In the wake of a bombing performed by a group of activists the members wrestle with the consequences of their actions, morality, and the reality of liberty.  Written early in Nottage's career, the play helped establish her distinct voice in the New York theater scene before she went on to win major acclaim and two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama for later works like Ruined and Sweat.

Matt & Ben depicts its Hollywood golden boys – before J-Lo, before Gwyneth, before Project Greenlight, before Oscar… before anyone actually gave a damn. When the screenplay for Good Will Hunting drops mysteriously from the heavens, the boys realize they’re being tested by a Higher Power.

Set in the mid-1940s, El Juicio de Dorotea is an original Spanish-language musical that tells the story of a woman who dares to challenge the expectations of her time by seeking freedom from an abusive marriage. As Dorotea's divorce trial unfolds in a courtroom, the audience is transported between testimony and memory, revealing the years of manipulation, isolation, and emotional control she endured behind closed doors.

Through a richly woven score, the musical explores the invisible wounds of domestic
violence, the courage required to break cycles of abuse, and the transformative power of finding one's voice. Each witness brings a new perspective, exposing not only the truth of
Dorotea's relationship with Henry, but also the social norms that once silenced countless women. The courtroom becomes more than a place of judgment, becomes a stage where justice, dignity, and hope are placed on trial.

Guiding the audience through the story are the Harmony Sisters, whose musical commentary bridges past and present, offering insight into Dorotea's emotional journey
while illuminating the universal struggle for self-worth and liberation. Their songs serve as both conscience and chorus, reminding us that healing is rarely a solitary act.

Blending drama, humor, romance, and an emotionally resonant original score, El Juicio de Dorotea is a powerful theatrical experience that examines the lasting effects of
psychological abuse while celebrating resilience, friendship, and the courage to begin again. Though set in the 1940s, its themes remain profoundly relevant today, inviting audiences to reflect on justice, equality, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

(Dorotea’s Trial-with English supertitles)

Samuel "Sam" Holloway wanted just one last weekend at his family’s rustic lake cabin before Dimitri gets married. He wanted to address that night by the lake last summer -- the night Dimitri pretends never happened.

But the Holloway Estate wasn't built for summer parties. It was built as a sanctuary, and sanctuaries have rules. 

As the group passes around a jar of local moonshine called The Purple Pansy, something ancient moves into the empty rooms of Dimitri's repressed past. 

By morning, the woods will take what they’re owed. 

Not everyone will make it back to the cars.

Why You Can't Miss This:

•  Perfect for Halloween Season: Experience a high-sensory, story-driven '80s nightmare built to be your marquee Halloween experience this season.

•  360-Degree Mountain Setting: Walk into a physical hemlock grove built with aggressive, high-sensory realism.

•  Intertwined '80s Nostalgia & Classical Tragedy: Eurythmics, cassette recorders, and synth-pop mix with ancient, vengeful woodland deities.

•  Breaks the Fourth Wall: Guided by Puck (DJ Robin Goodfellow), you don't just watch the tragedy -- you witness the wood awake.

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Looking to be apart of the action? Ask the box office at will call to be seated in the Splash Zone!

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Poster Art by Ethan Roberts Art

ATTENTION ATTENDEES & VIEWER DISCRETION:

Midsummer Night Scream is an intense, high-sensory immersive horror experience. The production contains stylized '80s slasher violence, gore, graphic depictions of body horror, and themes of psychological trauma, internalized homophobia, and parental grief.

Sensory Elements Include: Aggressive strobe lighting, sudden loud bursts of radio static, heavy theatrical haze, and staging that brings intense physical violence into close proximity with the audience.

Warning: Do not give this Mouse a cookie! Because if you do, you’re in for milk, messes, and wildly entertaining mayhem!

Messy, side-splitting HILARITY! A show the whole family will love!

MPAACT & FATE (Fehinty African Theater Ensemble) come together to explore the varied voices of African immigrants in Chicago.

