Local theater: ‘Sunshine Boys’ revival
Grumpy old comedians
A couple of estranged former vaudeville stars reunite for a TV performance in Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys.” Donna Steele directs Steel Beam Theatre’s revival, which stars Aurora residents Richard Westphal and Dean Dranias.
8 p. m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 7 at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. $23, $25. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com.
Guthrie salute
Northlight Theatre opens its season with a centennial salute to folk icon Woody Guthrie titled “Woody Sez — The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie.” David M. Lutken and Nick Corley created the musical portrait of the man who penned such classics as “This Land is Your Land” and “The Ballad of Tom Joad.” Corley directs the show, which features Lutken, Darcie Deaville, David Finch and Helen Jean Russell.
Previews run at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14-15, and 2:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. The show opens Friday, Sept. 21. $25-$72. (847) 673-6300 or northlight.org.
Retro revue
The date is 1958 and the setting is the Springfield High School prom where four best friends perform classic tunes during a dance that doesn’t turn out like the girls imagined. Grudges linger when Missy, Betty Jean, Cindy Lou and Suzy reunite years later to perform at their 10-year reunion in “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” a 1950s and ’60s music revue opening at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre. Buffalo Grove’s Lauren Rawitz directs.
Previews begin Thursday, Sept. 20, at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. The show opens Sunday, Sept. 23. $28-$44. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.
— Barbara Vitello