Here’s a look at Chicago theater openings and previews in the week ahead:
“Ms. Blakk for President”: Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble members Tina Landau (“SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical”) and Tarell Alvin McCraney (“The Brother/Sister Plays,” “Choir Boy”) co-wrote this world premiere that uncovers a little-known Chicago story. McCraney stars in the true story of Ms. Joan Jett Blakk, who in 1992 was the first black drag queen to run for president in an attempt to bring queer politics out of the closet and into the future. It’s being described as “part campaign rally, part nightclub, part confessional” and calls for an upstairs theater makeover; seating options for the show will be many.