Spotlight: Comedian Larry Reeb headlines the Metropolis on Friday
'Uncle Lar' returns
Award-winning Chicago-area comedian Larry Reeb, known as "Uncle Lar," returns to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre to offer tips on driving, dating and raising children. Joining him is Chicago native Michelle Krajecki.
7:30 p.m. Friday, March 25, at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $30. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination or negative COVID test and masking required. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.
ITC returns
A woman who has been blind since birth has a chance to regain her sight in "Molly Sweeney," Irish playwright Brian Friel's drama about "the unexpected consequences of a medical miracle." Irish Theatre of Chicago's revival features ensemble members Matthew Isler, Robert Kauzlaric and Carolyn Kruse. Ensemble member Siiri Scott directs.
Previews at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 31-April 1, at The Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. The show opens April 2. $25, $40. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination or negative COVID test and masking required. See irishtheatre.org.
Chicago premiere
Congo Square Theatre partners with Gray Chicago and the Rebuild Foundation for the Chicago premiere of "What to Send Up When It Goes Down," a series of vignettes by Aleshea B. Harris incorporating parody, movement, spoken word and song to bear witness to the loss of Black lives to racial violence. Congo Square artistic director Ericka Ratcliff and ensemble member Daniel Bryant co-direct the 90-minute, interactive production.
7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 31-April 1, and through April 16 at Gray Chicago, 2044 W. Carroll Ave., Chicago. $35. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination required. See congosquaretheatre.org.
In other news
Check with theaters regarding COVID-19 precautions.
• Sideshow Theatre Company hosts a staged reading of "Drive-In to the End of the World" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 25, at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Preston Choi's sci-fi, post-apocalyptic drama is about amateur monster hunters who attempt to unearth the truths about mythic creatures big foot and moth man that are plaguing their town. Tickets are pay-what-you-can. See sideshowtheatre.org.
• The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, hosts a standup comedy double-bill this weekend. Comedian Olan Rogers performs at 7 p.m. Friday, March 25, and comedian Todd Barry performs at 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 26. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required. Masking is optional but encouraged. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com.
• The World Comedy Expo takes place Friday through Sunday, March 25-27, at several Chicago venues. The mini-fest consists of performances, workshops and panel discussions at these locations: The Annoyance Theatre and Bar, 851 W. Belmont Ave.; The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.; Donny's Skybox Theatre and Up Comedy Club at The Second City, 4th floor, 230 W. North Ave.; and The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway. Tickets range from free to $20. See worldcomedyexpo.com.
• The next featured work in Goodman Theatre's Future Labs play development series is "Cephianne's Reflection," Mallory Raven-Ellen Backstrom's play about the residents of a mythical island off the Georgia coast who have not left it for 300 years. The reading takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Admission is free, but registration is required. See goodmantheatre.org/reflection.
• Tony and Grammy Award-winner Heather Headley ("The Lion King," "Aida") draws from her Broadway, gospel and R&B repertoire for her 4 p.m. Sunday, April 3, concert at the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Tickets are $80-$100. Masking is optional but recommended. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org.
• American Blues Theater announced its "Our First Home" campaign to purchase a 17,965-square-foot property in Chicago's Lincoln Avenue North Arts District. "This historic move to a permanent home is over 35 years in the making ... American Blues Theater will control its own artistic and financial destiny for the first time," said artistic director Gwendolyn Whiteside in a prepared statement. "Our exceptional ensemble has dreamed of a dedicated home to expand our programming, education initiatives, and community partnerships ... and - with very few true subsidized venues in Chicago - we're also excited to create an affordable rental space for other theater companies on their respective journeys." The new venue will include two theaters, bar and concessions; props, costumes and scenery production spaces; administrative offices and other accommodations. The company has raised $2.9 million with groundbreaking scheduled for this summer and completion anticipated in November 2023. See americanbluestheater.com.
• Blue Man Group Chicago announced new ticket packages for spring performances at the Briar Street Theater, 3133 N. Halsted St., Chicago. The "Sunday Funday" packages offer 50% off select Sunday performances. Families or small groups opting for the "Family Four-Pack" package receive 25% off four tickets to performances through July 1. See blueman.com/chicago/offers.