Chicago Theatre Week Features Great Discount Tickets Now Through February 22nd #ChicagoTheatreWeek #ChiILPicksList

Due to overwhelming success, Chicago Theatre Week is expanding in 2015. The upcoming celebration of the rich tradition of theatre-going in Chicago is returning for its third year and will take place February 12 – 22, 2015, spanning a week and two full weekends for the first time. More than 100 productions are expected to participate as part of the 2015 lineup by offering tickets for $15 or $30, or less. Chicago Theatre Week is presented by the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago.

Tickets are onsale at www.ChicagoTheatreWeek.com.

ChiIL Live Shows has seen and highly recommends:

The Selfish Giant at Chicago Children’s Theatre; Rapture, Blister, Burn at the Goodman Theatre; Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play at Theater Wit; and Samsara at Victory Gardens Theater. 

A few more of Chicago Theatre Week’s 2015 participating productions of note include:

Waiting for Godot at Court Theatre; Tannhäuser at the Lyric Opera of Chicago; Tommy at Paramount Theatre; and Marie Antoinette at Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

The complete list of participating theatres are listed on www.chicagotheatreweek.com. In the past two years, more than 200 shows have offered value-priced tickets to more than 600 performances in one week. Visitors and residents will again have the opportunity to sample the extraordinary range of theatrical offerings throughout Chicagoland.

“The decision to expand Chicago Theatre Week comes in response to the overwhelming success this celebration has seen over the past two years,” comments Deb Clapp, Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres. “We are so thrilled to be able to share the amazing work this theatre community produces with audiences during this 11-day celebration.”

“Choose Chicago is excited to be a partner for Chicago Theatre Week in 2015,” declares Melissa Cherry, Vice President of Cultural Tourism & Neighborhoods of Choose Chicago. “This is a perfect moment for visitors to experience the city, and shine a light on Chicago's amazing theatre scene.”

Kate Lipuma, Executive Director of Writers Theatre and Chair of the League of Chicago Theatres adds, “The reach of Chicago Theatre Week has expanded so much that one week just wasn’t enough! The 11-day celebration in 2015 will offer Chicagoans and visitors even more opportunities to visit their favorite theatres and explore new companies all across Chicago.”

The hotel partners for Chicago Theatre Week 2015 are ACME Hotel Company and The Dana Hotel & Spa.  For information about Special Theatre Week rates, visit www.chicagotheatreweek.com.

About Chicago theatre

Chicago theatre is a leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theatres throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theatres in the country, including 5 that have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago’s theatres serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. In 2012-13 alone, Chicago theatre companies produced more than 130 world premiere productions and adaptations. Each year, Chicago theatres send new work to resident theatres across the country, to Broadway, and around the world. 

About the League of Chicago Theatres

The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theatres which leverages its collective strength to promote, support, and advocate for Chicago's theatre industry locally, nationally, and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the art of theatre in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theatres and theatre professionals.

For a comprehensive list of Chicago productions, visit the League of Chicago Theatres website, www.chicagoplays.com.  Half-price tickets are available each week at www.hottix.org.  Additional information about Chicago Theatre Week is available at www.chicagotheatreweek.com.

Parents' Night Out at La Soiree #Show Review

   David O'Mer

La Soiree has 6 shows left in Chi-Town, and we highly suggest you catch them while you can!   This self proclaimed "dysfunctional family" can adopt me any day.   I WISH my family were this wickedly witty, talented and twisted.   These tattooed circus freaks are my kind of peeps.    La Soiree rocks The Riverfront Theater with dysfunctional family values 


Unless you're a total prude or under 18--in which case we suggest you sit this one out--La Soiree is highly recommended.   Do note, this show contains mature themes, innuendo and full on nudity, and is a fabulous night out for laid back adults who love burlesque, circus arts, and internationally renowned, uber talented freaks.


We see a LOT of world class circus arts and La Soiree managed to show me quite a few acts I never even imagined....let alone saw before.  This is one hilarious show that is in turn crass and classy, poignant and pornographic.  I'm still baffled at the magic, strip tease, silk act.  






