Spotlight: Lifeline Theatre adapts children’s fave ‘Skunk and Badger’
A tale of friendship
A badger who relishes his solitude and his new roommate, a skunk searching for acceptance, overcome their differences and become friends in Lifeline Theatre’s premiere of “Skunk and Badger,” adapted by ensemble member Alan Donahue from Amy Timberlake’s children’s book. Brian Tochterman Jr. directs the theater’s KidSeries show about acceptance and companionship, starring John Drea as Badger and Vic Kuligoski as Skunk. Previews at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, March 2, and 11 a.m. Sunday, March 3, at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. The show opens at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 3. $15, $20. (773) 761-4477 or lifelinetheatre.com.
A twist on a myth
For her first main stage production as Goodman Theatre artistic director, Susan V. Booth helms the Chicago premiere of “The Penelopiad,” a remix of Homer’s “Odyssey” by Margaret Atwood (“The Handmaid’s Tale”). In Atwood’s version, Odysseus’ long-suffering wife Penelope — aided by her 12 faithful handmaidens — offers her account of her 20-year wait for her husband to return from The Trojan War. Jennifer Morrison (“Once Upon a Time,” “House”) plays the titular role. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, March 6-8; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9; and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Regular run: March 14-31. $25-$90. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org.
Bee the best
Music Theater Works revives the charming tuner “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a coming-of-age tale about a group of high-achieving middle school students vying to compete in the National Spelling Bee. Christopher Pazdernik directs and choreographs the Tony Award-winning musical by William Finn and Rebecca Sheinkin. The preview is 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. The show opens March 8. Adults-only performances are March 23 and 30. $39-$106. (847) 673-6300 or musictheaterworks.com.
Comedy for the end days
Rachel Stein’s father won’t get out of his pajamas, her mother has begun a close relationship with Jesus and her Elvis impersonator neighbor is in love with her. Worse still, the apocalypse is nigh in Deborah Zoe Laufer’s dark comedy “End Day.” Theatre Above the Law’s revival is directed by Tony Lawry. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 1-2, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, and through March 24 (also 7:30 p.m. March 18) at Jarvis Square Theater, 1439 W. Jarvis Ave., Chicago. $15-$25. theatreatl.org.
Easter bingo’s back
“Easter Bunny Bingo: Jesus, Resurrection and Peeps,” Vicki Quade’s interactive sendup of holiday traditions set against a bingo game hosted by a former nun, returns for a limited run. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 1-2, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 3, and through March 30 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. No performance Easter Sunday. $35. (773) 404-7336, greenhousetheater.org or nuns4fun.com.
Drama examines AA’s origins
Ronnie Marmo, who wrote and starred in the long-running solo show “I’m Not A Comedian … I’m Lenny Bruce,” returns to Chicago to direct and star in “Bill W. and Dr. Bob.” The play by Samuel Shem and Janet Surrey is about the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. Theatre 68’s production stars Marmo as Bill W. and Matt Rosin as Dr. Bob. Marmo’s “I’m Not A Comedian” runs in repertory with “Bill W. and Dr. Bob.” Previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 7-8; 3 and 7:30 p.m. March 9; and 3 p.m. March 10 at the Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. The show opens March 14. “I’m Not A Comedian … I’m Lenny Bruce” begins performances March 14. $49 previews, $69-$79 regular run. billwanddrbobonstage.com and lennybruceonstage.com.