Up-and-running shows we think are hot, or about-to-open shows that should be:
Bloody Bess, Red Hen Theatre, through Oct. 20. Old-timers remember the 1974 original, all swashbuckling daring-do, a tale of piracy and revenge with female pirates in charge. Will this first redo in 25 years have the same dashing blood and guts? We hope so! ( Abarbanel; reviewed in next week's issue )
Love's Labor's Lost, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, through Nov. 17. One of the Bard's most erudite comedies, plus Barbara Gaines' always-inspired direction, plus the glorious Shakespeare theater add up to the promise of excellence. ( Reed; reviewed in this issue )
Marvin's Room, Raven Theatre, through Oct. 13. Blood proves thicker than water or the threat of a fatal illness in this compassionate family story told with plenty of sardonic sitcom humor. A first-rate revival of the late Scott McPherson's last, best play. ( Abarbanel )
Orson's Shadow, Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, through Oct. 3. London, 1960. Orson Welles directs Laurence Olivier, who's divorcing Vivien Leigh to marry Joan Plowright. They're all here in Austin Pendleton's fact-based backstage drama about a turning point in the history of the English-Speaking Theatre. ( Barnidge )
She Stoops To Conquer, City Lit, through Oct. 27. Oliver Goldsmith may have written this romantic comedy in 1773, but Terry McCabe directs it like a regency romp. Georgette Heyer fans, take note! ( Barnidge; reviewed in this issue )
Titanic, Open Eye Theatre at the Athenaeum, through Oct. 5. Christopher Durang's pitch black take on the fated luxury liner is so over the top funny and sex-obsessed that it may leave you, appropriately, wet. ( Reed )
by Abarbanel, Barnidge and Reed