Chicago Music and Theater

NOVEMBER BRINGS BOUNTY OF STELLAR MUSIC ANND THEATER By Joseph Cunniff

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Following is a look both forward and back to some of the finest in Chicago music and theater.

   LYRIC OPERA opened the 2026-2027 season with a stunning production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” Starring Christian Van Horn and a cast including Mane Galoyan, Nina Solodovnikova, and Anna El-Khashem at their sparkling best, and with Tommaso Barea just right as the Don’s sidekick, and Thomas Brownlee glorious in his singing and funny in his acting, the cast was terrific.
 

   Robert Falls incisive direction, with Walt Spangler’s sets, Ana Kuzmanic’s eye-filling costumes, and Duane Schuler’s knowing lighting, made the visual parts of the show stand out. And so outstanding was the Lyric Opera Orchestra under Enrique Mazzola, that I saw something I had never seen before: at the end Maestro Mazzola asked the entire orchestra to come out of the pit on onto the stage the share with the cast the cheers of the audience. Through November 1.
 

   Mazzola next conducts Donizetti’s comedy “Don Pasquale” at 7 p.m. November 12. 21, 24, and 27, and at 2 p.m. Nov. 15 and 18. Then Choral splendor and orchestral might merge for just two nights when the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus, with conductor Alexander Soddy and Chorus Director Michael Black perform “Wagner Myth and Music” Nov. 20 at 7 and Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. 20 N. Wacker (312) 827-5600.
 

   CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: The CSO, conducted by Jaap Van Sweden, plays Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 with soloist Vadim Guzman and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 at 7:30 Nov. 19, 20, and 21. Visit cso.org. (312) 294-3000. 
 

   MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE performs Bach’s majestic Mass in B Minor Nov. 22 at 7:30 at the North Shore Center in Skokie and at Chicago Symphony Center Nov. 23. (312) 551-1414.
 

   CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER is presenting “The Winter’s Tale,” directed by Edward Hall, that is something extraordinary indeed: with a brilliant, clear-spoken cast; resplendent costumes and striking sets, both by  Michael Pavelka; and abundant moments of both humor and high drama.
 

   There are very strong performances including those of Demetrios Troyas the King of Sicilia andChike Johnson as the King of Bohemia, Issy Van Randwyck as Paulina, Jessica Dean Turner as Hermione, Kevin Gudahl as the Old Shepherd, Keiran McCabe in two roles, and others.
 

   “The Winter’s Tale” runs through December 12, and will be playing at CST in repertory with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” also directed by Mr. Hall, November 11 through January 3. www.chicagoshakes.com. (312) 595-5600.
 

   A RED ORCHID THEATER presents the politically-charged drama “Heroes of the Fourth Turning,” exploring the theme of a country at war with itself, through December 6 at 1531 N. Wells St. in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. Visit Aredorchidtheatre.org. (312) 943-8722.
 

   SHATTERED GLOBE THEATER is opening its 36th season with Erika Sheffer’s drama set in an authoritarian government in Russia, “Vladimir.” Through Nov. 17 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Visit SGTheatre.org. (773) 975-8150.
 

   STEPPENWOLF THEATER is presenting the world premiere of Stephanie Alison Walker’s “Adirondack Chair Circle,” which is said to “expose the hilarious hypocrisy of the causes we claim and the company we keep” with a  cast including Caroline Neff and David Darrow through Dec. 6 at Steppenwolf Theater, 1650 N. Halsted St. customerservice@steppenwolf.org. (312) 335-1650. 
 

   THE JAZZ SHOWCASE presents the Jamaica-born piano master Monty Alexander and his trio Nov. 5 through Nov. 8. Another star pianist, the thrilling Cyrus Chestnut, plays with his trio Nov. 19 through Nov. 22. 806 S. Plymouth Court in Dearborn Station at Dearborn and Polk. jazzshowcase@jazzshowcase.com (312) 360-0234.