Chicago Theatre Week

Chicago Theatre Week, an annual celebration of the rich tradition of theatre-going in Chicago, will take place February 11 - 21, 2016, spanning a week and two full weekends. Now in its fourth year, Chicago Theatre Week is a program of the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago. In addition to offering tickets at $30, $15, or less to over 115 productions across the city the League will also host a series of FREE audience engagement events at Theatre Week Central, located in the historic Water Works Building, 163 East Pearson in Chicago.

Deb Clapp, the Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theaters, shares her top picks for the week with "Windy City LIVE!"

Le Switch

By Philip Dawkins

About Face Theatre ay Theater Wit

In the world-premiere romance Le Switch, marriage equality finally reaches the U.S. and commitment-shy David finds himself unsure how to react to the nation's honeymoon phase. Nervous in the face of "wedding fever," he retreats to his home full of unopened books and his grieving activist roommate. When his best friend's bachelor party takes him to Montreal, he's unexpectedly swept off his feet by a beautiful young florist. In the months that follow, David and his non-traditional family must decide for themselves what it really means to be committed, what it means to be married and what it means to be queer.

Satchmo at the Waldorf by Terry Teachout, directed by Charles Newell

Featuring Barry Shabaka Henley

at Court Theatre

The greatest trumpet player in the world has just finished a set in the Empire Room of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. It's 1971, and Louis Armstrong is at the end of his incredibly successful career. After retiring backstage, he begins to reminisce about his life, revealing an intimate, unknown portrait of the man behind the trumpet and the ever-evolving struggle to live with dignity as a Black musician in a White world. Armstrong's story is told through the voice of a single actor playing both Armstrong and his Jewish manager Joe Glaser, bringing to life an emotional journey of deep friendship and its tragic destruction. Satchmo at the Waldorf is an intimate exploration of Armstrong's life, legacy, and above all, jazz.

The Mutilated by Tennessee Williams, directed by Dado

at A Red Orchid Theatre

It's Christmas Eve in New Orleans and Trinket Dugan is holed up at the Silver Dollar Hotel with a painful secret. Her only friend and confidant, Celeste, has just been released from jail and will stop at nothing to get back into her good graces, her pocket-book and her booze. Can their friendship survive the cruelty, the con men, hookers, cops, sailors and drunks? The Mutilated is one of Williams' funniest and most moving plays, and according to Williams himself is "an allegory on the tragicomic subject of human existence on this risky planet." -Esquire magazine 1965.

Cabaret, directed by Sam Mendes

Broadway In Chicago (as part of Roundabout Theatre Company's 50th Anniversary Season)

at The PrivateBank Theatre

John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff's Tony-winning musical features some of the most memorable songs in theatre history, including "Cabaret," "Willkommen" and "Maybe This Time." Cabaret is set in the infamous Kit Kat Klub, where the Emcee, Sally Bowles and a raucous ensemble take the stage nightly to tantalize the crowd--and to leave their troubles outside.

Yasmina's Necklace

A World Premiere by Rohina Malik

at 16th Street Theater

While hostility and fear of refugees and Muslims flare up in our country, Rohina Malik brings us an American love story. This one happens to be arranged between two families of the Muslim faith: Yasmina and her father Musa are recent Iraqi war refugees while Sam succeeds in the art of Western assimilation, much to his parents' chagrin. Rohina's comedic and powerful story of love, family and faith once again uncovers the humanity in us all.

Cocked

By Sarah Gubbins

Directed by Joanie Schultz...Victory Gardens Theatre

Attorney Taylor and her journalist girlfriend Izzie live a comfortable life in Andersonville. Their apartment,

relationship and strong anti-gun beliefs are shattered when Taylor's troubled brother Frank crashes,

uninvited, into their lives. As secrets and betrayals rise to the surface, the line between self-defense and safety

is blurred. Cocked, a timely world premiere thriller from Chicago playwright Sarah Gubbins and directed by

Victory Gardens' Associate Artistic Producer Joanie Schultz (Rest, The Whale), returns to Victory Gardens

after gripping audiences at the 2014 IGNITION Festival of New Plays.

Be sure to check out ChicagoTheatreWeek.com for more information!