Theater events: 'An Evening With Steve Cochran' comes to the Metropolis

• One day in 1994, President Bill Clinton and former presidents George Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford gathered for the funeral of Richard M. Nixon. American Blues Theater ensemble member Rick Cleveland ("House of Cards," "The West Wing") imagines what might have occurred when the current and former commanders in chief met in "Five Presidents." Marty Higginbotham directs ABT's Chicago-area premiere, which begins previews Friday, Sept. 6, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. The show opens Sept. 12. (773) 654-3103 or americanbluestheater.com.

• Lifeline Theatre opens its season with "Whose Body?" ensemble member Frances Limoncelli's adaptation of Dorothy L. Sayers' 1923 whodunit featuring amateur detective Lord Peter Wimsey and set at a teaching hospital. After a body is found in a bathtub, Wimsey and Inspector Parker must determine whether it was murder or a student prank. Previews begin Friday, Sept. 6, at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. The show, directed by Jess Hutchinson, opens Sept. 15. (773) 761-4477 or lifelinetheatre.com.

• Pride Films & Plays hosts a Fundraiser Friday event Friday, Sept. 6, that benefits the Center on Halsted, a community center that helps advance the health and well-being of the LGBTQ community. The fundraiser is in conjunction with PFP's current production "All That He Was," about a man's struggle with AIDS. The company will donate $5 from every ticket sold that day to the center. The performance is at 4147 N. Broadway, Chicago. See pridefilmsandplays.com.

• WGN-AM 720 morning host Steve Cochran headlines "An Evening With Steve Cochran and Friends" on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Tickets are $35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

• The Momedians of Momedy, comprised of host Kat Herskovic along with Denise Medina, Colleen Brennan, Lia Berman, Michelle Krajecki and Patti Vasquez, examine life and motherhood Saturday, Sept. 7, at Davenport's Piano Bar, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. See themomedians.com.

• Williams Street Repertory's play-reading series continues Monday, Sept. 9, with "Love in Bahia," Alan Kilpatrick's play about a woman running from her troubled past into the arms of a former lover. The reading is at 7 p.m. at the Raue Center, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org.

• Naperville native Lara Filip and Cory Goodrich of Carol Stream are among the musical theater artists participating in Season of Concern's "Second City Divas - In Concert" at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at the Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Season of Concern is an organization that provides financial assistance to theater artists coping with illness or injury. The divas include Donica Lynn, Susie McMonagle, Hollis Resnik, Susan Moniz, Heidi Kettenring and Mary Ernster among others. (773) 325-1700 or seasonofconcern.org.

• TimeLine Theatre Company, in association with Broadway in Chicago, presents the Chicago-area premiere of the Tony Award-winning political drama "Oslo." J.T. Rogers' play chronicles the real-life efforts of Norwegian diplomats to arrange behind-the-scenes peace talks between Israeli authorities and representatives from the Palestine Liberation Organization. Previews begin Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. The show opens Sept. 18. (773) 281-8463, ext. 6, or timelinetheatre.org.

• Walkabout Theater Company - in collaboration with India's Guild of the Goat and Toronto, Canada, vocalist Fides Krucker - previews "The Raveling" with a series of free performances Tuesday, Sept. 10, through Saturday, Sept. 21, in Chicago parks. Part of the Chicago Park District's Night Out in the Parks, the performances take place Sept. 10 and 11 at Seward Park, 375 W. Elm St.; Sept. 13 and 14 at Independence Park, 3945 N. Springfield Ave.; Sept. 19 at Tuley Park, 501 E. 90th Place, and Sept. 21 at Sherman Park, 1301 W. 52nd St. Inspired by the performers' experiences, "The Raveling" centers on a family's pursuit of an old story, a lie, a promise and a fantasy. See walkabouttheater.org.

• Previews begin Wednesday, Sept. 11, for The Artistic Home's premiere of "Vanya on the Plains," Jason Hedrick's absurdist drama about a future totalitarian society in which 79-year-old Elijah convinces his friends and family to perform Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" even though they've never read the play and don't understand the art of acting. The show opens Sept. 15 at 1376 W. Grand Ave., Chicago. (866) 811-4111 or theartistichome.org.

• "Celtic Crossings ... The Original Hillbilly Highway," a show that combines music and spoken word, takes place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. See heynonny.com.

• Released after seven years in prison, Hedley tries to restart his life in August Wilson's "King Hedley II," the ninth play in Wilson's 10-play American Century Cycle chronicling African-American experiences in 20th-century America. Kelvin Roston Jr. plays the titular role in Court Theatre's production, which marks the opening of the company's 65th season. Resident artist Ron OJ Parson directs. (773) 753-4472 or courttheatre.org.

• "The King's Speech," David Seidler's play about the efforts of King George VI to control his stammer with help from Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue, inspired the Academy Award-winning film. The play has its North American premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Harry Hadden-Paton ("Downton Abbey") plays George opposite James Frain ("Orphan Black") as Lionel. Previews begin Thursday, Sept. 12. The show opens Sept. 20. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.