Game show-inspired fundraiser at Clockwise Theatre

Waukegan's Clockwise Theatre hosts an evening of game show-inspired entertainment as part of its fundraiser geared toward adults and children 12 and older. Prizes have been donated by area businesses.

7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at 221 N. Genesee, Waukegan. Tickets are $75. They're available at clockwisetheatre.org.

All-star cast at Goodman

Director Robert Falls has assembled a dream cast for his production of Anton Chekhov's “The Seagull,” about unrequited love and the pursuit of art. Joining Mary Beth Fisher (Arkadina) and Stephen Louis Grush (Konstantin) are Francis Guinan, Cliff Chamberlain, Scott Jaeck, Steve Pickering and Janet Ulrich Brooks.

Previews continue through Sunday, Oct. 24, at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. The production opens Monday, Oct. 25. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org.

Gift goes ‘West'

The Gift Theatre presents “The Lonesome West,” the third play in Martin McDonagh's Leenane trilogy, which centers on the contentious relationship between two middle-aged brothers whose battles threaten to spiral out of control. Sheldon Patinkin directs ensemble members John Connolly, Paul D'Addario and John Gawlik, artistic director for St. Charles' newly re-christened Fox Valley Repertory, formerly known as Noble Fool.

Previews begin Thursday, Oct. 28, at 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. The show opens Thursday, Nov. 4. (773) 283-7071 or thegifttheatre.org.

Other new and notable

Theater Wit presents the Midwest premiere of “The Four of Us,” Itamar Moses' comedic examination of how success can strain the relationship between men who've been best friends since high school. Artist director Jeremy Wechsler directs the production, which stars Usman Ally and Collin Geraghty. Previews begin Friday, Oct. 22, at 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. The show opens Tuesday, Oct. 26. (773) 975-8150 or theaterwit.org.

The Capitol Steps perform their latest comedy revue, “Liberal Shop of Horrors,” on Friday, Oct. 22, at the Center for the Performing Arts at Governors State University, One University Parkway, University Park. (708) 235-2222 or centertickets.net.

The folks at Saint Sebastian Players guarantee audience members will enjoy their latest production or the company will refund their admission. The show is Michael Cooney's farce “Cash on Delivery,” about a man who swindles the Social Security Administration by claiming benefits for his fictitious tenants, then must produce them when a government official shows up to investigate. The show opens Friday, Oct. 22, at St. Bonaventure Church, 1625 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago. (773) 404-7922 or saintsebastianplayers.com.

Filament Theatre Ensemble opens its fifth season by putting an interactive spin on Shakespeare with its world premiere show, “Choose Thine Own Adventure,” in which the audience decides how the action unfolds. The show previews on Friday, Oct. 22, at the Underground Lounge, 952 W. Newport Ave., Chicago. It opens Saturday, Oct. 23. (773) 270-1660 or filamenttheatre.org.

Barrel of Monkeys hosts “A Magical Place,” its annual “fancy schmancy benefit” from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, at the Ravenswood Event Center, 4025 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago. The evening includes performances from some of the company's favorite child-authored stories, cocktails and dinner and a raffle that includes two tickets to “Saturday Night Live.” Tickets are $85 in advance, $110 at the door. Proceeds from the event help support Barrel of Monkeys' creative writing and drama programs at Chicago schools at park district facilities. (773) 506-7140 or barrelofmonkeys.org.

Pride Films & Plays concludes its salute to playwright Terrence McNally with a staged reading of “The Ritz” at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. The play unfolds in an all-male bathhouse populated by a collection of oddballs who make mayhem merry. (800) 838-3006 or pridefilmsandplays.com.

Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, presents a trio of Halloween-themed productions, including “An Improv Show to Die For,” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, followed by the multimedia “Vampire Squids from Hell,” at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24. The offerings conclude with “Everyday Nightmares” at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 31. (773) 598-4549 or gorillatango.com.

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs Theater Incubator Program showcases “Strangerland,” an ensemble-generated, work-in-progress by Sideshow Theatre Company, at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, at the Studio Theater, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago. (312) 742-8497 or dcatheater.org.

