Your Ultimate Guide to Chicagoland Children’s Theater and Live Performances 2023

There’s nothing quite like live theater for kids, especially enjoyed with the whole family. It’s a beautiful way to experience music and stories together! We’re lucky to have a plethora of local performances both in the city and the suburbs that are tailored just for kids. From professional children’s theater with adult performers to plays for kids with children actors, we have a fantastic line-up of productions for you to check out with your family in the year ahead. And, as the season goes on, be sure to refer back to this list for updates as theaters continue to announce their plans!

2023 Children’s Theater and Live Performances in Chicagoland

Professional Performances with Adult Performers

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Now – February 26, 2023
Greenhouse Theater Center
2257 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614

The Three Little Pigs
Now – March 10, 2023
Chicago Kids Company
Beverly Arts Center
2407 W. 111th St.
Chicago, IL 60655

The Tortoise and The Hare
Now – March 10, 2023
Chicago Kids Company
Mayfair Theatre
4626 N. Knox Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630

Into the Woods
Now – March 19, 2023
Paramount Theatre
23 East Galena Blvd.
Aurora, IL 60506

Charlotte’s Web
Now – April 7, 2023
Alphabet Soup Productions
Shows at various times and locations throughout Chicagoland including: Cicero, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, Naperville, Palos Hills, Romeoville and Schaumburg. Check their website for the current schedule.

Frindle
February 14 – 24, 2023
Metropolis Performing Arts Center
111 W Campbell St.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
February 17 – April 1, 2023
Marriott Theater
Ten Marriott Drive
Lincolnshire, IL 60069

Cats
February 21 – 26, 2023
Broadway in Chicago
James M. Nederlander Theatre
24 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60603

Shrek the Musical
February 23 – March 25, 2023
Drury Lane Theatre
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Northbrook Symphony Orchestra presents: Winter Concert
February 26, 2023 | 4:00pm
Sheely Center for the Performing Arts
2300 Shermer Road
Northbrook, IL 60062

Annie
March 7 – 19, 2023
Broadway in Chicago
Cadillac Palace Theatre
151 W Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601

The Three Little Pigs
March 13 – 17, 2023
Metropolis Performing Arts Center
111 W Campbell St.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

The Tortoise and The Hare
March 15 – May 5, 2023
Chicago Kids Company
Beverly Arts Center
2407 W. 111th St.
Chicago, IL 60655

The Three Little Pigs
March 24, 2023 – May 11, 2023
Chicago Kids Company
Mayfair Theatre
4626 N. Knox Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630

PAW Patrol Live! – “Heroes Unite”
March 25 – 26, 2023
Chicago Theatre
175 N State St.
Chicago, IL 60601

Fairytales on Ice
April 2, 2023
TheatreWorks USA
Pfeiffer Hall
310 E. Benton
Naperville, IL 60540

Madagascar Live
April 12, 2023
Rosemont Theater
5400 N. River Rd.
Rosemont, IL 60018

School of Rock
April 12 – May 28, 2023
Paramount Theatre
23 East Galena Blvd.
Aurora, IL 60506
*Recommended for older kids.

Grease
April 12 – June 4, 2023
Drury Lane Theatre
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
*Recommended for older kids

A Wrinkle in Time
April 13 – May 20, 2023
The Merle Reskin Theatre
60 E. Balbo Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
*Recommended for older kids

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show
April 15 – June 4, 2023
Chicago Children’s Theatre
100 S. Racine
Chicago, IL 60607

Peter Pan
April 19 – July 8, 2023
Alphabet Soup Productions
Shows at various times and locations throughout Chicagoland including: Cicero, Downers Grove, Naperville, Palos Hills, Romeoville and Schaumburg. Check their website for the current schedule.

Into the Woods
April 25 – May 7, 2023
Broadway in Chicago
James M. Nederlander Theatre
24 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60603

Dory Fantasmagory at Young People’s Theatre of Chicago
May 6 – 28, 2023
The Greenhouse Theater Center (Chicago)
2257 N Lincoln Ave 
Chicago, IL 60614

Pinocchio
May 10 – August 4, 2023
Chicago Kids Company
Beverly Arts Center
2407 W. 111th St.
Chicago, IL 60655

Disney’s Aladdin
May 17 – 28, 2023
Broadway in Chicago
Cadillac Palace Theatre
151 W Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601

The Wayward Daughter
May 20 – 21, 2023
The School of Ballet 5:8
Lincoln-Way West High School
21701 Gougar Road
New Lenox, IL 60451

Little Red Riding Hood
May 24 – August 4, 2023
Chicago Kids Company
Mayfair Theatre
4626 N. Knox Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630

