CITY
Blue Man Group: They may no longer be on the technological knife edge, but they got a lot of things right, marrying spectacle with emotional engagement, making it fun (if a bit loud) for families, and most of all staying smart, spewing sociological theory along with their Twinkies. Open run at Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St.; $49.50 to $59.50 at 312-902-1500.
Campaign Supernova: Second City e.t.c. always has to be sufficiently edgy that its parent institution doesn’t seem in a creative rut, but when the mainstage sells out, it also has to deliver enough laughs. As directed by Matt Hovde, “Supernova” straddles those conflicting masters as well as Democrats screw up elections. And that’s a compliment. Through Dec. 31 by Second City e.t.c., 1608 N. Wells St.; $19-$25 at 312-337-3992.
Co-Ed Prison Sluts: The Annoyance Theatre’s “Co-Ed Prison Sluts” is a filthy little show. It wallows in the seedier side of life behind bars. Its characters are a happy crew of perverts. But this funny show — which ran for 11 years in the 1980s and 1990s — was significant in the development of Chicago comedy. And it’s good to see it back. No inappropriate subtlety or maturity has been added to the mix. Older, yes. Classier, no. Huzzah! Through Aug. 29 at Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway; $15 at 773-561-4665.
Cirque Shanghai Gold: Well, it took ’em three years, but Navy Pier finally has a summertime, family-oriented, international circus attraction. To the credit of the producers, Cirque Shanghai has gotten progressively better every year. This year’s production, directed by the Ringling Bros. veteran Sylvia Hase, is still not wholly the equal of the Las Vegas Strip, but then the tickets cost a lot less. And for 2008, Navy Pier has delivered a much zestier, sexier and generally more appealing show that uses talents from the Chicago theater to showcase the visiting Chinese acrobats, whose skills have been dazzling from the project’s inception. Through Sept. 1 on the Pepsi Skyline Stage, Navy Pier; $14.50-$29.50 at 312-902-1500.
Jacques Brel’s Lonesome Losers of the Night: This new, 90-minute revue, conceived by Fred Anzevino and Arnold Johnston, sets Jacques Brel’s songs in the context of a down-at-the-heels bar on an Amsterdam wharf, circa 1959. The No Exit Cafe is so close to the rumbling “L,” you can hear when the doors are closing. But Anzevino’s subtly toned show still transports you to a rough, guttural ambiance that feels something akin to Eugene O’Neill’s sea plays and is positively bursting with the aura of European dislocation and humanistic emotional oomph. Through Aug. 30 at the No Exit Cafe, 6970 N. Glenwood Ave.; $20 at 773-370-0235.
Jersey Boys: The music of the Four Seasons and their rise from Newark to the top of the pop-music charts, this Chicago production delivers a smash-hit adult night out. Open run at Bank of America Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St.; $30-$150 at 312-902-1400.
Kooza: The touring Cirque du Soleil’s “Kooza” was created by the theater artist David Shiner. Although fine for older kids, it isn’t a soft or sweet show. Flawlessly executed and thrilling from start to finish, “Kooza” is a hard-edged, hard-driving, ambitiously contemporary affair that lasts a good 2 1/2 hours. Cirque long ago abandoned its love of Euro-whimsy in favor edgier, colder, faster-paced entertainment. There’s a dark, macho, dangerous snap to this show and it works extraordinarily well. Through Aug. 24 at United Center Parking Lot K; $55-$125 at 800-678-5440.
Lookingglass Alice: The remarkable Lauren Hirte is back for another summer of “Alice,” Lookingglass Theatre’s hugely enjoyable hit that packs the Mag Mile joint with families — especially mothers and daughters. I’ve seen this show three times, and it’s never been stronger. All of the best parts remain, including the gymnastics and circus arts and (my personal favorite) Humpty Dumpty’s terrifying fall. But there’s some new stuff here too: the psychedelic Lewis Carroll narrative feels clearer this year, and more urgent. Through Sept. 7 by Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Ave.; $30-$60 at 312-337-0665.
Plaza Suite: A trifurcated comedy of marital despair, Neil Simon’s Broadway comedy was a huge success in 1968. We’re just not comfortable anymore with this kind of middle-age misery. Still, Steve Scott’s solid and well-paced Eclipse Theatre Company revival delivers big belly laughs in a little theater, replete with pleasingly quirky performances. Through Aug. 31 at Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.; $15-$25 at 773-871-3000.
A Rabbit’s Tale: You don’t typically stumble across a moving little show like “A Rabbit’s Tale” in a park. But few cities have a native theater company like Blair Thomas and Company, where visual delicacy and an open heart are at the core of the art. The wordless “A Rabbit’s Tale” is enacted to the accompaniment of Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” played live and beautifully by Mary Rose Jordan. Through Aug. 24 at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park; free.
Suddenly, Last Summer: If you caught Kevin Hagan’s arresting revival for Shattered Globe Theatre last fall, you saw the benefits of letting a skilled, sensitive designer run the whole show. Tennessee Williams’ 1958 one-act is an intensely symbolic and surreal play about memory, sex and the dangers posed by people who are deeply ashamed of themselves. Through Aug. 3 at Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive (at Fullerton); $17.50 at 312-742-7994.
Superior Donuts: Tracy Letts is a proud Chicago writer. And although the scope and human weight of his latest play doesn’t match “August: Osage County,” it’s a witty, seductive and greatly entertaining Chicago show. Set in the waning days of the last independent doughnut shop in Uptown, an aging draft dodger (Michael McKean) and his young assistant (Jon Michael Hill) try to define their place in their changing community. Through Aug. 24 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.; $20-$68 at 312-335-1650.
Wicked: Blond girl. Green girl. Love interests. Goat. Wizard. All are in fine Midwestern fettle. Through Jan. 25, 2009 at the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St.; $32-$90 at 312-902-1400.
Willy Wonka: Roald Dahl’s children’s story, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” is delicious in its appeal and its un-Disneylike political incorrectness. Not only is this seasonal attraction on the Pier a moving and enjoyable confection, ideal for ages about 6 and up, you can also see the seeds of what this show could become if expanded beyond 75 minutes. The director Joe Leonardo and his classy star, Sean Fortunato, don’t shy away from the dark ambivalence of the text. Through Aug. 17 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier; $18-$23 at 312-595-5600.
SUBURBS
The Lion in Winter: Thanks to the husband-and-wife, king-and-queen team of Michael Canavan and Shannon Cochran, the smart-mouthed angst flows nicely in Rick Snyder’s pleasingly primal production of James Goldman’s historical yarn from 1966. Through Aug. 20 at Writers’ Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct., Glencoe; $40-$55 at 847-242-6000.
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Hottest ticket
The Full Monty: The gifted director and choreographer Marc Robin is behind Marriott Theatre’s superb revival of a mostly mediocre piece of material. Even though its target audience may be mostly female, Robin understands that “The Full Monty” only works if it gets at what it means to be a man. The show is by Terrence McNally and David Yazbek, imported from the 1997 British movie. It’s about how a man laid off from his work suffers a crisis of manhood — and how art can restore that sense of human dignity. Robin’s inspired production keeps its eye on that crucial point. As the chief would-be stripper and big-hearted father, KC Lupp hits the right tone. The top-drawer Broadway performer Milton Craig Nealy brings the house down with the un-P.C. but riotously funny number about how every woman’s fantasy is “a big, black man.” And how full is the monty? Let’s just saw Robin comes up with a luminous new climactic device — and leave it there.
Through Sept. 21 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire; $45 at 847-634-0200.
