premiere directed by Jessica Thebus, about two actors whose relationship keeps shifting backstage during holiday-season runs. It’s part of Northlight’s first season in its new Evanston home. Tickets
Adirondack Chair Circle — Steppenwolf Theatre, Oct. 22–Dec. 6, 2026. In Stephanie Alison Walker’s world-premiere comedy, directed by Pam MacKinnon, a circle of suburban moms takes on the school board over library books and finds out how little they agree. Tickets
The Royale — Writers Theatre, Glencoe, Oct. 22–Nov. 29, 2026. Marco Ramirez’s boxing play, inspired by Jack Johnson, is directed by Tyrone Phillips. A panel on Johnson is scheduled for Nov. 10. (See our review of an earlier production at American Theater Company, 2015.) Tickets
King Hedley II — City Lit Theater, Oct. 16–Nov. 29, 2026. August Wilson’s 1980s Pittsburgh chapter, directed by Manny Buckley. (See our review of an earlier production by Congo Square, 2014.) Tickets
Hayward — The Gift Theatre at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre, Oct. 14–Nov. 22, 2026. In Netta Walker’s world premiere, directed by AmBer Montgomery, Hamlet and Electra are refracted through a daughter who tells her family, on the day of her father’s funeral, that his ghost has visited her. Tickets
The Winter’s Tale — Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Courtyard Theater, through Dec. 12, 2026. Edward Hall’s production runs in repertory with A Midsummer Night’s Dream (above). (See our review of an earlier production from 2014.) Tickets
Sunday in the Park with George — Kokandy Productions, extended through Nov. 29, 2026, per Kokandy’s homepage. Sondheim and Lapine’s musical about Seurat and the cost of making art. (See our review of an earlier production at Chicago Shakespeare, 2012.) Tickets
Mud Row — Remy Bumppo Theatre Company at Theater Wit, Oct. 15–Nov. 15, 2026. Dominique Morisseau’s play, directed by Malkia Stampley, follows two generations of sisters in the historically Black West Chester, Pa., neighborhood of the title. Tickets
Mud Life — Collaboraction at the Kimball Arts Center, through Nov. 15, 2026. A new North Lawndale drama by G. Riley Mills and Willie Round about two West Side cousins trying to make it in hip-hop. Tickets are $15–$50, and Friday shows come with a pre-show open mic. Tickets
Radical Futures — The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., Oct. 16–Nov. 21, 2026. In B.Z. Florida’s storefront sci-fi comedy, two estranged friends in a failing dive bar drink cocktails that show them the future. Tickets are $30. Tickets
King Lear — Babes With Blades Theatre Company at Theater Wit, Oct. 22–Nov. 21, 2026. Streaming dates are Nov. 19–21. (See our review of an earlier production at Chicago Shakespeare, 2014.) Tickets
Church Hurt — Red Theater at The Edge Off Broadway, Oct. 24–Nov. 21, 2026. Brynne Frauenhoffer’s play, directed by Jessica Love, about a woman who takes a job at the church she grew up in. Tickets
Vladimir — Shattered Globe Theatre at Theater Wit, through Nov. 14, 2026. Erika Sheffer’s drama about an independent Russian journalist in the early Putin years. Tickets
A Strange Loop — Raven Theatre with About Face Theatre, Oct. 8–Nov. 8, 2026. Mikael Burke directs Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer-winning musical. Tickets
Jekyll & Hyde — Kokandy Productions at the Broadway Playhouse, through Nov. 8, 2026. (See our review of the 2013 tour.) Tickets
Million Dollar Quartet — Paramount’s Stolp Island Theatre, Aurora, through Jan. 3, 2027. The Sun Studio jam session of Dec. 4, 1956, staged in a room built to look like the studio itself. (See our review of an earlier production, 2009.) Tickets
Vape! The Grease Parody — Apollo Theater, through Jan. 3, 2027. A spoof of Grease from New York, built for a night out with friends. Tickets
Closing Nov. 8 — Dead Girl’s Quinceañera (Goodman Owen Theatre), Kowalski (Lookingglass Theatre), and Sisters (Writers Theatre). Topdog/Underdog at Steppenwolf, Don Giovanni at Lyric, and The Book of Mormon at the Cadillac Palace all close Nov. 1.
Holiday season openings
A Christmas Carol — Paramount Theatre, Aurora, Nov. 11, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027. Trent Stork’s adaptation for the Paramount stage, with live music by Matt Deitchman. Tickets
It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! — American Blues Theater, Nov. 19–Dec. 27, 2026. The company’s radio-play staging of the Capra story. (See our review of an earlier edition, 2015.) Tickets
The Second City’s Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue — Paramount’s Copley Theatre, Aurora, Nov. 20–Dec. 23, 2026. Ages 18 and up. Tickets
Blue Man Group: A New Holiday Surprise — CIBC Theatre, Nov. 24–Dec. 13, 2026. An all-new holiday show played on the Blue Men’s custom instruments. Recommended for ages 3 and up. (See our review of the regular Blue Man Group show, 2017.) Tickets
The Hip Hop Nutcracker — Cadillac Palace Theatre, Nov. 24–29, 2026. Tchaikovsky remixed with hip-hop dance, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Da Brat. It’s Thanksgiving week only. Tickets
A Christmas Carol — Drury Lane Theatre for Young Audiences, Oakbrook Terrace, Nov. 27–Dec. 26, 2026. A one-hour version for kids. Tickets
Booking December now? The Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker runs Dec. 4–27 at the Lyric Opera House. See our Chicago holiday shows guide and where to see The Nutcracker for the full season.