This fall we’re getting right down to the theatrical goods.
Ask Chicago theater lovers why they don’t get out to a show more often and they’ll usually tell you that it’s tough to make the right choices from the myriad openings at this time of year. And all too often, shows will come and go — or come and sell out — before you’ve had a chance to read the Tribune review, free up the calendar, find a babysitter, call for tickets, etc.
So instead of the usual vague survey, we’ve picked the 15 shows (between now and Christmas) that we think stand the best chance for giving you a night to remember. Caveat emptor, of course. Even when you think you know the parties involved, making predictions about plays is a tricky business. Also, we’ve tried to suggest shows that will challenge and provoke as much as provide an escapist night out.
1. “SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS” Shubert Theatre, 22 W. Monroe St. Begins Dec. 16. 312-902-1500
The pre-Broadway Chicago run of “Sweet Smell,” with John Lithgow, will be the hottest ticket of the fall. Like “The Producers,” it’s based on a terrrific old movie. Like “The Producers,” it’s a show about show business. Like “The Producers,” it has what producer Marty Bell reasonably refers to as “the Broadway A-Team.” That includes Marvin Hamlisch, who has done nothing for the theater for years; the remarkable Bob Crowley, who designed the sets for “Aida”; and Nicholas Hytner, who directed “Miss Saigon” on Broadway. Spies who saw the New York workshop say it’s great. And don’t wait for reviews. As with “The Producers,” by the time they let the critics in, the Chicago run will be almost through.
2. “THE VISIT” Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., Sept. 21-Oct. 28. 312-443-3800
Doing a musical based on a somber play by Friedrich Durrenmatt may sound like a Max Bialystock project, but “The Visit” is the latest from the team of John Kander and Fred Ebb (“Cabaret,” “The Kiss of the Spider Woman” et al.). Even though both Kander and director Frank Galati swore in recent interviews that New York is on no one’s mind, this big-scale show will move to Broadway in the blink of an eye if it hits here. And if it doesn’t? Well, there’s always Chita Rivera. And when did Kander and Ebb write anything that was less than very good?
3. “SHOCKHEADED PETER” Athenaeum Theatre, Sept. 19-Oct. 14. 312-902-1500
This show defies easy categorization, but it is a remarkable experience (or it was, at least, when I saw it in Columbus a year or two ago). Dark puppetry, original musical numbers and melodramatic whimsy combine in this weird piece that’s based on the 19th Century children’s book “Slovenly Peter.” It originated in Britain in 1997, is now on a short American tour with an English cast and is not likely to come around again soon.
4. “THE CAR MAN” Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., Nov. 14-18. 312-902-1500
A distinctive amalgam of dance and theater from Matthew Bourne, who stormed New York in 1999 with his drag version of “Swan Lake.” This latest effort was derived from the unlikely dual sources of Bizet’s “Carmen” and the movie “The Postman Always Rings Twice.” An “auto-erotic” (get it?) thriller, it’s for adults only and should sell out fast.
5. “HUSHABYE MOUNTAIN” The Theatre Building, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., through Oct. 7. 773-325-5252
When the Famous Door Theatre Company produced Jonathan Harvey’s “Beautiful Thing,” the delightful production moved to New York and heralded the current glory days of this talented troupe. Now, Famous Door mounts the American premiere of the sweet-toned Harvey’s latest play (the story of a family dealing with loss), directed by Gary Griffin.
6. “BRONZEVILLE” Pegasus Players, 1145 W. Wilson Ave., Nov. 2-Dec. 16. 773-878-9761
The combination of playwright David Barr and director Ilesa Lisa Duncan is an exciting one. Barr is a fine emerging Chicago scribe, and Duncan has done some terrific shows at the Chicago Theatre Company. For Pegasus, Barr and Duncan are telling the story of Bronzeville, the South Side Chicago neighborhood that spawned so much creativity.
7. “WAVING GOODBYE” Steppenwolf Studio Theatre, 1850 N. Halsted St., Dec. 15-Jan. 6. 312-335-1650
Jamie Pachino (“Aurora’s Motive”) may be the next Chicago playwright to hit the big time. In a production combining the resources of Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Naked Eye Theatre Company, this piece tells the tale of a woman who has lost her father in a climbing accident and returns to live with the mother who abandoned her. It was the winner of the Kennedy Center Award for New American Plays, and this will be its world premiere.
8. “RICHARD II” Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Navy Pier, Sept. 7-Nov. 11. 312-595-5600
Talented Chicago actor Scott Parkinson has been playing supporting roles in numerous classical and other endeavors around town and frequently stealing the show. Now, director Barbara Gaines has given him a Shakespearean title role.
9. “GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS” Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted St., Nov. 23-Jan. 19.312-335-1650
Mike Nussbaum as Shelley “The Machine” Levene is reason enough to buy a ticket to this revival of David Mamet’s dissection of American capitalism. Also, director Amy Morton may be bring a new spin to a play that is generally presented as a testosterone contest.
