Deal offered on group tickets for 'Poppins'
Break for 'Poppins' fans
Broadway in Chicago offers discounted tickets to its lavish, thoroughly entertaining "Mary Poppins" to Jewel-Osco patrons. Preferred card members can buy four tickets for $99 by using the code "prefer" when ordering tickets. The offer is valid for tickets in the lower, mid and upper balconies for performances at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and 6:30 p.m. Sundays through June 21.
Performances continue through July 12 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. (312) 902-1400 or broadwayinchicago.com.
Cult musical
Village Players presents "Bat Boy: The Musical," the cult, camp show about a youngster named Edgar found living in a West Virginia cave, who's adopted by a well-meaning family.
Opens Friday, May 29, at 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. (866) 764-1010 or village-players.org.
International thrills
Cirque Shanghai returns to Chicago's Skyline Stage for its fourth summer season with its new showcase of amazing feats, "Bright Spirit."
Opens Wednesday, June 3, at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com/shanghai.
• Actor/comedian Glenn Fancher premieres his one-man show "The Dark Master Chronicles," about heartbreak and self-actualization, beginning Friday, May 29, at Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. (773) 598-4549 or gorillatango.com.
• New theater company InnateVolution Theater Productions holds a benefit on Saturday, May 30, at the Diane Tanios Gallery, 3243 N. Broadway, Chicago. The event includes music, art and a sneak preview of the company's inaugural productions of Edward Albee one-acts, "The Zoo Story" and "The Sandbox," which runs July 12 to Aug. 9, at the Oracle Theater, 3809 N. Broadway St., Chicago. (312) 513-1415 or innatevolution.org.
• "Late Nite Catechism," the show by Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan that has become an institution in Chicago, celebrates its 17th anniversary with a special performance featuring six actresses who have played the role of Sister, including Lisa Braatz, Lisa Buscani, Liz Cloud, Rosie Newton and Mary Zentmyer. The performance is 8 p.m., Saturday, May 30, at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St., Chicago. (312) 988-9000 or latenitecatechism.info.
• Mandy Patinkin headlines Goodman Theatre's annual, black-tie fundraiser beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at the Fairmont Hotel, 200 N. Columbus Drive, Chicago. Proceeds from the event benefit the theater's education and community outreach programs. For ticket prices call (312) 443-3811, ext. 586.
• The Hypocrites concludes its season with artistic director Sean Graney's adaptation of "Oedipus," featuring a cast of three performing Sophocles' tragedy about the noble but flawed king whose hubris destroys him and his family. The production opens Sunday, May 31, at The Building Stage, 412 N. Carpenter St., Chicago. (773) 989-7352 or the-hypocrites.com.
• The first installment of "The 24 Hour Plays," featuring drama created from scratch and performed within one 24-hour period, takes place Monday, June 1, at Gorilla Tango Theater, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. The four-week run, which will culminate in 20 new plays, continues through June 22. (773) 598-4549 or gorillatango.com.
• A popular Web site provides the inspiration for "Craigshow." This is a new show by Shawn Bowers and Megan Green, who adapt posts by Craigslist users into sketches and monologues. The show runs Tuesdays, June 2 to 23, at Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. (773) 598-4549 or gorillatango.com.
• A mysterious stranger changes the lives of the patrons of a greasy spoon in a rural town in "Mud People," the latest play by Keith Huff ("A Steady Rain") in its Midwest premiere at the Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company. The show opens Thursday, June 4, at Angel Island, 735 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago. (773) 871-0442 or maryarrchie.com.