The fourth time is a charm

Disappointed in love and life, two grown siblings – twice divorced and once widowed relationship-averse Maria and Anthony – find themselves living with their parents in “Never the Bridesmaid,” the comedy by Bill Jepsen on how to overcome romantic disasters to find love. Whitney Minarik directs the Oil Lamp Theater revival with Rose Leisner as Maria and Ryan E. Lampe as Anthony.

8 p.m. Friday, May 20; 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21; and 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 22 and until July 3 at 1723 Glenview Road, Glenview. $35, $45. Proof of vaccination and wearing a mask is compulsory. (847) 834-0738 or oillamptheater.org.

tuner of temptations

“My Girl”, “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”, and “Just My Imagination” are among the Temptations’ hits featured on “Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations”. The 2019 jukebox musical Nationwide Tour chronicling the evolution of the chart-topping R&B group, known for their tight harmonies and elegant dance moves, plays at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theater.

7:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, May 24 to 27; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 28; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 29 and through June 5 at the Cadillac Palace Theater, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $29.50 to $116. Proof of vaccination and wearing a mask is compulsory. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.

August Forman plays Jason/Tyrone in the Paramount Theatre’s production of the dark comedy ‘Hand to God’.
– Courtesy of Amy Nelson

Mastery of puppets

Copley Theater continues its inaugural season with “Hand to God,” a darkly comedic tale described as “’Avenue Q’ meets ‘Little Shop of Horrors’”. The action takes place in a small town in Texas where young Jason (August Forman) participates in a puppet Christian ministry who is turned upside down when his puppet, Tyrone, becomes both irreverent and dangerous. Trent Stork, Associate Artistic Producer and Casting Director of Paramount Theater, is directing.

Previews at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, May 25 and 26; 8 p.m. May 27; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. May 28; and 1 and 5:30 p.m. May 29 at 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. The show opens June 1. $67-$74. Masking optional, but encouraged. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.

“American Idol” alum Diana DeGarmo stars in “Skates,” a coming-of-age story inspired by the roller disco craze of the 1970s.

world premiere

“American Idol” alums Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young team up for the pandemic-delayed premiere of “Skates,” a family musical rooted in the disco roller-skating craze of the 1970s. Brenda Didier, a native from Lincolnshire, leads the retro tuner in which a rising rock star agrees to appear at the grand reopening of his childhood rink. A stroke of fate sends her back to 1977, where she finds herself at the age of 12 and her only true love. Wheaton actress Cory Goodrich co-stars.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24; 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 25; 8 p.m. May 27; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. May 28; 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. May 29 and through June 4 at the Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The show opens in June. 5. $46 to $99. Proof of vaccination and wearing a mask is compulsory. (312) 753-3210, fineartsbuilding.com or skatesthemusical.com.

“American Idol” alum Ace Young stars in “Skates,” a coming-of-age story inspired by the roller disco craze of the 1970s.

In other news

Ask the sites about COVID-19 precautions.

• Performances continue until Saturday, May 21 for The Conspirators’ “The Caucasian Inner Circle, or, Hooray for the Billionaires”, described as a “neo-comedy cabaret debate” in which billionaire brothers promote a pro-wealth program at a trade show . Performances are held at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. See conspirewithus.org.

• Performances of The Promethean Theater Ensemble’s “Richard III,” William Shakespeare’s tragedy about a future king’s murderous rise to the throne, continues through June 25 at the Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., Chicago . Fifteen actors play more than 30 roles in the production directed by retired Goodman Theater producer and director Steve Scott. Cameron Feagin, who played John F. Kennedy, in the City Lit Theater’s all-female production of “Thirteen Days,” stars as Richard. See prometheantheatre.org.

• Not Dead Yet, a party and fundraiser for Cabinet of Curiosities, takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 20 at Sandro Inc., 2540 W. Huron St., Chicago. The evening includes musical performances, an open bar, desserts and a coffee bar. Both streaming and in-person options are available. See cocechicago.com.

