Brokeback Mountain
Dates: Through 6/28
A North American premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater reimagines Pulitzer Prize–winning writer Annie Proulx’s beloved novella, tracing a decades-long love story set against the rugged backdrop of 1960s Wyoming. With an original country Western score performed live, playwright Ashley Robinson’s adaptation brings new depth and immediacy to a narrative exploring themes of identity, longing and resilience. 800 E. Grand Ave.
Eugene Onegin
Dates: June 4-14
The Joffrey Ballet presents the Chicago premiere of a new fulllength work by choreographer Yuri Possokhov, inspired by Alexander Pushkin’s classic novel and set against the backdrop of 19th-century Russian aristocracy. Featuring an original score by Ilya Demutsky and immersive staging, the production explores a story of love, loss and consequence with cinematic scale and emotional depth. Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Upper Wacker Drive
Untitled Vampire Play
Dates: June 4-July 12
This world premiere at Lookingglass Theatre by ensemble member Kevin Douglas blends romantic comedy and horror, following a vampire navigating modern love, family dynamics and a complicated past. Equal parts witty and dark, the production explores themes of commitment and codependency with a sharp, irreverent edge. 163 E. Pearson St.
Grant Park Music Festival
The Grant Park Music Festival returns with a packed lineup spanning orchestral classics, contemporary works and special performances
Photo by Patrick Pyszka
Dates: June 10-August 15
A summer staple at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion, the Grant Park Music Festival returns with a season-long lineup led by Artistic Director Giancarlo Guerrero, pairing a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary with iconic works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Gershwin and Beethoven. From large-scale orchestral performances to genre-spanning programs—including appearances by Ben Folds and the aerialists of Troupe Vertigo—the free, open-air series once again brings world-class music to the heart of the city. 201 E. Randolph St.
Willem de Kooning Drawing
Among the highlights of The Art Institute of Chicago’s new exhibition Willem de Kooning Drawing is this untitled work circa 1964-66.
Willem de Kooning, [No Title], (about 1964–66), private collection. © 2026 The Willem de Kooning Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York, courtesy of The Willem de Kooning Foundation, photo by Tim Nighswander/Imaging4Art
Dates: June 14-Sept. 20
The Art Institute of Chicago unveils the first exhibition dedicated to the expansive drawing practice of Willem de Kooning, bringing together more than 200 works that trace the artist’s evolution across seven decades. From early studies to late, calligraphic paintings, the presentation underscores drawing as the foundation of his practice, illuminating its role across paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings. 111 S. Michigan Ave.
