Ariadne auf Naxos, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Nov. 19 through Dec. 11. This comic opera by Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal insightfully and theatrically contrasts notions of high art versus low comedy and genuine love against passing infatuations. SCM
Beauty of the Father, UrbanTheatre Company at Wicker Park Arts Center, through Nov. 19. Nilo Cruz channels Federico GarcÃa Lorca in this romantic tale of smoldering tropical passions, featuring Madrid St. Angelo and Nicolas Gamboa, two of Chicago’s sexiest male actors, ripping one another’s bodices. MSB
Momma’s Boyz, Teatro Vista at Chicago Dramatists, through Dec. 4. Cándido Tirado’s parable of poor boys making the wrong choices may be lacking in ghetto grit, but we are more than happy to spend time with the trio of comrades created by Steve Casillas, Jesse David and Marvin Quijada. MSB
Or, Caffeine Theatre at Collaboraction’s space in the Flat Iron Arts Building, through Dec. 4. Liz Duffy Adams’ farcical comedy based upon the life of an important woman writer during the English Restoration is a fun gender-bending romp that plays fast and loose with historical details. SCM
—By Abarbanel, Barnidge
and Morgan