As summer slips away, chunky sweaters and leather boots emerge from hiding and we start to wonder how the hell we’ll survive another winter. Between pumpkin spice lattes and bourbon-fueled evenings, why not use the chilly weather as an excuse to hole up in a local theater and catch a show? We rounded up 13 productions hitting stages around the city this fall.
‘Bad Jews’
Through Oct. 4 at Royal George Theatre
1641 N. Halsted St. 312-988-9000
What makes someone a “real” Jew? Allow Daphna Feygenbaum to explain. The critic-approved hit from Theater Wit gets an extension at this Lincoln Park spot. Watch as Feygenbaum’s world is turned upside down when her cousin Liam brings home his gentile girlfriend after her their grandfather passes away. Tickets: $25-$58 at theroyalgeorgetheatre.com
‘Don Chipotle’
Through Sept. 27 at Storefront Theater
66 E. Randolph St. 312-742-8497
Alongside the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Terra Nova Collective and the Playground Theater premiered this story of a Latino superhero. The performance, which is a mix of theater, music and puppetry, was inspired by “Don Quixote” and explores themes of violence, family and a child’s imagination. Tickets: $10-$15 at tix.com
‘Merchild’
Sept. 10-Oct. 17 at 16th Street Theater
6420 16th St. 708-795-6704
Adam was born a boy, but he wants nothing more than to be a mermaid and marry a prince. While his parents struggle to protect him, Adam explores a fairytale world that’s up to par with what he imagines his reality should be. Tickets: $18 at 16thstreettheater.org
‘Disgraced’
Sept. 12-Oct. 18 at Goodman Theatre
170 N. Dearborn St., Berwyn 312-443-3800
The Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway production follows the story of Amir Kapoor, a man searching for the American dream in Manhattan. He’s got a luxury apartment, beautiful wife and possible promotion at his law firm. But when he invites his black coworker and her Jewish husband over for dinner, the conversation takes a turn for the worse with a heated argument over religion and race. Tickets: $20-$57 at goodmantheatre.org
‘The Cheats’
Oct. 1-Nov. 7 at Steep Theatre
1115 W. Berwyn Ave. 866-811-4111
The Edgewater theater’s 15th season opens with Hamish Linklater’s “The Cheats,” a story about marriage, neighbors and good old-fashioned spying. John and Anne are happily married with two kids, but John can’t stop peeping on his neighbhors. On Halloween morning, they stop by to chat. Tickets: $10-$35 at steeptheatre.com
‘With Love & a Major Organ’
Sept. 12-Oct. 14 at Strawdog Theatre Company
3829 N. Broadway 773-528-9696
The edgy production that won over critics at the Toronto Fringe and Next Stage Theatre Festivals arrives in Chicago. The plot explores love in a social media-obsessed world when a young woman realizes she’s handed over her heart—yup, the actual organ—to a guy she just met on the subway. Side note: Don’t try this on the Red Line. Tickets: $15 at strawdog.org
‘Sucker Punch’
Sept. 18-Oct. 18 at Victory Gardens Theatre
2433 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-871-3000
Awarding-winning playwright Roy Williams tells the tale of two aspiring boxers growing up in London during the 1980s. As the race riots tear through their neighbhorhood, Leon and Troy must make a heartbreaking decision. It’s not until years later that the friends must face off against each other in a knock-out performance. Tickets: $15-$60 at victorygardens.org
‘Washer/Dryer’
Sept. 17-Oct. 11 at Victory Gardens Theatre
2433 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-871-3000
Rasaka Theatre Co., the Midwest’s first South Asian theater company, presents a story about a multicultural marriage that’s put to the test. Indian-American Sonya and Chinese-American Michael elope before he finds out she lives in a single occupancy apartment in New York City. Throw in a hilarious group of prying neighbors, and you’ve got love in the modern age. Tickets: $25-$30 at victorygardens.org
‘Love and Information’
Sept. 24-Nov. 1 at Greenhouse Theater Center
2257 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-404-7336
To match our generation’s short attention span, British playwright Caryl Churchill peiced together 57 short plays into one brilliant production. In the age of Tinder and flavor-of-the-week dating apps, “Love and Information” explores the connections between technology and relationships. Tickets: $32.50-$57.50 at greenhousetheater.org
More Top Picks Best Hay Feeders
‘Animals Commit Suicide’
Nov. 15-Dec. 12 at First Floor Theater
1597 N. Milwaukee Ave. 312-857-6406
In this dark production from playwright J. Julian Christopher, a young gay man who seems to have it all goes on a dangerous journey into the most dangerous crevices of his city. He uses drugs, sparks a relationship with an HIV-positive baker and pretends he’s positive as well. Tickets: firstfloortheater.com
‘My Mañana Comes’
Oct. 3-Nov. 8 at Victory Gardens Theater
2433 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-871-3000
Set in the kitchen of an upscale New York restaurant, four bus boys from all walks of life coexist and set their sights on something much bigger and better than their service-centered lives. Tickets: $15-$30 at victorygardens.org
‘Cinderella’
Oct. 4-30 at Lyric Opera of Chicago
20 N. Wacker Dr. 312-332-2244
The fairytale you know and love gets an over-the-top, colorful twist at the opera house. Tickets: $20 and up at lyricopera.org