The Cripple of Inishmaan, Redtwist Theatre, through July 1. Audiences may expect nothing but brutal misanthropy from Martin McDonagh, but trust Redtwist to find hints of kindness and hope in the most squalid of circumstances. MSB
A Little Night Music, Writers’ Theatre, Glencoe, extended through Aug. 12. 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 First Time, Broken Nose Theatre at Greenhouse Theater Center, through July 28. This is a hilarious and sometimes harrowing look at a variety of people’s first sexual experiences. It’s also astutely localized with Chicago-area storytellers as warm-up acts and survey responses from each individual audience worked into the flow of the show. SCM
Romeo and Juliet, The Hypocrites at Chopin Theatre, through July 1. This 80-minute mash-up of the English and Italian texts is a perfect candidate for transfer to Shakes-at-the-pier, but you can see it now in the Chopin’s cozy basement rec-room.. MSB
—By Abarbanel, Barnidge
and Morgan