10. “PYGMALION” Apple Tree Theatre, 595 Elm Pl., Highland Park, Sept. 25-Oct. 28. 847-432-4335
There are two productions of “My Fair Lady” this season (one at the Drury Lane Oakbrook, Oakbrook Terrace, and one at the Court Theatre), and this is the source. William Brown directs an intriguing cast that includes Kate Fry and Daniel J. Travanti, who does shows only when he believes in them.
11. “MARY STUART” Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave., through Oct. 4. 773-753-4472
With Jenny Bacon playing the title role, the controversial Joanne Akalaitis brings her spin to this rarely seen Fredrich Schiller classic in a translation by Robert David MacDonald. Barbara Robertson also appears, as the virgin queen.
12. “A LIE OF THE MIND” American Theatre Company, 1909 W. Byron St., Sept. 26-Nov. 11. 773-929-1031
American Theater Company does only three shows a year, but this gutsy troupe is one of the best places to see unspoiled, Chicago-style intensity. Brian Russell directs some terrific performers (including Ed Kross, John Mohrlein and Cheryl Graeff) in this ripe-for-revival familial dissection by Sam Shepard.
13. “CHARLIE SEXBOOTS” Boxer Rebellion Theatre, 1257 W. Loyola Ave., Sept. 13-Oct. 20. 773-465-7325
Boxer Rebellion had a strong season last year in its storefront in Rogers Park. The fall opener is based on a political scandal in the 1960s involving sexuality and a member of the British parliament. Ortonesque in conception, it’s a comedy with music.
14. “IMMORAL IMPERATIVES” Victory Gardens Theatre, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Sept. 14-Oct. 28. 773-871-3000)
Dennis Zacek knows how to direct and how to run a Tony Award-winning theater. But he’ll be acting in Jeffrey Sweet’s latest play, which involves lovesick Cubans and a retired college professor (played by Zacek). That’s got folks talking.
15. “SAINT NICHOLAS” Victory Gardens Studio Theatre, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Nov. 15-Dec. 30. 773-871-3000
Greg Vinckler stars in the Chicago premiere of this one-man show about a philandering theater critic, penned by Irish wunderkind Conor McPherson and memorably played in New York by Brian Cox. Todd Schmidt directs here. Typical of McPherson’s work, it’s a creepy tall tale.
10 MORE PICKS
A cast of extras: other productions with promise
“A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC” Porchlight Theatre, Theatre Building, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Oct. 19-Dec. 16. 773-325-7984
In a heavy Sondheim fall that was kicked off by the great man’s appearance at Ravinia, Porchlight’s intimate approach is likely to be a refreshing contribution.
“AH WILDERNESS!” Griffin Theatre, 5404 N. Clark St., Oct. 22-Dec. 9. 773-769-2228
We don’t see this 1933 Eugene O’Neill masterwork in Chicago much, and it’s rare for Andersonville’s little Griffin Theatre to take on such weighty fare.
“THEY ALL FALL DOWN: THE RICHARD NICKEL STORY” Lookingglass Theatre, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Oct. 11-Dec. 3. 773-477-8088.
This show about the late Chicago photographer’s crusade to save Louis Sullivan’s buildings showed promise in its previous version. It is penned by Laura Eason and based on Richard Cahan’s book.
“EVERYTHING’S DUCKY” Northlight Theatre, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Dec. 5-Jan. 6. 847-673-6300.
This new holiday musical is written by the talented Jeffrey Hatcher and the musical team of Bill Russell and Henry Kreiger, who wrote “Side Show.” Marc Robin is in charge of the pond.
“THE BIRDS” Sweetback Productions, Berger Park Mansion Coach House, Oct. 18-Nov. 17. 312-409-3925.
Sweetback Productions is back this fall with a feminist drag deconstruction of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” performed in the appropriately creepy Berger Park Mansion Coach House. Bird effects are promised. David Cerda, a terrific composer and “Hedwig” wannabe, has penned a raft of new ditties.
“UNDONE” About Face Theatre, 3212 N. Broadway, Oct. 14-Nov. 18. 773-549-3290.
The invariably provocative Eric Rosen collaborates on an original work with the performance poet Cin Salach.
“PAINTING CHURCHES” Organic Theater, 1420 Maple Ave., Evanston, Nov.-Dec. 847-475-2800.
The charismatic Mary Ann Thebus stars in this revival of Tina Howe’s best play.
“COYOTE ON A FENCE” Shattered Globe Theatre Company, Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St., Oct. 5-28. 312-742-8497.
Thanks to the City of Chicago, Shattered Globe reprises its hit about mismatched death-row inmates.
“A PHOENIX TOO FREQUENT” Writers Theatre, 664 Vernon Ave., Glencoe, Sept. 18-Dec. 9. 847-835-5398.
Michael Halberstam directs Christopher Fry’s infrequently revived historical drama set in ancient Rome.
“EMBRYOS ON ICE” or “FETUS DON’T FAIL ME NOW” Second City, 1616 N. Wells St., Sept. 12-open end. 312-337-3992. Under the lively Jeff Richmond’s direction, Second City’s 87th mainstage revue takes on stem cells et al.
— Chris Jones
