Dollhouse, Goodman Theatre, through July 24. Rebecca Gilman’s update of Ibsen’s 1879 classic blows away the fustian and dares to have fun, yet maintains seriousness of purpose in a tale of a ‘kept’ (married) woman’s self-discovery. Beautifully acted and directed. JA
Scarrie, The Musical, Hell in a Handbag at Theatre Building, through August 7. David Cerda’s on-target, side-splitting parody of the 1970s film, Carrie, boasts great music and inspired performances. A real hoot. RR
The Second City’s Romeo and Juliet Musical: The People vs. Friar Laurence, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, through Aug. 14. In its second year, this rousing, and often hilarious, Shakespeare parody is just the ticket for a midsummer night’s fun. RR
The True Ballad of Fall’s Blessing, Strawdog Theatre, through July 23. If Larry McMurtry wrote a musical, it might look and sound something like this boisterous, bodacious homage to the dime-novel Western. You’ve got only one more weekend to see it. MSB
— By Jonathan Abarbanel, Mary Shen Barnide and Rick Reed