Stage to screen: Broadway-bound 'Devil Wears Prada' tuner premieres in Chicago

A joyful noise

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre presents "Sister Act," the musical comedy adapted from the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg as a Las Vegas lounge singer who takes refuge from the mob at a convent. Natalie "Nat" Renee Savoy stars as Delores Cartier, the singer who, while disguised as a nun, helps revitalize the parish choir and raise the community's spirits.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 15, and Thursday, July 21; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16; and 3 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. The show opens July 22. $35, $40. Masks required. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

'Winter' this summer

Rebounding from a devastating fire last winter that destroyed its offices and archives, Oak Park Festival Theatre stages William Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale" outdoors at Austin Gardens. Artistic associate Kevin Theis directs the romance about a once beloved king who falsely suspects his queen is pregnant with his best friend's child and whose jealousy causes him to destroy his family and his kingdom.

Previews at 8 p.m. Friday, July 15, at 167 Forest Ave., Oak Park. The show opens at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 16. $38. Masks and social distancing recommended. (708) 300-9396 or oakparkfestival.com.

The 'Devil' you know

The stage adaptation of the hit 2006 film "The Devil Wears Prada," by Elton John and Shaina Taub, premieres in Chicago under Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble member and Tony Award-winning director Anna D. Shapiro. Taylor Iman Jones plays Andy, an aspiring journalist who takes a job at a high-profile fashion magazine whose merciless, hard-driving editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly is played by Tony-winner Beth Leavel.

Previews at 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, July 19-20, and Friday, July 22; 2 and 8 p.m. July 23; 2 and 7:30 p.m. July 24 and through Aug. 5, at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $29.50-$154.50. Proof of vaccination and masks required. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.

In other news

Check venues for COVID-19 precautions.

• Previews begin Friday, July 15, for Mercury Theater Chicago's revival of "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," the musical by writers Stephan Elliot and Allan Scott. Based on Elliot's 1994 comedy "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," the tuner is about two drag queens and a transgender woman traveling across the Australian Outback. The show, directed and choreographed by artistic director Christopher Chase Carter, opens Thursday, July 21, at 3745 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Masks required. See mercurytheaterchicago.com.

• Midsommer Flight presents free performances of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," William Shakespeare's romantic romp about mischievous faeries meddling in the love affairs of misguided humans. Performances begin Friday, July 15, and run through Aug. 21 at Chicago parks including: Lincoln Park, 2045 N. Lincoln Park West (July 15-17; 29-31); Gross Park, 2708 W. Lawrence Ave., (July 22-24); Lake Meadows Park, 3117 S. Rhodes Ave. (Aug. 5-7); Chicago Women's Park and Gardens, 1801 S. Indiana Ave. (Aug. 12-14); and Touhy Park, 7348 N. Paulina St. (Aug. 19-21). Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Seating is first come, first served. See midsommerflight.com.

• Actress/comedian Hannah Einbinder, co-star of HBO's "Hacks," headlines The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, on Friday and Saturday, July 15-16. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required, masking is optional. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com.

• The ninth Physical Theater Festival takes place Saturday, July 16, through July 24 at Nicholas Park, 1355 E. 53rd St., Chicago, and The Den Theater, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Participating ensembles include Theatre Lumina, Company To X For, Kuumbia Nia Arts & The Unlock the Chains Collective from the United Kingdom, and Argentina's Cenizas. A festival pass is $86, $61 for students, seniors, veterans and industry professionals. Single tickets also available. See physicalfestival.com.

• Performances begin Tuesday, July 19, for the 50th anniversary tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar," the Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber musical based on the last days of Christ. Performances run through July 31 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and masking required. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.

• Broadway in Your Backyard, Porchlight Music Theatre's free summer concert series produced in cooperation with the Chicago Park District, resumes at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, at Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen Ave., Chicago. This family-friendly, 60-minute outdoor concert features theater artists performing tunes from shows such as "Rent," "Hello, Dolly!" "The Music Man," "Grease," "Six" and "The Little Mermaid" among others. The concert dates are as follows: July 26, Unity Park, 2636 N. Kimball Ave.; Aug. 2, Portage Park, 4100 N. Long Ave.; Aug. 9, Munroe Park, 2617 W. 105th St.; Aug. 16, Washington Square Park, 901 N. Clark St.; Aug. 23, Park No. 534, 1300 S. St. Louis Ave.; Aug. 30, Gill Park, 825 W. Sheridan Road; Sept. 6, Ellis Park, 3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave. See porchlightmusictheatre.org.

• Citadel Theatre presents an original musical retelling of "Winnie the Pooh" Thursday through Sunday, July 21-24, outdoors at Lake Forest Open Lands, 350 Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. See citadeltheatre.org.

• Drury Lane Theatre has extended its all-star revival of "Steel Magnolias," Robert Harling's dramedy about the love and friendship between six Southern women. Performance run through Aug. 7 at 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. (630) 530-0111 or drurylanetheatre.com.

• "Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical," adapted from the 1999 film starring Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Reese Witherspoon, has been extended. Performances of Kokandy Productions' revival run through Aug. 21 at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. See kokandyproductions.com.

• Chicago Shakespeare Theater announced its premiere of "It Came From Outer Space," a new musical based on the cult sci-fi film, has been extended. Performances run through July 31 at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.

• On Our Team, an organization established in 2020 to address labor and pay equity issues within the theatrical design disciplines, certified Chicago ensembles Collaboraction and 2nd Story have adopted pay equity standards in response to the theater community's calls for fairness, diversity and access. The standards are based on a three-pronged approach to pay equity that encompasses transparency, working conditions and accountability. Theater companies so certified will display proof of their compliance, which theatergoers and theater artists can consider when deciding to patronize or work with the theater.

• Lookingglass Theatre announced its 35th season will begin Sept. 24 with Congo Square Theatre's "What to Send Up When It Goes Down," comprised of vignettes addressing racialized violence. That's followed in the fall by "50 Wards: A Civic Mosaic," which weaves together stories of the city's neighborhoods in film form. Next up is a remount of the holiday show "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" (Nov. 13-Jan. 8, 2023) adapted from Hans Christian Andersen's tale about a determined soldier in love with a ballerina. Feb. 8, 2023, marks the premiere of "Villette," adapted from Charlotte Brontë's tale of a young woman who travels to Paris and becomes embroiled in romance and intrigue. The season concludes with the premiere of ensemble member Matthew C. Yee's "Lucy and Charlie's Honeymoon" (May 24-Aug. 13, 2023) about Asian newlyweds who are "in love and on the run." Performances take place at Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Memberships range from $105 to $180 per person, with an under 35 membership available for $75. (312) 337-0665 or lookingglasstheatre.org.