Critics notebook

Here is a look at currently running plays recently reviewed by the Daily Herald.

"Altar Boyz," Drury Lane Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. This high-energy, spot-on sendup of prefab boy bands and Christian pop has an ecumenical appeal. You don't have to be a member of the congregation to get the joke in a show that's pure fluff, but very well-done. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 5 p.m. Sundays; through Jan. 6. Running time: About 90 minutes, no intermission. Parking: Discounted parking in Water Tower Place garage with validation. Tickets: $45-$55. Rating: For teens and older, contains sexual innuendo. Box office: (312) 642-2000 or www.altarboyzchicago.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 stars

"Aristocrats," Strawdog Theatre, 2839 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago. Brian Friel's Chekhovian play about a once genteel Irish family diminished by depression, delusion, unrealized ambition, unattainable love and alcoholism lacks the impact of "Faith Healer," but Strawdog's unfussy, solidly acted production directed by Steppenwolf's Rick Snyder is worth seeing. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 17. Additional 8 p.m. shows Thursday and Nov. 15. Running time: About 2 hours, 10 minutes, including intermission. Parking: Limited street parking, $5 honor parking at Greeley School, 832 W. Sheridan, after 5 p.m. weekends. Tickets: $15-$30. Rating: For teens and older. Box office: (773) 528-9696 or www.strawdog.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 stars"Between Barack and a Hard Place," Second City Theatre, 1616 N. Wells St., Chicago. Second City sends up Illinois' junior senator in its 94th revue featuring requisite jabs at pop culture and politics. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8 and 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays; open run. Running time: About 1 hour, 45 minutes, including intermission. Parking: Paid lots nearby. Tickets: $17-$25. Rating: For adults. Box office: (312) 337-3992 or www.secondcity.com. Reviewed by Scott Morgan. 2 1/2 stars"The Crucible," Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago. A palpable sense of fear infuses Steppenwolf's stimulating revival of Arthur Miller's play -- which resonates as powerfully today as it did in 1953 -- about the hysteria that shakes a New England town after a group of girls accuse their fellow citizens of witchcraft. The production includes a noteworthy performance by James Vincent Meredith as the flawed protagonist John Proctor. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; through Nov. 11. Running time: About 2 hours, 40 minutes, including intermission. Parking: Paid lots nearby. Tickets: $20-$68. Rating: Suitable for teens and older. Box office: (312) 335-1650 or www.steppenwolf.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 1/2 stars"Cymbeline," Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Director Barbara Gaines plays up the comedy to excellent effect in Shakespeare's plotty, fairy tale-like, comic-tragedy. It incorporates several stories, primarily that of a clever young princess who marries a commoner against her father's wishes. The tale also includes an evil Queen, a seductive foreigner, loyal servants and noble rustics linked more closely to the princess than anyone suspects. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 11. Additional 7 p.m. show Sunday. Running time: About three hours, including intermission. Parking: Paid lots nearby. Tickets: $54-$70. Rating: Suitable for teens and older. Box office: (312) 595-5600 or www.chicagoshakes.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 1/2 stars"The Defiant Muse," Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Despite the best efforts of charismatic actress Lisa Tejero as Sor Juana, the 17th-century Mexican poet, scholar and nun, Nicholas Patricca's disjointed play makes a pretty good history lesson but less than engrossing theater. Showtimes: 8 p.m. today, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Running time: About 2 hours, 20 minutes, including intermission. Parking: Discounted parking in the Children's Memorial Hospital parking garage. Tickets: $20-$45. Rating: For teens and older. Box office: (773) 871-3000 or www.victorygardens.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 2 1/2 stars"Desire Under the Elms," Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. The Hypocrites deliver a highly charged, well-acted revival of Eugene O'Neill's Greek tragedy inspired play about an affair between a conflicted young man and his father's new, much younger wife played with honesty and passion by promising young actress Audrey Francis. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 11. About two hours, including intermission. Parking: Street and metered parking available. Tickets: $20. Rating: Suitable for teens and older. Box office: (866) 811-4111 or www.the-hypocrites.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 1/2 stars"Horror Academy," North Lakeside Cultural Center, 6219 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago. Babes With Blades, an ensemble that showcases actresses showing off their stage combat skills, perform a trio of neatly contained portraits of mayhem that convey the crucial message of modern horror fiction: Humans are their own worst enemies. Showtimes: 8 p.m. today, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Nov. 2-4. Running time: About 90 minutes, no intermission. Parking: Limited street parking. Tickets: $18, $15. Rating: For adults. Box office: (773) 880-0016 or www.babeswithblades.org. Reviewed by Jeff Pizek. 