Spotlight: Marriott invites theatregoers to 'Holiday Inn'

Posted November 01, 2018 1:05 pm

Season's greetings

Marriott Theatre begins its seasonal celebration with the regional premiere of "Holiday Inn," adapted from the 1942 film about a crooner who leaves show business to settle down with a schoolteacher at a Connecticut inn open only on holidays. Denis Jones, who choreographed the 2016 Broadway premiere, directs and choreographs Marriott's production. Michael Mahler and Will Burton star as the onetime partners who become romantic rivals for the same woman played by Johanna McKenzie Miller.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 7-8; 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10; and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11. Opens Nov. 14 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. $50-$60. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.

Ibsen's 'Ghosts'

Redtwist theatre company member Erin Murray adapted and directs the company's feminist-inspired production of Henrik Ibsen's "Ghosts," about a widow who attempts to bury her husband's sordid secrets to preserve his legacy until her son's determination to air the family's dirty laundry jeopardizes her efforts.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7; Thursday, Nov. 8; and Friday, Nov. 9. Opens Nov. 10 at 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago. $35, $40. (773) 728-7529 or redtwist.org.

Alex Stein and Kasey Foster rehearse Lookingglass Theatre's world premiere of "The Steadfast Tin Soldier." Courtesy of Liz Lauren

Andersen's 'Soldier'

Lookingglass Theatre Company ensemble member Mary Zimmerman conceived and directed the company's world premiere of the family-friendly play with music "The Steadfast Tin Soldier." It's based on the Hans Christian Andersen story about a toy tin soldier, his adventures outside the playroom and the paper ballerina with whom he's smitten. Alex Stein plays the soldier and Kasey Foster plays the ballerina.

Previews start at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, and run through Friday, Nov. 16, at the Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Opens Nov. 17. $35-$85. (312) 337-0665 or lookingglasstheatre.org.

More Austen

Jane Austen continues to inspire Northlight Theatre where the latest commission is "Mansfield Park," adapted by writer/actress Kate Hamill, who also adapted "Sense and Sensibility" and "Vanity Fair." Austen's 1814 novel is about a clever young woman sent by her impoverished parents to live with her wealthy relatives. She discovers wealth and status do not necessarily ensure a person's good character. Stuart Carden directs the production, which features Hamill as Mary Crawford and Lady Bertram.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8; 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, and Sunday, Nov. 10; 2:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, and through Nov. 15 at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Opens Nov. 16. $30-$88. (847) 673-6300 or northlight.org.

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