Theater events: New take on Last Supper

Seasonal ‘Gathering'

“The Gathering,” a contemporary take on the Last Supper in which Jesus' disciples vie to become their leader's replacement, returns to Libertyville's Improv Playhouse in time for Easter. David Brian Stuart directs the show, which unfolds during a Seder led by Jesus and attended by Great Lakes fishermen, corporate types and a tax collector. Runs Sunday, April 17, Thursday, April 21, and Saturday, April 23, at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.

For love or money?

William Brown returns to Writers' Theatre to direct “Heartbreak House,” George Bernard Shaw's 1919 satire on upper-crust Brits idling the hours away as world war looms. Set during a house party, it centers on the conflicted Ellie (Jeannie Affelder), a young woman engaged to a scoundrel who is in love with the husband of her hostess. Previews begin Tuesday, April 19, at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The show opens Thursday, April 28. (847) 242-6000 or writerstheatre.org.

Literary controversy

A New York writer travels to a small town to defend his young adult novel about teen pregnancy that has been banned by the local school board under pressure from religious conservatives in “The Metal Children,” a semiautobiographical drama by Adam Rapp. Joanie Schultz directs Next Theatre's Midwest premiere featuring Sean Cooper as the writer and Bradley Mott and Laura T. Fisher as his primary opponents. Runs through Sunday, May 8, at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. (847) 475-1875, ext. 2 or nexttheatre.org.