A recent wave of executive orders from the Trump administration has sparked discontent among artists, particularly due to abrupt funding cuts and new guidelines limiting federal arts support for programs linked to “diversity, equity, and inclusion” or “gender ideology.”
Additionally, changes are afoot concerning how cultural institutions, such as the Smithsonian, address race in American history.
Despite this politically charged atmosphere, theaters remain vital spaces where audiences can engage with diverse perspectives and narratives that question their assumptions about the world.
In light of these developments, here are four notable productions currently featuring on Chicago stages that delve into themes of history and identity, ranging from race to female sexuality and queer life.
**No Such Thing**
Where: Rivendell Theatre
When: Through April 27
Founded with the mission of amplifying women’s stories, Rivendell Theatre actively celebrates feminism and female narratives without hesitation.
The world-premiere play **No Such Thing**, written by Chicago playwright Lisa Dillman, epitomizes this mission.
The story follows Ren, an aging artist who feels invisible in a society that seems to overlook her.
Inspired by Dillman’s mother and her own experiences transitioning into her 60s, the lead character finds herself caught in a sexless marriage and grappling with the complexities of her adult daughter, who has a troubled past involving drug addiction and institutionalization.
As Ren navigates her stalled screenwriting career, she reignites her passion for life through a relationship with a younger man, leading her to rediscover her own sensuality.
While the play maintains a feminist perspective, it offers a nuanced portrayal rather than overtly preaching its messages.
If you go: 5779 N. Ridge Ave., tickets from $42
**At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen**
Where: Raven Theatre, presented by The Story Theatre
When: April 26–May 11
Opening its fifth season, The Story Theatre revives **At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen** by Terry Guest.
This production is set in the rural South and delves into Black queer life and drag culture, a subject that has come under scrutiny under the current administration.
Following recent headlines about Trump’s controversial decisions, including the dismissal of Deborah Rutter from the Kennedy Center and the subsequent uproar over drag shows targeted at teenagers, this revival takes on particular significance.
The story centers around Courtney Berringers’ funeral, and before the actual burial, the audience is invited to explore the life of Berringers through a series of monologues and drag performances.
Berringers, a real-life drag performer whose life was cut short due to AIDS complications, is portrayed by Guest himself.
Acclaimed during its initial run, the story has already established Guest as an award-winning playwright.
Returning to reprise their roles from the 2019 production are Guest and Paul Michael Thomson, with direction by Jeff Award winner Mikael Burke.
If you go: 6157 N. Clark St., tickets from $15
**The Book of Grace**
Where: Steppenwolf Theatre
When: Through May 18
**The Book of Grace**, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, marks its Chicago debut over a decade after its New York premiere.
The drama focuses on Buddy (Namir Smallwood), who returns home after a long absence for a ceremony honoring his father, a fervent Black border patrol agent (played by Brian Marable) who is set to receive a medal for his service.
Buddy’s return introduces conflict, as his military experiences and views stand in stark contrast to his father’s beliefs.
Creating tension within the family dynamics is Grace (Zainab Jah), Buddy’s stepmother, who is trying to reconcile her affection for both men amid a backdrop of sociopolitical turmoil.
Through this intimate three-person narrative, Parks provides a lens to view issues such as border control, xenophobia, and toxic masculinity, echoing current discourse outside theater walls.
If you go: 1650 N. Halsted St., tickets from $20
**Berlin**
Where: Court Theatre
When: April 19–May 11
**Berlin**, a world premiere based on Jason Lutes’ graphic novel, is adapted for the stage by Mickle Maher.
The play illustrates the lives of everyday people grappling with the decline of Weimar Germany during a tumultuous era that gave rise to Nazi rule.
With multiple storylines interweaving against the backdrop of Berlin in 1928, the characters’ lives provide insight into the slow creep of fascism into society.
The project, five years in the making, is directed by Charles Newell, who commissioned the adaptation during his tenure as Court Theatre’s artistic director.
If you go: 5535 S. Ellis Ave., tickets from $23
image source from：https://www.wbez.org/theater-stages/2025/04/17/chicago-plays-to-see-womens-rights-drag-culture-immigration
