Summertime, and the living is easy — especially after the Spring That Really Wasn’t. And while we certainly understand the impulse to soak up as much sun as possible, there are plenty of great shows around when you need a culture break. (Or you could split the difference and enjoy theater al fresco.) Below are some tasty offerings, most locally grown.
Big deals and long runs
“Million Dollar Quartet”
A tribute to Sun Records founder Sam Phillips and the title foursome — Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley — who tear it up one memorable eve in the studio. Apollo Theater; open run
“South Side of Heaven”
Billy Bungeroth’s mainstage directorial debut brings a darker edge of uncertainty to Wells Street — as the city and the Second City figure out how to navigate the post-Daley era. The Second City; open run
“Chicago”
A glitzier (and more sinister) view of the City That Works — as long as you can give ’em the old razzle-dazzle, with John O’Hurley (“J. Peterman” of “Seinfeld” fame) as slick defense attorney Billy Flynn. Oriental Theatre; June 7-12
“Peter Pan”
The awfully big adventure just got a whole lot larger in this spare-no-expense spectacular, complete with CGI effects, based on J.M. Barrie’s beloved classic.
Chicago Tribune Freedom Center; through July 10
Just for Laughs Chicago
The highest-profile comedy festival in town returns with headliners Steve Martin, Martin Short and Seth Meyers, in addition to many other stand-up and sketch comedians. Various venues; June 14-19
“The All New Original Tribute to the Blues Brothers”
Comin’ to ya, on a dusty road — well, there has been a lot of construction on Congress Parkway lately. This British-born production is coming to town with Brad Henshaw and Jim de Groot donning the shoes and shades of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. Auditorium Theatre; July 6-24
Family fare
“Cirque Shanghai”
Navy Pier’s newly repaired Skyline Stage again hosts the daring acrobatics of this extravaganza, which now features Imperial Thunder, a high-wire motorcycle troupe. Local choreographer Brenda Didier helps out director Miao Miao Chen. Navy Pier Skyline Stage; June 23-Sept. 5
“Beauty and the Beast”
The big Disney stage adaptation of the film musical returns, inviting a new generation to “Be Our Guest.” Oriental Theatre; June 29-Aug. 7
“Pinkalicious”
After eating too many cupcakes, Pinkalicious turns bright pink. Emerald City Theatre Company’s hit musical production of this kids show is based on the book by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann. Broadway Playhouse; July 8-Sept. 3
“The Adventures of Pinocchio”
If Pinkalicious thinks she has problems, she should talk to the Little Wooden Dude With the Great Big Nose. This musical version of Carlo Collodi’s story of the puppet who wants to be a real boy, created by Neil Bartram and Brian Hill, features a cast of larger-than-life marionettes under Rachel Rockwell’s direction. Chicago Shakespeare Theater; July 13-Aug. 28
Fresh air feasts
“The History of King Henry the Fourth”
Both parts of the Bard’s history play have been adapted by Stanton Davis of Northern Illinois University into one epic evening, also directed by Davis for Oak Park Festival Theatre. Artistic director Jack Hickey stars as Falstaff (June 9-July 9). Followed by “Henry V” (July 14-Aug. 20). Austin Gardens in Oak Park
“The Hobbit”
Peter Jackson is hard at work on his film version, but you can enjoy J.R.R. Tolkien’s story in this outdoor staging with Theatre-Hikes. Morton Arboretum, Lisle; July 2-31
“Romeo and Juliet”
Star-crossed lovers are anguished under the stars on the lush grounds of the historic Mayslake Peabody Estate. Nick Sandys directs. First Folio Theatre, Oak Brook; July 6-Aug. 7
“The Wizard of Oz”
The great outdoors stands in for Oz in this Theatre-Hikes staging of the L. Frank Baum classic, adapted by Elizabeth Fuller Chapman. Morton Arboretum, Lisle; Aug. 6-28
Savvy finds
“Northwest Highway”
William Nedved’s set-in-Jefferson-Park play gets a world premiere in the ‘hood with Nedved’s home company. A man contemplating the sale of his father’s house finds himself conflicted about staying put and moving on. Gift Theatre; through July 17
“Next Up”
Steppenwolf gives a helping hand to the next generation. Directors and designers from Northwestern’s MFA program are mentored by Anna D. Shapiro, Todd Rosenthal and outgoing director of artistic development Polly Carl: Rajiv Joseph’s “Animals Out of Paper,” Lucy Thurber’s “Where We’re Born,” and Suzan-Lori Parks’ “Venus.” Steppenwolf Theatre Garage; May 31-June 19
“The Last Act of Lilka Kadison”
Fresh off winning the regional Tony Award, Lookingglass premieres this piece about a woman and her memories of escaping Poland on the eve of World War II. The play was inspired by Johanna Cooper and her radio series, “One People, Many Stories.” Lookingglass Theatre; June 1-July 24
