Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) celebrates Shakespeare’s Birthday in April with a must-see month of theater, breaking records for the Tony Award-winning company with 66 performances in a single month. All three of CST’s venues—the Jentes Family Courtyard Theater, The Yard, and the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Upstairs Studio—will be active with productions running simultaneously for the first time since 2018, and for only the second time in the Theater’s history. Shakespeare’s raucous comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor, the world premiere play Fault, and Indian Ink Theatre’s Mrs. Krishnan’s Party will jointly run April 18–26 with a whopping 31 performances in 9 days, culminating with Shakespeare’s 462nd birthday on April 23. A total of 37 actors, 32 creatives, 7 stage managers, 144 crew members and technicians, and a slew of CST staff will bring these performances to life onstage, welcoming an estimated 30,000 audience members throughout April.
“These three productions express Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s bold vision for what an American Shakespeare company could be: entertaining and engaging tellings of Shakespeare's stories alongside exciting contemporary work, mixed in with some of the best theatrical events from around the world,” shared Artistic Director Edward Hall.
Executive Director Kimberly Motes added, “Undertaking a month of performances at this scale and scope is an audacious opportunity to experience live theatrical experiences made possible by the dedication and commitment of our artists, theater staff, board of directors, supporters, and audience members. We invite folks to come to these comedic, joyous shows to laugh and gather.”
In addition to the three concurrent productions, CST will host multiple lifelong learning and education events in April including the four-part Demystifying Shakespeare course led by Artistic Director Edward Hall in partnership with the Newberry Library, the annual Chicago Shakespeare SLAM program for Chicagoland high school students, and several PreAmble talks and post-show discussions.
Audiences can save 25% on tickets by booking a special 3-Play subscription package to see all three April productions. Subscribers also receive exclusive benefits such as free exchanges, 15% off drinks and snacks at CST lobby bars, invitations to behind-the-scenes events, and more. Details at chicagoshakes.com/subscribe.
CST’s line-up for April 2026 features:
The Merry Wives of Windsor
By William Shakespeare | Directed by Phillip Breen
April 2–May 3, 2026 | The Jentes Family Courtyard Theater
The secret lives of Windsor wives reveal there is much more to this charming, middle-class English hamlet than meets the eye. Besties Mistress Page and Mistress Ford find themselves the romantic targets of the lewd-but-lovable rogue John Falstaff. In a welcome escape from the drudgery of their day-to-day, they band together to have the last laugh—and get the entire town in on the revelry. Jealous husbands, deceptions and disguises, and salacious misadventures uncover more than just dirty laundry in Shakespeare’s most raucous comedy. Acclaimed director Phillip Breen brings together an ensemble cast stacked with some of Chicago’s most talented actors to create an endlessly entertaining new take on the play.
Indian Ink Theatre’s Mrs. Krishnan’s Party
Written by Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis | Directed by Justin Lewis
April 7–26, 2026 | Carl and Marilynn Thoma Upstairs Studio
Step into the back room of Mrs. Krishnan’s corner shop where garlands decorate the ceiling, music flows, and Mrs. Krishnan is throwing a party like no other. Food simmers on the stove, laughter abounds, and strangers become friends in this celebration of life. The actors juggle cooking, music, and guests in an unfolding drama where no two nights are the same. This joyfully immersive production marks the Chicago debut of New Zealand’s acclaimed Indian Ink Theatre Company, which for more than two decades has mined the collision of East and West to create spirited, artful storytelling.
Fault
By Scooter Pietsch | Directed by Jason Alexander
April 18–May 24, 2026 | The Yard
Film and television star Enrico Colantoni (English Teacher, Galaxy Quest, Veronica Mars) and Golden Globe winner Teri Hatcher (ABC’s Desperate Housewives) star in a wickedly dark new comedy. All’s fair in love and marital warfare as Lucy and Jerry Green go head-to-head after 30 years of marriage in a late-night tangle of lies, ambition, and betrayal. This world premiere theatrical event is directed by Emmy and Tony Award winner Jason Alexander in his return to CST after 2024’s smash-hit Judgment Day. Full of blistering humor and searing revelations, Fault makes the case that being honest with ourselves might just be the trickiest game we play in life and love… but whose fault is that anyways?
Single tickets (starting at $51, all fees included) for all productions are on sale now. More information at chicagoshakes.com or on social media at @chicagoshakes.
CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER (CST)
CST is a leading international theater company and the nation’s largest year-round theater dedicated to the works of Shakespeare. Under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Director Kimberly Motes, the Regional Tony Award recipient is committed to creating vivid, entertaining theatrical experiences that invigorate and engage people of all ages and identities by illuminating the complexity, ambiguity, and wonder of our world. Each year, nearly a quarter of a million people experience CST’s artistry through more than 12 productions. With Shakespeare at the heart of the artistic work, CST also produces compelling, contemporary stories from fresh voices of today. CST brings the world to Chicago and sends Chicago out into the world as Chicago’s foremost presenter of international theater, and consistent producer of North American and world premieres. Serving more students and teachers than any theater in the city, CST annually welcomes more than 20,000 students to performances and programs like Chicago Shakespeare SLAM, alongside professional development opportunities for teachers. CST activates its campus with three venues: 700-seat The Yard; the 500-seat Jentes Family Courtyard Theater; and the 200-seat Carl and Marilynn Thoma Upstairs Studio. Free programs like Shakes in the City bring performances to parks and community spaces across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. Shared humanity and unforgettable stories—now THIS is Chicago Shakespeare. www.chicagoshakes.com