3 stars"I Do! I Do!," American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St., Chicago. Heidi Kettenring and Stef Tovar play Agnes and Michael, whose 50-year marriage unfolds over the course of this pleasant but dated musical chronicling parenthood, career frustration, infidelity and retirement. Michael Weber updates the show to the late 20th century, but it's the two leads' heartfelt performances that make this show. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 11. About 2 hours, 10 minutes, including intermission. Parking: Metered parking available. Tickets: $30, $35. Rating: For teens and older. Box office: (773) 929-1031 or www.atcweb.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 2 1/2 stars"Fiction," Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Steven Dietz raises some provocative issues about truth and lies, fact and fiction in his witty, time-shifting play, in an expertly cast Remy Bumppo production, about married novelists who read each other's journals and discover some uncomfortable truths (and fictions) about each other. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 4. Running time: About two hours, including intermission. Parking: Discounted parking in the Children's Memorial Hospital parking garage. Tickets: $28.50-$34.25. Rating: For adults. Box office: (773) 871-3000 or www.remybumppo.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 stars"Fool for Love," New World Repertory Theater, 923 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. Director Jean Gottlieb's solid production of Sam Shepard's searing drama about love and obsession stars Steven Camara and Emily Carlson, credible as on-again, off-again lovers Eddie and May. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 10. Running time: About 75 minutes, no intermission. Parking: Street parking available. Tickets: $12-$20. Rating: For adults for language, violence, sexual situations and incest. Box office: (630) 663-1489 or www.newworldrep.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 stars"High School Musical," Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Canned music, snail-paced dialogue scenes and some lackluster chorus performances earn this ubiquitous show based on Disney's hit TV movie merely passing marks. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 7 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 11. Running time: About 2 hours, 20 minutes, including intermission. Parking: Nearby garage and street parking available. Tickets: $22-$42. Rating: For all ages. Box office: (847) 577-2131 or www.metropolisarts.com. Reviewed by Scott Morgan. 2 1/2 stars"Jersey Boys," LaSalle Bank Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago. The superb touring production of this exuberant bio-musical about the rags to riches to wreckage to reconciliation tale of The Four Seasons delivers on its promise as one of the season's most anticipated shows. The show looks and sounds great thanks to the Broadway design team, songwriters Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe, and Jarrod Spector, Drew Gehling, Michael Ingersoll and Jeremy Kushnier, who play the Seasons with charisma and conviction. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays; through July 13, 2008. Running time: About 2#189; hours, including intermission. Parking: Paid lots nearby. Tickets: $30-$150. Rating: For adults, includes explicit language and sexual references. Box office: (312) 902-1400 or www.ticketmaster.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 1/2 stars"Jitney," O'Rourke Center at Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago. Pegasus Players' production of August Wilson's play about gypsy cab drivers driven out of business by urban renewal runs smoothly thanks to director Jonathan Wilson (no relation) and an able cast whose easy camaraderie make this snapshot believable. Showtimes: 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Running time: About 2#189; hours, including intermission. Parking: Free lot. Tickets: $17, $25. Rating: For adults. Box office: (773) 878-9761 or www.pegasusplayers.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 stars"Merchant on Venice," Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W. Washington St., Chicago. Playwright Shishir Kurup assigns culpability objectively in his droll, Bollywood-inspired take on Shakespeare's tragedy about intolerance and a victim turned victimizer set among Indian immigrants, secular Hindus and a devout Muslim. Silk Road's production sparkles thanks to Kurup's wit and wordplay, Anish Jethmalani's Sharuk (the Shylock character) and Tariq Vasudeva's comic turn as the bumbling servant Tooranpoi. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 4. Running time: About 2#189; hours, including intermission. Parking: Paid lots nearby. Tickets: $28-$33. Rating: For adults. Box office: (888) 745-5849 or www.srtp.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 sars"Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical," Pheasant Run Resort Spa, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. Pleasantly predictable, Noble Fool's send-up of middle age features upbeat tunes, pun-filled lyrics, and benefits from Michael Weber's breezy direction and a cast with the comedic chops to keep the laughs coming. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 11. Running time: About two hours, including intermission. Parking: Free lot. Tickets: $27. $38 ($49, $60 with dinner). Rating: For adults. Box office: (630) 584-6342 or www.noblefool.