OPENING
Saturday
“Mr. Fluxus” — through Dec. 8 by the Neo-Futurists at the Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave.; $15, 773-275-5255 and www.neofuturists.org. Conceived and directed by Greg Allen, The Neo-Futurists’ latest original, prime-time show is staged in 13 different rooms and attempts to bring the 1960s Fluxus movement roaring into the theatrical present.
Sunday
“Wedding Play” — through Dec. 2 by About Face Theatre at Steppenwolf Garage Theatre, 1624 N. Halsted St.; $30-$35, 312-335-1650 and www.steppenwolf.org. Written and directed by Eric Rosen, “Wedding Play” is part murder mystery and part an homage to the can-do spirit of the Chicago theater. This new About Face Theatre production is being staged in the Steppenwolf Garage.
“Annie” — Sunday at the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, 1 University Pkwy., University Park; $54-$69, 708-235-2222. And then Nov. 9-10 at Paramount Arts Centre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora; $45.50-$75.50, 630-896-6666. Break out the party dresses. The pooch, the bald-headed president and the cute, red-headed orphan with the huge pipes are coming back through town.
“A Park in our House” — through Dec. 9 at Victory Gardens Theater Greenhouse, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.; $30-$35, 773-871-3000. In a continuation of its relationship with playwright Nilo Cruz, the Victory Gardens Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of “A Park in Our House,” a piece concerning life in Castro’s Cuba around 1970. Dennis Zacek directs.
“What Dreams May Come: American Visions Through Jewish Eyes” — through Dec. 16 at Piven Workshop, 927 Noyes St., Evanston; $25, 847-866-8049 and piventheatre.org. Evanston’s Piven Theatre adapts three stories by Jewish authors for the stage: “In Dreams Begin Responsibilities” by Delmore Schwartz, “Wedding in Bronzeville” by Isaac Bashevis Singer and “The Silver Crown” by Bernard Malamud.
CLOSING, last chance
Sunday
“Fiction” — There’s an autumnal air in the ever-reliable Steven Dietz’s play about a pair of married writers forced to confront both the other woman in their marriage and the way they’ve glibly combined fact and fiction in their lives. In Nick Sandy’s straightforward and right-headed production, the mature Remy Bumppo acting ensemble fires on all cylinders. David Darlow is especially strong as a troubled author confronted by reality — but perhaps still preferring the lies. At the Victory Gardens Greenhouse, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.; $24-$40 at 773-871-3000.
“No Child” — Nilaja Sun’s superbly performed and gripping one-woman show is based on her experiences as a teaching artist in a tough Bronx high school. “No Child” is a must-see — especially for teachers — because it combines a critique of the failings in one of society’s most sacred obligations with an understanding of the emotional toil of trying to teach well. At Lookingglass Theatre in Water Tower Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave.; $25-$55, 312-337-0665.
