Director

“If music be the food of love, play on.” Shakespeare’s cleverest comedy is brought to vibrant new life as director Tyrone Phillips reimagines Illyria in the Caribbean isles. Separated from her twin brother in a shipwreck and washed ashore in an unfamiliar land, the spirited Viola disguises herself as a man to work for charming Duke Orsino—and finds herself in the middle of a love triangle of hilarious mistaken identities. Filled with witty commentary on gender, class, and sexuality, this sparkling romance brims with heart and revels in the intoxicating power of love.

EPSG:4326

Twelfth Night

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Jay “The Sport” Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it’s 1905, and in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances are as good as knocked out. When a crooked boxing promoter hatches a plan for “the fight of the century,” “The Sport” just might land a place in the ring with the reigning white heavyweight champion.

The Royale

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

“This is what I was raised in: pig guts and bad choices.” As Juicy grapples with his identity and his family at a backyard barbecue, his father’s ghost shows up asking for revenge—on Juicy’s uncle, who has married his widowed mom—bringing his quest for joy and liberation to a screeching halt. James Ijames has reinvented Shakespeare’s masterpiece, creating what the New York Times hails as “a hilarious yet profound tragedy, smothered in comedy,” where the only death is the patriarchy. Tyrone Phillips, Founding Artistic Director of Chicago’s famed Definition Theatre, directs.

Tyrone Phillips

Director

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 11 - Feb 23, 2025

Fat Ham · Goodman Theatre

Past events

Oct 25 - Nov 26, 2023

Twelfth Night · Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier

Feb 23 - Mar 4, 2023

The Royale · Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

About

Tyrone Phillips hasn't added a bio