Theater events: 'Short Shakespeare! Macbeth' returns to Chicago Shakespeare

• Promethean Ensemble Theatre remounts its 2016 production of Moises Kaufman's "Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde," which examines the 19th-century writer and early gay icon who was prosecuted and persecuted for homosexuality. Ensemble member Jamie Bragg reprises her role as Wilde in the production, which begins previews Friday, Feb. 15, at Strawdog Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave., Chicago. The revival, directed by artistic director Brian Pastor, opens Feb. 23. See prometheantheatre.org.

• Saint Sebastian Players premieres "Little Stones," a romantic tale about a director and an actress rehearsing separate plays in adjacent rooms who discover they may be kindred spirits separated nearly 100 years earlier by a twist of fate. The play, by company member Leigh Johnson, begins performances Friday, Feb. 15, at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey, Chicago. (773) 404-7922 or saintsebastianplayers.org.

• Previews begin Friday, Feb. 15, for Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's premiere of "I Wanna (expletive) Tear You Apart," an examination of friendship, physical appearance, bigotry and ambition by Morgan Gould. It's about best friends and roommates Samantha and Leo, whose relationship is upended with the arrival of a newcomer. Director Jessica Fisch's production opens Feb. 27 at 5779 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago. (773) 334-7728 or rivendelltheatre.org.

• The Factory Theater stages the premiere of "May the Road Rise Up," a play by ensemble member Shannon O'Neill about a family homecoming and a family tragedy that members have never fully addressed. Previews for director Spenser Davis' production begin Friday, Feb. 15, at 1623 W. Howard St., Chicago. The play opens Feb. 22. (866) 811-4111 or thefactorytheater.com.

• Libertyville's Improv Playhouse hosts an interactive Valentine's Day and mobster-themed murder-mystery dinner titled "Love You to Death" beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at Jimmy's Charhouse, 1413 Peterson Road, Libertyville. Tickets are $59.95 per person and include a three-course meal, storytelling, props and clues. Guests are encouraged to come in costume. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.

• First Floor Theater premieres a "twisted and timely" show by Dan Giles titled "Mike Pence Sex Dream" beginning previews Saturday, Feb. 16, at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Set after Donald Trump's election, the play centers on newlyweds Gary and Ben whose marriage is undermined by Gary's secret attraction to Vice President Mike Pence. The show opens Feb. 20. See firstfloortheater.com.

• The Actors Gymnasium will host its 10th annual winter circus, "All the Time in the World," beginning Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. It's about a young girl named Trudy who's too busy for her imaginary friend, who responds by leaving to join the circus. See actorsgymnasium.org.

• Chicago Opera Theater performs composer Stefan Weisman and librettist David Cote's adaptation of "The Scarlet Ibis," James Hurst's short story set against World War I about a young boy's relationship with his older brother. Performances takes place Saturday, Feb. 16, Thursday, Feb. 21, and Sunday, Feb. 24, at the Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. COT also presents a concert version of "The Life and Death(s) of Alan Turing" by composer Justine F. Chen and librettist David Simpatico at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at the DePaul University School of Music's Gannon Concert Hall, 2330 N. Halsted St., Chicago. (312) 704-8414 or chicagooperatheater.org.

• Performances for Chicago Shakespeare Theater's "Short Shakespeare! Macbeth" begin Saturday, Feb. 16, at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Libertyville native Marti Lyons adapted and directs the 75-minute abridged version of William Shakespeare's tragedy about a man's murderous ambition. The Saturday performances will be followed by question-and-answer sessions with the actors and audience members. A three-week tour to Chicago-area schools follows the run, which concludes March 16. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.

• Corn Productions debuts adults-only improv shows: The crime-inspired "Justice is Blonde" runs at 11 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 16 through March 30. The ensemble Choosy Moms performs at 11 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 15 through March 29. Lastly, "The Vagina Melodies: Here We Go Again," a celebration of women and female-identified people, runs at 8 p.m. Friday through March 30. Performances take place at the Cornservatory, 4210 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. See cornservatory.org.

