Hinsdale Central High School opens its fall drama season Sept. 24 with "Radium Girls," a play about Illinois factory workers poisoned by radium in the 1920s.

The D.W. Gregory play tells the true story of workers at factories including the Radium Dial Company in nearby Ottawa, Ill. Workers there were instructed to point their brushes with their lips and ingested radium as a result. The play focuses on one woman's fight for justice against her employer.

Science teacher Paul Woods directs the production, which runs Sept. 24-26. It is the first of six shows planned for Hinsdale Central's 2026-27 school year.

Susie Jaffe, an English teacher and Drama Club sponsor at Hinsdale Central, told The Hinsdalean that the fall opener typically features a smaller cast and heavier subject matter because "students can start working on it over the summer" before school begins.

The school's fall lineup also includes "Almost Maine," a novice play running Oct. 15-17 that gives newer actors a chance onstage, and the Broadway pop musical "Six" on Nov. 19-21. Jaffe said "Six" might be double cast to tap the school's deep talent pool. Tickets and schedule details are available at hinsdaledrama.com.

Theatre of Western Springs launches 98th season

Theatre of Western Springs opens its 98th season Thursday, Sept. 10 with Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park" in the Lou & Nancy Schauer Mainstage Theatre. The romantic comedy runs through Sept. 20, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $30, or $17 for children and students.

Artistic director Greg Kolack said the theater's second fall show, "Working: A Musical Production," has been a long time coming.

"We've been wanting to do that for quite a few years," Kolack said.

The musical, featuring songs by Stephen Schwartz, Lin-Manuel Miranda and James Taylor, runs Oct. 22 through Nov. 1. Tickets are $32, or $19 for children and students. Theatre of Western Springs is at 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs.

Drury Lane continues through fall

Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace is running "Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story" through Oct. 18. The production chronicles the rock and roll pioneer's life and music.

"Annie" returns to the Drury Lane stage Nov. 4 for a run through Jan. 10, 2027. The theater last staged the musical more than 20 years ago.

Hinsdale theatre ahead

  • Thursday, Sept. 10 – Sunday, Sept. 20: "Barefoot in the Park," Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $30/$17 students.
  • Thursday, Sept. 24 – Saturday, Sept. 26: "Radium Girls," Hinsdale Central High School. Tickets at hinsdaledrama.com.
  • Thursday, Oct. 15 – Saturday, Oct. 17: "Almost Maine" (novice play), Hinsdale Central High School. Tickets at hinsdaledrama.com.
  • Through Sunday, Oct. 18: "Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story," Drury Lane Theatre, Oakbrook Terrace.
  • Thursday, Oct. 22 – Sunday, Nov. 1: "Working: A Musical Production," Theatre of Western Springs. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $32/$19 students.
  • Thursday, Nov. 19 – Saturday, Nov. 21: "Six," Hinsdale Central High School. May be double cast. Tickets at hinsdaledrama.com.