Two fine shows extend their runs

Among several shows that recently have announced extensions, two are particular favorites: "Jacques Brel's Lonesome Losers of the Night," the moody, very European musical revue for four actors and a pianist now being presented by the Theo Ubique Theater, and "Golda's Balcony," the one-woman show about the late Israeli prime minister Golda Meir, now in a Pegasus Players production. One or the other (or both) should easily get you through this summer of political campaigns, gas pump sticker shock and tumultuous weather disasters.

The richly atmospheric Brel show (now running through Aug. 30 at the No Exit Cafe, 6970 N. Glenwood) has been deftly crafted by Jeff-winning director Fred Anzevino, who has spun Arnold Johnston's splendid translations of the Belgian-French songwriter's story-songs into a classic scenario played out in a seedy bar where two young soldiers, a beautiful prostitute and a sardonic bartender cross paths. The actors are top-notch, with voices that soar. Tickets: (773) 743-3355.

As for "Golda's Balcony," actress Janet Ulrich Brooks (you might remember her as Lillian Hellman in an earlier one-woman turn) is giving the finest portrayal of Meir I've seen to date. She brings both steely intelligence and true vulnerability to her portrayal of this formidable stateswoman who, in 1973, had to contemplate the possibility of using nuclear weapons. Tickets: (773) 878-9761.