Agamemnon

Aeschylus’s indelible story of Greek royals who follow a decadelong war with a battle against each other, courtesy of director Charles Newell and U. of C. professor emeritus of classics Nicholas Rudall. November 5 to December 6. $38 to $68. Court Theatre. courttheatre.org

Miss Buncle’s Book

Playwright Christina Calvit adapts D.E. Stevenson’s tale of an author who becomes too popular for her own good. Through November 1. $20 to $50. Lifeline Theatre. lifelinetheatre.com

1984

Big Brother is scarier than ever in Andrew White’s chilling adaptation of George Orwell’s seminal novel. October 21 to November 15. $20. Steppenwolf. steppenwolf.org

East of Eden

Frank Galati’s 1988 adaptation of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath was pure theater alchemy. The director is at it again with Steinbeck’s tale of two interlocked families that sprawls over half a century and across a continent. Through November 15. $49 to $89. Steppenwolf. steppenwolf.org

Treasure Island

Director Mary Zimmerman’s stunning aesthetic and actor Lawrence Di Stasi’s shape-shifting prowess ensure that this new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic will be one of the most rip-roaring experiences of the season. October 7 to January 17. $30 to $80. Lookingglass Theatre. lookingglasstheatre.org

The Revel

Euripides’s The Bacchae gets an Appalachian makeover in Damon Kiely’s take on Dionysus’s quest for respect. Through October 25. $15 to $35. House Theatre. thehousetheatre.com

Dracula

All Girl Dracula reimagines Bram Stoker’s infamous vampire as a countess with an insatiable appetite. October 10 to November 14. $28. Zoo Studios. chicagomammals.com