Spotlight: Des Plaines native stars in Paramount’s regional ‘Mean Girls’ premiere

So ‘fetch’ Paramount’s regional premiere

Paramount Theatre commences its 15th Broadway season with the regional premiere of “Mean Girls,” the coming-of-age musical by composer Jeff Richmond, lyricist Neil Benjamin and writer Tina Fey, who adapted her hit 2004 film to the stage. Des Plaines native Elizabeth Stenholt plays new girl Cady, who falls in with her high school’s most popular clique led by queen bee Regina, played by Broadway veteran Dariana Mullen in her Paramount debut.

Previews at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 26-28, Sept. 3; 2 and 7 p.m. Aug. 29; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Aug. 30; 1:30 and 7 p.m. Sept. 2, at 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. The show opens Sept. 4. $34-$109. (630) 896-6666 or ParamountAurora.com.

A tonic for troubled times

Joseph Jefferson Award-winner Jessica Fisch helms Marriott Theatre’s revival of “Come From Away,” the moving 2015 musical about how a tragedy inspired profound compassion in the residents of the island town of Gander, Newfoundland, who opened their hearts and homes to nearly 7,000 airline travelers stranded in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. “At its heart, ‘Come From Away’ is a celebration of human connection,” said Fisch in a prepared statement. “It tells the remarkable true story of people who came together during a moment of fear and uncertainty and chose compassion instead. … I think audiences will leave the theater feeling inspired by the very best of what people can do for one another.”

Previews at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 26 and 27; 7:30 p.m. Aug. 28; 4 and 8 p.m. Aug. 29; 1 and 5 p.m. Aug. 30, at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The show opens Sept. 2. Tickets start at $78. (847) 634-0200 or MarriottTheatre.com.

City Lit premieres Western classic

In the Wyoming Territory circa 1889, a drifter takes a job as a farm hand at a struggling family farm coveted by a wealthy rancher in City Lit Theater’s premiere of “Shane,” writer/director Mark Pracht’s adaptation of Jack Warner Schaefer’s 1949 novel of the same name. Michael B. Woods plays the titular character.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21 and 22 and Aug. 28; 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at Edgewater Presbyterian Church, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago. The show opens Aug. 29. $32, $40. (773) 293-3682 or citylit.org.

Hairstyles and self-discovery

Storyteller Ada Cheng examines gender, sexual identity and boundary-setting in “The Trouble With My Hair: Coloring, Cutting and Coming into Who I Am,” her solo show about self-discovery and self-love. Staged in cooperation with Nothing Without a Company, the show takes place at multiple Chicago venues.

7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at Scissor & Fork, 3968 N. Elston Ave., Chicago. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Visceral Adventure Lounge, 3638 W. Grand Ave., Chicago. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at REM Salon, 3035 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29, at Haibaya, 1132 W. Argyle St., Chicago. 1 p.m. Aug. 30, at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., Chicago. $15-$50. NothingWithoutaCompany.org.

Hell-bound diva

Hell in a Handbag Productions celebrates its 25th season by reviving its popular 1999 send-up “Joan Crawford Goes to Hell,” about the actress who reigned during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Written by written by artistic director David Cerda (who plays the titular diva), the play finds Crawford in hell viewing her life through the eyes of her daughter Christina (TJ O'Brien). Cheryl Snodgrass directs.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21 and 22, and Thursday, Aug. 27; 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at 4335 N. Western Ave., Chicago. The show opens Aug. 28. $29-$52. handbagproductions.org.

A milestone for PlayMakers

PlayMakers Laboratory marks 25 years of its long-running sketch comedy series “That's Weird, Grandma” with a special anniversary show “That’s Weird, Grandma’s 25th Birthday.” Directed by Brandon Cloyd, the family-friendly show consists of sketches adapted from stories written by Chicago public school students.

2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, 30 and Sept. 6; 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 and Sept. 5, at 5153 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. Adults: $26.06; ages 4-15: $15.76; three and younger free. playmakerslab.org.

bvitello@dailyherald.com