Looking to take in some live theater in Chicago? Here are some highlights for the week ahead:
PICK OF THE WEEK:
“The Ballad of Lefty & Crabbe”: For the past six years Underscore Theatre Company has produced the always interesting Chicago Musical Theatre Festival, an event that features new and wide-ranging musicals from Chicago and around the country. “The Ballad of Lefty & Crabbe” won Best of Fest at the 2018 festival. Brian Huther, Ben Auxier and Seth Macchi’s set their musical in the early days of Hollywood as two talented but down-on-their-luck vaudeville performers, Lefty (Kyle Ryan) and Crabbe (Shea Pender), navigate the ever-changing landscape. Rusty Sneary directs the show, which is staged in Underscore’s newly, renovated permanent home. Previews begin June 8, opens June 11; to July 14. Underscore Theatre at The Understudy, 4609 N. Clark; $20, $25; underscoretheatre.org
Celebration of Authors: Barrel of Monkeys presents performances of student-written stories created at each of its partner school and after-school programs during the 2018-19 season. June 13. Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th, Free; barrelofmonkeys.org
“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”: Jeffrey Lane and David Yazbek’s musical about two con-men on the French Riviera; directed by Jeffrey Cass. Opens June 7; to June 23. Brightside Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall Theatre, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville, $30; brightsidetheatre.com
“Get Happy: Angela Ingersoll Sings Judy Garland”: Ingersoll shares songs and stories from the legendary singer’s career. June 8. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire, $50; artistsloungelive.com
“Gilgamesh and Enkidu”: A collaboration between actor-musician Ahmed Moneka, actor-writer Jesse LaVercombe and playwright Seth Bockley which takes the world’s oldest story and infuses it with Iraqi music and 21st century biography to illuminate the tale’s eternal mysteries; presented by Pivot Arts Festival. June 7-9. Edge Off Broadway, 1133 W. Catalpa, $25; pivotarts.org
“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”: The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical satire of 1960s big business is performed with a full orchestra. Opens June 8; to June 16. Music Theater Works, 600 Emerson, Evanston, $34-$96; musictheaterworks.com
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“If I Forget”: Steven Levenson’s family drama explores the complexity of history, legacy, gentrification and identity; directed by Devon de Mayo. Previews begin June 7, opens June 14; to July 7. Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln, $27-$60; victorygardens.org
“Prophet$”: Anthony Tournis’ comedy about profiteering in the world of ‘80s televangelism; directed by Wm. Bullion. Previews begin June 7, opens June 14; to July 20. Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard, $25; factorytheater.com
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“The River”: Jez Butterworth’s play is part thriller, part ghost story in a tale of love and loss; directed by Jerrell L. Henderson. Previews begin June 8, opens June 15; to July 28. BoHo Theatre at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln, $30; bohotheatre.com
“Sweet Texas Reckoning”: Traci Godfrey’s comedy about a lonely, bigoted woman whose daughter comes to visit with her African-American wife; directed by Julie Proudfoot. Opens June 7; to June 30. Artemisia at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee, $25; artemisiatheatre.org
“We Are Pussy Riot (Or Everything Is P.R.)”: Barbara Hammond weaves together trial transcripts, letters, interviews, media coverage and statements from celebrities and public officials to reimagine the story of Pussy Riot, the collective of Russian activists; directed by Kate Hendrickson. Opens June 7; to July 6. Red Tape Theatre at The Ready, 4546 N. Western, Free; redtapetheatre.org
Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.
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