     The English Gents at Sydney Opera House   Photo by Prudence Upton


And the partner acro by The English Gents was stunningly good.   It was also a pleasure to see a guy on lyra instead of the usual petite pixie girls.   





Bret Pfister


And I've never seen Chinese pole acts done on a revolving pole before.   This multicultural, gender bending extravaganza will leave you shaking your head in wonder and peeing your pants laughing.





Nate Cooper


We particularly dug the finale with a shirtless dude in jeans in a claw foot tub full of water and bungie straps.   It was so gorgeous and so passive aggressive.  He kept doing aerial ballet and dunking down into the water to spout like a fountain on the first row and flip his hair and body around, drenching everyone.


 


David O'Mer


Crazy stuff!   La Soiree is a magical microcosm of world class cabaret performers, loads of cross dressing, gender bending, and sweet aerial arts and contortionist tricks.     All the actors were super talented and did circus arts in some creative ways I've NEVER seen.

Yulia

The show must close this Sunday, August 5th, so go already!    Chicago's new Riverfront Theatre is the site of Broadway in Chicago's production of Peter Pan, and appears to be here to stay.   We adore this tent on...you guessed it, the river front.    It's an intimate performance space and La Soiree uses a tiny circular stage, a piano top, and the high peak of the tent for aerial arts, to great advantage.    Check out Goldstar for discount tickets here, or spring for the ring side seats and get up close and personal with the stars.   You will most definitely get wet, and you may get a lap dance by a big black diva dude, opera singer in spandex!   Or you may get called up on stage to assist.





   Mooky Roundhouse Photo by Prudence Upton


Check out our past coverage here for show times, ticket links, act summaries and a video clip.   

Riverfront Theater presents 

La Soirée  

Through August 5, 2012

Riverfront Theater, located at 650 W. Chicago Avenue, just east of Halsted Street. 

Winner of the 2012 London Cabaret Awards, La Soirée combines cabaret, new burlesque, circus sideshow and contemporary variety.  The sexy, funny, dangerous world of La Soiree has enchanted audiences across the globe in Edinburgh, Paris, Sydney, Stockholm, Dublin, Montreal, Adelaide and Blackpool.  La Soiree’s internationally-acclaimed artists include stars from La Clique, the Olivier Award-winning show which ran at London's Hippodrome for nine months. La Soiree is a dynamic collective of some of the most outrageous, hilarious, beautiful and downright bizarre acts you will ever see.

La Soirée runs in Riverfront Theater’s 70-foot big top circus tent.  Curtain times are:

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 7:30pm

Fridays 8:00pm

Saturday, July 21 5:00pm and 8:00pm

Saturday, July 28 6:00pm and 9pm

Saturday, August 4 6:00pm and 9pm

Sundays 4:00pm and 7:00pm. 

Tickets, $39-$85, for the three-week, limited engagement are now on sale at the Riverfront Theater box office, 650 W. Chicago Ave, HYPERLINK "http://www.RiverfrontTheater.com"www.RiverfrontTheater.com; and through Ticketmaster,  HYPERLINK "http://www.ticketmaster.com" www.ticketmaster.com or 888.556.9484. 

Parking is located on Chicago Avenue, next door to venue with direct access to show.  Additional parking is located at 811 N. Larabee and 950 N. Kingsbury.

La Soirée is recommended for Mature Audiences.

ACT OUT: The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later at Redtwist Theatre (Review)

Where else can you currently see 8 actors take on upwards of 50 characters in two interrelated shows?!

Redtwist Theatre is one of our local favorites, with a long string of Jeff recommended productions, and an intimate performance space.   They've got a new entry way into their black box space, off the front lobby now, and a thought provoking show that provides a new entry way into the hot button issue of how hate impacts society.  We've been promoting The Laramie Project:  Ten Years Later since February, on our Facebook and Twitter streams, but if you still haven't seen it yet, you just have until April 7th to check it out.   

