17th Century 'Pheda' addresses forbidden passion

Forbidden passion

Phedra's love for her stepson sets in motion events that threaten the entire family in Jean Baptiste Racine's 17th century tragedy "Phedra." New World Repertory Theater presents Robert David MacDonald's translation of the French play, which the company reprises next year in Chicago.

Opens Saturday, Nov. 7, at 923 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. (630) 663-1489 or newworldrep.org.

Holiday fare

Noble Fool delivers "Plaid Tidings," the doo-wop follow-up to "Forever Plaid" wherein the endearing, ill-fated quartet return from heaven to sing their version of classic Christmas tunes. Sean Effinger-Dean, Robert Deason ("Altar Boyz"), David Meadows ("Some Enchanted Evening") and Brad Simanski play the Plaids.

Previews begin Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Pheasant Run Resort & Spa, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. The show opens Saturday, Nov. 14. (630) 584-6342 or noblefool.org.

Circle adapts Alcott's classic

Circle Theatre ensemble member and designer Bob Knuth directs the company's world premiere adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" about the enduring bonds of sisters who suffer through war, poverty and personal tragedy and emerge stronger for it.

Previews begin Friday, Nov. 6, at 7300 W. Madison St., Forest Park. The show opens Wednesday, Nov. 11. (708) 771-0700 or circle-theatre.org.

• Previews continue Friday, Nov. 6, for Adventure Stage Chicago's production of "Gossamer," the stage adaptation of Lois Lowry's Newbery Award winning novel about a novice spirit named Littlest One who tries to heal a young boy through his dreams. Brian Bell directs the Chicago area premiere opening Saturday, Nov. 7, at Vittum Theater 1012 N. Noble St., Chicago. (773) 342-4141 or adventurestage.org.

• Citadel Theatre begins its 7th season Friday, Nov. 6, with "Murder in Green Meadows," Douglas Post's psychological thriller about two all-American couples whose seemingly idyllic existence is underscored by scandal and deception. Citadel veteran Wayne Mell directs the production which runs through Nov. 22 at the Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. (847) 735-8554 or citadeltheatre.org.

• The world premiere of "Horrible," a comedy about a plucky cannibal trying to save her family and her flower shop, is the latest from Hobo Junction. The show opens Friday, Nov. 6, at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. (773) 935-6100 or hobojunctionproductions.com.

• The Artistic Home kicks off its Acting Studio series with "How to Act Around Cops," a dark comedy by Logan Brown and Matthew Benjamin about a traffic cop patrolling a lonely highway, who winds up on the wrong side of the law after he pulls over a couple of men. Ensemble member Frank Nall directs the production which opens Friday, Nov. 6, at 3914 N. Clark St., Chicago. (866) 811-4111 or theartistichome.org.

• Previews continue through Sunday, Nov. 8, for the Factory Theater's "1985," Chas Vrba's Orwellian look at the Chicago Bears' championship season and the price it exacted. The show opens Friday, Nov. 13, at the Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston Ave., Chicago. (866) 811-4111 or thefactorytheater.com.

• The Annoyance Theater jump starts this year's alternative holiday offerings with "Silent Nightmare - A Christmas Dirge" - a comedy about the dark side of the holidays featuring a revolution by Santa's elves and an escaped convict. The show runs Saturdays through Dec. 26, at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago. (773) 561-4665 or annoyanceproductions.com.

• An advertising executive reaches his breaking point and decides to dispose of every remnant of his former self in Fin Kennedy's new play, "How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found." Mary-Arrchie Theatre artistic director Richard Cotovsky directs the play's Midwest premiere at Angel Island, 735 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago. Previews begin Tuesday, Nov. 10. The show opens Thursday, Nov. 12. (773) 871-0442 or maryarrchie.com.

• The true story of New York socialite Florence Foster Jenkins, a tone deaf singer who didn't let that shortcoming prevent her from playing Carnegie Hall, inspired Stephen Temperley's sweetly comic play "Souvenir," a tribute to Jenkins told from the perspective of her doting accompanist. Goodman Theatre's Steve Scott directs the comic musical which begins previews Thursday, Nov. 12, at Northlight Theatre, North Shore Centre for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. (847) 673-6300 or northlight.org.

• Performances begin Thursday, Nov. 12, for Collaboraction's world premiere "G.I.F.T." a holiday-themed show conceived by creative director Sam Poretta that examines the nature of giving and gifts. The environmentally staged production runs through Nov. 29 at the company's 7,000-square-foot warehouse at 459 1/2 N. Wolcott, Chicago. (312) 226-9633 or collaboraction.org.

• Poland's Teatr Zar - a company that communicates without using the spoken word but with the aid of Eastern Orthodox music - makes its Chicago debut with the U.S. premiere of "Caesarean Section." An examination of the limitations of freedom, the show runs Thursday, Nov. 12, through Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago. (312) 742-8497 or millenniumpark.org.

• That homegrown holiday favorite, "The Christmas Schooner" - the John Reeger and Julie Shannon musical about the German immigrants from Michigan who brought the Christmas tree tradition to Chicago - returns to the Chicago area. The Theatre at the Center revives the musical from Thursday, Nov. 12, through Dec. 20 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN. (217) 836-3255 or theatreatthecenter.com.

• Lifeline Theatre's hit production of Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island" has been extended. The show, directed by ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric, runs through Nov. 15 at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. (773) 761-4477 or lifelinetheatre.com.

• About Face Theatre's production of "The Flowers," Adam Bock's play about a struggling theater company run by a gay couple, concludes Saturday, Nov. 7, at Stage Left Theatre, 3408 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. The production is part of About Face's XYZ Festival of New Works. (866) 811-4111 or aboutfacetheatre.com

• "Calls to Blood," the New Colony's production of James Asmus' dark comedy about the lengths an infertile couple goes to conceive a child, moved into the Royal George Cabaret Theater, 1641 N. Halsted St., Chicago. (312) 988-9000 or thenewcolony.org.

• The Chicago Kids Company musical version of "Alice in Wonderland" runs through Nov. 25 at the Stahl Family Theater in St. Patrick High School, 5900 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. (773) 205-9600 or chicagokidscompany.com.