Chicago summers are hot, but these shows opening in July are even hotter. If you hated that sentence, you’ll love these 5 exciting productions opening this month.

Wastwater

Steep Theatre, July 7 – August 14

Steep Theatre closes out its 2015-2016 season with Wastwater, written by Steep associate playwright, Simon Stephens, who is also a Tony Award-winner for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Robin Witt directs, having previously directed Steep’s past productions of Stephens’ plays. Wastwater also stars Chicago stage favorite, and recently named Steppenwolf ensemble member, Caroline Neff.

Tomorrow Morning

Kokandy Productions, July 9 – August 28

In the tradition of Kokandy’s critically acclaimed production of The Last Five Years, Tomorrow Morning is a fresh and intimate contemporary musical. Two couples, separated by time, prepare for a monumental day ahead: when morning comes, twenty-somethings John and Kat will marry and embark upon a new life, while older couple Jack and Catherine will sign their divorce papers. Are they sure they’re doing the right thing? Is anyone really sure they’re doing the right thing when it comes to love? Tomorrow Morning explores the uncertainty of impending change and ultimately, the redeeming power of love.

Direct from Death Row: The Scottsboro Boys

Scottsboro Boys

Raven Theatre, July 21 – August 27

The dark chapter of American history – in which nine African-American teenagers were falsely convicted of assaulting two white women and spent decades in the legal system fighting for their lives – is told surreally and satirically in Stein’s play. In it, the “boys” return from eternity to the stage, where they keep their story alive through songs, a magic act, a ventriloquist act, skits and soft shoe – all to convey the tawdry show that their case became.

Byhalia, Mississipi

Byahlia

Definition & The New Colony at Steppenwolf Theatre, July 22 – August 21

The New Colony and Definition Theatre Company’s hit play Byhalia, Mississipi, winner of three 2016 Jeff Awards including Best New Work, returns this summer as part of Steppenwolf’s Visiting Company Initiative. If you missed the acclaimed new American drama in its two sold-out extensions at The Den Theatre, here’s your chance to see it.

War Paint

Goodman Theatre, June 28 – August 14

Two-time Tony Award winners Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole star in a World Premiere musical about two business titans—and their infamous rivalry.

Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden defined beauty standards for the first half of the 20th Century. Brilliant innovators with humble roots, both were masters of self-invention who sacrificed everything to become the country’s first major female entrepreneurs. They were also fierce competitors, whose 50-year tug-of-war would give birth to an industry. From Fifth Avenue society to the halls of Congress, their remarkable rivalry was ruthless, relentless and legendary—pushing both women to build international empires in a world dominated by men.

Enter the daily TodayTix lottery here for a chance to win $25 tickets to evening performances of War Paint.

Looking for our August roundup of openings? Tap here.

Byhalia Mississipi

5 Shows Opening in Chicago this July