Halloween’s on the horizon, but there isn’t anything scary about the variety of plays planned on local stages in October.
If anything, the dominant theme is romance, not horror.
Once
October 9 to 27
The low-budget 2006 film “Once” charmed audiences with its tale of music and romance on the streets of Dublin. It seemed like a natural fit for the stage, and this adaptation won eight Tony Awards after hitting on Broadway last year. The Tribune’s Chris Jones called it “gorgeously crafted and intensely moving.” Now, those of us who haven’t seen it in New York will get a chance in Chicago. (Don’t forget to tip any actual buskers you hear on the streets outside the theater.) Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago, 312-977-1700
Compulsion
October 10 to November 17
Meyer Levin wrote “Compulsion,” a novel about Chicago thrill-killers Leopold and Loeb, but this new play about a different compulsion experienced by the author himself: his obsession with Anne Frank’s diary, which he helped bring to the world’s attention. The world-premiere play by Rinne Groff is directed by Devon de Mayo, who did a wonderful job at Next last year with “Everything Is Illuminated.” Next Theatre, 927 Noyes St., Evanston, 847-475-1875
The North China Lover
September 25 to November 10
It’s the French Quarter of Southern Indochina in the 1930s. A poor 14-year-old schoolgirl captivates a wealthy 27-year-old Chinese aristocrat, who becomes her first lover. Marguerite Duras’ 1991 novel was inspired by her actual experiences growing up in that colonial milieu, and now Lookingglass ensemble member Heidi Stillman has adapted and directed this story of love, secrets and taboos. (Pictured top right) Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 312-337-0665
Northanger Abbey
October 2 to November 10
The first novel completed by Jane Austen concerns a 17-year-old girl who’s a little too obsessed with Gothic novels. And that makes this send-up of the genre perfectly timed for Halloween season. The estimable director Joanie Schultz directs this U.S. premiere of a new adaptation by Tim Luscombe for Remy Bumppo, a company that knows how to bring literature to life on the stage.Remy Bumppo Theatre (at Greenhouse), 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, 773-244-8119
Mary Poppins
October 23 to December 29
The magic umbrellas, chimney sweeps and nannies of Disney’s classic 1964 movie — and P.L. Travers’ children’s books — have made for a popular stage musical ever since this show debuted in 2004 in London. If this local production is up to the Marriott’s usual standards (and with Gary Griffin directing and Jeff winner Summer Naomi Smart in the title role that’s a good bet) it should be a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious time for the whole family. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, 847-634-0200
Theater Guide
CADILLAC PALACE THEATRE
We Will Rock You
October 22–27
800-775-2000
CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATRE
Blind Summit’s “The Table”
October 16–27
312-595-5600
DRURY LANE
Hello, Dolly!
October 17 to January 5
630-530-0111
GOODMAN THEATRE
Smokefall
October 5 to November 3
312-443-3800
NEO-FUTURISTS
The Sovereign Statement
October 17 to November 23
773-878-4557
PROFILES THEATRE
Wrecks
September 27 to November 17
773-549-1815
RED TAPE THEATRE
The Life and Death of Madam Barker
October 14 to November 10
STEEP THEATRE
Motortown
October 3 to November 9
866-811-4111
STEPPENWOLF THEATRE FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Lord of the Flies
October 16 to November 10
312-335-1650
THEATRE SEVEN OF CHICAGO
Unwilling and Hostile Instruments
September 30 to October 27
773-853-3158
