Spotlight: ‘Annie’ smiles its way into Drury Lane while Marriott goes ‘Frozen’
A half-century of ‘Annie’
The 1977 smash hit musical “Annie” is on the cusp of its 50th anniversary, and a Broadway revival is in the works for next season in New York. Before that happens, head to Drury Lane Theatre to catch a professional regional production of the beloved newspaper comic strip-inspired musical. “Annie” is all about a plucky orphan who enlists the help of a wealthy tycoon to find her birth parents during the Great Depression.
Wednesday, Nov. 4, through Jan. 10 at 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. $92-$244.70. drurylanetheatre.com/annie.
‘Let It Go’ onstage
It’s the Marriott Theatre’s turn to get “Frozen.” Disney’s 2018 Broadway stage adaptation of its 2013 animated blockbuster film receives a professional Lincolnshire production in the round by director Ashley Rodbro (“The Movement You Need” at Steppenwolf Theatre), with Broadway veterans Morgan Anita Wood (“Hamilton”) as Queen Elsa and Chloé Nadon-Enriquez (“Chess”) as Princess Anna.
Wednesday, Nov. 4, through Jan. 3 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. $80-$111. 847-634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.
Undead Circus
“Vampire Circus” unofficially bills itself as director “Tim Burton Meets Cirque du Soleil.” See spooky feats of physical dexterity amid a creepy cabaret at two area venues this weekend: first at the Des Plaines Theatre and then at the Arcada Theatre.
8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines, $46.75-$78.75, 224-354-2333 or desplainestheatre.com; then at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, $46.75-$88.75, 630-962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
Porchlight’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’
With a revival of the hit 1982 off-Broadway musical “Little Shop of Horrors,” Porchlight Music Theatre enters a new era with its move to Victory Gardens Theater’s Biograph Theatre. Groove along to the famous score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman (“The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast”) as you watch a Faustian tale of a blood-hungry plant from outer space who manipulates a lovelorn flower-shop clerk.
Wednesday, Nov. 4, through Dec. 13 at 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $73-$104. 773-777-9884 or porchlightmusictheatre.org.
Kokandy’s ‘Clockwork Orange’
Kokandy Productions is ready to shock audiences with “A Clockwork Orange: A Play With Music.” It’s a live adaptation by Anthony Burgess from his own dystopian 1962 novel about a rebellious teenage gang leader who is ultraviolent.
Thursday, Nov. 5, through Jan. 10 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. $28.52-$65.87. kokandyproductions.com.
Higher-ed battle
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre opens its season with Eleanor Burgess’ contemporary two-character drama “The Niceties.” See what happens when a professor and a student clash over a term paper about slavery’s effect on the American Revolution.
Friday, Oct. 31, through Nov. 15 at Noyes Cultural Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. $33. 847-866-5914 or fjtheatre.com.
Comedy songs (may cause offense)
Will Clinger of WTTW’s “Wild Chicago” and Jeff Award-winning actor Bill Larkin (“A Class Act”) team up to perform their own “Sophomoric Songs.” There are six performances only of new and vintage songs in Chicago’s intimate Stars and Garters space.
Thursday, Nov. 5, through Nov. 14, at Stars & Garters, 3914 N. Clark St., Chicago. $20. starsandgarterstheater.com.
Beckett burial
The new company AutoBody Theater gets existential with its inaugural production of Samuel Beckett’s “Happy Days.” Diana Slickman stars as Winnie, a semiburied woman married to the oblivious Willie (Ryan Walters), who expounds upon her life in a lengthy monologue.
Thursday, Nov. 5, through Nov. 21 at The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. $25 general admission, $18 for students. 773-275-5255 or happydays.ludus.com.