Spotlight: Emmy winner David Strathairn plays World War II-era hero at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

A hero's legacy

Emmy Award winner and Academy Award nominee David Strathairn ("Good Night, and Good Luck," "Nomadland") plays the titular hero in "Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Written by Clark Young and Derek Goldman, the solo play tells the story of Karski, who, having experienced Nazi occupation in his native Poland during World War II, joins the Polish Underground and helps deliver eyewitness reports of the Holocaust to Washington, D.C., where authorities respond with "inaction and disbelief."

Preview at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, at The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. The show opens Thursday, Nov. 4. $43-$75. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID test and masks mandatory. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.

Elgin ensemble debuts

After an unsettling incident involving a young boy named Gidion, his distraught mother and elementary school teacher try to find an explanation for the behavior in "Gidion's Knot" by Johnna Adams. The production marks the debut of newcomer iambe theatre ensemble, founded by Doreen Dawson and Shannon Mayhall, to provide opportunities for mature actresses.

7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 29-30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, at the Elgin Arts Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. $18. COVID-19 precautions: Masks mandatory. gidions-knot.eventbrite.com.

Radio drama 'Dracula'

The folks at Improv Playhouse promise treats and surprises will accompany the company's staged, radio-play production of "Dracula," adapted by Orson Welles from Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic novel. The tale centers on the vampire who leaves his Transylvania home for London, where he terrorizes his solicitor's fiance and her friends, who hunt the deadly count with the aid of Professor Abraham Van Helsing. Executive director David Brian Stuart directs.

8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Advance sale: $7.50, $15; day-of tickets: $10, $20. COVID-19 precautions: Masks mandatory. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.

Country-tinged tuner

Porchlight Music Theatre launches its 27th season with a revival of the country-tinged musical "Pump Boys & Dinettes," about the attendants at a rural filling station and the sisters who operate the nearby diner. Daryl Brooks directs and Robert Reddrick serves as music director for the production featuring Rafe Bradford, Shantel Cribbs, Ian Custer, Frederick "Ricky" Harris, Melanie Loren and Billy Rude.

Previews at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30; 2 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31; and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. The show opens Thursday, Nov. 4. $45-$74. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative PCR test result within 72 hours of the performance and masks mandatory. (773) 777-9884 or porchlightmusictheatre.org.

In other news

Check with theater companies or venues regarding COVID-19 precautions, which may include: masking, proof of vaccination and/or a negative COVID-19 test.

• A Theater in the Dark (formerly known as Theatre in the Dark) remounts its original, audio drama adaptation of H.G. Wells "The War of the Worlds." The production will stream live at 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 29-31, after which a recorded version will be available to listeners online for seven days. Mack Gordon directs and plays Wells as a 21st-century journalist who finds himself in the middle of an alien invasion after a meteor from Mars crashes outside of Chicago. Suggested ticket price of $15 or pay-what-you-can. See atheaterinthedark.com.

• American Blues Theater hosts a live musical event and costume party benefit beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, at 4809 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, or by Zoom. Hosted by artistic affiliate Zachary "Bloody Holly" Stevenson, "Dead Ringers for Dead Singers" includes cocktails, prizes and musical performances by ensemble members. COVID-19 vaccination and masks required for in-person attendees. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes. Tickets are $25. (773) 654-3103 or americanbluestheater.com.

• "Hit 'Em on the Blackside," Congo Square Theatre Company's digital sketch comedy series, begins its second season on Friday, Oct. 29, with the release of the first six episodes. A new episode drops every week on Nov. 5, 12, 19 and 26, and Dec. 3. On Dec. 10, all the new episodes will be compiled into a single video for a virtual watch party on Congo Square's YouTube page. Webisodes can be viewed for free at congosquaretheatre.org.

• Haven hosts "Science Fiction/Double Feature: A Rocky Horror Picture Party," an immersive, adults-only, Halloween-themed event at 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 30-31, at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. In addition to a shadowcast performance of the film, the event includes drag performers, belly dancers and burlesque entertainers. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and masking required. Tickets and VIP passes are $76-$121. See havenchi.org.

• The Annoyance Theatre presents "Spookfest 2021," consisting of four Halloween-themed shows performed beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. The shows include "A Dick Wolf Halloween," "Campfire," "Burlesque is Gore" and "Splatter Theater." The Annoyance is at 851 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $40. (773) 697-9693 or theannoyance.com.

