Theater events: TimeLine Theatre opens season with 'Audience'

Timeline's 'Audience'

TimeLine Theatre begins its 21st season with the Chicago area premiere of "The Audience," Peter Morgan's re-imagining of the weekly meetings Queen Elizabeth II has held with her prime ministers - from Winston Churchill to Margaret Thatcher to David Cameron - over more than 60 years. Artistic associate Nick Bowling directs an all-star cast, including ensemble member Janet Ulrich Brooks as Elizabeth and Carmen Roman as Thatcher. Previews begin at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 615 W. Ellington Ave., Chicago. The show opens Aug. 23. $25-$54. (773) 281-8463, ext. 6 or timelinetheatre.com.

Stand-up in Aurora

Vince Carone, a Chicago comedian known for his rants, headlines Aurora's Comedy Shrine this weekend. Also on the bill is Wisconsin native Sammy Arechar. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. $20, plus a two-beverage minimum. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com.

'Chad Deity' returns

Red Theater revives "The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity" for the first time in Chicago since Victory Gardens Theater's 2009 premiere. Jeremy Aluma directs Kristoffer Diaz's satire about a young wrestler who thinks he's found his ticket to the top when he gets a chance to fight the champion. Previews begin at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, at Strawdog Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave., Chicago. The show opens Aug. 18. $25, $40. See redtheater.org.

What's new

• Black Button Eyes Productions revives "Shockheaded Peter," adapted by Julian Crouch and Phelim McDermott from Heinrich Hoffmann's 1845 children's book comprising morality tales detailing the consequences of misbehavior. Previews begin Friday, Aug. 11, at The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. The musical, directed by Ed Rutherford, with music direction by T.J. Anderson, opens Saturday, Aug. 12. (773) 935-6875 or athenaeumtheatre.org.

• North Central College in Naperville formed an educational partnership with Greenhouse Theater Center to present Sophie Treadwell's "Machinal." The drama was inspired by the case of Ruth Brown Snyder, executed in 1928 along with her lover for the murder of her husband. Greenhouse artistic director Jacob Harvey helms the production which begins previews Friday, Aug. 11, at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. The show opens Monday, Aug. 14. (773) 404-7336 or greenhousetheater.org.

• Crystal Lake native Tina Naponelli, a veteran of productions at Williams Street Rep, Kokandy Productions and American Theater Company, headlines Raue Center for the Arts' new cabaret series. It kicks off Saturday, Aug. 12, at 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Naponelli's show, titled "The Real Royal Family: Kings and Queens of the Music Industry," includes songs made famous by Michael Jackson, Carole King and Whitney Houston among others. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org.

• Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel, the voice behind the international hit "Frozen," brings her world tour to the Chicago Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 12. Tickets for the 8 p.m. performance range from $39.50 to $129.50. See idinamenzel.com/tour.

• The LIVINGroom solo performance series continues Sunday, Aug. 13, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Upcoming performances (Sundays through Aug. 27) combine original music, spoken word and soundscapes to examine self-empowerment, love, forgiveness and the obstacles that keep people from being who they are. (773) 327-5252 or stage773.com.

• Collaboraction hosts its second Peacebook Festival Fundraiser from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at Space Stage Studios, 1844 W. Hubbard St., Chicago. Presented as part of the Chicago Park District's Nights Out in the Park program, the event features more than 50 performers, speakers, artists and DJs. A $20 donation includes admission for one. A $75 donation includes admission plus complimentary beverages. The event also includes excerpts from Collaboraction's Peacebook shows and a panel discussion on solutions to quell the violence in Chicago. (312) 226-9633 or collaboraction.org.

• Previews begin Thursday, Aug. 17, for Idle Muse Theatre Company's Midwest premiere of Conor McPherson's "The Veil." It's about a young Irish woman whose pending marriage to a British lord may be the solution to her family's financial problems, until a defrocked minister encourages her to follow the voices that have haunted her all her life. Ann Kreitman directs the production, which opens Aug. 19, at The Edge theater, 5451 N. Broadway, Chicago. (773) 340-9438 or idlemuse.org.

• A family uses a summer get-together to stage an intervention for one of its own in Robert O'Hara's "Barbecue." Strawdog Theatre Company presents the Chicago-area premiere of the comedy as a LookOut Visiting Company at Steppenwolf Theatre's 1700 Theatre. Previews of director Damon Kiely's production begin Thursday, Aug. 17, at 1700 N. Halsted St., Chicago. The show opens Aug. 28. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org or strawdog.org.

• Genesis Theatrical Productions stages the world premiere of "Sister Africa," Stephanie Liss' drama about the victims of Congo's civil war. The play was adapted from hundreds of hours of interviews with women and children survivors, child soldiers and members of the Jewish World Watch, a group that assists people living in war-ravaged communities. Performances begin Thursday, Aug. 17, for director Elayne Letraunik's production, which runs through Sept. 10 at The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. (773) 935-6875 or genesistheatricals.com.

• Haven Theatre's 2017-2018 season begins Oct. 16 with its third annual Director's Haven, showcasing rising directors Kristen Johnson, Ian Martin and Lexi Saunders, each of whom will helm a short play. On May 31, 2018, Haven premieres "The Displaced," Isaac Gomez's examination of the consequences of gentrification through the eyes of a couple who uncover reminders of the previous tenants in their new Pilsen apartment. The season also includes "The Total Bent" (dates to be announced), a musical by Stew and Heidi Rodewald about a young African American musical prodigy from Alabama who - as the son of a gospel singer and healer - is torn between his spiritual roots and commercial success. The last play of the season, set to run Feb. 11 to March 11, 2018, will be announced later. Performances take place at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Tickets will go on sale at a later date. See haventheatrechicago.com.

• Shattered Globe Theatre's 2017-2018 season consists of three Chicago area premieres beginning on Sept. 7 with "The Heavens are Hung in Black," James Still's interpretation of Abraham Lincoln's leadership and conscience in the months leading up to the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. That's followed by "Five Mile Lake" (Jan. 11-Feb. 24, 2018), Rachel Bonds' Anton Chekhov-inspired drama about five high school friends approaching 30 and confronting loss, unrequited love and the choices they've made. The season concludes with "How to Use a Knife" (April 26-June 9, 2018), Will Snider's drama set in a bustling restaurant where the chef tries to stay sober while filling orders and managing a multicultural kitchen staff until it's revealed that immigration officials are seeking one of his employees. Performances take place at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. An annual VIP membership, which includes tickets to all three productions, is $100. Tickets for "The Heavens are Hung in Black" are on sale now. (773) 975-8150 or shatteredglobe.org.

• Broadway in Chicago announced the casting for November's Chicago premiere of the Broadway-bound "Escape to Margaritaville," the musical featuring songs by Jimmy Buffett. Most of the cast from the La Jolla, California, production reprise their roles. Paul Alexander Nolan and Alison Luff play the seemingly mismatched lovers, Lisa Howard stars as the best friend and Rema Webb plays the proprietor of the seaside resort where all of them meet. Eric Petersen, a former resident of Carol Stream, joins the cast as the love interest of Howard's character. Tony Award-winner Christopher Ashley directs the production, which begins performances Nov. 9 at the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.

- Barbara Vitello