Curtain Call: ‘Oedipus Rex,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and more theater in Chicago Nov. 7-13

Kelvin Roston Jr. (left) and Timothy Edward Kane star as Oedipus and Creon, respectively, in the Court Theatre production of “Oedipus Rex.” | Joe Mazza/Brave Lux

Looking to take in some live theater in Chicago in the week ahead? Here are some highlights to consider:

PICK OF THE WEEK:

“Oedipus Rex”: Court Theatre continues its examination of the Greek classics with the late Nicholas Rudall’s translation of Sophocles Greek tragedy that tells of Oedipus, the king who seeks to cure his city of a mysterious plague by discovering the murderer of the former king. Rudall, Court’s founding artistic director, is best known for his translations of ancient Greek tragedies. From 2014 to 2016, Court’s Greek Cycle began with three stunning productions of translations by Rudall — Euripides’ “Iphigenia in Aulis,” Aeschylus’ “Agamemnon” and “Sophocles’ “Electra.” The second installation of the Oedipus trilogy, “The Gospel of Colonus,” is scheduled for next May with the final entry, “Antigone,” in the 2020-21 season. Kelvin Roston Jr. (Oedipus), Timothy Edward Kane (Creon), Kate Collins (Jocasta), Aeriel Williams (Antigone) lead the large cast of “Oedipus Rex”; Charles Newell directs. Previews begin Nov. 7, opens Nov. 16; to Dec. 8. Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis, $37.50-$84; courttheatre.org

MORE OPENINGS, PREVIEWS:

Ailey II peforms Alvin Ailey’s “Revelations.”

Ailey II:The next generation of dancers at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater perform Andrea Miller’s “Psukhe,” Bradley Shelver’s “Where There Are Tongues” and the company standard “Revelations.” Nov. 9. McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn, $39-$48; atthemac.org

“Beauty and the Beast”: Alan Menkin, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Linda Woolverton’s musical adapted from the popular Disney film; directed by Amber Mak. Previews begin Nov. 13, opens Nov. 22; to Jan. 19. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena, Aurora, $36-$74; paramountaurora.com

Beth Stafford Laird and Paul-Jordan Jansen star as Belle and The Beast in Paramount Theatre’s production of “Beauty and the Beast.”

“Black Picture Show”: A reading of Bill Gunn’s drama tackles issues of artistic genius, corruption and race via a mix of fact and fantasy; directed by Ernest Perry Jr. Nov. 11. Court Theatre at Green Line Performing Arts Center, 329 E. Garfield, Free; courttheatre.org

Bridge Dance Festival: Performance of works by a spectrum of dancers who encompass a connection to their Asian heritage. Nov. 14-16. Links Hall, 3111 N. Western, $15; linkshall.org

“Captured”: Choreographers Kimberly Baker and Charlique C. Rolle’s new work explores the narrative of human authenticity and vulnerability on a journey to freedom and acceptance. Nov. 7. Links Hall, 3111 N. Western, $20; linkshall.org

Dance Chicago: Future Stars is a showcase of dancers and choreographers new to the Chicago dance scene. Nov. 9. Stories of Dance is a program of dance artists who are creating new works. Nov. 11-17. Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, $18-$31; athenaeumtheatre.org

“Happy Birthday Mars Rover”: Preston Choi’s play is a whimsical kaleidoscope of life on Earth and the universe; directed by Alison Thvedt. Previews begin Nov. 9, opens Nov. 15; to Dec. 2. The Passage Theatre at Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church, 4511 N. Hermitage, $15; thepassagetheatre.com

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Featuring new works by Kyle Abraham and Rena Butler plus “Grace Engine,” a full company work by Crystal Pite that has been called “highly cinematic.” Nov. 7-10. Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, $25-$110; hubbardstreetdance.com

“Lindiwe”: Backed by the live music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Eric Simonson’s love story challenges us to define the boundaries between this world and the next; co-directed by Simonson and Jonathan Berry. Previews begin Nov. 7, opens Nov. 17; to Jan. 5. Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted, $20-$109; steppenwolf.org

Natya Dance Theater: Presenting the world premiere of “INAI–The Connection,” a collaboration between Natya’s artistic director Hema Rajagopalan and Astad Deboo, a pioneer of modern dance in India. Nov. 7-9. Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan, $10-$30; dance.colum.edu

The House Theatre of Chicago is once again presenting its ballet-free version of “The Nutcracker” throughout the holiday season.

“The Nutcracker”: The family-friendly, ballet-free version of the holiday classic; directed by Tommy Rapley. Previews begin Nov. 8, opens Nov. 16; to Dec. 29. The House Theatre of Chicago at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, $20-$50; thehousetheatre.com

“Romeo and Juliet — A Spectacular Retelling of the World’s Greatest Love Story”: Shakespeare’s timeless tale reimagined using live music performed by indie rock band The Family Crest; directed by Sam Bianchini. Nov. 7-9. Jacaranda Collective at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee, $33; thedentheatre.com

Halie Robinson stars as Juliet and Alex Quiñones portrays Romeo in the Jacarenda Collective’s “Romeo and Juliet: A Spectacular Retelling of The World’s Greatest Love Story.”

“Sleeping Beauty Dreams”: A performance that integrates visual art and technology as well as dance to explore Sleeping Beauty’s dreams during her 100-year long sleep. Nov. 10. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., $35-$150; auditoriumtheatre.org

“Sombras Tango Cabaret”: Jorge Niedas and Liz Sung’s musical uses the language of Argentine tango to tell the story of an unexpected guest who forces a dancer to face his past. Opens Nov. 8; to Nov. 17. Tango 21 Dance Theater at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway, $30, $35; tango21dancetheater.com

The Sombras Tango Cabaret.

“The Wickhams — Christmas at Pemberley”: World premiere of Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon’s new play set during the holidays as the Bennets and Darcys celebrate upstairs and the servants below stairs find themselves in the midst of a holiday scandal; directed by Jessica Thebus. Previews begin Nov. 7, opens Nov. 15; to Dec. 15. Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, $30-$89; northlight.org

“Rink Life”: Julia Rhoads’ dance-theater piece that gives a nod to the visual aesthetics and social dynamics of the 1970s roller rink culture. Previews begin Nov. 7, opens Nov. 9; to Nov. 16. Lucky Plush at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre, 1700 N. Halsted, $40; steppenwolf.org

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.