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This Week's Three To See Theater Round-up

By Staff in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 15, 2012 6:00PM

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Sweet Bird of Youth Rehearsal Photos Academy Award nominee Diane Lane (Princess Kosmonopolis) costars with Broadway's Finn Wittrock (Chance Wayne) in Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth directed by David Cromer at Goodman Theatre.

This weekend’s can’t-miss openings on the Chicago stage.

Sweet Bird of Youth

There’s no getting around the Chicago theater scene without hearing about the Goodman’s most anticipated show of the season. Oscar-nominated Diane Lane helms this production of Tennessee William’s classic play filled with morbid humor, bitterness and blackmail. Or in other words, Tuesday.

The show opens on Friday, Sept. 14 and runs through Thursday, Oct. 25. Showtimes are Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., $29.50-$95, call 312.443.3800 or buy online.

Jitney

August Wilson’s play about a struggling gypsy cab company paints a vivid portrait of race relations and fraught community ties in 1977 Pittsburgh — and weaves in more than enough taut, family-fueled drama to get you through the next family dinner.

The show opens Saturday, Sept. 15 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 14. Showtimes are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave., $35-$65, call 773.753.4472 or buy online.

The Magic Flute

Forget what you think about opera and give it a whirl; there’s no better show to start with than The Magic Flute. Sung in English (thankfully), Mozart’s famous opera combines whimsy, magic and a whole lot of love — and Chicago Opera Theater’s version promises to be a refreshing adaptation.

The show opens Saturday, Sept. 15 and runs through Sunday, Sept. 23. Showtimes are Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, $25-$125, call 312.704.8420 or buy online.

By Melody Udell