See the Favorites by Year page for general info about our yearly favorites lists, as well as links to other years.
Within each 2023 category (Favorite Productions of Groundbreaking Plays, Favorite Productions of Old and New Classics, and Favorite Productions with Limited Runs), 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.
We’ve also included a bonus category of Special Experiences—two treats from this year that were without precedent!
Favorite Productions of Groundbreaking* Plays
*Innovative in form, content, and the marriage of the two
- Hatefuck by Rehana Lew Mirza: First Floor Theater
- London Road by Adam Cork and Alecky Blythe: Shattered Globe Theatre
- Lucy and Charlie’s Honeymoon by Matthew C. Yee: Lookingglass Theatre
- Right to Be Forgotten by Sharyn Rothstein: Raven Theatre
- Tambo & Bones by Dave Harris: Refracted Theatre
Favorite Productions of Old and New Classics
- Beautiful: The Carole King Musical by King, Goffin, Mann, Weil, and McGrath: Marriott Theatre
- Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle: Northlight Theatre (more)
- Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story by Alan Janes: Marriott Theatre
- The Crucible by Arthur Miller: Invictus Theatre
- Merrily We Roll Along by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth: Blank Theatre (more)
- The Mountaintop by Katori Hall: Invictus Theatre (more)
- Once by Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, and Enda Walsh: Writers Theatre (more)
- The Producers by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan: Music Theater Works (more)
- Promises, Promises by Bacharach, David, and Simon: Blank Theatre
- Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare: Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
- A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller: Shattered Globe Theatre (more)
- Witch by Jen Silverman: Artistic Home
- Young Frankenstein by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan: Mercury Theater (more)
Favorite Productions with Limited Runs
- The Baldwin/Giovanni Experience by Tim Rhoze and Bria Walker: Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre
- Nervous Breakdown in G Minor by Lewis Rawlinson: Haven Chicago (The Guest House Project)
- Trial in The Delta: The Murder of Emmett Till by G. Riley Mills and Willie Round: Collaboraction
Special Experiences
- Dial M for Murder by Frederick Knott adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher: two productions in one day—matinee at Milwaukee Rep and evening show at Northlight Theatre!
- Pearl Cleage Festival: a glorious month of productions, readings, workshops, and discussions, conceived and curated by Goodman Theatre with creative partners American Writers Museum, Black Ensemble Theater, Congo Square Theatre, Definition Theatre, eta Creative Arts Foundation, MPAACT, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, and others
