THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

Bard Fiction. Dark comedy, a Shakespearean retelling of Quentin Tarantino's film Pulp Fiction. By Commedia Beauregard at City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago. Runs through August 2, 2015. Tickets www.cbtheatre.org or ( 312 ) 487-1893 .

Brilliant Adventures. Science fiction play featuring a time machine created by Luke, a bookish 19-year-old disabled by a severe stutter. By Steep Theatre at Steep Theatre, 1115 W. Berwyn Ave, Chicago. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm. Sundays at 3 pm. Runs through August 15, 2015. Tickets at www.steeptheatre.com or ( 866 ) 811-4111 .

Roast Beef. Comedy about an all-male revue that entertains with hard bodies and hot moves. At CIC Theater, 1422 W. Irving Park Rd, Chicago. 8 pm. Saturdays. Runs through August 15. Send ticket requests to publicity.cic@gmail.com .

All Our Tragic, all 32 surviving Greek tragedies combined in a single 12-hour theatrical event with multiple intermissions and meal breaks with food. By the Hypocrites at The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1333 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago. 11 am. Saturdays and Sundays. Runs through August 16, 2015. Tickets www.the-hypocrites.com .

Beaches. Musical adaptation of novel by Iris Rainer Dart and Thom Thomas that was made into a 1988 Bette Midler film. The story follows a lifelong friendship between two women. Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL. Wednesdays 1:30, Thursdays 1:30 and 8 pm, Fridays 8 pm, Saturdays 5 pm and 8:30 pm, Sundays 2 pm and 6 pm. Runs through August 16, 2015. Tickets ( 630 ) 530-0111 or www.ticketmaster.com .

Shakespeare in the Parks. By Chicago Shakespeare Theater at 17 neighborhood parks across Chicago. Runs through August 16. Information at www.chicagoshakes.com/plays_and_events/parks2015 .

Improvised Twilight Zone. A new Twilight Zone-inspired scenario every show. At The Annoyance Theatre and Bar, 851 W. Belmont, Chicago, 773-697-9693. Wednesdays, 8 pm. Runs through August 19, 2015. Tickets at the door or at theannoyance.com .

Live at the Continental Baths. Musical tribute to Bette Midler focusing on her 1970s performances at a New York gay male bathhouse. Hell in a Handbag Productions at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St., Chicago. Runs through August 21, 2015. Tickets at www.handbagproductions.org .

The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Shakespearean classic about two young men away from home for the first time. By Oak Park Festival Theatre at Austin Gardens, 167 Forest Ave., Oak Park ( outdoors ). Runs through August 22. Tickets web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/244 .

Good People. Margie, from South Boston, seeks an opportunity in "lace-curtain" Chestnut Hill, where her old boyfriend has made a life for himself. Redtwist Theater. Runs through August 23, 2015. Tickets at www.redtwist.org . Reservations ( 773 ) 728-7529 .

Macbeth. Classic Shakespearean tragedy about political ambition, murder and civil war in Scotland. By Midsommer Flight. July 11-12 and 18-19 performances are at Touhy Park, 7348 N. Paulina St., in the southeast grove along Paulina St. July 25-26 and August 1-2 performances are at Schreiber Park, 1552 W. Schreiber Ave., in the field at the corner of Bosworth Ave. and Schreiber Ave. August 8-9 and 15-16 performances are at Gross Park, 2708 W. Lawrence Ave., at the north end of the park along Gunnison St. August 22, 23, and 30 performances are at Lincoln Park, on N. Stockton Drive behind the Lincoln Park Cultural Center at 2045 N. Lincoln Park West. No performance August 29. Free. Saturdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Runs through August 30, 2015. Reservations encouraged. Info at www.midsommerflight.com .

Loving Repeating. Musical tribute to American author Gertrude Stein, using Stein's own works as lyrics. Kokandy Productions. At Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Thursday, Friday, Saturday 8 pm. Sunday 3 pm. Runs through August 30, 2015. Tickets at www.kokandyproductions.com, ( 773 ) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit box office .

OPENING DATES

July 30, 2015.

As You Like It. Shakespeare classic with music, dancing, romance and comedy. By Citadel Theatre. $15. Runs July 30 through August 2 at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve, 350 N. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. Tickets ( 847 ) 234-3880, ext. 21. Runs August 6-9 at Prairie Crossing Farm, 32400 N Harris Rd, and August 13-16 at the Grove Cultural Campus in Lake Forest, 100 E Old Mill Road ( tickets for these two at CitadelTheatre.org, boxoffice.printtixusa.com/citadeltheatre/calendar or ( 847 ) 735-8554 .

August 6, 2015.

Zelda at the Oasis. A play about Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald. By Genesis Theatrical Productions at the West Stage of the Raven Theatre Complex, 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago. Runs through August 23. Tickets web.ovationtix.com .

August 7, 2015.

Mansical. Long form music improv comedy based on an audience suggestion. Musical direction by Jonathan Wagner and Julie Nichols. By Mansical at Under the Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 2nd floor, Chicago. 7:30 pm Friday nights. Runs through August 28. Tickets at the door, ( 773 ) 270-3440, www.undertheguntheater.com/shows/mansical .