We were blown away by Red Twist's current and incredibly timely offering, The Laramie Project:  Ten Years Later.   The choice of simple costume pieces ...glasses here, a tie there, and the presentation of the show on a bare bones set, only serve to accentuate the immensity of the content.   Thirteen years after the horrific beating death of Matthew Shepard, hate crime protection has finally been enacted on the federal level by President Obama, after his two predecessors failed, yet hate crimes, harassment and bullying are still increasing.  As Matthew's mother so eloquently states, "These plays are not about being gay.  They are about being hurt for being different, or perceived to be different, whatever that difference may be."    As the right wing amps up the hate rhetoric to the point where gay teen suicides are in the news frequently and bullies feel sanctified in their violence against others, this production's message is as urgent as ever.

I was saddened though not surprised by the townspeople's collective amnesia, and eagerness to spin history to support a more palpable view of themselves.   A mere ten years later, people who once saw irrefutable court room proof of a heinous, lethal gay bashing, bandied about victim blaming falsehoods about a drug deal gone bad.   Who wants to openly identify with a homicidal homophobic town where peaceful college students are killed for pocket change and partner preferences?   It seems a robbery co-opted into a hate crime by liberals, to advance their politics, is an easier lie to believe.   

On a parallel note, my husband's presently on a TV shoot with someone who was a student at Columbine during the shootings, and she recently met with similar resistance and hostility when she wanted to make a 10 year documentary.   Even as an insider, many of her classmates refused to talk to her and were adamantly against the project.   People wanted to forget and not dredge up the past, and gave her so much resistance that the project may not advance.

Still, for all the haters and amnesiacs, there is an encouragingly dogged group in Laramie and beyond, still making sure Matthew's death meant something, and will make a difference for future generations.  The scene of the gay marriage political debate and vote gave me hope, as well.   Even with our current two steps forward, one step back, politics in 2012, there are still leaders who will cross conservative and liberal lines and party views to vote with wisdom and compassion.   This courageous and vital set of shows spread the message to that many more people.   Suggested for adults audiences and mature teens.   Highly recommended.

Interrogation

L-R: Jan Ellen Graves, Gene Cordon, Eleanor Katz, Matt Babbs, Matthew Klingler,Lisa Herceg, Kurt Brocker, Devon Candura,  Photo: Kimberly Loughlin

The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later
By Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris, and Stephen Belber   
Directed by three-time Jeff Award-winner, Greg Kolack
The ten-year epilogue is a companion piece to the iconic, The Laramie Project,
one of the most-produced plays in the U.S. and around the world.

---

HISTORICAL FACTS OF THE STORY
On October 6, 1998, a gay University of Wyoming student, Matthew Shepard, left the Fireside Bar in Laramie, Wyoming, with Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. The following day he was discovered at the edge of town. He was tied to a fence, brutally beaten, and close to death.

By the following day, Matthew's attack and the town of Laramie had become the focus of an international news story. On October 12, 1998, Matthew Shepard died at Poudre Valley Hospital in Ft. Collins, Colorado.

On November 14, 1998, the members of Tectonic Theater Project traveled to Laramie, Wyoming, and conducted interviews with the people of the town. During the next year, Tectonic would return to Laramie several times and conduct over two hundred interviews. The play that resulted is edited from those interviews, as well as from journal entries by members of the company and other found texts.

PRODUCTION HISTORY OF BOTH PLAYS
The Laramie Project premiered at The Ricketson Theatre, performed by the Denver Center Theatre Company in February, 2000. It was then performed at the Union Square Theater in New York City, before a November, 2002, performance in Laramie, Wyoming. The play has also been performed by high schools, colleges, and community theaters across the country, as well as professional playhouses around the world. In addition, the HBO film directed by Moisés Kaufman, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in March, 2002.

The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later is the epilogue to the original. Ten years after Shepard's murder, members of the Tectonic Theater Project returned to Laramie to conduct follow-up interviews with residents featured in the original play. Those interviews were turned into this companion piece. The play debuted as a simultaneous reading at nearly 150 theatres across the US and internationally on October 12, 2009 - the 11th anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s death. Most of the theaters were linked by webcam to New York City where Judy Shepard and the play's producers and writers gave an opening speech to begin this unique memorial and evening of theater.

