Theater spotlight: Griffin Theatre presents two tales of war on stage

Posted April 06, 2018 6:00 am

Modern love

Steel Beam Theatre presents the relationship revue "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," which examines romance in all its incarnations from first date, to marriage and children, to divorce and after. Bernie Weiler directs the tuner by Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 6-7, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 8, through April 29 at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. $22-$28. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com.

All Aristophanes

Writer/director Sean Graney follows up "All Our Tragic," his acclaimed adaptation of the 32 surviving Greek Tragedies, with a similarly epic albeit more lighthearted production. "The Aristophanesathon" combines Aristophanes' 11 existing comedies into one show. Six actors play 30 characters in the three-act, four-hour play, which centers on Praxagora's attempts to navigate life in Athens. Previews at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 6 (sold out); Saturday and Sunday, April 7-8, and April 13 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. Opens April 15. $60 admission includes light snacks. (773) 257-3395 or the-hypocrites.com.

Double bill

Griffin Theatre Company presents two tales of war, including the company's signature show "Letters Home," which has toured the country since its premiere 10 years ago. Written and directed by co-founder William Massolia, "Letters Home" uses letters written by U.S. soldiers stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq to tell the stories of their service. It runs in repertory with "Ghosts of War." Adapted by Massolia from Ryan Smithson's novel, "Ghosts of War" examines war through the eyes of a 19-year-old soldier. Jason Gerace directs. Previews at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 7, and 5 p.m. Sunday, April 8, at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. "Ghosts of War" opens Monday, April 9. "Letters Home" opens Wednesday, April 11. $23-$30, $50 for both shows when purchased together. (773) 697-3830 or griffintheatre.com.

Jennie Sophia plays Laurey in Marriott Theatre's "Oklahoma."

'Oklahoma' OK

Marriott Theatre commemorates the 75th anniversary of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's groundbreaking musical "Oklahoma" with a revival helmed by artistic director Aaron Thielen with music direction by Ryan T. Nelson and choreography by Alex Sanchez. Jennie Sophia plays farm girl Laurey and Brandon Springman is cowboy Curly, who are tentatively embarking on a new romance in a territory on the verge of becoming a state. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The show opens April 18. $50-$60, lunch/dinner packages available. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.

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