Photo credit: North Shore Camera Club

by Joshua Harmon
Citadel Theatre
February 13 – March 15, 2026

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Director’s Note in the Program:

When I first read ADMISSIONS, I was struck not only by Joshua Harmon’s truthful and unflinching writing, but also by how much I saw myself in the characters. As a white woman, a mother, and an avowed liberal, this play challenged me to examine my own life and work. Where do my values butt up against my privilege? How am I parenting my own children, navigating school systems and opportunity and privilege for them? Is there more that I could – or should – be doing to contribute to a more just and equitable world?

The play is set in the 2015-2016 school year, only ten years ago. With the speed at which the modern world changes, this makes it a period piece already. Yet, the core question at the heart of the play remains resonant: how does one privileged family reconcile their progressive values with their instinct to protect their children?

There aren’t easy answers, and the play doesn’t provide any. In fact, as we have delved into the play in rehearsal, we have found in scene after scene that characters often present opposing views that both ring true. In other words, two things can be true at once.

This complexity is worth interrogating and even embracing. My hope is that you’ll have a great, juicy conversation in the car on the drive home from the theatre, exploring the questions raised in this play. There may not be any simple answers, but asking is a good place to start.

Enjoy the show.

Reviews

“Some of the best theater you’ll likely find anywhere in the metropolitan area right now…Aptly directed by Beth Wolf.”
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Buzz Center Stage, 02.17.2026

“Directed by Beth Wolf, the pacing is brisk and fast-paced. Scenes unfold like intellectual sparring matches, with carefully planted revelations that land hard. Just when you think you understand a character’s moral footing, the ground shifts… It’s a smart, unsettling evening of theater—one that lingers long after the final line is spoken. And it’s perfect.”
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Splash Magazine, 02.15.2026

“Beth Wolf does a superior job of keeping us into the story from beginning to end.”
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Around the Town, 02.2026

“Directed with wisdom and sensitivity by Beth Wolf, this is definitely one of Citadel Theatre’s finest productions in recent years. The play sizzles with an immediacy that feels like it was written just yesterday. It’s based on a situation that is, as they say, could be ripped from today’s headlines. Ms. Wolf has beautifully staged her production without a moment of dead air. Perfectly paced, the play clips along at a breakneck speed, forcing the audience lean forward and engage in this timely story, and to catch their breath whenever possible… Brilliantly directed by Beth Wolf, this is definitely one production at the Citadel Theatre that should not be missed.”
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Chicago Theatre Review, 02.17.2026

“Admissions is ultimately a “thinking play” in the truest sense. It challenges audiences across the political spectrum, confirming some beliefs while unsettling others. Around me, I saw heads nodding, neighbors whispering, and expressions tightening as the story unfolded. I left without clear answers, only deeper questions about privilege, fairness, and how we reconcile our ideals with our personal desires. And for me, that lingering discomfort is precisely why I loved this show.”
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Chicago On Stage, 02.25.2026

“Directed by Beth Wolf, the play should spark some interesting conversations.”
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Chicago Theatre and Arts, 02.2026

“This well-crafted and contemporary story by Joshua Harmon, is beautifully directed by Jeff Award nominee, Beth Wolf…The Citadel Theatre has another winner in Admissions.”
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Spotlight on Lake, 02.27.2026

Cast and Crew

Cast: Elaine Carlson, Justin Jarzombek, Tina Shelley, Susie Steinmeyer, Tim Walsh

Production Staff: Beth Wolf (Director), Abby Truett (Stage Manager), Bob Knuth (Scenic Designer), Danielle Reinhardt (Costume Designer), Michael Trudeau (Lighting Designer), Stefanie Senior (Sound Designer), Reiley Duffy (Props Designer)