Three decades in the making, this production is an adaptation of more than 20 personal stories, collected by multiple cultural institutions, looking to document the remarkable vitality of these communities.

Seen through the lens of America’s 250th anniversary, Crossing the Big Water takes an often joyous, sometimes humorous, and always unflinchingly honest look at the myriad ways Africans have built a life for themselves in inside the American experiment.

‘The Fix’ was supposed to correct everything that had gone wrong with the country. Now, three members of a shattered family occupy different corners of a society in free-fall, each surviving in their own way.

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Earthworm squats in no-man’s land beside his only friend, desperate to cross the river border and begin a new life.

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Hummingbird hides in a boarded-up apartment, secretly reading books with a fugitive teacher who will do anything to keep both her — and the resistance — alive.

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Armadillo stands alone in her police armor searching for justice, or perhaps forgiveness.

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Which of them will make it to Paradise and what will it cost? Does such a place even exist?

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A Dark Wood is a new dystopian fable by award-winning playwright Eric Coble.

You may have heard the stories. Renters have shared strange experiences. Patrons have reported unexplained encounters. And after the lights go down, the Greenhouse is a very different place.

For the first time ever, we’re inviting you to experience it for yourself.

Join AJTrueCrime, Tony Szabelski, and Greenhouse General Manager Hannah Loessberg for the very first Greenhouse Ghost Hunt, a late night paranormal investigation through some of the most mysterious and rarely explored (by the general public) spaces in the building.

From the creepy hallways and historic library to all five theaters, dressing rooms, and the basement, we’ll spend the night investigating the places where strange stories have been told and unexplained activity has been reported.

The Greenhouse has a long history, and some believe not everyone who has walked through its doors has ever truly left.

Are you brave enough to find out what’s waiting after hours?

The Greenhouse Ghost Hunt takes place October 6 from 8 PM to 2 AM at 2257 N Lincoln Ave. Come embrace the darker side of spooky season and join us for a night you won’t soon forget.

Late night brave souls are welcome.

UNNATURAL WEIRD WONDER FESTIVAL (UWWFEST) — 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Get ready for a wicked weekend of creepy stories, twisted characters, unexpected turns, and chilling suspense! Unnatural Weird Wonder Festival (UWWFest) returns for its 10th Anniversary, bringing two nights of short plays inspired by the things that creep us out most.

This year, UWWFest explores two terrifying themes: Evil Neighbor and Stalker. Each night features a collection of short plays guaranteed to leave you questioning who you can trust and what might be lurking right next door or behind you.

NIGHT 1: EVIL NEIGHBOR

Friday, October 23

What happens when the people living around you aren't quite what they seem? From suspicious neighbors to unsettling encounters, Night 1 takes you down the street and straight into danger.

Man in the Window

Written by G. Riley Mills | Directed by Davette J. Franklin

Donna Latham

Written by Donna Latham | Directed by Lip Maverick

House of Evil

Written by Pete Blatchford | Directed by Davette J. Franklin

Down the Hall and to Your Death

Written by Tamar Brooks | Directed by Julia Trevor

The Mother's Song

Written & Directed by Khaleel Hawkins

NIGHT 2: STALKER

Saturday, October 24

You never know who's watching. Night 2 turns up the suspense with stories of obsession, fixation, secrets, and the terrifying feeling that someone may be closer than you think.

My Girl

Written by Davra Franklin | Directed by Davette J. Franklin

Klute Redux

Written by Bobbie O'Connor | Directed by Davette J. Franklin

Stalked

Written by Tanzania Warren | Directed by Davette J. Franklin

Forget Me Not

Written by John Weagly | Directed by Al Ballard-Cain

Turning Point

Written by Ada Cheng | Directed by Jaeda Mason

If I Can't Have You

Written by Veronica Franklin | Directed by Davette J. Franklin

NIGHT 3: THE ULTIMATE UWWFEST EXPERIENCE

Sunday, October 25

Can't choose between Evil Neighbor and Stalker? Don't! Night 3 brings the entire 10th Anniversary UWWFest lineup together for one wickedly unforgettable evening featuring ALL 11 PLAYS!

