When spring comes so late, we know it’s even harder to take time away from beaches and barbecues, street fairs and sunshine. But great theater happens year-round in Chicago. Here are 25 picks for the best of the season onstage — and even outdoors.
BIG SPLASHES
“20,000 Leagues Under the Seas”: Jules Verne’s sci-fi classic about an intrepid — or foolish, take your pick — band of explorers in pursuit of a sea monster comes to life in David Kersnar and Althos Low’s world-premiere adaptation, directed by Kersnar. Lots of rigging allows the show to get airborne, even as it goes into the watery deep. The show also promises “the heaviest and largest object ever” in Lookingglass history. Lookingglass Theatre; May 23-Aug. 19
“Father Comes Home From the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3)”: Suzan-Lori Parks’ epic tale recasts Homer’s “The Odyssey” as a story of Hero, an enslaved man in Texas who must decide between joining his enslaver in fighting for the Confederacy as a means to win his freedom — or staying with his family on the plantation. Niegel Smith directs a cast that includes Kamal Angelo Bolden as Hero. The original music will be performed nightly by Chicago blues musician Melody Angel. Goodman Theatre; May 25-June 24
“The Cher Show”: Do you believe? This bio-musical about one of the few people to genuinely deserve one-name-only recognition traces her six-decade career from hippie songstress and wife-of-Sonny to Oscar-winning actress and all-around icon of ultimate diva-ness. Stephanie J. Block, Teal Wicks and Micaela Diamond play Cher at various points in her life while rocking original costumes by Bob Mackie. Oriental Theatre; June 12-July 15
“The Roommate”: Tony winner Phylicia Rashad directs Jen Silverman’s comedy about two middle-aged women sharing a house in a small Iowa town who take some startling chances at carving out financial stability. Ora Jones and Sandra Marquez star in the Chicago premiere. Steppenwolf Theatre; June 21-Aug. 5
“Pamplona”: Stacy Keach’s performance as Ernest Hemingway in Jim McGrath’s one-man play last summer was cut short due to Keach’s sudden illness. He’s recovered and back onstage, portraying “Papa” during the years after his greatest successes, when Hemingway holed up in Spain trying to keep his demons at bay. Longtime Keach collaborator Robert Falls directs. Goodman Theatre; July 10-Aug. 19
SAVVY FINDS
“Bull in a China Shop”: The lives and 50-year love affair of feminist educators Mary Woolley and Jeannette Marks provide the matrix for Bryna Turner’s comedy, set during the battle for women’s suffrage in the United States. Woolley was a president of Mount Holyoke College (Turner’s alma mater), while Marks was a literature professor. Keira Fromm directs for About Face Theatre. Theater Wit; May 24-July 1
“Mies Julie”: August Strindberg’s classic tale of sexual repression and class struggle gets an additional layer of tension in Yael Farber’s adaptation, which takes place in South Africa 18 years after the end of apartheid. Dexter Bullard directs, with Heather Chrisler in the title role and Jalen Gilbert as John, the farm laborer who digs into the weak points behind her haughty demeanor. Victory Gardens Theater; May 25-June 24
“The Displaced”: Rising Chicago playwright Isaac Gomez, whose play “La Ruta,” about the hundreds of murdered women in the border city of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, is slated to open at Steppenwolf at the end of the year, takes a thriller-horror approach to exploring gentrification in Pilsen in “The Displaced.” Jo Cattell directs the world premiere for Haven Theatre. Den Theatre; May 31-July 1
“Tilikum”: Chicago playwright Kristiana Rae Colon uses the tragic story of the title orca, who was heavily featured in the 2013 CNN documentary “Blackfish,” as the inspiration for this theater piece, which incorporates drumming and dance in an exploration of power structures and resistance. Lili-Anne Brown directs the world premiere for Sideshow Theatre Company. Victory Gardens Theater; June 22-July 29
“Vietgone”: Qui Nguyen’s celebrated hip-hop play, based on the story of how his parents met in an Arkansas refugee camp after fleeing Vietnam, incorporates the playwright’s signature mix of music, fight choreography and comic book iconography while offering the seldom-seen Vietnamese perspective on the Vietnam War. Lavina Jadhwani directs. Writers Theatre, Glencoe; Aug. 15-Sept. 23
TUNEFUL TREATS
“A Little Night Music”: A show whose inspiration was titled “Smiles of a Summer Night” deserves a seasonal outing. Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s 1973 classic, based on Ingmar Bergman’s 1955 comedy, gets a revival with BoHo Theatre under Linda Fortunato’s direction. Greenhouse Theater Center; May 19-July 8
“Burnham’s Dream: The White City”: The man who made “Make no little plans” the mantra for Chicago comes to life in this world-premiere musical by June Finfer and Elizabeth Doyle. Set during the 1893 World’s Fair, the show touches on some of the same project-management struggles covered in Erik Larson’s “The Devil in the White City” — though the press release doesn’t indicate if H.H. Holmes is lurking in the shadows. Erik Wagner directs for Lost and Found Productions. Theater Wit; June 1-July 1
