Theater Spotlight

Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, in its 23rd season, will present three plays about women’s historical struggles that fuel the debates of today, ranging from a world premiere adaptation of a beloved literary classic, a new production of a groundbreaking modern classic about female empowerment, all the way to a Chicago premiere of a new play about the relationship between two iconic Americans.

Michael Pauken, General Manager of the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, announced today that this summer three critically hailed Off-Broadway hits will come to the venue’s Northlight Theatre space. Productions include “Wiesenthal,” a gripping one-person retelling of the story of the legendary Nazi-hunter, Simon Wiesenthal; “Hitler’s Tasters,” the story of a group of young women who were enlisted to sample the Nazi Führer’s meals to ensure they are not poisoned and Renée Taylor’s “My Life on a Diet,” an autobiographical look at her many memorable roles, replete with juicy anecdotes about – and weight loss tips from – Hollywood legends.

The Chicago premiere of Lyric’s new coproduction of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece West Side Story features nearly 100 artists from Chicago and across the country. Performances of the grand-scale musical run at the Lyric Opera House from May 3 - June 2, 2019 (press opening May 4). Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at lyricopera.org or by calling 312-827-5600.

La Havana Madrid, returning as an an enhanced co-production between Teatro Vista and Collaboraction, will be remounted May 11-June 22 in the Heath Mainstage at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Press opening is Friday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m.Tickets, $30-$60, are on sale now. Visit thedentheatre.com or call the Den Theatre Box office, (773) 697-3830, for tickets and information.