Theater

Shakespeare in the ’burbs: ‘Merchant of Venice’ at Janus Theatre, ‘As You Like It’ at Writers

Posted October 21, 2025 2:37 pm

Susan P. Anderson stars as Shylock in Janus Theatre Company’s production of William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice.” Courtesy of Heidi Swarthout

New spin on a classic

Janus Theatre concludes its 27th season with a streamlined version of William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,” adapted and directed by artistic director Sean Hargadon. Susan P. Anderson (“Men on Boats,” “Macbeth”) stars as Shylock, who demands a terrible price from the merchant Antonio when Antonio fails to repay a loan.

8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, and through Nov. 9, at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. $25. janusplays.com.

Theatreworks USA brings its production of the family-friendly musical “Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends” to the McAninch Arts Center for one performance. The production features Jenna Perez, clockwise from left, Kalilah Black, Kyle Sherman, Daisy Carnelia and Kiani Nelson. Courtesy of Jeremy Daniel Photography

Family-friendly tuner

Three children’s books by Naperville’s Andrea Beaty inspired TheaterWorksUSA’s production of the musical “Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends.” Written by Lauren Gunderson, with music by Bree Lowdermilk and lyrics by Kait Kerrigan, the musical is about three precocious youngsters who put their problem-solving skills to use when their field trip goes awry.

7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $17-$24. The show is recommended for kids in kindergarten through fourth grade. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org.

‘Comedy without commentary’

The Conspirators “lovingly dismantle” the Marx Brothers’ 1933 comedy “Duck Soup.” Adapted for the stage by Sid Feldman — who describes the show as “pure comedy without the commentary” — and directed by Wm. Bullion, the political farce is about a billionaire who installs a crackpot as president who appoints an incompetent cabinet and starts a war out of vanity.

Previews at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25, at Stars and Garters, 3914 N. Clark St., Chicago. The show opens Thursday, Oct. 30. $15, $30. conspirewithus.org.

Invictus revives ‘House That Will Not Stand’

In early 19th-century New Orleans, a wealthy, widowed, free woman of color assumes control of her household just as the Louisiana Territory is sold to the United States, which threatens her freedom and that of her daughters in “The House That Will Not Stand,” by former Victory Gardens Theater playwright-in-residence Marcus Gardley. Aaron Reese Boseman directs Invictus Theatre Company’s revival of the 2014 play about race and female sexuality.

Previews at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, and Friday, Oct. 31; 1 and 7 p.m. Nov. 1; and 1 p.m. Nov. 2 at Windy City Playhouse, 3014 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago. The show opens Nov. 3. $25, $38. invictustheatreco.com/house.

Artistic director Braden Abraham directs Writers Theatre's Midwest premiere of the musical version of William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” Courtesy of Bronwen Houck Photography

Shakespeare set to music

Writers Theatre presents the Midwest premiere of the musical version of William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” Adapted by composer/lyricist Shaina Taub (“Suffs”) and Laurie Woolery, the tuner centers on a group of exiles: a deposed duke, his loyal daughter and her best friend, and a young man denied his inheritance who find acceptance and love from fellow outcasts. Artistic director Braden Abraham directs.

Previews Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, and Nov. 5-6, and 2 p.m. Nov. 2 at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The show opens Nov. 7. $45-$130. (847) 242-6000 or writerstheatre.org.

Brooke Kassal and Michael Lynch, seen here in rehearsal, play Janet and Brad in BrightSide Theatre's revival of “The Rocky Horror Show.” Courtesy of BrightSide Theatre

‘Rocky Horror’ two ways

• BrightSide Theatre commences its 14th season with a revival of “The Rocky Horror Show,” the 1973 camp musical for adults by Richard O’Brien about a pair of stranded motorists who encounter a mad transvestite scientist who’s about to unveil his latest creation. Artistic director Jeffrey Cass helms the production, which stars John McNally as Dr. Frank N. Furter and Michael Lynch and Brooke Kassal as the newly engaged Brad and Janet.

7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, and through Nov. 9 at the Theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. $32-$37. (630) 447-8497 or brightsidetheatre.com.

• Theatergoers are invited to come in costume for The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre’s concert version of “The Rocky Horror Show” on Halloween weekend. Attendees must be 16 or older. Anyone under 21 must be accompanied by an adult.

7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, and 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $40. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.