Chicago Theater Report: New Marriott season, ‘Princess Bride’ and wild times in the Loop’s Spiegeltent, tell me about this news in (https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/15/chicago-theater-report-new-marriott-season/)

The Chicago Tribune theater report highlights three major developments in Chicago’s performing arts scene:1. ‘The Princess Bride’ Pre-Broadway PremiereThe long-awaited musical adaptation of William Goldman’s 1987 cult-classic romance/fantasy film is making its official world premiere in Chicago before heading to Broadway:

• Venue & Dates: Opening at the Nederlander Theatre, running from July 19 through August 22, 2027, for a high-profile five-week summer run.
• Creative Team: Directed by Tony winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge!), with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton), a book by Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone) and Rick Elice (Jersey Boys), and an original score by the Oscar-winning songwriting duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (Frozen, Coco).
• Significance: Lead producer Jeffrey Seller (Hamilton, Rent) highlighted this as his largest theatrical production to date, marking another major pre-Broadway test run for the city.

2. Marriott Theatre’s Upcoming Season LineupThe Lincolnshire-based theater in the round detailed its upcoming season of major regional productions and concerts, featuring:

• The Midwest regional staging of the hit musical Come From Away.
• The holiday run of Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical, with music by the Lopezes.
• Family programming including The SpongeBob Musical, alongside seasonal musical cabarets and tribute concerts.

3. Wild Times at the Loop’s SpiegeltentThe report covers the latest high-energy, immersive cabaret, cirque, and burlesque-style performances centered at the historic Spiegeltent ZaZou (located within the Cambria Hotel in the Chicago Loop). It highlights the return of intimate, bawdy nightlife and acrobatic entertainment to downtown Chicago’s theater district.