Theater Spotlight
The Chicago Human Rhythm Project celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special "Jubalee" gala performance of Taps, Tunes and Tall Tales starring 10-time Tony recipient Tommy Tune ( Grand Hotel, Nine, My One and Only ) The company then puts a focus on up-and-coming international masters of tap and Chicago masters of the dance form in two follow-up JUBA! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance performances. Tommy Tune's Taps, Tunes and Tall Tales is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 30. Tickets are $500. For more information, call 312-542-2477, ext. 211 or visit www.chicagotap.org . JUBA! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 31 and Aug. 1. Tickets are $25 to $35. All performances at the Museum of Contemporary Arts, 220 E. Chicago Ave.; call 312-397-4010 or visit www.mcachicago.org .
Critics' Picks
Brilliant Adventures, Steep Theatre, through Aug. 15. Time travel isn't always the stuff of steampunk fantasy. Sometimes you'll find it in the depths of economic devastation, mean streets and domestic squalor, where escape is most needed. MSB
The Diary of Anne Frank, Writers Theatre, Glencoe, through Aug. 16. The revised script of this familiar drama incorporates long-expunged diary passages that make Anne more human and less saintly. This production also looks afresh at the charactersAnne's parents, Mr. Dussel, etc.to make them less archetypal and more nuanced. JA
Men of Soul, Black Ensemble Theater, through Aug. 31. However you define "soul," it takes a brave artist to cover stylists like Prince or Joe Cocker, but the musical artists in this revue are fearless in their homage to the icons associated with that elusive quality. MSB
Take Me Back, The Poor Theatre at Collaboraction, through Aug. 8. Susan Monts-Bologna gives an outstandingly naturalistic performance of an Oklahoma mother who insists that her ex-con son is good in Emily Schwend's small-town drama. SCM
By Abarbanel, Barnidge
and Morgan