See the Favorites by Year page for general info about our yearly favorites lists, as well as links to other years.
Within each category (Favorite Shows, Favorite Readings, and Favorites “Under the Radar”), entries are listed in alphabetical order. For any show that has a write-up elsewhere on our website, click on the “more” link to check it out.
For 2019, we’ve added a special bonus category: One-Handers.
Favorite Shows
- The Adventures of Augie March by Saul Bellow, adapted by David Auburn: Court Theatre (more)
- Cambodian Rock Band by Lauren Yee: Victory Gardens Theater (more)
- The Color Purple by Russell, Willis, Bray, and Norman: Drury Lane Theatre (more)
- Dutch Masters by Greg Keller: Jackalope Theatre (more)
- Emma by Jane Austen, adapted by Phil Timberlake: Lifeline Theatre (more)
- The First Deep Breath by Lee Edward Colston II: Victory Gardens Theater (more)
- A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder by Lutvak and Freedman: Porchlight Music Theatre
- Head over Heels adapted by James Magruder with book by Jeff Whitty and songs by The Go-Gos: Kokandy Productions
- Oslo by J. T. Rogers: TimeLine Theatre (more)
- P.Y.G. or the Mis-Edumacation of Dorian Belle by Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm: Jackalope Theatre (more)
- The Total Bent by Stew and Rodewald: Haven Chicago, in association with About Face Theatre (more)
In a departure from our norm, we saw several huge-venue/touring shows in 2019, including our two favorites: The Band’s Visit by David Yazbek (book by Itamar Moses) at the Cadillac Palace, and The Light in the Piazza by Adam Guettel (book by Craig Lucas) at the Lyric Opera.
Favorite Readings
- Artemis Books & the Well-Meaning Man by Paul Michael Thomson: The Story Theatre
- Engines and Instruments of Flight: A Fantasia in Three Acts by Calamity West by Calamity West: Goodman Theatre
- Fireflies by Donja R. Love: First Floor Theater
- The Garden by Charlayne Woodard: Goodman Theatre
- Hit the Wall by Ike Holter: Produced by Missi Davis and Ike Holter, performed in Steppenwolf’s LookOut Series
- The Language Archive by Julia Cho: Remy Bumppo
- Marys Seacole by Jackie Sibblies Drury: TimeLine Theatre
- No Place to Be Somebody by Charles Gordone: Court Theatre
- One Giant Leap: The Apollo 11 Moon Landing by J. T. Rogers: TimeLine Theatre
- Solemn Mass for a Full Summer Moon by Michel Tremblay, translated and adapted by Philip Dawkins: Sideshow Theatre Company
- Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers, adapted by Frances Limoncelli: Lifeline Theatre
Favorites “Under the Radar” (shows meriting wider notice)
- All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, adapted by Matt Foss: Red Tape Theatre (more)
- At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen by Terry Guest: The Story Theatre (more)
- Best of Enemies by Mark St. Germain: Open Door Theater
- Black Ballerina by Stephen Fedo and Tim Rhoze: Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre
- Guys and Dolls by Frank Loesser: Northwestern University (more)
- Happy Birthday Mars Rover by Preston Choi: The Passage Theatre
- Herland by Grace McLeod: Redtwist Theatre
- Hopelessly Devoted by Kate Tempest: Piven Theatre Workshop
- I Know My Own Heart by Emma Donoghue: Pride Films and Plays (more)
- The Memo by Václav Havel: Organic Theater Company (more)
- The Mountaintop by Katori Hall: Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre
Plus one other very special 2019 “under the radar” experience: an inspired production of Ragtime, performed by teenagers in the After School Matters program, directed by Jason Krumwiedie and Jon Martinez (himself an alum of After School Matters), with scenic design by Eric Luchen.
Bonus Category: One-Handers
2019 was a great year for solo performances. Here are our three favorites:
- The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey by James Lecesne, performed by Joe Foust: American Blues Theater
- Call Me Elizabeth, written and performed by Kayla Boye: staged reading at The Den
- Packing, written and performed by Scott Bradley: About Face Theatre
