Noble Fool's 'Enchanted Evening' to feature musical classics
The music of Richard Rodgers and lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein comprise the score to "Some Enchanted Evening," a showcase of the duo's more memorable songs including "Shall We Dance" from "The King and I," "People Will Say We're in Love" from "Oklahoma" and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" from "South Pacific." Noble Fool's production begins previews Thursday, Sept. 11.
Opens Sept. 13 at Pheasant Run Resort & Spa's main stage, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. (630) 584-6342 or noblefool.org.
Homage to unsung helpers
Evanston native William Christopher, who played Father Mulcahy on TV's "M*A*S*H," takes on the role of another clergyman in the Chicago premiere of "Church Basement Ladies," about those volunteers who keep the congregation fed in more ways than one. Curt Wollan directs the show in a limited run at Skokie's North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.
Previews begin Wednesday, Sept. 10. The show opens Sept. 11 at 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org.
Another 'Escanaba'
Circle Theatre follows up its 2006 Chicago premiere of actor/playwright Jeff Daniels' "Escanaba in da Moonlight' with its prequel, "Escanaba in Love" about the romance between a couple of young Upper Peninsula kids. Chris Arnold's production marks the Chicago premiere of the comedy by Daniels, who's currently in rehearsals for the Goodman Theatre's "Turn of the Century."
Previews begin Friday, Sept. 5. The show opens Sept. 10 at 7300 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-0700 or circle.theatre.org.
What's New
Gary Griffin returns to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater to direct "Amadeus," Peter Shaffer's paradox of genius and the manner in which it's expressed. Shaffer's play with music centers around guilt-ridden court composer Antonio Salieri who insists he killed the world's greatest composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Previews begin Saturday, Sept. 6. The play opens Sept. 17 at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.
Drury Lane Theatre Oak Brook transfers its hit show "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" - a bio-musical featuring Holly hits like "Peggy Sue," "That'll Be the Day" and "Rave On" - to Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. Previews begin Wednesday, Sept. 10 with a Sept. 17 opening. (312) 642-2000 or drurylanewatertower.com.
Bailiwick Repertory's Pride Series goes international this year with plays set in Ireland, Italy and Australia. The series begins with "Anna Livia, Lucky in Her Bridges," by David Brendan Hopes. Set in 1904 Dublin, the love story centers on Ellen whose beau James Joyce has left her for a Galway gal; brother Des whose love dare not speak its name and their younger brother Barry, a member of the resistance. Previews begin Thursday, Sept. 11 at 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. The play opens Sept. 13. (773) 883-1090 or bailiwick.org.
Josie Dykas and Diane Herrera debut "A Dozen Guns N Roses", their inaugural revue exploring women dealing with motherhood, religion and bankruptcy. Previews begin Thursday, Sept. 11. The show opens Sept. 25 and runs Thursdays at Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. (773) 598-4549 or gorillatango.com.