Summer brings movie and TV stars, including Michael Cera and Sandra Oh, to Chicago stages. But local stars, like Joyce Piven, are still big attractions on the North Shore.
Heading north for summer fun? Check out the American Player’s Theatre in Spring Green, Wis.
Death and the Maiden
June 13–July 13
Sandra Oh of “Grey’s Anatomy” fame stars in Ariel Dorfman’s tense drama, with Victory Gardens artistic director Chay Yew directing. The story is set in an unnamed country, where a shaky democracy has replaced a brutal military regime. Oh’s character, a former political prisoner, believes she has come face to face with one of the men who tormented her. Victory Gardens Theatre, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, 773-871-3000
Ivanov
Through June 29
Two local legends of the theater—Joyce Piven and Sheldon Patinkin—team up for this reimagined version of a rarely staged Anton Chekhov play. Piven directs Patinkin’s 2009 adaptation of this drama about a member of the Russian elite who’s sinking deeper into debt as he falls out of love with his wife and grows obsessed with a younger woman. Piven Theatre, 927 Noyes St., Evanston, 847-866-6597
This Is Our Youth
June 10–July 27
The summer’s most star-studded theatrical event: Michael Cera, Kieran Culkin and Tavi Gevinson star in a play by Kenneth Lonergan, who won acclaim for his 2000 movie “You Can Count on Me.” Directed by Steppenwolf ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro, this show is heading straight to Broadway after its run in Chicago. Set in New York in 1982, “This Is Our Youth” follows 48 hours in the lives of three lost young souls. Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago, 312-335-1650
American Players Theatre 2014 Season
June 7–November 9
A summer getaway for theater-lovers—as well as some notable Chicago actors and directors—this bucolic spot in the wooded hills of Wisconsin is a three-hour drive from the North Shore. Five plays open in June: “American Buffalo,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” “The Year of Magical Thinking” and “Romeo and Juliet.” There’s an 1,148-seat outdoor amphitheater as well as a 200-seat indoor venue. Spring Green, Wis., 608-588-2361
Othello
July 10–August 31
For the first time in its 13-year history, Jefferson Park’s highly accomplished Gift Theatre is performing Shakespeare. Jonathan Berry, whose credits include a few rather intense dramas at Steep Theatre, is directing. And given how cozy this 30-seat theater is, it may feel like Iago is whispering in your ear, not Othello’s. Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, 773-283-7071
A Small Fire
July 10–August 16
Joanie Schultz, who recently directed the sharp, smart “Venus in Fur” at Goodman, returns to Steep Theatre in Edgewater for this Chicago premiere. The New York Times called Adam Bock’s play about a marriage in flux “raucous, funny and unexpectedly touching.” Steep Theatre, 1115 W. Berwyn Ave., Chicago, 866-811-4111
Theater Guide
AMERICAN BLUES THEATER (AT GREENHOUSE)
Grounded
June 6–July 13
773-404-7336
AMERICAN THEATER COMPANY
Hair
Through June 29
773-409-4125
BAILIWICK CHICAGO (AT VICTORY GARDENS RICHARD CHRISTIANSEN THEATER)
Carrie
Through July 12
773-969-6201
BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER
One Hit Wonders
Through June 29
773-769-4451
DRURY LANE
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
June 19–August 17
630-530-0111
GOODMAN THEATRE
Brigadoon
June 27–August 3
312-443-3800
MARRIOTT THEATRE
Godspell
June 4–August 10
847-634-0200
THE NEO-FUTURISTS
Haymaker
Through June 28
773-878-4557
ORIENTAL THEATRE
Motown The Musical
Through July 13
312-977-1700
PROFILES THEATRE
Annapurna
June 6–July 20
773-549-1815
RED THEATER (AT THE DEN THEATRE)
R&J in ASL (Romeo and Juliet in American Sign Language)
June 20–July 13
773-569-3454
STEPPENWOLF THEATRE
The Qualms
July 3–August 31
312-335-1650
THEATER WIT (HELL IN A HANDBAG)
Caged Dames
Through July 13
773-975-8150
THEATER WIT (KOKANDY PRODUCTIONS)
Assassins
June 13–July 20
773-975-8150
THEO UBIQUE
A Musical Tribute to the Andrews Sisters
June 13–August 3
773-347-1109
TIMELINE THEATRE
Juno
Through July 27
773-281-8463
WRITERS THEATRE
Days Like Today
Through July 13
847-242-6000
