America: All Better! *** 1/2
The frightening, funny new revue on the Second City mainstage is called “America: All Better!” — but that doesn’t stop the cast from delivering a darkly comic show about these yin-and-yang times in Chicago, where one day we’re flying high with the federal eagles and the next we’re all rolling in the gubernatorial muck with the federal investigators. Targets of Matt Hovde’s stellar revue, which benefits from a terrific cast of diverse styles, include Rahm Emanuel, incoming presidential chief of staff, here described as a “really scary Precious Moments figurine.” Open run at Second City, 1616 N. Wells St.; $20-$25 at 312-337-3992.
Brother, Can You Spare Some Change? ***
The presidency of Barack Obama is still a blank slate, but his comedic muses at the Second City e.t.c. are raising expectations. “Can he really turn Guantanamo into the next Six Flags?,” sings the hopeful cast of the new, recession-fused revue on Second City’s second stage. “Can he turn every gun into a gumdrop?” This new revue isn’t an e.t.c. classic, but a thoroughly enjoyable insight into the increasingly nervous comedic zeitgeist. It has twin obsessions: Recession and race. Oh, and Mayor Daley, whose follies forge a full-blown Italian opera. And it showcases Christina Anthony, who might soon find herself on Saturday Night Live, playing Michelle Obama. Open run at Second City e.t.c., 1608 N. Wells St.; $20-$25 at 312-337-3992.
Don’t Dress for Dinner *** 1/2
The good times are back at the Royal George Theatre — just as they appear to be collapsing everywhere else. I wouldn’t claim that the new commercial production of the Marc Camoletti farce, starring Jeffrey Donovan and Patricia Kalember of TV fame and Spencer Kayden and Mark Harelik of Broadway, qualifies as an economic stimulus package. And if you demand redeeming social purpose for your theater-going dollar, look elsewhere. But this is a terrific show, cheerfully retro and un-P.C., and it’s most definitely a stimulus for the funny bone. Through Feb. 8 at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St.; $49.50-$59.50 at 312-988-9000.
The Little Foxes ***1/2
“The Little Foxes” might be a throbbing Southern melodrama, but Hellman knew how to link her villains to the timely dangers of greedy men and unfettered capitalism. And Brandon Bruce’s Shattered Globe Theatre revival is a very impressive piece of work from a young director. As Bruce clearly understands, much can be accomplished with this play in a tiny theater. Such a venue allows the actors to dial back scale and theatricality, and focus on truth. This beautifully paced production relaxes into these mostly malevolent characters and allows us to see the whites of their beady eyes. Through March 8 at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 Lincoln Ave.; $25-$35 at 773-404-7336.
Macbeth ***
In Barbara Gaines’ rollicking, restless, R-rated, recession-busting production of “Macbeth” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the action bounces from press conference to airport to strip club to a video-conferencing room where ghosts fly across the Internet. Stay away from this cheerfully overcooked show if you need your Shakespearean tragedy lean, subtle or simple — or if you think the best directorial concepts are seen little and heard less. But this is “Macbeth,” the most stylistically inconsistent work of Shakespeare’s greats, a drama that blends politics, poetry and paganism, awesome insights and sustained irony, witticisms and witches. As long as it’s in service of a potent point of view and a desire to connect a contemporary audience and the play’s stew of ideas, then play on, Gaines, I say. This is an exceptionally stimulating and sexy production that throws all manner of things up into the frigid air of this most nervous of winters. Through March 8 by Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave.; $44-$70 at 312-595-5600.
Jersey Boys ****
As 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 for a city that understands Jersey better than most. Open run at the Bank of America Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St.; $30-$150 at 312-902-1400.
The Maids ***
Jean Genet is steaming up the North Shore. In “The Maids,” two role-playing servants fantasize and fetishize their desirable and detestable mistress. This isn’t so much an edge-of-your-seat thriller as a highly stylized exploration of ritual and ceremony. Jimmy McDermott’s new Writers’ Theatre production is 100 intermisson-less minutes, and it isn’t for all tastes. As the two fantasy-loving maids, Helen Sadler brings a cheeky, feral, fully invested quality to Claire. And Elizabeth Laidlaw, a perpetually mysterious thespian, forges a wound-tight Solange. Through April 5 at Writers’ Theatre, 664 Vernon Ave., Glencoe; $40-$85 at 847-242-6000.
Million Dollar Quartet *** 1/2
Great balls of fire! Here’s a hit. This new commercial musical has the kind of jaw-dropping performances that lift your feet from the floor. It’s based on an actual night in 1956 when Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash showed up at Sam Phillips’ Sun Studios for a jam session — and contains two dozen iconic musical numbers. The artful director Eric D. Schaeffer doesn’t go for fake celebrities — the actor-singers evoke the essence of their guys, but are also great performers in their own right. Open run at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-935-6100.
The Screwtape Letters ***
Jeffrey Fiske and Max McLean’s touring dramatic adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters” doesn’t traffic in minimalist symbolism or arty deconstruction. The show is set in hell. And hell — or at least a corner thereof — is what gets stuck up on the stage, with white smoke, blood-red lights and all. McLean, who stars in the piece as the devil’s disciple, is a plumy, over-articulate actor who just lets it rip. And colorfully theatrical behavior serves this richly penned Christian allegory very nicely. After all, Hades ain’t dull. Through Feb. 15 at the Mercury Theatre, 3745 N. Southport Ave.; $29-$48.50 at 773-325-1700.
The Seafarer *** 1/2
Conor McPherson’s mythic, restless play about a booze-soaked Christmas Eve encounter with a mysterious, malevolent visitor is this author’s masterpiece — and, in my view, far and away the best Irish play since the glory days of Samuel Beckett. Following triumphant runs in London and on Broadway under the author’s direction, “The Seafarer” arrives at Steppenwolf in a powerful new production from Randall Arney. It loses some of the authentic slice of Irish life, but mostly replaces it with Steppenwolf’s intimate, visceral signature and, surprisingly, a much thicker slice of New World hope and human compassion. Francis Guinan delivers an extraordinary central performance. Not to be missed. Through Feb. 22 in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.; $50-$70 at 312-335-1650.
Wicked *** 1/2
Blond girl. Green girl. Tragically beautiful sister. Love interests. Goat. Wizard. All are in fine Midwestern fettle. This self-aware, grrrl-friendly pop musical is Chicago’s most prominent and profitable theatrical attraction, though it won’t be around forever. Through Jan. 25 at the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St.; $32-$90 at 312-902-1400.
HOTTEST TICKET
Call off the choppers, this is the real ‘Saigon’
Miss Saigon ***1/2:
The remarkably transformed Drury Lane Oakbrook is producing a full-blown, no-holds-barred “Miss Saigon,” the Vietnam-era retelling of “Madame Butterfly” from Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg. It’s replete with a thrillingly conceived, intelligent redesign from Kevin Depinet, an 11-piece orchestra and a 30-strong, Broadway-caliber cast. This doesn’t feel like a cut-back affair. But the relative intimacy of the theater, and director Rachel Rockwell’s smart decision to stage everybody right down front, has the very desirable effect of giving this emotional show back to the actors and freeing it from high-gloss spectacle. One sees elements in this “Miss Saigon” that one has never fully appreciated before. Through March 8 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace; $29-$56 at 630-530-0111.
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