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Good afternoon and happy holiday week. New reviews this week include the 1980s musical “Always Something There ...” at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire and “Dhaba on Devon Avenue” at Writers Theatre. Tina Muñoz Pandya and Isa Arciniegas in “Dhaba on Devon Avenue” at Writers Theatre. (Michael Brosilow) Steppenwolf Theatre has announced full casting for Rajiv Joseph’s "Mr. Wolf," directed by K. Todd Freeman and opening in September.
"Mr. Wolf" will feature ensemble members Kate Arrington, Tim Hopper, James Vincent Meredith and Caroline Neff, with Emilie Maureen Hanson making her debut at the 'Wolf in the
"Wolf." On Tuesday, the City of Chicago and the Goodman Theatre are formally launching their 100 Free Acts of Theater initiative, covering all 50 wards of the city and first reported as part of the Goodman's upcoming season. In essence, it's a partnership with Chicago's embattled Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, which describes it as
"bringing the joy of live theater directly into neighborhoods across Chicago." Next season marks the Goodman's 100th anniversary slate. Music Theater Works is set to produce "Fiddler on the Roof" in August at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. The mainstage there has been renamed the George Van Dusen Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in honor of the former Skokie mayor. A new cafe is opening in the historic Fine Arts Building on Michigan Avenue, home to the Studebaker Theater. Groundswell Coffee Roasters will start to brew in August. The Fly Honey Show says it will present the final run of its famed production, opening July 10
at Thalia Hall for six performances over three weekends. Many of its favorite guest artists are returning. The Fly Honey Show has been part of Chicago's performance scene since 2010. Jasmine Amy Rogers (as Betty Boop) and Ainsley Melham (Dwayne) in “Boop! The Musical” on Broadway at the
Broadhurst Theatre in New York. (Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman) Finally, I'm sad to see the end of "Boop! The Musical," which will have its final Broadway performance on July 13, following its Chicago tryout. It
deserved a much longer run. I hope to see you at
the theater. — Chris Jones, chief theater critic Our current list of Chris Jones Recommended shows: “Titanique” through July 13 at Broadway Playhouse;
"Always ... Patsy Cline" through Aug. 3 at the Drury Lane Theatre; "You Will Get Sick" through July 20 at Steppenwolf Theatre; "An Iliad" through June 29 at Court Theatre; “Always Something There ...” through Aug. 10 at the Marriott Theatre; “Dhaba on Devon Avenue” through July 27 at Writers Theatre. Sign up for the Theater Loop newsletter: Our weekly newsletter has the latest news and reviews from America’s hottest theater city. Theater critic Chris Jones will share a behind-the-curtain look at what you need to know. | 