August 8, 2015

Not Suitable For Textbooks. Improvised omissions and additions from history. At Under The Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, Chicago. $12. Saturdays through September 5. Tickets www.undertheguntheater.com or ( 773 ) 270-3440 .

August 13, 2015

A Great Dive. The story of a young woman caught between the Eastern and Western notions of love, with classical Indian dance by Puja Mohinda. By Silk Road Rising at Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W Washington St, Pierce Hall, Chicago. $15. Through August 16. Tickets at web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/942193 or 312-857-1234 x201 .

August 15, 2015.

The Road Ahead. The struggles, achievements and revelations of three male adults searching to determine their purpose in life after college. By Paradigm Creative Group at Gorilla Tango Theater, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $15. Runs through August 16. Tickets at www.gorillatango.com or ( 773 ) 598-4549 .

South Pacific. Classic musical about love and war in the South Pacific. Choreographed by Rudy Hogenmiller. Full 30-piece orchestra. By Light Opera Works at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St. ( at Sheridan Rd. ), Evanston, IL. Runs through August 30. Tickets itkt.choicecrm.net/templates/LOW/ .

August 22, 2015.

Salve Regina: A Coming of Gay Story. One-man show by winner of the 2014 United Solo Best Actor award. At Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, Chicago. $10. 7:30 pm. Runs through August 23. Tickets for Saturday at community.centeronhalsted.org/SalveRegina22, for Sunday at community.centeronhalsted.org/SalveRegina23 .

Paragon, a science fiction-fantasy play festival. 40 plays in two days. By Otherworld Theatre Company at Genesis Event Space, 2525 Elston Ave, Chicago. Block tickets ( from break to break ) at the door $10. Day passes $20. Weekend passes $35. 1 pm to 10 pm. Through August 23. Tickets www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1996061 .

August 25, 2015.

Mom? A Comedy of Mourners. Clown siblings Victoria, Frank and Mango mourn the loss of their mother. By Box of Clowns at Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Tickets at www.gorillatango.com or ( 773 ) 598-4549 .

August 27, 2015.

The Price. Revival of Arthur Miller's classic play about the legacy of the past and the price of life's choices. By TimeLine Theatre Company at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. $38/46/51. Runs through November 22. Tickets and subscriptions at TimeLineTheatre.com or ( 773 ) 281-8463 .

August 28, 2015.

The Outfit. A budding clothing designer changes tragic Nora's life with a remarkable outfit. Piccolo Theatre, 600 Main St. in Evanston, inside the Main Street Metra Station. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 3 pm. Runs through October 10, 2015. Tickets at www.piccolotheatre.com or ( 847 ) 424-0089 .

September 5, 2015.

Dogfight. On the eve of their deployment, three young Marines take part in a "dogfight"— a game where the soldiers compete to bring the ugliest date, unbeknownst to the girls they bring. By BoHo Theatre at Theater Wit. $20-30. Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sunday 2 pm. Runs through October 18. Tickets at www.bohotheatre.com/buytickets.php or 773-975-8150 .

Time and Spectrum. Solo performance mixes real life and time travel fantasy in tale about performer's social difficulties and exploration of whether he is on the autism spectrum. By Dennis Frymire at Windy City Music Theatre Blackbox Studio, 5430 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. Runs through September 13. Tickets www.chicagofringe.org .

September 11, 2015.

Next to Normal. Winner of three Tony awards plus a Pulitzer Prize, this play explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness. By MadKap Productions at Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. Runs through September 27. Tickets SkokieTheatre.org, ( 847 ) 677-7761 .

September 16, 2015.

Direct From Death Row the Scottsboro Boys ( An Evening of Vaudeville and Sorrow ). Nine African-American teenagers falsely accused in 1931 of assaulting two white Alabama women spent decades in the legal system fighting for their lives. Songs, a magic act, a ventriloquist act, skits and soft shoe. By BoHo Theatre at Raven Theatre. Runs through November 14. Tickets at RavenTheatre.com or ( 773 ) 338-2177 .

September 19, 2015.

The Black White Love Play. The story of Chaz and Roger Ebert, featuring music, dance and a ten piece orchestra. Black Ensemble Theater at Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark St, Chicago. Thursdays 7:30 pm, Fridays 8 pm, Saturdays 3 pm and 8 pm, Sundays 3 pm. Runs through November 1, 2015. Tickets at www.blackensemble.org or call ( 773 ) 769-4451 .

September 20, 2015

Gem of the Ocean. A cleanser of souls encounters a murderer on her doorstep and takes him on a spiritual journey to the mythical City of Bones. Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave, Chicago. Runs through October 11, 2015. Tickets at www.CourtTheatre.org, ( 773 ) 753-4472 .

September 30, 2015.

Million Dollar Quartet. Tony Award-winning musical inspired by the1956 recording session that brought together Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley. At Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Runs through January 17, 2016. Tickets at www.ticketmaster.com or ( 773 ) 935-6100 .

