Elsewhere in this section, my bizarre parasitic twin, Stage Door Jonny, writes of the delights of summer stock theater in Wisconsin, Michigan, downstate Illinois and, yes, even Indiana. But many of you may be staying close to home this summer. Lest you feel left out, we hasten to point out that there are a number of special summer theater events—both indoors and outdoors, both legitimate and somewhat twisted—right here in Chicago or in nearby burbs. Consider the following.
Cirque Shanghai—The astonishing Chinese acrobats, aerialists, bicyclists, contortionists and strongmen return for the second year to the Pepsi Skyline Stage at Navy Pier, this time in an all-new world premiere spectacle entitle Bai Xi, which is Chinese for '100 stunning acts,' or so we are told. Bai Xi ( say 'bye-she' ) runs June 6-Sept. 3 on a Wed.-Sun. schedule that includes daily matinees as well as evening shows; 312-902-1500; $14.50-$29.50.
First Folio Shakespeare Festival—This company has firmly established itself in Oak Brook on the grounds of the Mayslake Peabody Estate ( 1717 W. 31st ) , a one-time private estate now part of the DuPage County forest preserve. The setting is lovely, with the old mansion and formal gardens, and a gentle slope down to the outdoor stage. This year's show is Richard III, or as my father used to say, 'Richard da Turd, you know, Dick the Shit.' With its melodramatics and battle scenes, Richard III is a fine choice for an outdoor performance. There's free parking, and picnics are encouraged ( bring or buy on the grounds ) . Also, you may discretely ignore the alcohol prohibition—everyone does. www.firstfolio.org; 630-986-8067; $26.
Hell in a Handbag Productions—Well, one couldn't expect this crowd of lip-schticked, high-heeled clowns to remain invisible all summer long, could one? One could hope, but one couldn't expect. Calling their program Summer Camp, Hell in a Handbag will offer cabaret-staged readings of some of the—well—campiest theatrical fare imaginable. Among the offerings: Go-Go Kitty, Go!, June 4-5; Reefer Madness—The Musical, June 18-19; and Valley! ( of the Dolls ) as told by Gilbert & Sullivan, dates TBA. All performances are at Mary's Attic ( in Andersonville ) at 8 p.m.; 312-409-4357; www.handbagproductions.org: $10-$12.
MidTangent Productions—For the third year running, MidTangent offers its take on Shakespeare with a repeat of A Midsummer Night's Dream: A Queer Tale, which provides a gay twist on the familiar tale of he loves her but she loves him who loves someone else, etc. The show also has a whole bunch o' fairies in it, although MidTangent has modernized the whole shebang. July 5-Aug. 5, National Pastime Theater, 4130 N. Broadway; 1-800-595-4849; www.tix.com; $25.
Oak Park Festival Theatre—Now in its fourth decade, the Oak Park Festival offers two shows this summer—Lanford Wilson's romance Talley's Folly, June 13-July 15, and an original swashbuckler, Robin Hood: A Fancyfull Historie, July 18-Aug. 25. As always, performances are outdoors in Austin Gardens, the woodsy park—twinkling with fireflies—at the edge of the Oak Park Historic District, across the street from the Oak Park Visitor's Center ( and free parking garage ) . Picnics are encouraged. Bring a chair ( or rent one there ) . 708-445-4440; www.oakparkfestival.com; $20-$25.
Theatre-Hikes—You stroll through woods and gardens of the Morton Arboretum ( Lisle, Ill. ) , and as you round each curve actors perform a scene from a play. By the end of your pleasant walk, you've seen it all and had a green experience. This year: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, June 2-30; A Midsummer Night's Dream, July 1-29; Treasure Island, Aug. 4-26; Little Women, Sept. 1-23; and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Sept. 29-Oct.28. Most performances are weekends at 1 p.m. Bring water and a portable chair if you wish to sit; otherwise, the trees are for leaning and there's always the ground. 630-725-2066; www.theatre-hikes.org; $15 ( $12 for Arboretum members ) .
Theater on the Lake—The little arts-and-crafts pavilion on the lakefront at Fullerton remains as acoustically poor and ill-equipped as ever, but, nonetheless, Theater on the Lake is back for its 55th season. As it has for the last decade, the June 13-Aug. 12 line-up offers one-week reprises of hit shows of the 2006-2007 season from a variety of Off-Loop theaters. This year they are: Second City, Pine Box Theatre, Lifeline, Blindfaith, the Neo-Futurists, Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, Theo Ubique, American Theatre Company and Eclipse. Check online, or the weekly newspaper listings, for titles, but we suspect the musicals will fair better than legit dramatic works. When it's hot at your house, but cooler by the lake, Theater on the Lake becomes a pleasure. www.chicagoparkdistrict.com; 312-742-7994; $17.50.
