Curtain Call: ‘Ms. Blakk for President’ and more theater openings, previews May 17-23

Here’s a look at Chicago theater openings and previews in the week ahead:

“Ms. Blakk for President”: Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble members Tina Landau (“SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical”) and Tarell Alvin McCraney (“The Brother/Sister Plays,” “Choir Boy”) co-wrote this world premiere that uncovers a little-known Chicago story. McCraney stars in the true story of Ms. Joan Jett Blakk, who in 1992 was the first black drag queen to run for president in an attempt to bring queer politics out of the closet and into the future. It’s being described as “part campaign rally, part nightclub, part confessional” and calls for an upstairs theater makeover; seating options for the show will be many. The set will include a runway with up-close seating plus cabaret style tables and comfy couches. Traditional seating that will be available as well. The cast also features Patrick Andrews, Molly Brennan, Daniel Kyri, Jon Hudson Odom and Sawyer Smith; Landau directs. Previews begin May 23, opens June 3; to July 14. Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted, $20-$94; steppenwolf.org

“For Services Rendered”: W. Somerset Maugham’s drama about the impact of war on civilian life; directed by Robin Witt. Previews begin May 19, opens May 26; to July 6. Griffin Theatre at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee, $37; griffintheatre.com

“Four Chords and a Gun”: John Ross Bowie’s accounting of the drama-filled 1979 recording session that led to The Ramones album, “End of the Century,” produced by Phil Spector. Preview May 18, opens May 19; open run. Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut, $39.95-$69.95; broadwayinchicago.com

Mandala Makers Festival: Performances by emerging South Asian movement artists Natalia Neha Khosla, Ashwaty Chennat and Laksha Dantran. May 18. Green Line Performing Arts Center, 329 E. Garfield, $25; mandalaarts.org

“Methtacular!”: Steven Strafford’s autobiographical account of his three years as a crystal meth addict; directed by Adam Fitzgerald. May 20-21. Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre, 1700 N. Halsted, $20; steppenwolf.org

“Minnie’s Boys”: Staged concert performance of the musical about the young Marx Brothers as they chart their journey from vaudeville to Hollywood. May 22-23. Porchlight Music Theatre at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn, $37; porchlightmusictheatre.org

Mordine & Co.: A 50th anniversary showcase features new works as well as new stagings of works from the company repertoire. May 17-18. Links Hall, 3111 N. Western, $10-$40; linkshall.org

“The Pygmalion Effect”: The Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg performs Boris Eifman’s reimagining of the classic Greek myth set to the music of Johann Strauss. May 17-19. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., $34-$104; auditoriumtheatre.org

“The Raveling”: Part fever dream, part fairy tale, part detective story, this piece pulls apart the threads of heritage, history and hearsay to examine the idea of belonging. May 19-21. Walkabout Theater at Links Hall, 3111 N. Western, $10-$40; linkshall.org

“Volta”: A Cirque du Soleil show inspired by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of street sports. Previews begin May 18, opens May 21; to July 6. United Center, 1901 W. Madison, $49-$279; cirquedusoleil.com/volta