Hamlet, Velvet Willies, Chopin Theatre, through Aug. 7. The troupe's not bad, but Christopher Prentice, in the title role, has a face and a deft command of classical rhetoric destined for recognition beyond the storefront circuit. Why not see him now instead? MSB
A Jacques Brel Revue: Songs of Love and War, Theo Ubique at No Exit Cafe through Aug. 12. If the Toulouse-Lautrec show isn't enough vie de boheme for you, let these five powerhouse singers invigorate and illuminate romantic balladeer Brel's ironic humor. MSB
The Second City's Romeo and Juliet Musical: The People vs. Friar Laurence, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, through Aug. 14. In its second year, this rousing and hilarious Shakespeare parody is just the ticket for a midsummer night's fun. Final week. RR
The Wild Party, Bohemian Theatre at Stage Left, through Aug. 13. Superb singing, clever choreography and a cookin' band explode off a tiny storefront stage in this jazz-based tale of love, jealousy and death. It's Off-Loop theater at its best, unexpected and dazzling. JA
— By Jonathan Abarbanel, Mary Shen Barnidge and Rick Reed