Theater events: Drury Lane stages comedy whodunit 'Game's Afoot'
Mystery achievement
Derek Hasenstab, of the national tour of "The Lion King," plays a Broadway star whose Christmas Eve dinner party takes a dark turn when one of the guests turns up dead in "The Game's Afoot," by Ken Ludwig ("Lend Me a Tenor," "Crazy for You"), winner of the 2012 Mystery Writers of America best play award. Alene Robertson and Rod Thomas star in Drury Lane Theatre's Chicago-area premiere, directed by William Osetek.
Previews continue at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. The show opens Sept. 4. $40-$50. (630) 530-0111 or drurylane.com.
Writers 'Eye'
Writers Theatre, while preparing to break ground next month on its new facility, opens its 2014-2015 season with the Midwest premiere of "Isaac's Eye" by Lucas Hnath. Hnath pairs fact with fiction in this tale about a young Isaac Newton who reportedly went to unbelievable lengths to prove light is made of particles. Artistic director Michael Halberstam directs Jurgen Hooper, LaShawn Banks, Elizabeth Ledo and Marc Grapey.
Previews begin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, at Books on Vernon, 664 W. Vernon Ave., Glencoe. The show opens Sept. 10. $35-$75. (847) 242-6000 or writerstheatre.org.
Good clean fun
Bob Stromberg, a comedian who specializes in "standup, story and shtick" and whose performances are suitable for all ages, headlines the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre as part of its comedy series.
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $25, $30. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.
- Barbara Vitello