Making the call before the batters are up is always risky, but some intriguing productions scheduled to open before the summer include:
The Man Who Had All The Luck, Raven, opens March 12. 1944 was the year that this play by an unknown young playwright named Arthur Miller had its premiere. It closed after only a week, but luckily, the author didn't give up. Phone (773) 338-2177
Crowns, Goodman, opens March 15. African-American women were once required by law to keep their heads covered in public, but they got the last laugh. Michael Cunningham did the picture book and Regina Taylor tells us their stories. For information, phone (312) 443-3800
Lady Windermere's Fan, Northlight, opens March 17. Oscar Wilde wrote more than two plays, you know. This lesson on the folly of jumping to conclusions is one of the other ones, directed by William Brown. For information, phone (847) 673-6300
The Rivals, City Lit, opens April 19: All right, it's a classroom classic. But Richard Brinsley Sheridan's satire—the one that introduced Mrs. Malaprop, whose name has become part of our language—is right up City Lit's alley. For information, phone (773) 293-3682
Dr. Faustus, The Journeymen, opens May 2. Another classroom classic, but when you've got the always-daring Journeymen doing it amid the stained-glass splendor of the Holy Covenant Church, who KNOWS what might happen? For information, phone (773) 857-5395
I Never Sang For My Father, Steppenwolf, opens May 2. Lone wolves Kevin Anderson and John Mahoney return to the den to star as an estranged father and son in this hankie-wringer for men. For information, phone (312) 335-1650
Strong Poison, Lifeline, opens May 30. Lord Peter Wimsey is back, turning his hand this time to clearing a murder suspect—with whom he happens to be in love. Frances Limoncelli adapts, Dorothy Milne directs, no word yet on whether Peter Greenberg will again play the famous detective. For information, phone (773) 761-4477
A Man Of No Importance, Apple Tree, opens June 2. A humble bus driver attempts to stage a church production of Oscar Wilde's Salomé, over the objections of the authorities. If this musical adaptation of the 1994 film sounds familiar—well, its author IS Terrence McNally. For information, phone (847) 432-4335
Electricidad, Goodman, opens June 28. Her father's dead and she suspects it's her mother's fault. This isn't the house of Atreus, however, but a barrio where deaths are avenged with the inevitability of Greek tragedy. Henry Godinez directs. For information, phone (312) 443-3800
Look for Steep and Artistic Home theaters to get their PPA licenses and resume operations. And don't forget to keep watch for hidden jewels playing at Bailiwick, Live Bait, National Pastime and Mary-Arrchie.
