THREE TO SEE: This Week's Theater Recommendations

By Melody Udell in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 16, 2013 4:00PM

9 to 5: The Musical hits the stage at the Marriott Theatre.

Heavy-hitting portraits of two very different American families and a frothy movie-based musical are on stage this week.

Next to Normal
The sad realities of mental illness and the toll it takes on families come to life in this gut-punch of a musical. Next to Normal is both poignant and compelling — don’t miss it. The show runs through Sunday, Oct. 6.

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, 630-530-0111 or online.

9 to 5: The Musical
The famous Dolly Parton movie gets a charming musical theater update in this story of women battling inequality and a crummy boss in the 1980s workplace. The show runs through Sunday, Oct. 13.

Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire, 847-634-0200 or online.

A Raisin in the Sun
Lorraine Hansberry’s Tony-nominated play chronicles a struggling African-American family in the ‘50s dreaming of a better life and a way out of their south side neighborhood. The show runs Tuesday, Aug. 20 through Sunday, Nov. 17.

TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington, 773-281-8463 or online.