Crowns, Goodman Theatre, extended through Aug. 12. The way to hold your head high is to wear a hat on itso goes the gospel in this roof-raising revival of Regina Taylor's homage to African-American women. MSB
Steamwerkz the Musical, Annoyance Theatre, extended through Oct. 5 (no show Aug. 17). Gay bathhouse culture gets cleverly mixed together with Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in this zany musical that spoofs the similarly named and notorious North Halsted male sauna with plenty of gross-out humor. SCM
The Merchant of Venice, First Folio, Mayslake Forest Preserve, through Aug. 19. Cooler near the lake by day, but not at night. Chill in Oak Brook with this no-nonsense, handsomely staged version of the great classic about intolerance, selective justice and love. Picnics welcome. JA
WTC View, Project 891 at Chemically Imbalanced Theatre, through Aug. 12. Any play connected with the events of 9/11 risks being overwhelmed by hankie-wringing, but Brian Sloan's practical instruction in how to cope with disaster is more timely than ever nowadays. MSB
By Abarbanel, Barnidge
and Morgan