If escaping to somewhere warm hasn’t worked out this year then escape instead to a fun or interesting play that takes you to a different time or place.
“All Childish Things,” a crazy plan to steal Star Wars toys from a warehouse encounters the Dark Side, at First Folio in Oakbrook through Feb. 24. The show is appropriate for Star Wars fans ages 12 and up.
Seeing a show at First Folio is an experience because it is in the Mayslake Peabody Estate, a supposedly haunted mansion in a Du Page County Forest Preserve.
“The Producers,” Mel Brooks zany plot to make money on a show by producing a flop, is at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora through March 17, 2019.
Paramount is worth the drive to Aurora because the shows there are full-blown, Broadway-style productions with excellent casts and great scenic design, costumes and orchestration.
“Dear Evan Hansen,” a complicated scenario dealing with mental health, fitting in, bullying and other problems teens face in high school, is at the James M Nederlander Theatre (formerly Oriental) through March 10.
The Tony-Award winning musical is starting its National tour in Chicago as part of the Broadway in Chicago series.
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” a delightful Porchlight Music Theatre production at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, through March 16.
If you haven’t seen a Porchlight musical, it’s time to add it to your go-to list.
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” a classic August Wilson play, is at Writers Theatre, Glencoe through March 17.
August Wilson presents, rather than tip toes through, confrontation, but he does so in unexpected ways. Plus, Writers Theatre is in an award-winning Jeanne Gang (Studio Gang Architects) designed structure.
Jodie Jacobs