Ora Jones and Sandra Marquez in a promotional photo for “The Roommate” at Steppenwolf Theatre Company/Photo: Michelle Nolan
1 The Roommate (Steppenwolf Theatre Company) “The Odd Couple” meets “Breaking Bad” in Jen Silverman’s warm, funny story about a chance cohabitation that sets two lives spinning. Directed by Tony-winning Phylicia Rashad and starring Steppenwolf ensemble members Ora Jones and Sandra Marquez. Opens July 1
2 Linda (Steep Theatre) Olivier Award nominee Penelope Skinner’s latest is a searingly funny portrait of a woman on the frontlines of the fight for relevance. Opens July 12
3 Everybody (Brown Paper Box Co.) Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ modern riff on the fifteenth-century morality play follows Everybody (chosen from the cast by lottery at each performance) as they travel down a road toward life’s greatest mystery. Opens July 16
4 The Harvest (Griffin Theatre) The Chicago premiere of Samuel D. Hunter’s play reminds us that faith doesn’t come easily, no matter where you look for it. Jonathan Berry returns to Griffin to direct. Opens July 21
5 Bliss (or Emily Post is Dead!) (Promethean Theatre Ensemble) A world-premiere dramedy in which four women of Greek tragedy–Clytemnestra, Medea, Antigone and Cassandra–are neighbors in 1960 New Jersey. Opens July 28
Stage Top 5: November 2018 The latest from Ike Holter, a pop-inspired musical about the cultural constraints placed on women and a universe-crossing Afrofuturist fable are just a few of the consciousness-expanding shows opening this month.
Stage Top 5: December 2018 Hot, bothered and blue collared, these world premieres and classic mishaps will keep the dawning reality of yet another Midwest winter at bay, at least temporarily.
