Curtain Call: ‘The Children’ and other openings, previews April 12-18

SHARE Curtain Call: ‘The Children’ and other openings, previews April 12-18
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Janet Ulrich Brooks (from left), Yasen Peyankov and Ora Jones rehearse “The Children” at Steppenwolf Theatre. | Juli Del Prete

If it’s live theater you seek, we’ve got you covered. From comedy and drama to musicals and dance, Chicago area stages offer something for everyone. Here’s what’s happening in the week ahead:

PICK OF THE WEEK

“The Children”: A hit in New York and London, this is the Chicago premiere of Lucy Kirkwood’s eco-thriller that looks at the responsibility each generation must face for the way it leaves the world. At an isolated cottage on the English coast, a former colleague with a dangerous plan confronts two retired nuclear scientists. Kirkwood has said she wasn’t interested in rehashing well-known climate change facts: “What is interesting is this: If we know the facts, why are we failing so catastrophically to change our behaviors?” The cast features Ora Jones, Yasen Peyankov and Janet Ulrich Brooks; Jonathan Berry directs. Previews April 18, opens April 29; to June 9. Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted, $20-$99; steppenwolf.org

MORE PREVIEWS AND OPENINGS:

Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre: The company’s dancers and musicians present highlights from the 2018 season and a glimpse of what’s to come in 2019. April 18. Old Town School of Folk Music, Szold Hall, 4545 N. Lincoln, $15; oldtownschool.org

GRUNT Festival Chicago: Featuring dance performances by Ashley Fargnoli, J’Sun Howard, The Space Movement Project and more. April 12-14 and May 10-12. Links Hall, 3111 N. Western, $10; linkshall.org

“Goodbye Berlin, Aloha Hawaii!”: A concert celebration of Paul Abraham’s operettas, which blend European waltzes and American jazz. April 14. Folks Operetta at Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th, $35; folksoperetta.org

“First Love is the Revolution”: Rita Kalnejais’ play about a 14-year-old boy who connects with a wild fox; directed by Devon de Mayo. Previews begin April 13, opens April 18; to May 25. Steep Theatre, 1115 W. Berwyn, $27; steeptheatre.com

“Grinning From Fear to Fear”: The 43rd revue of the Second City e.t.c. company; directed by Anneliese Toft. Opens April 13; open run. e.t.c. Theatre, 230 W. North, $31-$58; secondcity.com

“Hamlet”: A new production of Shakespeare’s classic starring Maurice Jones; directed by Barbara Gaines. Previews begin April 17, opens April 25; to June 9. Chicago Shakespeare at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand, $48-$88; (312) 595-5600; chicagoshakes.com

“Last Thoughts of Mary Stuart”: A staged reading of June Sawyers’ play about the final hours before Mary, Queen of Scots, was executed. April 18. Phantom Collective at Celtic Knot Pub, 626 Church, Evanston, Free; celticknotpub.com

“Rain”: The full range of the Beatles’ discography live on stage. April 14. Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, $18-$75; broadwayinchiago.com

The musicians of “Rain” perform Beatles songs. | Matt Christine Photography

The musicians of “Rain” perform Beatles songs. | Matt Christine Photography

“Tap Dogs”: Part theatre, part dance, part rock concert with an adrenaline-pumped cast. April 16-21. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph, $15-$65; broadwayinchicago.com

“Two Days in Court”: Two classic one-acts — Stephen Vincent Benet’s “The Devil and Daniel Webster” and W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s “Trial by Jury” — directed by Terry McCabe. Previews begin April 12, opens April 23; to May 26. City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr, $32; citylit.org

“What It’s Like to Be Human”: The story of three tap-dancing robots who become unstuck from reality and travel to another dimension. April 18-19. Tapman Productions at Links Hall, 3111 N. Western, $8-$40; linkshall.org

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