Tennis Legend, Billie Jean King, Attends Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s World Premiere of ‘Billie Jean’
Chicago Shakespeare Theater recently announced that tennis legend, Bille Jean King, and her wife Ilana Kloss attended the August 5, 2025, performance of the world-premiere play Billie Jean. The production runs July 18–August 10, 2025, in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Sports icon. Champion for equality. Billie Jean King remains a relentless competitor with her eyes on the prize, even as she faces discrimination and defeat on a playing field that is anything but equal. From Wimbledon Centre Court to the court of public opinion, the production explores personal and professional battles that paved the way for Billie Jean to summon the courage to boldly proclaim this is who I am, this is who I love—and this is what I’m not willing to lose. This thrilling world premiere play from award-winning playwright Lauren Gunderson looks to be the theatrical event of the summer.
The world premiere production of Billie Jean was developed by special arrangement with four-time Tony-winning producer Harriet Newman Leve (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, War Horse, Stomp) and Stephanie Sandberg (Country Lane Productions), with Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner (powerhouse creative duo in television, sound recording, film, theater, and animation for more than 40 years).
Chilina Kennedy stars as Billie Jean King, leading a cast that also features Julia Antonelli, Dan Amboyer, Elena Hurst, Courtney Rikki Green, Wynn Harmon, Carolyn Holding, Jürgen Hooper, Callie Rachelle Johnson, Lenne Klingaman, Nancy Lemenager, and Murphy Taylor Smith. Understudies include Miles Borchard, Sydney Feldman, Kelli Harrington, Nathe Rowbotham, Hannah Ruwe, Marlene Slaughter, and Jocelyn Zamudio.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater is a leading international theater company and the nation’s largest year-round theater dedicated to the works of Shakespeare. Under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Director Kimberly Motes, the Regional Tony Award recipient is committed to creating vivid, entertaining theatrical experiences that invigorate and engage people of all ages and identities by illuminating the complexity, ambiguity, and wonder of our world. Each year, nearly a quarter of a million people experience CST’s artistry through more than 12 productions.
More additional information on Billie Jean, see chicagoshakes.com/billiejean or on social media at @chicagoshakes.
