Daniel Desmarais and Sheldon Brown: publicity image for About Face Theatre Chicago premiere of “This Bitter Earth”/Photo: Anna Gelman.
1 This Bitter Earth (About Face Theatre) In a poetic romance, deep love is challenged by divisive political realities when the choices of an introspective black playwright are called into question by his boyfriend, a white Black Lives Matter activist, who calls him out for political apathy. Opens November 8
2 Plainclothes (Broken Nose Theatre) After an incident with a shoplifter ends with half their team either fired or in the hospital, the loss-prevention department of a downtown Chicago retail store comes under harsh investigation from corporate higher-ups. Opens November 12
3 Wife Material (Underscore Theatre Company) Local writer and performer Jamie Shriner brings her comedic chops and pop-music sensibility to an autobiographical musical about the pressures and constraints put on young women. Opens November 13
4 Rightlynd (Victory Gardens Theater) In Ike Holter’s ambitious new work, one woman tries to use her street smarts and raw determination to save the Chicago neighborhood she loves. But will the political machine turn her into the very person she is trying to destroy? Opens November 16
5 HeLa (Sideshow Theatre Company) Three stories connect, collide and expand, blending Afrofuturism, the true story of Henrietta Lacks and one little girl’s love of science. J. Nicole Brooks’ new play explores who has the power over the stuff we are made of. Opens November 23
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