Spring is a time of renewal, of rejuvenation, of aspirations earlier lost to winter's gloom arising with renewed strength to reawaken our resolve in an atmosphere of optimism. For the 2011 spring theater season, however, the big "re" inspired by the "re"turn of the sunshine is "revival," as in plays that you may have seen before, but—note the prefix—"re"conceived to address distinctly modern issues.
Plays currently running:
The Homecoming, Mary-Arrchie Theatre at Angel Island, running through April 10. Vance Smith and Michaela Petro are evenly-matched adversaries in Harold Pinter's sizzling allegory of family conflicts. (For information, phone 773-871-1440.)
Romeo And Juliet, Babes With Blades at Raven Theatre, running through April 30. Verona is no less feudal in the 19th century, nor violent—only the technology has changed from Shakespeare's time. (For information, phone 773-904-0391.)
The Hot L Baltimore, Steppenwolf Theatre, running through May 29. The recent death of author Lanford Wilson renders his wistful portrait of lobby-transients facing diaspora more endearing. (For information, phone 312-335-1650.)
Plays opening in April:
The Voodoo Chalk Circle, State Theatre of Chicago at the Viaduct, April 9-May 1. It's a story that dates from before Solomon, here given a shamanistic dimension, New Orleans-style. (For information, phone 773-296-6024.)
The Alchemist, Nothing Special Productions at the Heartland Studio, April 9-April 30. It's a good year for Jacobean hitmaker Ben Jonson, this time skewering the quack science of his day. (For information, phone 773-791-2393.)
42nd Street, Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, April 10-May 29. Come and meet those dancing feet, just like in the groundbreaking depression-era movie. (For information, phone 847-634-0200.)
The Mandrake, A Red Orchid Theatre, April 11-May 24. Childless couples have always relied on volunteer sperm donors—but as playwright Niccolo Machiavelli says, the end justifies the means. (For information, phone 312-943-8722.)
The Copperhead, City Lit Theater, April 12-May 15. Families divided by an America suffering from wartime devastation—in this case, the Civil War—as recounted by firsthand witness Augustus Thomas. (For information, phone 773-293-3682.)
Woyzeck, About Face Theatre at the Chopin, April 15-May 22. The little guy still doesn't stand a chance against the big boys in George BĂĽchner's 1913 drama, even with Sean Graney directing. (For information, phone 866-811-4111.)
The Front Page, Timeline Theatre at Baird Hall, April 16-June 12. The granddaddy of all how-I-got-that-story newspaper-office epics—just you try to get this much action and intrigue out of your iPhone. (For information, phone 773-281-8463.)
Arms And The Man, ShawChicago at the Cultural Center, April 16-May 15. Who needs scenery and costumes when you've got Chicago's most verbally-agile actors dancing with George Bernard Shaw's romantic comedy of returning veterans? (For information, phone 312-587-7390.)
Heartbreak House, Writers' Theatre in Glencoe, April 19-June 26. It's the eve of war in Europe, but the gentry living on the coast of England in George Bernard Shaw's play are keeping calm and carrying on. (For information, phone 847-242-6000.)
Eurydice/Orpheus, Filament Theatre, April 22-May 29. Marriage on the down-low, Greek myth-style, according to Sarah Ruhl, running in repertory with DJ Puzzle's late-nite hip-hop tour of the underworld. (No phone number, but log onto www.filamenttheatre.org for information.)
Bury The Dead, Promethean Theatre Ensemble, April 23-May 21. Irwin Shaw was talking about WW I in this scathing indictment of war, but Vietnam-era theaters were forbidden to perform it. Aren't you glad we live in less repressive times? (For information, phone 1-800-838-3006.)
A Little Night Music, Circle Theatre, April 27-June 5. Stephen Sondheim set out to write an entire musical score in waltz-tempo and what better vehicle for that task than this weekend country-house party romp? (For information, phone 708-660-9540.)
The King and I, Porchlight Music Theatre at Stage 773, April 29-June 5. The script may be ready for retirement, but the Rodgers & Hammerstein score is as fresh and optimistic as ever. (For information, phone 773-327-5252.)
Plays opening in May:
Grease, American Theatre Company, May 2-June 5. Not the sugar-laden Hollywood/dinner-theater version, but the raw Kingston Mines satire that put Chicago on the map in 1971. (For information, phone 773-409-4125.)
Life is A Dream, Vitalist Theatre, May 20-June 11. A king, fearing a prophesy, schemes against his own son in Pedro CalderĂ"n de la Barca's philosophical fantasy, adapted by Helen Edmundson and staged by a theater company renowned for its epic spectacle. (For information, phone 773-327-5252.).
Porgy And Bess, Court Theatre, May 12-June 19. The archetypal denizens of Catfish Row may stir controversy, but Gershwin's operatic score cannot be faulted. (For information, phone 773-753-4472.)
Our new mayor claims that his second date with the woman who would become his wife was a play in Pilsen circa 1990. Who knows what auspicious journeys might begin with your visit to one of Chicago's playhouses?
