Looking to take in some live theater in the week ahead? We’ve got some highlights from Chicago’s stages:
Pick of the Week:
“TRU — A Musical for Mental Health”: David Gosz and Leo Fotos’ new musical shines a light on the struggles and triumphs of living with mental illness. The story follows Truman (Stephen “Blu” Allen), a man struggling with mental illness, and Isla (Shannon McEldowney), an artist trying to overcome her anxieties, as their paths cross and they confront their personal struggles together. “TRU” was a semi-finalist for the 2017 New York Musical Festival and premiered at the 2018 Chicago Musical Theatre Festival. Taylor Pasche directs. Previews begin Oct. 28, opens Nov. 1; to Nov. 24. Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, $35; stage773.com
More previews/openings:
“The Dragon of Wantley”: John Frederick Lampe’s 18th century opera about a knight who heads into battle to slay a dragon and win the hand of a fair maiden. Oct. 27, 29. Haymarket Opera at Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan, $30-$95; haymarketopera.org
Fl!P Fest of Funny Lesbian Plays: Staged readings of “Lethal Woman” by Heidi FitzGerald (Oct. 29), “The Queen’s Fool: A Queer Fairytale” by Kathleen Grotzinger (Nov. 5), “Sapphic Switcheroo” conceived by Sara BenBella, Jessica DeBolt and Leah Geis (Nov. 12), “Movie Queens” by Claudia Allen (Nov. 13). The Broadway, Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, $10; pridefilmsandplays.com
“I Am Going to Die Alone and I Am Not Afraid”: An ensemble-devised piece about resilience and tenacity in the face of violence; directed by Anna H. Gelman. Previews begin Oct. 25, opens Oct. 28; to Dec. 6. Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston, $20; propthtr.org
Victor Holstein is featured in “Incomplete Conversations at Silent Theatre Company.
Nell Voss
“Incomplete Conversations”: A site specific, immersive play that explores the emotional shockwaves of an unexpected death within a family and a church community; directed by Nell Voss. Previews begin Oct. 25, opens Oct. 28; to Nov. 23. Silent Theatre Company at Tapestry Fellowship Church, 3824 W. Irving Park, $20 or pay-what-you-can; silenttheatre.com
“Latin History for Morons”: Inspired by the absence of Latinos from American history books, John Leguizamo goes on a funny, frenzied search to find a Latin hero for his son’s history project; directed by Tony Taccone. Opens Oct. 29; to Nov. 3. Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, $30-$90; broadwayinchicago.com
Adithi Chandrashekar is among the ensemble cast of “Laura and the Sea” at Rivendell Theatre.
Nathanael Filbert
“Laura and the Sea”: Kate Tarker’s comedy about a travel agent whose colleagues try to piece together a memorial blog after her death but how do you mourn someone you didn’t really know? Directed by Devon de Mayo. Previews begin Oct. 25, opens Nov. 4; to Dec. 8. Rivendell Theatre, 5779 Ridge, $38; rivendelltheatre.org
“The Other Cinderella”: Jackie Taylor’s African American rendition of the classic fairy tale; directed by Taylor. Previews begin Oct. 27, opens Nov. 3; to Jan. 26. Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark, $55, $65; blackensembletheater.org
“Oliver”: The musical version of Charles Dickens classic tale of a young orphan trying to rise up in the world. Previews begin Oct. 30, opens Nov. 6; to Dec. 29. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire, $50-$60; marriotttheatre.com
“Our Town”: Thornton Wilder’s classic play set among the everyday lives of the citizens of Grover’s Corners; directed by Jim Masini. Opens Oct. 25; to Nov. 17. Saint Sebastian Players at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey, $25; saintsebastianplayers.org
Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.
