Theater Spotlight
Two aspiring Chicago punk musicians try to impress a Riot Fest scout, only to have their plans thwarted by an eccentric landlady in Punk Punk, a world-premiere dark comedy by lesbian playwright Hannah Ii-Epstein for Nothing Without a Company. Punk Punk plays through Saturday, Oct. 10, starting at Fat Cat Bar, 4840 N. Broadway St. A preview performance is at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, with an 8 p.m. opening on Thursday, Sept. 24. The regular run is then 8 p.m. Thursdays and 8 and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The preview performance is $5-$10 while regular-run tickets are $15-$30; visit www.nothingwithoutacompany.org .
Critics' Picks
The Jacksonian, Profiles Theatre, through Oct. 11. Audiences who chuckled at Beth Henley's early depictions of the American Deep South during the 1960s are in for a surprise with this peek into its darker corners. MSB
Jamaica, Farewell, Royal George Theatre, through Oct. 8. Debra Ehrhardt may smile as she recounts her own coming-to-America story, but hidden between the laughter lie dangerous risks embraced as adventure by the young and daring. MSB
Katrina: The Mother-in-Law of 'em All, Interrobang Theatre Project at Den Theatre, through Oct. 4. A great way to reflect on the horrors and human spirit in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is to catch playwright Rob Florence's engrossing drama inspired by six true tales of New Orleans residents who survived the disastrous 2005 storm. SCM
October Sky, Marriott Theatre through Oct. 11. Teenage nerds want to build rockets in 1957 West Virginia, and must triumph over small-minded adults to succeed. The story is predictable although based on fact, but it's so well-rendered in this world-premiere musical from the 1999 film. JA
By Abarbanel, Barnidge and Morgan