• Previews begin Saturday, May 21 for the Black Ensemble Theater premiere of “Grandma’s Jukebox,” a jukebox revue about a family matriarch whose spirit lives on through the music of Boyz II Men, Nina Simone , Tina Turner, Sly and the Family Stone and others. The show opens May 29 at 4450 N. Clark St., Chicago. Masking is mandatory. (773) 769-4451 or blackensemble.org.

• The 21c Museum Hotel Chicago, 55 E. Ontario St., Chicago, hosts a jazz and spoken word event at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, featuring members of Free Fyre, a collective of artists and poets. See 21cchicago.com.

• Patrick Dewane tells the story of his grandfather’s experiences during the Second World War in “The Accidental Hero”, his one-man show about an American officer who is part of the liberators of the Czech village where his grandparents lived. The show will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 23 at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

• Chicago Writers’ Bloc, a play development group, celebrates its 10th anniversary with staged readings of 10 new works as part of its 2022 New Play Festival, which runs Monday, May 23 through June 14 at Raven Theater, 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago. The festival features six new plays and four new musicals from Chicago-area writers, including Joseph Jefferson Award winner John S. Green, Hell in a Handbag Productions’ Brian Kalz, and Richard Reardon, among others. See writersblocfest.org/2022-play-festival.

• Some of the region’s most acclaimed musical theater artists, including Larry Adams, Brianna Borger, Nancy Godinez, Paul-Jordan Jansen, Mark David Kaplan, Evan Tyrone Martin and Lorenzo Rush Jr., perform at Chicago Sings Sondheim, Porchlight Music Theatre’s annual fundraising concert celebrating the late composer. Monday’s in-person performance is sold out, but tickets are available for the evening viewing to be held on the second floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, on Monday, May 23. Tickets are $50. See porchlightmusictheatre.org.

• The Water People Theater resumes live, in-person performances with “Lorca, Living the Experience,” Wednesday, May 25 and June 1 at Instituto Cervantes, 31 W. Ohio St., Chicago. Conceived and directed by artistic director Iraida Tapias, the performances combine text and music written and composed by writer Federico García Lorca and featuring protagonists from his plays “Blood Wedding”, “The House of Bernarda Alba”, ” Yerma” and others. See waterpeople.org.

• The Second City presents “Queer Eye: The Musical Parody,” beginning Thursday, May 26, at the Up Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., Chicago. Inspired by the Netflix series, the show involves five experts helping an average guy become his best self. (312) 337-3992 or secondcity.com.

• Comedian Michelle Wolf, on-air contributor and screenwriter for ‘The Daily Show with Trevor Noah’ and screenwriter for ‘Late Night with Seth Meyers’, presents her show ‘Michelle Wolf: Joke Show’ at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago. Wolf performs Thursday through Saturday, May 26-28. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required. Masking optional. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com.

• Youth ensemble Mudlark Theatre, based in Evanston, presents a collection of scenes, poetry, movement and music performed by 12 young actors. Directed by spoken word artist and educator Khari Bowden, “I’m Smiling Beneath This Mask” takes place May 27-29 and June 1-2 at Ridgeville Park, 908 Seward St., Evanston. See mudlarktheater.org.

• Teatro Vista recently released 10 episodes of its graphic novel-inspired show “Detective Q,” a tale of the misadventures of a private detective, by ensemble members Marvin Quijada and Gabriel Ruiz. Episodes are available at instagram.com/teatrovista.

• The New Coordinates, formerly known as The New Colony, begin their 2022 season on July 22 with a workshop presentation of “American Side Efectos,” about a daughter trying to come to terms with her mother’s medical issues and her older self. confronted with his mother’s immigration journey from El Salvador to Arkansas. This is followed on October 15 by the premiere of “Last Ascent”, about a mountain climber who gets more than she bargained for when she sees a therapist who specializes in treating elite athletes. Performances are held at the Den Theater, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. See thenewcoordinates.org.