May brings beloved old songs from Motown to the Loop’s Oriental Theatre, while Writers Theatre in Glencoe plays some brand-new tunes.
A magical story about snakes slithers into theGoodman, and Skokie’s Northlight transports audiences back to 1940s Yonkers.
The White Snake
Through June 8
Following up her 2013 Goodman adaptation of “The Jungle Book,” Evanston director-writer Mary Zimmerman turns to a classic Chinese fable for inspiration. Like “The Jungle Book,” this tale involves snakes and people testing the boundaries between their worlds. A gentle serpent spirit transforms herself into a beautiful young woman and descends from a mountaintop into the world of humans. Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, 312-443-3800 (pictured)
Motown The Musical
Through July 13
As far as concepts for jukebox musicals go, this one seems blatantly obvious. Of course it’s a good idea to put on a show filled with old Motown hits. There’s potential for a strong story, too: Detroit hitmaker Berry Gordy was a pioneer in bringing African-American artists to the ears of a wider audience. When “Motown the Musical” played last year on Broadway, The New York Times called it “dramatically slapdash but musically vibrant,” tempering our expectations. The one thing that seems sure is that this show will deliver the hits. Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago, 312-977-1700
Lost in Yonkers
Through June 8
Perhaps the most successful playwright in American history, Neil Simon has won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize just once—for this nostalgic 1991 play set in a dysfunctional family’s home in Yonkers, N.Y., during World War II. Devon de Mayo, a founder and associate artistic director of Chicago’s Dog & Pony Theatre, directs Simon’s autobiographical tale of two brothers coping with their scary grandma, sweet but daffy aunt and small-time hoodlum uncle. Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, 847-673-6300
Days Like Today
Through July 13
A lovelorn woman debates whether to give romance one more chance in this world-premiere musical, which brings together a top-notch team: It’s inspired by the acclaimed plays of Evanston native Charles L. Mee. The book is by Lookingglass Theatre’s Laura Eason. Composer Alan Schmuckler’s previous work has been praised as smart and melodic. Writers Theatre’s guiding force, artistic director Michael Halberstam, is at the helm, along with musical director Doug Peckand choreographer Tommy Rapley. If they succeed, this has all the makings of a poignant musical on an intimate scale. Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe, 847-242-6000
Theater Guide
AMERICAN THEATER COMPANY
Hair
Through June 29
773-409-4125
CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATRE
Henry V
Through June 15
312-595-5600
COURT THEATRE
M. Butterfly
Through June 8
773-753-4472
GOODMAN THEATRE
Ask Aunt Susan
May 24–June 22
312-443-3800
HOUSE THEATRE (AT THE CHOPIN)
Dorian
May 9–June 22
773-769-3832
INTERROBANG (AT THE ATHENAEUM)
The Doll’s House Project: Ibsen is Dead
Through June 8
773-935-6875
LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE
In the Garden: A Darwinian Love Story
Through June 15
312-337-0665
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Mikhail Baryshnikov in “Man in a Case”
May 15–18
312-397-4010
THE NEO-FUTURISTS
Haymaker
May 22–June 28
773-878-4557
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (JOSEPHINE LOUIS THEATER)
Trouble in Mind
May 16–25
847-491-7282
PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE (AT STAGE 773)
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Through June 1
773-327-5252
RAVEN THEATRE
Vieux Carre
Through June 28
773-338-2177
SIDESHOW THEATRE (AT THEATER WIT)
Tyrant
May 24–June 29
773-975-8150
SIGNAL ENSEMBLE THEATRE
The Next Thing
Through June 7
773-698-7389
THEATRE SEVEN (AT THEATER WIT)
Principal Principle
Through May 18
773-853-3158
TIMELINE THEATRE
Juno
Through July 27
773-281-8463
Photo by Jenny Graham.
