Best Broadway Musicals Playing in Chicago

Back to the Future, based on the movie of the same name, comes to Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre. When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself… back to the future. When Back to the Future hits 88mph, it’ll change musical theatre history forever. Come for the flying car, stay for the great performances and music!

Back to the Future plays at the Cadillac Palace Theatre from August 13 to September 1, 2024.

Alice by Heart plays at the Chopin Theatre. From the Tony and Grammy Award-winning creators of Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress), Alice by Heart is a touching musical inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer's budding teen life is turned upside down as she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland. As they travel through the tale, Alice by Heart explores the poignancy of first love, coming to terms with loss and finding the courage to move forward. This Chicago premiere encourages us all to celebrate the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times.

Alice By Heart plays at the Drury Lane Theatre from July 18 to September 29, 2024.

1776 plays at the Marriott Theater in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Summer, 1776 - The nation is ready to declare independence...if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! Witness the birth of the nation as the likes of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson struggle, through courage and conviction, to craft the Declaration of Independence. 1776 puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the people behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain, charming, and often petty, determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation. Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Musical, this funny, the seminal events in American history blazes to vivid life in this funny, insightful and compelling drama.

1776 plays at the Marriott Theater in Lincolnshire, Illinois from August 21 to October 13, 2024.

The Book of Mormon plays at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. The New York Times calls it “the best musical of this century.” The Washington Post says, “It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals.” And Entertainment Weekly says, “Grade A: the funniest musical of all time.” Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show calls it “Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal.” This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. With standing room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, The Book of Mormon has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language.

The Book of Mormon plays at the Cadillac Palace Theatre from September 10 to September 15, 2024

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations plays at the CIBC Theatre. Nominated for 12 Tony® Awards and the winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, Ain’t Too Proud tells the thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal, as the group’s personal and political conflicts threatened to tear them apart during a decade of civil unrest in America. Written by three-time Obie Award winner Dominique Morisseau, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys), and featuring the Tony-winning choreography of Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, On Your Feet!), the unforgettable story of this legendary quintet is set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and so many more.

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations plays at the CIBC Theatre from September 24 to September 29, 2024.

Some Like It Hot plays at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, Some Like It Hot is the “glorious, big, high-kicking” (Associated Press) story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime. And what a trip it is! With its irresistible combination of heart and laughs, song and dance, Some Like It Hot won more theater awards than any show this season, and was named Best Musical by the Drama Desk, The Drama League, and the Outer Critics Circle. No wonder Deadline calls it “a tap-dancing, razzle-dazzling embrace of everything you love about musical theater.”

Some Like It Hot plays at the Cadillac Palace Theatre from October 22 to November 3, 2024.

A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical plays at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” and “Sweet Caroline,” an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond’s story was made to shine on Broadway-and head out on the road across America.

A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical plays at the Cadillac Palace Theatre from November 12 to November 24, 2024.

Mean Girls plays at the Auditorium Theatre. Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. Soon, this naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung. NewYork Magazine cheers, “Mean Girls delivers with immense energy, a wicked sense of humor and joyful inside-jokery.” USA Today says, “We’ll let you in on a little secret, because we’re such good friends: GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!”

Mean Girls plays at the Auditorium Theatre from November 26 to December 1, 2024.

& Juliet plays at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Created by the Emmy®-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way. Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including “Since U Been Gone‚” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life‚” “That’s The Way It Is,“ and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”—all from the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.

& Juliet plays at the Cadillac Palace Theatre from December 3 to December 15, 2024.

Les Misérables plays at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, Les Misérables makes a triumphant return to Chicago. This brilliant staging has taken the world by storm and has been hailed as “a reborn dream of a production” (Daily Telegraph). Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More” and many more.

Les Misérables plays at the Cadillac Palace Theatre from December 17, 2024 to January 5, 2025.

Shucked plays at the CIBC Theatre. Shucked is the Tony Award®–winning musical comedy The Wall Street Journal calls “flat out hilarious!” And nobody knows funny like economists. Featuring a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn (Tootsie), a score by the Grammy® Award–winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally (Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow”), and directed by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy your appetite for great musical theater. Shucked is about an unlikely hero, a lovable con man, and an a-maize-ing battle for the heart & soil of Cob County.

Shucked plays at the CIBC Theatre from January 7 to January 19, 2025.

Come From Away plays at the CIBC Theatre. This New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. Don’t miss this breathtaking musical written by Tony® nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, directed by Tony-winning Best Director, Christopher Ashley and musical staging by Tony-nominee Kelly Devine. The tour is directed by Daniel Goldstein with musical staging by Richard J. Hinds, based on the original Broadway direction and choreography.

Come From Away plays at the CIBC Theatre from January 21 to January 26, 2025.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical! plays at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Pop the champagne, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is the winner of 10 Tony Awards® — including Best Musical! Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world where bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical! Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award® winner Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a theatrical celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and — above all — Love. With a book by Tony Award® winner John Logan; music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Tony Award® winner Justin Levine; and choreography by Tony Award® winner Sonya Tayeh, Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical — it is a state of mind.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical! plays at the Cadillac Palace Theatre from April 2 to April 20, 2025.

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas plays at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Illinois. One of America’s most cherished silver screen classics comes to the stage in this holiday favorite, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas! Packed with dazzling hits like “Blue Skies,” “Count Your Blessings,” “I Love a Piano” and the title song “White Christmas,” your entire family will celebrate this magical time of year with this uplifting classic.

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas plays at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Illinois from October 30 to December 29, 2024.

The Little Mermaid plays at the Drury Lane Theatre. Dive beneath the waves with Ariel, a young mermaid with a captivating voice and an insatiable curiosity, as she defies her father and makes a daring deal for the chance to live her dreams on land. With enchanting songs like “Under the Sea,” “Part of Your World,” and “Kiss the Girl,” The Little Mermaid is a heartwarming tale of love, sacrifice, and discovering your true self that will delight audiences of all ages.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid plays at the Drury Lane Theatre from November 6, 2024 to January 12, 2025.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella plays at the Marriott Theatre’s Children’s Theatre. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella celebrates the timeless enchantment of this magical fairy tale. Follow the classic story of Cinderella and her quest to attend the Prince’s Ball with a twist of originality, charm and elegance. Transport a new generation to the miraculous kingdom of dreams-come-true. With great warmth and more than a touch of hilarity, this enthralling fairy tale still warms the hearts of children and adults alike. Great for kids!

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella plays at the Marriott Theatre’s Children’s Theatre from November 15, 2024 to January 5, 2025.