The Towle Community Theater in Hammond closes its fifth season with the world premiere of "Red Dirt." An adaptation of Tag Purvis' independent movie of the same name, "Red Dirt" is reminiscent of Tennessee Williams' plays with its dysfunctional family story and southern setting.

Summer (Leslie A. Evans), who seems to be suffering from melancholia and/or agoraphobia, spends most of her time in her bedroom listening to music. Her nephew, Griffith (Darek Kowal), who cares for her, wants to get out and see the world. Griffith is involved with his cousin Emily (KeriAnne Gura) who loves the status quo.

Summer's sister/Emily's mother, Lynn (Mary McClelland), is angry and bitter. The appearance in town of a drifter named Lee (Kevin Bellamy) is a catalyst for change. Secrets are revealed, relationships changed, someone gets the courage to leave. Since the Towle is a 'black box' theater, it rarely builds an elaborate set, but "Red Dirt" is an exception. Set designer Kevin Bellamy told me the story seemed to require three different homes and a shop, and he was able to fit it all into the Towle's limited space.

Kudos to Director Jeff Casey and the cast for a job well done. FYI: (219) 937-8780.

Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier opens its season with "Amadeus," directed by Gary Griffin. If you saw the 1979 movie, you'll remember that the central figure in the play is Antonio Salieri (Robert Sella), composer at the court of Joseph II, Emperor of Austria (and brother to Marie Antoinette).

With a dry wit, Salieri introduces us to the idiosyncrasies of the people at court -- from Emperor Joseph II (Lance Baker), to the Royal Chamberlain (Roger Mueller), to the Director of the Imperial Opera (David Lively). Salieri uses supergossip-masters, The Venticelli (Phillip James Brannon and Dan Sanders-Joyce), to keep him "in the know."

Even though he is at the height of his own musical career in Vienna, Salieri is eaten with jealousy when a composition written by a vulgar former child prodigy, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Robbie Collier Sublett), is played at court. Setting out to ruin his rival, Salieri uses a little blackmail to seduce Mozart's wife, Constanze (Elizabeth Ledo). "Amadeus" is a definite must-see. It's not a musical, yet it includes some of the most inspiring music ever written. "Amadeus" plays through Nov. 9. FYI: (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.