Northwestern University

01/06/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/06/2026 15:39

Wirtz Center’s 2026 Winter Season Explores Justice, Ambition, Imagination, and Movement

Wirtz Center's 2026 Winter Season Explores Justice, Ambition, Imagination, and Movement

Season kicks off February 5 with a classic play

Media Information

  • Release Date: January 6, 2026

Media Contacts

Stephen J. Lewis

EVANSTON, IL --- The Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts at Northwestern University unveils an exciting lineup of performances that features a bold classic, a vibrant musical, imaginative works for young audiences, and dynamic dance artistry. The season includes Bertolt Brecht's "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" and the Tony Award-winning musical "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."

"Our winter shows are about asking big questions through bold storytelling," said Tanya Palmer, assistant dean and executive artistic director of the Wirtz Center.  "We're inviting audiences to laugh, reflect, and engage with the world in new ways."

Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at 847-491-7282 or by visiting the Wirtz Center box office located in the lobby of the Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive on Northwestern's Evanston campus.

Winter line-up:

"The Caucasian Chalk Circle"
Feb. 5-8 | Josephine Louis Theater
By Bertolt Brecht | Translated by Alistair Beaton | Directed by Kathryn Walsh
Set against the backdrop of civil war, Brecht's timeless masterpiece explores themes of justice, sacrifice, and humanity. When an infant is abandoned during an uprising, a servant girl risks everything to raise the child as her own - only to face a heart-wrenching dispute over motherhood. Written at the close of World War II, this powerful play invites audiences to reflect on morality and survival amid chaos.

"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
Feb. 20- Mar. 1| Ethel M. Barber Theater
Music & Lyrics by Frank Loesser | Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert | Directed by Christopher Michael Richardson
Big business means big laughs in this Pulitzer Prize-winning musical comedy. Follow the ambitious J. Pierrepont Finch as he climbs the corporate ladder with charm, wit, and a little scheming. Packed with show-stopping tunes and razor-sharp humor, this production promises a satirical look at ambition and success in the modern workplace.

Imagine U: Theatre for the Very Young - "Imagine That!" & "Splish, Splash: A Day on the Lake"
Mar. 7-15 | Hal & Martha Hyer Wallis Theater
Created in collaboration with Northwestern undergraduates and early childhood experts, this interactive series offers a joyful introduction to live theatre for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers. Two multi-sensory adventures invite young audiences to play, imagine and explore:

  • "Imagine That!"- Autumn, Winter, and Spring are on a mission to make a rainbow, but they need help from Summer - that's you! In this colorful, hands-on experience, kids bring the seasons to life through movement and imagination.

  • "Splish, Splash: A Day on the Lake" - Set sail on a whimsical journey around Lake Michigan, where music, puppetry and interactive storytelling immerse little ones in the wonders of water and wildlife.

"Danceworks 2026: Semiquincentennial"
 May 13-15 | Josephine Louis Theater
As the nation reflects on 250 years of history, this annual showcase gathers choreographers, dancers, and audiences to explore what it means to move together amid uncertainty. Can collective movement forge resilience and connection when everything urges retreat? Danceworks 2026 offers no easy answers, only the transformative power of bodies in motion.

Northwestern University published this content on January 06, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 06, 2026 at 21:39 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]