Theater spotlight: Mystery-thriller opens Babes With Blades' new season

'Selfie shtick'

Social media inspires Laugh Out Loud Theater's sketch comedy show "Selfie Shtick" in which cast members navigate Instagram, Tinder and other apps Fridays at the Schaumburg location.

7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 26, at 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg. $12-$20. (847) 240-0386 or laughoutloudtheater.com.

Funk celebration

Black Ensemble Theater pays tribute to Sly and the Family Stone; Chaka Khan and Rufus; Earth, Wind and Fire; Parliament Funkadelic; and other powerhouse funk bands of the 1960s and 1970s in "You Can't Fake the Funk (A Journey Through Funk Music)." Producing managing director Daryl D. Brooks wrote the show and directs.

Previews at 8 p.m. Friday, July 26, and 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at 4450 N. Clark St., Chicago. The show opens Sunday, July 28. $45-$65. (773) 769-4451 or blackensemble.org.

Babes' season begins

Babes With Blades opens its 22nd season with "Women of 4G," Amy Tofte's future-set mystery-thriller about an all-female crew on a mission to Mars. After their male captain is murdered, however, the real purpose of the mission becomes clear. Lauren Katz directs.

Previews at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 1-3; 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4; and 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, at The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., Chicago. The show opens Friday, Aug. 9. $10, $28. (773) 904-0391 or babeswithblades.org.

- Barbara Vitello