Say what you will about large, lavish productions, Broadway musicals and the like, there’s really nothing like seeing a show in a little, intimate black box theater. For starters, the staging’s usually slightly more creative than “stage left/stage right,” and the actors are hungry, and it’s usually not a play you’ve seen half a dozen times. Either way, whether you’ve never seen a scaled-down show or you’re something of an aficionado, if you’re in Chicago, the Oracle and Gift Theatres are both offering free shows this month. The Gift’s is only up through Sunday, though, so make haste if you’re feeling it. (FULL ARTICLE: Kerry Reid, Chicago Tribune)