Home

Displaying items by tag: choir of man

Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name. Sometimes you want to be surrounded by people to experience the intimacy of being in public. Lately the types of places where someone could venture to for either experience are dwindling in numbers. It's the loss of third places, a place that is neither your home nor your workplace, but a location to go and experience community. Covid has changed many things but one endearing and lasting desire is for a third place to go for a friendly chat, a drink, or simply to be with people and listen to an incredible soundtrack with original and unique renditions of your favorite songs. There is no better show in Chicago that captures the beauty of the humanities and the need to preserve third spaces more than The Choir of Man, now playing at the Apollo Theatre.

Choir of Man

Welcome to The Jungle, we've got fun and heart! The Choir of Man is an uplifting celebration of community and friendship where everyone is welcome. Set in the best pub in the world, a cast of nine (extra)ordinary guys combine hair raising harmonies, foot stomping singalongs, world class tap dance, and poetic meditations on the power of community. Featuring pop, classic rock, folk melodies, and pub anthems from artists such as Adele, Paul Simon, Katy Perry, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Luther Vandross and more, The Choir of Man is 90 minutes of feel good entertainment that has something for everyone and is unlike anything else in Chicago.

If Pitch Perfect, Coyote Ugly, and School of Rock had a baby, it still wouldn’t be as fun,genuine, or entertaining as The Choir of Man; it’s a party, it’s a concert, it’s an immersive experience, it’s your neighborhood bar filled with exceptionally talented sings, musicians, and performers. From the moment you walk into the Apollo Theatre you feel welcomed as an old friend, invited to sit and stay for a yarn, to sing, to dance, to party. Like any good evening at the bar, there isn’t a particular storyline or climactic plot. Instead, the ensemble cast share their stories with you and reflect on community and commradery in a post-Covid world where third places are becoming more and more scarce. The performances have an improvisational element to it that plays off and responds to the vibes of the audience, including pulling willing participants onto stage to be serenaded to. The song arrangements include beautiful renditions of favorite songs that challenge the way you view and hear the songs; like “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover,” performed by Shane McDaid accompanied by George Knappe whose tap dancing sequence adds a poetic rhythm and heartbeat to the number; “Some Nights” performed by Benji Lord and the ensemble cast that would rival The Bellas Cups song; or a sad, bittersweet arrangement of Chandelier that gave me goosebumps. Though unlike a good night out at the pub, the cast encourage photos and short videos, asking only that the audience share the good ones. The level of familiarity and inclusiveness The Choir of Man sets is a love letter to community, to friends, to family, and to those third spaces that allow us to come together to sing, dance, tell stories, or simply just be together. 

Choir of Man III

The Choir of Man was made for a city like Chicago, capturing the bittersweetness of a bygone era. With beautiful and original song arrangements, a welcoming and immersive atmosphere, and a captivating and engaging ensemble cast, this show will sure to be top your 2024 favorites list. Like the fleetingness of a Chicago Spring, The Choir of Man is only here in town for a short engagement. So grab a pint, sit for a spell, and at closing time remember you don't have to go home but you can't stay there. 

The Choir of Man is now playing through May 26th, 2024 at the Apollo Theater at 2550 N Lincoln Ave, grab a pint and your tickets before closing time.

*Extended to July 14th!

Published in Theatre in Review

A Winning Combination: Winning Works at the Museum of Contemporary Art

13 March 2026 in Theatre in Review

It was the flippant statement heard round the humanities. An errant comment, a sweeping generalization, and another dismissive remark towards…

Grelley Duvall Best Actress - The Chopin Theatre - Through April 12th

13 March 2026 in Now Playing

The Grelley Duvall Show returns with the world premiere of Grelley Duvall Best Actress, written and conceived by Alex Grelle with Jesse Morgan Young, directed by Kasey…

Larkspur Productions Opens World Premiere of The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana March 20th- April 5th at The Den Theatre

13 March 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Larkspur Productions is pleased to announce the world premiere of The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana.  Directed by Cheryl Snodgrass, The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana will…

Tuesdays with Morrie - Overshadowed Theatrical Productions - Through March 28th

12 March 2026 in Now Playing

With stage adaptation of Mitch Albom's powerful New York Times Bestseller, Overshadowed Theatrical Productions will present Tuesdays with Morrie, a stage…

Bluebird Improv brings legendary comedians and improvisers, including two-time Emmy Award nominee Matt Walsh to Chicago's historic Studebaker Theater One night only: Saturday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m.

12 March 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Chicago's Fine Arts Building is excited to bring the legendary comedians and improvisers of Bluebird Improv to the historic Studebaker Theater (410 S. Michigan Avenue) for…

32C! Our Top Weekend Picks includes Cats, The Play That Goes Wrong and Changing Channels

11 March 2026 in Now Playing

Chicago theatre is firing on all cylinders right now, and this weekend lines up three productions that each showcase a…

IDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS Presents Spring Concert 2026 “EFFERVESCENT”

10 March 2026 in Upcoming Dance

Identity Performing Arts presents “Effervescent” with two original dance premieres: “Enthralled" created by Artistic Director, Ginny Ching Yin Lo, and…

World Premiere BOTH from Teatro Vista Productions & Steppenwolf Theatre Company

10 March 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation’s premier ensemble theater company, and Teatro Vista Productions are pleased to announce the world premiere…

IDLE MUSE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS THE THREE MUSKETEERS, MARCH 26 - APRIL 25 AT THE EDGE OFF-BROADWAY

10 March 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Idle Muse Theatre Company launches its 20th anniversary season with The Three Musketeers, March 26 - April 25, written by…

Physical Theater Festival Chicago Announces 2026 Lineup and Companies for its 14th season, June 1 - 7

10 March 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Physical Theater Festival Chicago is proud to announce the full lineup for its 13th anniversary celebration, June 1 - 7. The Festival…

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND BLUEY’S BIG PLAY RETURNS TO CHICAGO THIS YEAR!