October 1, 2015

Yellow Dress. Born out of her experiences growing up as a Korean American adoptee in a family of ten in upstate New York, this coming-of-age, one woman show follows two orphans through the streets of South Korea, into the suburban American heartland, and their fortuitous journey back to Korea. By Silk Road Rising at Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W Washington St, Pierce Hall, Chicago. $15. Through October 4. Tickets at web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/942193 or 312-857-1234 x201 .

October 2, 2015.

Barefoot in the Park, Neil Simon's play about newlyweds whose attempt at matchmaking goes totally wrong. Step Up Productions, Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago. Runs through November 1. Tickets www.stepupproductions.org, ( 773 ) 935-6875 .

Chicks With Shticks. A dragapella beauty shop quartet. By the Kinsey Sicks at Mayne Stage, 1330 W. Morse Ave., Chicago. Tickets www.maynestage.com, ( 866 ) 468-3401 .

October 18, 2015.

Treasure Island. Adapted from the Robert Louis Stevenson novel. By Looking Glass Theatre Company at Water Tower Water Works, 821 N Michigan at Pearson. Runs through January 31, 2016. Tickets go on sale August 12. www.lookingglasstheatre.org .

October 23, 2015.

Arsenic and Old Lace. Classic comedy about two Victorian sisters who poison lonely old men. By Saint Sebastian Players at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey, Chicago. Runs through November 15, 2015. Tickets at saintsebastianplayers.org or ( 773 ) 404-7922 .

November 19, 2015

My American Cousin. One woman sketch comedy show with a glimpse of the life of an Arab American woman from Chicago's south side. By Silk Road Rising at Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W Washington St, Pierce Hall, Chicago. $15. Through November 22. Tickets at web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/942193 or 312-857-1234 x201 .

November 20, 2015.

3rd annual Holidaze. Musical celebration of the season with all its chaos, dysfunction and cheer. Original works by MT Cozzola, John Green, Robert Koon, Mia McCullough, Steven Simoncic, Steven Peterson, Joshua Rollins and others. By Step Up Productions at The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago. Runs through December 20. Tickets at www.stepupproductions.org or ( 773 ) 935-6875 .

January 21, 2016.

Le Switch. Drama about a young gay man's ambivalence in the face of national "wedding fever." By About Face Theatre at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont, Chicago. Runs through February 21, 2016. Tickets at www.aboutfacetheatre.org .

February 11, 2016.

Fugitive Songs. Song cycle focusing on everyday people on the run: a disgruntled Subway sandwich employee, a jilted ex-cheerleader, a pair of Patty Hearst fanatics, a stoner forced to rob a convenience store against his will, and many others. By Boho Theatre at the Heartland Studio. Runs through March 13. Tickets at www.BoHoTheatre.com or ( 866 ) 811-4111 .

February 18, 2016

Zyryab, the Songbird of Andalusia. A musical journey following the life and legacy of the ninth century musician and polymath, Ziryab, who rose out of slavery to achieve extraordinary fame throughout Islamic Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. By Silk Road Rising at Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W Washington St, Pierce Hall, Chicago. $15. Through February 21. Tickets at web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/942193 or 312-857-1234 x201 .

February 19, 2016.

The Tempest. Shakespearean classic about a banished duke's machinations to regain his position as Duke of Milan. By Saint Sebastian Players at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey, Chicago. Runs through March 13. Tickets saintsebastianplayers.org or ( 773 ) 404-7922 .

March 18, 2016.

After all the terrible things I do. A young, gay writer takes a job at a bookstore and discovers a dark connection with the owner. By About Face Theatre at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont, Chicago. Runs through April 12. Tickets at www.aboutfacetheatre.org .

March 24, 2016

Mosque Alert. Inspired by the "Ground Zero Mosque" controversy in New York City, and developed, in part, via online conversations and live community events, Mosque Alert tells the story of three fictional families living in Naperville, Illinois, whose lives are interrupted by a proposed Islamic Center on the site of a beloved local landmark By Silk Road Rising at Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W Washington St, Pierce Hall, Chicago. $35. Runs through May 1. Tickets at web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/942193 or 312-857-1234 x201 .

April 8, 2016.

Private Lives, Noel Coward's story of chaos among a formerly married couple and their new spouses. Step Up Productions, Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago. Runs through May 8, 2016. Tickets www.stepupproductions.org, ( 773 ) 935-6875 .

April 29, 2016.

Deathtrap. A struggling Broadway writer plots the murder of one of his students in order to steal his promising script. By Saint Sebastian Players at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey, Chicago. Runs through May 22, 2016. Tickets saintsebastianplayers.org, 773-404-7922 .

May 25, 2016.

Uncle Vanya. New adaptation of Chekhov's classic from critically-acclaimed playwright Annie Baker ( Body Awareness, Circle Mirror Transformation, The Flick ). By BoHo Theatre at the Heartland Studio. Runs through June 26. Tickets at www.BoHoTheatre.com or ( 866 ) 811-4111 .

Compiled by Gene Naden