DIRECTOR
Greg Kolack, former Artistic Director of Circle Theatre, has won three Jeff Awards as Best Director, most recently for columbinus, at Raven Theatre. Greg has been interested in directing these two projects together since the nationwide reading in 2009. Several years ago, he visited Laramie to gather research for the project. On January 6, 2012, Greg made his second trip to Laramie on the cusp of the rehearsal period, to meet with various real-life characters depicted in The Laramie Project. His travelogue, reported via email to the cast each evening was filled with first-person reports shared by the locals who lived through the experience, and who shared with Greg their unique insights and poignant reflections on the events over thirteen years ago that catalyzed tectonic change in our society. Greg’s diligent research and his eye for detail as an award-winning director, will surely inform and enliven this production with a unique theatrical style.

REDTWIST PRODUCTION
Both shows will be performed by only eight actors, who portray dozens of roles in our signature, intimate space. The actors and director have personally talked with the real characters in the play, and also with members of the Tectonic Theater Project. A number of post-show discussions are scheduled for groups and upon special request.

CAST
Matt Babbs, Kurt Brocker, Devon Candura, Gene Cordon, Lisa Herceg, Jan Ellen Graves, Eleanor Katz, Matthew Klingler
   
STAFF
Greg Kolack (Director), Allison Queen (Stage Manager), Amanda Lautermilch (Assistant Stage Manager), Justin Castellano (Tech Director), Andrei Onegin (Set Designer), Rachel Spear (Sound Designer), Christopher Burpee (Lighting Designer), kClare Kemock (Costume Designer), Mary Reynard Liss (Vocal Coach) Jan Ellen Graves (Graphic Designer), Charles Bonilla (Box Office Manager), Johnny Garcia (Associate Producer), Michael Colucci & Jan Ellen Graves (Producers)

REMAINING DATES:
The Laramie Project (the original)
Saturdays Mar 17, 24, 31, Apr 7, at 3pm
Running time: approx. 2:30 incl. 2 intermissions
Tickets: $15

The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later (Epilogue)
Performs:  Thu, Fri, Sat at 7:30pm & Sun at 3pm, Also April 1 at 7:30pm
Closes: Sat, Apr 7, 7:30pm
Running Time: approx. 1:45 incl. 1 intermission
Tickets: Thursdays, $25; Fridays & Sundays, $27; Saturdays, $30 (seniors & students $5 off)
Group Rates: Special discounts for groups of 10 or more, and groups of 25 or more

THE DETAILS
Call: 773-728-7529
Email: reserve@redtwist.org
Website/Tickets: www.redtwist.org

Redtwist is located at 1044 W Bryn Mawr, 2 blks W of LSD, 2 blks E of the Red Line El station. Street parking (paybox/meters until 9pm) is available on Bryn Mawr, side streets, and Broadway. Please reserve 48 hours in advance. Credit cards accepted by phone and via Paypal to guarantee seating.

Winners Announced for Sold Out Lost & Found and The North Plan

Congrats to this week's theatre ticket winners.    Lost & Found at The Actor's Gym is now completely sold out through the end of their run....but we still have 4 tickets today for one of our lucky readers!

Meg M.--4 tickets to (sold out) Lost & Found at Actor's Gym at 7:30pm THIS Friday night.   Click here for full show details and links to ChiIL Live Shows' review.

Aviv H.--2 tickets to teen night at The North Plan at Theater Wit THIS Saturday night.   Pre-party 7pm.   Show at 8pm.   Pizza and talk back with the actors after the show.    Click here for ChiIL Live Shows' review and show details.    

The North Plan is Jeff recommended, which complete a trifecta of Jeff-y goodness, with all three shows currently at Theater Wit considered excellent by the hard-attending members of the committee!! Big congrats from ChiIL Live Shows. We saw The North Plan and Punk Rock and highly recommend both. Great stuff happening over at Theater Wit these days.

