Spotlight: Citadel stages ‘Eureka Day,’ Metropolis revives ‘Ride the Cyclone’

“Eureka Day,” Jonathan Spector’s uproarious satire skewing vaccine skeptics and the liberal elite, is one popular comedy. Eight months after TimeLine Theatre and Broadway in Chicago collaborated on the Chicago area premiere, Citadel Theatre opens its season with the Tony Award-winning play. Set at a progressive California school, it centers on school leaders confronting a mumps outbreak resulting from an unvaccinated student. Through Oct. 11 at Lake Forest School District, West Campus building, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. $27.15, $53.40. (847) 735-8554, ext. 1 or citadeltheatre.org.

Step up for 'The Cyclone'

Lillian Castillo, who co-starred in 2015’s U.S. premiere of the musical “Ride the Cyclone” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, helms Metropolis Performing Arts Centre’s revival of the dark musical comedy by writer/composer/lyricists Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell. The story centers on six high school choristers who died riding The Cyclone roller coaster who compete for a chance for one of them to redo his or her life. Wednesday, Sept. 16, through Oct. 25 at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $25-$49. (847) 577-2121 or MetropolisArts.com.

Lifeline adapts young adult classic

After her scientist father goes missing, Meg, her younger brother Charles and friend Calvin embark on a mission to rescue him with help from assorted extraterrestrial pals in Lifeline Theatre’s premiere of “A Wrinkle in Time.” Emeritus ensemble member James Sie adapted the young adult science fiction fantasy novel, which director Heather Currie described as a formative book in her life. “Growing up and feeling different and alone is incredibly difficult but is a profoundly common human experience. There is love around you if you open yourself up to it,” she said in a prepared statement. Manali Sunkara stars as Meg, Sam Hook plays Calvin and Rohan Link Francisco and Henry Fahey alternate as Charles. Friday, Sept. 11, through Oct. 18 at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. $32, $47. (773) 761-4477 or lifelinetheatre.com.

Rivendell premiere

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, a company committed to female-centered storytelling, premieres Eliza Bent’s comedy “Bonnie's Last Flight,” about a retiring airline crew member’s final day on the job. Rebecca Spence stars in ensemble member and director Devon de Mayo's production, which marks the final world premiere in the company’s 30th anniversary season. Saturday, Sept. 12, through Oct. 18 at 5779 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago. $28-$88. (773) 334-7728 or rivendelltheatre.org.

Ellington + Shakespeare = ‘Play On’

Chicago Shakespeare Theater inaugurates its 40th season with “Play On!,” a jazz musical that sets Duke Ellington’s music to William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” Conceived by director Sheldon Epps, the musical is about aspiring songwriter Vy who finds show biz is a man’s world upon arriving in 1930s Harlem. She disguises herself as a man to access the inner circle of prominent band leader, The Duke. Her plans backfire when the chanteuse falls for her thinking Vy is a man. The show includes such Ellington classics as “Don't Get Around Much Anymore” and “It Don't Mean a Thing” among others. Friday, Sept. 11, through Oct. 18 at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $65-$150. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.

When Williams met Brando

Johnny Galecki, who co-starred for 12 seasons on CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory,” plays Tennessee Williams in Lookingglass Theatre’s Chicago premiere of “Kowalski,” Gregg Ostrin's imagined first meeting between the famed playwright and Marlon Brando (Jacob Moskovitz), who memorably portrayed Stanley Kowalski in Williams’ masterwork “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Colin Hanlon directs. Tuesday, Sept. 15, through Oct. 25 at Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St., Michigan Ave., Chicago. $37.06-$129.71. (312) 337-0665 or lookingglasstheatre.org.

Steppenwolf’s long-awaited revival

Steppenwolf Theatre revives “Topdog/Underdog,” Suzan-Lori Parks’ blistering, Pulitzer Prize-winning examination of sibling rivalry in the extreme. Ensemble members Glenn Davis and Namir Smallwood play Black, street hustler brothers named Lincoln and Booth confronting identity, trauma, repression and the desire for supremacy. Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon returns to Steppenwolf to direct the highly anticipated revival. Thursday, Sept. 17, through Nov. 1 at 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago. $54.50-$142.50. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

Redtwist opens season

Redtwist Theatre inaugurates its 22nd season examining the state of violence with “Prayer Circle” by resident playwright Erik Gernand. The darkly comic tale is about a woman named Addy who believes the answer to improving the country rests with her small town prayer circle and their efforts, which promise “killer results.” Executive director Dusty Brown directs. Thursday, Sept. 17, through Nov. 8 at 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago. $10-$50, pay-what-you-can on Friday. RedtwistTheatre.org.

Brief runs

• A singing lesson between a voice teacher and a new student takes a deeply personal turn in “The Swallow,” an examination of grief, memory, faith and identity by Guillem Clua. Open Space Arts’ production of Tim Gutteridge’s English translation stars Michelle McKenzie-Voight as the teacher, Emily, and Jim Nally as the student, Ray. Laine Rogers directs. Friday, Sept. 11, through Sept. 27 at 1411 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago. $25, $30. openspacearts.org.

• Definition Theatre stages “How We Got On,” described as a “mixtape for the stage” by Idris Goodwin. It's the story of three suburban teens who fall in love with rap music but have to “fight twice as hard to prove they belong.” Tyrone Phillips directs. Friday, Sept. 11, through Sept. 27 at 1160 E. 55th St., Chicago. $35. definitiontheatre.org.

Drunk Dracula returns

An actor takes five shots to prepare to tell the story of “Transylvania's thirstiest bachelor” as part of the boozy “Drunk Dracula” show for ages 21 and older. Thursday, Sept. 17, through Nov. 7 at The Lion Theatre, 182 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago. Tickets start at $53. drunkdracula.com.