Coinciding with its 20th anniversary, ShawChicago Theater Company presents a staged reading of George Bernard Shaw’s most beloved play, Pygmalion.  This comedy of manners, one of the last century’s most successful plays in any language, tells the story of bedraggled Cockney flower peddler Eliza Doolittle and temperamental linguistics professor Henry Higgins’ efforts to pass her off as a member of the upper class at a garden party. Higgins declares that he can transform Eliza in three months, and pass her off as a duchess, simply by teaching her to speak properly. His success in this hilarious endeavor leads to unexpected complications for both Higgins and Doolittle. Shaw’s comedy is as sharp and insightful today as it was in 1913, asking the question, what makes a lady a lady — the way she behaves, or the way she’s treated?  Get comp tickets for eight performances ($8 service fee on $30 tickets) in October and early November.

Get yourself over Hump Night by attending this variety showcase featuring some of the best and brightest comic talents in Chicago. It’s the latest show from Under The Gun Theater Company, Chicago’s newest group on the arts and comedy scene. Under the Gun’s creators — Kevin Mullaney (Chicago Improv Festival artistic director) and Angie McMahon (founding director and performer at Chemically Imbalanced Comedy) — are loaded with talent and experience. Their goal is to create original theater through improvisation, storytelling, music and movement — all with the goal of making you laugh. In addition to the Main Event, there’s also a Pregame Show, which gives new performers an opportunity to work in front of an audience at the Apollo Theater. See full event description for more info on who’s scheduled to perform each night.