OUR 2025 – 2026 SEASON
EXPLORE OUR 31ST SEASON! ALL TICKETS ON-SALE NOW.
Frank McCourt’s Musical Smash Hit
The Irish… and How They Got That Way
January 31 – March 15, 2026
Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St.
By Frank McCourt
Music & Lyrics by Various Artists
Directed by David Girolmo
Music Directed by David Fiorello
Original Musical Arrangements by Rusty Magee
The Irish… and How They Got That Way is an irreverent musical history of Ireland through the tumultuous 20th and 21st centuries seen through the eyes of Pulitzer Prize winning author, Frank McCourt (Angela’s Ashes, ‘Tis, Teacher Man) whose razor sharp wit, coupled with his trademark satirical irony and boundless love for the Irish People are all underscored by humor, heartache and a glorious score that spans 100+ years from “Danny Boy,” “Galway Bay” and “The Rare Old Times” to “Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ra” and U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I Am Looking For.”
A Sondheim Masterpiece
Porchlight In Concert Follies
Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 7:30PM and Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 2PM
Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave.
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Goldman
Directed by Artistic Director Michael Weber
Music Directed by Linda Madonia
Porchlight In Concert debuted in 2024 with sold out performances of Sunday in the Park with George and this season returns to the Studebaker for a limited engagement of another Stephen Sondheim classic, Follies. Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Score, Follies shares the reunion of the legendary “Weismann Follies” company on the eve of a crumbling theater’s demolition, to reminisce about their past with a rich score that celebrates the music of the 20s – 40s. Considered to be one of the best American musicals and one of Sondheim’s finest scores, Follies includes the standards “Broadway Baby,” “I’m Still Here,” “Losing My Mind” and more.
Not a subscriber? Go for the Follies Pass to make sure you secure great seats before the general public! For $50 per ticket, you will get early access to a Follies ticket in any price level ($95, 125, $150).
Get the Follies Pass HERE. (Use the code FolliesPass).
Other Exciting Events to Look for this Season
Shake It Away: The Ann Miller Story
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 7:30PM
Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St.
Written and performed by Kayla Boye
Directed by Michael Weber
Choreographed by Tammy Mader
Music Directed by Linda Madonia
On a soundstage at the infamous 1970 MGM Studios auction, dancer/singer/actress Ann Miller revisits the Golden Age of Hollywood and discovers her second act as a Broadway star while filmdom’s treasures — including the legendary “ruby slippers,” the “Cotton Blossom” show boat, Clark Gable’s “lucky trench coat” and more — are sold for pennies on the dollar. Featuring selections from the Great American Songbook, this love letter to entertainment is written by and stars Kayla Boye, who has appeared at Porchlight Music Theatre in Can-Can, Little Me, Billy Elliot and New Faces Sing Broadway 1969.
Shake It Away: The Ann Miller Story returns to Chicago after a critically acclaimed world premiere tour that included the Hollywood Fringe in Los Angeles (Hudson Theatres, June 10 – 15, 2025), Off-Broadway’s “East to Edinburgh” in New York (59E59 Theaters, July 15 – 19, 2025) and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (theSpace at Surgeons’ Hall, August 1 – 9, 2025).
This March 3 performance will feature new material not seen in the production’s previous performances in Chicago, Hollywood, New York and Edinburgh.
Learn more at ShakeItAwayPlay.com
Chicago Sings Broadway’s British Invasion
Spring 2026
Porchlight’s annual concert fundraiser highlights Great Britain’s contributions to the biggest hits of Broadway. Chicago music theatre’s leading performers add their signature style to the musical favorites that premiered “across the pond” in this one-night-only event. From early West End successes like Me and My Girl, Oliver! and Stop the World – I Want to Get Off, to the “rock operas,” Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess and Evita, blockbusters including Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon and Les Misérables and recent favorites Mamma Mia!, Six, Operation Mincemeat and more.
Broadway in your Backyard
Summer 2026
Porchlight’s free, outdoor summer concert series marks its sixth edition in 2026 at parks throughout Chicago. The 60-minute, family-friendly, outdoor performance includes some of the best loved show tunes from Broadway and Hollywood with sing-alongs, a raffle for valuable prizes and more.
Please note: performances, dates and participants are subject to change.
