PrideArts has announced a four-show season for 2025-26, the first season in its new home of the Hoover-Leppen Theatre in Center on Halsted. It will begin with the musical A NEW BRAIN, by the late William Finn (FALSETTOS, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE) and James Lapine (INTO THE WOODS, PASSION, and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, all written with Stephen Sondheim). Finn, whose FALSETTOS is a landmark of LGBTQ-themed musical theater and LGBTQ-themed drama in general, passed away in April of this year. A NEW BRAIN, inspired by events in Finn’s life, follows a songwriter facing brain surgery. As he floats in and out of consciousness, he imagines the songs he has yet to write and daydreams about his boyfriend Roger, who is on his way to the hospital. The sung-through musical will be directed by PrideArts’ Artistic Director Jay Espano, with Music Direction by Robert Ollis. The score includes such songs as “I’d Rather Be Sailing,” “Heart and Music,” and “I Feel So Much Spring.” A NEW BRAIN will open to the press on Monday, August 25 at 7:30 pm following previews on August 22 and 24. It will play through September 14, 2025.
The bawdy, silly, and immensely entertaining adult pantos by Britain’s Tom Whalley have become a popular holiday season tradition at PrideArts, and the company will continue this tradition with its fourth Whalley panto – RAPORNZEL. Like its PrideArts predecessors JACK OFF THE BEANSTALK, SLEEPING WITH BEAUTY, and THROBBIN WOOD; RAPORNZEL will fracture a famous fairy tale with unimaginable R-rated puns, pop songs and audience participation, all adding up to an outrageously good time. RAPORNZEL will open to the press on Monday, November 24 at 7:30 pm following previews on November 21 and 23. It will play through December 14, 2025.
In February, Jay Espano will employ a new casting approach to the thought-provoking CONSTELLATIONS, by British playwright Nick Payne. CONSTELLATIONS, which premiered in London in 2012 and was presented on Broadway in 2015, explores the relationship between a physicist and a beekeeper through a series of fragmented, nonlinear scenes that reflect the concept of the multiverse—the idea that multiple versions of reality exist simultaneously. It presents different variations of their interactions, showing how small choices can lead to vastly different outcomes. Some versions of their relationship are filled with love and happiness, while others are marked by heartbreak and tragedy. While CONSTELLATIONS was originally written with its characters being a man and a woman, a London revival in 2021 performed it with a cast of two men alternating with a cast of a man and a woman. For this production, PrideArts will take this concept a step further, performing it with a female-female cast as well as with a male-male cast. The two casts will alternate performances. CONSTELLATIONS will open to the press on February 9, 2026, at 7:30 pm following previews on February 6 and 8, and will play through March 1, 2026.
The season will conclude with a new play developed through PrideArts’ Queery Playwrights Lab. From 33 scripts submitted for consideration earlier this year, six scripts with an LGBTQ focus were selected for further development in subsequent sessions with the Festival Director Taylor Pasche and Artistic Director Jay Españo. On June 20, 2025, scenes from the six scripts will be performed publicly, and with the audience’s help, one will be selected for a full production in April and May 2026. The selected play will open to the press on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 7:30 pm, following previews on April 17 and 19. It will play through May 10, 2026.
All 2025-26 season performances will be at Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, Chicago. Tickets are $35 for regular performances, $25 for previews. Seniors and students receive a $5 discount off all performance prices. Tickets and more information will be available shortly at www.pridearts.org. Season packages will be offered at a later date.
LISTING INFORMATION
A NEW BRAIN
Music and Lyrics by William Finn, Book by William Finn and James Lapine
Directed by Jay Españo
Music Direction by Robert Ollis
August 22 – September 14, 2025
Previews August 22 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, August 24 at 3:00 pm
Press Opening Monday, August 25, at 7:30 pm
Performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3:00 pm
Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, Chicago
Tickets $35 for regular performances, $25 for previews. Seniors and students receive a $5 discount off all performance prices. Tickets and more information at www.pridearts.org.
773-661-0770.
Gordon Schwinn is a talented yet frustrated composer who is working on a children’s TV show and is having a hard time composing a song for the show’s demanding star. His day gets much worse when he collapses into a plate of spaghetti during lunch with his friend Rhoda. He’s rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with a life-threatening brain condition. As Gordon moves in and out of consciousness, a series of dreams and flashbacks help him come to terms with his career and the state of his relationships with his partner, his boss, and his mother; and remind him of all the songs he has yet to write. This life-affirming musical by William Finn and James Lapine (FALSETTOS) includes such great songs as “I’d Rather Be Sailing,” “Heart and Music,” “I Feel So Much Spring.”
