Theater

Spotlight: ‘Disney’s Frozen’ commences 12-week run at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre

Posted October 21, 2024 5:33 pm

Barbara Vitello

Emily Kristen Morris, left, plays Elsa and Beth Stafford Laird plays Anna in Paramount Theatre’s production of “Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical.” The 12-week run concludes in January. Courtesy of Amy Nelson

Paramount goes ‘Frozen’

Paramount Theatre presents the Midwest regional premiere of “Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical” based on the animated film about royal Elsa (who has the ability to control winter weather) and her younger, non-magical sister Anna. Emily Kristen Morris plays Elsa and Beth Stafford Laird plays Anna in director Trent Stork’s production. Previews at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 30-31, and Nov. 7; 8 p.m. Nov. 1; 3 and 8 p.m. Nov. 2; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Nov. 3; and 1:30 and 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. The show opens Nov. 8. $28-$85. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.

The season of Macbeth

In the spirit of the season, Invictus Theatre Company stages William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” Rooted in the supernatural, the tragedy tells the ever-timely tale of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of power of a once loyal knight and his ruthless wife. Mikha’el Amin stars as the titular character. Previews at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, and Nov. 1; 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 2; and 2 p.m. Nov. 3 at Windy City Playhouse, 3014 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago. The show opens Nov. 4. $25, $38. invictustheatreco.com.

Daniel Plumhoff plays the titular vampire in Improv Playhouse’s radio drama “Dracula.” Courtesy of Improv Playhouse

Halloween happenings

• Improv Playhouse stages Orson Welles’ 1938 radio adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” Costumed audience members receive $2 off the ticket price. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Advance tickets $17.50 for adults, $15 for seniors, $7.50 for students; at the door: $20 adults, $10 students. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.

Sarah Fornace plays writer Mary Shelley in Manual Cinema’s multimedia production of “Frankenstein.” Courtesy of Drew Dir

• Manual Cinema combines shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, music and sound effects in its retelling of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” while also incorporating elements from the author’s life. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at The Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $45-$65, $20 with student ID. fineartsbuilding.com/frankenstein.

The Blue Man Group hosts a family-friendly Halloween performance Sunday, Oct. 27. Courtesy of Blue Man Group

• The Blue Man Group Chicago hosts a Halloween-themed performance that includes preshow face painting and goody bags for kids younger than 17 wearing costumes. 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at 3133 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Tickets start at $49. blueman.com/chicago/offers.

• Otherworld Theatre remounts its hit show “Twihard: A Twilight Musical Parody,” which re-imagines the “Twilight” film series with tunes, laughs and a twist. Opens at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at 3914 N. Clark St., Chicago, and runs at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 8. $40. (773) 857-2116 or otherworldtheatre.org.

Mind reader in St. Charles

Steel Beam Theatre welcomes mentalist Jacob Mayfield for a series of shows for those 12 and older. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25-26 and Nov. 1-2, at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. $30. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com.

Brian Koester and Doreen Dawson star in Iambe Theatre Ensemble’s revival of “Good People” by David Lindsay-Abaire. Courtesy of Heidi Swarthout

Life on the (financial) edge

Margie, a single mom struggling to make a living and care for her disabled adult daughter, asks her former high school boyfriend Mike, a successful fertility expert, for a job in “Good People,” David Lindsay-Abaire’s unflinching examination of class and poverty. Iambe Theatre Ensemble’s revival stars Doreen Dawson as Margie and Brian Koester as Mike. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25-26, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, and through Nov. 10 at Elgin Arts Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. $22. iambetheatreensemble.com.

Inspired by real life

Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre concludes its season with a revival of Dael Orlandersmith’s “Until the Flood.” Inspired by the 2014 protests and riots that occurred after a white police officer shot Michael Brown, a Black teenager, in Ferguson, Missouri, Orlandersmith drew from interviews she conducted with city residents over the year following the shooting. The play examines the impact of the civil unrest on a composite of characters. Preview at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Noyes Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. The show opens Sunday, Oct. 27. $32. (847) 866-5914 or fjtheatre.com.

World premiere

Red Theater opens its season with the premiere of “Dogs,” Chicago playwright Hanna Kime’s drama about the “lengths people — particularly women — will go to in order to be the best. Set on the July 4 weekend, the play about competition, capitalism and consumption centers around five women competing in a national hot dog eating contest. Becca Holloway directs. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 30-31, at The Edge Off Broadway, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave., Chicago. The show opens Nov. 1. $30. redtheater.org.

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