Theater events: 'Domesticated' makes Chicago premiere at Steppenwolf

Scandal

Tom Irwin plays a disgraced politician stumbling through a televised apology for his indiscretion and Mary Beth Fisher plays his wife who stands stoically behind him in "Domesticated," Pulitzer Prize winner Bruce Norris' play about a political marriage rocked by a sex scandal. Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the domestic comedy whose Chicago premiere is directed by the playwright. Previews begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago. The show opens Dec. 12. $20-$89. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

Metropolis 'Carol'

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre presents its production of "A Christmas Carol," adapted for the stage by resident playwright Scott Woldman, with direction and musical direction from Micky York. Joshua Harris plays Bob Cratchit, who narrates the story of the transformation of employer Ebenezer Scrooge (Ron Turner) from miserly to magnanimous. In the spirit of the season, Metropolis invites theatergoers to contribute nonperishable items to its food drive. Drop boxes will be available in the Metropolis lobby through the end of the year. Opens at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $30, $15. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

Cheeky comedy

In a nifty bit of seasonal counterprogramming, Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents a modern retooling of a classic farce courtesy of the redoubtable David Ives ("A Flea in Her Ear," "The School for Lies"). "The Heir Apparent" is adapted from Jean-Francois Regnard's "Le legataire universal" about a handsome young man who has everything he wants except for the inheritance he expects from his elderly uncle, who has bequeathed his estate to someone else. Making his CST directing debut is John Rando (Broadway's "On The Town," "Urinetown" and "A Christmas Story"). Previews begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. The show opens Dec. 8. $53-$88. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.

Other theater events

• Theo Ubique Theatre salutes one of the country's great song stylists with its new show "My Way ... A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra." Previews begin Friday, Nov. 27, at No Exit Cafe, 6970 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. Conceived by Todd Olson and David Grapes and first produced in Los Angeles, the show is comprised of classics from the American songbook. Theo Ubique's production is directed by Fred Anzevino with music direction by Jeremy Ramey. The show opens Monday, Nov. 30. See theo-u.com.

• A woman tries to please everyone but herself in Susan Goodell's dramedy "Hope Throws Her Heart Away," a one-woman show performed by three actresses. Genesis Theatrical Productions presents the Chicago-area premiere beginning Friday, Nov. 27, at The Alley Stage, 4127 N. Broadway St., Chicago. Also, Genesis announced it received a $25,000 grant from The Chicago Community Trust to help promote diversity and outreach efforts. (773) 800-1703 or genesistheatricals.com.

• By popular demand, Chicago Shakespeare Theater remounts "A Q Brothers Christmas Carol," the ad-rap-tation of Charles Dickens' classic, written and performed by GQ, JQ, Jackson Doran and Postell Pringle with music from DJ Super Nova. Performances begin Saturday, Nov. 28, at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.

• Performances begin Saturday, Nov. 28, for Hell in a Handbag's adults-only seasonal offering "Christmas Dearest," David Cerda's satirical holiday sendup centered on Hollywood diva Joan Crawford, who reflects on her life one boozy Christmas Eve. The show opens Dec. 4 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St., Chicago. See handbagproductions.org.

• Chicago Children's Theatre premieres "A Snowy Day With Beatrix Potter & Friends," an interactive, winter fairy tale devised by theater artist Will Bishop and told using mechanical suitcase sculptures. Performances take place Saturday, Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, at Catalyst Ranch, 56 W. Randolph St., Chicago; Saturday, Dec. 12, at Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, and Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St., Chicago. The performance is for children ages 3 and older. (877) 222-9555 or chicagochildrenstheatre.org.

• Previews begin Saturday, Nov. 28, for Strawdog Theatre's world premiere of "Robin Hood and Maid Marian," a swashbuckling, family-friendly show chronicling the famed archer's adventures adapted from Alfred Lord Tennyson's "The Foresters." Matt Pierce directs the Forks and Hope adaptation. The show opens Monday, Nov. 30, at 3829 N. Broadway St., Chicago. (866) 811-4111 or strawdog.org.

• The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, presents the family-friendly "The Great Annoyance Melodrama & Vaudeville Holiday Revue" about a park ranger charged with protecting the country's largest Christmas tree from a resort owner out to destroy it. Performances run at 8 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 29 through Dec. 27. (773) 697-9693 or theannoyance.com.

• Theatre at the Center's young audience series continues with "Santa's Magic Toyshop," a holiday show about a competition between the elves to create a magical toy. Performances begin Monday, Nov. 30, at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. (219) 836-3255 or theatreatthecenter.com.

• The Second City opens its 104th revue, "Fool Me Twice, Deja Vu," Wednesday, Dec. 2, on the main stage at 1616 N. Wells St., Chicago. The new show comes a few months after an August fire that destroyed the company's offices. (312) 337-3992 or secondcity.com.

