What’s new in theaters: Aug. 12-19

Ÿ Theater Wit’s improvised play, “Shot N/A Beer,” runs at 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 12-13, at 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Chicago bartender and performer Alex Peters directs the show which examines life inside a neighborhood bar. The $15 ticket price includes one beer. (773) 975-8150 or theaterwit.org.

Ÿ The success of Theatre Y’s all-day theater event last month prompted the company to host another. Dubbed the “Exiled Trilogy,” it takes place Saturday, Aug. 13, at the Lacuna Lofts, 2150 S. Canalport, Chicago. The event consists of three full-length plays and allows audiences to witness every phase of the production from makeup and costume to the adaptation of the venue and alteration of light and sound. The daylong event begins at 1 p.m. with a performance of “Exiles,” about an exile writer who returns home to Ireland. It’s followed by “Vincent River,” about a mother dealing with the death of her gay son, at 4:30 p.m., and “The Misunderstanding,” Albert Camus’ tale about mother-daughter hoteliers who fail to recognize their son/brother when he returns home, at 7:30 p.m. The $50 admission for all three plays includes food and drink between the shows. Individual play tickets are $20. (218) 329-1234 or theatre-y.com.

Ÿ Rescue dogs star in “Life’s Ruff,” a Gorilla Tango Theatre game show featuring formerly homeless canines performing a variety of tricks. The show runs at noon and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, and at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays Aug. 20, 24, and Sept. 14, at the dog-friendly theater located at 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Dog trainer Chris Dignan hosts the show, which showcases dogs who have been trained through Dignan’s Dog Saving Network. (773) 598-4549 or gorillatango.com.

Ÿ Trapped in Purgatory, Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes must analyze why their marriage faltered and their literary careers soared in the dark comedy “Lady Lazarus” in its premiere at Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. The show opens Tuesday, Aug. 16, and runs through Tuesday, Aug. 30. (773) 598-4549 or gorillatango.com.

Ÿ 20% Theatre Company Chicago hosts “Snapshots,” showcasing 11 short plays written by women, on Thursday, Aug. 18, at Oracle Theatre, 3809 N. Broadway, Chicago. The showcase runs through Saturday, Aug. 21. (773) 697-7008 or twentypercentchicago.com.

Ÿ The Neo Futurists’ “It Came From the Neo-Futurarium X: Battle for the Neo-Futurarium” — its 10th annual staging of screenplays from the worst films ever made — concludes on Thursday, Aug. 18, at 5153 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. “Purple Rain,” the 1984 film inspired by Prince’s life story, begins at 8 p.m. A wrap party follows. (773) 275-5255 or neofuturists.org.

Ÿ As summer concludes, kids realize they haven’t had nearly enough fun in “The Last Adventure,” a Gorilla Tango Theatre’s By Kids for Kids production. The family-friendly show runs at 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 20 to 28, at 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. (773) 598-4549 or gorillatango.com.

Ÿ American Theater Company’s smash-hit “The Original Grease,” the R-rated musical about teenagers in Chicago during the 1950s, concludes its extended run on Sunday, Aug. 21. The show by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey runs at 1909 W. Byron St., Chicago. (773) 409-4125 or atcweb.org.

Ÿ “Summer’s Cool,” a variety show featuring improv, sketch comedy and standup and hosted by actress/improviser Lisa Linke, continues through Sunday, Sept. 4, at The Spot, 4437 N. Broadway, Chicago. (773) 728-8934 or spotchicago.com.

Ÿ The Annoyance Theatre’s production of “Tiny Fascists — A Boy Scout Musical” has been extended. Performances continue through Friday, Sept. 16, at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago. (773) 561-4665 or theannoyance.com. — Barbara Vitello