From comedy and drama to musicals and dance, Chicago’s stages are alive with vibrant productions.
Looking to catch some live theater in Chicago? Here’s a look at the theater previews and openings in the week ahead:
PICK OF THE WEEK:
Physical Theater Festival: The 10-day festival, co-founded by Alice da Cunha and Marc Frost, features new forms of highly physical, highly visual theater from around the world. The festival opens with the return of Denmark’s Out of Balanz and “Next Door,” a piece that celebrates physical comedy and active imaginations. From Chicago are Aura CuriAtlas Physical Theatre with “A Life with No Limits,” a work inspired by the life and work of astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, and Walkabout Theatre with “The Raveling,” a look at how the borders of home are redefined across generations. 3AM Theatre from New York and Puerto Rico presents “Eventide,” a family-friendly wordless circus theater show featuring a former Cirque du Soleil performer and a former Martha Graham Dance Company soloist. Also included are Angela de Castro’s “The Gift,” Strictly Arts’ “Freeman,” The Nora Project’s “Tic Tac Tock” and Finnish circus artist Henna Kervinen’s “Helga — life of a diva extraordinaire.” May 31-June 2. Physical Theater Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont and Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, $15-$20, festival pass $50, $65; physicalfestival.com
More previews and openings:
The Art of Adaptation: The annual festival of world premiere adaptations of non-dramatic works that bring ideas from civics, mythology, visual art and poetry to the stage. May 31-June 2. City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr, $15, $20; citylit.org
“Don’t Forget Your Mother”: Brittany Harlin’s memoir piece uses storytelling, poetry, song and dance to explore a heritage that threatens to be erased over time; presented by Pivot Arts Festival. June 6, 8. Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway, $15; pivotarts.org
The Fighting Words Festival: Readings of three new plays that support Babes With Blades Theatre’s mission of staging plays that add to the canon of female fighting roles: “Life in a Sandcastle” by Jayme McGhan, “Summer Nights and Fireflies” by Bianca Sams and “Jenga” by Deborah Yarchun. June 1-2. Otherworld Theatre, 3914 N. Clark, Free; babeswithblades.org
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16302791/Terrain_by_Brian_Brooks_5.jpg)
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Features highlights from the company’s repertoire including Brian Brooks’ “Terrain,” Alejandro Cerrudo’s “Out of Your Mind,” Crystal Pite’s “A Picture of You Falling” and “The Other You.” June 6-9. Harris Theatre, 205 W. Randolph, $25-$110; hubbardstreetdance.com
“The Rosina Project”: A contemporary adaptation of Rossini’s opera “The Barber of Seville” that mixes hip-hop, opera and street dance with a DJ and beatboxer; presented by Pivot Arts Festival. May 31-June 2. Chicago Fringe Opera and BraveSoul Movement at Alternatives, 4730 N. Sheridan, $15; pivotarts.org
“Search Party”: Erin Kilmurray’s dance work challenges and reconstructs the boundaries faced during this charged political moment; presented by Pivot Arts Festival. June 6, 8-9. The Edge Off Broadway, 1133 W. Catalpa, $20; pivotarts.org
“Steamworks - The Musical”: A wide-eyed young man comes to Chicago looking for love and stumbles into a popular Boystown bathhouse; directed by Parker Callahan. Opens May 31, to Aug. 9. The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, $24; theannoyancetheatre.com
“To the Shore - ETHOS Episode 1”: Ayako Kato’s meditative performance combines dance, movement and music to explore how humans have evolved both spiritually and physically; presented by Pivot Arts Festival. June 1-2. Art Union Humanscape at Colvin House/Creative Co-Working, 5940 N. Sheridan, $15; pivotarts.org
Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.
