Spotlight: Marriott Theatre honors Bing Crosby, American Blues stages Stephen King’s ‘Misery’
Sentimental journey at Marriott
Broadway veteran Jared Bradshaw (“Jersey Boys”) returns to Marriott Theatre to perform songs made popular by Bing Crosby as part of the Artists Lounge Live series. The set list for “Swinging on a Star: Jared Bradshaw Sings Bing Crosby, Featuring the Music of the Andrews” includes such hits as: “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” “It's Been a Long, Long Time” and “White Christmas.” 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, and 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. $60. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.
Murder mystery
Steel Beam Theatre presents “Trifles: A Murder Mystery” by Susan Glaspell. After a farmer is strangled to death while his wife is asleep at his side, the townspeople attempt to disprove the wife’s claims that he died at the hands of an intruder. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20-21 and 27-28, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 and 29, at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. $22-$28. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com.
From page (and screen) to stage
American Blues Theater presents “Misery,” adapted from Stephen King’s novel by William Goldman, who also wrote the screenplay for the 1990 film. Artistic affiliate Halena Kays directs the suspense tale about a romance novelist who’s injured in a car crash and nursed (not necessarily back to health) by his No. 1 fan. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20-21; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22; and Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 25-26, at 5627 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $30-$60. (773) 654-3103 or americanbluestheater.com.
City Lit celebrates challenged books
To mark Banned Books Week, City Lit Theater Company, in association with the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom, presents “Books on the Chopping Block,” a 60-minute program consisting of readings from the 10 most frequently challenged books of 2023. Readings take place at various locations throughout the city and suburbs. Donations accepted. citylit.org/books-on-the-chopping-block. 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Chicago Public Library, Edgewater Branch, 6000 N. Broadway, Chicago; 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, Zoom performance from the McHenry Public Library; 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at DePaul University Library, 2350 N. Kenmore Ave., Chicago; noon Sept. 28 at the Chicago Public Library, Blackstone Branch, 4904 S. Lake Park Ave., Chicago.
Temptations tuner returns
“Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations,” the Tony Award-winning jukebox tuner chronicling the rise of the Motown superstars, returns to the CIBC Theatre for a brief run. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, and Thursday, Sept. 26; 1 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25; 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28; and 1 p.m. Sept. 29 at 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago. $38-$116. broadwayinchicago.com.
Metropolis revives beloved fairy tale tuner
Johanna McKenzie Miller directs Metropolis Performing Arts Centre’s revival of the 2013 version of “Cinderella,” with a score by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Douglas Carter Beane. Molly Bremer plays Ella and Patrick Johnson plays charming Prince Topher. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Sept. 26-27, at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. The show opens Sept. 28. $24-$49. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.
Chicago premiere
Raven Theatre Company opens its 42nd season with the Chicago premiere of “Ironbound,” Martyna Majok’s play chronicling 20 years and three relationships in the life of Polish immigrant Darja. Lucy Carapetyan stars in director Georgette Verdin’s production. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 26-28, and 3 p.m. Sept. 29, at 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago. The show opens Oct. 2. $30-$45. raventheatre.com.
‘The Outsiders’ onstage
Performances continue for Elgin-based Home Creative Company’s production of “The Outsiders.” Adapted from S.E. Hinton’s 1967 coming-of-age novel, the play centers on sensitive 14-year-old Ponyboy Curtis, a member of the socially outcast Greasers, who struggles to find his place in a divided community. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 and Oct. 5; 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, and through Oct. 13 at The Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. (312) 820-6250 or athenaeumcenter.org.