Arts & Entertainment
From Frida Kahlo to Shadow Puppets, Here Are 5 Shows Heating Up Chicago-Area Stages
A scene from “Frida…A Self Portrait,” now playing at the Writers Theatre. (Courtesy of the Writers Theatre)
The winter theater season in Chicago is a reliable source of heat. Below are five promising productions that are just beginning to boil. (Most are still in previews, so see a show before the critics and tell ‘em what they got wrong.) Think of it as a warmup for Chicago Theatre Week, which gets going in February.
“Frida…A Self Portrait” – Writers Theatre, Glencoe
Frida Kahlo lived a dramatic and creative life that continues to inspire. Playwright and performer Vanessa Severo tells the story of the complex artist with staging and design that evoke Kahlo’s paintings, including her wedding portrait with her husband, muralist Diego Rivera. Through Feb. 23
“A Raisin in the Sun” – Court Theatre
Lorraine Hansberry’s portrayal of one family’s fight for dignity is a farsighted classic of American drama. Incredibly, it’s the first production of the play at Chicago’s Court Theatre. From the director of Court’s audacious “Antigone,” this “Raisin” promises to be a must-see. Previews start Jan. 31
“Debate: Baldwin vs. Buckley” – TimeLine Theatre at DePaul University
Sixty years ago, a historic debate occurred between writer James Baldwin and William F. Buckley, a critic of the civil rights movement. TimeLine Theatre stages it as a living document in an immersive setting on a college campus. A rare chance to see a recreation of Baldwin cleaning Buckley’s clock. Through March 2
“The Mannequins’ Ball” – Trap Door Theatre
Mannequins come to life and throw a party — but one of them slips into the world of humans and witnesses their corruption. The play was written by Bruno Jasieński, a Polish playwright murdered by the Soviets when Joseph Stalin consolidated power. If you have a taste for the avant-garde, this one’s for you. Through March 1
“The Magic City” – Chicago Children’s Theatre
Manual Cinema brings back “The Magic City,” an ideal show for imaginative kids. Shadow puppets, miniatures, actors and live music tell the tale of a girl who builds the biggest little city ever — then gets trapped inside. If you haven’t experienced the visual splendor of Manual Cinema, this is a good starting point. Through Feb. 16
Marc Vitali is the JCS Fund of the DuPage Foundation Arts Correspondent.
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