“The Pirates of Penzance”: Music Theater Works kicks off its summer season with Gilbert and Sullivan’s beloved operetta about young imperiled lovers, brigands and modern major generals. Rudy Hogenmiller directs, with Linda Madonia conducting a 26-piece orchestra. Cahn Auditorium, Evanston; June 9-17
“Monty Python’s Spamalot”: “Lovingly ripped off” from the 1975 classic film comedy “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” this 2005 Tony Award-winning musical (featuring a book and lyrics by Python’s Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez) has won its own fervent following. The Knights of the Round Table settle into Mercury’s intimate new Venus Cabaret Stage for this revival, accompanied by “medieval treats of meats and ale.” Mercury Theater Chicago; June 14-Aug. 5
“Murder for Two”: Whodunit — and can they stay on pitch? Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian’s musical comedy features two actors. One plays the small-town policeman trying to solve a famous writer’s murder, while the other plays all the suspects. And they both play the piano. Scott Weinstein directs. Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire; July 3-Aug. 26
FRESH-AIR FEASTS
“You Can’t Take It With You”: George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s quintessential eccentric American family comedy takes an outdoor holiday with Oak Park Festival Theatre. Jason Gerace directs this story of a young woman from a poor but creative family who falls in love with a young man from the upper crust. Austin Gardens, Oak Park; June 14-July 22
“The Two Gentlemen of Verona”: Midsommer Flight tours this early Shakespeare comedy about clueless men and the women who somehow love them. Directed by Beth Wolf in free performances in Chicago parks. Lincoln Park, July 7-8 and Aug. 25-26; Gross Park, July 14-15 and July 21-22; Touhy Park, July 28-29 and Aug. 18-19; Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens, Aug. 4-5 and Aug. 11-12
“Shrew’d!”: One of the more problematic comedies in the Shakespearean canon gets a jazzy makeover with First Folio Theatre. Baptista’s Jazz Club in 1930s Chicago is the backdrop for this tale of sisters Kate, a composer, and Bianca, a chanteuse wannabe, who just want to make their dreams come true without being smothered by unsuitable suitors. David Rice and Lydia Hiller adapted the text and wrote lyrics for Christopher Kriz’s original music, and Johanna McKenzie Miller directs for the outdoor stage. Mayslake Peabody Estate, Oak Brook; July 11-Aug. 19
“The African Company Presents Richard III”: In lieu of their usual Shakespearean offering, Oak Park Festival closes the outdoor season with Carlyle Brown’s historical drama about an all-black production of “Richard III” that took place in New York 40 years before the Civil War — and faced a racist backlash when a white company set up shop next door. Ron OJ Parson directs. Austin Gardens, Oak Park; July 28-Sept. 1
OFFBEAT ADVENTURES
“Neverwhere”: Lifeline Theatre remounts its 2010 hit adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s novel — itself based on the 1996 BBC television series, in which a man and woman find themselves trapped in a shadowy underworld beneath London’s streets, where rogues and assassins roam. Robert Kauzlaric’s adaptation is directed by Ilesa Duncan. Lifeline Theatre; May 25-July 15
“Wild Women of Planet Wongo”: Live from New York, this sci-fi musical comedy pays homage to classic B movies of the 1960s and places the audience in the middle of the mayhem — including opportunities to play games and win prizes. Dave Ogrin created this tale of a planet run by women who kidnap two bumbling astronauts. Chopin Theater; June 1-July 14
“The Maids”: Jean Genet’s classic is based on the real case of Christine and Lea Papin, who faced trial in France in 1933 for the gruesome slayings of their employers (as well as intimations that they had an incestuous relationship). Michael Conroy’s staging for the Artistic Home features drag artists Patience Darling and Hinkypunk as sisters Claire and Solange. The Artistic Home; June 22-July 14
“The Adventures of Spirit Force Five”: Jill Oliver’s comedy with music finds a cheerleading squad called upon to save the citizens of Lametown, as well as the parallel universe of Lej, by destroying an evil spirit stick. (Need we mention that this is a Factory Theater show?) Spenser Davis directs the world premiere. Factory Theater; June 29-Aug. 11
“Linda”: A cosmetics titan with a new marketing campaign aimed at older women finds that the battle for visibility has tangled roots in her own family. Penelope Skinner’s Olivier Award-winning comedy gets a Midwest premiere under Robin Witt’s direction. Steep Theatre; July 12-Aug. 18
“Defacing Michael Jackson”: Black teenagers in rural Florida, circa 1984, start a Michael Jackson fan club. But when a white kid tries to join, community rules get challenged and changed. Aurin Squire’s satire, directed by Alexis J. Roston, closes out Flying Elephant Productions’ inaugural season. Stage 773; July 27-Aug. 12
Kerry Reid is a freelance critic.
