Spotlight: Metropolis revives epistolary love story ‘Dear Jack, Dear Louise’
Letter-perfect love story
Playwright Ken Ludwig (“Crazy for You,” “Lend Me a Tenor”) was inspired by his parents’ real-life love story to write the epistolary two-hander “Dear Jack, Dear Louise.” Metropolis Performing Arts Centre’s revival of the 2019 World War II-set play is directed by Mandy Modic and stars Isabelle Muthiah as aspiring actress Louise and David Moreland as army physician Jack.
Previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 24-25, and 2 p.m. July 26 at 111. W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. July 26. $25-$49. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.
Chicago Shakes premieres ‘Billie Jean’
The Chicago Shakespeare Theater premieres a new play about tennis superstar and activist Billie Jean King. Lauren Gunderson’s “Billie Jean” chronicles the athlete’s life, “from her record-breaking victories to her relentless fight for equal pay and equal rights,” while examining the personal cost of those battles. Marc Bruni (“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”) directs Broadway veteran Chilina Kennedy in the titular role.
Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 18-19, and Tuesday and Wednesday, July 22-23, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 20, at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. The show opens July 24. $77-$134. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.
Four actors play 20 roles
Tin Drum Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of “Incognito,” an examination of love and loss by British playwright Nick Payne in which four actors play 20 characters. Jason Palmer directs the play, which weaves together three stories about a pathologist who risks his career and marriage when he steals Albert Einstein’s brain; a divorced scientist who ventures into uncharted emotional and physical territory; and a seizure patient who has forgotten everything except his love for his wife.
7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, July 17-19, and 4 p.m. Sunday, July 20, and through Aug. 3, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $25-$39. tindrumtheatre.com or theaterwit.org.
Drag queen confessions
Creator and performer Les Kurkendaal-Barrett channels the spirit of William Dorsey Swann in his solo show, “The Real Black Swan: Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen.” A formerly enslaved man, Swann became America’s first-known drag performer and queer activist during the 1880s, crowning himself “The Queen of Drag.” Open Space Arts, in cooperation with Adam Weinstock Productions, presents Kurkendaal-Barrett’s show in which he examines Swann’s life while reflecting on his own life as a Black gay performer.
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 18-19, and Thursday through Saturday, July 24-26, and 6 p.m. Sundays, July 20 and 27, at 1411 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago. $25, $30. openspacearts.org/.
TJ and Dave return to Goodman
Acclaimed long-form improvisers TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi return to the Goodman Theatre to perform a 60-minute entirely improvised show. They’re accompanied by musician Ike Reilly.
8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, July 24-26, at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $28-$53. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org/tjanddave.
Steppenwolf celebrates eccentrics
Next up in Steppenwolf Theatre’s LookOut series is a remount of the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival adults-only show by Vanessa Valliere titled “Look! Look!” Performed by two actors and various puppets, this celebration of weirdos has been described as “gross and beautiful, sweet and creepy.”
8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, July 24-26, at the 1700 Theater, 1700 N. Halsted St., Chicago. $28. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.