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
“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
