CHICAGO—Once upon a time in Chicago, summer used to be the off-season for theater. Not any longer. Summer has become a hot time for taking advantage of the city’s many leafy parks to showcase outdoor theater. While Shakespeare’s comedies have become especially popular, Porchlight Theatre is providing another theatrical venue with “Broadway in Your Backyard.”
This is the theater company’s fifth year mounting that musical series in Chicago, and it is getting better with every year. It’s not just that it’s enjoyable to spread out a blanket on a carpet of grass, or that sitting on a lawn chair is relaxing, or that looking up at the night stars is fantastic, or that chicken and wine tastes better outdoors. What makes the 60-minute “Broadway in Your Backyard” show so enchanting is listening to the best songs from some of the best musicals in Broadway history. It makes the outdoor summer experience a truly wonderful treat.
Moreover, Porchlight’s terrific musical series is easy on the wallet. While Broadway musicals are typically some of the most expensive tickets, the summer concert of hit Broadway tunes is free. In association with Chicago Park District’s “Night Out in the Parks” and with sponsorship by Chicago Free for All Fund (series) and Bill Bergfalk (Welles Park performance), Porchlight is offering a smorgasbord of hit tunes. These great melodies with enchanting lyrics, may prompt those who haven’t seen the Broadway shows to find a CD of the musical’s score.
The concert features a selection of show tunes that will appeal to everyone. Some of the shows that Porchlight highlights, such as “Hello, Dolly!” “Hamilton,” and “The Wiz,” will grab adult attention, while “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” and “Toy Story” have upbeat numbers that kids will appreciate.
A Night to Enjoy
Directed by Porchlight’s artistic director Michael Weber, with music director Linda Madonia’s masterful touch with the orchestrations, all the songs come through in all their ravishing melodic richness. The ensemble enhances the musical score by hitting all the right notes and showing off perfect pitch. The performers sing but also play the characters the songs were written for.
All the golden-voiced songbirds stand-out individually and are especially powerful when they come together in harmony. While performers are not always the same in all the concerts, the engaging talents of Tafadzwa Diener, Nik Kmiecik, Lorenzo Rush Jr., and Ava Stovall were on spotlighted display at the show I attended, and each one stood out as they strutted their stuff and burst out in song.
I couldn’t help but notice how much fun everyone was having. Sitting on camp chairs and around a small out-doors table, there was couple that looked to be reliving their first date as they held hands and swayed to the music. On a nearby blanket, a trio of kids were finishing up a chocolate brownie dessert and trying, at the same time, to sing along to the uplifting numbers from “Toy Story.”
“Broadway in Your Backyard” is a family friendly show that’s a lighthearted and joyful way to spend a summer evening under the stars. It will make for a memorable summer outing.
‘Broadway in Your Backyard’
Porchlight Music Theatre
In association with Chicago Park District’s ‘Night Out in the Parks’
Tickets: free
Information: 773-777-9884 or PorchlightMusicTheatre.org for park locations
Runs: one hour
Closes: Aug. 23, 2025
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