What's new at the theater
• Bailiwick Repertory bids adieu to 2008 and to its longtime Belmont Avenue home with "Farewell 1229," featuring excerpts from musicals the company has produced there over the last 15 years. The benefit begins with a 6 p.m. reception Monday, Dec. 29, at 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Performances follow at 7:15 p.m. and include selections from "A Man of No Importance," "The Christmas Schooner," "Jerry Springer - The Opera," "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" among others. Tickets range from $25-$75. They're available at (773) 883-1090 or online at bailiwick.org.
• Michael Ryczek directs redtwist theatre's production of "Marvin's Room," Scott McPherson's dark family comedy about a woman suffering from leukemia who learns her best chance of survival rests with a bone-marrow transplant from her sister, from whom she has long been estranged. Rescheduled from mid-December, redtwist's production opens Friday, Jan. 2, at 1044 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago. (773) 728-7529 or redtwist.org.
• Canadian actor Ben Carlson, who won a Jeff Award for his performance in Chicago Shakespeare Theater's "Hamlet," returns to Navy Pier to take on the role of one of Shakespeare's arch-villains in Barbara Gaines' production of "Macbeth," about a one-time hero corrupted by ambition and power. CST veterans Patrick Clear, William Dick, David Lively and Mike Nussbaum co-star. Previews begin Friday, Jan. 2, at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. The show opens Friday, Jan. 9. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.