THEATER SPOTLIGHT
A nun in 1968 Detroit uncovers all sorts of unsettling secrets about her family in Chuck O'Connor's drama Miracles in the Fall, a winner of Polarity Ensemble Theatre's Dionysos Cup Award for play writing. Polarity Ensemble Theatre presents the world premiere of Miracles in the Fall now through Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Previews run through Sept. 5 with an official press opening at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6. Subsequent performances are at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays with 3 p.m. matinees on Sundays. Tickets are $15 for previews and $25 during the regular run; call 773-404-7336 or visit www.petheatre.com for tickets and more information. Photo by Richard Engling
CRITICS' PICKS
Avenue Q, Mercury Theater Chicago, through Oct. 26. This Tony-winning hit musical that smartly spoofs Sesame Street feels right at home at the intimate Mercury Theater. And now with an extension through October, the show is finally getting the long Chicago run it really should have had when it was brand new. SCM
C.S. Lewis Onstage, Provision Theater, Sept. 6-Oct. 19. Brad Armacost's solo show delivered a warm and vibrant portrait of the eccentric theologian ( better known as the epic-fantasy author of The Narnia Chronicles ) when first performed in 2008, now revived for South Side audiences by Provision Theater. MSB
Depraved New World, The Second City, open run. With elements of long-form improv, Second City's 102nd mainstage revue features an extremely sharp cast ( especially John Hartman ), some high-risk musical improv, several gay-specific scenes and advanced use of music and sound. JA
Stupid Fucking Bird, Sideshow Theatre Company at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, through Sept. 21. The title might make it look like a parody, but Aaron Posner's real-time analysis of Chekhov's The Seagull is smarterand funnier, toothan a simple deconstructionist romp. MSB
By Abarbanel, Barnidge
and Morgan