What’s new: Sept. 16-23

Ÿ Northlight Theatre presents the Chicago area premiere of “Snapshots,” a revue of songs by Stephen Schwartz (“Pippin,” “Working,” “Wicked”) about a middle-aged couple’s recollections of their life together. Susie McMonagle and Gene Weygandt star in the production, directed by Ken Sawyer. Previews begin Friday, Sept. 16, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. The show opens Friday, Sept. 23. (847) 673-6300 or northlight.org.

Ÿ Silent Theatre Company and Prop Thtr have collaborated on “ACME: (Live) Live Action Cartoon with Music and Entertainment,” a satirical comedy that pays homage to cartoons. The show opens Friday, Sept. 16, and runs in repertory with “Noir: City of the Big Shoulders.” Also a Silent Theatre and Prop Thtr collaboration, “Noir” is a detective story about a former cop turned private detective who must balance loyalty to a friend with his obligations as a law officer. The show opens Saturday, Sept. 17. Both productions run through Sunday, Oct 16, at Prop Thtr, 3540 N. Elston Ave., Chicago. For more information, see silenttheatre.com or propthtr.org.

Ÿ The New Colony remounts its 2009 comedy “Frat,” inspired by playwright Evan Linder’s experiences as a student and fraternity member at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Previews begin Friday, Sept. 16, at The Apartment Lounge, 2251 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. The show opens Saturday, Sept. 24, above the Lion Head Pub, next to the Greenhouse Theater Center at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. (773) 404-7336 or greenhousetheater.org.

Ÿ Goodman Theatre opens its season with the Chicago area premiere of “Red,” John Logan’s Tony Award-winning play about Abstract Expressionist painter Mark Rothko. Robert Falls directs the production, starring Edward Gero as the painter struggling to create murals for Manhattan’s Four Seasons restaurant. Previews begin Saturday, Sept. 17, at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. The show opens Monday, Sept. 26. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org.

Ÿ Emerald City Theatre’s latest family-friendly show, “If You Give A Cat A Cupcake,” explores how a kind act can lead to an outrageous escapade. Artistic director Ernie Nolan adapted and directs the world premiere based on the book by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond. Performances begin Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. (773) 529-2690 or emeraldcitytheatre.com.

Ÿ Latino pride, the economy, scandals and sexting are among the contemporary issues Salsation Theatre Company examines in its new sketch comedy revue, “Textual Healing.” The show opens Saturday, Sept. 17, at Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. (773) 598-4549 or salsation.com.

Ÿ Saturday, Sept. 17, marks the beginning of io Chicago’s United States of Improv, a three-month tournament pitting improvisation teams from 35 states against each other to determine which state produces the funniest improvisers. The competition begins at midnight Saturday, Sept. 17, at 3541 N. Clark St., Chicago. Also, io Chicago celebrates the theater’s longest-running improv team, Deep Schwa, with a special show on Sunday, Sept. 18. (773) 880-0199 or ioimprov.com.

Ÿ Ruckus Theater begins its season with two workshop, staged readings running in repertory, beginning Sunday, Sept. 18, at The Side Project Theatre, 1439 W. Jarvis Ave., Chicago. “Conk and Bone,” by Joe Musso, is about two men awaiting their ferry ride across the River Styx. “Dumb Angel,” by Seth Miller, is about one artist’s “quest for auditory joy.” They run through Tuesday, Sept. 27. For information see, ruckustheater.org.

Ÿ An ever-changing lineup of magicians make up Annoyance Theatre’s revival of “A Magic Evening,” beginning Sunday, Sept. 18, at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago. (773) 561-4665 or annoyanceproductions.com.

Ÿ Pride Films & Plays host “And the Winner Wasn’t,” a showcase of Oscar-nominated songs that didn’t win the top prize, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, at Side Track, 349 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Chicago area cabaret artists will perform during the event, which is a fundraiser for Pride Films & Plays. Representatives will announce the five finalists for its Great Gay Screenplay Contest at that time. (800) 838-3006.

