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."

Mia (Kristin E. Ellis) and Miss Candice (Leslie Ann Sheppard) in Shattered Globe Theatre's "Morning, Noon, and Night" at Theater Wit. (Michael Brosilow)

Review: ‘Morning, Noon, and Night’ taps into anxieties born of the COVID era

March 3, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Kirsten Greenidge's domestic comedy centers on a family during the pandemic who is visited by a kind of Mary Poppins figure.

Actor Nick Offerman prepares to throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Chicago Cubs game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on Aug. 17, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Nick Offerman will star in Goodman Theatre show; Teri Hatcher coming to Chicago Shakespeare

March 2, 2026 at 11:36 a.m.

Nick Offerman will star in the musical "Iceboy!" at the Goodman. Separately, Teri Hatcher will star in the comedy "Fault" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

The cast of "The Shape of the Bones" by The New Theatre Project at Theater Wit. (George Hudson)

Review: Devastating ‘Shape of the Bones’ has us in its grip from the first moment

March 2, 2026 at 5:45 a.m.

New Theatre Project is staging the first U.S. production of Spencer Huffman's play about a community under the thrall of a pastor, here with a top-flight Chicago cast.

John R. Lazzara, here in the lobby of the Drury Lane-Martinique in Evergreen Park on Sept. 15, 2000. Some of his recent improvements to the theater include adding a wedding chapel and a gazebo out front. (Gerald West/Chicago Tribune)

Column: At the Drury Lane-Martinique in Evergreen Park, John R. Lazzara owned the spotlight

February 25, 2026 at 12:16 p.m.

The larger-than-life theater owner died recently at the age of 76. Though he came into show business without much experience, he had a gift for understanding his customers.

Ashley Neal, Tara Mallen and Keith Kupferer in "Pivot" at Rivendell Theatre. (Michael Brosilow)

Review: ‘Pivot’ at Rivendell Theatre boasts an experienced cast in a dark Midwestern comedy

February 24, 2026 at 2:03 p.m.

Keith Kupferer and Tara Mallen co-star in a new dark comedy about a young couple in Nebraska.

Ava Lane Stovall, David Moreland and cast in "Jekyll & Hyde" by Kokandy Productions at the Chopin Theatre. (Evan Hanover)

Kokandy’s ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ will get a new run on the Magnificent Mile

February 23, 2026 at 5:15 p.m.

Broadway in Chicago and Kokandy Productions said that the musical "Jekyll & Hyde" will return this fall in a new production.

Eyma as Bernadette Soubirous and the cast of "Bernadette, The Musical" at Chicago's Athenaeum Center. (Provided by Bernadette The Musical)

Review: ‘Bernadette, The Musical’ is a sincere story of faith at the Athenaeum Center

February 21, 2026 at 5:30 a.m.

The musical tells the story of Bernadette Soubirous, the daughter of a poor French family in 1858, who experienced apparitions of a young woman, seemingly the Virgin Mary.

Fernando Velasco in "Champions of Magic," coming to the Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building. (Pamela Raith)

‘Champions of Magic’ will bring large-scale illusions to Michigan Avenue this summer

February 19, 2026 at 3:37 p.m.

The touring magic show is coming to the Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building.

Lookingglass Theatre artistic director Kasey Foster and ensemble member and co-founder David Schwimmer in Chicago on Feb. 13, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

David Schwimmer is doubling down on Lookingglass Theatre

February 20, 2026 at 11:12 a.m.

The famous alum of one of Chicago's most innovative theater companies is returning to ensure that Lookingglass survives and thrives.

Mi Kang in "Miss Julie" at Court Theatre. (Michael Brosilow)

Review: ‘Miss Julie’ at Court Theatre is a thorny story of desire, here minus the desire

February 17, 2026 at 2:38 p.m.

Chicago theater is having an August Strindberg moment, with his famous play about sex and power now playing in Hyde Park.

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