Curtain call
Theater previews and openings Jan. 16-22
‘The Adult in the Room’
The world premiere of Bill McMahon’s new play about the life of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi stars Orlagh Cassidy; directed by Heather Arnson and Conor Bagley. Previews begin Jan. 22, opens Jan. 26; to Feb. 15. Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln, $49; victory gardens.org
‘Do You Feel Anger?’
Mara Nelson-Greenberg’s comedy about a woman hired as an empathy coach at a debt collection agency, where she has her work cut out for her; directed by Jess McLeod. Previews begin Jan. 16, opens Jan. 25; to March 8. A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells; aredorchid theatre.org
‘Grease’
The musical comedy tribute to the age of rock ’n’ roll; directed by Scott Weinstein. Now in previews, opens Jan. 22; to March 15. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire, $50$60; marriotttheatre.com
‘The Leopard Play, or sad songs for lost boys’
World premiere of Isaac Gomez’s drama about a man who returns to his home along the U.S./ Mexico border in search of answers about his uncle’s mysterious death; directed by Laura Alcala Baker. Previews begin Jan. 18, opens Jan. 24; to Feb. 29. Steep Theatre, 1115 W. Berwyn, $27, $39; steeptheatre.com
‘The Mousetrap’
Agatha Christie’s thriller about four houseguests who find themselves trapped by a snowstorm amid reports of a woman’s murder; directed by Sean Graney. Previews begin Jan. 16, opens Jan. 25; to Feb. 16. Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis, $37.50-$84; court theatre.org
‘Roe’
Lisa Loomer’s drama looks at the heart and passion on each side of 1973 landmark decision Roe vs. Wade; directed by Vanessa Stalling. Previews begin Jan. 18, opens Jan. 27; to Feb. 23. Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, $20-$70; goodmantheatre.org
‘Sheepdog’
Kevin Artigue’s drama about two police officers whose relationship is challenged by a police-involved shooting that roils the department; directed by Wardell Julius Clark. Previews begin Jan. 16, opens Jan. 19; to Feb. 29. Shattered Globe Theatre at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont, $42; shatteredglobe.org
‘Spoken Word’
Shepsu Aakhu’s drama set on an isolated campus of a Midwestern university where sex, race and gender collide in an epic culture war; directed by Lauren “LL” Lundy. Previews begin Jan. 17, opens Jan. 26; to March 1. MPAACT at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln, $20-$38; mpaact.org
‘Sunday Evening’
The English-language world premiere of Zachary Karabashliev’s drama in which two families grapple with what they want and what they’ll have to do to get it; directed by Zlatomir Moldovanski. Opens Jan. 16; to Feb. 9. Rose Valley Theatre at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln, $30-$35; greenhousetheater.org
‘That’s Weird, Grandma: Travels Through Time’
Student-written stories set in the past, present and future; directed by Brandon Cloyd. Preview Jan. 19, opens Jan. 26; to Feb. 16. PlayMakers Laboratory Company, 5153 N. Ashland, $10$20; playmakerslab.org
‘Top Girls’
Caryl Churchill’s play debates questions about female empowerment, career and family. Previews begin Jan. 16, opens Jan. 19; to Feb. 22. Remy Bumppo Theatre at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont, $37.75-$47.75; remybumppo.org
‘Verboten’
Jason Narducy and Brett Neveu’s musical about a 1980s Chicago punk band made up of outsider teens with complex home lives; directed by Nathan Allen. Previews begin Jan. 16, opens Jan. 26; to March 8. The House Theatre of Chicago at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, $30-$50; thehousetheatre.com