What's new on stage
• XIII Pocket presents the world premiere of “Dead Pile,” a new play by Laura Jacqmin about an undercover investigation at a dairy farm that looks at what we eat and how we get it. Megan Shuchman directs the show, which opens Friday, Feb. 4, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. (773) 327-5252 or thirteenpocket.com.
• An adults-only, neo-vaudeville, burlesque show titled The Kiss Kiss Cabaret debuts on Friday, Feb. 4, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. The show features striptease artists, comedians, magic, juggling and music. (773) 404-7336 or kisskisscabaret.com.
• In recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, eta Creative Arts Foundation hosts a discussion on HIV/AIDs following the Friday, Feb. 4, performance of Daniel Beaty's comic-drama “Tearing Down the Walls,” about the consequences of irresponsible behavior. University of Chicago's Dr. John Schneider leads the discussion. The performance is at 7558 S. South Chicago Ave., Chicago. (773) 752-3955 or etacreativearts.org.
• Previews continue through Sunday, Feb. 6, for The Artistic Home's production of “Trouble in Mind,” Alice Childress' examination of racial stereotypes through the prism of a mixed race acting ensemble who are beginning rehearsals for a Broadway play about a young, black man accused of a crime and targeted for lynching. Vaun Monroe directs the show, which opens Monday, Feb. 7, at 3914 N. Clark St., Chicago. (866) 811-4111 or theartistichome.org.
• Previews begin on Tuesday, Feb. 8, for the Chicago Children's Theatre world premiere of “Jackie and Me,” Steven Dietz's adaptation of Dan Gutman's book about a boy assigned to write a book report about an African American's contribution to society, who travels back in time to 1947 to meet one of history's greatest baseball players, Jackie Robinson, who broke major league baseball's color barrier. The show opens Friday, Feb. 11, at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. (773) 327-3778 or chicagochildrenstheatre.org.
• “Let us think of these things always. Let us speak of them never,” a dance-theater piece centered on utopian beliefs and created by Lin Hixson and Matthew Goulish, runs Wednesday to Sunday, Feb. 9-13, at the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago. (312) 397-4010 or mcachicago.org.
• The Verge Theatre Company begins its inaugural season with “Make Me Love You: an evolution of love” that explores modern relationships through short plays, poetry and live music. Artistic director Brandon Pape conceived and directs the show, which has a preview Thursday, Feb. 10, at the New Rock Theater, 3933 N. Elston Ave., Chicago. The show's world premiere is Friday, Feb. 11. (773) 639-5316.
• About Face Theatre's “Let Them Eat Cake,” a touring production that examines marriage equality, has been nominated for a GLAAD Media Award in the category of outstanding new theater work, off-off Broadway. Holly Hughes, Mo Angelos and artistic director Megan Carney developed the work for the 2009 XYZ Festival of New Work. See aboutfacetheatre.com for information on upcoming productions.
— Barbara Vitello