Must-see productions this fall
No one critic can listen to every CD, read every book, review every film or see every play. And that makes for some tough choices, especially during those times like the fourth week in September when no fewer than 17 shows open in a seven-day period. That said, each season has its must-sees. Several - "Grey Gardens," "Nixon's Nixon;" "Turn of the Century" and "The Voysey Inheritance" - I've already mentioned in the fall theater preview in the print and online editions of Time out. Here, in alphabetical order, are some other shows I plan to make time for this fall.
"The Brothers Karamazov." Expect something spectacular from Lookingglass Theatre's Heidi Stillman, the woman behind the company's award-winning "Hard Times," who adapts and directs Fyodor Dostoevsky's sprawling novel about a family consumed by lust, jealousy and greed. Previews begin Oct. 15 at Lookingglass Theatre, Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. (312) 337-0665 or lookingglasstheatre.org.
"Eurydice." Sarah Ruhl's contemporary take on the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, told from Eurydice's point of view, gets a remount courtesy of Victory Gardens Theater. A meditation on loss, the plays is characterized by the whimsical writing and magical realism that has become a trademark of the Pulitzer Prize nominee responsible for "The Clean House" and "Passion Play" among others. Previews begin Oct. 3 at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. (773) 871-3000 or victorygardens.org.
"Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train." Stephen Adly Guirgis explores big ideas in his fierce, funny and provocative plays. In this one, a young Latino named Angel Cruz goes to jail for shooting a religious cult leader. Artistic director Michael Menendian directs Raven Theatre's production featuring JoAnn Montemurro as Angel's lawyer. Previews begin Oct. 7 at 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago. (773) 338-2177 or raventheatre.com.
"Our Town." One of my biggest regrets of the last season was missing The Hypocrites' production of Thornton Wilder's classic, directed by David Cromer. I won't make that mistake again. One of 2007-2008's most celebrated productions, it gets a remount with many of the original cast members, including Cromer who plays the Stage Manager. Previews begin Sept. 20 at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. (773) or the-hypocrites.com.
"Radio Macbeth." Director Anne Bogart and SITI Company, the group that brought "Hotel Cassiopeia" - an enchantingly staged but an incomplete portrait of artist Joseph Cornell - to Court Theatre in 2006 returns with their version of Shakespeare's tragedy. In this production, actors gather in an abandoned building to rehearse the Scottish play and are confronted by the ghosts that have haunted the work since its inception. If it's half as arresting as "Hotel Cassiopeia," "Radio Macbeth" will be something to see. Previews begin Nov. 6 at 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago. (773) 753-4472 or courttheatre.org.
"The Troublesome Reign and Lamentable Death of Edward II, King of England with the Tragical Fall of Proud Mortimer." Christopher Marlow's cumbersomely titled examination of passion, power, revenge and rebellion centered on the lamentable reign and troubling death of the British monarch gets a promenade-style staging at Chicago Shakespeare Theater's upstairs stage. That means audience members move around the space during the 75-minute performance marking the CST debut of director Sean Graney. Previews begin Oct. 1 at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.