Warm Up With Crackling Yarns

It’s the middle of winter; a perfect time to sit back in a dark room and watch a good yarn.

Head out to local theaters and warm up with some crackling good stories, and maybe even some songs.

Northlight Theatre’s “Black Pearl Sings!”
January 13-February 19
9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
847-673-6300
northlight.org

Northlight favorite E. Faye Butler stars in this Depression-era story of two women: an imprisoned singer and a song collector determined to show her talent to the world. The show features lovely a cappella renditions of little-known American folk songs; it’s an uplifting evening of rootsy tradition.

TimeLine Theatre’s “Enron”
January 17-April 15
615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago
773-281-8463 x6
timelinetheatre.com

A West End hit, this savagely funny, sprawling tragedy chronicles one of the most infamous scandals in business history. The piece offers unique insight into the backroom deals and rush of greed that triggered a staggering financial collapse in a world where nothing is as it seems.

Emerald City Theatre’s “Alexander and Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”
February 18-June 17
The Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
773-935-6100
emeraldcitytheatre.com

Emerald City Theatre brings Judith Viorst’s classic children’s book to life as a high-energy musical. Alexander has the worst day of his life: no dessert at lunch, kissing on TV and the knowledge that grown-ups just don’t care! It’s a fun instruction manual that shows kids how to deal with everyday frustrations.

Theater Wit/Boho Theatre, “The North Plan”

February 23-March 31
1229 W. Belmont, Chicago
773-975-8150
theaterwit.org

Acclaimed director Kimberly Senior directs this dark, political satire about a federal bureaucrat locked up in a small-town Missouri jail. He’s desperate to escape and thwart a constitutional crisis that would throw the country into tyrannical turmoil.

Goodman Theatre’s “The Convert”
February 25-March 25
170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago
312-443-3800
goodmantheatre.org

The British left southern Africa long ago, but the effects of their rule still linger. “The Convert” takes a look at the cultural and religious collisions caused by colonialism. Jekesai, a young Christian convert, escapes a forced marriage. She’s caught between family loyalties and her new faith when an anti-colonial uprising forces her to choose where her heart belongs.

Theater Directory

American Theater Company
“Disgraced”
Through March 4
773-409-4125

Broadway in Chicago
“American Idiot”
Ford Center for the Performing Arts/Oriental Theatre
February 7-19
“South Pacific”
Cadillac Palace Theatre
February 14-26
800-775-2000

Chicago Children’s Theater
“The Houdini Box”
Through March 4
773-227-0180

Chicago Shakespeare Theater
“The Feast: An Intimate Tempest”
Through March 11
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
February 7-April 8
“Short Shakespeare! The Taming of the Shrew”
February 25-April 7
312-595-5600

The Citadel
“Sirens”
February 3-March 4
847-735-8554

Emerald City Theatre
“Snow White”
Through May 20
773-935-6100

Goodman Theatre
“Race”
Through February 19
312-443-3800

Marriott Theatre
“Legally Blonde”
Through March 25
847-634-0200

Steppenwolf Theatre
“Penelope”
Through February 5
“Time Stands Still”
Through May 13
312-335-1650
“Garage Rep”
February 3-April 8
312-335-1650

Lifeline Theatre
“Hunger”
February 3-March 25
KidSeries: “How to Survive a Fairy Tale”
Through February 26
773-761-4477

Lookingglass Theatre
“Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting”
Through February 19
312-337-0665

Writers’ Theatre
“The Caretaker”
Through March 25
“Hesperia”
Through March 18
847-242-6000

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