OPENINGS
Saturday
“Honus and Me” — through Aug. 26 by Chicago Children’s Theatre at the Goodman Theatre 170 N. Dearborn St.; $15 to $38; 312-443-3800 and www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org. The Chicago Children’s Theatre presents Steven Dietz’s dramatic adaptation of the book by Dan Gutman about a young baseball fan who gets a lesson in the game of life from an old-time master. Sean Graney directs.
Tuesday
“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” — through Aug. 12 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy.; $18 to $80, 312-902-1400 and www.broadwayinchicago.com. Chicago gets its whack at the touring production of the naughty-but-funny Broadway musical about pair of con men bilking rich ladies in the South of France. First seen on Broadway in 2005, this Tony-nominated, screen-to-stage show features music and lyrics by David Yazbek, who also wrote “The Full Monty.”
Wednesday
“High School Musical” — through Sept. 2 by Disney Theatrical Productions at the LaSalle Bank Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St.; $20 to $78, 312-902-1400 and www.broadwayinchicago.com. The highlight of the summer for the ‘tween set, Disney’s full-blown, Broadway-size stage adaptation of the simple but iconic Disney Channel movie is making its official debut here. Ticket prices are hefty, but you’ll be buying a big, downtown experience. And everyone around you will know all the lyrics.
“Oklahoma” — through Aug. 5 by American Theater Company at Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive (at Fullerton Avenue); $17.50, 312-742-7994 and www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. A welcome Theater on the Lake reprise for American Theater Company’s earthy, radical redo of “Oklahoma,” which was most notable for its savvy and revelatory treatment of the famous score as a fusion of bluegrass and country shades.
EXTENDED, more shows
“Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit” — through Nov. 4 at the Royal George Cabaret, 1641 N. Halsted St.; $49.50, 312-988-9000 or 312-902-1500. The show continues its run with a new, mostly Chicago-based cast, including Michael Mahler, McKinley Carter and Holly Stauder. The funniest 90 minutes this side of the Great White Way — for musical lovers at least. Show aficionados will split their sides at the ritual skewering of Broadway pretension.
CLOSINGS, last chance
Sunday
“The Beauty Queen of Leenane” — Martin McDonagh’s visceral Irish thriller is famous for an act of onstage violence. In a decent staging — and Sheldon Patinkin’s shrewd revival is most assuredly that — the hairs on your arm start to tingle in anticipation of the nastiness in the kitchen. You’ll have seen splashier versions of this play, perhaps, than a straightforward storefront production emphasizing human continuity over theatrical tricks. But thanks to stellar performances from the thoroughly gothic Mary Ann Thebus and a primal Linda Newton, this is a very satisfying show. By Gift Theatre Company, 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave.; $20-$25, 773-283-7071.
“Hats!” — Since no one has found a cure for our incontrovertible collective march toward the grave, we might as well get a sense of humor. Such, at least, is the premise of “Hats!” The basic gestalt of this chipper, polished, 90-minute show can be summed up by one of its lyrics: “Age doesn’t matter. Unless you’re cheese.” Aimed at women of 50 or better, produced at a laudably high level. At the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St.; $47-$49.50, 312-988-9000.
