Theater spotlight: David Cale's memoir-with-music opens Goodman's new season

Posted September 11, 2018 6:00 am

Memoir with music

Goodman Theatre opens its season with writer/performer David Cale's memoir-with-music titled "We're Only Alive for a Short Amount of Time," about growing up in an industrial English town. Artistic director Robert Falls directs the production, which features a quintet performing Cale's songs arranged and underscored by Matthew Dean Marsh. Previews at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16; continues through Sept. 23 at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. The show opens Sept. 24. $20-$75. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org.

Elgin Fringe continues

The Elgin Fringe Festival, now in its fifth year, continues this weekend at seven downtown Elgin venues. The fest boasts more than 100 performers by artists including actor Pat O'Brien in "Underneath the Lintel" about a librarian's search for the borrower of a book returned more than 100 years after it was due; magician Cody Clark; the Independent Players who perform their show "Impromptu"; dance-theater ensemble The Bipeds; the musical sextet Dramaglider; and sketch-comedy duo Kelly Bolton and Vicki Kunz among others. 1 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13; 1 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at the following venues: Fringe Central and the backspace and theater at Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court; Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St.; Carleton Rogers Park, Spring Street at Highland Avenue; Blue Box Cafe, 176 E. Chicago St.; Martini Room, 161 E. Chicago St.; Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St.; and Imago Studios, 216 Prairie St. A $3 button is required for admission to events, which range from free to $10. See elginfringefestival.com.

What they do for love

The lives, loves and ambitions of unsung singer/dancers who make up a Broadway musical chorus are chronicled in "A Chorus Line," which unfolds during the final audition for a new, big-budget show. The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre opens its 2018-2019 season with a revival of the beloved 1975 musical by composer Marvin Hamlisch and lyricist Edward Kleban. Robin M. Hughes directs and Christie Kerr choreographs. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Sept. 20-21; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Opens Sept. 27. $35, $40. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

Francis Guinan, left, Glenn Davis, Cecilia Noble, K. Todd Freeman and Eddie Torres rehearse Steppenwolf Theatre's premiere of ensemble member Bruce Norris' "Downstate." Courtesy of Joel Moorman

Steppenwolf premiere

Steppenwolf Theatre's Glen Davis, K. Todd Freeman, Francis Guinan and Tim Hopper reunite with fellow ensemble member and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Bruce Norris for the premiere of "Downstate" about four convicted sex offenders sharing a home in downstate Illinois and the former victim who confronts one of them. Ensemble member and Tony Award-winner Pam MacKinnon directs the premiere, a co-production with The National Theatre of Great Britain. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Sept. 20-21; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22; continues through Sept. 29 at 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago. The show opens Sept. 30. $20-$99. (312) 336-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

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