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11 plays. 2 terrifying themes. 1 wicked night.

Chicago's thirstiest night just got thirstier. Drunkula has arrived, and it isn't just blood on the menu - expect uninvited guests, questionable decisions, and empty glasses by sunrise. Nobody's safe, nobody's sober, nobody's getting out before last call. Chicago Red Line brings raunchy, innuendo-packed comedy to life with a healthy pour of alcohol onstage and in your hand. Come thirsty, leave changed.

Produced by Lazy Susan Theatre Co.
Written by Thornton Wilder
Directed by Matthew Masino

A breakfast before school, first loves, and those quiet ordinary miracles that fill our days. Welcome to Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, in the year 1901. Everyone knows each other’s business, and the milkman still makes house calls. Lauded by Edward Albee as “the greatest American play ever written,” Our Town examines life in a small fictional town in three acts and follows the relationship of George and Emily, a young couple in love. It is the story of their lives together, intertwined with the town and its people. A timeless tale that gently reminds us about the importance of appreciating the life we have and the people with whom we share it.

Produced by Ego Death Theatre Collective
Written by Erik Gernand
Directed by Enrico Spada

Anna has her hands full, not only in her medical practice, but also living in a house with her brother, mother-in-law, and adult son. As her son drifts into a dangerous new political ideology, egged on by his girlfriend, Anna is confronted by the fact that the values she’s instilled in her family, and the values instilled by the country, are in stark contrast. A play about movements, alliances, and the worst-case-scenario of discussing politics at the dinner table.

Produced by Lazy Susan Theatre Co.

Written by David Adjmi
Directed by Matthew Masino

A lot happened before Marie Antoinette lost her head… Born to be a queen, she revels in pomp and circumstance to the point of absurdity, even as dissent and violence reach the gates of Versailles. As chants of “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité” echo throughout the streets, Marie begins to face the repercussions of her cavalier reign. Tony Award winning playwright David Adjmi composes a contemporary take on the French Revolution that follows Marie’s nightmarish personal journey from idolized monarch to social pariah and asks who gets a slice of cake and who goes hungry.

Welcome to rehearsals for CA-CAW! Brooklyn, a newcomer to a critically acclaimed theatre company, has always dreamt of being an actor. But as rehearsals begin, the dream quickly turns into a nightmare: an abusive Director, increasingly violent script revisions, rigid rules... and one actor will be forced to play a Pigeon. As Brooklyn becomes consumed by her role and the line between reality and fiction begin to collapse, she must find a way to break character and flip the narrative.

Your favorite Mo Willems’ characters are coming together for the biggest extravaganza ever this holiday season!

Elephant and Piggie are ready to celebrate, the Squirrels have decked the halls, and The Pigeon has a very important decision to make: Will he join the festivities—or fly off to the North Pole in search of the greatest gift ever?

Produced by Lazy Susan Theatre Co.

Written by Lulu Raczka
Directed by Hannah Loessberg

It's the future. But only slightly. There are blackouts. No one knows what's causing them, but that doesn't stop people from going missing in them, and from women being killed. Now Steph and Bell, a schoolgirl and barmaid, have to search for their missing friend, until the outside world starts infecting the theatre that stands around them.

Produced by: Ego Death Theatre Collective
Written by Benjamin Kelly
Directed by Jianna Atlas

Three siblings, reeling from the death of their father, are presented with a potential windfall that comes as a result of the sale of their family’s dilapidated Wisconsin lake house. As the trio convene to discuss the terms of the sale, their personal reasons to take or refuse the money threaten to fracture this family even more. A play about compulsions, sibling rivalry, and the time in a farewell party when the Malört takes over.

