Evanston theater revives unflinchingly authentic ‘Pass Over’
'Godot' redux
Artistic director Tim Rhoze directs Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre's revival of “Pass Over,” Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu's contemporary riff on Samuel Beckett's “Waiting for Godot,” which premiered at Steppenwolf Theatre in 2017. Tyshaun Meekie plays Moses and Ty Norwood plays Kitch, two young Black men living in a crime-ridden neighborhood waiting for the day they'll “pass over” into the promised land where they're safe from flying bullets and abusive police officers.
The preview is 7 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. The show opens at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 27, and runs through Aug. 10. $32. (847) 866-5914 or fjtheatre.com.
Comedy tonight
MadKap Productions reprises this summer's production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” the Stephen Sondheim-Larry Gelbart-Burt Shevelove slapstick musical about Roman slave Pseudolus, who schemes to win his freedom by helping his young master, Hero, woo the beautiful Philia.
7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, July 25, 26 and Aug. 1, 2; 2 p.m. Sundays, July 27 and Aug. 3, at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. $42, $48. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheatre.org.
'Hairspray' revival
Uptown Music Theater stages “Hairspray,” the musical adapted from John Waters' 1988 film about a socially conscious teen in 1962 Baltimore who's selected to appear on a popular teen dance show, where she uses her newfound fame to advance civil rights. Grace Hall stars as teenage Tracy Turnblad and Scott Spector plays her protective mother, Edna, in director/choreographer Tor Campbell's production.
7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, July 25 and 26, Aug. 1 and 2; 2 p.m. Sundays, July 27, Aug. 3; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at The Grand Theater, Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Ave., Highland Park. $30-$60. (312) 488-9408 or uptownhp.org.
Prison drama
A young Puerto Rican man named Angel, charged with shooting to death a cult leader who had brainwashed his friend, is incarcerated in New York City's Rikers Island alongside serial killer Lucius in “Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train.” The play, by Pulitzer Prize-winner Stephen Adly Guirgis (“Between Riverside and Crazy”), is an examination of faith, redemption and incarceration. City Lit Theater Company's revival is directed by Esteban Andres Cruz and stars Lenin Izquierdo as Angel.
Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26 and Aug. 1; 3 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago. The show opens Aug. 2. $15-$38. (773) 293-3682 or citylit.org.
Otherworld ready to slay
Otherworld Theatre Company moves its hit show “Twihard! A Twilight Musical Parody” to the Apollo Theater for a six-week run. The show sends up the “Twilight” saga about a young woman torn between her feelings for a sexy vampire and a hunky werewolf.
7:30 p.m. Friday, July 25; 8 p.m. Saturday, July 26; 4 p.m. Sunday, July 27; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31, and through Aug. 31, at 2550 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $44.15-$51.65. twihardthemusical.com.
'That's Weird, Grandma' summer version
PlayMakers Laboratory presents a summer version of its family-friendly sketch comedy show “That's Weird, Grandma: Summer Vacation!” featuring stage adaptations of stories by Chicago public school students.
2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27; Aug. 2 and 3; Aug. 9 and 10, at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. $27.50 for adults, $17.50 for ages 17 and younger. playmakerslab.org.
A bit of the Bard
Woodstock Shakespeare Players, in partnership with the Woodstock Opera House, presents “A Bit of the Bard: Something Wicked,” a Shakespeare sketch comedy mashup suitable for the entire family. The 90-minute show includes music, comedy, puppets and swords and references 20 Shakespeare plays, including “Richard III,” “Othello,” “King Lear” and others.
6 p.m. Saturdays, July 26, Aug. 2 and Aug. 9, at the Woodstock Square, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. Free. realwoodstock.com.