Tim Hopper as Vanya in Annie Baker’s adaptation of “Uncle Vanya” at Goodman Theatre/Photo: Liz Lauren
Monday
“Venus in Fur” at Circle Theatre Chicago. In David Ives’ charged two-hander, ideas of power are exchanged, particularly within the confines of society’s expectations for gender and sexuality. Through March 19. For tickets and more information circletheatrechicago.org
“Gender is a Drag” at iO Chicago. A monthly queer variety show, that dives into the complicated and intersectional definition of gender and identity. For tickets and more information ioimprov.com/chicago
Tuesday
“Uncle Vanya” at Goodman Theatre. Acclaimed playwright Annie Baker (“The Flick”) brings her tender and endearing voice to Chekhov’s famed tale, creating a work that’s both refreshing and true to the iconic playwright’s vision. Through March 12. For tickets and more information goodmantheatre.org
“The Illusionist” at Broadway In Chicago. Hilarious magic tricks, death-defying stunts and acts of breathtaking wonder. Through February 26. For tickets and more information broadwayinchicago.com
The Chicago One-Minute Play Festival. The marathon evening of one-minute plays by more than sixty of Chicago’s established and emerging playwrights and directors. Through February 22. For tickets and more information brownpapertickets.com/event/2834440
The cast of “Gender Breakdown” at Collaboraction
Wednesday
“Gender Breakdown” at Collaboraction. A compilation of true, absurd, uncomfortable and gut-punching stories culled from more than two hundred Chicago theater artists as a response to the lack of gender equity on and offstage. Through March 19. For tickets and more information collaboraction.org
“Jesus the Jew as Told by His Brother James” at Forum Productions. A modern drama interwoven with the biblical tale of Jesus of Nazareth and his brother James. Through March 26. For tickets and more information greenhousetheater.org/jesusthejew
“The Beauty Queen of Leenane” at Bluebird Arts. The Tony Award-winning play contains the brash humor, rich language and inventive storytelling for which Martin McDonagh has been widely praised. Through March 25. For tickets and more information bluebirdarts.org
Thursday
“The Columnist” at American Blues Theater. From the Pulitzer and Tony award-winning author of “Proof” comes a drama about power, the press, sex and betrayal. Through April 19. For tickets and more information americanbluestheater.com
“Gentle” at TUTA Theatre Chicago. Based on the short story “A Gentle Woman” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, the play follows a young immigrant woman, a pawnbroker and their maid over the course of a short, mysterious marriage. Through March 26. For tickets and more information tutato.com
Arti Ishak and Zach Livingston in Circle Theatre’s “Venus in Fur”/Photo: Cody Jolly Photography
“Tintypes” at Loyola University. Lush with popular songs from 1890 to 1917, the voices of the past still sing heartily today in this story of the immigrants, dreamers, leaders and fighters that built our nation. Through March 5. For tickets and more information artsevents.luc.edu
“OnEdge” at DCASE. The free admission series features Chicago and world premieres from national and international artists and companies. Through March 25. For tickets and more information cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca.html
“The Vagina Melodies: Back in the Snatch” at Corn Productions. Celebrate all things female, feminist and femme-positive through a raunchy evening of musical parody and sketch comedy. Through March 18. For tickets and more information cornservatory.org
“The Best of Bri-Ko” at Stage 773. Clowning-meets-sketch as audiences lose themselves in this joyous, upbeat world, which fuses comedy, clowning and an incredible array of props into a hilariously complicated production. Thursdays through March 23. For tickets and more information stage773.com
Friday
“Purity Ball: The Musical” at The Annoyance Theatre. An original musical that explores the eerily incestuous world of evangelical Christian purity balls. Fridays through April 7. For tickets and more information theannoyance.com
Saturday
“Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Adapted and directed by Marti Lyons and featuring a dynamic ensemble cast, this production speaks to today’s young people about their own lives. Through March 25. For tickets and more information chicagoshakes.com
“Eleemosynary” at AstonRep Theatre Company. This poignant and mature study of familial relationships highlights the human need for connection and forgiveness. Through March 12. For tickets and more information astonrep.com
“2 Queens/1 Mic” at The Revival. Kellye Howard and Brandi Denise present a showcase of Chicago’s best stand-up comedians interspersed with hilarious comedy sketches. For tickets and more information the-revival.com
“Timeless Motion” at Thodos Dance Chicago. With the announcement of a new chapter after the conclusion of this season, this will be TDC’s final performance at the North Shore Center as an ensemble-based company. For tickets and more information thodosdancechicago.org
Sunday
“Just Like Us” at Vision Latino Theatre Company. Based on Helen Thorpe’s bestselling book, this documentary-style play follows four Latina teenage girls in Denver Through March 12. For tickets and more information visionlatino.com
Theater Top 5: February 2020 Death, violence, racism, familial dysfunction and musical theater this month. Strap in, folks!
Stage Top 5: February 2019 The hits keep coming: August Wilson's blues-tinged vision of Chicago in the twenties, a locally-set sequel-of-sorts from the playwright of "The Madres," and a rock musical from the company that brought you "We're Gonna Die" are just a selection of the many openings scheduled for this most-truncated of months.
Dance Top 5: February 2020 Ballet, Irish Dance, Modern, Contemporary, Tap: five more reasons to get out of the house this February.
Dance Top 5: February 2019 Dance and performance beat the February blues with festivals and performance that range from multidisciplinary to classical.
