THE BOOK OF MORMON
6/29–8/14 Back in town for the third time in four years, the South Park creators’ tale of Mormon missionaries is funny as ever. Even if you don’t believe Jesus wants you to own a planet someday, you’ll bust a gut as Elder Price and his ridiculously clean-cut friends try to save Uganda. $99–$169. Broadway in Chicago at the PrivateBank Theatre, 18 W. Monroe. broadwayinchicago.com
COMPANY
6/15–7/24 William Brown directs Stephen Sondheim’s funny, sad, and disarmingly accurate take on marriage, overseeing a cast featuring Writers Theatre newcomer Thom Miller as a single man navigating the business of being alive. The starry group also includes Broadway leading lady Jessie Fisher (Once) as a poignant one-night stand and Allison Hendrix as a manic bride-to-be. $35–$90. Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. writerstheatre.org
HAYMARKET: THE ANARCHIST’S SONGBOOK
Through 6/12 David Kornfeld and Alex Higgin-Houser trace the life of Lucy Parsons, the anarchist labor activist, muckraking reporter, and unsung Chicago hero who helped found the Industrial Workers of the World. $20–$25. Underscore Theatre at Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway. underscoretheatre.org
THE MARVIN GAYE STORY
6/4–7/10 Jackie Taylor’s latest musical bio explores the life and sound of the soulful singer of “Mercy, Mercy Me,” “What’s Goin’ On,” and “Heard It Through the Grapevine.” $50–$65. Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark. blackensembletheater.org
MY FAIR LADY
6/4–12 Warwickshire native Nick Sandys lends an authentic British accent to Henry Higgins, the linguist who makes Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle into a proper English lady. Lerner and Loewe’s battle of speech and the sexes has a winning score, including “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” and that ultimate bachelor-party anthem “Get Me to the Church on Time.” $34–$98. Light Opera Works at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson, Evanston. lightoperaworks.org
NORTHANGER ABBEY
Through 7/17 The innocent daughter of a clergyman leaves her rural home to work in a world of high-society balls only to find herself caught in a web of false friends. $20–$40. Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood. lifelinetheatre.com
THE PRODUCERS
Through 6/26 Dancing Nazis storm the stage in a show that skewers World War II, gay culture, seniors, and show biz. $30–$65. Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport. mercurytheaterchicago.com
SEE JANE SING
6/17–18 Jane Lynch, an Emmy and Golden Globe winner, Second City alum, and Glee villain, brings her vocal chops to the Lyric Opera for an evening of Broadway and American songbook standards. All seats are on the stage, where couches and tables create a cozy cabaret space. $50–$95. Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker. lyricopera.org
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
6/7–19 Three-time Tony winner Jack O’Brien directs Rodgers and Hammerstein’s tale of the aspiring nun who changes lives faster than you can say “do, re, mi.” $24–$90. Broadway in Chicago at Cadillac Palace, 151 W. Randolph. broadwayinchicago.com
THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
6/7–7/3 Before you dismiss this rollicker as a kiddie show, consider that its score was penned by the likes of David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Steven Tyler, and John Legend and it’s being directed by Steppenwolf vet Tina Landau. $33–$100. Broadway in Chicago at Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph, broadwayinchicago.com
WAR PAINT
6/28–8/14 In one of the most anticipated shows of the season, Tony winners Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole star as cosmetics titans Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden. The show itself is equally impressive, with music and lyrics by Scott Frankel and Michael Korie (Grey Gardens) respectively, a book by Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife), and direction by Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal, Grey Gardens). $48–$175. Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn. goodmantheatre.org
XANADU
Through 7/17 Jeff Lynn and John Farrar’s campy take on Greek mythology features a roller-skating muse and a mortal who starts a roller disco in 1980s California. Come for the glitter balls, stay for the Olivia Newton-John classics. $30. American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron. atcweb.org