Saturday
Sketchbook Festival — through July 1 by Collaboraction Theatre Company at Steppenwolf Garage Theatre, 1624 N. Halsted St.; $30-$50, 312-335-1650. The seventh annual event, this year in a higher-profile venue. The premiere of 16 short plays in a confab of theater, music and art. Playwrights include Wendy Macleod, Quiara Alegria Hudes and Sean Graney; music by Jon Langford, Nicholas Tremulis and Plush.
“Raised” — through July 1 by the side project theatre, 1439 W Jarvis Ave.; $15, 773-973-2150. Dark comedy about a small-town pastor.
“The Life” — through July 15 by Bohemian Theatre Ensemble at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.; $27, 773-327-5252. Cy Coleman’s musical about the sex trade in the gritty environs of Times Square in the 1970s.
Tuesday
“In the Continuum” — through June 24 by Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.; $10-$35; 312-443-3800. An off-Broadway hit by Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter — about an African and an African-American, both living with HIV. The stories of the two women unfold separately on stage until they collide.
“The Magic Cabaret” — through July 10 at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.; $20, 773-871-3000. A weekly magic show in the parlor-magic tradition, performed by some of Chicago’s finest sleight-of-handsters. By TMC Partners.
EXTENDED, more shows
“Ragtime” — While L. Walter Stearns’ affordable, intimate revival of “Ragtime” is no feat of revisionist direction, Porchlight Music Theatre’s revival features an uncommonly talented cast. Reopens June 9 at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave.; $46.50, 773-935-6100.
CLOSINGS, last chance
Sunday
“Apple” — By Canadian playwright Vern Thiessen, “Apple,” is a 90-minute drama ambitious enough to explore breast cancer, sexuality and betrayal. It’s lean yet visceral, complex yet accessible, elliptical yet strikingly clear. An intimate, well-acted affair. Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway; $20-$25, 773-549-1815.
