Curtain Call: ‘Bug,’ ‘Emma,’ and more theater previews, openings Jan. 23-29

Looking to take in some live theater in Chicago in the week ahead?

We’ve got some suggestions to consider:

PICK OF THE WEEK:

“How a Boy Falls”: In the world premiere of Steven Dietz’s psychological thriller, a newly hired au pair (Cassidy Slaughter-Mason) finds herself thrown into the middle of a mystery when her young charge goes missing, casting suspicion on his parents. Northlight Theatre artistic director BJ Jones and his artistic team were looking for a thriller to stage when it occurred to Jones that perhaps commissioning a new play was the way to go. He reached out to Dietz, whose recent Chicago plays include the literary-minded “Bloomsday” (Remy Bumppo Theatre) and another world premiere thriller, “On Clover Road” (American Blues Theater). “The partnership felt right,” Jones says, “and the opportunity to work with Steven, whose last play at Northlight was ‘Lonely Planet’ in 1993, felt long overdue.” The play is directed by Halena Kays, who also helmed “On Clover Road.” Previews begin Jan. 23, opens Jan. 31; to Feb. 29. Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, $30-$89; northlight.org

MORE PREVIEWS, OPENINGS:

“The Boys in the Band”: In Mart Crowley’s drama, eight men gather for a birthday celebration where all goes well until the host proposes a game of truth or dare; directed by Carl Menninger. Previews begin Jan. 29, opens Feb. 13; to April 19. Windy City Playhouse, 3014 W. Irving Park, $75-$95; windycityplayhouse.com

“Bug”: Tracy Letts’ drama about a lonely waitress who begins an unexpected love affair with a young drifter; Carrie Coon stars, David Cromer directs. Previews begin Jan. 23, opens Feb. 3; to March 8. Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted, $20-$122; steppenwolf.org

Jeff Sciortin

“Emma”: Paul Gordon’s musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel about a privileged and pampered young woman who engages in some misguided matchmaking; directed by Barbara Gaines. Previews begin Jan. 28, opens Feb. 5; to March 15. Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand, $49-$90; chicagoshakes.com

EPIC Showcase: Staged readings of short plays by playwriting students from Boone Elementary, Cantata Senior Living, Lutz Center for After School Matters and Turner-Drew Elementary. Jan. 25-26. Silk Road Rising, Chicago Temple Building, 77 W. Washington, $13; silkroadrising.org

“Evil Dead the Musical”: Cult films “The Evil Dead,” “Evil Dead 2” and “Army of Darkness” are combined into a crazy, funny, bloody theatrical experience. Opens Jan. 23; to Feb. 29. Roshi Entertainment at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln, $30-$35; greenhousetheatercenter.org

“Family Reunion”: Nora Sharp and the Nor Performance Crew present a piece that creates a space for queer and gender expansive people to activate their own agency and amplify each other’s. Jan. 24-25. Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre, 1700 N. Halsted, $20; steppenwolf.org

© Todd Rosenberg Photography

“How to Defend Yourself”: Liliana Padilla’s play centers around seven college students who gather for a DIY self-defense workshop after a sorority sister is raped; directed by Marti Lyons. Previews begin Jan. 24, opens Jan. 31; to Feb. 23. Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln; $31-$65; victorygardens.org

“If/Then”: Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s musical paints a portrait of the lives we lead, as well as the lives we might have led. Previews begin Jan. 23, opens Jan. 25; to Feb. 16. Brown Paper Box Co. at Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, $29.50; brownpaperbox.org

“Jeeves Saves the Day”: Margaret Raether’s comedy, based on the stories by P.G. Wodehouse, finds Bertie once again suffering misfortune at the hands of his relatives with Jeeves again saving the day; directed by Joe Foust. Previews Jan. 29-31, opens Feb. 1; to March 1. First Folio Theatre at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st and Ill. Rt. 83, Oak Brook, $34, $44; firstfolio.org

New Works Festival: Features new works by Ada Alozie, Tony Bruno and Juan Castaneda, Leah Roth Barsanti, Jordan Marie Ford, Leanna Keyes and Nicholas Patricca. Opens Jan. 29; to Feb. 15. Valiant Theatre at Otherworld Theatre, 3914 N. Clark, $20 for one night/three plays, $35 for two nights/all six plays; valianttheatre.org

“Sophisticated Ladies”: Donald McKayle’s celebration of the music of Duke Ellington; directed and choreographed by Brenda Didier and Florence Walker Harris. Previews begin Jan. 24, opens Jan. 28; to March 6. Porchlight Music Theatre at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn, $39-$66; porchlightmusictheatre.org

“Wake Up, Brother Bear!”: Janet Stanford and Kathryn Chase Bryer’s interactive journey through the four seasons led by two loveable bears; directed by Jamie Abelson. Opens Jan. 25; to Feb. 16. Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine, $22-$32; chicagochildrenstheatre.org

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.