1001:
Six actors portray multiple roles in a comedic retelling of the ancient tales of the Arabian nights reset in the world of modern Middle Eastern politics.: opens Thu. through Oct. 9; 7:30 p.m. Thu. – Fri.; $25; $15 previews through Sept. 12; presented by Collaboraction; Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St.; 773-278-1500.
Apocalypso:
A comedy in which eight strangers’ lives intersect as they attempt to settle old scores and make amends when rumors of an impending Armageddon surface.: opens Thu. through Oct. 2; 8 p.m. Thu. – Fri.; $12-$15; presented by Point of Contention; BoHo Theatre at Heartland Studio Theatre, 7016 N. Glenwood Ave.; 773-326-3631.
The Astronaut’s Birthday:
A large-scale shadow-puppet spectacle of the tale of an astronaut’s journey to save the earth features a five-story-high graphic novel designed by artistic director Frank Maugeri, ensemble member and City of Chicago artist in residence Jim Lasko, Marvel Comics illustrator Chris Burnham, local illustrator Phineas X. Jones and other comic book artists.: opens Mon. through Sept. 26; 7:30 p.m. Thu. – Fri.; $15-$20; $10 for kids under 10; free for kids under 3; presented by Redmoon Theater and the Museum of Contemporary Art; Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave.; 312-850-8440.
The Book of Liz:
Chemically Imbalanced Comedy remounts its 2008 production of this comic play–penned by David and Amy Sedaris–which follows the adventures of a female cheeseball-making expert with a sweating problem who escapes a religious community and finds work at a family restaurant run by recovering alcoholics.: opens Thu. through Dec. 18; 8 p.m. Thu. – Fri.; $12-$18; presented by Chemically Imbalanced Comedy; Chemically Imbalanced Theater, 1420 W. Irving Park Rd.; 800-838-3006.
Chug Chicago–Rise of the Wrigleyvillians:
A choose-your-own-adventure-style show set during a Cubs’ appearance in the World Series in which the audience decides the fates of both the team and various “fans” during onstage drinking games.: opens Sat. through Sept. 25; 11:30 p.m. Sat.; $12; Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-598-4549.
Closure:
Tensions mount, suspicions grow and old wounds resurface when three estranged friends reunite to mourn the mysterious death of a woman they knew in their youth. Artistic director Jake Perry penned the drama.: opens Fri. through Sept. 26; 7 p.m. Fri.; $15; presented by Fringe Element; The Viaduct Theater, 3111 N. Western Ave.; 773-296-6024.
Detroit:
Laurie Metcalf stars in a new play by Lisa D’Amour, in which a couple’s picture-perfect facade collapses with comic results when they befriend their new next door neighbors. Austin Pendleton directs.: opens Thu. through Nov. 7; 7:30 p.m. Thu. – Fri.; $20-$70; $20-$48 previews through Sept. 18; Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted St.; 312-335-1650.
The Invasion of Skokie
: The world premiere of a dramedy set in 1978 Skokie, Illinois, in which a Jewish couple’s dinner is disrupted by both a neo-Nazi march and their daughter’s arrival with an unexpected, non-Jewish fiance.: opens Thu. through Oct. 10; 8 p.m. Thu. – Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Thu. – Fri.; $32; $15 on Thursdays; presented by Chicago Dramatists; Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave.; 312-633-0630.
Juliet:
The parents of Eastern European playwright Andras Visky (“I Killed My Mother”) are at the heart of this love story, based on the true events surrounding the couple’s romance, from WWII and subsequent deportation to imprisonment and release.: opens Fri. through Open End; 8 p.m. Fri.; $25; $15 for students; presented by Theatre Y; Royal George Theatre Center, 1641 N. Halsted St.; 312-988-9000.
Juliet: A Dialogue About Love:
A solo work performed by artistic director Melissa Hawkins, based on true events, about a Romanian woman–the mother of Transylvanian playwright Andras Visky–separated from her husband after WWII, imprisoned with her children and sentenced to death for crimes against the government.: opens Fri. through Oct. 3; 8 p.m. Fri.; $25; presented by Theatre Y; Royal George Theatre Center, 1641 N. Halsted St.; 312-988-9000.
