Theater spotlight: Ed Asner plays God at Naperville's Center Stage Theater

Posted August 21, 2018 6:00 am

Ed Asner as the Almighty

Seven-time Emmy Award-winner Edward Asner ("Mary Tyler Moore," "Roots," the animated film "Up") plays the Almighty in Center Stage Theater's production of "God Help Us," a political comedy inspired by the 2016 presidential election. Written by Samuel Warren Joseph and Phil Proctor, it centers on a cantankerous deity annoyed at how politics have disrupted his creation, who confronts a pair of political pundits - one liberal, one conservative - about the state of the nation. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24; 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25; and 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, at 1665 Quincy Ave., Suite 131, Naperville. $15, $20. (630) 355-9212 or centerstage-theater.com.

Alfred H. Wilson and Allen Gilmore appear in Court Theatre's revival of "Radio Golf," the final play in August Wilson's 10-play Pittsburgh Cycle. Courtesy of Court Theatre

August Wilson's 'Radio Golf'

Court Theatre opens its 64th season with a revival of August Wilson's drama "Radio Golf," the final play in his 10-play Pittsburgh Cycle chronicling the African-American experience in 20th-century America. Directed by Ron OJ Parson, Court's production stars Allen Gilmore as mayoral hopeful Harmond Wilks and James Vincent Meredith as Roosevelt Hicks, friends and real estate developers whose plans to gentrify Pittsburgh's Hill District are jeopardized when an intransigent homeowner stands in their way. Previews begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago. The show opens Sept. 8. $38-$74. (773) 753-4472 or courttheatre.org.

House takes on big oil

The House Theater of Chicago opens its season with the premiere of "Borealis," Bennett Fisher's combination adventure tale and workplace satire that examines family responsibilities, ambition and Big Oil. Monty Cole directs the immersive production, which centers on the search-and-rescue efforts of 13-year-old Cozbi (Tia Pinson) to find her brother (Desmond Gray) who was working in the Artic oil fields but has since gone missing. Previews begin at 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30 (sold out), at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. The show opens Sept. 8. $20-$50. (773) 769-3832 or thehousetheatre.com/.

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