Before launching into its 65th anniversary season this summer, Timber Lake Playhouse will welcome audiences back to the Theatre in the Woods this spring with three special one-night events featuring music, comedy, and magic.

World Ballet Company’s “Cinderella” features a dazzling cast of 40 international dancers, over 150 radiant hand-sewn costumes, exquisite hand-crafted sets and enchanting choreography.

The beloved musical “Paint Your Wagon” is coming to a local theater two weekends during the month of April. The Performing Arts Guild of Mt. Morris will perform the show April 17-19 and April 24-26 at the Allure of Pinecrest Grove Theatre.

Additional performances include The Second City and the "Happy Together 2026" Tour.

“Sunday with The Rat Pack” showcases nationally-known singer and comedy impressionist Jerry Armstrong of Marseilles as he brings the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. to vibrant life.

'Shen Yun' will be at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora April 2-4.

The Dixon Historic Theatre, which opened in 1922, continues to offer a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.

The Vince Carney Community Theater in Rochelle will present “Gilligan’s Island: The Musical” on March 27 and 28.

The Dixon City Council is considering allocating $200,000 to The Dixon: Historic Theater in its fiscal 2027 budget, pending additional financial information from the theater.

Audiences can expect a full slate of musicals, dramas and even a murder mystery in 2026.

Dailey Damhoff from Morrison, who is studying Legal Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is a dancer in “DanceScapes ’26”.

Get into the good vibes as Broadway’s Michael Mahler celebrates pop music’s premier poet, Paul Simon, for two performances only, at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire at 7 p.m. March 16 and at 1 p.m. March 17.

Programming for Bicentennial Theatre in March and April includes a poetry open mic night, plays from Providence Catholic High School and Joliet Catholic Academy.

“Between the Lines” is a musical adaptation of the novel by international bestselling author Jodi Picoult and her daughter, Samantha van Leer.

Woodlawn Arts Academy students will be showing off their theater skills, with performances of “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” the weekend of April 10.

What better way for Easy Street Theater to celebrate its 20th season than doubling down on its latest production.

Performers in March include Celtic rock band Reilly, Guys in Ties Improv and more.

The musical adventure “Paint Your Wagon” is driving into Mt. Morris this spring.

As summer plans begin to take shape, Timber Lake Playhouse is inviting audiences to be part of a milestone year in 2026 – its 65th anniversary season at the Theatre in the Woods.

Oregon High School Theater will present “The Sound of Music!” this month.

Woodlawn Arts Academy has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Do It Best Foundation to support the Academy’s four 2026 theater productions.

Performances will be on Friday, March 27, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 29, at 2 p.m. All tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.

Performances of “Pride & Prejudice & Murder” will be at Angelo’s Ristorante in Elmhurst at 247 N. York Road at 7 p.m. Feb. 27-28 and March 6 -7, and at 6 p.m. March 8.

The spring performance, 'The Play That Goes Wrong,' runs on select dates from April 17-26.

PACT is holding auditions for “Clue the Musical” on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Polo Area Community Theatre.

The 2026 season at The Dixon Historic Theatre includes tribute artists, comedy, live rock and country music, Disney favorites and much more.

This comedy play runs Jan. 29-March 1 at the McAninch Arts Center on the College of DuPage campus.

The Polo Area Community Theatre is gearing up for its rendition of Agatha Christie’s “A Murder is Announced.” The play will be performed Feb. 13, 14 and 20 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 15 and 21 at 2 p.m. at the theater at 117 N. Franklin Ave. in Polo.

"Million Dollar Quartet" will run March 4-May 31 at the intimate Stolp Island Theatre in downtown Aurora.

Thirteen leaders in high school activity programs across the country – including a Sterling educator – have been selected to receive a National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Citation.

The production “uses U.S. postage stamps honoring notable African Americans as a creative lens to explore Black history, artistry and achievement,” the release stated.

Improv Playhouse Theater and Training Center in Libertyville, is proud to announce a new partnership with Kindermusik Northshore, bringing world-class early childhood music education to Improv Playhouse families beginning winter 2026.

PM&L Theatre will host auditions for “Mamma Mia!,” on Feb. 9 and 10, with callbacks on Feb. 11.

Polo Area Community Theatre is in rehearsals for Agatha Christie’s murder mystery “A Murder is Announced”.

A refresh is coming to Stage Left Cafe at the Woodstock Opera House, but some council members grumbled about having to spend hundreds of thousands of city dollars to get a state grant.

'Dear Evan Hansen' will be at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora Feb. 4-March 22.

The Performing Arts Guild will hold its annual meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at the Allure of Pinecrest Grove Community Center.

A team of film buffs at Lyons Township High School will have their work on display for all to see on Jan. 28 at the 9th annual Student Silent Film Festival at The Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove.

Timber Lake Playhouse has announced its highly anticipated 2026 season lineup, featuring a diverse slate of musicals and performances running from late May through mid-September.

The College of Lake County’s James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts will present “1619: The Journey of a People: A New Musical” on Jan. 23.

The show will be performed Jan. 23-25 and Jan. 30-Feb. 1.

Additional shows at the downtown Aurora theatre include "A Christmas Carol" and "Sunday in the Park with George."

The Performing Arts Guild recently announced the availability of a scholarship opportunity to students interested in studying the arts.

All are encouraged to audition, regardless of prior theatrical experience.

Stage 212 in La Salle will present “Little Women: The Broadway Musical” Feb. 6-8 and 13-15.

Polo Area Community Theatre is hosting a trivia night Jan. 24 at The Polo Room.

Auditions for the Mt. Morris Performing Arts Guild production will be Thursday, Jan. 29, and Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Allure of Pinecrest Grove Auditorium in Mt. Morris.

Ava Easter will perform the final show in Festival 56’s 2025-2026 Sound Stage series at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Grace Theater in Princeton.

The long-vacant TTC of Illinois building in the Shoppes at Meadowview complex is set for demolition.

Chicagoland comedian Des Mulrooney will perform at the Lincoln Arts Center in Rochelle on Friday, Jan. 16.