News. Criticism. Gossip. The shows not  to be missed — and the shows to avoid at all costs. The Theater Loop is hosted by  chief theater critic for the Chicago Tribune. We're the online destination for breaking news and reviews of Chicago-area theater, from the downtown shows to suburban theaters to the off-Loop scene. Stop here often to feel the pulse of America’s most vibrant theater city. Plus coverage of Broadway and beyond, and reviews from Tribune contributors  Tribune theater editor Doug George  The top-10 most anticipated shows of the warm months, from "Annie Get Your Gun" to "Shrek."   Plus Kerry Reid's wide-open chart  Our guide to the festival, running through Nov. 6 in Stratford, Ontario.  When the "Sondheim: 80" concert got cut short to accommodate a fundraiser gala, ticketholders were upset. To say the least. Read the story,  A Metromix slideshow of Chicago theater.  first got to know a young dancer named Billy. |  Sid Smith takes a few moments with Tommy Batchelor, Giuseppe Bausilio, J.P. Viernes and Cesar Corrales. |  Open run at Second City e.t.c.  Through Jan. 15 at the Oriental Theatre  Through Aug. 28 at Mary-Arrchie Theatre  Through Sept. 6 on the Pepsi Skyline Stage at Navy Pier  Through Aug. 29 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater  Through Aug. 8 at Theatre at the Center  Through Aug. 29 at Piven Theatre Workshop, Evanston  Through Jan 2 at the Apollo Theater  Through Aug. 29 at the Marriott Theatre  Through Aug. 29 at Steppenwolf Theatre  Through Sept. 18 at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre  Through Sept. 5 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre  Through Aug. 15 at Writers' Theatre in Glencoe  Aug. 20 to Sept. 12 at The Gift Theatre  Through Aug. 15 by Theo Ubique at No Exit Cafe  Through Aug. 7 by New Colony at Viaduct Theater  Through Aug. 7 by At Play at Chicago Dramatists  Through Sept. 5 at Circle Theatre in Forest Park  Through Aug. 21 in Austin Gardens, Oak Park  By the Albany Park Theatre Project at Goodman Theatre  Through Aug. 15 at the Victory Gardens Biograph  Open run on the Second City Mainstage  Through Aug. 14 in St. Peter's Episcopal Church  Through Aug. 22 at the Greenhouse Theatre Center  Through Aug. 8 on the West Stage of the Raven Theatre  Through Aug. 8 by First Folio Theatre in Oak Brook  Through Aug. 29 at Black Ensemble Theater  Through Aug. 29 at Redtwist Theatre  at the St. James Theatre  at the Golden Theatre in New York  at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre  at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre  at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre  at the Richard Rodgers Theatre  at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre  at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre  at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre  at Circle in the Square
A Ravinia Festival staffer reminds concertgoers to keep their conversations down during the concert tribute to Stephen Sondheim. (Photo for the Tribune by Shaun Sartin | MORE PHOTOS) Acknowledging that hundreds of people were upset by the short, 65-minute duration...