Theater

Spotlight: Janus Theatre inaugurates new home with ‘Alchemist’ revival

Posted March 10, 2026 10:53 am

Janus Theatre’s revival of “The Alchemist” features Matt Johnson, top, as Kastril, Benedict L. Slabik II, bottom left, as Subtle, Julie Bayer as Dol Common and Aaron Hoge as Face. Courtesy of Heidi Swarthout

New show, new venue

Janus Theatre inaugurates its new home and launches its 28th season with a revival of “The Alchemist,” Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation of Ben Jonson’s 17th-century satire. Like the original, Hatcher’s updated version unfolds during a pandemic and centers around three con artists who take over the home whose owner is away and proceed to scam unsuspecting victims. Artistic director Sean Hargadon directs.

8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 13-14, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 15, and through March 29, at the New Elgin Art Showcase, 220 DuPage St., Elgin. $25. janusplays.com.

Mike Newquist stars in the solo show “Fully Committed,” running through March 28 at The Den Theatre. Courtesy of Derek Bertelsen

One actor, 40 characters

Mike Newquist plays about 40 characters in “Fully Committed,” a solo show by Becky Mode that “takes audiences behind the scenes of New York’s hottest restaurant” where an overworked reservationist struggles to handle celebrities, socialites and frazzled staff. Director Derek Bertelsen’s revival marks the first time the show has been seen in Chicago in 25 years.

7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 13-14, and through March 28, at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $26. thedentheatre.com.

Theater Oobleck remount

Theater Oobleck remounts “Song About Himself,” Mickle Maher’s 2015 dystopian tale — rooted in Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” — and set in a future where most people communicate in mumbles except for Carol who can still speak. Searching for connection, she signs onto a social media site where she may be the only member.

8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 13-14, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at the Facility Theatre, 1138 N. California Ave., Chicago. $25 suggested donation. theateroobleck.com.

Queer-friendly ‘Cyrano’

Theatre Above the Law stages a queer-friendly version of “Cyrano,” adapted by Michael Dalberg from Edmond Rostand’s 19th-century drama about the large-nosed, warrior-poet who, believing himself too ugly for the beautiful Roxanne, helps handsome but dim Christian woo her through eloquent letters. In this version, Cyrano is played by a woman.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 13-14, at Jarvis Square Theater, 1439 W. Jarvis St., Chicago. The show opens at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 15. $15-$25. (773) 655-7197 or theatreatl.org.

Landree Fleming directs About Face Theatre's premiere of the rom-com “Modern Gentleman.”

About Face premiere

About Face Theatre premieres “Modern Gentleman,” a New York City-set queer and trans romantic comedy by Preston Max Allen. Landree Fleming directs.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 19-21, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago. The show opens March 25. $5-$45. (773) 784-8565 or aboutfacetheatre.com.

Trap Door stages philosophical farce

In a world where creativity and individuality is suppressed, an artist is torn between freedom and integrity and obedience in “The Cuttlefish, or the Hyrcanian Worldview” a comedy by Stanisław I. Witkiewicz in a translation by Daniel Gerould. Trap Door Theatre’s production is described as “part philosophical farce, part surreal fever dream.” Nicole Wiesner directs.

8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 19-21, and through April 25, at 1655 W. Cortland St., Chicago. $32, two-for-one admission on Thursdays. (773) 384-0494 or trapdoortheatre.com.