Spotlight: ‘Back to the Future’ musical arrives in Chicago
Gotta get back in time
Broadway in Chicago presents the national tour of the musical “Back to the Future,” based on the 1985 film starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. Caden Brauch plays Marty McFly, the aspiring rocker transported back to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean created by the eccentric Doc Brown, played by Don Stephenson. The score, by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, also features “The Power of Love” and “Johnny B. Goode” from the movie. Preview at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. The show opens Wednesday, Aug. 14. $40-$135. See broadwayinchicago.com.
Fat Theatre Project debut
After several workshops and readings earlier this year, The Fat Theatre project — whose Facebook page describes it as a “Chicago-based artistic collective telling stories by/about/for/with fat creators” — debuts its first full-length production titled “The InterPlays.” The show consists of short plays about dating and romantic relationships written by Eileen Tull, Sarah Katherine Bowden, Allison Fradkin and Melody DeRogatis. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 9 and 10, Monday, Aug. 12, Aug. 17 and 24; 2 p.m. Aug. 11; 2 and 4:30 p.m. Aug. 18 and 25 at the Berger Park Coach House, 6205 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago. $15 donation. For information, email fattheatreproject@gmail.com.
Comedy for kids
The Second City debuts its family-friendly show “No Grown-ups Allowed,” a 60-minute sketch and improv comedy show for young audiences and their families. 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, 24; Sept. 7 and 21 at Second City, Donny’s Skybox Theatre, 1608 N. Wells St., Chicago. $15. See secondcity.com/chicago.
Folk an’ Spoke Festival
The Folk an’ Spoke Festival, curated by Chicago fringe theater veteran Beau O’Reilly, co-founder and co-artistic director of the Curious Theatre Branch, showcases music, poetry and theater performances this month at various Chicago venues. They include: Women and Children First, 5233 N. Clark St.; Undercover Books, 1232 W. 103rd St.; Labyrinth Arts, 3658 N. Pulaski Road; Experimental Sound Studio, 5925 N. Ravenswood Ave.; and Chicago Dramatists, 798 N. Aberdeen. Saturday, Aug. 10, through Sept. 1. $20 donation. See beauoreilly.com for the schedule.
Chicago ‘Network’ premiere
Invictus Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of “Network,” the play adapted by Lee Hall from Paddy Chayefsky’s darkly satiric screenplay about an anchorman named Howard Beale and the network executives who fire him due to his low ratings. After threatening to kill himself on the air, Howard’s popularity surges and ratings soar as he emerges as the “mad prophet of the airwaves,” channeling the anger of the common man. Artistic director Charles Askenaizer directs. Previews at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, and Friday, Aug. 16; 2 and 7 p.m. Aug. 17; 2 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Windy City Playhouse, 2014 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago. The show opens Aug. 19. $25-$45. See invictustheatreco.com.
One woman musical comedy
Actress/comedian/singer/songwriter Rachel Bloom (“Crazy Ex-girlfriend”) brings her one-woman musical “Death, Let Me Do My Show” to Steppenwolf Theatre for a limited run. Bloom examines the COVID-19 pandemic and the “tumultuous events that ensued in her personal life” in this adults-only production. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 14-16 and Aug. 20-23; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17 and 24; 3 p.m. Aug. 18 at 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago. $59-$119. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org/rachelbloom.