Local theater: Marriott world premiere

Screen to stage

Marriott Theatre presents the world premiere of “For The Boys,” Aaron Thielen’s musical based on the 1991 film starring Bette Midler and James Caan as Dixie and Eddie — a song-and-dance duo and sometime lovers — who spend several decades entertaining American soldiers. Michele Ragusa and Timothy Gulan star in director/choreographer Marc Robin’s production, which also features Marriott veterans Summer Smart, Michael Lindner, Bernie Yvon, Johanna McKenzie Miller and Holly Stauder among others.

Previews begin Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The show opens Friday, Aug. 26. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.

A princely operetta

The heir to a fictitious throne enrolls at the famed University of Heidelberg where he falls for a comely waitress in the Sigmund Romberg-Dorothy Donnelly operetta, “The Student Prince.” William Bennett makes his Light Opera Works debut as the young prince in the production directed and choreographed by Rudy Hogenmiller with music direction by Roger L. Bingaman.

Previews begin Thursday, Aug. 18, at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. The show opens Saturday, Aug. 20. (847) 869-6300 or lightoperaworks.com.

Actor star returns

Quentin Earl Darrington, who earned a 2010 Joseph Jefferson Award for his performance as Coalhouse Walker in Drury Lane Theatre’s production of “Ragtime,” co-stars in the national tour of the Tony Award-winning musical “Memphis.” The show centers on a 1950s DJ who dares to play black music and love a black woman. Chicagoans will have to wait until Nov. 22 to catch the tour. See broadwayinchicago.com for information.

— Barbara Vitello