Orphans follows two grown-up feral children, Treat and Phillip, living in a dilapidated Philadelphia row house. Treat is a volatile pickpocket, aggressively controls and sequesters his sensitive, illiterate younger brother from the dangerous outside world. Phillip is mentally stunted dreamer with agoraphobia, trying to conceive of life outside the walls of his home. Their brotherly dynamic violently shifts when Treat kidnaps Harold, a wealthy, eccentric older businessman, intending to extort a hefty ransom. Instead of panicking, Harold easily escapes his bonds and unexpectedly becomes a benevolent, nurturing father figure to both troubled young men. This strange, emotional intervention completely transforms their broken lives before steering them toward a devastating tragedy

Produced by Ego Death Theatre Collective
Written by Johnna Adams
Directed by Spencer Huffman

A teacher is visited in her classroom by the mother of one of her recently deceased students, demanding answers for what happened to her son. Against the backdrop of a nurturing fifth-grade classroom, the gruesome truths of the son’s inner life are revealed. A play about grief, artistic expression, and the nature of nurture.

subUrbia chronicles a single transformative night in the lives of a disillusioned and over-educated group of twenty-somethings stuck in their stagnant suburban hometown. Gathering outside a local 7-Eleven, the aimless friends spend their time drinking, venting frustration, and nursing unfulfilled dreams. Their normal lives are turned upside down when a former town loser, Neil Moynihan, returns in a limousine, having achieved mainstream success as a rock star. This sudden reunion forces the group to confront their own dead-end existences. Fueled by jealousy, resentment, and desperation, the evening rapidly spirals into a volatile whirlwind of reckless sex, raw violence, and devastating tragedy.

Pete the Cat knows that life is one big adventure.

When the groovy blue cat meets the Biddle family, he gets everyone rocking. But when Jimmy Biddle struggles to finish his second grade art project, Pete proves to be the perfect friend. Together, they embark on a far-out musical adventure, traveling all the way to Paris and back in a colorful VW bus.

Along the way, Jimmy discovers the joy of creativity, and Pete learns a thing or two about friendship.

ALL HANDS ON DECK FORA WORLD-PREMIERE TYA ADAPTATION OF THE OG PIRATE ADVENTURE CLASSIC!

Yo-ho-ho! Prepare to set sail with YPT for a rip-roaring, swashbuckling journey on the high seas in this world-premiere, family-friendly adaptation of the legendary coming-of-age classic.

Discover treasure maps, sea shanties, parrots, peg legs—and pirates around every corner. But beware: not every charming rogue can be trusted when buried treasure is on the line!

Packed with larger-than-life characters and thrilling adventure, Treasure Island brings the legendary pirate tale roaring to life for a new generation.

​Antonio David Lyons is a renowned international art maker. With Water Returns - developed with MPAACT from the ground up - Antonio has been on a creative odyssey nurtured in Cuba, South Africa, Brazil and the US.

In this solo tour de force, directed by South African artist Riloe Leoere, Antonio utilizes music, movement, and spoken word to explore the many modes of his life.

Water Returns is also a lyrical anthropological investigation into the cultures of Cuba, framed both by Antonio’s participation in the 29th Habana International Poetry Festival and the passing of his mother.

Most importantly, Water Returns speaks to the multi-modal essence of life. Asking one of the most foundational questions in modern life: How do you rehydrate your soul?

Produced by: MPAACT
Directed by: Carla Stillwell
Written by: Shepsu Aakhu

Father Daniel Bowman is the young charismatic shepherd of his first congregation in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. When 17-year-old Idania “Eden” Cux-Castaneda steps into his confessional, she brings a world of troubles with her. Eden's life - forever beyond her control - is at a crossroad.

Seeking the protection of the church Eden and Father Bowman maneuver the shadow life of America’s “undocumented” to wrest control of her fate from the political machinery of an autocratic state.