Athenaeum Center Unveils Fall 2026 Season Featuring ‘Dante 360’ and Holiday Classic (Chicago, IL) – The Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture has announced its Fall 2026 theatrical season, highlighting the return of two signature productions while continuing its focus on immersive and reflective performance.
The lineup, revealed on March 25 in conjunction with Dante Day, will be led by Dante 360 and It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. Subscription packages are now available, with single-ticket sales to be announced at a later date.
The announcement follows a successful 2025–26 season for the historic Chicago venue, which included the U.S. debut of Bernadette, The Musical and marked continued growth in original productions.
“This season marks an important step in how we continue to shape our work at Athenaeum Center,” said Executive Director Lawrence Daufenbach. “It reflects a growing clarity in what we are building and the kind of work we are committed to presenting.”
The Fall 2026 season centers on themes of guidance, mercy and renewal, with programming designed to engage audiences through storytelling and shared artistic experiences.
Returning for its fifth staging, Dante 360 will run Nov. 13–15. Created by Daufenbach and Dr. Elizabeth Lev, the production offers a multimedia interpretation of Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy. Audiences are guided through Hell and Purgatory alongside the Roman poet Virgil, with the immersive format aimed at making the classic text accessible to modern viewers.
The production also reflects the Athenaeum’s architectural and artistic ties to Dante’s work. A depiction of Dante and Beatrice is featured prominently above the Historic Main Stage.
Later in the season, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play will return Dec. 11–31 for its fourth run. Presented as a 1940s-style radio broadcast, the production uses vintage microphones and live sound effects to recreate the beloved story of George Bailey and his encounter with Clarence, the angel who reveals the impact of his life.
In addition to the two headlining shows, the Athenaeum Center plans to announce further programming that will include music, poetry and film tied to the season’s themes. Subscribers will receive early access to these events.
Subscription packages include discounted ticket pricing, free exchanges and additional perks such as concessions and companion ticket discounts. Student and group sales opened March 25, with organizers encouraging schools and organizations to contact the box office for availability.
Founded in 1911 by the Redemptorists of St. Alphonsus, the Athenaeum Center continues its mission of blending artistic expression with cultural and spiritual engagement, hosting a range of performances across theater, music, film and visual arts.
More information on subscriptions is available at athenaeumcenter.org or by calling the box office.
Athenaeum Center Unveils Fall 2026 Season Featuring ‘Dante 360’ and Holiday Classic
