Janus presents Nelson's post 9/11 work 'The Guys'

Janus and 'The Guys'Janus Theatre presents Anne Nelson's semi-autobiographical, post Sept. 11 play, "The Guys." Lori Helm plays a New York City editor who helps a fire captain - played by Jim Pierce - pen eulogies for five of his firefighters killed during the 2001 terrorist attacks. Sean Hargadon directs.Runs Friday, Sept. 3, through Sunday, Sept. 5, at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. (847) 841-1713 or janustheatre.wordpress.com.Low-tech life lessonsComedian turned author Greg Schwem will read from his new book "Text Me If You're Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons from a Low-Tech Dad" at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville. Schwem also wants to hear stories from other families about how they deal with technology. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665.Double dose of MametAmerican Theater Company launches its season with a pair of plays by David Mamet. Both address the struggle for power and both are directed by Steppenwolf's Rick Snyder. A Hollywood critique, "Speed-the-Plow" is about a couple of greedy film executives and the naive secretary who comes between them. "Oleanna" is about sexual harassment that may or may not have taken place between a university professor and a student.Previews begin Thursday, Sept. 9, at 1909 W. Byron St., Chicago. The shows open Sept. 20. (773) 409-4125 or atcweb.org.bull; Mortar Theatre Company continues its first season with the world premiere of "Under America," ensemble member Jacob Juntunen's drama about a reporter who moves into the Cabrini-Green housing project for a story and tries to help a young man looking to get out. Performances begin Friday, Sept. 3, at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Juntunen will discuss his research process and what he learned about public housing and the prison system following the 2 p.m. Sept. 19 performance. For information, see mortartheatrecompany.org.bull; Gorilla Tango Theatre's new drinking-inspired, choose-your-own-adventure show "Chug Chicago: Rise of the Wrigleyvillians" opens Saturday, Sept. 4, at 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. (773) 598-4549 or gorillatango.com. bull; Previews begin Sunday, Sept. 5, for Sideshow Theatre Company's Midwest premiere of "Theories of the Sun," Kathleen Akerley's drama in which a young Tom Stoppard, sodden Tennessee Williams and a mysterious scholar help a mother and daughter cure the disease that ails them. The show opens Thursday, Sept. 9, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. (773) 975-8150 or sideshowtheatre.org.bull; "Lips Together, Teeth Apart," about two straight couples examining their attitude toward their gay neighbors, is the next in a series of staged readings presented by Pride Films Plays as part of its salute to playwright Terrence McNally. The reading is at 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept 5, at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St., Chicago. (773) 250-3112 or pridefilmsandplays.com.bull; "1001," Jason Grote's contemporary retelling of the Arabian Nights tale and focusing on the conflict between East and West, gets its Chicago area premiere courtesy of Collaboraction which begins its 15th season with director Seth Bockley's production. Previews begin Thursday, Sept. 9, at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. The show opens Sept. 13. See collaboraction.org. for more information.bull; Steppenwolf Theatre begins its season with "Detroit," Lisa D'Amour's new play about a couple whose friendship with their new neighbors starts to spiral out of control and threaten their picture perfect existence. Ensemble member Austin Pendleton directs fellow ensemble members Kevin Anderson, Kate Arrington, Ian Barford, Robert Breuler and Laurie Metcalf. The show opens Sept. 21, at 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.bull; Performances begin Thursday, Sept. 9, for Redmoon Theatre's latest large-scale, shadow play spectacle "The Astronaut's Birthday," in which the titular character attempts to save the earth. Staged as a graphic novel, the show will unfold on the facade of the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago. (312) 850-8440, ext. 111 or redmoon.org.bull; After meeting on a train bound for the French Riviera, a couple of con men team up to swindle a young heiress in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," a musical inspired by the 1988 film and the next production at Theatre at the Center. Previews being Thursday, Sept. 9, at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Ind. The show, directed by William Pullinsi and starring Michael Mahler and Larry Wyatt, opens Sept. 16. (219) 836-3255 or theatreatthecenter.com.bull; Redtwist Theatre has extended its hit revival of Peter Shaffer's "Equus" through Sunday, Sept. 5, at 1044 Bryn Mawr, Chicago. (773) 728-7529 or redtwist.org.bull; The Gift Theatre's Jeff-recommended production of "Suicide, Incorporated," featuring artistic director and "Private Practice" co-star Michael Patrick Thornton, has received its final extension. The show closes Oct. 10 at 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. (773) 283-7071 or thegifttheatre.org.bull; Gorilla Tango Theatre spoofs TV teen shows and vampire obsession with its latest comedy show "True Twilight: A Glee Club Musical" running at 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 22 at 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. (773) 598-4549 or gorillatango.com.bull; A couple of new Billys will take over the titular role in Broadway in Chicago's hit production of "Billy Elliot" this fall. Taking over for the departing Tommy Batchelor and Giuseppe Bausilio are Myles Erlick, 11, from Ontario, Canada, and Iowa native Marcus Pei, 12, who will share the role of Billy with Cesar Corrales and John Peter Viernes. Last month, Dillon Stevens took over the role of Billy's friend, Michael. "Billy Elliot" runs through Jan. 15 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.bull; In other casting news, Vanessa Bayer, a cast member of Annoyance Theatre's "Swear Jar," will leave the show Saturday, Sept. 4, to join the cast of NBC's "Saturday Night Live." "Swear Jar" continues at 10 p.m. Saturdays at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago. (773) 561-4665 or theannoyance.com.bull; Chicago writer Tom Emerick's screenplay "Bre'gan's Fist," about a fry cook and his time traveler lover who try to save the earth from an evil wizard, is among the 17 semifinalists in Pride Films Plays gay screenplay contest. Five finalists will be showcased in staged readings Nov. 20 and 21 at the Hoover-Leppen Theater at the Center on Halsted. bull; The Neo-Futurists seek submissions of a portrait of President Barack Obama to include in its permanent Hall of Presidents display at 5153 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. Submissions, accompanied by a $10 entry fee, are due Sept. 24. The artist whose work is selected receives $250. The winning work will be revealed at 7 p.m. Oct. 28, during the company's Obama Portrait-O-Rama fundraiser. See neofuturists.org for more information.