Spotlight: Steppenwolf ensemble members reunite for Chicago premiere of 'Describe the Night'

Chicago premiere

Steppenwolf Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of "Describe the Night," a thriller examining 90 years of Russian history (some of it true, some of it untrue), by ensemble member Rajiv Joseph. Austin Pendleton directs a cast that includes fellow ensemble members Glenn Davis, James Vincent Meredith, Sally Murphy, Caroline Neff, Yasen Peyankov and Karen Rodriguez.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. March 2-4 and 8-11 and 2:30 p.m. March 4-5 and 11. The show opens March 12 at 1646 N. Halsted St., Chicago. $20-$85. Masks optional. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

History re-examined

The radically re-imagined 2022 revival of the musical "1776," which features an ensemble comprised of female, female-identifying, nonbinary and racially diverse performers, opens in Chicago for a brief run. The tuner unfolds during the Second Continental Congress and chronicles the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The preview is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28. The show opens Wednesday, March 1, at the CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago. $26.50-$94. Masks recommended. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.

In other news

Check with venues about COVID-19 precautions.

• "Circus Quixotic," an Actors Gymnasium circus theater production, runs through March 26 at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. Adapted from Miguel de Cervantes's "Don Quixote" by directors David and Kerry Catlin, the show examines the mad and noble mind of an unlikely knight and his faithful squire who defeat dragons, topple giants and battle evil enchanters. Artistic director Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi choreographs. Recommended for ages 5 and older. Tickets are $35 for adults, $20 for students. actorsgymnasium.org/shows.

• Lifeline Theatre premieres "Extra Yarn," a musical adapted from Mac Barnet's book about a girl named Annabelle who discovers a small wooden box filled with yarn that seemingly never ends. With it she knits sweaters for the whole town, until the Archduke decides to take the never-ending yarn for himself. It runs Friday, Feb. 24, through March 19 at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. Masks required. (773) 761-4477 or lifelinetheatre.com.

• About Face Theatre hosts Re/Generation Studio, a series of intergenerational workshops focused on new works and new ways of producing theater. Free workshops take place Saturdays through March 18 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. aboutfacetheatre.com.

• Artists Lounge Live and Mercury Theater Chicago present "Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Stevie Wonder Experience With John-Mark McGaha" at 3745 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. McGaha performs some of Wonder's biggest hits including "For Once in My Life," "Isn't She Lovely," "Higher Ground," "You Are The Sunshine of My Life," "Superstition" and others. Tickets range from $35 to $75. See mercurytheaterchicago.com.

• Previews begin Saturday, Feb. 25, for the Black Ensemble Theatre premiere of "Reasons: A Tribute to Earth, Wind and Fire," the seminal R&B, funk and pop band founded in Chicago in 1969 by the late singer/songwriter/producer Maurice White. The show chronicles the rise of the band that produced such hits as "September," "Fantasy," "Shining Star" and "Boogie Wonderland" among others. The show opens March 5 at 4450 N. Clark St., Chicago. (773) 769-4451 or blackensembletheater.org.

• Eta Creative Arts Foundation presents "1619: The Journey of a People, The Musical" at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7558 S. South Chicago Ave., Chicago. Three modern characters tell the story of enslaved Africans who arrived on U.S. shores in 1619 in the musical that incorporates hip-hop, jazz and blues. (312) 602-9642 or 1619musical.com.

• AstonRep Theatre Company hosts its 14th Writers Series, featuring free staged readings of two new works, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at The Edge Off Broadway, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave., Chicago. The in-progress plays include "Precious Armageddon," Miguel Salgado Jr.'s play about a former abnormal psychology professor who interviews five aliens, and "Finger," DC Cathro's play about a teen who discovers something strange in a box and seeks out its owner. Masks encouraged. See astonrep.com.

• Jam Productions presents "Depths of Wikipedia Live," a stage version of the social media groups that highlight strange Wikipedia facts. The production takes place at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago. See jamusa.com.

• The Chicago Magic Lounge marks its fifth anniversary with a weekend of signature shows featuring favorite magicians Danny Rudnick, Walter King Jr., Paige Thompson, Luis Carreon, Trent James and others. The performances run through Sunday, Feb. 26, at 5050 N. Clark St., Chicago. (312) 366-4500 or chicagomagiclounge.com.

• Comedian Ashley Gavin, who's been featured on the Netflix is a Joke festival, Comedy Central and Hulu, headlines The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Gavin performs through Sunday, Feb. 26. Also at The Den Theatre, Comedy Central and late-night chat show veteran Ted Alexandro performs March 3-4. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com.

• Porchlight Music Theatre announced a final extension of its acclaimed revival of "Cabaret." Performances run through March 19 at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. (773) 777-9884 or porchlightmusictheatre.org.

• Rhinoceros Theater Festival organizers are accepting submissions for inclusion in the June fringe festival. Application must be received by March 5 for consideration. See rhinofest.com.

• Blue Man Group has introduced VIP packages for productions around the country including the long-running Blue Man Group show at the Briar Street Theater, 3133 N. Halsted St., Chicago. A package including a special access badge, gift bag, premium seating and post-show meet-and-greet with one of the Blue Men is $160 plus fees for online or advanced purchase and $75 for an add-on to a pre-purchased ticket. See blueman.com/chicago.

• Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Chicago's only theater dedicated to producing "new work with women at the core" announced the addition of new members. They include: actor Glenn Dale-Obrero; director/ actor Rashada Dawan; artist/arts educator Andi Muriel; dramaturge/producer Sarah Slight; technical director/production manager Evan Sposato; actress/acting coach Meg Thalken; director Georgette Verdin; and writer/producer Tanya Ward.

• Raven Theatre announced it has renamed its 85-seat East Stage as The Johnson Stage in honor of longtime board member Stephen Johnson and thanks in part to his generous gift. The space was dedicated last month and unveiled during the Chicago premiere earlier this month of "Right to be Forgotten." The theater would not be where it is today without Johnson, said managing director Markie Gray in a prepared statement. "His impact on our organization, from board leadership to financial support to care for our staff and artists, is immeasurable. We are honored to have his name on our theater and hope it inspires others to emulate his true service to the arts," Gray said.

• Music Theater Works has received a Signal Grant from the Bayless Family Foundation for its "efforts to update shows with outdated or actively offensive content."