After Ashley, Stage Left Theatre, through Nov. 15. Brian Plocharczyk steals the show as the snarky son taking on his father’s revisionist commercialization of his mother’s brutal rape and murder. Stage Left serves up a snappy Chicago premiere of Gina Gionfriddo’s smart and dark comedy. SCM
The Mark of Zorro, Lifeline Theatre at Theatre Building Chicago, through Nov. 23. It opened more than six months ago, but the masked cavalier who inspired legions of later heroes (Batman among them) rides swiftly. There are only two more weekends to catch this swashbuckling hit show. MSB
Porgy and Bess, Lyric Opera of Chicago, through Nov. 30. George Gershwin’s first and only opera also happens to be considered by many critics to be ‘the great American opera.’ Francesca Zambello’s 2005 production already received rave reviews at Washington National Opera and Los Angeles Opera, so expect good things for its Lyric debut. SCM
Radio Macbeth, SITI at Court Theatre, through Dec. 7. Halloween may be over, but otherworldly spirits remain palpable thanks to SITI Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s bloody ghost story. SITI focuses on a radio version of the Scottish play suddenly overrun by beings from the other side. CS
—By Barnidge, Morgan
and Sullivan