Story perspectives

Chicago Stages Spark Conversations on Grief and Parenting

3/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Last weekend in Chicago, two stage adaptations premiered: Maggie O’Farrell, author of Hamnet, at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and Junot Díaz, author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, at the Goodman.
The productions sparked dialogue about risk and parenting.
Erica Whyman directs the Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Hamnet.
The play centers William Shakespeare’s grief after death of his son Hamnet.
Agnes, Shakespeare’s wife, is portrayed as a nature-connected, powerful figure.

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Story summary

Last weekend in Chicago, two stage adaptations premiered: Maggie O’Farrell, author of Hamnet, at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and Junot Díaz, author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, at the Goodman.
The productions sparked dialogue about risk and parenting.
Erica Whyman directs the Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Hamnet.
The play centers William Shakespeare’s grief after death of his son Hamnet.
Agnes, Shakespeare’s wife, is portrayed as a nature-connected, powerful figure.