Spotlight: ‘Men on Boats’ revival sets sail at Elgin’s Janus Theatre
History revisited
Ten women re-create the (true-ish) adventures of Major John Wesley Powell, the soldier/geologist/explorer who led the 1869 expedition down the Green and Colorado rivers to what is now known as the Grand Canyon, in Jaclyn Backhaus’ “Men on Boats.” Janus Theatre Company’s revival, under artistic director Sean Hargadon, marks the opening of the Elgin company’s 26th season at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. $20. janusplays.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 7-8 and 14-15, and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 9 and 16
JC Superstar revival
BrightSide Theatre artistic director Jeffrey Cass helms the Naperville company’s revival of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera chronicling the last days of Jesus Christ. Edward MacLennan plays the titular character and Michael Davis Arnold plays his right-hand man, Judas Iscariot. Performances are at the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. $32-$37. (630) 477-8497 or brightsidetheatre.com. Opens at 8 p.m. Friday, June 7, and runs at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through June 23
‘Lightning Thief’ for youngsters
MadKap Productions presents its Theatre for Young Audiences production of “The Lightning Thief: A Percy Jackson Musical.” Adapted from Rick Riordan’s novel, the musical tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who learns he is a demigod and goes in search of Zeus’ lightning bolt to prevent a war between the gods. It’s at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. $35 adults; $25 students and seniors. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 7-8 and 13-15 and July 28; 10:30 a.m. June 27 and July 11; and 2 p.m. July 26-27
‘Antigone’ anew
Trap Door Theatre presents “Antigonick,” Canadian poet Anne Carson’s translation of Sophocles’ famed tragedy “Antigone,” about a grieving sister who defies the state to fulfill her purpose by doing what her conscience dictates. Anna Kloss directs the play at 1655 W. Cortland St., Chicago. $16.75. (773) 384-0494 or trapdoortheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 7-8 and 14-15
Welcome to BET’s ‘Salon’
Black Ensemble’s production of “The Salon,” written and directed by Michelle Reneé Bester, is a play-with-music about a 50-year-old Chicago beauty salon threatened with closure whose employees come together to save a cherished community institution. It’s at 4450 N. Clark St., Chicago. $56.50-$66.50. (773) 769-4451 or blackensembletheater.org. Previews at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 8, and 8 p.m. June 14-15. The show opens June 16.
‘Kite Runner’ on tour
The national tour of “The Kite Runner,” adapted by Matthew Spangler from Khaled Hosseini’s bestselling 2005 novel about the friendship between two boys living in Afghanistan, comes to Chicago for a brief run at CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago. $31.50-$95.50. broadwayinchicago.com. 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, June 11-13 and 18-20; 7:30 p.m. June 14 and 21; 2 and 7:30 p.m. June 15 and 22; 1 and 6:30 p.m. June 16; and 1 p.m. June 19 and 23
Laurie Metcalf returns for Steppenwolf premiere
Tony and Emmy Award-winner and longtime Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble member Laurie Metcalf stars in the company’s premiere of “Little Bear Ridge Road,” Samuel D. Hunter’s dramedy about a family’s last two surviving members — an aunt and her estranged nephew — trying to “sort through the mess left behind after a troubled father’s passing.” Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello (“Wicked,” “Airline Highway”) directs the play at 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Tickets start at $20. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, June 13-14 and 19-21, and 3 and 7:30 p.m. June 15 and 22. Opens June 23.
New Second City revue
The Second City’s 112th main stage production, “The Devil is in the Detours,” stars Andy Bolduc, Adonis Holmes, Hannah Ingle, Laurel Krabacher, Jordan Stafford and Adisa “Di” Williams at 1616 N. Wells St., Chicago. $39-$93. (312) 337-3992 or secondcity.com. Previews at 7 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 7-8; 7 p.m. Sunday, June 9; and 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, June 11-12. The show opens Thursday, June 13.