Theater spotlight: First Folio, Arranmore Arts salute Sherlock Holmes with new shows
Mystery on stage
Describing First Folio Theatre's season-opening production "Sherlock's Last Case," director Janice L. Blixt called it a "love letter to 221B Baker Street and to individuals who cherish Sherlock Holmes." Inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle's characters, Charles Marowitz's play centers on Dr. Watson's efforts to solve the mystery of who is threatening the life of his friend and partner Sherlock Holmes. Kevin McKillip and Joe Foust star as Holmes and Watson.
The last preview is at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st St., Oak Brook. The show opens Saturday, Oct. 5. $25-$44. (630) 986-8067 or firstfolio.org.
Kane County debut
Kane Repertory Theatre, a new company made up of theater graduates from Northern Illinois University, marks its debut with "Our Town," Thornton Wilder's classic portrait of small-town America set in a fictional New Hampshire burg during the early 20th century.
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4-5, and through Oct. 19 at the Marquee Youth Stage, 619 W. Main St., St. Charles. $10-$25. (678) 296-8975 or kanerepertorytheatre.com.
Lerner & Loewe salute
Music Theater Works salutes lyricist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederik Loewe ("My Fair Lady," "Brigadoon," "Camelot") with the musical revue "Lerner and Loewe's Greatest Hits." The show features Samantha Behen, Alicia Berneche, Billy Dawson and Martin L. Woods performing such favorites as "If Ever I Would Leave You," "Almost Like Being in Love" and "I Could Have Danced All Night" among others.
8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 and 11; 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 and 12; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5 and 13. Also 2 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 9-10, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $34-$64. (847) 920-5360 or musictheaterworks.com.
Out of the zoo ...
And onto the Marriott Theatre stage. That's where children and their families will encounter Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra and Gloria the Hippo in "Madagascar - A Musical Adventure," adapted from the 2005 DreamWorks film about animals who escape a New York City zoo and find themselves on an unexpected trip to Madagascar. Johanna McKenzie Miller directs.
Previews at 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 4-6, at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The show opens Oct. 12. $18.23. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.
Mystery in the woods
Arranmore Arts Professional Ensemble returns to the Morton Arboretum to premiere a special walking production titled "Holmes and Watson's Mystery of the Woods," inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle's characters and adapted by Naperville native Lara Filip. This marks DuPage County's third theatrical adaptation inspired by the crime-solving duo in the last two months. In Arranmore Arts' version, it's the sleuths' female descendants who take center stage.
3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5-6, and subsequent Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27, at 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $10-$20. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.