A Little Night Music, Writers’ Theatre, through July 22. It’s not merely the lilting score or charm of the actors; it’s that the great intimacy of Bill Brown’s production allows this to be the funniest Night Music I’ve ever seen, without losing a tick of its lushly bittersweet fin de siècle tone. JA
My Kind of Town, TimeLine Theatre, through July 29. Chicago’s police torture scandal of the past few decades is expertly explored in John Conroy’s fictionalized world-premiere drama that pushes audiences to ponder what they would do in the characters’ dilemma-filled situations. SCM
Rent, American Theater Company, through July 1. The intimacy generated by David Cromer’s close-focus vision amplifies the romantic poignancy simmering beneath Jonathan Larson’s hymns to doomed youth—and isn’t seizing the day something that can be shared by both young and old alike? MSB
When the Rain Stops Falling, Circle Theatre, Oak Park, through June 17. A jigsaw puzzle, this Australian play is about four generations, two families and two continents—but stick with it for its richly poetic rewards in dealing with love and loss. It’s beautifully acted against gorgeous projections. JA
—By Abarbanel, Barnidge and Morgan