Our family has so many wonderful memories of going to see live theater performances together through the years. There’s nothing quite like sharing the arts with your kids! We’ve rounded up all the amazing, family-friendly productions throughout Chicagoland this spring and summer, including a handful of virtual events. Our comprehensive list is divided up by adult ensembles as well as all-kids casts, which can be so inspiring for kids to see.
This guide is sponsored by Salt Creek Ballet, who is performing Alice in Wonderland on May 14 with a fun Mad Hatter Tea Party included for all ticket buyers.
Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland
May 14, 2022 | 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm
McAninch Arts Center
425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 942-4000
Take a magical leap down the rabbit hole with Salt Creek Ballet’s “Alice in Wonderland” at the McAnnich Arts Center in Glen Ellyn on May 14, 2022!
Filled with tea parties, colorful characters and superb dancing, this fantastically conceived dance performance is a perennial audience favorite – perfect for young and old alike. Each ticket includes access to a kids’ Mad Hatter Tea Party taking place from 3:30-4:30 p.m. (between the 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. shows).
With a total performance time of 1 hour and 30 minutes (which includes a 20 minute intermission), it is the perfect opportunity to introduce young children to the beauty of ballet.
Tickets for Alice and Wonderland (which includes the kids’ Mad Hatter Tea Party), can be purchased by phone or online at 630-942-4000 or www.atthemac.org. For more information, visit the Salt Creek Ballet website at www.saltcreekballet.org.
Chicagoland Theater for Kids: Spring/Summer 2022
Productions with a Cast of Adult Performers
Please see the venue’s website for current COVID protocols. Note that some events require proof of vaccination, while others do not.
The Relocation of Nokwsi
Running now through November 11, 2022
Chicago Children’s Theatre
A virtual puppet production best suited for ages 8+.
Spongebob The Musical
February 28 – March 6, 2022
Greenhouse Theater Center
2257 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
See the theater’s COVID policy.
Rapunzel
March 3 – May 6, 2022
Chicago Kids Company
Beverly Arts Center
2407 W. 111th St.
Chicago, IL 60655
See the theater’s COVID policies.
Trolls Live
March 12 – 13, 2022
NOW Arena
5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy.
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
See the performance’s COVID policies.
The Ugly Duckling
March 23 – May 6, 2022
Chicago Kids Company
Stahl Family Theater
5900 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL 60634
See the theater’s COVID policies.
The King and I
April 1 – May 22, 2022
Drury Lane Theatre
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
See the theater’s COVID policy.
Wow in the World
April 3, 2022
Chicago Theatre
175 N State St.
Chicago, IL 60601
See the theater’s COVID policy.
L.O.L. Surprise Live
April 3, 2022
Rosemont Theater
5400 N. River Rd.
Rosemont, IL 60018
See the theater’s COVID policy.
The Sound of Music
April 13 – June 5, 2022
Marriott Theater
Ten Marriott Drive
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
See the theater’s COVID policy.
Circus Vazquez
April 22 – May 9, 2022 at Woodfield Mall
May 13 – June 6, 2022 at North Riverside Mall
Jume 10-20, 2022 at Westfield Old Orchard
Tall Enough
April 23 – May 21, 2022
The Merle Reskin Theatre
60 E. Balbo Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
Carmela Full of Wishes
April 23 – May 22, 2022
Chicago Children’s Theatre
100 S. Racine
Chicago, IL 60607
Recommended for all ages. See the theater’s COVID policy.
Rapunzel
May 11 – August 6, 2022
Chicago Kids Company
Stahl Family Theater
5900 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL 60634
See the theater’s COVID policy.
The Ugly Duckling
May 12 – August 5, 2022
Chicago Kids Company
Beverly Arts Center
2407 W. 111th St.
Chicago, IL 60655
See the theater’s COVID policy.
Fiddler on the Roof
May 17 – 21, 2022
Cadillac Palace Theatre
151 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60601
Recommended for ages 5+.
See Broadway in Chicago’s COVID policy.
“The Dreamer” by the School of Ballet 5:8
May 28 – 29, 2022
Lincoln-Way West High School
21701 Gougar Road
New Lenox, IL 60451
The Wizard of Oz
June 14 – 17, 2022 | 10:30 am
Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg
June 23 – 24, 2022 | 10:00 am
Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove
June 29 – 30, 2022 | 10:30 am
Dorothy Menker Theatre in Palos Hills
July 12 – 14, 2022 | 10:30 am
Jedlicka Performing Arts Center in Cicero
Cirque Italia Water Circus
June 23 – July 4, 2022
Chicago Premium Outlets Parking Lot
1650 Premium Outlet Blvd
Aurora, IL 60502
Circus with an animal-free policy.
My Fair Lady
June 28 – July 10, 2022
Cadillac Palace Theatre
151 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60601
Recommended for ages 8+.
See Broadway in Chicago’s COVID policy.
The Wizard of Oz
July 8 – August 7, 2022
Marriott Theatre
10 Marriott Drive
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Firefly Family Theatre
Based out of Glen Ellyn, this theater offers live performance bookings and virtual shows for community venues.
Productions with a Cast of Child/Teen Performers
The Descendants: The Musical
February 26 – March 6, 2022
Bright Side Theatre
North Central College
31 S. Ellsworth
Naperville, IL 60567
Chicago, Teen Edition
March 3 – 6, 2022
Riverside Brookfield High School
160 Ridgewood Rd.
Riverside, IL 60546
Recommended for teens and older.
The Little Mermaid, Jr.
March 17 – 19, 2022
BAM Theatre
Performance Location TBA
Hinsdale, IL 60521
Stuart Little
April 14 – 16, 2022
Metropolis Performing Arts Center
111 W Campbell St.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Honk
April 22 – 24 and April 29 – May 1, 2022
Children’s Theatre of Western Springs
4384 Hampton Ave.
Western Springs, IL 60558
Frozen Kids
May 12 – 14, 2022
Music Makers Theatre
Lyons Township Performing Arts Center
4900 S. Willow Springs Rd.
Western Springs, IL 60558
Wizard of Oz
May 12 – 14, 2022
Music Makers Theatre
Lyons Township Performing Arts Center
4900 S. Willow Springs Rd.
Western Springs, IL 60558
The Addams Family
May 13 – 15, 2022
Footlight Players of LaGrange Park
Park Junior High School
325 N. Park Rd.
La Grange Park, IL 60526
Frozen Kids
May 20 – 22, 2022 (exact dates TBA)
Ghostlight Educational Theatre Collective
Lyons Township South Campus
4900 S. Willow Springs Rd.
Western Springs, IL 60558
Legally Blonde, Jr.
May 20 – 22, 2022 (exact dates TBA)
Ghostlight Educational Theatre Collective
Lyons Township South Campus
4900 S. Willow Springs Rd.
Western Springs, IL 60558
The Descendants: The Musical
June 2 – 5, 2022
Stage Door Fine Arts Theatre
The Community House
415 W. Eighth St.
Hinsdale, IL 60521
For all kinds of awesome events, be sure to visit our Events Calendar frequently! And, for more inspiration, check out our Indoor Activities page.
