Theater Spotlight
The sex-positive variety show Menage-A-Hah returns for another stint at Mary's Attic, this time featuring standup comedy sets from Zach Peterson and Shannon Noll, burlesque stripping from Stephanie Hawking, a rope-bondage demonstration from BadKitty Bondage and the chance to win prizes from The Pleasure Chest. Mary Zee and Eric Barry are the co-hosts. Menage-A-Hah plays 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at Mary's Attic, upstairs from Hamburger Mary's at 5400 N. Clark St. Tickets are $10; call 773-784-6969 or visit www.hamburgermarys.com/chicago/attic.
Photo from Mary Zee
Critics' Picks
Bad Jews, Theater Wit at Royal George Theatre, through Oct. 4. Takes sides in an epic battle over a prized family heirloom in Joshua Harmon's scathingly funny and thoughtful comedy. SCM
The Dueling Gentlemen, Silent Theatre at Athenaeum Theatre, through Sept. 20. Marvin Quijada and Marcus Fittanto pack a whole evening's worth of laughs, tears, violence and slapstick clowning into a single fast-paced hour, with the help of ivory-tickling Elliot Taggart. MSB
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, No Stakes Theater Project at Theater Wit, through Sept. 5. Emotionally-stunted LV is an adolescent vocal prodigy who channels Garland, Piaf, Holiday, etc. and won't leave her room. Intriguing rather than satisfying, this play is very well done. JA
Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight, Windy City Playhouse, through Oct. 4. The sterling cast and director William Brown's funny production make Peter Ackerman's 1999 sex comedy far better than what's printed on the page. So go if you want some silly laughs tied to conflicts around sex. SCM
By Abarbanel, Barnidge and Morgan