What's new in area theater
Provision Theater's "The Time of Your Life," William Saroyan's Depression-era drama about a group of eccentrics seeking solace at a San Francisco saloon, opens Sunday at the Viaduct Theatre, 3111 N. Western Ave., Chicago. (773) 506-4429 or www.provisiontheater.org.
Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis directs Carmen Roman and her husband James Leaming in the world premiere of "Botanic Garden," about a widow tentatively embarking upon a new romance. Previews continue at Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. The show opens Feb. 8. (773) 871-3000 or www.victorygardens.org.
The Side Project Theatre debuts a couple of teen-centered dramas. "About Perfect," about a teenage girl taking care of a man with autism opens today at 1439 W. Jarvis Ave., Chicago. "Slipping," about a gay teenager moving from San Francisco to Iowa, opens Tuesday at the same address. (773) 973-2150 or www.thesideproject.net
SummerNITE, the Northern Illinois Theatre Ensemble presents Tennessee Williams' forgotten play "The Day on Which a Man Dies," an experimental piece about embattled lovers done in the Japanese Noh style which combines music, dance and story telling. The play opens today at Links Hall, 3435 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. (800) 838-3006.
The n.u.f.a.n. ensemble (whose acronym stands for No Use For A Name) opens "Tell Me Why," a play that puts a new spin on the creation story, today at the Keyhole Theatre at the Josephinum Academy, 1500 N. Bell, Chicago, www.nufanensemble.com.
Previews begin Tuesday for Chicago Shakespeare Theater's "Othello," at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. The play opens Feb. 13. (312) 595-5600.
-- Barbara Vitello