OPENINGS
Friday
“Thunderpussy: A Tommy Bartlett Story” — through Sept. 21 at the Annoyance Theatre, 4840 N. Broadway; $15, 773-561-4665 and www.theannoyance.com. The wacky pups at the Annoyance spoof the late, Milwaukee-born entertainment mogul known for water skiing and other kitschy entertainment in the Wisconsin Dells.
“His Way: A Tribute to the Man & His Music” — through July 29 at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights; $50-$60, 847-577-2121 and www.metropolisarts.com. On temporary hiatus from his new show at the Mercury Theatre, Ron Hawking reprises his long-established tribute to the music of Frank Sinatra.
Saturday
“Robin Hood: A Fanciful Historie Of That Most Notable And Fameous Outlaw Robyn Hood” — through Aug. 25 at the Oak Park Festival Theatre, Austin Gardens, 100 N. Forest Ave., Oak Park; $10-$25, 708-445-4440. The long-established Oak Park Festival Theatre has selected what should be a popular title appropriate to its outdoor, parklike setting. After some recent troubles on and off the stage, the theater appears to be having a renaissance season. Kevin Theis directs this Elizabethan-style romp.
Sunday
“2 By Pearl: Hospice and Late Bus to Mecca” — through Sept. 2 by Eclipse Theatre Company at Victory Gardens Greenhouse, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.; $22, 773-871-3000 and www.eclipsetheatre.com. Eclipse Theatre continues what’s so far been a stellar season of Pearl Cleage dramas with this production of two rarely seen Cleage one-acts, here directed by Thomas Jones and Chuck Smith.
Wednesday
“Side by Side by Sondheim” — through July 29 by Theo Ubique at Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive (at Fullerton); $17.50, 312-742-7994. Theo Ubique’s take on the well-known Stephen Sondheim revue was highly regarded in its original run (I didn’t see it). The Theater on the Lake reprises the production as part of its summer of greatest hits.
EXTENDS, more shows
“500 Clown Frankenstein” — through Aug. 12 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.; $30 at 312-335-1650. The uber-talented clown trio of Adrian Danzig, Molly Brennan and Paul Kalina pull off an immensely enjoyable 75-minute show.
“Lookingglass Alice” — through Aug. 26 by Lookingglass Theatre, 921 N. Michigan Ave.; $20-$58 at 312-337-0665. The warmhearted, trapeze-loving Alice is back in Chicago and as curious as ever.
