Spotlight: David Payne channels ‘Churchill’ at Broadway Playhouse
An evening with Sir Winston
David Payne, known for his portrayal of C.S. Lewis in the play “Shadowlands,” brings to life Sir Winston Churchill in a limited engagement of “Churchill,” a solo show during which England’s long-serving prime minister recalls his exploits during the Boer War, his battles with Britain’s fellow politicians and the two most important women in his life, his wife, Clementine, and Queen Elizabeth. 1:30 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 3; 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 4-5; 2 and 7:30 p.m. April 6; and 1:30 and 6 p.m. April 7 at Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. $75. broadwayinchicago.com.
Swan song
For his final bow as Court Theatre artistic director and before he transitions to senior artistic consultant this summer, Charles Newell helms Tom Stoppard’s classic “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.” Nate Burger and Erik Hellman play the doomed supporting characters from William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” who wrestle with fate, friendship and identity as their inevitable demise approaches. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 29 and April 5; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30, and Wednesday and Thursday, April 3-4; and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 31, at 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago. The show opens April 6. $40-$88. (773) 753-4472 or courttheatre.org.
Goodness examined
Curious Theatre Branch founding co-artistic director Jenny Magnus premieres her new solo piece, “The Good,” at Chicago Dramatists. In the piece, loosely based on Emperor Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations,” Magnus examines goodness, the pressure to be proper and not hurt others, and the challenge of being both good and interesting. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 29-30, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 31, and through April 21 at 789 N. Aberdeen St., Chicago. $20. curioustheatrebranch.com.
A ‘Curious Incident’
MadKap Productions concludes its season with a revival of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.” Based on Mark Haddon’s novel about Christopher Boone (Leo Spiegel), a teen with autism, who tries to solve the mystery of a neighbor’s murdered dog, Simon Stephens’ play reveals not only the workings of Christopher’s neurodivergent mind but also secrets about his family. Former Goodman Theatre director/producer Steve Scott directs. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 29-30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 31, and through April 21 at The Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. $38, $42. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheatre.org.
Holiday preview
Griffin Theatre Company presents a concert staging of its upcoming fall production of “The House Without a Christmas Tree.” Based on Gail Rock’s novel, the coming-of-age tale with music unfolds in rural Nebraska in 1946 at the home of young Addie Mills, whose father won’t allow them to have a Christmas tree in their house. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 29-30, at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago. Tickets are pay-what-you-can. raventheatre.com.