• Definition Theatre presents the virtual premiere of "America V. 2.1: The Sad Demise & Eventual Extinction of the American Negro." Stacey Rose's dystopian drama is about an acting company telling the story of African Americans who, as a result, are forced to confront their oppression. The production streams Nov. 2-21. Tickets range from $15-$100. They're available at definitiontheatre.org.

• 3Arts, the grants-making organization, will award Chicago artists nearly $1 million in unrestricted grants on Monday, Nov. 1, live on YouTube. The awardees include director Lili-Anne Brown (Goodman Theatre's "School Girls, or the African Means Girls Play," Drury Lane Theatre's "The Color Purple") and actor David Rhee. See 3arts.org.

• Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, welcomes the return of "Defending the Caveman," Rob Becker's solo comedy about how men and women relate. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Nov. 4-5. Tickets are $35 and $40. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID test and masking required. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

• Arlington Heights native and Broadway veteran/chanteuse Karen Mason ("Phantom of the Opera," "Mamma Mia!," "Hairspray") returns to perform her cabaret act at Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Show time is 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 4-6, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7. Tickets are $40 plus a two-beverage minimum. See davenportspianobar.com.

• Comedian Jacqueline Novak brings her one-woman show, "Jacqueline Novak: Get on Your Knees," to The Den Theater, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Novak performs the adults-only show from Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 4-7. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and masking required. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com.

• The 2019 holiday movie parody "Deck the Hallmark: A Greeting Card Channel Original - The Second City" returns to Up Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., Chicago, on Thursday, Nov. 4. Other seasonal offerings include "The Second City's Best of the Holidays," which opens Nov. 17 at the venue. (312) 337-3992 or secondcity.com.

• A new sister has joined the cast of "Late Nite Catechism." Actress and singer Rose Guccione, a 20-year Lyric Opera veteran and Dominican University instructor, will alternate playing the role of Sister with Jenna Steege, Liz Cloud and Mary Zentmyer. Performances take place at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID test and masking required for admission. (773) 404-7336 or nuns4fun.com.

• The League of Chicago Theatres announced Chicago Theatre Week, the annual celebration of Chicago-area theater, will take place Feb. 17-27 with more than 100 in-person performances. Most tickets are $15 or $30. They go on sale online at 10 a.m. Jan. 11 at chicagotheatreweek.com. A list of participating theaters will be posted online at that time.

• Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot proclaimed Tuesday, Oct. 26, as Chicago Theatre Day in recognition of the centennial of the Chicago Theatre, the iconic venue located at 175 N. State St., Chicago, whose six-story, vertical "C-H-I-C-A-G-O" sign is among the city's most recognizable symbols. Since its opening Oct. 26, 1921, the Chicago Theatre has hosted artists including Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin, Benny Goodman, Prince, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, Van Morrison and Robin Williams among others. "For the past 100 years, The Chicago Theatre has contributed to this reputation by illuminating State Street with fantastic shows and films," said Lightfoot in a prepared statement. "I am thrilled to wish the Theatre a happy 100th anniversary and celebrate Chicago Theatre Day as we embark on yet another next century of entertainment in our city."

• Blue Man Group will perform on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day as part of its expanded fall schedule at Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St., Chicago. The expanded schedule also includes a 2 p.m. performance on Sunday, Oct. 31; 2, 5 and 8 p.m. performances on Nov. 26-27; and 4 and 7 p.m. kid-friendly performances Dec. 31 that include a complimentary gift, "midnight" countdown and a performance of "Auld Lang Syne" by the Blue Men. They'll also perform a 10 p.m. show on Dec. 31 with a countdown party with hats and noisemakers, "Auld Lang Syne," and a confetti and streamer spectacle at midnight. See blueman.com.

• New ticket packages are available for Dennis Watkins' The Magic Parlour at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel, 17 E. Monroe St., Chicago. First responders receive $30 off the cost of the premium VIP package. And a date-night package includes two cocktails at the Lockwood Lobby Bar, The Magic Parlour performance and overnight accommodations. (312) 300-6803 or themagicparlourchicago.com.

• Stage Left Theatre has named Bobbi Masters as the company's new artistic director. A director and educator, Masters has worked backstage and front-of-the-house at Stage Left, most recently serving as literary manager for the company's play-reading series.