Bailegangaire, Irish Repertory at Victory Gardens, through Feb. 15. The great Irish oral tradition springs vividly to life in this quasi-ghost play of stunningly rich language, supremely well acted. Mary Ann Thebus is indelible as the ancient story-teller. (Abarbanel)
The Elephant Man, The Side Studio, through Feb. 15. Bernard Pomerance's sensitive and engaging script, set in Victorian London and based on the life of the horribly disfigured John Merrick, is given a simple, yet deeply textured outing by the Side Project. (Reed)
Free Man of Color, Victory Gardens through Feb. 29. A world premiere by Charles Smith about the first Black student at Ohio State University in 1834, and the university president who sponsored him, featuring Anthony Fleming III and Gary Houston. (Abarbanel)
Hairspray, Ford Center/Oriental Theatre through Feb. 15. You can smell the Aquanet in the 15th row, the original songs capture the post-Elvis, pre-Beatles sound of teenage angst and the cast invites you to dance with them at curtain call. What's not to like? (Barnidge)
—By Abarbanel, Barnidge and Reed