Wherein I attempt to rank every show I’ve seen this year, a running list as the year unfolds, regardless of genre (theater, music, dance). Note, the company I keep is not a factor, though it often redeems the lesser of such evenings. If I’ve written about them, links are provided. If I published a review, it is linked.

Previous Years: 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

Carmen/Joffrey Ballet/September 18

Golden Hour/Joffrey Ballet/March 2

Ashland Avenue/Goodman Theatre/September 15

Matters of the Heart/Joffrey at the Harris/November 6

Fall Series/Hubbard Street Dance/November 14

Revolutions(s)/Goodman Theatre/October 13

Mr. Wolf/Steppenwolf Theatre/September 21

A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness/Lyric Opera/November 21

Kimberly Akimbo/Broadway in Chicago/June 11

Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci /Lyric Opera/November 1

Amadeus/Steppenwolf/November 16

Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol/December 14