• The Wild Party Variety Hour, Silent Theatre's long-running variety show, returns Saturday, Feb. 16, at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Co-founder Marvin Quijada hosts the secret agent-inspired "The Spy Who Shushed Me!" at 10:30 p.m. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com.

• Steppenwolf Theatre co-founders Gary Sinise and Jeff Perry chat about Sinise's new memoir, "Grateful American: A Journey From Self to Service," at 7 and 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18, at 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago. In the book, Sinise recalls growing up in Highland Park with a brief detour to Glen Ellyn, discovering theater and his life's purpose, the founding of Steppenwolf and his life-changing role as Lt. Dan in "Forrest Gump," which inspired his charitable efforts and the founding of his Gary Sinise Foundation, which assists veterans, first responders and their families. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

• The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, showcases indie pop band Panda Riot, along with Chicago's Star Tropics and the punk-inspired Rei Clone, at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19. The show is for ages 18 and older. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com.

• Performances begin Thursday, Feb. 21, for Trap Door Theatre's revival of "Tango," Polish playwright Slawomir Mrozek's 1965 satire about a medical student who tries to take control of his chaotic, disorganized home and family. Performances run through March 30 at 1655 W. Cortland Ave., Chicago. (773) 384-0494 or trapdoortheatre.com.

• The Chicago Magic Lounge, at 5050 N. Clark St., Chicago, celebrates its one-year anniversary Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 21-23, with headliner Robert Ramirez (who starred in the national tour of "In the Heights"), CML regular Alba and Czech magician Ondrej Psenicka. Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday and 7 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. (312) 366-4500 or chicagomagiclounge.com.

• Silk Road Rising hosts premiere screenings of its newest video play "Obstacle Course," a 45-minute adaptation of co-founder Jamil Khoury's play "Mosque Alert," about the reactions of Naperville residents to a proposed Islamic Community Center. Screenings run from Thursday, Feb. 21, through Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W. Washington St., Chicago. (312) 857-1234 or silkroadrising.org.

• The League of Chicago Theatre's Theatre Thursdays series continues Thursday, Feb. 21, at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, with a performance of Teatro Vista's "The Abuelas," by Barrington native Stephanie Alison Walker. The play is about an Argentine cellist and new mother whose life is upended after two strangers reveal a 37-year-old secret. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails, appetizers and a conversation, followed by the performance and a post-show discussion. Tickets are $20 with the code THTH. (773) 871-33000 or teatrovista.org/the-abuelas.

• Goodman Theatre named Sydney Chatman the 2019 recipient of its Michael Maggio Directing Fellowship designed for early-career, Chicago-based directors. "This is one small step for black girls and an even bigger step for the representation of black women in the American theater," said Chatman, director of Goodman's "How to Catch Creation" in a prepared statement.

• Hell in a Handbag Productions announced its 2019 season will begin March 15 with a revival of artistic director David Cerda and Scott Lamberty's disaster film sendup "Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical" at The Edge Theater 5451 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago. That's followed by another installment of "The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes" (April 18-Aug. 25 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St., Chicago.). "The Drag Seed" runs July 5 to Aug. 25 at Mary's Attic. An unauthorized musical parody of the 1956 horror film, the satire is about a young boy who is determined to win the drag pageant at his school, The Josephine Baker Academy for Gifted Students. "The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes Bea Afraid Too - The Halloween Edition" runs Sept. 27 to Nov. 2 at Mary's Attic, followed by "The Facts of Life: The Lost Episodes - Satan's School for Girls" (Oct. 5-Nov. 2 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago). "The Golden Girls: Lost Episodes Holiday Edition" runs Nov. 27 to Dec. 28 at Mary's Attic, and the season concludes with a re-creation of Bette Midler's concert at New York City's Continental Baths with an added holiday twist. "Bette: Xmas at the Continental Baths" runs Dec. 6-28 at Mary's Attic. Season subscriptions range from $150 to $225 for seven productions. (312) 409-4357 or handbagproductions.org.