Three To See: This Week's Theater Recommendations

By Melody Udell in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 7, 2014 7:20PM

The Gospel of Lovingkindess at Victory Gardens.

The Goodman's most anticipated show of the season—plus themes of love, race, age and violence—take to the Chicago stage this week.

Venus in Fur
David Ives’ sexy, fast-paced thriller finally gets a local production after its Tony-nominated turn on Broadway in 2011. Local actress Amanda Drinkall plays a seductive, not-what-she-seems dominatrix auditioning for the role of a lifetime. The show runs Saturday, March 8 through Sunday, April 13.

Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, 312-443-3800 or online.

The Gospel of Lovingkindess
The world premiere of Marcus Gardley’s play takes place on the crime-ridden streets of Bronzeville in 1996, when gun and gang violence overran one of Chicago’s most historic neighborhoods. One family—dealing with their son’s recent homicide—must decide whether to stay or leave their community behind. The show runs through Sunday, March 30.

Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln, 773-871-3000 or online.

Chapatti
Northlight partners with the Galway Arts Festival for Chapatti, a new play surrounding two Dublin pet-owners—far past the days of youthful romance—and their desire to escape the everyday loneliness that only human companionship can remedy. The show runs through Sunday, April 13.

Northlight Theatre, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., 847-673-6300 or online.