Editor’s Theater Picks Chicago, 312-443-3800, goodmantheatre.org
Hamlet
THEATER AUG. 28-OCT. 20 Something Rotten! This zany show smashes together two pillars of the theatrical world: William Shakespeare and the Broadway musical. Set in 1595, it’s the story of two brothers desperate to write a hit play that will outdo the Bard. Following a 96 FA L L 2019 B E T T E R
ROBERT LOER ZEL
soothsayer’s advice, they write the world’s first musical. This musical about that musical made its Broadway premiere in 2015, jampacked with jokes about other musicals—and Shakespeare, of course. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, 847-634-0200, marriotttheatre.com
SEPT. 14-OCT. 20 Bernhardt/Hamlet Based on a true story from 1899, Theresa Rebeck’s play is unusually timely in 2019, adding to the many conversations about gender identity. Sarah Bernhardt, who was the world’s most famous actress at the time, caused a stir by playing the male title character
of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” This Chicago premiere will mark the Goodman Theatre debuts of director Donna Feore, a veteran of Ontario’s Stratford Festival, and lead actress Terri McMahon, known for her work at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.,
SEPT. 25-DEC. 15 A Doll’s House Daring to depict a woman who feels trapped in her marriage, the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s drama caused a “storm of outraged controversy” in 1879. In recent years, it has attracted new attention. Local playwright Rebecca Gilman reimagined it in 2005 at the Goodman (“Dollhouse”), and earlier this year, the Steppenwolf staged Lucas Hnath’s new sequel, “A Doll’s House, Part 2.” Now, Writers Theatre artistic director Michael Halberstam and esteemed local actress Sandra Delgado have created what they call a “focused” one-act adaptation. Lavina Jadhwani, who did a superb job with “Vietgone” at Writers last year, directs this intimate staging. Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe, 847-242-6000, writers theatre.org SEPT. 12-OCT. 20 The King’s Speech This play’s title is familiar from the 2010 movie, which won the Oscar for best picture with its
story about England’s King George VI learning to overcome his stammer. The author of that screenplay, David Seidler, also wrote this version for the stage, which a critic for London’s Guardian newspaper called “a cracking good story.” It’s now making its North American debut at Chicago Shakespeare, under the guidance of Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award–winning director Michael Wilson. Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, 312-595-5600, chicagoshakes.com NOV. 7-DEC. 29 Lindiwe Ladysmith Black Mambazo teams up again with Steppenwolf Theatre, which produced past shows featuring this legendary South African singing group, including 1993’s acclaimed “The Song of Jacob Zulu.” The group will perform its marvelous music in this world premiere written and co-directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson, telling a love story that ranges from South Africa to Chicago’s Kingston Mines. Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.,
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