Welcome to the new season at Writers Theatre. We invite you to join us on a theatrical odyssey traversing landscapes both familiar and foreign, where the echoes of history mingle with the vibrancy of contemporary life, and where the human spirit is celebrated in all its complexity. Whether you're a seasoned theatergoer or a first-time subscriber, we promise a year of unforgettable experiences in the deliberately intimate setting at Writers, where you are always close to the actors and immersed in a story that will linger long after the performance.
Written by Dave Malloy Directed & Choreographed by Katie Spelman Music Direction by Matt Deitchman
The Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre
"There’s a war going on somewhere out there, and Andrey isn’t here.” Young and impulsive, Natasha Rostova arrives in Moscow to await the return of her fiancée from the front lines. But when she falls under the spell of the roguish Anatole, family friend Pierre must push through his existential crisis to help Natasha pick up the pieces of her shattered reputation.
October 31 - January 5, 2025
EVERY BRILLIANT THING Written by Duncan Macmillan With Jonny Donahoe Directed by Kimberly Senior
The Gillian Theatre - General Admission
"1. Ice Cream. 2. Water fights. 3. Staying up past your bedtime and being allowed to watch TV.” This is how a seven-year-old child begins a list of all the things that make life wonderful. They're making the list for their mother, who suffers from depression. As life goes on, and the challenges faced morph from childhood to adulthood, the list continues to grow and take on a life of its own.
Iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo was a woman who lived boldly, loved wildly, and painted prolifically in order to see herself and the world around her more clearly. Witness this extraordinary figure come to life onstage through playwright and performer Vanessa Severo, who brings breathtaking physicality and raw honesty to this stunningly creative production.
April 3 - May 4, 2025
TRANSLATIONS Written by Brian Friel Directed by Braden Abraham
The Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre
Life in County Donegal, Ireland proceeds much the same in 1833 as it’s always done. Irish-speaking young people gather at the local hedge school where the long-time and long-winded schoolmaster instructs them in lessons in Latin and Ancient Greek. This bucolic tranquility is shattered when the schoolmaster’s son arrives home along with members of the British army on an assignment to map the country, draw new borders, and “standardize” local place names into the King’s English.
June 19 - July 27, 2025
DHABA ON DEVON AVENUE Written by Madhuri Shekar Directed by Chay Yew A co-production with TimeLine Theatre Company
The Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre
Dhaba Canteen has been a stalwart institution on Chicago’s Devon Avenue since the ‘60s, serving up delicious Sindhi food with the power to transport diners back to the halcyon days of undivided India. Times are changing, however. With the bank threatening foreclosure and Chef Neeraj’s health in decline, the restaurant may soon be cooking up its last meal—unless sous chef Rita can convince her father to let her take over the kitchen.
