OPENING
Sunday
“Cymbeline” — through Nov. 11 in Chicago Shakespeare’s Courtyard Theater on Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave.; $54-$70, 312-595-5600 and www.chicagoshakes.com. The director Barbara Gaines has long enjoyed a fascination with “Cymbeline,” the mature William Shakespeare’s complex and beguiling mixture of tragedy and fantasy. Her newest production kicks off the fall season at Chicago Shakespeare and has a cast that includes Larry Yando and Chaon Cross.
Tuesday
“The Princess Club” — through Oct. 7 Redmoon Central, 1463 W. Hubbard St.; $15-$25, 312-850-8440 and www.redmoon.org. With its usual emphasis on visual complexity and counter-cultural commentary, Redmoon Theater turns its attention to the ubiquitous “princess” phenomenon as means of exploring gender roles and the limits (and intersections) of the naughty and the nice. Despite the title, the show is not recommended for anyone under 14.
Wednesday
“Up N’ Under” — through Oct. 21 at Circle Theatre, 7300 W. Madison St., Forest Park; $24, 708-771-0700 and www.circle-theatre.org. Although a household name in British theatrical circles for his fusion of theater and popular entertainment, the playwright (and Hull Truck Theatre Company artistic director) John Godber has never enjoyed a big U.S. profile. But his nightclub play “Bouncers” was an iconic hit for the Next Theatre Company. And now the Circle Theatre has the guts to take on “Up N’ Under,” a classic Godber piece about the culture of professional rugby.
Thursday
“The Crucible” — through Nov. 11 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.; $20-$68, 312-335-1650 and www.steppenwolf.org. Despite some personnel interference from the impending Broadway transfer of “August: Osage County,” Steppenwolf goes full steam ahead with its autumnal Chicago revival of Arthur Miller’s ever-timely exploration of the human costs of ideological hysteria. A very busy Anna D. Shapiro directs a cast that includes Alana Arenas, Kelly O’Sullivan, Tim Hopper , James Vincent Meredith and Alan Wilder. (The Chicago Public Library also has chosen “The Crucible” as the fall selection for the One Book, One Chicago reading program.)
CLOSING, last chance
Sunday
“Lookingglass Alice” — The confident and widely acclaimed “Alice” ends its latest run in Chicago. Lauren Hirte’s warmhearted, trapeze-loving Alice has proved as curious as ever. ‘Tween girls love her, in part because director David Catlin has fashioned a thoroughly modern girl from Lewis Carroll’s Victorian creation, while retaining just the right sense of period whimsy. Alice strives, Alice believes in herself, and Alice succeeds. Not to be missed by young people and their parents (though adults on a Michigan Avenue date will need a well-developed sense of play to get into the show to the same degree). By Lookingglass Theatre in the Water Tower Water Works, 921 N. Michigan Ave.; $20-$58 at 312-337-0665.
