The great outdoors might not be so great for allergy sufferers and for those who burn far too easily in the sun. So for some indoor summer fun, check out these shows that are brand spanking new (or just new to Chicago), or of LGBT interest.
Brand new, or new to Chicago
The Detective's Wife, Writers' Theatre, Glencoe, now-July 31: This world-premiere drama by Keith Huff (Mad Men) is about a widow who undertakes her own investigation to uncover why her police detective husband was gunned down while on the job. 847-242-6000
Murder for Two—A Killer Musical, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, now-June 19: It's a musical murder comedy by Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair where one actor plays the inspector and another plays all 10 suspects while both play the piano. 312-595-5600
Waiting for Drew Peterson, Annoyance Theatre, now-July 7: It's a dark comedy about two women who are obsessively in love with an alleged murderer. 773-561-4665
Northwest Highway, Gift Theatre, May 26-July 17: William Nedved's world-premiere drama is about a man who must face facts when he attempts to sell his Jefferson Park home. 773-283-7071
Mother Bear, Mortar Theatre Company at Athenaeum Theatre, May 26-June 19: Chicago premiere of Jayme McGhan's drama is about a union organizer who attempts to recruit a gang of truckers in the Utah desert. 800-982-2787
The Sign of the Four, City Lit Theater Company, May 27-July 31: The world's most famous detective is back in Terry McCabe's world-premiere adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's second Sherlock Holmes novel. 773-293-3682
The Last Act of Lilka Kadison, Lookingglass Theatre, June 1-July 24: Celebrate the company's Regional Theatre Tony Award with a world-premiere ensemble piece about a spirited woman in the twilight of her life. 312-337-0665
Sister Calling My Name, Uncovered Theatre Company at Trap Door Theatre, June 2-12: Buzz McLaughlin's drama is about a man who must come to terms with his mentally disabled (but extremely artistically talented) sister. 773-384-0494
Sketchbook: Evolution, Collaboraction at Chopin Theatre, June 2-25: The company's 11th edition variety revue features 16 sketches, short plays and other performance art pieces in repertory. 773-278-1500
The Chicago Landmark Project, Theatre Seven of Chicago at Greenhouse Theater Center, June 2-July 10: A world-premiere compilation spotlights 12 short plays in repertory by 12 playwrights exploring 12 different Chicago neighborhoods. 773-404-7336
15 minutes, The Ruckus at The Side Project Theatre, June 2-26: Mitch Vermeersch and Aaron Dean's drama is about five people who meet a strange man in an ultra slick urban environment. 773-769-7257.
Lighthousekeeping, New Leaf Theatre at Storefront Theater, June 8-July 17: Georgette Kelly's world-premiere adaptation of Jeanette Winterson's novel is about a young woman who is sent to apprentice with a blind Scottish lighthouse keeper. 312-742-8497
Field of Souls, eta Creative Arts Foundation, June 9-July 31: An African-American family's dreams go awry when a soldier returns home in Darlette McAlpin's drama. 773-752-3955
Yellow Face, Silk Road Theatre Project at the Chicago Temple, June 14-July 17: Chicago premiere of David Henry Hwang's Obie Award-winning comedy is about a writer's struggle to define racial identity in contemporary America. 312-443-3800.
