THE ADDING MACHINE
3/18–5/15 Joshua Schmidt and Jason Loewith’s adaptation of Elmer Rice’s 1923 play follows an Everyman who snaps after years in a thankless job. Geoff Button directs a show for anyone who’s ever felt invisible, unappreciated, or trapped in an infinite rut. $15–$36. The Hypocrites at Den Theatre, 1329 N. Milwaukee. the-hypocrites.com
FAR FROM HEAVEN
Through 3/13 Porchlight unveils its musical adaptation of Todd Haynes’s 2002 film about a 1950s housewife and her closeted husband, with music by Tony-nominated Michael Korie and Scott Frankel (Grey Gardens). $30–$48. Porchlight Music Theatre at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont. porchlightmusictheatre.org
42ND STREET
3/8–20 Expect all-American cheese in Troika Entertainment’s take on the backstage musical, which follows small-town gal Peggy Sawyer as she tries to make it as a hoofer in the Big Apple. $16–$147. Broadway in Chicago at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph. broadwayinchicago.com
FUGITIVE SONGS
Through 3/13 BoHo dusts off Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen’s 19-song cycle about people on the run, including a disgruntled Subway sandwich jockey, a jilted ex-cheerleader, and a pair of Patty Hearst fanatics. $25. BoHo Theatre Ensemble at Heartland Studio Theatre, 7016 N. Glenwood. bohotheatre.com
HEATHERS
Through 4/24 The 1988 cult classic set to music tells the story of a homicidal high schooler plotting to take out the mean girls. Adolescence is rarely so murderously amusing. $25–$38. Kokandy Productions at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont. kokandyproductions.com
IF/THEN
Through 3/6 Starting over in 21st-century New York is the subject of this contemporary musical from the Tony- and Pulitzer-winning creators of Next to Normal. The twist: If/Then imagines a world where the heroine experiences both the life she chose and the life that would have resulted had she chosen differently. $22–$147. Broadway in Chicago at Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph. broadwayinchicago.com
I’VE GOT THE WORLD ON A STRING: HAROLD ARLEN’S SONGS OF LOVE AND LOSS
3/4–4/10 Six vocalists, one piano, and standards such as “Over the Rainbow” and “Stormy Weather” fuel this revue from Sheldon Patinkin and Terry McCabe. $10–$29. City Lit Theater at Edgewater Presbyterian Church, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr. citylit.org
MATILDA
3/22–4/10 Roald Dahl’s precocious protagonist wards off hostile teachers, disaffected parents, and sundry other adults. $22–$177. Broadway in Chicago at Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph. broadwayinchicago.com
POP WAITS
Through 3/12 Performance artists Molly Brennan and Malic White blend the music of Iggy Pop and Tom Waits in this “athletic, participatory clown provocation.” $10–$20. Neo-Futurists at Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland. neofuturists.org
RENT
3/11–5/1 Get up close and personal with Mimi, Angel, and Maureen in Jonathan Larson’s La Bohème–inspired rocker, presented by Jeremy Ramey on a stage not much larger than a walk-in closet. $20–$39. Theo Ubique at No Exit Cafe, 6970 N. Glenwood. theo-u.com
WEST SIDE STORY
3/16–4/24 Romeo and Juliet are transported to 1960s New York in Leonard Bernstein’s groundbreaking musical. $41–$56. Paramount Theatre Aurora, 23 E. Galena, Aurora. paramountaurora.com