1. What you might not know about Lookingglass’ The Great Fire, currently in previews, is that part of the set is this super cool bookshelf that kind of has a life of it’s own, and is BURNING UP the place (no, it’s not, that’s a terrible, terrible pun). This bookshelf, a feat of engineering by set and prop designers John Dalton and Joel Lambie, does some stuff normal bookshelves might not do, but it’s also causing a bit of a headache for the crew. See it to believe it, I’m not giving it all away.

2. David Cromer has officially signed on to direct Rent, except you have a long while to wait; the production doesn’t open until June, which for uber-Rent fans, is basically 525,600 minutes aka, a long time.

3. Chicago Live! has a brand-new season for ya, which includes highlights like the Human Rhythm Project in November, and the co-founder of Louder Than A Bomb Kevin Coval. The fall season runs for six weeks, and starts October 13.

4. Brinkenbrak’s got Alive coming in October, and I’m going to be real, I don’t know much else about it, save that their website looks pretty scary. When the casting call went out, Brikenbrak was looking for a few people to join them “for this unique, immersive Halloween experience.” And, it’s a very intimate — the theater holds only 10 people — so maybe bring a date and cozy up while you’re frightened out of your mind?

5. Head to Arlington Heights to see The Andrews Brothers perform at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre. These “brothers” take one part mid-century crossdressing and another part “the show must go on” mentality for this, I guess you could say zany?, show. “Deemed unfit for military service but desperate to help in the war effort, Lawrence, Patrick and Max Andrews decide to be stage hands for the USO show at Fort Kittylock, hoping to one day perform themselves,” says the press release. “They’re all set to run the lights and move scenery for the big Andrews Sisters’ show when they get word that the Sisters have caught the chicken pox and won’t be performing. Not wanting to let their soldiers down, the Brothers squeeze into nylons, throw on wigs and give those boys a show they won’t soon forget.”

Questions? Tips? Email kdries@wbez.org.