10 March 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Wackadoo! Following a highly successful global tour, Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad are bringing Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show back to…

Northlight Theatre announces the inaugural season in the company's new home in Downtown Evanston

10 March 2026 in Theatre Buzz

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, proudly announces its inaugural…

Static, Signals, and Surprises: City Lit’s Changing Channels Tunes In

09 March 2026 in Theatre in Review

The year is 1952. Television is rapidly gaining popularity over radio, to the delight of some and the disgust of…

Beautifully Produced 'Two Sisters and a Piano,' But Script Misses the Mark

09 March 2026 in Theatre in Review

In “Two Sisters and a Piano” written by Nilo Cruz and directed by Lisa Portes,  we soon learn these two…

CHUCK SMITH AND HARRY LENNIX REUNITE FOR A MAJOR REVIVAL OF MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, AUGUST WILSON'S ONLY PLAY SET IN CHICAGO, APPEARING AT THE GOODMAN STARTING MARCH 28

09 March 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Nearly 30 years after its box-office-record-setting 1997 Chicago premiere production, August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom returns to The Goodman, helmed by Chicago…

Open Space Arts' Chicago premiere of A THIRD WAY, begins Friday, April 3

09 March 2026 in Theatre in Review

Open Space Arts has announced casting for its Chicago premiere of A THIRD WAY, a sharply funny, deeply compassionate new play…

Driehaus Museum announces spring activation dates for Brendan Fernandes: In the Round APRIL 10 & 11 AND MAY 6–9, 2026

09 March 2026 in Upcoming Dance

The Driehaus Museum announces the Spring activation dates for Brendan Fernandes: In the Round. As the Museum's first artist-in-residence, Fernandes transforms the Museum's 1926 Murphy Auditorium…

producingbody Announces the Chicago Premiere of SPACEMAN, May 19 - June 13, at The Edge Off-Broadway

09 March 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

[producingbody] is pleased to announce the Chicago premiere of Spaceman, by Leegrid Stevens and directed by Eric Slater, May 19 - June 13, at The Edge Off-Broadway, 1133…

A Night in Jellicle Heaven: Music Theater Works Delivers a Stunning 'Cats'

08 March 2026 in Theatre in Review

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats remains one of musical theatre’s most distinctive creations - a sung‑through, dance‑driven spectacle that swaps traditional…

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring — In Concert - Auditorium Theatre - Through March 14th

06 March 2026 in Now Playing

Due to overwhelming demand, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring — In Concert has added a third performance…

Step inside Bunny’s bedroom in Goodnight Moon, Chicago Children’s Theatre’s immersive 20th season finale, dir. by Mikael Burke, April 11-June 7

06 March 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

It’s been more than a decade since Chicago Children’s Theatre presented Goodnight Moon, the popular musical about a bunny who doesn’t…

Celebrate Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian Heritage Month with Asian American Arts' EVOLUTION: ASIAN AMERICAN ARTS FESTIVAL, May 2 and 3

06 March 2026 in Theatre in Review

Asian American Arts Chicago (AAAC) announces the Festival schedule and that tickets are now on sale for EVOLUTION: Asian American Arts Festival, Saturday, May 2 from 12…

Filament Theatre announces world premiere of Farewell Opportunity

06 March 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Filament Theatre, the Northwest Side's premier theater for young audiences, is delighted to present the world premiere of Farewell Opportunity from May 2-17,…

TimeLine Theatre Company announces inaugural season at new Uptown home

05 March 2026 in Theatre Buzz

TimeLine Theatre Company is thrilled to announce its 2026–27 Inaugural Season in the company’s first permanent home at 5035 N. Broadway…

Her Story Theatre's World Premiere "THE OFFICAL BIOGRAPHY" - Wednesday, April 1 at 7:30 pm at The Den Theatre

05 March 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Her Story Theatre has announced the World Premiere of Kurt McGinnis Brown's two-hander THE OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY, to play March 28 –…

POOR POOR LEAR - THE CHOPIN THEATRE - Though March 15th

04 March 2026 in Now Playing

Walkabout Theater Company returns to producing in Chicago with the production that launched the company in 1999, Poor Poor Lear,…

Steppenwolf Theatre Company Announces 2026/27 Season

04 March 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Steppenwolf Theatre Company, under the leadership of Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis and Executive Director E. Brooke Flanagan, today announced its 2026/27 Season, marking the…

Three Plays to See This Weekend - Shattered Globe Theatre, The Story Theatre and American Blues Theater Should Be High On Your List!

04 March 2026 in Now Playing

Chicago theatre‑goers have one of those rare, golden weekends where three very different companies are all firing at full power—each…

TIN DRUM THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF SOUTHERN RAPTURE, JUNE 11 - 28, AT THEATER WIT

04 March 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Tin Drum Theatre Company is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the Chicago premiere of Southern Rapture at Theater Wit,…

Splish Splash: A Day on the Lake - Goodman Theatre - Through March 22nd

04 March 2026 in Now Playing

Teamwork, bravery and fun are at the forefront of Splish Splash: A Day on the Lake, The Goodman's latest Theater for the…

 

         20 Years and counting!

Register

     

Latest Articles

Guests Online

We have 983 guests and no members online

Buzz Chicago on Facebook Buzz Chicago on Twitter 

Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.