RAPORNZEL
By Tom Whalley
US PREMIERE
Director to be announced
November 21–December 14, 2025
Recommended for adults 18+
Previews Friday, November 21 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 23 at 3:00 pm
Press Opening Monday, November 24 at 7:30 pm
Regular run November 24–December 14, 2025. No shows November 27 or 28
Curtain times Thursdays–Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3 pm
Hoover-Leppen Theatre in Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, Chicago 60613
Tickets $35 for regular performances, $25 for previews. Seniors and students receive a $5 discount off all performance prices. Tickets and more information at www.pridearts.org.
773-661-0770
An adult pantomime by Tom Whalley, author of last season’s SLEEPING WITH BEAUTY. Many years ago, the King and Queen of a far off kingdom were blessed with a baby girl with long, magical, downstairs hair. One day the jealous witch Mother F**ker kidnapped the child and locked her in a tower, selfishly squandering her merkin magic for herself. With the help of local hairdresser Dame Fanny Pigtail, her thick as s**t son Pascal, the dashing Prince Ride-her and the Hairy Fairy, will Rapunzel ever come out? Recommended for ages 18+
CONSTELLATIONS
By Nick Payne
Directed by Jay Españo
February 6 – March 1, 2026
Previews Friday, February 6 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, February 8 at 3 pm
Press Opening Monday, February 9, 2026, at 7:30 pm
Regular run February 9-March 1, 2026
Curtain times Thursdays–Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3 pm,
Hoover-Leppen Theatre in Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, Chicago 60613
Tickets $35 for regular performances, $25 for previews. Seniors and students receive a $5 discount off all performance prices. Tickets and more information at www.pridearts.org.
773-661-0770
This spellbinding, romantic journey begins with a simple encounter between two people. But what happens next defies the boundaries of the world we think we know—delving into the infinite possibilities of their relationship and raising questions about the difference between choice and destiny. Performed by alternating casts of two men and two women.
QUEERY NEW WORKS FESTIVAL WINNER
(Title and author to be named June 20, 2025)
Directed by Taylor Pasche
April 17 – May 10, 2026
Previews Friday, April 17 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, April 19 at 3 pm
Press Opening Monday, April 20, 2026, at 7:30 pm
Regular run April 20 – May 10, 2026
Curtain times Thursdays–Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3 pm,
Hoover-Leppen Theatre in Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, Chicago 60613
Tickets $35 for regular performances, $25 for previews. Seniors and students receive a $5 discount off all performance prices. Tickets and more information at www.pridearts.org.
773-661-0770
Fully staged production of the winner of PrideArts QUEERY Playwrights Winning play to be announced on June 20, 2025.
DIRECTOR BIOS
Jay Españo (PrideArts Artistic Director, Director A NEW BRAIN and CONSTELLATIONS ). Born in Manila, The Philippines, he joined the prestigious Tanghalang Pilipino’s Actors Company in 1998, where he trained with acclaimed Filipino director Nonon Padilla. He acted in several commercials, television series and films. Notably, he was a regular cast member of Koko KwikKwak - a spin-off of Batibot (Philippine SESAME STREET). He toured The Philippines with that show’s mascots, performing for kids throughout the country. In 2000, Jay was one of many Filipino actors who were cast in the Action Theater Singapore’s hit musical CHANG AND ENG, which toured Asia for several years.
Since moving to the Chicago area, Jay has worked with storefront theater companies such as Silk Road Rising, Prologue, Ghostlight, Halcyon, and PrideArts, where he has directed [TITLE OF SHOW], GIRLFRIEND, GAY CARD, TOMMY ON TOP and the THINGS I NEVER COULD TELL STEVEN. At City Lit Theater, he directed the world premiere musical AZTEC HUMAN SACRIFICE. He has played the role of the King in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I with various theater companies in the US and in Canada.
Robert Ollis (Music Director, A NEW BRAIN) served as Music Director for PrideArts’ productions of [TITLE OF SHOW], GAY CARD, GIRLFRIEND, THE THINGS I COULD NEVER TELL STEVEN, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, SOUTHERN COMFORT, YANK!: A WWII LOVE STORY, THE NANCE, PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT, THE BOY FROM OZ, SONGS FROM AN UNMADE BED, A HISTORY OF SUMMER, THE BOOK OF MERMAN, and UNDER A RAINBOW FLAG. He served as Music Director for Underscore Theatre’s musical HAYMARKET: A NEW FOLK MUSICAL. Robert received a Jeff Award for musical direction of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, in addition to his nominations for seven other shows. At the Palm Canyon Theatre in Palm Springs, CA, Robert has music directed THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA and VICTOR, VICTORIA. Robert is the music director and co-creator of JUDY AND LIZA: THE LONDON PALLADIUM CONCERT — A TRIBUTE and accompanies other notable cabaret performers in New York City, Palm Springs, CA, and Chicago venues.
