A Chicago Embrace

No American city seems to be marking the anniversary of Shakespeare’s death as enthusiastically as Chicago, where a huge citywide festival, spearheaded by the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, continues for the better part of the year. “We wanted to make sure it was a mash-up of extraordinary but extraordinarily surprising work,” said Criss Henderson, the company’s executive director. “I think Shakespeare would have wanted it that way.” The long list of events includes Chicago Shakespeare’s production of “Othello: The Remix” as well as the ambitious “Tug of War,” a two-play adaptation of six of Shakespeare’s history plays, created and directed by Barbara Gaines, the company’s artistic director. Pull up a chair, too, for “Culinary Complete Works.” Chefs around the city were asked to use a particular play as inspiration for a dish or dishes, and dozens of Chicago restaurants are participating.