TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE

Critical commentary on local theater Stirring Shakespeare "Henry V." All hail King Henry! Next Theatre's thoroughly modernversion of Shakespeare's rousing history play moves like the wind andtells the story of the Battle of Agincourt with power, intelligence,concision and (in the lovely scenes with the French princess and herlady-in-waiting) great charm. Co-directed by Steve Pickering andKate Buckley, the show stars Bruce Orendorf as the English king wholoathes war but wages it triumphantly. And the ensemble, working onRobert G. Smith's inspired set, conjures a cast of thousands. Theproduction will run through April 22 at Next, 927 Noyes, Evanston.Tickets: (708) 475-1875. Highly recommended. Miller Time "Broken Glass." Arthur Miller, now in his 80th year, continues toprobe the pathology of the 20th century in his latest play. It's setin Brooklyn in 1938 but echoes with the shattering sounds and imagesof the Nazi ascent in Europe. Sylvia Gellburg (Lisa Dodson) is theunhappy wife of an assimilated but fiercely conflictedJewish-American banker (Michael Guido). When she suddenly loses theability to walk, her troubled marriage becomes a metaphor for agreater form of impotence. The play has an old-fashioned 1940squality, but director Susan Padveen, designer Linda Buchanan and theaching sounds of a cellist add a stark modernism. It runs throughMay 7 at National Jewish Theatre, 5050 W. Church. Tickets: (708)675-5070. Recommended, with reservations. History Lesson "North Star." Gloria Bond Clunie's rather obvious but moving playlooks back at the civil rights movement as it evolved during theearly 1960s. At the center of the story is a middle-class blackfamily in a small town in North Carolina. When Relia, the smartpreteen girl in the family, wants to become involved in protests, herfather approves, but her mother fears she may be left with deeppsychic, as well as physical, scars. Sandy Shinner has directed afirst-rate cast, with Thomasina Gross as Relia and Christopher Brown- a remarkable young actor who practically steals the show - as herbest friend. A solid family drama, the play runs through April 30 atVictory Gardens Theatre, 2257 N. Lincoln. Tickets: (312) 871-3000.Recommended. The Beat Goes On "Doo Wop Shoo Bop." This endlessly delightful celebration of thedoo wop sound of the 1950s has been a major hit for the BlackEnsemble Theatre, 4520 N. Beacon. And after it completes its runthere tonight, it will move to the Ivanhoe Theatre, 750 W.Wellington, where it will play a limited engagement April 14-30.Tickets (at the Ivanhoe): (312) 975-7171. Highly recommended. Unless otherwise indicated, all plays are reviewed by Sun-Timestheater critic Hedy Weiss. For more information, times, dates andprices for these and other Chicago area theaters, turn to The Guide,inside this issue of WeekendPlus.