Spotlight: ‘Mexodus’ makes its Chicago premiere and new musical adaptation of ‘Christmas Carol’ opens at Paramount

Southern Escape

Learn about runaway slaves who traveled the Underground Railroad southward into Mexico in “Mexodus.” This award-winning and critically acclaimed off-Broadway musical created by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson receives its Chicago premiere in a co-production by the Studebaker Theater, P3 Productions and Audible in collaboration with Teatro Vista Productions.

Saturday, Nov. 7, through Nov. 21 at Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Tickets start at $26. mexodusmusical.com/ or fineartsbuilding.com/.

A new ‘Carol’

The Paramount Theatre in Aurora presents a new musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novella “A Christmas Carol” this holiday season. It’s adapted and directed by Trent Stork, with arrangements, orchestrations and original music by Matt Deitchman.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, through Jan. 3 at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $38.64-$124.52. 630-896-6666 or paramountaurora.com/show/a-christmas-carol/.

‘Frozen’ origins

Experience a new stage adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” the tale that inspired (and was altered by) Disney for its hit film “Frozen.” Mallory Swisher’s new adaptation is for The Imposters Theatre Co. with direction and choreography by Anna Roemer and original music by composer Dominick Alesia.

Friday, Nov. 6-21, at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $26-$31. theimpostorstheatre.com/ or thedentheatre.com/.

So much drama

“They Broke Up” is a world premiere absurdist comedy/drama by Skyler Tamas created for Avalanche Theatre. See how a friend group navigates multiple apocalypses in addition to the painful New Year’s Eve relationship split between Brett and Amy.

Friday, Nov. 6, through Nov. 22, at Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago. $35-$45. avalanchetheatre.com/they-broke-up.

Short cuts

“Cut to the Chase” is a short play festival by The Artistic Home. See six short works in one evening by playwrights Nina Dellaria, Brian S. Brijbag, Dan Caffrey, Siah Berlatsky, S.A. Ellis and Margaret Richard.

Friday, Nov. 6, through Nov. 15, at Lookingglass Studio Theatre, 163 E. Pearson St., Chicago. $26.84. theartistichome.org/.

Watery illusions

A married couple wake up with lost identities in “A Body of Water.” Elsinore, A Theatre Ensemble, presents playwright Lee Blessing’s drama that is full of secrets and scares.

Friday, Nov. 6, through Nov. 22, at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $39. 312-820-6250 or athenaeumcenter.org/.

Thwarted ambitions

The Resident Theatre at Edge of the Wood presents Annie Baker’s contemporary adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s classic play “Uncle Vanya.” Longstanding resentments come to the fore when a college professor and his much-younger wife visit the crumbling family farm.

Friday, Nov. 6, through Nov. 22, at Edgebrook Community Church, 6736 N. Loleta Ave., Chicago. $29. 773-775-1140 or edgeofthewood.com/.

Luxury footwear

A lowly employee in a luxury sock store starts to encounter bizarre events as he tries to make ends meet and keep his job in Alexander Attea’s “Socks & Co.” Paige Kim Mesina directs this absurdist comedy for Eclectic Full Contact Theatre.

Friday, Nov. 6, through Nov. 21, at The Edge Theatre, 5451 N. Broadway St., Chicago. $30-$35. eclectic-theatre.com/.

Black girl magic

Generations of Black performers have been inspired by “for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf.” Ntozake Shange’s ground-breaking 1970s Broadway “choreo-poem” receives a return engagement due to popular demand in director Donn Carl Harper’s recent August production for eta Creative Arts Foundation.

Sunday, Nov. 8, through Nov. 29, at 7558 S. South Chicago Ave., Chicago. $20. 773-752-3955 or etacreativearts.org/.

Good harmonizing fellas

“Jersey Boys” is considered by critics and audiences to be one of the best Broadway biographical jukebox musicals ever written. See why this show, inspired by the lives and music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, won the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical. “Jersey Boys” is back as part of a 20th anniversary tour.

Tuesday, Nov. 10, through Nov. 22, at CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago. $49-$212.90. broadwayinchicago.com/.

Dark suburbia

British playwright Laura Wade takes a dark look at gender roles as a couple rigidly clings to their impression of 1950s American suburbia in “Home, I’m Darling.” TimeLine Theatre’s 100th production is the Chicago premiere of this 2019 winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, through Dec. 13, at TimeLine Theatre, 5035 N. Broadway St., Chicago. $40-$100. 773-281-8463 or timelinetheatre.com/.

Dickens and liquor

The Drunk Shakespeare Society takes a break from the Bard with “Drunk Christmas Carol.” Find out how a Charles Dickens classic gets twisted when the audience and actors are tipsy.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, through Jan. 3, at The Lounge at The Lion Theater, 182 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago. $49-$74. theatreinchicago.com/.

Acting romance

Two actors navigate their roles and a relationship over a regional theater season in “All the World.” Jessica Thebus directs playwright Lauren M. Gunderson’s new play for Northlight Theatre in its new custom-built venue in Evanston.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, through Dec. 20, at 1012 Church St., Evanston. $47-$97. 847-563-8400 or northlight.org/.

Mixed-up lovers

Chicago Shakespeare Theater artistic director Edward Hall unveils the next play in his repertory programming with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The same company of 14 performers currently in “The Winter’s Tale” now rotate into Shakespeare’s classic comedy involving a magical love elixir, rude mechanicals and sparring fairy royalty.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, through Jan. 3, at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $55-$135. 312-595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com/.

Meow-meow

“Pete the Cat” pounces onto the stage in a family-friendly musical adaptation of the beloved book series by authors Kimberly and James Dean. This staging is courtesy of Next Page Productions.

Thursday, Nov. 12, through Dec. 11, at the North Theatre at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets start at $36.05. 847-673-6300 or northshorecenter.org/.

Seeking sanctuary

JK Entertainment presents Sarah Treem’s drama “When We Were Young and Unafraid.” It’s set in 1972 at a bed-and-breakfast that has been turned into a sanctuary for women escaping abusive relationships. Suggested for mature audiences only.

Thursday, Nov. 12, through Nov. 29, at The Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $41. jkentertainment.org/.

The March sisters

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble presents Lauren M. Gunderson’s popular adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel “Little Women.” See how a quartet of Civil War-era sisters navigate change, creativity and mortality.

Thursday, Nov. 12, through Dec. 13, at College of DuPage’s McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $46 adults, $44 seniors. 630-942-4000 or atthemac.org/.

Unsafe office space

Hal Consentino’s absurdist comedy “Oh, Buddy” explores monsters, bureaucracy and gender binaries in this new Trap Door Theatre production.

Thursday, Nov. 12, through Dec. 19, at 1655 W. Cortland St., Chicago. $25. 773-384-0494 or trapdoortheatre.com/.

Ranting and rating

In “Parental Guidance Suggested,” playwright Kelle Long explores the hilarious interactions of the groups who decide how movies are assigned ratings from G to R.

Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 11-15, at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $31. 773-697-3830 or thedentheatre.com/.