Jon Michael Hill in rehearsal for “Pass Over” at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Monday
“My Other Full Time Job” at Erasing the Distance. Stories of the struggle to manage mental health in conjunction with work. Through June 7. For tickets and more information visit erasingthedistance.org
Tuesday
“Emilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight” at Organic Theater Company. A powerhouse of a woman uses love and the laws of the universe to make her genius undeniable. Through July 16. For tickets and more information visit organictheater.org
Wednesday
“Four Man Show” at iO. This eponymous sketch show tackles the millennial generation’s desperate yet often misguided attempts at inclusivity in a style that is equal parts silly, satirical and impressively physical. Wednesdays through June 28. For tickets and more information visit ioimprov.com/chicago
“Bob Curry Showcase” at The Second City. A professional mentoring and development program focused on cultivating the best new voices in improv and sketch comedy. For tickets and more information visit secondcity.com
“Live Talk: Best Of” at Pivot Arts. Revisit some of the favorite performances from this year’s Live Talk series. For tickets and more information visit pivotarts.org
Thursday
“Pilgrims” at The Gift Theatre. On a spacecraft on its way to colonize a newly discovered planet, a soldier and a teenage girl live together in one of the ship’s cabins with only an outdated robot and each other for company. Through July 30. For tickets and more information visit thegifttheatre.org
“King Ubu” at Organic Theater Company. A buffoon uses a conquering (tiny) hand and sheer dumb luck to assert his power over the land. Through July 14. For tickets and more information visit organictheater.org
“The Totalitarians” at Chimera Ensemble. A raucous dark comedy about the state of modern political discourse, modern relationships and how easy it is to believe truths without facts. Through July 2. For tickets and more information visit chimeraensemble.com
“Break Out Comedy Festival” at The Second City. Created in 2015 as part of a relationship between NBC and The Second City with the goal of showcasing diverse voices in comedy. Through June 10. For tickets and more information visit secondcity.com
Patrick Clear, Janet Ulrich Brooks, Paloma Nozicka and Gabriel Ruiz in a promotional photo for “Native Gardens” at Victory Gardens Theater
Friday
“Native Gardens” at Victory Gardens Theater. A disagreement over a property line quickly spirals into a war of taste, class and entitlement in this hilarious new comedy by Karen Zacarías. Through July 2. For tickets and more information visit victorygardens.org
“Guys and Dolls” at BrightSide Theatre. Celebrating Broadway’s golden era, this American classic has been called “the perfect musical comedy.” Through June 25. For tickets and more information visit brightsidetheatre.com
Saturday
“Pass Over” at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Inspired by both “Waiting for Godot” and the book of Exodus, this world premiere combines pop culture, historical and religious references into a hilarious and disturbing meditation on manhood, race and the cycle of violence that prevents too many from realizing their full potential. Through July 9. For tickets and more information visit steppenwolf.org
“The Water Children” at The Cuckoo’s Theater Project. Megan is an actress somewhere between “ingenue” and “Mom.” When she loses an important role to a younger woman, her agent convinces her to take a part in a commercial for an anti-abortion group. Through July 8. For tickets and more information visit thecuckoostheaterproject.com
“Naked Boys Singing” at Eclectic Full Contact Theatre. This show is the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Through July 1. For tickets and more information visit eclectic-theatre.com
Theater Top 5: June 2019 A presidential party, punks versus Putin, a real cliff hanger, and more usher in this first month of (fingers crossed) summer.
Theater Top 5: June 2020 The Windy City continues to find creative ways of bringing the performing arts directly to audiences, not so much blowing in the wind as swinging for the fences.
