Spotlight: Four C Notes welcome 2022 at Marriott Theatre
NYE at Marriott
The Four C Notes, an ensemble formed by longtime "Jersey Boys" Chicago cast member John Michael Coppola, perform two shows New Year's Eve at the Marriott Theatre. The 90-minute concerts include such favorites as "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" and "Let's Hang On" among others.
6 and 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. $60. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination or negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the start of the performance or negative rapid antigen test taken within six hours of the start of the performance and masking required. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.
Bronte-inspired
A Red Orchid Theatre presents the Chicago-area premiere of "The Moors," a dark comedy by Jen Silverman partly inspired by the Brontë sisters, specifically Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights" and Charlotte Brontë's "Jane Eyre." An examination of love and power, it's about two sisters living in a bleak area of northeastern England who reach their breaking point about the time a new governess arrives. Kirsten Fitzgerald directs.
Previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Jan. 6-7; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8; 3 p.m. Jan. 9 and through Jan. 14, at 1531 N. Wells St., Chicago. The show opens Jan. 15. $15-$40. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination or negative test and masking required. (312) 943-8722 or aredorchidtheatre.org.
BBE premiere
Black Button Eyes Productions concludes its season with the premiere of "Mary Rose," a dark musical fairy tale by producing artistic director Ed Rutherford (book and lyrics) and Jeff Bouthiette (music and lyrics). Rutherford directs the tuner about a young woman and a mysterious connection between her, a manor house and the Scottish Highlands.
Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 7-8, at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago. The show opens Jan. 9. $30. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination and masking required. See blackbuttoneyes.com.
In other news
• Pegasus Theatre Chicago hosts a virtual version of its Young Playwrights Festival, streaming Thursday, Jan. 6, through Feb. 6 online at pegasustheatrechicago.org. The festival showcases new, one-act plays by high school writers that are given a staged professional production. The competition received 300 submissions in 2021 with this year's winning selections being "Fifteen Minutes," by Dalya Lessem Elnecave of Lane Tech College Prep; "The Little Things" by Laylah Freeman of Advanced Arts/Gallery 37; and "Have Faith" by Sarah Lerner of Whitney Young Magnet High School.
• Compass Theatre marks its resumption of in-person performances with a production of "Wellesley Girl," Brendan Pelsue's drama examining the relationship between citizens and democracy. The drama is set in the year 2465 when the United States consists of a handful of New England towns inside a walled citadel in which everyone is a member of Congress who are preparing to fight an army camped outside its border. James Fleming directs the production, which runs Friday, Jan. 7, through Feb. 5 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. See compasstheatre.org.
• Tickets for Chicago Theatre Week 2022 go on sale at 10 a.m. Jan. 11 at chicagotheatreweek.com. Most tickets are $15 or $30. A list of participating theaters also will be released on that date and time. However, among the approximately 100 productions expected to participate are: Blue Man Group, Broadway in Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Drury Lane Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Court Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, Marriott Theatre, The Second City and others.
• Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, announced additional performances of the hit show "I'm Not a Comedian ... I'm Lenny Bruce." Performances will run Jan. 28 through Feb. 5 at the theater. Written and starring Ronnie Marmo, the production was directed by Joe Mantegna. (312) 423-6612 or mercurytheaterchicago.com or lennybruceonstage.com.