OPENING
Saturday
“The Fool (Returns to his Chair)” — through Sept. 29 by the Neo-Futurists at the Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave.; $15, 773-275-5255 and www.neofuturists.org. Using few to no words, a cast of Neo-Futurists and actors from other companies presents a history of fools through the ages, from village idiots through the Muppets. A creation by John Pierson of physical performance, comedy and music.
“Paradise Lost” — through Oct. 21 by TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington Ave.; $15-$30, 773-281-8463 and www.timelinetheatre.com. Louis Contey directs what’s said to be Clifford Odets’ favorite work as the TimeLine season opener. A Depression-era portrait of the Gordon family and friends, who scramble to hold on to their middle-class lives.
CLOSING, last chance
Saturday
“Memphis Soul (The Story of Stax Records)” — Even by the exuberant standards of this joyous theater, “Memphis Soul” is an uncommonly good time. The key is musical director Jimmy Tillman and his powerhouse band. At Black Ensemble Theater, 4520 N. Beacon St., $40, 773-769-4451.
Sunday
“August: Osage County” — Next stop is Broadway for this staggeringly ambitious, staggeringly successful three-act opus that has been widely heralded as the birth of a major new American play. Chicago playwright Tracy Letts has forged a show that eulogizes the perversely nurturing dysfunction of family life on the Plains as surely as it skewers its absurdities. Deanna Dunagan plays a matriarch presiding over a trio of sisters who’ve rushed home to Oklahoma to find out why their father, a sometimes-writer and constant drinker, has disappeared. Dunagan spits out the kind of brilliantly acidic performance that will be remembered for years to come. At Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.; $20-$65, 312-335-1650.
“Honus and Me” — Sean Graney’s sophisticated-but-accessible production of Steven Dietz’s 80-minute baseball play makes for an exceptionally warm and appealing show aimed at anyone older than 7. By Chicago Children’s Theatre at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.; $15-$38 at 312-443-3800.
“Ragtime” — L. Walter Stearns’ emotional, intimate revival features an uncommonly talented cast. At the Apollo, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave.; $46.50, 773-935-6100.
Tuesday
“Overnight Lows” — The work of the writer Mark Guarino shows us a couple who wake up at 3:55 a.m. and find the night turns into a weird melange of their entire personal lives. By Walkabout Theater at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia; $10, 773-248-9278.