Ÿ A Red Orchid Theatre hosts its benefit from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, at Boka, 1729 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Company member, Academy Award nominee and “Boardwalk Empire” cast member Michael Shannon will host the event, “Wet Your Whistle While You Water the Red Orchid.” It includes performances by ensemble members, a sneak peek at the upcoming season, a silent auction and hors d’oeuvres. (312) 943-8722 or aredorchidtheatre.org.

Ÿ A drug heist gone wrong threatens the bonds of three men — related by blood and friendship — in “Riff Raff,” a play by film and TV actor and Tony Award winner Laurence Fishburne. Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company revives Fishburne’s 1995 play set on Halloween in an abandoned New York City building. Previews begin Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Angel Island, 735 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago. The show opens Thursday, Sept. 22. (773) 871-0442.

Ÿ Playwright Keith Anwar draws upon the experiences of his mother in his drama “Kabulitis,” about an American woman suffering through the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, who conjures memories of living in Kabul with her Afghan husband. Polarity Ensemble Theatre presents the world premiere of the drama in association with Rasaka Theatre Company. Previews begin Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the Josephinum Academy, 1500 N. Bell St., Chicago. The show opens Thursday, Sept. 23. (800) 838-3006 or petheatre.com.

A Reasonable Facsimile Theatre Company presents their staged reading series of classic TV reruns beginning Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St., Chicago. This year’s theme is “The Season of Sin,” with the Sept. 20 reading devoted to the sin of infidelity. Staged readings run the third Tuesday of every month. (773) 418-4475 or arftco.com.

Ÿ Andrew Jessop and Peter Oyloe play two challenged young men navigating life on their own after their release from an institution in redtwist theatre’s Chicago area premiere of “Elling,” adapted by Axel Hellstenius and Petter Naess from a novel by Ingvar Ambjornsen (“Blood Brothers”). Previews begin Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 1044 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago. The production, directed by Goodman Theatre’s Steve Scott, opens Saturday, Sept. 24. (773) 728-7529 or redtwist.org.

Ÿ The 140th anniversary of the fire that devastated and redefined Chicago on Oct. 8, 1871, prompted Lookingglass Theatre to restage ensemble member John Musial’s 1999 production, “The Great Fire.” The show inaugurates a season devoted to examination of decisions people make at times of crisis. Previews begin Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The show opens Saturday, Oct. 1. (312) 337-0665 or lookingglasstheatre.org.

Ÿ The one-ring UniverSoul Circus comes to Chicago’s Washington Park, at 51st Street and Payne Street, from Wednesday, Sept. 21, to Sunday, Oct. 16. The urban, hip-hop show is sponsored by the Black McDonald’s Operators Association of Chicago. (800) 745-3000 or universoulcircus.com.

Ÿ Previews begin Thursday, Sept. 22, for A Red Orchid Theatre’s Chicago area premiere of “Becky Shaw” Gina Gionfriddo’s tart comedy about the disaster that results when Suzanna sets up a blind date for her stepbrother Max and the fragile Becky Shaw, who works with Suzanna’s husband, Andrew. The show opens Sunday, Sept. 25, at 1531 N. Wells St., Chicago. (312) 943-8722 or aredorchidtheatre.org.

Ÿ “Jimmy of Nazareth,” the true story of performer Jimmy Pennington’s battle with depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, opens Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago. (773) 561-4665 or annoyanceproductions.com

Ÿ Now in its third year, “Million Dollar Quartet” has been extended yet again at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Tickets are on sale through Dec. 31 for the show, which welcomes new cast members Brandon Bennett (Elvis Presley), Heather Marie Marsden (Dyanne), Brad Ber (bass); Dan Leali (drums) joining Gabe Bowling (Carl Perkins), Lance Lipinsky (Jerry Lee Lewis), Sean Sullivan (Johnny Cash) and Tim Decker (Sam Phillips). For information, see milliondollarquartetlive.com.