Now Playing

by Sandra Delgado
directed by Kimberly Senior

World Premiere

Oct 8 – Nov 9, 2025

at Lookingglass Theatre,
at Water Tower Water Works
163 E. Pearson St., Chicago

Motherhood, marijuana, and the multiverse collide in this Chicago-set story of family, immigration, and American identity.

Like millions of Americans, Clara is doing her best to hold everything together—working hard, raising her tween daughter Stella, caring for an aging father, and supporting her under-employed ex-husband. But when she applies for U.S. citizenship ahead of a mother-daughter trip to Paris, her application is unexpectedly flagged, exposing minor infractions in her past and threatening the only home she’s ever known. Blending grounded family drama with otherworldly wonder, this Chicago-set world premiere is a moving and provocative exploration of our country’s most fundamental values.

Originally commissioned by the Chicago Park District’s Theatre on the Lake In the Works project, in partnership with The Chicago Dramatists, previous development of Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars included stagings as part of Goodman Theatre’s New Stages Festival in 2018 and Northeastern Illinois University’s thINKtank Series, co-produced in partnership with Teatro Vista, in 2024.

PLEASE NOTE:
All performances of Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars are hosted by Lookingglass Theatre in the historic Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St. at Michigan Avenue, Chicago.
The best way to see Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars—including saving up to 25% OFF regular ticket prices—is with a TimeLine FlexPass!

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Runs approximately 90 minutes, with no intermission

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Cast

Production Team

Understudies

* Member of Actors Equity Association

# Member of United Scenic Artists

~ Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

+ TimeLine Company Member

^ TimeLine Associate Artist

§ TimeLine Playwrights Collective

Reviews

  • Chicago Tribune

    October 20, 2025

    [A story] that every American needs to hear.

    —Chris Jones

  • PicksInSix

    October 17, 2025

    Delgado’s bold, endearing and powerful Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars … is the most vitally important show to see in Chicago right now.

    —Ed Tracy

  • Chicago Theatre Review

    October 17, 2025

    TimeLine Theatre’s 29th Season kicks off with a captivating new play that feels especially important and of the moment … Sandra Delgado is a theatrical force of nature.

    —Colin Douglas

  • Chicago Sun-Times

    October 16, 2025

    [A] tale of heart-wrenching urgency … the story of an immigrant whose dreams of citizenship are ruthlessly upended.

    —Catey Sullivan

  • Broadway World

    October 16, 2025

    Sandra Delgado’s new play Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars hits the stage at an eerily relevant time … a good reminder that navigating the immigrant experience without making any mistakes is an impossible feat.

    —Rachel Weinberg

  • Buzz Center Stage

    October 17, 2025

    [A] deeply personal and politically charged play … not a lecture on immigration policy, but a human portrait drawn from it.

    —Wesley David

  • Around the Town Chicago

    October 16, 2025

    [A] masterful bit of storytelling … under the skillful direction of Kimberly Senior.

    —Alan Bresloff

  • Chicago Reader

    October 22, 2025

    [A]n intimate and layered look at families caught up in the labyrinthine and deeply unfair and racist laws governing immigration … balanced by the charm, humor, and sensitivity the entire cast brings to the production.

    —Kerry Reid

  • Newcity

    October 22, 2025

    “Hundreds of Stars” has much wisdom to impart … Now, more than ever, it is vital for us to understand the tumultuous nature of immigration in this country. Not just the uneven enforcement, but the real human consequences of dividing families.

    —Amanda Finn

Features

  • Chicago Magazine

    September 22, 2025

    In [Hundreds and Hundreds of] Stars, [playwright Sandra Delgado] challenges preconceptions of the immigrant experience. “La Havana Madrid planted a seed in me for why I write,” Delgado says. “It isn’t just, ‘Let’s sit in the dark and have fun watching this story.’ There’s a higher purpose to my work: to educate, empower, and activate people.”

    —Web Behrens

    Read the full feature

  • WBEZ

    October 21, 2025

    Each night, as federal immigration agents roam the streets of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs detaining people in real life, playwright and actress Sandra Delgado takes the stage … and portrays a green card holder who faces deportation.

    —Mike Davis and Ambar Colón

    Read the full feature

Discussions & Events

  • HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF STARS: PRE-Show Discussion
    Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 1pm

    Join us for an informal sneak peek into this production with members of the production team.

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  • HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF STARS: Post-Show Discussions
    Various Dates

    Join us for informal post-show discussions with members of the production team and cast.

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  • HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF STARS: Company Member Discussion
    Sunday, October 26 at 3:30pm

    Join us for an informal chat with TimeLine’s Company Members after today’s performance.

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  • Open Captioned Performances of HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF STARS
    November 1 at 2pm & 7:30 pm

    Featuring a text display of words and sounds heard during the performance.

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  • HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF STARS: Sunday Scholars
    Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 3:30pm

    This one-hour post-show panel discussion features experts on the themes of the play.

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  • Audio Described Performance of HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF STARS
    Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 2pm

    Featuring audio description of visuals during the performance via individual headset.

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