| Good afternoon. So many shows have opened over the last several days that you may be finding it hard to keep track. Below, you'll find reviews of the Royal Shakespeare Company's
"Hamnet" (a review I sweated over, frankly); American Blues Theater’s "Come Back, Little Sheba," replete with a very deep acting dive from Wendy Whiteside; the Goodman Theatre's ebullient "Holiday" (a must-see, IMHO); the national tour of "The Outsiders" (here for only two weeks, take note); and "Trial in the Delta" by Collaboration. Coming very soon are "Dear Evan Hansen" at the Paramount Theatre and "Miss Julie" at Court Theatre. Saffron Dey and Ajani Cabey in “Hamnet” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater by the Royal Shakespeare Company. (Kyle Flubacker) Some other news: New
Yorkers are getting an event called "Twelve Hours of Tracy Letts," a reading of most all of the man's plays. Here in Chicago, we've had more than 12 years of Tracy Letts, and full productions, too, not readings. Aren't you glad you live here? The Goodman Theatre's big David Byrne extravaganza
"Theater of the Mind" has announced its full cast of "guides": James Earl Jones II, Elizabeth Laidlaw, Helen Joo Lee, Em Modaff, Victor Musoni, AJ Paramo, Shariba Rivers, Kelli Simpkins, Lucky Stiff, Maidenwena Alba and Emily Zhang. With hopes for a year-long run, this could be a great gig for local actors. Next Act Theatre in Milwaukee has announced its 2026-27 season (former Chicagoan Cody Estle is the artistic director): "Trayf" by Lindsay Joelle,
"The Boys From Baraboo" by Heidi Armbruster, "In The Next Room, or the vibrator play" by Sarah Ruhl, and "At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen" by Chicago's Terry Guest (as seen at Raven Theatre). Also, one of my current faves,
"Birds of North America" at A Red Orchid Theatre, has extended through March 15. The Auditorium Theatre apparently has rebranded itself as The Auditorium. Better, at least, than the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, once the preferred reference. And, finally, if you drive up Broadway, you'll see TimeLine Theatre's spiffy new vertical sign on the ambitious theater's new home. I took a look; it's a
great fit for the Uptown entertainment district. Have a great week. — Chris Jones, chief theater critic John Henry Roberts, NK Gutiérrez and cast in Collaboraction Theatre’s “Trial in the
Delta: The Murder of Emmett Till.” (Joel Maisonet) Our current list of Chris Jones Recommends:
"Birds of North America" through March 15 at A Red Orchid Theatre; “On Your Feet!” through March 22 at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace; “Come Back, Little Sheba" through March 22 at American Blues Theater; “Trial in the Delta: The Murder of Emmett Till” through March 1 by Collaboraction in the Kimball Arts Center; “Holiday” through March 8 at Goodman Theatre. | 
