Theater news
What's new:
Previews continue through Sunday for American Theater Company's "Speech and Debate," Steven Karam's ("columbinus") comedy about high school misfits who expose their teacher's secrets. New ATC A.D. PJ Paparelli directs. The play opens Monday at 1909 W. Byron St., Chicago. (773) 409-4125 or www.atcweb.org.
Chicago Dramatists' concludes a stellar season with the world premiere of "10 Virgins," resident playwright Laura Jacqmin's combination fantasy story and folk tale about sisters wondering what lies beyond the swamp they inhabit. Previews continue through Thursday. The play opens May 2 at 1105 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. (312) 633-0630 or www.chicagodramatists.org.
Saint Sebastian Players' production of Neil Simon's rarely produced "Fools," about a Ukrainian village cursed with stupidity, opens today at St. Bonaventure Church, 1625 W. Diversey Parkway, Chicago. (773) 404-7922 or www.saintsebastianplayers.org.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Barbara Gaines collaborates with Second City's Ron West to produce Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors," about a servant and master seeking their respective long-lost twin brothers. Set in London during World War II, "Comedy" unfolds as a play within a play as quirky stage and screen stars gather to film the play as a gift for Europe's soldiers. The all-star cast includes Timothy Edward Kane, Sean Allan Krill, Ross Lehman, Kevin Gudahl, Dale Benson, Paula Scrofano, Greg Vinkler and Nancy Voigts. Previews begin Sunday at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. The play opens May 7. (312) 595-5600 or www.chicagoshakes.com.
More Neil Simon. The playwright's "Laughter on the 23rd Floor," a bio-comedy about his early days writing jokes with Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner for Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows" concludes Raven Theatre's 25th anniversary season. A.D. Michael Menendian directs. Previews begin Tuesday. The play opens May 4 at 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago. (773) 338-2177 or www.raventheatre.com.
Mark Nadler's one-man musical comedy "Russian on the Side," a survey of 20th century music served up with a side of gossip, makes a pre-Broadway stop at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St., Chicago, beginning Wednesday. (312) 988-9000 or www.russianontheside.com.
Last chance:
John Gawlik's great-looking, ably acted production of "Sylvia" closes Saturday at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. (847) 577-2121.
Vex Theatre's production of Oscar Wilde's satire "Lady Windermere's Fan" closes Sunday at the Elgin Arts Showcase, eighth floor, 164 Division St., Elgin. (847) 991-8081.
Alt.reality.theater
Circus meets theater in The Actors Gymnasium's "Neverwhere, A Circus Underground," director Nathan Drackett's adaptation of the novel by science fiction/fantasy writer Neil Gaiman ("The Sandman," "American Gods") about a man who falls through the cracks into an alternate, magical world.
Opens Saturday at the Actors Gymnasium, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. (847) 328-2795 or www.actorsgymnasium.com
Irish comedy at BTE
William Smilie and Henry Odum take on 15 different characters in Buffalo Theatre Ensemble's production of the Irish comedy "Stones in His Pockets," about the mayhem that ensues when Hollywood descends upon a small Irish town to film a big-budget epic.
The play opens today at the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. (630) 942-4000 or www.atthemac.org
Mating game
Noble Fool showcases romance and heartbreak in all its incarnations with its production of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," the off-Broadway musical revue that serves as comedic primer on love and marriage.
Previews today at Pheasant Run Resort & Spa, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. The show opens Saturday. (630) 584-6342 or www.noblefool.org
-- Barbara Vitello