Theater spotlight: Prop Thtr premieres Peter Pan-inspired 'Neverland'

Posted October 23, 2018 6:00 am

Prop Thtr premiere

The latest riff on the Peter Pan tale comes courtesy of Prop Thtr, whose world premiere "Neverland" was adapted from J.M. Barrie's story and directed by artistic director and Winfield native Olivia Lilley. Gaby Labotka stars as Peter, Steph Vondell plays his friend Wendy and Kate Black-Spence plays Captain Hook in the drama chronicling Peter's last days in Neverland.

Previews at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26-27, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston Ave., Chicago. The show opens Monday, Oct. 29. $10-$20. See propthtr.org.

Dennis Watkins brings "Magic, Mysteries and Spirits" to Chicago's Palmer House to celebrate National Magic Week. Courtesy of The House Theatre of Chicago

Magic man

Third-generation magician and House Theatre of Chicago ensemble member Dennis Watkins celebrates National Magic Week with a special version of his Magic Parlour show titled "Magic, Mysteries and Spirits." It begins with a cocktail reception and refreshments followed by a 90-minute performance during which Watkins will try to connect with spirits in the beyond.

8 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St., Chicago. $125-$200. (773) 769-3832 or themagicparlourchicago.com.

The band regroups

A pop singer summons his former bandmates together to record one final album in "The Last Session," a musical by composer/lyricist Steve Schalchlin and writer Jim Brochu based on Schalchlin's battle with AIDS. For its revival, Refuge Theatre Project partners with social service agencies the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Howard Brown Health and Season of Concern to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and offer support to organizations that assist people living with the disease.

Previews at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26-27, at Atlas Arts Studio, 4809 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago. Opens Sunday, Oct. 28. $15, $30. See refugetheatre.com.

'Dracula' radio play

Improv Playhouse delivers some seasonal scares with the radio-play version of Bram Stoker's horror tale "Dracula," which Orson Welles adapted in 1938 for the Mercury Theatre. Stephen Pickering of Fox River Grove plays the titular villain in director David Stuart's production.

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.

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