The Hothouse, At Red Orchid Theatre, through Dec. 17. Christmas in Harold Pinter’s Stalinesque hospital gets an extra helping of creepiness from a theatre company renowned for elves with skewed views. MSB
Mountain, Apple Tree Theatre, through Dec. 17. The life and career of liberal Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas provides well-acted, thumping-good entertainment and an anti-Republican civics lesson, too, even if it covers most of Douglas’ blemishes. JA
The Real Thing, Remy Bumppo at Victory Gardens Greenhouse, through Jan. 7. She likes classical music and he likes pop, but sound designer Victoria DeIorio turns us all into mush by mixing romantic ditties from two centuries in Tom Stoppard’s paean to love. MSB
The Two Noble Kinsmen, Chicago Shakespeare, through Dec. 17. Two pretty princes in skivvies cry ‘dibs’ on the same girl when they really should kiss and be gay. The Bard’s final play is shallow, but Darko Tresnjak deftly directs its sexual undercurrents. JA