Taylor Pasche (she/her, director QUEERY New Works Festival Winner) is a Chicago-based Director and Dramaturg experienced in new works, musical theatre, and mental health coordination. She is a graduate of Texas State University's Performance and Production Department with a degree specializing in Directing. Taylor pulls from her experience as a queer, neurodivergent, female artist, and always looks to challenge preconceived stigmas and beliefs. Recent credits include THROBBIN WOOD, [TITLE OF SHOW] (PrideArts), DIE HARD 4 YOUR LUV (The Factory Theater), A CHRISTMAS STORY (JPAC), as well as collaborations with Fat Theatre Project, Rhinofest, and Red Theatre.
WRITER BIOS
William Finn (Composer, Lyricist, Co-Bookwriter A NEW BRAIN). Finn, who passed away on April 27, 2025, is known for being an autobiographical writer. His works center around the LGBTQ+ and Jewish experience in modern day America and he often used his own experiences for artistic inspiration. Finn is most known for his trilogy of short musicals, IN TROUSERS, MARCH OF THE FALSETTOS and FALSETTOLAND. Finn combined the latter two shows to create FALSETTOS (1992), which received the 1992 Tony Awards for Best Music and Lyrics and for Best Book of a Musical. His next major success came with A NEW BRAIN (1998), which is loosely based on his own near-death experience following brain surgery. Other notable works include THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (2005) and ELEGIES: A SONG CYCLE (2003). Finn was a member of the NYU Tisch Graduate Program in Musical Theatre Writing faculty and was the co-founder and artistic producer of the Musical Theatre Lab at the Barrington Stage Company.
James Lapine (Co-Bookwriter A NEW BRAIN). James Lapine wrote the book for and directed Stephen Sondheim’s SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE; INTO THE WOODS; PASSION; and the multi-media revue SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM. He also directed MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG as part of Encores at New York City Center. With William Finn he collaborated on MARCH OF THE FALSETTOS and FALSETTOLAND, later presented on Broadway as FALSETTOS; A NEW BRAIN; MUSCLE; and LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. He has also directed on Broadway David Henry Hwang’s GOLDEN CHILD; THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK; Michel Legrand’s AMOUR; THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE; the 2012 revival of ANNIE, and his stage adaptation of the famous Moss Hart autobiography ACT ONE, which premiered at Lincoln Center Theater on the Beaumont stage.
Tom Whalley (Author, RAPORNZEL) is the author of nearly 20 “pantomimes” in the British tradition. The majority of the scripts are contemporary takes on traditional fairy tales, but suitable for general audiences, while others, like JACK OFF THE BEANSTALK, SLEEPING WITH BEAUTY, and A-LAD-IN, are strictly for adult audiences.
Nick Payne (Playwright, CONSTELLATIONS). Nick Payne’s plays include IF THERE IS I HAVEN’T FOUND IT YET (Bush Theatre and Roundabout Theatre Company, New York), WANDERLUST (Royal Court Theatre), Sophocles' ELECTRA (Gate Theatre), ONE DAY WHEN WE WERE YOUNG (Paines Plough/Sheffield Theatres and Shoreditch Town Hall), LAY DOWN YOUR CROSS (Hampstead Theatre), CONSTELLATIONS (Royal Court Theatre and Duke of York’s), and THE SAME DEEP WATER AS ME (Donmar Warehouse). He is the recipient of the 2009 George Devine Award for Most Promising Playwright, 2012 Harold Pinter Playwright’s Award, and the 2012 London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Play for CONSTELLATIONS.
ABOUT PRIDEARTS
PrideArts tells queer stories on a variety of platforms, including both live and virtual performances. Since its founding in 2010, PrideArts has had several chapters, including operating as an itinerant theater for their first six seasons, the developer and primary tenant in the Pride Arts Center from 2016 to 2024, and its current residency in the Hoover-Leppen Theatre in Center on Halsted.
The company produces full seasons of plays and musicals, as well as events including cabaret, and more. The company has earned 50 Jeff Awards and nominations, and six nominations in the 2019 ALTA Awards from the Alliance of Latinx Theater Artists of Chicago. Programming has reflected the diversity of queer communities by including work made by and illuminating the experiences of women, gay men, transgender people, and BIPOC.
PrideArts is supported by Illinois Arts Council, a State Agency; City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Alphawood Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Arts Work Fund, Driehaus Foundation, The Saints.
PrideArts is a member of Northalsted Merchants Association, League of Chicago Theaters, Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, Lakeview East Merchants Association.
For more information and to donate, visit www.pridearts.org or call 773-661-0770.