“Sketchbook: Evolution”
Collaboraction’s annual homage to the art of brevity and multimedia features nine plays and seven “devised works,” including “Evolution,” by Kristoffer Diaz (“The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity”), and “Manual Cinema,” a shadow puppet show featuring the music of the band Oh+Ah, scripted by Court Theatre dramaturge Drew Dir. Chopin Theatre; June 2-25
“The Vic and Paul Show”
Practical Theatre Co. veterans and real-life couple Victoria Zielinski and Paul Barrosse bring their two-person improv show to town for one week only. Prop Thtr; June 9-12
“The Homosexuals”
Local writer Philip Dawkins provides a 21st century twist on “The Boys in the Band,” as a young gay man arrives in Chicago and ends up at a party that changes his life. Bonnie Metzgar directs for About Face Theatre. Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theatre; June 11-July 24
“A Girl With Sun in Her Eyes”
Pine Box Theatre has been on hiatus for three years but returns with this riff on a police procedural about a missing female cop. It’s scripted by Joshua Rollins and features a powerhouse cast, including Steppenwolf ensemble member James Vincent Meredith, Karen Aldridge and Pine Box company member Audrey Francis. Second Stage Theatre; June 25-Aug. 7
“Stations Lost”
Artist, actor and provocateur Tony Fitzpatrick lit up Berwyn’s 16th Street Theatre and the Steppenwolf Garage last summer with “This Train.” He returns to Halsted Street with this meditation on America and superheroes, inspired by a recent trip to Istanbul. Steppenwolf Theatre Garage; July 7-24
“No Sugar Tonight”
Long before “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Jeff Garlin was winning over fans in Chicago with his heartfelt and self-deprecating solo show (later turned into a film), “I Want Somebody to Eat Cheese With.” He details his struggles to overcome his addiction to sweets in this new piece. Steppenwolf Theatre; July 13-24
Brainy choices
“The Chicago Landmark Project”
Theatre Seven of Chicago recruited a stellar lineup of writers (including Brett Neveu, J. Nicole Brooks, Robert Koon, Marisa Wegrzyn and Lonnie Carter) to craft short pieces based on specific locations in Chicago — from Humboldt Park to Navy Pier to Woodlawn. Greenhouse Theater Center; June 2-July 10
“Lighthousekeeping”
New Leaf Theatre premieres an adaptation of Jeanette Winterson’s novel about a young woman grappling with her mother’s death while apprenticing at a lighthouse in a desolate Scottish town. Storefront Theater; June 8-July 17
“Yellow Face”
David Henry Hwang’s backstage comedy about Asian identity gets its local premiere. Silk Road Theatre Project; June 14-July 17
“Chinglish”
And more Hwang! Leigh Silverman directs another comedy by the author of “M. Butterfly,” in which an American businessman finds himself lost in translation trying to make a major deal in China. Goodman Theatre; June 18-July 24
“Krapp’s Last Tape”
Vincent Lonergan stars as the lonely old man in Samuel Beckett’s existentialist masterpiece under the direction of Aaron Snook. Signal Ensemble Theatre; July 9-Aug. 7
“The Archivist”
Stephen Gawrit envisions a post-apocalyptic landscape in which the last remaining repository of human knowledge, a cyborg, must time-travel to prevent the destruction of the human race. Right Brain Project; July 20-Aug. 20
Just for fun
“Murder for Two
— A Killer Musical”
Whodunit — and can you hum it? A tuneful twist on Agatha Christie gets its premiere under David Bell’s direction. Chicago Shakespeare Theater; through June 19
“Brigadoon”
It emerges from the mist only every hundred years. No, we’re not talking about the sun. Rudy Hogenmiller stages the romantic Lerner and Loewe Scottish musical. Light Opera Works, Evanston; June 4-12
“It Came From the Neo-Futurarium X: Battle for the Neo-Futurarium”
The Neos continue their Thursday-night summertime tribute to awful cinema. This year’s installment includes such classics as “Night of the Lepus,” about murderous bunnies. Neo-Futurarium; June 16-Aug. 18
“Jesus Camp
— The Musical”
The 2006 documentary about fundamentalists meets “Meatballs” in this highly irreverent spoof, created by Julia Weiss, Scott Lamberty and Corn Productions artistic director Robert Bouwman. Cornservatory; June 17-July 16
“Democracy Burlesque”
Get ahead of the 2012 election year shenanigans with this ongoing series of satirical sketches and songs. Mary’s Attic; through June 7 and July 26-Aug. 9
“Smashed! The Improvised Bachelorette Party”
If you want to keep the buzz from “Bridesmaids” going, head over to ComedySportz for this Friday late-night tribute to girls gone wild on their way to the altar. ComedySportz; through Sept. 2
“The Magic Cabaret”
A long-running exploration of classic parlor magic in the town that helped put it on the map, created and performed every Wednesday night by P.T. Murphy and David Parr. Greenhouse Theater Center; open run
