WINDY CITY TIMES CRITICS' PICKS
2009-10-07

The History Boys, TimeLine Theatre, through Oct. 18. Two teachers fight for the hearts and minds of eight bright British boys bound for Oxford and Cambridge in a dazzling examination of the purpose of education, with a gay subplot. In its final extension, don't miss it. JA

The Hostage, Griffin Theatre at Theatre Building Chicago, through Nov. 1. "Oh, death, where is thy sting-a-ling-a-ling?" sings the innocent martyr in Brendan Behan's rollicking satire on Irish—or anybody's—partisan wars, now rendered more timely than ever. MSB

Mistakes Were Made, A Red Orchid Theatre, through Oct. 31. It wasn't for nothing Mike Shannon was nominated for an Oscar. And with Wednesday performances just added for playwright Craig Wright's pitch-black-as-a-black-hole comedy about a producer who puts the "tense" in "intense," you've actually got a shot at getting tickets. CS

Rhymes With Evil, InFusion Theatre Company at Storefront Theater, through Nov. 8. This Midwest premiere of Charles R. Traeger tale of an off-kilter father who creates fantastical puppets for his daughter promises to be a scary and spooky evening of theater. Just look at the freaky puppets! SCM

—By Abarbanel, Barnidge, Morgan and Sullivan