Theater spotlight: Improv Playhouse remounts 'It's a Wonderful Life' radio play
Yuletide treat
Just in time for the holidays, Libertyville's Improv Playhouse remounts its annual radio play version of "It's a Wonderful Life" starring David Brian Stuart as George Bailey, a man who sacrifices his dreams for the welfare of his family, his friends and his beloved town of Bedford Falls. Stuart directs the production, which is performed as a 1940s radio drama including sound effects, period commercials, and milk and cookies.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, and Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14-15, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 and 16, at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Adults: $15 in advance, $20 at the door; seniors/military $10 in advance, $15 at the door; $5 students. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.
Sneak peek
Theo Ubique inaugurates its new Evanston home with a production of "The Full Monty," the musical by David Yazbeck and Terrence McNally about six unemployed steel workers who decide to strip - like Chippendale dancers - at a local club in order to make money. But they insist on besting the pros by going "the full monty" meaning they'll take off all their clothes. Artistic director Fred Anzevino directs the musical based on the 1997 British comedy.
Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7-8, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at 721 Howard St., Evanston. The show opens Monday, Dec. 10. $25-$44. Dinner option available. (800) 595-4849 or theo-u.com.
Women disappeared
Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble member Sandra Marquez directs the company's premiere of "La Ruta," a drama by Chicago playwright Isaac Gomez about the hundreds of women who've been murdered or have gone missing since 1993 in and around Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Gomez says every woman portrayed by the all-female Latina cast is based on a real person. "I made a promise to these women that their stories would be heard by as many people as humanly possible," said Gomez in a prepared statement. "We are one step closer to keeping that promise - to bear witness and carry their stories forward."
Previews begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 13-14, and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 15-16, through Dec. 19 at 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago. The show opens Dec. 20. $20-$89. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.