Spotlight: 'Abbott Elementary' star Lisa Ann Walter headlines Batavia's Comedy Vault

Sitcom star

Actress/comedian Lisa Ann Walter, co-creator and star of several sitcoms and unscripted series, who currently plays Melissa Schemmenti on ABC's "Abbott Elementary," headlines The Comedy Vault this weekend.

7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 28-29, at 18 E. Wilson St., Batavia. $25, plus a two beverage minimum. Masks optional. (630) 454-4174 or comedyvaultbatavia.com.

'Antonio's Song'

Goodman Theatre presents Milwaukee Repertory Theater's production of "Antonio's Song/I was Dreaming of a Son," a solo play by Goodman artistic associate Dael Orlandersmith and Antonio Edwards Suarez. Suarez plays an expectant father who wrestles with stereotypes and notions of masculinity and femininity as he grapples with impending parenthood.

Previews at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 28-29; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 30; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, May 3-4 and through May 7, at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. The show opens May 8. $15-$50. Masks recommended. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org.

Celebrating moms

Mercury Theater presents the Chicago premiere of "MotherFreakingHood!" a new musical comedy by Julie Dunlap and Sara Stotts. This examination of a parent's journey follows first-time mom Rachel, second-time mom Angie and fourth-time mom Marcia from pregnancy tests to empty nests.

Previews at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 4-5; 3 and 8 p.m. May 6; and 3 p.m. May 7 at 3745 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. The show opens May 11. $65. Masks recommended. mercurytheaterchicago.com.

'Ragtime' revival

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre revives "Ragtime," the sprawling portrait of America at the turn of the last century adapted from E.L. Doctorow's novel by composer Stephen Flaherty, lyricist Lynn Ahrens and writer Terrence McNally. Jerrell L. Henderson directs the musical, which addresses racism, female empowerment, the struggle for social and economic justice and celebrity culture.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 4-5, and 3 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. May 6. $20-$45. Masks optional. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

In other news

Check with venues about COVID-19 precautions.

• Performances continue for the 2022 Broadway revival of "Into the Woods," Stephen Sondheim's Brothers Grimm-inspired musical about what happens after happily ever after. Performances continue through May 7 at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago. broadwayinchicago.com.

• AstonRep Theatre Company concludes its 15th and final season Friday, April 28, with "The Language Archive." Julia Cho's dramedy about communication is centered around "a linguist at a loss for words, especially the vocabulary of the heart." The preview is Friday at The Edge Off-Broadway Theatre, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave., Chicago. The show opens Saturday, April 29. (773) 828-9129 or astonrep.com.

• Otherworld Theatre debuts its new show, "Trade Federation, or Let's Explore Globalization Through the 'Star Wars' Prequels," on Friday, April 28, at 3914 N. Clark St., Chicago. The show centers on a young writer who pitches George Lucas a prequel to the prequels that is actually a Marxist allegory in which The Trade Federation is The International Monetary Fund and the Jedi are the United Nations. Performances run through May 13, with a special performance on Star Wars Day, May 4. Speaking of Star Wars Day, Otherworld Theatre hosts a weeklong celebration beginning May 4 that includes special performances of Otherworld shows, a "Star Wars" comedy special, podcasts, a 10th anniversary screening of the documentary "The Force Within Us," improv sets and cosplay. Tickets range from $10 to $80, including weekend passes. otherworldtheatre.org.

• Definition Theatre stages the Chicago-area premiere of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama "Fairview," Jackie Sibblies Drury's family comedy about Beverly, who's preparing for grandma's birthday party and getting no help from her sister, husband and teenage daughter. Previews begin Friday, April 28, at The Revival, 1160 E. 55th St., Chicago. The show opens Thursday, May 4. See definitiontheatre.org.

• Drag performer Sasha Velour, winner of "RuPaul's Drag Race," celebrates the release of her new book, "The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag," this weekend with "The Big Reveal Live Show" at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 29, and 7 p.m. Sunday, April 30, at the Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. Drag performer Lucy Poole joins Velour on Saturday and drag performer Tenderoni joins Velour on Sunday. broadwayinchicago.com.

• About Face Theatre concludes its 28th season with the premiere of "Gender Play or What You Will," a solo show by Will Wilhelm and Erin Murray in which Will stages a séance to summon the spirit of William Shakespeare in order to examine the playwright's stories and characters through a queer lens. Previews begin Thursday, May 4, at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. The show opens May 12. (773) 697-3830 or aboutfacetheatre.com.

• Northlight Theatre hosts a reading of "Joan," a new play by David Goldstein about the life and career of the late pioneering comedian Joan Rivers. The reading takes place at 7 p.m. Monday, May 1, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Admission is free (donations accepted), but reservations are recommended. (847) 673-6300 or northlight.org.

• Hell in a Handbag Productions has added performances for its Chicago premiere of "I Promised Myself to Live Faster," described as an "intergalactic queer extravaganza" conceived by Pig Iron Theatre Company. Performances run through May 7 at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. handbagproductions.org.

• The Factory Theater welcomed new artistic actor/director/musician/puppeteer Brittany Ellis, actor Shelby Burgus and 20-year theater artist Ben Veatch.

• Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre announced it will devote most of its 2023-2024 season to the late Stephen Sondheim. In a nod to Sondheim championing young writers, the season launches Sept. 7 with an in-development show titled "Baked! The Musical," an all-Asian musical about an overachiever and her friends who, as high school students, build a drug empire to help pay for college. The Sondheim season kicks off Oct. 27 with a revival of "Assassins," an examination of the dark side of American politics that centers on individuals who either assassinated or attempted to assassinate a U.S. President. That's followed by a "Sondheim Tribute Revue" (March 8-April 28, 2024) directed and curated by artistic director Fred Anzevino and consisting of some of the composer's most memorable songs. The season concludes with "A Little Night Music" (May 24-June 14, 2024), about a famous actress who gathers with assorted friends and lovers at her mother's country estate, where new romances bloom and old affairs are rekindled. Performances take place at 721 Howard St., Evanston. Season subscriptions range from $99-$295. (773) 939-4101 or theo-u.com.