Arts & Entertainment
Two New Theater Productions and an Exhibit by Local Ukrainian Artists: 5 Arts Picks for Your Week
Noah J. Ricketts and cast in the Broadway production of “The Great Gatsby.” (Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.
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One of the beautiful things about living in Chicago is witnessing the rich diversity, history and character of each pocket of the 77 community areas. I live in Ukrainian Village. It was originally populated by German immigrants in the mid-19th century, but Ukrainian immigrants and refugees have made the neighborhood what it is today. Walking down the street, I’m just as likely to hear Ukrainian as I am English. It makes me want to learn the language! This weekend, an exhibit highlighting the connection between Kyiv and Chicago is opening at the Ukrainian National Museum. It’s one event out of many that highlights our city’s rich communities, undeniable talent and resilience.
Theater: “Windfall” — Steppenwolf Theatre
In 1973, Pink Floyd warned on “Dark Side of the Moon,” “Money, get away / Go get a good job with more pay, and you’re OK.” A new play at Steppenwolf Theatre explores cash-based anxieties, trauma and life-changing decisions with “Windfall.” Written by Steppenwolf ensemble member and Academy Award-winning playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney, the story follows a Chicago father whose child dies in a clash with police. He’s told to take the city’s cash settlement and move away. Should he leave the place he’s called home or remain with his grief? This production runs now until May 31. Tickets can be found here.
Theater: “The Great Gatsby” — Cadillac Palace Theatre
The classic F. Scott Fitzgerald book has had film adaptations, most recently in 2013 by director Baz Luhrmann, but now it’s also a musical. It premiered in 2023 at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse, and after stints on Broadway, in London and in Seoul, it’s now embarking on a North American tour. Its Chicago stop is a short engagement at the Cadillac Palace from April 21 through May 3. Tickets can be found here.
Art: “9025 km” — Ukrainian National Museum
The distance between Chicago and Kyiv, Ukraine, is approximately 9,025 kilometers, which is where this art exhibit at the Ukrainian National Museum gets its name. It will feature works from 12 Ukrainian American artists from Chicago who explore how these two sister cities are “united by shared spirit and resilience.” While the exhibit opened April 8 and runs through April 30, on April 17, there’s an opening event with several featured artists present. For more information, click here.
Art: Chicago Architecture Center 60th Anniversary Celebration
The Chicago Architecture Center was founded in 1966 and has been teaching curious Chicagoans the importance of design and the rich history of the city’s buildings. Whether it’s volunteer-led tours of Chicago, a river cruise or educational efforts, the CAC has been an essential part of the local cultural community. Opening in April and running until May 1 is an exhibit called “Currents: 60 Years of the Chicago Architecture Center.” If you want to check out the exhibit, click here for more information.
Concert: “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: The 10 (ish) Year Reunion Concert” — The Chicago Theatre
Part sitcom, part musical and part psychological drama, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” was a hit television show starring Rachel Bloom. It aired for four seasons on the CW from 2015 to 2019, but it’s returning to the stage for a show led by Bloom, an Emmy winner, at the Chicago Theatre on Sunday, April 19. Tickets can be found here.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
