Curtain Call
Theater previews and openings Oct. 24-30
‘The Dragon of Wantley’
John Frederick Lampe’s 18th century opera about a knight who heads into battle to slay a dragon and win the hand of a fair maiden. Oct. 27, 29. Haymarket Opera at Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave., $30-$95; haymarket opera.org
Fl!P Fest of Funny Lesbian Plays
Staged readings of “Lethal Woman” by Heidi FitzGerald (Oct. 29), “The Queen’s Fool: A Queer Fairytale” by Kathleen Grotzinger (Nov. 5), “Sapphic Switcheroo” conceived by Sara BenBella, Jessica DeBolt and Leah Geis (Nov. 12), “Movie Queens” by Claudia Allen (Nov. 13). The Broadway, Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, $10; pridefilmsandplays.com
‘I Am Going to Die Alone and I Am Not Afraid’
An ensemble-devised piece about resilience and tenacity in the face of violence; directed by Anna H. Gelman. Previews begin Oct. 25, opens Oct. 28; to Dec. 6. Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston Ave., $20; propthtr.org
‘Incomplete Conversations’
A site-specific, immersive play that explores the emotional shockwaves of an unexpected death within a family and a church community; directed by Nell Voss. Previews begin Oct. 25, opens Oct. 28; to Nov. 23. Silent Theatre
Company at Tapestry Fellowship Church, 3824 W. Irving Park Rd., $20 or pay-what-you-can; silenttheatre.com
‘Laura and the Sea’
Kate Tarker’s comedy about a travel agent whose colleagues try to piece together a memorial blog after her death, but how do you mourn someone you didn’t really know? Directed by Devon de Mayo. Previews begin Oct. 25, opens Nov. 4; to Dec. 8. Rivendell Theatre, 5779 Ridge Ave., $38; rivendelltheatre.org
‘The Other Cinderella’
Jackie Taylor’s African American rendition of the classic fairy tale; directed by Taylor. Previews begin Oct. 27, opens Nov. 3; to Jan. 26. Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark, $55, $65; blackensembletheater.org
‘Oliver’
The musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic. Previews begin Oct. 30, opens Nov. 6; to Dec. 29. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire, $50-$60; marriotttheatre.com
Mary Houlihan, For the Sun-Times