Curtain Call — ‘Once on this Island,’ ‘Grease" and more theater openings, previews Jan. 16-22

Kyle Ramar Freeman as ‘Asaka’ and Courtnee Carter as ‘Ti Moune’ in the North American touring production of “Once on this Island.” | Joan Marcus

Looking to take in some live theater in the week ahead?

Here are some highlights of what’s playing across the Chicago area.

Pick of the Week:

“Once on This Island”: Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s musical infused with Caribbean rhythms, won the 2018 Tony Award for best revival of a musical. It tells the story of a fearless peasant girl, Ti Moune (Courtnee Carter) who falls in love with a wealthy boy from the other side of the tracks. But when cultural differences separate them, she sets out on a journey, guided by the island gods, to find her place in the world and reunite with her love. Cast members from the Broadway production lead the touring company. In addition to Carter, they are Tamyra Gray, Cassondra James, Phillip Boykin and Tyler Hardwick. Michael Arden directs. Previews begin Jan. 21, opens Jan. 22; to Feb. 2. Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, $25-$90; broadwayinchicago.com

More previews, openings:

“The Adult in the Room”: The world premiere of Bill McMahon’s new play about the life of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi stars Orlagh Cassidy; directed by Heather Arnson and Conor Bagley. Previews begin Jan. 22, opens Jan. 26; to Feb. 15. Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln, $49; victorygardens.org

“Do You Feel Anger?”: Mara Nelson-Greenberg’s comedy about a woman hired as an empathy coach at a debt collection agency where she has her work cut out for her; directed by Jess McLeod. Previews begin Jan. 16, opens Jan. 25; to March 8. A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells; aredorchidtheatre.org

“Grease”: The musical comedy tribute to the age of rock ’n’ roll; directed by Scott Weinstein. Previews begin Jan. 15, opens Jan. 22; to March 15. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire, $50-$60; marriotttheatre.com

“The Leopard Play, or sad songs for lost boys”: World premiere of Isaac Gomez’s drama about a man who returns to his home along the U.S./Mexican border in search of answers about his uncle’s mysterious death; directed by Laura Alcala Baker. Previews begin Jan. 18, opens Jan. 24; to Feb. 29. Steep Theatre, 1115 W. Berwyn, $27, $39; steeptheatre.com

Kate Fry stars in “The Mousetrap” at Court Theatre.

“The Mousetrap”: Agatha Christie’s thriller about four houseguests who find themselves trapped by a snowstorm amid reports of a woman’s murder; directed by Sean Graney. Previews begin Jan. 16, opens Jan. 25; to Feb. 16. Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis, $37.50-$84; courttheatre.org

“Roe”: Lisa Loomer’s drama looks at the heart and passion on each side of 1973 landmark decision Roe vs. Wade; directed by Vanessa Stalling. Previews begin Jan. 18, opens Jan. 27; to Feb. 23. Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, $20-$70; goodmantheatre.org

Leslie Ann Sheppard and Drew Schad star in “Sheepdog” at Shattered Globe Theatre.

“Sheepdog”: Kevin Artigue’s drama about two police officers whose relationship is challenged by a police-involved shooting that roils the department; directed by Wardell Julius Clark. Previews begin Jan. 16, opens Jan. 19; to Feb. 29. Shattered Globe Theatre at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont, $42; shatteredglobe.org

“Spoken Word”: Shepsu Aakhu’s drama set on an isolated campus of a Midwestern university where sex, race and gender collide in an epic culture war; directed by Lauren “LL” Lundy. Previews begin Jan. 17, opens Jan. 26; to March 1. MPAACT at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln, $20-$38; mpaact.org

“Sunday Evening”: The English-language world premiere of Zachary Karabashliev’s drama in which two families struggle and grapple with what they want and what they’ll have to do to get it; directed by Zlatomir Moldovanski. Opens Jan. 16; to Feb. 9. Rose Valley Theatre at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln, $30-$35; greenhousetheater.org

Company members Nancy Casas, Deanna Myers, Rawson Vint, Laura McKenzie and Nick Hart perform “The Alien,” one of the short plays in “That’s Weird, Grandma: Travels Through Time.” Photo by Beth Bullock Photography.

“That’s Weird, Grandma: Travels Through Time”: Student-written stories set in the past, present and future; directed by Brandon Cloyd. Preview Jan. 19, opens Jan. 26; to Feb. 16. PlayMakers Laboratory Company, 5153 N. Ashland, $10-$20; playmakerslab.org

“Top Girls”: Caryl Churchill’s play debates questions about female empowerment, career and family. Previews begin Jan. 16, opens Jan. 19; to Feb. 22. Remy Bumppo Theatre at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont, $37.75-$47.75; remybumppo.org

“Verboten”: Jason Narducy and Brett Neveu’s musical about a 1980s Chicago punk band made up of outsider teens with complex home lives; directed by Nathan Allen. Previews begin Jan. 16, opens Jan. 26; to March 8. The House Theatre of Chicago at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, $30-$50; thehousetheatre.com

The National Ballet Theatre of Odessa: Performing “Romeo and Juliet.” Jan. 18. Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee, Waukegan, $29.50-$52.50. Visit geneseetheatre.com. Jan. 19 at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, $55-$85; harristheaterchicago.org. Jan. 26 at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena, Aurora, $35-$65. Visit paramountaurora.com. Performing “Swan Lake.” Jan. 21, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie, Skokie, $38-$68; northshorecenter.org

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.