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Lush musicals, fun revues, fascinating new plays and, best of all, the return to production of some beloved Chicago theater companies. All are on tap for this summer in the big city. Here’s our annual summer top 10 list of the most-anticipated theatrical attractions this season.

There are many more options in both city and suburban locations, not to mention the outdoor theaters located within a reasonable drive, such as American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin. You’ll find performances in Chicago-area parks, too, from the likes of Chicago Shakespeare Theater and the venerable Oak Park Festival Theatre. But if you go with this 10, a blend of large and small shows in no particular order, I think you’ll have a rich few weeks.



This theatrical telling of the J.R.R.

Tolkien masterpiece, as distilled by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus , was an epic affair when it was first staged in Toronto in 2006: Four hours, lots of music, two intermissions, hobbits all over the place and less than positive reviews. But the work was rehabbed at the U.K.

’s Watermill Theatre and rendered in a more intimate fashion by director Paul Hart. Needless to say, this is a great title and Chicago Shakespeare Theater hopes that its U.S.

premiere will prove to be a strong summer attraction for local and visiting families coming to Navy Pier. Lots of shows call themselves global sensations but you have to hand it to “Six,” a simple musical that has struck gold from one brilliant idea: r.

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