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Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) has unveiled an exciting lineup for its 2025/26 season, spearheaded by Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Director Kimberly Motes. The upcoming season promises a total of 12 productions spread across CST’s three stages, featuring a blend of new works and classic adaptations, including two world premieres and three North American premieres along with six productions inspired by or directly connected to Shakespeare.
More than half of the 358 performances scheduled next season will either be penned by or allude to the works of Shakespeare. Additionally, the season will celebrate international influences, showcasing presentations from England, Ethiopia, and New Zealand.
Edward Hall expressed his enthusiasm for the new season, stating, “This upcoming season is bold—and promises to entertain, invigorate, and engage you with unforgettable stories that remind us of our shared humanity.” Kimberly Motes added, “Our 2025/26 Season reflects the work we are producing and the breadth of voices we share on our stages.”
The season will commence in the summer with the acrobatic spectacle Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams. This will be followed by the world premiere of Billie Jean, which explores the life and legacy of sports legend Billie Jean King. Shakes in the City will present free performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream throughout Chicago, contributing to the city’s cultural tapestry.
As fall approaches, the season will launch with a fresh interpretation of Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical Show, directed by Richard Maltby, Jr. and André De Shields. CST will also debut the world premiere of Rome Sweet Rome, a creation from the Q Brothers Collective that draws inspiration from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
In time for Halloween, audiences can look forward to the North American premiere of Paranormal Activity: A New Story Live on Stage, an original play that extends the narrative universe of the popular horror film series. Moreover, the festive season will showcase Shakespeare’s comedy Much Ado About Nothing, under the direction of Selina Cadell.
Winter 2026 will feature Short Shakespeare! Hamlet, directed by Edward Hall, aimed at both educational and public audiences. The Royal Shakespeare Company will bring the U.S. premiere of Hamnet, adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti from Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, to CST.
Come spring, the theater will present The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Phillip Breen, alongside a presentation of Mrs. Krishnan’s Party from New Zealand’s Indian Ink Theatre. The season will culminate with the North American premiere of Brokeback Mountain, adapted by Ashley Robinson and directed by Jonathan Butterell.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s 2025/26 Season Lineup
Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams
Co-Created & Produced by Mehari “Bibi” Tesfamariam
Co-Created & Directed by Binyam “Bichu” Shimellis
The Jentes Family Courtyard Theater
July 10–August 3, 2025
Billie Jean
By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Marc Bruni
The Yard
July 18–August 10, 2025
Shakes in the City: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
By William Shakespeare
Adapted and originally staged by Edward Hall
Free performances across Chicago
July 19–August 17, 2025
Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical Show
Created and originally directed by Richard Maltby, Jr.
Conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horwitz
Directed by Richard Maltby, Jr. and André De Shields
The Yard
September 3–28, 2025
Rome Sweet Rome (World Premiere)
Created and Directed by Q Brothers Collective (GQ, JQ, JAX & POS)
Based on Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
The Jentes Family Courtyard Theater
September 23–October 19, 2025
Paranormal Activity: A New Story Live on Stage (North American Premiere)
Written by Levi Holloway
Directed by Felix Barrett
The Yard
October 15–November 2, 2025
Much Ado About Nothing
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Selina Cadell
The Jentes Family Courtyard Theater
November 16–December 21, 2025
Short Shakespeare! Hamlet
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Edward Hall
The Jentes Family Courtyard Theater
January 27–February 28, 2026
Hamnet (U.S. Premiere)
Presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company and Neal Street Productions
Adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti
Directed by Erica Whyman
The Yard
February 10–March 8, 2026
The Merry Wives of Windsor
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Phillip Breen
The Jentes Family Courtyard Theater
April 2–May 3, 2026
Mrs. Krishnan’s Party (North American Premiere)
By Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis
Directed by Justin Lewis
Carl and Marilynn Thoma Upstairs Studio
April 7–April 26, 2026
Brokeback Mountain (North American Premiere)
By Ashley Robinson
Songs by Dan Gillespie Sells
Based on the short story by Annie Proulx
Directed by Jonathan Butterell
The Jentes Family Courtyard Theater
May 28–June 28, 2026
Source
www.broadwayworld.com