Catch 'Macbeth' under the stars in Oak Brook
Artistic Associate Nick Sandys directs First Folio Theatre's season-ending production of Shakespeare's "Macbeth," a tragedy examining unchecked ambition and ultimate power. Nathan Hosner and Patrice Egleston star as the Thane and his grasping wife.
Previews begin Wednesday, July 8, on the grounds of Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. The production opens Saturday, July 11. (630) 986-8067 or firstfolio.org.
'Charlotte's Web' walk
Theatre-Hikes debuts its environmental adaptation of "Charlotte's Web," E. B. White's classic children's tale about the friendship of an earnest pig named Wilbur and the extraordinary spider, Charlotte. Additionally, Theatre-Hikes presents a low-impact performance of David Mamet's "Duck Variations" on Saturday, July 4, and a theater bikes version of the same play on Sunday, July 5.
The production runs weekends through Aug. 3 at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. A low-impact "Charlotte's Web" takes place July 11. (630) 725-2066 or mortonarb.org.
'Cinderella' on stage
Director Rachel Rockwell follows her terrific production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" with Marc Robin's musical version of "Cinderella," as part of Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences. Dara Cameron and Andrew Keltz star as Cinderella and the Prince.
Opens Wednesday, July 8, at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.
What's new
• Gorilla Tango Theatre presents the world premiere of "Wanted" as part of its experimental theater series. Three clowns find themselves unemployed in this show which incorporates Pochinko clowning techniques that embrace elements of European, Native American and bouffon clowning as well as improvisation. Performances run Mondays, July 6 through 27, at 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. (773) 598-4549.
• Marriott Theatre regular Matt Raftery stars as Ren, the dance-loving free-spirit who battles the dance-averse, rock 'n' roll-fearing residents of a small, repressive town in Theatre at the Center's production of "Footloose." Previews begin Thursday, July 9, at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN. The show opens Thursday, July 16. (219) 836-3255 or theatreatthecenter.com.
• The Chicago Park District's 57th annual Theatre on the Lake season showcasing some of Chicago's best theater productions from the past year continues Wednesday, July 8, with Theo Ubique Theatre Company's acclaimed world premiere of "Jacques Brel's Lonesome Losers of the Night," which follows the romantic conquests of two sailors on leave at an Amsterdam port. Performances run through July 12, at the theater located at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Theatre on the Lake continues through Aug. 9. (312) 742-7994 or chicagoparkdistrict.com.
• "The Last Barbecue," Brett Neveu's ("Gas for Less," "Old Glory," "Eric LaRue") dark comedy about a 10-year high school reunion that coincides with a more tragic anniversary, begins performances Thursday, July 9, at 16th Street Theater in the Berwyn Cultural Center, 6420 W. 16th St., Berwyn. (800) 838-3006 or 16thstreettheatre.org.
• Gift Theatre's season continues with the Chicago premiere of "The Ruby Sunrise," Rinne Groff's examination of the dawn of television told through the story of a young visionary who saw its potential. Previews begin Thursday, July 9, at 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. The production, directed by John Gawlik, opens Monday, July 13. (773) 283-7071 or thegifttheatre.org.
• Martin Sherman's provocative, 1970 drama "Bent" is about two homosexuals imprisoned in the Nazi death camp at Dachau who encourage and comfort each other under the most devastating circumstances. Previews for Hubris Productions' revival begin Thursday, July 9, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. The show opens Saturday, July 11. (773) 404-7336 or hubrisproductions.com.
• The Neo-Futurists continue their annual staged readings of truly terrible films on Thursday, July 9, with "Screaming Mimi," about a buxom blonde attacked by an escaped mental patient who then becomes a love slave of a creepy psychiatrist. "It Came from the Neo-Futurarium VIII: Legend of the Neo-Futurarium" runs Thursdays through July 30, at the Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. See neofuturists.org for more information.