More area theater
Young romance
Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook's season continues with "Meet Me in St. Louis," the stage version of the 1944 MGM musical about four sisters finding romance and making mischief in the Gateway City at the turn of the century.
Previews continue through Wednesday at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. The show opens Thursday. (630) 530-0111.
Lifeline goes sci-fi
A man shipwrecked on a remote island encounters a scientist determined to create a community of beast-man hybrids in H.G. Wells' "The Island of Dr. Moreau," adapted by Robert Kauzlaric for Lifeline Theatre's 25th anniversary season.
Previews continue this weekend. "The Island of Dr. Moreau" opens Monday at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. (773) 761-4477.
Neveu's latest
Brett Neveu premieres his latest, "Weapon of Mass Impact," at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St., Chicago.
The examination of the effects of terrorism marks the second installment of a trilogy that begin with "Harmless," which premiered this year at TimeLine Theatre. Previews begin today. The play opens Monday. Call (312) 943-8722.
-- Barbara Vitello
Openings:
Steel Beam Theatre opens the family-friendly musical "Babes in Toyland" Saturday at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. (630) 587-8521.
Greek comedy meets vaudeville in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," the Stephen Sondheim, Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart comedy opening today at Saint Sebastian Players, St. Bonaventure Church, 1625 W. Diversey, Chicago. (773) 404-7922.
Elmhurst's GreenMan Theatre Group gets into the spirit of the season with "Nevermore: The Dark World of Edgar Allan Poe." "The Raven" and "The Tell-Tale Heart" are among Poe's works included in the show, which opens today at the Elmhurst Masonic Lodge, 103 Arthur St., Elmhurst. (630) 464-2646.
Closings:
Circle Theatre's "Up N' Under," a British comedy about a former rugby pro trying to turn misfits into winners, closes Sunday at 7300 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-0700.
Congo Square's "Elmina's Kitchen," British playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah's drama about a West Indian immigrant trying to save his son from London's mean streets, closes Sunday at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 777 N. Green St., Chicago. (773) 733-6000.