Chicago Shakespeare Theater celebrates 40 years with an ambitious anniversary season

Since its founding in 1986, the Navy Pier-based theater has grown from an ambitious cultural venture into one of the city's major performing arts institutions, presenting classic works, contemporary plays, musicals and international productions. The anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on that history while introducing audiences to the productions and creative collaborations still to come.

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The celebration has extended beyond the stage. On August 3, the theater marked its anniversary with a free public open house featuring a preview of the new season, activities and behind-the-scenes experiences across its three performance spaces. Its 40th Anniversary Gala also raised $1.3 million to support the theater's artistic programming, education initiatives and community engagement. The evening recognized Spirit of Shakespeare Award honorees Kevin Gudahl, Gary Gerst, William R. Jentes, Raymond F. McCaskey and Pam Walter, with remarks by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

What's coming up

The anniversary season is already underway, with several productions giving audiences plenty of reasons to return to Navy Pier.

Currently on stage is The Winter's Tale, running through Dec. 12, and A Midsummer Night's Dream, which continues through Jan. 3, 2027. The two Shakespeare classics are being performed in repertory by the same company of 14 Chicago actors under the direction of Artistic Director Edward Hall. The pairing is a first in the theater's history and a centerpiece of the anniversary season.

Looking ahead, Romeo y Julieta (Jan. 29–March 14, 2027) brings a bilingual English and Spanish adaptation of Shakespeare's tragic romance to 1960s Miami. Adapted by Karen Zacarías and Henry Godinez and directed by Godinez, the production explores love, family conflict and cultural identity.

Also returning is Illinoise (Feb. 9–March 14), the Tony Award-winning dance musical inspired by Sufjan Stevens' acclaimed album Illinois. Directed and choreographed by Justin Peck, the production returns to the theater where it made its sold-out world premiere in 2024.

Spring brings two very different theatrical offerings. Reunion in Bartersville (April 11–May 9) is a comedy and murder mystery about a high school reunion that brings long-buried secrets to the surface. Then, Heartbreakers (May 4–June 6) makes its world premiere, reimagining Romeo and Juliet through the rock catalog of Grammy-winning musicians Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. With a book and direction by Bradley Bredeweg, the new musical promises a decidedly contemporary take on Shakespeare's familiar tale of passion and rivalry.

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Beyond its mainstage productions, the theater continues its commitment to connecting Chicago audiences through 80 Minutes Around the World: Immigration Stories, featuring the experiences of immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, their descendants and allies. Additional performances are scheduled for Jan. 23 and March 20, 2027.

The anniversary also marks a leadership transition. Executive Director Kimberly Motes departed Nov. 13 to lead Hennepin Arts in Minneapolis. Artistic Director Edward Hall will lead the organization alongside its senior staff while a search for her successor gets underway. The theater has indicated that its anniversary season will proceed as planned.