• Previews begin Wednesday, Dec. 2, for The Other Theatre Company's world premiere of the adults-only "Barney The Elf," ensemble member Bryan Renaud's musical parody of the hit 2003 film starring Will Ferrell. The show is about an elf forced to leave the North Pole, who winds up in a Chicago bar where he begins his journey of self-discovery. The show opens Thursday, Dec. 3, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. (773) 404-7336 or theothertheatrecompany.com.

• Broadway in Chicago welcomes the return of the Tony Award-winning spectacle "The Lion King" to Chicago beginning Wednesday, Dec. 2. Based on the 1994 animated film, "The Lion King's" score by Elton John and Tim Rice boasts new songs and additional musical material from Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Jay Rifkin. It runs through Jan. 17, 2016, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.

• The family-friendly, off-Broadway show "Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience - A Parody By Dan and Jeff," which condenses all seven Harry Potter books into 70 minutes, returns to Chicago Wednesday, Dec. 2. The Broadway in Chicago production runs through Jan. 3, 2016, at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.

• Aurora native Garrett Lutz is among the singer/actors appearing in Kokandy Productions' family-friendly "Kokandy Christmas" featuring old and new holiday songs. Michael Potsic and Allison Hendrix created the show, which also features Emily Grayson, Christina Hall, Jaymes Osbourne and Sasha Smith. Previews begin Thursday, Dec. 3, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. The show opens Dec. 4. (773) 975-8150 or kokandyproductions.com.

• Mercy Street Theatre Company begins its second season with the premiere of "Merry Christmas, Mulch Pile!" by resident playwright Dakota Parobek and produced in cooperation with Chicago House, an organization that serves disenfranchised members of the LGBTQ community. The story is about what happens when Santa Claus decides he's through with Christmas and on his final ride meets a transgender woman coming to terms with her sexual identity. Performances run Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 3-6, at Hairpin Arts Center, 2180 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. See mercystreettheatre.org.

• The Artistic Home presents "A Miracle on 34th Street: A Radio Play," about a department store Kris Kringle who tries to convince the nonbelievers that he really is Santa Claus. Jack Bourgeois directs the production, which includes Foley effects. Performances run Dec. 3-20 at 1376 W. Grand Ave., Chicago. (866) 811-4111 or theartistichome.org.

• A Red Orchid Theatre has added performances of "Pilgrim's Progress" at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 13 at 1531 N. Wells St., Chicago. Brett Neveu's droll, domestic dramedy centers on a hyper-articulate, upper-middle-class family attempting to manage their collective dysfunction. (312) 943-8722 or aredorchidtheatre.org.

• Eclipse Theatre Company announced it will present its Seventh Annual Corona Award to Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company artistic director Richard Cotovsky during a ceremony Dec. 15 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. The award recognizes an artist who has significantly supported and nurtured Chicago theater. "Richard has been a pioneer and champion of Chicago storefront theater for 30 years, creating a unique artistic vision through his direction of Mary-Arrchie while contributing to the growth and success of theater artists throughout Chicago. His impact on Chicago theater has been enormous, and Eclipse is excited to honor his work with the 2015 Corona Award," said Eclipse artistic director Nathaniel Swift in a prepared statement. Actor/playwright Jon Steinhagen will host the evening, which includes tributes from A Red Orchid Theatre founder Guy Van Swearingen, Red Orchid award-winning playwright Brett Neveu, acclaimed director David Cromer, Stage Left Theatre artistic director Vance Smith, Mary-Arrchie producing director Carlo Garcia and ensemble member Rudy Galvan. The evening begins with light appetizers and cocktails at 6:30 p.m. followed by the ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. A cash bar is available. (312) 869-4870 or eclipsetheatre.com.

• The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events recently announced a total of $400,000 in grants to area cultural institutions as part of its IncentOvate Program to advance tourism. Among the six organizations selected is Court Theatre, which is coordinating a Louis Armstrong Festival in conjunction with its upcoming production "Satchmo at the Waldorf," and Goodman Theatre's "Learning Curve." Produced in cooperation with the Albany Park Theater Project and Brooklyn's Third Rail Projects, the immersive production places audiences within the walls of a Chicago high school. "Each of these projects contributes to the cultural landscape, engages new audiences and reinforces Chicago as an international draw attracting people from all over the world to experience its arts," said DCASE Commissioner Michelle T. Boone in a prepared statement.

• Emerald City Theatre is accepting applications for its One Fund Grant to promote literacy and early learning by providing a free performance and a free book to qualifying low-income Chicago Public School students in kindergarten through third grade. Applications are available at emeraldcitytheatre.com/educator-resources/. The deadline is Feb. 22, 2016.

• Chicago Shakespeare Theater artistic director Barbara Gaines and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently announced Shakespeare 400 Chicago, a yearlong arts festival commemorating the 400 years since William Shakespeare's 1616 death. The festival will encompass more than 800 events involving CST, Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, the Joffrey Ballet and the Museum of Contemporary Art among other institutions. See shakespeare400chicago.com.