Spotlight: Janus Theatre stages unrehearsed 'Merchant' in Elgin

Posted August 14, 2019 6:00 am

'Merchant' in Elgin

The Elgin Shakespeare Project, a Janus Theatre initiative involving producing William Shakespeare's plays according to 16th-century practices, resumes with "The Merchant of Venice." In the play, merchant Antonio borrows money from moneylender Shylock to help assist his friend Bassanio's courtship of the lovely Portia. But there's a catch: If Antonio doesn't repay the loan, he'll forfeit a pound of flesh to Shylock.

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, and 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St., Elgin. Free. See janusplays.com.

Laura Berner Taylor, left, plays Grace and Sara Gise plays Lorna in Interrobang Theatre Project's U.S. premiere of "Out of Love" by Elinor Cook. Courtesy of Zoe Verdin

Gal pals

Interrobang Theatre Project launches its 10th season with the U.S. premiere of "Out of Love," Elinor Cook's drama about friendship and rivalry. It centers on lifelong friends Grace and Lorna, who are determined to escape their provincial English town, although fate seems to have a different plan. Interrobang artistic director Georgette Verdin directs.

Previews at 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday Aug. 16-18, at Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago. The show opens at 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19. $16, $32. (312) 219-4140 or interrobangtheatreproject.org.

'Alice' in Lisle

Morton Arboretum presents "Alice Through the Looking Glass" as part of its ongoing walking plays series pairing an interactive performance with a two-mile hike. The ArranmoreArts Professional Ensemble performs Naperville native Lara Filip's adaptation of Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" sequel.

6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 17-18 and Aug. 24-25, at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. $10-$20. (630) 725-2066 or mortonarb.org.

Epic tale

Music Theater Works veteran Billy Dawson returns to Evanston to play Quasimodo, the titular bell ringer in the stage adaptation of the animated 1996 Disney musical "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. The film musical was adapted from Victor Hugo's 1831 novel about a young man rejected by society because of his appearance, who falls in love with the beautiful Esmeralda, a kindly gypsy who shows him compassion. Artistic director Rudy Hogenmiller directs.

8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17; 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18; and through Aug. 25 at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. $34-$96. (847) 920-5360 or musictheaterworks.com.

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