| Good afternoon. Busy week! My new reviews include
"Chess" and "Oedipus" on Broadway and the fabulous touring cast of "Hell's Kitchen" here in Chicago. Lots of news, too. "Jekyll & Hyde" is announcing its extension right here in this newsletter. The hit Kokandy Productions show now will play through Jan. 10, 2026. Just as well, since the regular run was sold out. I'm told that will be that. David Moreland and cast in “Jekyll & Hyde” by Kokandy Productions at the Chopin Theatre. (Evan Hanover) Another exclusive:
"Amadeus" at Steppenwolf Theatre has also extended, through Jan. 25, 2026. The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival has the Chopin Theatre booked and you know how these puppets get if there is a show in their way. Don't wait
if you want to see it; tickets will go fast. Add Anthony Rapp, the original star of "Rent," to folks doing holiday cabaret shows. Rapp, who has been sighted a lot in Chicago of late, will be starring in
"Anthony Rapp: Home for the Holidays" at the Lookingglass Theatre on Michigan Avenue from Dec. 17-20. A lovely fresh seasonal attraction for the Magnificent Mile. The Moth Mainstage will be at the Auditorium Theatre on Thursday night only. "Five storytellers will explore the theme of 'daring,' with true and personal
stories told live and without notes," I am told. Speaking of the Auditorium, the theater announced a federal grant of $625,000 in support of its Skylight and Atrium Preservation Project to restore the venue’s stained-glass skylight above its main balcony, and to refurbish the surrounding atrium with its signature Louis Sullivan-designed stenciling. Alas, the wrecking ball has begun to swing at the venerable Royal George Theatre on North Halsted Street. Not a surprise, since the theater has been closed for many months and redevelopment has been announced, but still sad for those of us who have such happy memories of shows there. Former Chicago actor turned star Sean Hayes will return to the New York stage this winter in "The Unknown," a new one-man play by longtime Goodman associate artist David Cale, directed by Leigh Silverman at Studio Seaview. Finally, this week, my condolences to the family of Tony Adler, the esteemed Chicago Reader theater critic who died recently. Chicago has lost three of its small band of theater critics (Jack Helbig and Kris Vire are the others) within the course of a year. All three were great writers, dedicated to the theater of this city. See you at the theater! — Chris Jones, chief theater critic Kennedy Caughell as Jersey and Maya Drake as Ali in the North American tour
of the musical “Hell’s Kitchen.” (Marc J. Franklin) Our current list of Chris Jones Recommends: "Revolution(s)" through Nov. 22 at the Goodman Theatre; “Jekyll & Hyde” through Dec. 21 by Kokandy Productions at Chopin Theatre; “Cavallaria rusticana & Pagliacci” through Nov. 23 at Lyric Opera of Chicago; “Blackbird” through Nov. 23 by New Theatre Project at Servi-Sure; “Diary of a Black Illusionist” in an open run on Wednesdays at Chicago Magic Lounge; “Hell’s Kitchen” through Nov. 30 at Nederlander Theatre. | 
