Looking to take in some live theater in the week ahead? Here are some highlights of what’s playing on Chicago’s stages:
Pick of the Week
“Sunset Boulevard”: “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.” This is just one of the great lines uttered by Gloria Swanson as a deranged Norma Desmond in the Oscar-winning 1950 film “Sunset Boulevard.” Find all of this plus memorable songs in Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton’s Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of Billy Wilder’s classic film. The Porchlight Music Theatre staging features Hollis Resnik as Norma, the washed-up silent film star who plots her return to the big screen; Billy Rude portrays Joe Gillis, the unsuccessful screenwriter who is drawn into her fantasy world. Michael Weber directs. Previews begin Oct. 11, opens Oct. 15; to Nov. 24. Porchlight Music Theatre at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn, $39-$66; porchlightmusictheatre.org
Other previews, openings
Directors Haven 2019: Features work by three early-career directors: Caryl Churchill’s “This Is a Chair” directed by Lauren Katz, Sonia Sanchez’s “2 x 2” directed by Aaron Mays, and Dan Giles “How You Kiss Me Is Not How I Like To Be Kissed” directed by AJ Schwartz. Previews begin Oct. 14, opens Oct. 16; to Oct. 30. Haven Theatre at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee, $10; havenchi.org
Daniella Pereira and Sam Hubbard in “The Effect” at Strawdog Theatre.
Jon Cole Media
“The Effect”: Lucy Prebble’s drama about two people taking part in a clinical trial for an antidepressant who may be falling in love; directed by Elly Green. Previews begin Oct. 13, opens Oct. 19; to Nov. 23. Strawdog Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice, $35; strawdog.org
“Exquisita Agonia”: Nilo Cruz’s drama about an opera singer who, after losing her husband in a car accident, pursues the recipient of his transplanted heart; directed by Marcela Munoz. Preview Oct. 17, opens Oct. 18; to Nov. 24. Aguijon Theater, 2707 N. Laramie, $10-$30; clata.org and aguijontheater.org
“Jane Eyre”: The Joffrey Ballet, in partnership with American Ballet Theatre, presents the Chicago premiere of choreographer Cathy Marston’s adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s classes novel. Oct. 16-27. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., $35-$199; joffrey.org
Emjoy Gavino and Hannah Toriumi in “Kentucky” at The Gift Theatre.
Claire Demos
“Kentucky”: Leah Nanako Winkler’s dark comedy in which identity, religion and love collide in a coming-of-age story; directed by Chika Ike. Previews begin Oct. 17, opens Oct. 20; to Nov. 16. Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont, $42; thegifttheatre.org
“Luisa Miller”: The Lyric Opera launches a multi-year series of Giuseppe Verdi’s works with this opera about star-crossed love and violent jealousy. Opens Oct.12; to Oct. 31. Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker, $39-$299; lyricopera.org
“The Merchant of Venice”: Shakespeare’s classic drama of revenge, justice and mercy now set in 1938 Italy when laws discriminated against Italian Jews during the rise of fascism; directed by Charles Askenaizer. Previews begin Oct. 17, opens Oct. 21; to Nov. 17. Invictus Theatre at The Buena, Pride Arts Center, 4147 N. Broadway, $25; invictustheatreco.com
“One Giant Leap — The Apollo 11 Moon Landing”: A staged reading of J.T. Rogers’ play that weaves together transcripts of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, news coverage and interviews of those involved in the landing; directed by PJ Powers. Oct. 14. TimeLine Theatre at Broadway Playhouse Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut, $25; broadwayinchicago.com
“Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead”: In Eric Bogosian’s one-man play, Donterrio Johnson portrays 12 angry men, each trying to stop the noise in their head; directed by Jon Dambacher. Oct. 16, 30. The Broadway, Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, $20; Hundo4uproductions.com
“Soltera, Casada, Viuda y Divorciada”: Roman Sarmentero’s comedy finds four Latinas in different stations in life sharing their points of view on the topic of men. Performed in Spanish with English supertitles. Oct. 17-20. Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theatre Festival at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre, 1700 N. Halsted, $20-$25; steppenwolf.org
Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.
