Into the Woods, The Hypocrites and Mercury Theater Chicago, extended through April 5. Director Geoff Button's approach to Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's 1987 fairy-tale musical mash-up is one that emphasizes imaginative playtime in a nursery with a talented cast taking on multiple roles. SCM
Rose and the Rime, The House Theatre of Chicago at Chopin Theatre, through March 23. Want the best fairy tales? Go to The House. You won't see the final twist coming in this tale of a town beset by endless winter ( not Chicago ). The metatheatrical means charm rather than distract, and there's a great witch! JA
The Roper, Den Theatre, through April 13. Grave-robbers target Lincoln's Tomb in Will Dunne's stranger-than-fiction heist play, directed by Ron Wells with a comedic drollery as dark as Honest Abe's stovepipe hat. MSB
Seminar, Haven Theatre Company at Theater Wit, through April 13. Four students and a teacher wrestle with their destinies in the world of professional writing until they accidentally stumble across the secret to happiness and success. MSB
By Abarbanel, Barnidge and Morgan