by Hedy Weiss
Theater Critic/hweiss@suntimes.com

As they wittily note, "assuming we survive the Ides of March," the Babes With Blades Theatre Company is planning for the opening of its battle-ready production of "Julius Caesar," an all-female take on Shakespeare's historical tragedy. (Might be the ideal alternative to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater's production.) Performances (at Raven Theatre's West Stage, 6156 N. Clark) begin March 9, with an official opening on March 18.

The performance on March 21 will be a Theatre Thursday event, held in collaboration with The League of Chicago Theatres. Patrons are invited to come to Fritzy's Tavern, directly across the street from Raven Theatre at 6156 N Clark, at 6:00 p.m. for a pre-show wine-tasting event. Tickets are $25, and reservations can be made online at babeswithblades.org or by calling 773 (904) 0391 and mentioning "Theatre Thursdays."