Spotlight: Buffalo Theatre opens its season with revival of 'Clybourne Park'

Buddy comedy

Tiffany Renee Johnson plays an Ivy League graduate and newly hired sanitation worker and Luigi Sottile plays a blue-collar, veteran garbage collector in "The Garbologists," a buddy comedy by Lindsay Joelle running at Northlight Theatre. Cody Estle directs the two-hander about polar opposites who find common ground collecting trash.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, and Thursday, Sept. 8, and 1 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. The show opens Sept. 9. $30-$89. Masks required for anyone sitting in rows A and B. Masks recommended for everyone else. (847) 673-6300 or northlight.org.

Companion to a classic

Inspired by Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun," Bruce Norris' "Clybourne Park" serves as a companion piece to the seminal 1959 drama about a Black family confronting racism and housing discrimination as they prepare to move into an all-white neighborhood. In "Clybourne Park's" first act, Norris introduces us to the white family selling their home to the Youngers, the neighborhood's first Black family. Fifty years later, in what is now an all-Black community, a white couple buys the house intending to convert it into a McMansion while activists try to preserve the neighborhood's character. Buffalo Theatre Ensemble's season-opening revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play is directed by ensemble member Kurt Naebig.

Previews at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The show opens Sept. 9. $42. Masking is optional, but recommended. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org.

Racial reckoning

The COVID-19 pandemic stalled Steppenwolf Theatre's Chicago premiere of "The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington," which was in rehearsals when the COVID-19 pandemic forced theaters to close. More than two years later, James Ijames' play gets its Steppenwolf production with original director Whitney White returning to helm this darkly comic reckoning about racism in America.

Previews at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3; 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4; and various times Sept. 7-10 at 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago. The show opens Sept. 11. $20-$96. Masking required. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

Demon barber returns

Kokandy Productions revives Stephen Sondheim's masterly macabre musical "Sweeney Todd," about an unjustly imprisoned barber who returns to London after 16 years to exact vengeance on the corrupt judge who sent him away and brutalized his wife. Kevin Webb plays Sweeney and Caitlin Jackson plays Mrs. Lovett, his partner in crime, in director/choreographer Derek Van Barham's production.

Previews at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8-10 and 15, and 5 p.m. Sept. 11, at The Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. The show opens Sept. 16. $25-$40. Proof of vaccination and masking required. See kokandyproductions.com.

In other news

Check with venues about COVID-19 precautions.

• Court Theatre begins its 2022-2023 season with a revival of "Arsenic and Old Lace," Joseph Kesselring's dark comedy about well-liked, mild-mannered sisters Abby and Martha, whose newly engaged nephew Mortimer uncovers their homicidal secret. Previews begin Friday, Sept. 2, at 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago. The show opens Sept. 10. Face masks required. (773) 753-4472 or courttheatre.org.

• Third Eye Theatre Ensemble begins its ninth season Friday, Sept. 2, with "Beowulf," adapted by composer/lyricist Hans Lash, who casts the ancient monster slayer as a military doctor plagued by the decisions he made on the battlefield. Performances run through Sept. 11 at The Edge Off Broadway, 1133 W. Broadway, Chicago. In accordance with its mission of advocating for human rights and social justice, Third Eye will donate $1 from every ticket purchased to Paws Assisting Wounded Warriors (PAWWS), which pairs dogs with wounded soldiers to help them readjust to civilian life. See thirdeyete.org.

• Three Brothers Theatre stages "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," a musical about junior high achievers competing for the chance to represent their county at the National Spelling Bee. Performances run Friday, Sept. 2, through Sept. 24 at 221 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. See threebrotherstheatre.com.

• Previews begin Wednesday, Sept. 7, for Cabaret ZaZou's "Luminaire," the first production from the producers of Teatro ZinZanni Chicago. Like its predecessor, "Luminaire" incorporates cabaret, comedy, improv and circus arts. The new production stars Frank Ferrante, formerly Teatro ZinZanni's Caesar, and singer/songwriter Liv Warfield. Performances take place in the Spiegeltent on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, 32 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Show only tickets are $75. Dinner and show tickets range from $125-$210. (312) 488-0900 or cabaretzazou.com.

• The Music Theater Works Orchestra welcomes special guest vocalists during the company's fundraising gala beginning at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. The black-tie event also includes dinner, live and silent auctions, the concert and dessert. Tickets are $225, $90 for concert and dessert only. (847) 673-6300 or musictheaterworks.com.

• Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre celebrates its silver anniversary with Lights Up on 25, a fundraising gala beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at 721 Howard St., Evanston. The event includes hors d'oeuvres, dessert, an open bar and cabaret-style entertainment from artists who have been a part of the theater's history. Individual tickets are $200 and are available at (773) 939-4101 or theo-u.com/25-gala.

• Speaking of galas, Porchlight Music Theatre hosts its annual Icons Gala fundraiser beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago at Water Tower Place, 160 E. Pearson St., Chicago. Porchlight will honor Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie (the original Cassie in "A Chorus Line"), who will perform in person during this year's celebration, which also includes a cocktail reception, wine dinner, awards presentation, auction and entertainment. Tickets start at $500. See porchlightmusictheatre.org.

• TimeLine Theatre has extended its production of "Campaigns, Inc." Will Alan's election comedy is inspired by real-life couple Clem Whitaker and Leone Baxter, known for derailing novelist Upton Sinclair's 1934 campaign for governor of California. Performances run through Sept. 25 at 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. (773) 281-8463, ext. 6, or timelinetheatre.com.

• Shattered Globe Theatre offers a free, 10-week actor-training program for early-career artists on Sundays and Mondays beginning Sept. 18. Applications are due by Sept. 10. Apply at sgtheatre.org/protege.