Spotlight: Aurora’s Paramount revives ‘An Act of God’ comedy
Divine comedy
The Almighty, accompanied by his favorite angels, delivers his revised commandments to the faithful in “An Act of God,” adapted by Emmy Award-winning writer David Javerbaum from his book “The Last Testament: A Memoir by God.” Paramount Theatre’s Bold Series revival stars Alex Weisman as God, with Em Modaff and Michael Turrentine as archangels Gabriel and Michael. Keira Fromm directs. Previews at 1:30 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2; 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 3-4; 2 and 8 p.m. Oct. 5; and 1 and 5:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. The show opens Oct. 9. $40-$55. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.
Another play inspired by the Almighty
Theatre ensemble Elsinore stages “Hand to God,” a dark, salaciously satirical tale by Robert Askins about a shy teen participating in a Texas puppet ministry whose foul-mouthed hand puppet commandeers his right arm and then his soul. Directed by JJ Gatesman, Elsinore’s revival marks the theater company’s last production in Elgin. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27-28, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, and through Oct. 13 at the First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave., Elgin. $22, $25. our.show/handtogod.
Inspired by real events
Ghostlight Ensemble returns for its first main stage show since the COVID-19 pandemic with “Alabama Story” by Kenneth Jones. Inspired by true events that took place in 1950s Alabama, the play is about the efforts to ban a children’s book titled “The Rabbits’ Wedding” about a white rabbit and a black rabbit who get married. Performances coincide with Banned Books Week. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27-28 and Oct. 4-5, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29 and Oct. 6, at After-Words Bookstore, 23 E. Illinois St., Chicago, and Oct. 8-11 and 18-20 at Haymarket Books at Haymarket House, 800 W. Buena Ave., Chicago. $25 suggested donation. ghostlightensemble.com/alabama-story.
Walking plays at Morton
The Morton Arboretum’s Walking Plays presents “The Grimmest of Tales,” adapted from some of the goriest, most grim Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales. Recommended for ages 10 and older. The walking distance is about two miles. 4-5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28-29 and through Oct. 27 at 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $25 for adults, $15 for kids. mortonarb.org.
Seasonal laughs (and chills) at The Annoyance
The Annoyance Theatre remounts its flagship slasher parody “Splatter Theatre” featuring cliché horror film characters murdered in gruesomely creative ways.
Also at The Annoyance is “Love at Stake,” a new one-act comedy by writer/director Cody Lee Walker examining the lives of a vampire, his human wife and their half-vampire son along with their mummy, ghost and zombie pals.
“Splatter Theatre” is at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, and through Oct. 31. $25. “Love at Stake” is at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, through Oct. 25. $20. Performances are at 851 W. Belmont Ave., Floor 2, Chicago. theannoyance.com.
Destinos returns
The Chicago International Latino Theater Festival, the seven-week citywide festival showcasing Latino theater artists and companies from Chicago, the U.S. and Latin America returns for its seventh year. Twenty-two productions, including four premieres, take place in Chicago at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.; APO Cultural Center, 1438 W. 18th St.; National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.; The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.; Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.; and Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave. Productions include the North American premiere of the family-friendly “La Memoria de los Sésiles” by Chile’s Astillero Teatro; the North American premiere of “El Brote” from Argentina’s Compañia Criolla; and a remount of “Where Did We Sit on the Bus?” by Salvadoran-American actor and writer and Chicago native Brian Quijada among others. Performances take place Monday, Sept. 30, through Nov. 17 at various times and locations. See clata.org for a schedule and tickets.