Theater Spotlight
Learn about the long-time culture of gay life on Fire Island in song via Pride Films and Plays' developmental concert reading of the musical A History of Summer. Composer Jonathan Monro ( Dream Vacation ) and librettist Adam Mathias ( See Rock City & Other Destinations ) are behind this show that covers a period of time starting in 1869 stretching to today. Pride Films and Plays' concert reading of A History of Summer continues for one more performance only at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. There is a $10 suggested donation; call 800-737-0984 or visit PrideFilmsAndPlays.com .
Caption: Composer Jonathan Monro and librettist Adam Mathias are the team behind the developing musical A History of Summer. Photo courtesy of Pride Films and Plays
Critics' Picks
Caught, Sideshow Theatre at Victory Gardens Theater, through July 3. Christopher Chen's elaborate intellectual joke pokes fun at visual and performance art, journalistic ethics and changing interpretations of truth and art. JA
Little Shop of Horrors, American Blues Theater at Greenhouse Theater Center, extended through July 31. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's classic campy off-Broadway musical about a killer plant returns in a wonderfully sung and intimate production. SCM
Prowess, Jackalope Theatre at Broadway Armory, extended through July 2. Watch for the unexpected gay twist in Ike Holter's visceral comic tragedy about South Sider Chicagoans who take up self-defense fighting before taking on violent gangs in their neighborhood. SCM
Spinning, Irish Theatre of Chicago at The Den Theatre, through July 3. Irish plays traditionally feature strong women and weak men. Spinning follows suit to a degree, but this contemporary work really concerns emotional meltdown and its effect on random acquaintances. There's superb acting by Jodi Kingsley and Dan Waller. JA
By Abarbanel, Barnidge and Morgan