Night at the Theatre – 2026 Teen Edition

An article from The Guardian dubbed Chicago the "theatre capital of America," and while that may have been written back in 2004, we say it still holds true today. Every week there are countless choices! Below are some 2026 production we’re looking forward to, paired with a teen book read-alike. Note: at the time of publishing, we have not seen any of these particular productions.

Hair: July 2 - September 13 (Kokandy Productions)

Hair is certainly on the more mature side of this list, but there isn’t a show that better captures the spirit of youth in revolt. Hair’s anti-war, free love ethos was so controversial in 1968, it went to the Supreme Court twice! This groundbreaking rock musical about the Vietnam War pairs excellently with Deborah Wiles’ Kent State, a haunting and theatrical retelling of the Kent State Massacre. Note: Hair is not the same show as Hairspray. In accurate reflection of the time, Hair contains adult language, drug use, racial slurs, and (usually) brief nudity; Kokandy recommends an audience age of 16+.

Suffs: July 7 - July 19 (Broadway in Chicago, CIBC Theatre)

Suffs is a musical about the women’s suffrage movement, which pairs perfectly with One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins. Her novel in verse follows the political awakening of Matilda Young, who at 19, was one of the youngest women arrested during a protest for the right to vote. The way this book experiments with form and lettering on the page is exquisite.

Topdog/underdog: September 17 - November 1 (Steppenwolf)

There’s only one YA writer who can match the lyrical dialogue of Suzan-Lori Parks, and that would be Elizabeth Acevedo. Topdog/underdog is about two Black brothers named Lincoln and Booth navigating the rivalry destined by their namesake. Clap When You Land is about two Latina sisters, who only discover the other’s existence after their father dies in a plane crash. Both are incredible stories about navigating complex families, using rhythmic language that flows like honey.

John Proctor Is the Villain: January 23 - February 21, 2027 (Goodman's Albert Theatre) 

John Proctor Is the Villain focuses on a group of high schoolers reading The Crucible for class. As they discuss its gender dynamics in light of the #MeToo movement, themes from the play start to uncomfortably mirror events in their own lives. Balancing serious topics with comedy and pop songs, our recommended pairing is The Unexpected Consequence of Bleeding on A Tuesday. With acerbic humor, Kelsey Toney's novel challenges the inflexibility of one-size-fits-all school attendance policies and how women with severe menstrual pain are often ignored. 

What's one of your favorite Chicago productions? Comment below!