Corteo – Cirque du Soleil
June 1 – 4, 2023
NOW Arena
5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy.
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192

Dino Ranch Live
June 3, 2023
Chicago Theatre
175 N State St.
Chicago, IL 60601

Blippi the Wonderful World Tour
June 10, 2023
Rosemont Theater
5400 N. River Rd.
Rosemont, IL 60018

Singin’ in the Rain
July 7 – 29, 2023
Overshadowed Theatrical Productions
900 Foster Avenue
Medinah, IL 60157

Elephant and Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”
July 14 – August 13, 2023
Marriott Theater
Ten Marriott Drive
Lincolnshire, IL 60069

MJ the Musical
August 1 – September 2, 2023
Broadway in Chicago
James M. Nederlander Theatre
24 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60603
*Recommended for older kids

The Conductors
August 24 – September 3, 2023
Kerfuffle
Performances at various parks throughout Chicago. Check their website for the current schedule.

Cinderella
November 8, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Drury Lane Theatre
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
November 8, 2023 – January 14, 2024
Paramount Theatre
23 East Galena Blvd.
Aurora, IL 60506
*Recommended for older kids.

The Snow Queen
November 17 – December 31, 2023
Marriott Theater
Ten Marriott Drive
Lincolnshire, IL 60069

Firefly Family Theatre
Firefly Family Theater, located in Glen Ellyn, performs in-person and pre-recorded shows. Right now they are offering various shows at libraries across the suburbs. Check their website for the current schedule.

Plays for Kids with Casts of Child/Teen Performers

These junior productions are perfect for younger kids because they are usually shorter, more casual, and less expensive. Children’s theater filled with young actors can also inspire your kids to join a cast and meet kids with similar interests too!

Fiddler on the Roof
February 16 – 18, 2023
Lyons Township High School
North Campus – Reber Center
100 S. Brainard
LaGrange, IL 60525

Sister Act, Jr
February 18 – 26, 2023
Bright Side Theatre
North Central College
31 S. Ellsworth
Naperville, IL 60567

Grease
March 2 – 5, 2023
Riverside Brookfield High School
160 Ridgewood Rd.
Riverside, IL 60546

Into the Woods Jr & Matilda Jr (Double Feature)
March 3 – 4, 2023
BAM Theatre
Avenue Christian Church
5750 Holmes Ave.
Clarendon Hills, IL 60514

Shrek Jr.
March 16 – 18, 2023
BAM Theatre
Avenue Christian Church
5750 Holmes Ave.
Clarendon Hills, IL 60514

Junie B. Jones presented by St. Viator High School
April 11 & April 13, 2023
Kohl Children’s Museum
2100 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview, IL 60026

HITS! The Musical
April 14, 2023
Harris Theater
205 E. Randolph
Chicago, IL, 60601

Matilda, Jr.
April 14 – 22, 2023
Ovation Academy
Madison Street Theatre
1010 Madison St.
Oak Park, IL 60302

Seussical Jr
April 14 – 23, 2023
Children’s Theatre of Western Springs
4384 Hampton Ave.
Western Springs, IL 60558

Legally Blonde, Jr.
April 15 – 16, 2023
Footlight Players of LaGrange Park
Park Junior High School
325 N. Park Rd.
La Grange Park, IL 60526

Junie B’s Essential Guide to School
April 22, 2023
TheatreWorks USA
Pfeiffer Hall
310 E. Benton
Naperville, IL 60540

High School Musical
May 12 – 13, 2023
Music Makers Theatre
Lyons Township Performing Arts Center
4900 S. Willow Springs Rd.
Western Springs, IL 60558

Addams Family, Jr.
May 19 – 21, 2022
Ghostlight Educational Theatre Collective
923 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515

High School Musical, Jr.
May 19 – 21, 2022
Ghostlight Educational Theatre Collective
923 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515

Frozen
June 2 – 11, 2023
Stage Door Fine Arts Theatre
The Community House
415 W. Eighth St.
Hinsdale, IL 60521

Mean Girls
June 15 – 18, 2023
Stage Door Fine Arts Theatre
The Community House
415 W. Eighth St.
Hinsdale, IL 60521

The Lightning Thief
July 27 – 30, 2023
Stage Door Fine Arts Theatre
The Community House
415 W. Eighth St.
Hinsdale, IL 60521

Many times after taking in the beauty of a live performance, kids are inspired to learn the craft themselves! If that’s the case in your family, we have the perfect listing of kids theater and drama classes for you. And, don’t miss our Events Calendar filled with great options for making the best, fun-filled family memories!