The Hollow Lands, Steep Theatre, through Aug. 1. Howard Korder’s poetic dark epic looks at the hucksterism, violence, ambition, racism, patriarchy and occasional reason that opened America’s Frontier, 1815-1857. There’s little scenic glory but a fine, large cast. JA
Never the Sinner, Project 891 Theatre at Chemically Imbalanced Theater, through Aug. 2. This first full-fledged production by Project 891 is an intelligent, involving, and intimate look at the infamous 1924 Leopold and Loeb murder case in Chicago. SCM
Pill Hill, eta Creative Arts Foundation, through Aug. 9. Pill Hill is the swanky neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side where six African-American blue-collar buddies look to find their reward in this intense parable of male-bonding and dreams deferred. Bring your hankies, all you tough guys. MSB
Poseidon: An Upside Down Musical, Hell in a Handbag Productions at Chopin Theatre, now through Aug. 16. This hilarious camp comedy does capsize when shifting from movie spoof to the film’s obsessive fans. Yet those moments are rare in this silly musical revised revival that both edifyies and eviscerates the classic 1972 disaster flick The Poseidon Adventure. SCM
—By Abarbanel, Barnidge
and Morgan