Curtain Call: ‘A Man of Good Hope” and more theater, dance openings Oct. 4-10

Chicago Shakespeare Theater is presenting Isango Ensemble’s “A Man of Good Hope,” based on the book by Jonny Steinberg and adapted and directed by Mark Dornford-May. — Chicago Shakespeare Theater is presenting Isango Ensemble’s “A Man of Good Hope,” based on the book by Jonny Steinberg and adapted and directed by Mark Dornford-May.

Looking to take in some live theater in Chicago in the week ahead? We’ve got some highlights:

“A Man of Good Hope”: South Africa’s Isango Ensemble returns to Chicago Shakespeare’s WorldStage series with this acclaimed production based on the book by journalist Jonny Steinberg and adapted and directed by Mark Dornford-May. Told through song and dance, it’s the true coming-of-age story of a young Somali refugee, Asad Abdullahi, as he flees his country’s civil war only to find another violent reality in South Africa. Known for its powerhouse vocals and signature marimba accompaniment, Isango Ensemble draws its performers from the townships surrounding Cape Town and is known for its roof-raising performances. Opens Oct. 4; to Oct. 13. Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand, $60-$90; chicagoshakes.com

“Aliens, Immigrants & Other Evildoers”: Performance artist Jose Torres-Tama in a sci-fi solo show that challenges anti-immigrant hysteria. Oct. 5-6. Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theatre Festival at National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., $15-$20; clata.org

“Back in the Day — An ’80s House Music Dancesical”: Set during Chicago’s street dancing scene of the 1980s, the story follows dance crews as they move through life making their own families and redefining gender norms. Written by Miranda Gonzalez and based on Jose “Gringo” Echevarria’s memoir “The Real Dance Fever: Book One.” Previews begin Oct. 8; opens Oct. 10; to Nov. 2. Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theatre Festival at Urban Theater, 2620 W. Division, $15-$40; clata.org and urbantheaterchicago.org

“Contractions”: Mike Bartlett’s drama about a woman whose interoffice romance leads to accusations of breach of contract; directed by Adrienne Matzen. Oct. 10-13. The Comrades at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln, $10; the-comrades.com

Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theater & Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre: The two Chicago companies explore identity and culture through dance and music. Oct. 4. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., $29-$68; auditoriumtheatre.org

“Daughter of a Cuban Revolutionary”: Midwest premiere of Marissa Chibas’ solo piece, which revolves around three figures in her life: her father, who co-wrote the manifesto for the Cuban revolution with Fidel Castro; her uncle, who was a frontrunner for the Cuban presidency in 1951; and her mother, who was a Miss Cuba runner-up in 1959. Opens Oct. 8; to Oct. 13. Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theatre Festival at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, $25-$30; goodmantheatre.org

“Electrogynous”: d. Sabela grimes, a former Rennie Harris company member, with his own hip-hop fusion, a movement style derived from black vernacular social-dance practices, music, activism and their interconnectedness. Oct. 10-12. Dance Center of Columbia College, 1306 S. Michigan, $10-$30; dance.colum.edu

“Grey House”: Levi Holloway’s play about a young couple caught in a blizzard who seek shelter in a cabin inhabited by four children and their minder who may not be what they seem; directed by Shade Murray. Previews begin Oct. 10, opens Oct. 19; to Dec. 1. A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells, $30-$40; aredorchidtheatre.org

“Hell Followed with Her”: Bill Daniel’s zombie western about a woman with revenge on her mind and the undead in her way; directed by Josh Zagoren. Previews begin Oct. 7, opens Oct. 11; to Nov. 9. WildClaw Theatre at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee, $30; wildclawtheatre.com

“Holy Ghost Bingo: God, Goblins & Games”: Vicki Quade’s new comedy features an ex-nun, bingo, Halloween trivia, audience interaction and more. Opens Oct. 4; to Nov. 10. Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted, $30; royalgeorgetheatre.com

“Keely and Du”: Jane Martin’s drama about a right-to-life activist and a pregnant rape victim who confront the issues that separate them; directed by Ted Hoerl. Previews begin Oct. 9, opens Oct. 14; to Nov. 10. Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr, $35, $40; redtwist.org

“Lerner and Loewe’s Greatest Hits”: Songs from the classic musicals “Brigadoon,” “My Fair Lady,” “Gigi,” “Paint Your Wagon” and “Camelot.” Opens Oct. 4; to Oct. 13. Music Theater Works, Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago, Evanston, $32-$64; musictheaterworks.com

“Madagascar — A Musical Adventure”: Based on the animated film, the musical features your favorite zoo escapees as they embark on a madcap journey; directed by Johanna McKenzie Miller. Previews begin Oct. 4, opens Oct. 12; to Dec. 29. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire, $18.23; marriotttheatre.com

“A Man of No Importance”: Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens and Terrence McNally’s musical adaptation of the 1994 film set in 1964 Dublin about a bus conductor who heart holds secrets he can share only with his imagined confidant, Oscar Wilde; directed by Donterrio Johnson. Previews begin Oct. 10, opens Oct. 14; to Nov. 10. The Broadway, Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, $30, $40; pridefilmsandplays.com

“The Master Comic,” by Aaron Todd Douglas, Yusef Williams and Terrence T. Brown’s play, and inspired by Ibsen’s “The Master Builder,” will receive its world premiere by MPAACT, at the Greenhouse Theater Center.

“The Master Comic”: World premiere of Aaron Todd Douglas, Yusef Williams and Terrence T. Brown’s play, inspired by Ibsen’s “The Master Builder,” about the rise and fall of a once great and now controversial black entertainer; directed by Runako Jahi. Previews begin Oct. 4, opens Oct. 13; to Nov. 17. MPAACT at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln, $20-$42; greenhousetheater.org

“Mosquitoes”: Lucy Kirkwood’s drama follows two sisters on a collision course that threatens to upend the fragile gravity holding their family together; directed by Jaclynn Jutting. Opens Oct. 4-Nov. 9. Steep Theatre, 1115 W. Berwyn, $27, $39; steeptheatre.com

“On Notice”: A collaboration between Zephyr experimental dance company’s director Michelle Kranicke and architect David Sundry investigates the ways we negotiate actual and virtual space. Oct. 10-19. SITE/less, 1250 W. Augusta, $20; zephyrdance.com

Barrel of Monkeys company members perform “That’s Weird, Grandma.” — Barrel of Monkeys company members perform “That’s Weird, Grandma.”

“That’s Weird, Grandma: Goes Trick or Treating”: Stories about ghosts, orphans and silly horrors imagined by Chicago elementary school students; directed by Brandon Cloyd. Previews begin Oct. 6, opens Oct. 13; to Nov. 3. Barrel of Monkeys at Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland, $10, $20; barrelofmonkeys.org

A Celebration of Lar Lubovitch: Performances by The Joffrey Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, Ballet Austin and Jonathan Alsberry, Craig Black and Andrew Murdock. Oct. 5-6. Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, $35-$150; harristheaterchicago.org

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.

Next Up In Theater

‘Quamino’s Map,’ a world premiere opera in Chicago, explores the ‘burning desire’ for freedom

Hollis Resnik, acclaimed Chicago stage actress, dead at 66

Time-jumping ‘In Every Generation’ shows how faith rocks a family, from one Passover to another

‘King and I’ — the troubled classic soars in a lush staging at Drury Lane Theatre

Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick sidelined with COVID as Broadway fights virus

The Mix: Cool things to do in Chicago April 7-13

Curtain Call: ‘A Man of Good Hope” and more theater, dance openings Oct. 4-10

From comedy and drama to musicals and dance, Chicago’s stages are alive with vibrant productions.