Someplace there is a disco stuck in the '70s that plays nothing but "It's Raining Men" and "I Like the Nightlife," and that disco is peopled with unadventurous souls. They live in a city where the local theaters dare not present a new play, because their audiences only want to see shows they know, or which come with an advance reputation from New York.
Fortunately for us, Chicago—with all its problems—is not that city of tired disco and tired theater and uninspired people. Here, we thrive on the new, the unknown: the worldpremiere play, which is why nearly half of all shows produced by our local theaters are new works. As we move toward summer ( I'm skipping spring; I'm not sure we will have one ), here are a dozen world premieres worthy of attention.
The Roper—The Den offers a curious caper about an 1870s conspiracy to steal the entombed body of Abraham Lincoln and hold it for ransom. Author Will Dunne presents his tale with comic grotesquery more than outright ghoulishness, but only you can say whether or not Will Dunne is well-done. Continuing through April 13.
Folk's and Hope's Just-So Stories—Strawdog Theatre offers a new adaptation of several of Rudyard Kipling's stories for children, but the adapters say that their version is suitable for adults. We wonder if it will stir up accusations of racism as The Jungle Book did at the Goodman Theatre last season. It runs Monday and Tuesday nights only, through April 27.
Darlin'—An interesting Chicago writer, Joshua Rollins, teams with an interesting Chicago director, Ilesa Duncan, for a new play about a woman on the run who checks into a cheap Iowa motel where she meets the locals, who just may want to know more about her than she is willing to tell. Step Up Productions at the Athenaeum, through April 13.
Folk Bound—This first production by a brand-new theater company incorporates music and dance in the tale of a young woman on a quest through a world made up of folk stories. As Daniel Burnham said, "Make no small plans." Anne Walaszek is the author, with music by Pamela Maurer ( aka Baby Money ) and choreography by Annaleah Tubbin. Presented by the Duplicity Ensemble at Zoo Studios, March 28-April 19
The Haunting of Hill House—Novelist and short story writer Shirley Jackson may be relied upon for a good creep-out, and one imagines this new stage adaptation will keep all the chills and thrills intact. Adapted and directed by Paul Edwards at City Lit Theater, this runs March 28-May 11. ( NOTE: From April 25 it will run in repertory with another world-premiere adaptation, Confederates in the Attic, from Tony Horwitz's non-fiction book. )
L'Imbecile—Cut! Slash! Stab! Crunch! It's a swashbuckling new work by Aaron Adair based on Verdi's opera, Rigoletto, with a genderbending twist or so, they promise. Of course, Verdi and his collaborator, Piave, took the story from Victor Hugo, who receives no credit in this new version. L'Imbecile will be sliced and diced by Babes with Blades at Rivendell Theatre; it previews April 5 and runs April 12-May 10.
The Way West—Mona Mansour's new play concerns a mom who shares death-defying tales of pioneer crossings with her two squabbling adult daughters as she waits for her bankruptcy to come through. It's billed as a comedy about the modern family and will have a fine cast directed by Amy Morton, whose long career has made her one of the best actors and directors in town. Steppenwolf Theatre Company, previews April 3, runs April 12-June 8
Principal Principle—The Chicago Public Schools served as inspiration for Joe Zarrow's new play, co-produced by two companies which value important social content in their work, Stage Left Theatre Company and Theatre Seven of Chicago. At Theater Wit, April 18-May 18
In the Garden: A Darwinian Love Story— Creationists stay away, or else arrive with open minds ( which probably isn't possible or you wouldn't be creationists in the first place ). No, Sara Gmitter's new play isn't about Evolution, exactly, but it is about Charles Darwin in love. His wife, apparently, was a woman of strong religious faith which sets up a dynamic of evolution vs. salvation for the young couple. Jessica Thebus directs for Lookingglass Theatre at the Water Tower Pumping Station; previews April 16, runs April 26-June 15.
The Next Thing—It's a Hollywood love story of sorts, as two stars fall in and out of love and relationship while their careers overlap through seven movies over 18 years. And it's a Hollywood musical, too, with book by Ronan Mara and music and lyrics by Jon Steinhagen, both members of the Signal Ensemble and both authors of tested mettle. At Signal, May 1-June 7
The White Snake—Think Chinese legend, think slinky and mysterious costumes and lighting and music, think sensuality, and think Tony-winning adapter and director Mary Zimmerman ( The Arabian Nights, Metamorphoses ) back in her element. The Goodman Theatre previews May 3 and runs it May 12-June 8.
The Passions of Emma Goldman—Red Emma, the late 19th-early 20th-century anarchist, socialist and ardent campaigner for reproductive rights and free love, was arrested and deported, but no one could stop or silence her. She's brought to life in a one-woman show written and performed by Jeff Award-winning veteran Rosalind Alexander, with Dennis Zacek directing. ShPIel ( sic ) is presenting at Stage 773, May 16-June 1, and then at the Skokie Theatre, June 4-22.