Middletown, Steppenwolf Theatre, June 16-Aug. 14: The regional premiere of Will Eno's comic drama explores the dark aspects of a supposedly friendly small town. 312-335-1650
Chinglish, Goodman Theatre, June 18-July 24: A world-premiere comedy by David Henry Hwang is about an American businessman who tries to conduct business in China, only to discover that he doesn't know how to operate in the system. 312-443-3800
Cirque Shanghai Extreme, Navy Pier Skyline Stage, June 23-Sept. 5: A new circus revue features death-defying tricks executed by imported Chinese performers. 800-745-3000
A Girl with Sun in Her Eyes, Pine Box Theatre at The Second Stage Theatre, June 25-Aug. 7: The premiere of Joshua Rollins' drama is about two police detectives who must get over their issues to investigate the disappearance of a fellow South Side Chicago officer. 773-549-1815
Let X, Nothing Special Productions at Strawdog Theatre, June 27-July 20. Gwydion Suilebhan's dark comedy is about a train conductor who would like to have an adulterous relationship with his wife's mathematician friend. 773-528-9696
Cirque du Soleil's OVO, United Center, Limited run begins June 30: The human-circus spectacular is inspired by insect life. 800-450-1480
The Adventures of Pinocchio, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, July 13-Aug. 28: A world-premiere family musical by Neil Bartram and Brian Hill is based upon Carlo Collodi's classic tale of a wooden puppet who yearns to become a real boy. 312-595-5600
The Rose of Stambul, Chicago Folks Operetta at Chopin Theatre, July 16-31: Leo Fall's classic Viennese operetta about an independent-minded woman in a Turkish harem might as well be new since it hasn't been seen locally in more than a half century. 708-383-2742
The Mommies—A Musical Blog, Royal George Theatre, open run beginning July 28: A musical comedy revue explores the joys and sorrows of motherhood. 312-988-9000
For the Boys, Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire, Aug. 17-Oct. 16: A new musical by Aaron Thielen is based upon the 1991 Bette Midler film about the careers of big band USO entertainers. 847-634-0200
Of LGBT interest
Sleeping with Straight Men, Ludicrous Theatre Company at Heartland Studio Theatre, now-June 4: Ronnie Larsen's comic drama is based upon the 1995 Jenny Jones Show shooting tragedy about a gay man who revealed his secret crush on a straight man. ludicroustheatre.com
TROGG! A Musical, Hell in a Handbag Productions at Chopin Theatre, now-July 3: A new drag musical by David Cerda, Cheryl Snodgrass and Taylor E. Ross spoofs Joan Crawford's final film about a living prehistoric caveman who is discovered in 1960s California. 800-838-3006
Gay UK, Pride Films and Plays at Theater Wit, June 1-19: A series of one-night-only readings features gay British plays like My Night with Reg, Maurice, Blowing Whistles, Pig and The Pride. 773-506-8150
Lips Together, Teeth Apart, Remarcable Productions at Viaduct Theater, June 2-July 2: Terrence McNally's 1990s comic drama about two heterosexual couples who vacation in a Fire Island beach house after a relative has died from AIDS. 773-296-6024.
Vincent River, Theatre Y at Lacuna Artist Lofts, June 7-Aug. 27. Philip Ridley's drama is about a mysterious young man who confronts a mother grappling with the death of her gay son. theatre-y.com
The Homosexuals, About Face Theatre at Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, June 11-July 24. Philip Dawkins' world-premiere comic drama is a modern take on The Boys in the Band as it follows a poor young man who is immediately taken in by a circle of new friends at a party. 773-871-3000
Fifth of July, Infamous Commonwealth Theatre at Raven Theatre, June 11-July 10: A revival of Lanford Wilson's classic drama about a disabled gay Vietnam War veteran trying to make peace with his Southern family. 312-458-9780
Darkest Before Dawn: A Gay Cabaret, Center on Halsted Hoover-Leppen Theatre, June 16-18. It's an evening of songs and monologues by Chicago LGBT and gay-friendly straight actors. 773-426-1168
Good Boys and True, Kokandy Productions and Towle Theater at Theater Wit, June 22-July 9: A revival of Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's drama is about a promising prep school boy whose future career is threatened when a disturbing videotape is found on campus. 773-506-8150
The Women, Circle Theatre, Oak Park, June 24-Aug. 14: Get ready to bear your jungle-red claws with this revival Clare Booth Luce's much-quoted 1930s all-female comedy about a New York society woman who wonders if she should divorce her unfaithful husband. 708-660-9540
30 Queer Plays in 60 Straight Minutes, Neo-Futurarium, June 24-25: It's a special edition of "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind" with a queer theme. 773-275-5255
