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Murder Ballad: A Fresh Take on the Rock Opera
If RENT made a baby with an episode of Dateline, the result might be something like Murder Ballad, the musical. This rock opera tells the story of a love triangle gone out of control, and there is much in the way of drama, energetic pop/rock anthems, suspense, and -- you guessed it -- murder.
In New York City, Sara is an Upper West sider who seemingly has it all: money, a good husband, a beautiful daughter, but she also harbors a dark, destructive past that was never fully left behind. When she reconnects with her unpredictable ex, Tom, her life takes a turn towards the chaotic and explosive.
The audience is launched head-first into the story as the four-person cast of Murder Ballad belts and wails their way through 75 minutes of frenzied rock numbers, strung together by a crooning fly-on-the-wall narrator. A unique element of this show is the voyeuristic set-up and theme. Essentially, you are sitting in Sara's kitchen, and Tom's bedroom, and the King's Club, the divey downtown joint that serves as the homebase for this tale. You're not onstage or offstage, you're sharing the space with these folks. You can even order a complimentary drink at the bar before showtime, then take a seat with your friends to hungrily watch the plot unfold. Because after all, to paraphrase from the show's finale, drama is delicious entertainment, "until it happens to you."
Murder Ballad, created by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash, and directed by James Beaudry, is playing at the Flat Iron Arts Building (1579 N Milwaukee Ave) until May 9th. Tickets available at bailiwickchicago.com.
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Steppenwolf Presents GRACEFUL WARRIOR: AN EVENING WITH GARY SINISE - Tuesday, November 24, 2026
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Acclaimed Mexodus musical makes Chicago premiere November 7-21 at Studebaker Theater
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American Blues Theater hosts its annual costumed fundraiser HALLOWEEN BOO BASH October 25th
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Definition's How We Got On: A Mixtape for the Stage
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Open Space Arts Presents BEFORE WE ARE HISTORY October 23 – November 8
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Northlight Delivers a Headline-Making, Hilarious Front Page
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Overshadowed's Flame of Fire Finds Humanity, Strength, and Forgiveness in a Tragic Chapter of Missionary History
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The Attic at Goodman Theatre Redefines Memoir Through Breathtaking Physical Storytelling
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Babes With Blades's Announces William Shakespeare's KING LEAR, playing October 22 - November 21
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Cast and Production Team Announced for Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre's THE NICETIES, October 31 – November 15
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Goodman’s centennial is its all‑time most successful year, with 300,000 patrons at 4,000 performances & events
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The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show - December 6th at Auditorium Theatre
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American Son - Friendship Community Place - Through October 4th
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14 September 2026 in Upcoming DanceIdentity Performing Arts celebrates five years as a dance company embracing artistic innovation, collaboration and community at their Fifth Anniversary Gala at MCA…
BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA - Do we listen to each other as much as birdsongs?
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Latest Articles
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STEP RIGHT UP AND RIDE THE CYCLONE (THE MUSICAL) AT METROPOLIS ARLINGTON HEIGHTS
Written by Anne RakowieckiIf anyone has ever told you to buckle up and enjoy the ride, they were talking about life—and even if they didn’t know it, they were talking about Ride the Cyclone, the musical. When six teenagers die in a rollercoaster… -
Funny ‘Prayer Circle’ Is Loaded With Laughs
Written by Bill EslerErik Gernand is resident playwright at Redtwist Theatre, and his Prayer Circle is absolutely laugh-out-loud funny. The strength of this script is the characters—who are clearly defined and familiar types—and the performances, directed by Dusty Brown, are uniformly outstanding. Set… -
American Blues Theater hosts its annual costumed fundraiser HALLOWEEN BOO BASH October 25th
Written by Buzz Center StageAmerican Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, presents Halloween Boo Bash, its annual costumed fundraiser benefiting artists' wages during Season 41. This popular, all-ages celebration features live performances and ghost stories, trick or treating in the theater, contests,… -
Acclaimed Mexodus musical makes Chicago premiere November 7-21 at Studebaker Theater
Written by Buzz Center StageStudebaker Theater, P3 Productions and Audible, in collaboration with Teatro Vista Productions, present the Chicago premiere of the groundbreaking, award-winning new hip-hop musical Mexodus, written and performed by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, choreographed by Tony Thomas, and directed by David Mendizábal. Mexodus plays a limited three-week run at Chicago's historic Studebaker Theater at the…
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