Spotlight: ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ comedy comes to Chicago for a short run
Helloooo Chicago!
Rob McClure reprises his role as the titular nanny in the national tour of “Mrs. Doubtfire,” the musical by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick. Adapted from the 1993 film starring Robin Williams, it’s the story of an out-of-work actor and divorced dad who goes to great lengths to see his kids. Performances begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, and run through March 10 at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $30-$105. See broadwayinchicago.com or doubtfirebroadway.com.
Fences and neighbors
A longtime Washington, D.C., couple with a prize-worthy English garden get into a dispute with their new neighbors, an attorney and his doctoral candidate wife, over a fence line in “Native Gardens,” Karen Zacarias’ dramedy examining race, class and privilege. Williams Street Repertory ensemble member Michele Vazquez directs the company’s revival. 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, and through March 16 at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $27-$39. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org.
Steel Beam benefit
Deborah Swinford and Rikki Lee Travolta star in Steel Beam Theatre’s revival of “Love Letters,” A.R. Gurney’s epistolary drama that chronicles the romantic relationship between two people from childhood through the end of their lives. The limited engagement production is a fundraiser for the West suburban theater. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24 and March 1-2, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25 and March 3, at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. $22-$28. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com.
Short Shakespeare
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents a 75-minute abridged version of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” as part of its Short Shakespeare series for young audiences. Mikael Burke directs the 1980s-set production, which stars Kenneth La'Ron Hamilton and Felicia Oduh as the doomed lovers. 11 a.m. Saturdays, Feb. 24 through March 16, at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $42 for adults, $26 for 18 and younger. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.
Hail to the 1980s
Prince, Madonna and Sheila E. are among the 1980s music superstars Black Ensemble Theater pays tribute to in the theater’s new revue “The Time Machine — A Tribute to the '80s.” The revue centers around high school senior Derrick, who is assigned to research music of the 1980s, so he asks his eccentric Uncle Mike to educate him about “old folks music.” Previews at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 and March 2; 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25; and 8 p.m. Friday, March 1, at 4450 N. Clark St., Chicago. The show opens March 3. $55-$65. (773) 769-4451 or blackensembletheater.org/
Rivendell premiere
Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, an ensemble dedicated to producing women-centered stories and advancing female theater professionals, premieres “Wipeout.” Aurora Real de Asua’s comedy is about three longtime friends taking their first surfing lesson and learning to navigate Pacific Ocean currents, their friendship and their fears. Artistic director Tara Mallen directs. Previews at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, and 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at 5779 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago. The show opens Feb. 28. $39 general admission, $28 seniors, $17 students and military, $49 sponsor (to help pay fair artist wages). (773) 334-7728 or rivendellthetre.org.