Spotlight: Metropolis stages concert version of ‘Mary Poppins’
‘Mary Poppins,’ concert-style
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, in association with JAM Orchestra and Metropolis’ School of Performing Arts, presents a concert-style production of “Mary Poppins,” the musical based on P.L. Travers’ books and the 1964 Disney film. Laura Sportiello stars as Mary and Evan Smith plays Bert in this version of the tuner by composer/lyricists Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman with additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe and a book by Julian Fellowes. 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 20-22, and through March 9, and also 2 p.m. March 2 at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $24-$45. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.
Factory Theater goes west
The Factory Theater pays homage to adventure films and text-based historical games in its latest show “Kitty James and Destiny’s Trail to Oregon.” Kim Boler stars as the titular Kitty, “the coffee queen of Independence, Missouri, who travels west to find her fortune until a mysterious medallion and an ancient prophecy lead her down a different path.” Previews are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-15, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, at 1623 W. Howard St., Chicago. The show opens Feb. 21. $30. (312) 275-5757 or thefactorytheater.com.
Family play at Writers
Writers Theatre stages Filament Theatre’s “FORTS! Build Your Own Adventure,” a family-friendly, immersive play experience in which participants use boxes, sheets, clothespins and couches to build magical forts. 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15-16, and through April 6, at 625 Tudor Court, Glencoe. $20. (847) 242-6000 or writerstheatre.org.
New ‘Hedda Gabler’ adaptation
For the first time in Chicago, The Artistic Home stages Mark O’Rowe’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s groundbreaking play “Hedda Gabler,” about a woman who manipulates others in an attempt to break free from societal restraints. Joseph Jefferson Award-winner Brookelyn Hebert stars in director Monica Payne’s revival. Previews are at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, and Wednesday, Feb. 19, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. The show opens Thursday, Feb. 20. $20, $35. (773) 697-3830, theartistichome.org or thedentheatre.com.
‘Clue’ on stage
The popular Hasbro board game and Jonathan Lynn’s 1985 film inspired the stage adaptation of “Clue,” a comedy whodunit involving secretive dinner guests who begin to suspect each other after their host is murdered. Performances are at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 18-20, and Feb. 25 and 27; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 and 28; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 and March 1; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Feb. Feb. 23; 1 and 7 p.m. Feb. 26 and 1 p.m. March 2, at the CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago. $35-$120. broadwayinchicago.
A tale of two teens
Two high school students — a sardonic, chronically ill girl and a sensitive, popular boy — make a surprising connection in “I and You,” Lauren Gunderson’s two-hander about young people bonding over a Walt Whitman poem. Newcomers Amia Korman and 2023 high school graduate Jay Westbrook star in director Scott Shallenbarger’s production. Previews are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 19-20, at Lake Forest School District, west campus building, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. The show opens Feb. 21. $20, $45. (847) 735-8554, ext. 1, or citadeltheatre.org.
Sam Shepard revival
Raven Theatre revives “A Lie of the Mind,” Sam Shepard’s 1985 examination of family dysfunction and violence sparked by a savage domestic battery that forever alters two families. Azar Kazemi directs. Previews are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 13-15, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, at 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago. The show opens Wednesday, Feb. 19. $20-$45. raventheatre.com.
Calling all divas
Acclaimed Chicago-area theater artists Roberta Duchak, Cory Goodrich, Amber Mak and Johanna McKenzie Miller host The Broadway Diva Experience, a three-day musical theater retreat for women designed “to ignite their passion for the arts and live out their musical theater fantasies.”
It takes place Friday through Sunday, Feb. 21-23, at the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, where participants will take “stress-free” lessons in singing, dance and yoga; hear stories from behind the scenes; and attend a performance of Marriott Theatre’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” followed by a cast meet-and-greet. Meals are included. Hotel accommodations are available for an additional charge. See thebroadwaydivaexperience.com.