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Spotlight: Revivals of ‘Joseph,’ ‘Raisin in the Sun’ at Marriott, Court theaters

Joseph’ returns to Marriott

Marriott Theatre kicks off its 50th anniversary season with a revival of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical inspired by the Bible story about Joseph, his 11 brothers, his father Jacob and his coat of many colors. Devin DeSantis plays the titular role and Lorenzo Rush Jr. plays Pharoah in director/choreographer Amber Mak’s production. Previews at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 5-6: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7; 4 and 8 p.m. Feb. 8; and 1 and 5 p.m. Feb. 9 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The show opens Feb. 12. Tickets start at $68. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.

Court revives ‘Raisin in the Sun’

For the first time in its history, Court Theatre stages “A Raisin in the Sun,” Lorraine Hansberry’s celebrated examination of racism and assimilation about the efforts of a Black family from Chicago’s South Side to lift themselves out of poverty. Shanésia Davis plays Lena, the Younger family matriarch, and Brian Keys plays her son Walter in director Gabrielle Randle-Bent’s production. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 1 and 2; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5-8 at 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago. The show opens Feb. 8. $42-$90. (773) 753-4472 or courttheatre.org.

Second City celebrates Black joy

The Second City debuts “We Always Bounce Black: A Black Excellence Comedy Revue,” a new revue featuring improvisers Spencer Hodges, Kaleb Jackson, Wanjiku Kairu, Terrance Lamonte Jr., Daryn Robinson and Brittani Yawn in a celebration of Black joy. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, and through March 29 at the Up Comedy Club, Piper’s Alley, 230 W. North Ave., Chicago. Tickets start at $29. (312) 337-3992 or secondcity.com.

Andrew Kain Miller, left, Riley Capp and Mary Ann Bowman star in Open Space Arts' Chicago premiere of “Mr. Parker.”

Love after loss

A newly single man adjusts to life alone in “Mr. Parker,” Michael McKeever’s drama about a middle-aged man coping with the loss of his husband and the challenges that come with dating a much younger man. Seven-time Joseph Jefferson Award winner David G. Zak directs Open Space Arts’ Chicago premiere. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, and through Feb. 16 at Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson St., Chicago. $25. openspacearts.org.

Aaliyah Montana, from left, H. Adoni Esho, Kirsten Fitzgerald and Milla Liss are among the actors performing in A Red Orchid Theatre's world premiere of “The Cave,” by ensemble member Sadieh Rifai. Courtesy of Jeffrey L. Kurysz

World premieres

• Following the outbreak of the first Gulf War, members of a Palestinian-American family upend their lives when they move from Las Vegas to Columbus, Ohio, in “The Cave,” a new thriller about finding love and laughs amid global turmoil by A Red Orchid Theatre ensemble member Sadieh Rifai. AROT’s world premiere is directed by Alex Mallory and features ensemble members Kirsten Fitzgerald, John Judd, Guy Van Swearingen and Natalie West. Previews at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Jan. 30-31; 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 6-7; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, at 1531 N. Wells St., Chicago. The show opens Feb. 8. $35-$50. (312) 943-8722 or aredorchidtheatre.org.

Angela Morris plays Cydney Hansen in The Gift Theatre's world premiere of “Cygnus” by “Succession” writer/producer Susan Soon He Stanton. Courtesy of Joe Mazza/Brave Lux Inc.

• Gift Theatre premieres “Cygnus,” a contemporary, Greek mythology-inspired, darkly comic fairy tale by Susan Soon He Stanton (writer/producer of HBO’s “Succession”) about a woman who believes she was rescued by an angel. Co-artistic director Brittany Burch helms the production, which stars Angela Morris, Jeff Kurysz and Rengin Altay. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, Feb. 6-8 and 13-15, and 3 p.m. Feb. 9 at Filament Theater, 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. The show opens Feb. 16. $35 for adults, $20 for veterans, $15 for students. thegifttheatre.org.

Cool dude

Neo-Futurist ensemble member Neil Bhandar wrote and performs “How to Be Cool,” a solo show about identity, American masculinity and the impossible quest to be cool. 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 6-8, and through March 1 at 5153 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. $20 or pay-what-you-can. (773) 878-4557 or neofuturists.org.

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