In the Wings - May 2026
Fourth winter has arrived in Chicago, as is tradition. Think fast, Chicago Fringe Opera has a show opening this weekend, Op*erratic has a few more performances, and we're shouting out Chicago City Opera's show opening in early June.
Here Be Sirens
Chicago Fringe Opera
May 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 (2:30 pm / 7:30 pm)
The Edge Off Broadway
1133 W Catalpa Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
Here Be Sirens, Kate Soper’s groundbreaking opera, reimagines the myth of the Sirens to explore the archetypes society assigns to women—and how those roles are used to divide rather than empower. Told through sharp wit, virtuosic music, and mythic storytelling, and accompanied by a prepared piano which they play themselves, three Sirens search for freedom, sisterhood, and self-discovery while unraveling the patriarchal myths that keep them trapped.
Editor's note - Op*erratic performances will run as the second part of the evening after the May 5th and 7th shows, with discounted $5 tickets if you're already there for Sirens. Stick around for a full, diverse night of music and laughs.
Op*erratic
Chicago Fringe Opera
May 5, 7 - 9:30 - 11:00 pm
The Edge Off Broadway
1133 W Catalpa Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
Wednesday, May 27 - 7:30 – 9:15 pm
Borelli's Pizzeria
2124 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Op*erratic is a fully unscripted operatic improv spectacle, where the plot, music, and mayhem are created in real time. Armed with classical voices and a flair for the absurd, our cast transforms audience suggestions into spontaneous stories full of soaring arias, tragic misunderstandings, and unexpected finales.
Der Rosenkavalier
Chicago City Opera
June 5 - 7:00 - 10:00 pm
DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
4740 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
June 7 - 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Fulton Street Collective
1821 W. Hubbard Street, Suite 307, Chicago, Illinois 60622
Chicago City Opera invites you aboard for a sparkling new take on Der Rosenkavalier (The Rose Knight)! Richard Strauss’s beloved opera shimmers with lush melodies, mistaken identities, and romance that refuses to behave. Though treasured worldwide, this operatic gem is rarely staged, making this a can’t-miss event.
Set in an American yachting community of the 1980s, this stylish reimagining brings champagne-soaked parties, high society scandals, and a proposal that hilariously unravels. Beneath the elegance lies sharp wit and a story full of flirtation, mischief, and unexpected twists.
Stay warm, stay safe, and see you in June!
