The Queen is dead. Long live the King! Hailed as 2015’s best new Broadway play by Time, Entertainment Weekly and The New York Times, and winner of the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Play, Mike Bartlett’s King Charles III explores the people underneath the crowns, the unwritten rules of Britain’s democracy and the conscience of its most famous family. This modern-day riff on Shakespearean political drama, which was a sold-out hit both on Broadway and London’s West End, has been hailed as “fresh, thrilling and fearlessly comic” (Entertainment Weekly) and “flat-out brilliant!” (The New York Times). Set shortly after the death of the Queen, the story centers on Prince Charles, who after a lifetime of waiting is finally made king — only to face an ethical dilemma over a bill limiting the freedom of the press. See this buzz-worthy new production at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.  Tickets are only $34 for select performance dates on Goldstar.

Just in time for the holidays, Barbara Park’s beloved creation Junie B. Jones comes to life on stage at The Apollo Theater in this adaptation of the best-selling children’s books. In Junie B. Jones’ world, things are very simple. Christmas means you get presents, elf costumes are awesome, and May is a blabbermouth tattletale. Things are going well, until Junie B. pulls May as her Secret Santa! With the Real Santa watching her like a hawk, what will Junie B. do? No matter which holiday you celebrate at home, everyone can learn a lesson from Junie B. about the real meaning behind a celebration. Tickets on Goldstar are only $9.50 with performance dates in November and December.

Daniel Tiger’s famous red trolley is making a stop in your neighborhood for an all-new musical adventure that brings the award-winning PBS Kids’ TV series to colorful life. Inspired by Mr. Rogers’ legacy, the show follows the young feline and his playful pals as they explore the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, having fun and learning “grr-ific” lessons about friendship, sharing, helping others and much more. This engaging, interactive stage production at the Rosemont Theatre is designed to entertain preschoolers with plenty of singing, dancing and patented #BeMyNeighbor fun.  Get Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood discount tickets on pre-order for the February 12 performance.

Free tickets, anyone? Hop aboard Goldstar’s Comp Train and enjoy complimentary tickets to fun events across the country. Thousands of free tickets to live theater, concerts, dance, comedy and more and all you pay is a small service fee.  Hmmm, Culture Club???

Free tickets, anyone? Hop aboard Goldstar’s Comp Train and enjoy complimentary tickets to fun events across the country. Thousands of free tickets to live theater, concerts, dance, comedy and more and all you pay is a small service fee.  How about tickets to Shipwrecked Aboard The Spirit of Chicago…spooky! 

See Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School: Stage Show for Kids at the MAC at COD on November 12th and pay only $5 a ticket!  Inspired by Barbara Park’s sassy and spirited children’s book series, Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School will have everyone in your family reliving those bumpy grade school days. Now that Junie B. Jones has been going to school for over one-and-a-half years, who better to teach you the ropes than her? From bus rules to band-aids, carpools to cookies, Junie B. and friends will teach you how to survive and succeed in those challenging elementary school years. Catch a serious case of the grade-school giggles when this funny musical comes to the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn. Recommended for ages five and up.

Daniel Tiger’s famous red trolley is making a stop in your neighborhood for an all-new musical adventure that brings the award-winning PBS Kids’ TV series to colorful life. Inspired by Mr. Rogers’ legacy, the show follows the young feline and his playful pals as they explore the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, having fun and learning “grr-ific” lessons about friendship, sharing, helping others and much more. This engaging, interactive stage production at the Rosemont Theatre is designed to entertain preschoolers with plenty of singing, dancing and patented #BeMyNeighbor fun.  Get Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood discount tickets on pre-order for the February 12 performance.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Out Of This World. Audiences will take the helm to join the Circus Space Fleet on a heroic quest of good versus evil that will let imaginations run wild with unexpected surprises and thrills at every turn. Through the lens of a magic telescope, Out Of This World transports your entire family on an unforgettable journey as the circus Star Seeker battles to bring the most spectacular and talented performers back to Earth after years in outer space. Children of all ages will be amazed by the cosmic voyage as you discover the wonders of gravity-defying acrobats, orbital aerialists, majestic animals, fearless daredevils and humorous clowns.

United Center tickets for mid- to late November performance dates are $14.

Allstate Arena in Rosemont tickets for early November performance dates are $15.

A smash hit across the pond, Thrones! The Musical — A Parody of Game of Thrones makes its way from the UK (where it sold out its entire run at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and its subsequent performances at London’s Leicester Square Theatre) to the Apollo Theater Chicago. This must-see musical creation, updated to include the sixth season of the HBO show, asks all the important questions that plague the diehard fans of Game of Thrones. Questions like: Will Tyrion’s accent ever improve? Will Jon Snow ever get a clue? How red can one Red Wedding really get? Is Gandalf still alive? OK … so they may have a few of the details wrong, but the show’s hilarious songs are as sure to slay you as if you were one of the infinitely unlucky characters on Game of Thrones. Tickets are $18 for performance dates through October.

The beloved TV classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer soars off the screen and onto the stage for an early family treat this holiday season. Come see all of your favorite characters from the special, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life inRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. Can Rudolph save his family and friends and help Santa save the holiday? Find out in this cheerful, song-filled adventure packed with an inspiring message that what makes you different can be what makes you special. Don’t miss this wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us when this fun family musical lights up The Chicago Theatre with mid-November performance dates for $36 (normal price is $60).