Spotlight: 'Dracula' on the air in Libertyville, 'Hoodoo Love' opens in Chicago

Posted October 22, 2019 6:00 am

Radio drama 'Dracula'

Improv Playhouse reprises its radio version of "Dracula" using Orson Welles' script from The Mercury Theater's 1938 broadcast, which unfolds, as does Bram Stoker's novel, in epistolary style. Steven Pickering plays the evil count in director Mia Hirschel's production, which features live and recorded sound effects.

8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Adults: $12.50 in advance, $20 at the door; children: $5 in advance, $7.50 at the door. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.

Rivendell premiere

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble premieres "Laura and the Sea," an "unhappy comedy" by Kate Tarker about work colleagues and how little they know each other, despite spending a great deal of time together. The production stars Rivendell ensemble members Tara Mallen, Mark Ulrich and Paula Ramirez.

Previews at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25-26, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, and through Nov. 3. The show opens Nov. 4 at 5779 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago. $28-$38. (773) 334-7728 or rivendelltheatre.org.

Late-night improv

Laugh Out Loud Theater invites audience members to join a late-night improv jam Saturday at the Schaumburg venue. No experience necessary, although it helps if you're fearless and improvise well with others.

11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg. Free. (847) 240-0386 or laughoutloudtheater.com/schaumburg.

Martasia Jones plays aspiring blues singer Toulou in "Hoodoo Love," beginning previews Oct. 31 at Raven Theatre. Courtesy of Christopher Semel

Blues tale

In Depression-era Memphis, an aspiring blues singer named Toulou falls for a drifter musician named Ace. Desperate, Toulou seeks help from a hoodoo practitioner in "Hoodoo Love," a 2007 play with music by Katori Hall. Director Wardell Julius Clark directs Raven Theatre's revival starring Martasia Jones as Toulou and Matthew James Elam as Ace.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago. The show opens Nov. 4. $29-$46, discount if purchased online. (773) 338-2177 or raventheatre.com.

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