By Bertolt Brecht
Translated by Alistair Beaton
Original music by Justin Cavazos
Directed by Kathryn Walsh

In the heat of civil war, the Governor of the region and his wife flee an angry uprising, abandoning their infant son in the midst of the chaos. The responsibility to rear the child falls upon Grusha, a servant girl, who sacrifices everything to respectfully raise the young boy as her own. But when the biological mother returns, a debate arises as to who is the rightful mother of the boy. Written at the close of World War II, Brecht’s masterpiece explores the impact of war on ordinary people who find their humanity amidst a chaos they did not invite. This play with music focuses on storytelling and performance with basic production elements. 

Approximate run time: 2 hours and 30 minutes, with one intermission
Suggested ages:14+

A note on Sensitive Content (formerly called “Audience Advisories”) is available for this production. 

At The Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Centers, we recognize that sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have questions about the content, age-appropriateness, or stage effects of a show, e-mail our box office at wirtz@northwestern.edu or call 847-491-7282.

POST SHOW DISCUSSIONS

Brecht wanted his audiences to leave the theater not just entertained, but thinking. Expand your thinking before you leave the theater – join us for a discussion led by dramaturg Noah Marcus!

Thursday, February 5
Bringing Brechtian Theatre to Life: A Q&A with the Cast
Learn what ‘Brechtian’ theatre is, then hear from cast members about their processes. Find out how they approached this unique theatrical style, and more!  

Sunday, February 8
Diving Deeper: A Conversation on Brecht’s Themes, Messages, and Questions
Join guest experts for a deeper exploration of Brecht’s thought-provoking play. What questions does it pose, and what relevance does it hold, 82 years after it was written?

The Wirtz Center proudly presents The Caucasian Chalk Circle as a participant in Chicago Theatre Week 2026.

For the Love of Theatre. For the Love of Chicago.
From February 5-15, Chicago Theatre Week celebrates the heart and soul of our theater community: its stages, its stories, and its people. Discover tickets to 100+ performances at $30 and $15, and fall in love all over again. ChicagoTheatreWeek.com