1. Steppenwolf’s NEXT UP reperatory begins with three separate productions, Animals Out of Paper, Where We’re Born, and Venus showcasing a “next generation of artists.”  The program reveals a lovely look into the background of the people and projects, which are done in conjunction with Northwestern University’s MFA students. The rotation starts tonight with Animals Out of Paper at 8 pm; expect to see both new and old faces to Steppenwolf.

2. Nina Metz talks to Keith Huff about his new play The Detective’s Wife. Huff gained widespread acclaim for his last work, A Steady Rain. He’s also got his hands in movie and television projects you may have heard of, like Mad Men and the James Bond series.

3. Big Love opened this weekend at the Royal George Theatre, but it’s not quite the same thing you’ve seen on HBO. The show, presented by Chicago Fusion Theater, chronicles fifty Greek brides who are followed by their male cousins to an Italian villa where they have attempted to escape marriage. It’s incredibly violent, but somehow manages to remain a comedy. The show, written by Charles L. Mee was seen at the University of Chicago last year.

4. Ismene is running at Dream Theatre through this weekend, and is yet another in the rash of Greek tragedies we’ve seen cropping up around Chicago stages of late. The production was given four-stars by TimeOut, and it’s part of The Ismene Project, which aims to support breast cancer through awareness and raising funds.

5. And looking ahead: the first annual Eye on India festival runs from July 8 to the 15 in Millennium Park. It celebrates Indian culture through theater, dance, music, food, literature, film, exercise and visual arts. Look forward to July 15, when the Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust performs Transposition.

Questions? Tips? Email kdries@wbez.org.