FRIDAY
“Tracks” — through July 8 by The Utopian Theatre Asylum (TUTA) at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St.; $22, 847-217-0691. Chicago’s radical, Euro-oriented theater brings backs a hit show from its 2006 season. Penned by Serbian writer Milena Markovic, “Tracks” examines the effects of the Balkan civil war on the former Yugoslavia.
SATURDAY
“500 Clown Macbeth” and “500 Clown Frankenstein” — through July 29 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.; $30-$50, 312-335-1650. Despite the grandiose title, 500 Clown actually is a trio of dangerous funnypeople, whose physical cavorting is well-known in Chicago. For the summer, 500 Clown puts two of its signature productions in repertoire.
MONDAY
“I Sailed with Magellan” — through July 15 by Victory Gardens Theater at the Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.; $30-$35, 773-871-3000. Playwright and ensemble member Claudia Allen is at the wheel of Victory Garden’s new theatrical adaptation of Stuart Dybek’s collection of stories about growing up on Chicago’s in the 1950s and 1960s. Sandy Shinner directs.
“The Beauty Queen of Leenane” — through July 29 by Gift Theatre Company, 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave.; $15-$25, 773-283-7071. The Gift Theatre operates in a tiny space — smaller than most living rooms. Those should be ideal, claustrophobic quarters in which to experience Martin McDonagh’s post-modern, domestic Irish thriller.
EXTENDED, more shows
“Hats!” — through Aug. 26 at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St.; $47-$49.50, 312-988-9000. Relentlessly affirmative and charming. Melissa Manchester performs through July 1.
“Arcadia” — through June 17 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave.; $28-$54 at 773-753-4472. Charles Newell’s assertive revival of Tom Stoppard’s drama has been extended on the eve of its close.
“Jerry Springer – The Opera” — through Aug. 19 at Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.; $25-$40 at 773-883-1090. A shrewd parody opera scored by Richard Thomas, the London hit is in its American premiere at Bailiwick. David Zak’s stellar staging surrounds the audience with a cynical musical attack on all that Springer represents.
CLOSING, last chance
SUNDAY
“Fire On the Mountain” — This 90-minute musical revue at Northlight is a gently paced celebration of the people and musical heritage of Appalachian mine communities. That’s it. And to have a good time, you’ll need an affinity for, and interest in, this music. But like a lot of Randal Myler’s work, “Fire on the Mountain” is notable for its whiff of total authenticity. Myler’s accomplished performers look like workers, and they sing and play uncommonly well. At Northlight Theatre, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie; $34-$56, 847-673-6300.
