Chicago Spotlight: January 2008

Around and about these certified classics are several works hovering on the classical fringe. ShawChicago makes a rare excursion outside the Shavian repertory with The Cassilis Engagement, a 1907 comedy-of-manners by St. John Hankin (at the Ruth Page Center, January 12-February 2), while Lookingglass Theatre's Hephaestus, A Greek Mythology Circus Tale uses timeless circus arts from tumbling to flying to tell the story of the god of the forge (January 16-February 24).

Issue-related dramatic fare cuts a wide swath through the month, beginning with Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge, presented by Gray Zelda Theatre Company at Stage Left (January 3-February 2). Chicago Dramatists presents the world premiere of Bill Jepsen' Cadillac (January 17-February 24), in which ethics and morality debates erupt in a used car lot. Also on tap are the area premiere of White People, a contemporary look at racism, at Gift Theatre (January 3-February 16); Profiles' revised version of Neil LaBute's This is How it Goes, another look at racism and mixed marriage (January 17-March 2); Shattered Globe's revival of the powerful Rod Serling drama, Requiem for a Heavyweight, at Victory Gardens Greenhouse (January 11-March 8); and Raven Theatre's regional premiere of Columbinus (January 24-March 15), a fictional look by the United States Theatre Project of conditions and attitudes that might lead to such violent events as the Columbine shootings of several years ago.

Other contemporary playwrights of note also are on the boards. Bailiwick Repertory offers Theresa Rebeck's Sunday on the Rocks as part of its Second Sex Series (January 7-March 10); Halcyon Theatre Company stages Jose Rivera's poetic fantasy Cloud Tectonics at the Peter Jones Gallery (January 12-February 17); Circle Theatre presents the Midwest premiere of Julia Jordan's Boy (January 11-February 24); About Face Theatre serves up the regional premiere of Douglas Carter Beane's The Little Dog Laughed, about an in-the-closet gay movie star who falls for a hustler with a heart of gold, at the Hoover-Leppen Theatre (January 9-February 17).

Meanwhile, the Goodman Theatre presents Conor McPherson's slightly supernatural drama Shining City (January 12-February 17); Red Orchid Theatre produces John Clancy's Fatboy, a modern take on Ubu Roi (January 21-March 2); and TimeLine Theatre Company stages Dolly West's Kitchen by Frank McGuiness (January 24-March 22). Lastly, Teatro Luna transfers its well-reviewed Machos to a brand-new venue, the 16th Street Theatre in Berwyn (January 25-March 17).

Musical lovers have slim pickings this month. Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace offers The Goodbye Girl (January 3-March 2), directed by Gary Griffin. Bohemian Theatre Ensemble reopens its early-season hit, Songs for a New World by Jason Robert Brown, at Theatre Building Chicago (January 17-February 10), and the tiny Off-Loop Signal Ensemble presents its first musical, the patriotic 1776, at Chopin Theatre (January 25-March 1).