Curtain Call — ‘Proxy,’ ‘Evening with C.S. Lewis’ and more openings, previews Oct. 18-24

Looking to take in some live theater in Chicago? We’ve got some highlights for the week ahead:

“Proxy”: Founded in 2011, Underscore Theatre quickly defined its corner of the local theater landscape with a mission of fostering the development of new musicals. Since then, it has produced or co-produced 65 new mainstage and workshop musicals. The company launches its 2019-20 season with “Proxy,” a musical written by Alexander Sage Oyen, Rachel Franco and Austin Regan. The story revolves around a young investigative journalist (Carisa Gonzalez) who, in reporting about a disturbing episode from her past, faces questions of journalistic and personal integrity. Stephanie Rohr directs the musical, which is set to a punk rock score. Previews begin Oct. 18, opens Oct. 22; to Nov. 24. Underscore Theatre at The Understudy, 4609 N. Clark, $25; underscoretheatre.org

“Accidental Death of a Black Motorist”: A satire skewering the culture of police violence and the complicity of the Code of Silence. Preview Oct. 24; opens Oct. 25; to Nov. 23. The Conspirators NFP at Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, $25; athenaeumtheatre.org

Raúl Kigra

“Andares”: Makuyeika Theatre Collective and director Hector Flores Komatsu present the untold stories of ordinary, humble people who habit Mexico’s most remote corners. Performed in Spanish with English supertitles. Oct. 23-27. Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theatre Festival at Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand, $35-$45; chicagoshakes.com

Between Gestures: A festival that connects European contemporary performance and dance to Chicago: Noe Soulier’s “Movement on Movement” (Oct. 24) and Pol Pi “ECCE (H)OMO” (Oct. 26). Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan, $5, $10; dance.colum.edu

“An Evening with C.S. Lewis”: David Payne portrays the British author as he recalls the defining moments of his life and career. Opens Oct. 22; to Nov. 3. Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut, $70; broadwayinchicago.com

“Hotel-O”: A play that departs from the classic take on “Othello” to bring attention to the arguments surrounding gender violence; directed by Jose Burgos. Performed in Spanish with English subtitles. Oct. 24-27. Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theatre Festival at Repertorio Latino Theater Company, 3622 S. Morgan, $20-$25; clata.org

Doren Sorell Photo

“I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce”: The Chicago premiere of Ronnie Marmo’s one-man show which chronicles the life and death of the controversial comedian; directed by Joe Mantegna. Previews begin Oct. 23, opens Oct. 25; to Dec. 1. Royal George Cabaret Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted, $69-$79; lennybruceonstage.com

LezFest: Performances by queer female and non-binary artists include poetry readings, burlesque, musical performances, stand-up comedy and more. Oct. 22-23. Pride Arts Center, The Broadway, 4139 N. Broadway, $17; pridefilmsandplays.com

“The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe — A Love Story”: David Rice’s drama takes viewers through Oak Park’s Cheney Mansion as Poe is haunted by the spectre of his late wife as well as his own macabre mysteries; directed by Skyler Schrempp. Opens Oct. 24; to Nov. 17. Oak Park Festival Theatre at Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid, Oak Park, $15-$35; oakparkfestival.com

“N”: World premiere of David Alex’s political drama looks at the role society has played in shaping our personal and our national attitudes and prejudices; directed by TaRon Patton. Previews begin Oct. 24, opens Oct. 26; to Nov. 17. Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln, $25; greenhousetheatercenter.org

New Stages Festival: The celebration of new plays features “Incendiary” by Dave Harris, “In the Sick Bay of the Santa Maria” by Rajiv Joseph, “The Garden” by Charlayne Woodard, “(the) Fair” by Sandra Delgado and Sojourn Theatre Company, “Engines and Instruments of Flight: A Fantasia in Three Acts” by Calamity West, “The Humanities” by Zayd Dohrn, “Fannie” by Cheryl L. West. Opens Oct. 23, to Nov. 10. Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, Free, reservations suggested; goodmantheatre.org

“Sugar in Our Wounds”: Donja R. Love’s drama set on a plantation during the Civil War where a young slave and his makeshift family take in a stranger with whom he shares an unexpected bond; directed by Mikael Burke. Previews begin Oct. 19, opens Oct. 24; to Nov. 23. First Floor Theater at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee, $25-$35; firstfloortheater.com

“Three Stories Up”: Mackenzie Gordon’s noir thriller, performed in total darkness, about a transit cop investigating her husband’s death which the police are calling a suicide; directed by Corey Bradberry. Previews begin Oct. 24, opens Oct. 27; to Nov. 9. Theatre in the Dark, 1244 W. Thorndale, $35; theatreinthedark.com

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.