Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago
"We're on a roller coaster. We're going to take 'em on a ride."
A peek into the HYMN rehearsal room with director Ron OJ Parson and cast members Chiké Johnson (Benny) and James Vincent Meredith (Gil).
Two men from two very different neighborhoods meet as strangers, but before long—they’re singing the same tune. Benny is a loner anchored by his wife and children. Gil longs to fulfill his potential. They form a deep bond, but as cracks appear in their fragile lives, they start to realize that true courage comes in many forms. Set on Chicago’s South Side and brimming with the sounds of R&B, gospel, and house music, this soulful play takes an honest look at love, faith, and friendship in all of life’s beautiful complexities.
Legendary Chicago director Ron OJ Parson leads a powerhouse cast and creative team to bring this deeply resonant tribute to male friendship to the stage. Chiké Johnson (Broadway’s Time to Kill, Wit) and James Vincent Meredith (Broadway’s The Book of Mormon, The Minutes, and several CST productions including the title role in Othello) star in this new play from Olivier Award-winning playwright Lolita Chakrabarti (Red Velvet, Life of Pi, Hamnet).
April 29 - May 25, 2025
chicagoshakes.com/hymn
"We're on a roller coaster. We're going to take 'em on a ride."
A peek into the HYMN rehearsal room with director Ron OJ Parson and cast members Chiké Johnson (Benny) and James Vincent Meredith (Gil).
Two men from two very different neighborhoods meet as strangers, but before long—they’re singing the same tune. Benny is a loner anchored by his wife and children. Gil longs to fulfill his potential. They form a deep bond, but as cracks appear in their fragile lives, they start to realize that true courage comes in many forms. Set on Chicago’s South Side and brimming with the sounds of R&B, gospel, and house music, this soulful play takes an honest look at love, faith, and friendship in all of life’s beautiful complexities.
Legendary Chicago director Ron OJ Parson leads a powerhouse cast and creative team to bring this deeply resonant tribute to male friendship to the stage. Chiké Johnson (Broadway’s Time to Kill, Wit) and James Vincent Meredith (Broadway’s The Book of Mormon, The Minutes, and several CST productions including the title role in Othello) star in this new play from Olivier Award-winning playwright Lolita Chakrabarti (Red Velvet, Life of Pi, Hamnet).
April 29 - May 25, 2025
chicagoshakes.com/hymn
