'Romeo and Juliet' with a twist -- It's sans Romeos

Gender-blind R&J

Janus Theatre puts a different spin on "Romeo and Juliet" by staging Shakespeare's tragedy about the young star-crossed lovers with an all-female cast. Elgin native Audrey Flegel plays Juliet opposite Jen Short's Romeo. Janus artistic director Sean Hargadon directs.

Opens Friday, Oct. 23, at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. (847) 841-1713 or janustheatre.wordpress.com

Noir radio style

The Improv Playhouse re-imagines as a radio play John Huston's classic film adaptation of "The Maltese Falcon," Dashiell Hammett's novel about a private detective trying to catch his partner's killer while pursuing a cool dame and a jeweled bird. David Brian Stuart stars as private eye Sam Spade, a role made famous by Humphrey Bogart.

Opens Friday, Oct. 23, at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.

Evergreen's "Book of Days"

A woman playing Joan of Arc in a community theater production of George Bernard Shaw's "St. Joan" takes up her own crusade to uncover who murdered her factory owner boss in Lanford Wilson's "Book of Days." Craig Berger directs EverGreen Theatre Ensemble's revival of Wilson's small-town murder mystery.

Opens Friday, Oct. 23, at the Naperville Women's Club, 14 S. Washington St., Naperville. (630) 544-9504 or evergreentheatreensemble.org.

• Redmoon Theater revives its beguiling, inventively told "Hunchback," adapted from Victor Hugo's 19th century novel and incorporating puppetry, performance art and brilliant storytelling, at the University of Chicago's Rockefeller Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago. Performances are at 8 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 25. (312) 850-8440 or redmoon.org.

• Animal trainer Samantha Martin and her ensemble of Acro-Cats put a Halloween spin on the feline feats they perform through Sunday, Oct. 25, at Viaduct Theatre, 3111 N. Western Ave., Chicago. (773) 296-6024 or circuscats.com.

• Former Daily Herald editor John Zimmerman co-stars in Jedlicka Performing Arts Center's production of the thriller "Night Watch," about an unstable woman who may or may not have witnessed a murder. The production opens Friday, Oct. 23, at 3801 S. Central Ave., Cicero. (708) 656-1800 or jpactheatre.com.

• Performances begin Friday, Oct. 23, for Saint Sebastian Players' production of ensemble member Jonathan Hagloch's adaptation of "Spoon River Anthology," Edgar Lee Masters' fictional look at small town Illinois life during the early 20th century. Hagloch, also provides the music and directs the show, which runs through Nov. 15 at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey, Chicago. (773) 404-7922 or saintsebastianplayers.org.

• Oscar nominee and A Red Orchid Theatre member Michael Shannon, fellow "Mistakes Were Made" cast member Mierka Girten and playwright Craig Wright join director Dexter Bullard for a benefit dinner and performance on Friday, Oct. 23. Dinner is at Eivissa, 1531 N. Wells St., Chicago, which shares its address with A Red Orchid. Tickets are $150. (312) 943-8722 or aredorchidtheatre.org.

• Rivendell Theatre Ensemble remounts its critically acclaimed production of "These Shining Lives," Melanie Marnich's true account of women exposed to toxic levels of radiation while painting watch faces at Ottawa's Radium Dial Company during the early 20th century. Rachel Walshe directs the production originally commissioned by Skokie's Northlight Theatre. Performances begin Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Raven Theatre Complex, 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago. (773) 334-7728 or rivendelltheatre.net.

• GreatWorks Theatre Company presents its family-friendly version of Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24; 12 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25; and 2 and 4 p.m. Oct. 31, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. (773) 404-7336 or greenhousetheater.org.

• New works by playwrights from around the country comprise Ruckus Theater's "Tell It & Speak It & Think It & Breathe It," a showcase comprised of 14 short plays, some of which will be accompanied by live music and each of which receives its world premiere at this festival. Performances run from Sunday, Oct. 25, through Nov. 4, at the Side Project Theatre, 1439 W. Jarvis Ave., Chicago. (773) 769-7257 or ruckustheater.org.

• Andy Ross performs his solo show "Melancomedy" detailing the humor in life's tiny tragedies, at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago. (773) 561-4665 or annoyanceproductions.com.

• The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, celebrates Mexican culture with performances of "The Magic of Ofrenda," about a young girl who learns about Mexico's Day of the Dead celebration from her eccentric Mexican grandfather. The play is suitable for children in kindergarten through third grade. Performances run from Sunday, Oct. 26, to Oct. 31. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

• Ireland's Druid Theatre Company brings its production of "The Walworth Farce," Enda Walsh's satirical comedy about an Irish expat and his two sons who begin the day with a six pack of beer and end it committing multiple murders. The show opens Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.

• Building a New Legacy, Black Ensemble Theater's 9th annual fundraising gala, begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Alhambra Palace, 1240 W. Randolph St., Chicago. The event includes dinner, scenes from BTE productions and a live auction. NBC Chicago's LeeAnn Trotter hosts. Tickets are $250 and are available by phone (773) 769-4451 or online at blackensembletheater.org.

• Horri-Ball, Hobo Junction's night of burlesque and booze to promote the company's upcoming show "Horrible," takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 at The Spot, 4437 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago. Admission is $15. See hobojunctionproductions.com for information.

• Evanston's Piccolo Theatre opens the Halloween-themed "Boolesque Revue" featuring dancing ghouls and singing zombies (or is it the other way around?) on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Evanston Arts Depot, 600 Main St. Evanston. (847) 424-0089 or piccolotheatre.com.

• Commedia dell'arte meets musical comedy in "The Glorious Ones," the musical by composer Stephen Flaherty and lyricist Lynn Ahrens ("Ragtime," "Once on This Island") about a troupe of actors chasing success. Bohemian Theatre Ensemble's regional premiere continues through Nov. 21 at 7016 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. (866) 811-4111 or bohotheatre.com.

• Suburban newcomer, The Bird and the Baby Theatre Company, based in West Chicago, began its inaugural season with the George S. Kaufman-Moss Hart comedy "You Can't Take it With You," about a young woman who brings her fiancé and his straight-laced parents home to meet her decidedly eccentric family. Performances continue through Oct. 31 at the former white chapel at Wheaton Academy High School, 900 Prince Crossing Road, West Chicago. (630) 876-2351 or birdandbabytheatre.com.