Actor/director William Brown directs the world premiere of “Master the Art,” a new play by Brown and Doug Frew recounting the love (and life) story of culinary expert Julia Child and her husband Paul. Karen Janes Woditsch and Craig Spidle play the famous couple in the show, which begins previews Tuesday, Oct. 26, at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. The show opens Oct. 30. (773) 281-8463 or timelinetheatre.com.

Previews begin Tuesday, Oct. 26, for Polarity Ensemble Theatre's season-opening production of “Long Day's Journey Into Night,” Eugene O'Neill's classic, autobiographical drama about a family wracked by addiction, regret, compromise and despair. The show opens Thursday, Oct. 28, in the intimate Josephinum Academy, 1500 N. Bell St., Chicago. (800) 838-3006 or petheatre.com.

The “Jack and the Beanstalk”-inspired “Stalk” is a new musical by writer/composer Stephen Gawrit that puts a modern spin on an old, coming-of-age fairy tale, using puppetry and music. La Costa Theatre's production opens Thursday, Oct. 28, at 3931 N. Elston Ave., Chicago. The theater company hosts a special preview beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, that includes a performance of “Stalk,” a preshow production and a talk-back with cast members. Proceeds from the event go to the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center, which assists abused children. (773) 620-8325 or stalkthemusical.com.

Steppenwolf Theatre showcases three in-development plays as part of its sixth annual First Look Repertory of New Work opening Wednesday, Oct. 27, at the Garage Theatre at 1624 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Featured plays include Robert O'Hara's “The Etiquette of Vigilance,” a re-imagining of Lorraine Hansberry's “A Raisin in the Sun,” in which a granddaughter about to enter college feels the pressure of realizing the family's dream. Also featured is Jason Wells' “The Old Masters,” in which an eccentric, reclusive artist's work suddenly becomes popular, leaving his girlfriend and childhood pal to cope with their missing friend's fame. Lastly, there's “The North Plan,” Jason Wells' dark comedy about a future America, ruled by martial law, and the government bureaucrat who has the name of every citizen targeted for persecution by the regime. The plays run in repertory, Wednesday through Sundays through Sunday, Nov. 14. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

Black Ensemble Theater hosts its 10th annual benefit, “Building a New Legacy,” beginning at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at Alhambra Palace, 1240 W. Randolph St., Chicago. The evening includes dinner, excerpts from some of BET's most beloved shows and a live auction. WGN-TV news anchor Allison Payne serves as mistress of ceremonies for the event, proceeds of which will go toward BET's new home, currently under construction. Tickets are $200 and are available by phone at (773) 769-4451 or blackensembletheater.org.

A quartet of 18-year-old Brits, returning from a trip to Spain, recall their holiday while awaiting their flight in the new musical “Departure Lounge,” by composer/lyricist/writer Dougal Irvine. Bailiwick Chicago's U.S. premiere begins previews Thursday, Oct. 28, at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St., Chicago. The show opens Sunday, Nov. 7. (312) 988-9000 or bailiwickchicago.com.

The Strange Tree Group presents “The War Plays,” based on stories by Chicago Dramatists resident playwright Emily Schwartz. Set during World War II, the stories are centered around old and new loves. Kate Nawrocki directs the world premiere, which opens on Friday, Oct. 29, at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, Chicago. (800) 982-2787 or strangetree.org.

Redtwist theatre has extended its production of Edward Albee's “A Delicate Balance” at 1044 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago. The show closes Saturday, Oct. 30. (773) 728-7529 or redtwist.org.

Remy Bumppo Theatre has named as its new artistic director Timothy Douglas, former resident director at Los Angeles' Mark Taper Forum and associate artistic director at the Actor's Theatre of Louisville. “I am committed to sustaining the smart, vital, thrilling, clear, provoking, relevant and entertaining theater that audiences have come to rely upon with this revered company,” said Douglas in a prepared statement. His tenure begins July 1.

Gorilla Tango Theatre has extended its vampire drama sendup “True Twilight: A Glee Club Musical.” The show runs through Thursday, Nov. 18, at 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. (773) 598-4549 or gorillatango.com.