See the Favorites by Year page for general info about our yearly favorites lists, as well as links to other years.
Thanks to the unprecedented number of phenomenal new plays we saw in 2022, we’ve highlighted them in the first of our three categories. (Kudos to the Den Theatre as well, where half of these new plays were performed.)
Within each category (Favorite Productions of Plays Premiering in 2022, Favorite Established Plays and Musicals, and Favorite Developmental Readings), 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.
Favorite Productions of Plays Premiering in 2022
- The Magnolia Ballet by Terry Guest: About Face Theatre (more)
- Malapert Love by Siah Berlatsky: The Artistic Home
- Marie Antoinette and the Magical Negroes by Terry Guest: The Story Theatre (more)
- Mosque4Mosque by Omer Abbas Salem: About Face Theatre
- Relentless by Tyla Abercrumbie: TimeLine Theatre (more)
- Ride or Die by Shepsu Aakhu: MPAACT (more)
- The Secretaries: A Parable by Omer Abbas Salem: First Floor Theater (more)
- The Wizards by Ricardo Gamboa: Concrete Content in conjunction with APO Cultural Center, National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago Latino Theater Alliance, Destinos Chicago International Latino Theater Festival, and Gertie (more)
Favorite Productions of Established Plays and Musicals
- Botticelli in the Fire by Jordan Tannahill: First Floor Theater
- Camelot by Lerner and Loewe: Music Theatre Works
- Dear Jack, Dear Louise by Ken Ludwig: Northlight Theatre
- Fun Home by Tesori and Kron: Paramount’s BOLD Series (more)
- La Cage aux Folles by Jerry Herman: Music Theatre Works
- She Loves Me by Bock and Harnick: Blank Theatre Company (more)
- The Sound of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein
- Beverly Arts Center
- Marriott Theatre
- Paramount Theatre
- Sweat by Lynn Nottage: Paramount’s BOLD Series
- Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim: Kokandy Productions
- White by James Ijames: Definition Theatre Company (more)
Favorite Developmental Readings
- Clear by Paul Oakley Stovall: Porchlight Music Theatre
- Modern Women by Omer Abbas Salem: Goodman Theatre New Stages
- True Crime by Richard Gabriel: Northwestern University
- White Monkey by Charlie Oh: Goodman Theatre New Stages
- Wipeout by Aurora Real de Asua: Rivendell Theatre Fresh Produce Festival
