The technical definition of a "revival" play is a second production of a recently premiering work (as opposed to "repertory"—Sophocles, Shakespeare, Molière et al.), but nowadays the term is popularly applied to any play not actively making its debut. Fortunately, the spring 2013 theater season boasts plenty of both kinds.
Most significant in 2013 are the opportunities offered by the transfer to geographically and architecturally accessible quarters of successful shows originating in tiny and/or remote makeshift spaces (lofts, storefronts, churches, grocery stores, gay bath houses). Upcoming second chances include Smokey Joe's Café, Theo Ubique's nostalgic Leiber & Stoller revue, running at the Royal George cabaret through May 26 (800-595-4849), and Mary-Arrchie's reconceptualized Glass Menagerie, reopening at Theater Wit May 22 after a sold-out run during the holidays (773-871-0442). Keep a watchful eye as well for To Master The Art, Timeline's biodrama of Julia Child, opening at the Broadway Playhouse in Water Tower Place Sept. 10, and Hank Williams: Lonesome Highway, recently staged by Filament Theatre and remounted by American Blues upstairs at Victory Gardens opening Sept. 5. (Ticket information on these last two will be forthcoming later in the year.)
Spring is the season for romance, but love is not just for the young and giddy, and audiences weary of the same old kissy-face will find cupid keeping company with besotted brainiacs in Itamar Moses' Completeness at Theater Wit, extended to May 4 (773-975-8150) and elderly companions in Bruce Graham's Stella And Lou opening May 3 at Northlight (847-673-6300). In Uncle Bob, opening at Mary-Arrchie June 13, a dying man learns that he will not go to alone into that good night (773-871-0442), and in Death Takes a Holiday, produced by Circle Theatre and opening at Stage 773 April 24, the smitten swain is no less than the Grim Reaper himself (773-327-5252).
Also struggling with matters of the heart in the months to come are lovers-on-the-run in Yellow Moon, opening at Writers Theatre in Glencoe April 2 (847-242-6000); lovers-divided-by-faith in Next Fall, produced by AstonRep in the Heartland Studio, opening April 25 (773-828-9129); and lovers-fucking-and-fighting in Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, opening for Kokandy Productions in the Athenaeum April 12 (773-935-6875). Married people are not exempt from ambivalent affections, as illustrated by August Strindberg's spouses-with-secrets in The Creditors, opening at Remy Bumppo in the Greenhouse April 10 (773-404-7336); and Alan Ayckbourn's dairy-of-a-mad housewife in Woman in Mind, inaugurating Eclipse's 2013 season in the Athenaeum April 11 (773-935-6875).
The wave of interest in World War II that began with Griffin Theatre's Flare Path continues with views from diverse perspectives proposed in A Soldier's Play, running at Raven Theatre through March 30 (773-338-2177); Improbable Frequency, running at Strawdog through March 23 (866-811-4111); and Bear Suit of Happiness, produced by The New Colony and running through March 30 (773-413-0862). The Viet Nam conflict is rescrutinized this spring in Elsewhere, opening at the Side Project March 24 (773-340-0140); Homecoming 1972, opening at Chicago Dramatists on May 16 (312-633-0630); and Reasonable Facsimile's Piece of My Heart, opening March 29 (773-650-1331).
"What about that 'repertory' you promised?" implore the traditionalists, "Are there no classics on the calendar?" Not to worry—The Bard of Avon will be featured on not one, but three stages: Chicago Shakespeare's Henry VIII, opening at Navy Pier April 30 (312-595-5600); The Babes With Blades all-female Julius Caesar, running at Raven to April 20 (773-904-0391); and Robert Falls' down-and-dirty Measure for Measure, running at the Goodman to April 14 (312-443-3800). Molière's Misanthrope gets a less flamboyant treatment at Court Theatre, opening May 9, than the recent David Ives adaptation (773-753-4472), but Ives provides the sexy new version of Cornielle's The Liar at Writers Theatre, opening May 21 (847-242-6000). Oh, and just in time for warm weather, Artistic Home produces Tennessee Williams' steamy Night of the Iguana, opening in its new West Town space March 24 (312-243-3963).