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 stars"Passion," Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. A romantic 19th-century tale, Stephen Sondheim's rhapsodic score and eloquent lyrics, Gary Griffin's masterful, staging and a fine cast including Ana Gasteyer, Adam Brazier and Kathy Voytko add up to one of the most elegantly realized musicals of the season. Kudos to CST for this intimate, illuminating revival. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 11. Running time: About 100 minutes, no intermission. Parking: Discounted parking in the Navy Pier garage. Tickets: $54, $70. Rating: For adults; contains nudity, sexual situations. Box office: (312) 595-5600 or www.chicagoshakes.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello.3 stars"Phantom," Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Porchlight Music Theatre's production has a fine cast, able directors and resourceful designers, but the real star of this "other phantom" (a nod to Andrew Lloyd Webber's better-known version) is the truly lovely score by Maury Yeston that flirts with operetta while remaining grounded in the Broadway tune tradition. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 11. Running time: About 2 hours, 15 minutes, including intermission. Parking: Street and valet. Tickets: $34, $35. Rating: For teens and older. Box office: (773) 327-5252 or www.ticketmaster.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 stars"The Producers," Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Marriott's regional premiere of Mel Brooks' blockbuster musical about a couple of producers looking to get rich by producing a flop show is a smash thanks to stars Ross Lehman as wily Max Bialystock and Guy Adkins as his nervous prot#233;g#233;, Leo Bloom. Marc Robin re-imagines the big, brassy show in the round without sacrificing its spectacle. Showtimes: 1 and 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 5 p.m. Sundays; through Dec. 2. Running time: About 2#189; hours, including intermission. Parking: Free lot. Tickets: $55 Wednesday and Thursday (includes dinner); $45 Friday to Sunday (show only, $32-$43 extra for dinner). Rating: Suitable for teens and older. Box office: (847) 634-0200 or www.marriotttheatre.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 1/2 stars"Some Girl(s)," Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway, Chicago. Neil LaBute's play about a man who tracks down former girlfriends hoping to right some wrongs, gets a taut production from Profiles, a company specially suited to the writer's caustic humor and lean, unsentimental style. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays; through Dec. 16. Running time: About 90 minutes, including a deleted scene. Parking: Limited street parking. Tickets: $25, $30. Rating: For adults. Box office: (773) 549-1815 or www.profilestheatre.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 stars"The Sparrow," Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Imaginative and beguilingly told, this coming-of-age fairy tale about a young girl with a wounded spirit and special gifts who helps a town heal after a tragedy features a muted but eloquent performance by Carolyn Defrin in the title role; arresting visuals by Tracy Otwell and Lucas Merino; inventive staging by creator and director Nathan Allen; and winning choreography by Tommy Rapley. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays; through Dec. 31. Running time: About two hours, including intermission. Parking: $10 valet. Tickets: $34.50-$49.50. Rating: Suitable for teens and older. Box office: (773) 935-6100 or www.thehousetheatre.com or www.broadwayinchicago.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 1/2 stars"A Steady Rain," Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. Keith Huff's unrelenting, gritty cop drama, tautly directed by Russ Tutterow, packs the wallop of an entire season of "The Shield" condensed into 90 minutes. Peter DeFaria and Randy Steinmeyer turn in galvanizing performances as longtime partners whose friendship is tested when one of them spirals out of control. Showtimes: 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Running time: About 90 minutes, no intermission. Parking: Street and metered parking available. Tickets: $22, $28. Rating: For adults because of language and content. Box office: (312) 633-0630 or www.chicagodramatists.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 1/2 stars"Suddenly, Last Summer," Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Shattered Globe's excellent revival of Tennessee Williams' one-act about sexual repression and manipulation and a mother's desperate attempts to preserve her son's reputation benefits from exceptional performances by Linda Reiter and Allison Batty and a sumptuous set by designer/director Kevin Hagan. Showtimes: 8 p.m. today and Saturday. Running time: About 80 minutes, no intermission. Parking: Discounted parking in the Children's Memorial Hospital parking garage. Tickets: $20-$35. Rating: For adults. Box office: (773) 871-3000 or www.shatteredglobe.com. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 3 stars"A View From the Bridge," Actors Workshop Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago. AWT's revival of Arthur Miller's original, stripped-down version of his play about dockworker Eddie Carbone, whose passion for his niece causes him to betray his own, reveals it for the gem it is. Terrific performances by Michael Colucci as Carbone and Jan Ellen Graves as his wife, Beatrice, add to its sparkle. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays; through Nov. 11. Running time: About 80 minutes, no intermission. Parking: Street and metered parking available. Tickets: $15-$30. Rating: For teens and older. Box office: (773) 728-7529 or www.actorsworkshop.org. Reviewed by Barbara Vitello. 2 1/2 stars