Las Soldaderas (Female Fighters):
A drama based on the novel of the same title by Mexican author Elena Poniatowska explores women’s roles during the Mexican Revolution of the early 1900s.: opens Fri. through Oct. 3; 8 p.m. Fri.; $20; $15 for students; $35 for Sept. 17 performance (includes post-show reception commemorating the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution); Aguijon Theater, 2707 N. Laramie Ave.; 773-637-5899.
Louis Slotin Sonata:
The Midwest premiere of Seattle playwright Paul Mullin’s drama–based on true events–explores the experiences of a Los Alamos bomb builder who becomes a walking dead man for nine days after a radiation accident.: opens Fri. through Oct. 24; 8 p.m. Fri.; $25-$30; $15 previews through Sept. 12; A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St.; 312-943-8722.
A Memory of Two Mondays:
Arthur Miller’s drama, set in 1930s Brooklyn, explores the experiences of a warehouse worker who yearns for a college education.: opens Thu. through Oct. 17; 7:30 p.m. Thu. – Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun.; 7:30 p.m. Thu. – Fri.; $15-$25; presented by Eclipse Theatre Company; Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-404-7336.
Much Ado About Nothing:
Chicago dell’Arte blends physical comedy into Shakespeare’s tale of an engaged couple who attempt to trick a bachelor into marrying his verbal sparring partner.: opens Fri. through Sept. 25; 8 p.m. Fri. – Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Thu. – Fri.; $15; presented by Chicago dell’Arte; Chicago dell’Arte at the RBP Rorschach, 4001 N Ravenswood; 773-530-1040.
Our Town:
The audience hikes to various locations between scenes at this outdoor performance of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about the cycle of life, death and rebirth as told through the experiences of an up-and-coming baseball star, the studious girl he marries and the residents in their small town. BYO blanket or camp chair.: opens Sat. through Mon.; 1 p.m. Sat. – Mon.; Free. Reservations recommended: 773-660-2341; presented by Theatre-Hikes; Historic Pullman Clock Tower Administration Building, 11057 S. Cottage Grove Ave.; 773-660-2341.
Shel’s Shorts:
Four Plays by Shel Silverstein: A showcase of darkly comic, R-rated short plays which all explore miscommunications inspired by posted signs.: opens Thu. through Sept. 17; 7:30 p.m. Thu. – Fri.; $10 at the door; presented by The Laboratory Theatre Project; Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St.; 773-784-6969.
SinFest:
A fundraiser for Sinnerman Ensemble features appetizers, drinks and live music by Jon Drake & the Shakes.: opens Sun. through Sun.; 7 p.m. Sun.; $20; presented by Sinnerman Ensemble; The Den, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. Second floor; 773-728-3361.
The Sound of a Yellow Flower:
In this world premiere drama, set in Belarus, by ensemble member Dustin Spence, a single event upsets the balance in the lives of four interconnected characters.: opens Fri. through Oct. 3; 8 p.m. Fri.; $15; $10 for students; presented by Strangeloop Theatre; Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland Ave.; 773-384-0494; 773-276-0458.
Sunday in the Park with George:
Stephen Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, a fictionalized account of the painter Georges Seurat and the creation of his masterpiece, “A Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte.”: opens Fri. through Oct. 31; 8 p.m. Fri.; $38; presented by Porchlight Music Theatre; Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.; 773-327-5252.
Thieves Like Us:
A Depression Era gangster who makes a break for Mexico must decide whether to attempt to break his sidekick out of jail or go it alone with his girlfriend.: opens Thu. through Oct. 30; 8 p.m. Thu. – Fri.; $25-$29; presented by House Theatre of Chicago; Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St.; 773-769-3832.
Wuthering Heights:
In this world premiere adaptation of the classic novel by Charlotte Bronte, revenge and retribution ensue when a couple devoted to each other since childhood are brutally torn apart.: opens Fri. through Oct. 31; 7:30 p.m. Fri.; $32-$35; $20 for students; $20 previews through Sept. 19; Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave.; 773-761-4477.