As always, check back with ChiIL Live Shows and ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   We have loads of great nationwide give aways and free Chicago concert and theatre tickets.

Act Out-Review: Collaboraction's Dark Play or Stories for Boys

"the question, the choice, the question the choice....." Olivia Dustman and clancy McCartney in the opening scene of "dark play or stories for boys" by Carlos Murillo (photo by Cesario Moza)

We had a chance to check out this macabre and thoroughly engaging play on Thursday.    Highly recommended.   Collaboraction has again brought an amazing Chicago premier to audiences.   Dark Play is an edgy, disturbing and multilayered mind game where the lines blur and distort between fantasy and reality.   It's a modern day cautionary tale for times when every tween has ready access to cell phones, web cams and computers.   It's a twisted sex and gender bending saga, full of webs of lies and lies on the web, that rival Shakespeare's classic twists of mistaken gender identities.    The creativity and intelligence of the 14 year old protagonist are only rivaled by his self destructiveness, loneliness and revenge/humiliation fantasies.  Dark Plays or Stories for Boys is based on a true story of a British teenage boy who "ventures down a dark path into the virtual world" as reported in "Vanity Fair", February 2005.


This powerful piece works on so many levels.   Note, although the main character's story occurs at age 14, mature adult themes of sex, violence, and homosexuality are presented on stage, so parents are strongly cautioned to see the show first or at least do the research before bringing teens, and this is definitely not a show for younger boys (or girls).    Also consider, if an older child can conceptually handle the material, would they be mortified to be seeing a mature themed show with their parents?    Still, it's an excellent, eye opening story that would leave a lasting impression on older teens in a way that lectures about sexting and internet predators and peers just don't.   If you choose to leave the kids at home, this is still a highly recommended, must see, for parents and other adults.

We went straight home after the show and put the parental controls on all the lap tops, even though our 10 year old is still happily playing Club Penguin, Moshies, and Webkin World!  The show touches on a vital conversation that needs to be broached with tweens these days.  There are plenty of bored, vindictive and predatory kids and adults on line who are not who they say they are and are happy to invent Dark Stories, where only some of the players know all the rules and the end result is potentially dangerous.    Kudos to Collaboraction for mounting this intense drama in such a tasteful and compelling way.

We know more than a couple of parents who thought their tween boys were still innocent "children", who found out the hard way that their kids were growing up.   Their hard drives were irreparably fried by viral nastiness from their children's virtual explorations.   At least computers are more irreplaceable than gullible kids who fall prey to on-line creeps.   There's a lot more at stake today, with on line experimentation, and enlightening the innocent is a necessary evil.


I will say, though, we knew a group of guys who worked on Insomniac with Dave Attell, who successfully pulled off a complex dark play of their own on another adult coworker.   They had her going for a while with a fictitious relationship with a band boy.   It's a bit more forgivable since all the parties were adults and friends....but it makes me think twice about believing anything personal that doesn't occur face to face.



dark play or stories for boys by Carlos Murillo
Thursday 2/2, 8 pm
Friday 2/3, 8 pm
Saturday 2/4, 8 pm
Sunday 2/5, 7 pm
Monday, 2/6 8 pm
Thursday 2/9, 8 pm
Friday 2/10, 8 pm
Saturday 2/11, 8 pm
Sunday 2/12, 7 pm
Monday 2/13, 8 pm
Thursday 2/16, 8 pm
Friday 2/17, 8 pm
Saturday 2/18, 8 pm
Sunday 2/19, 7 pm
Monday 2/20, 8 pm
Thursday 2/23, 8 pm
Friday 2/24, 8 pm
Saturday 2/25, 8 pm
Sunday 2/26, 3PM

Directed by Anthony Moseley

Jan. 12 - Feb. 26, 2012

Collaboraction at the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1575 N. Milwaukee Ave

Dark play or stories for boys follows a teenage boy’s foray into the virtual world. His fictional internet identity begins as a harmless game, but the game takes on a frightening reality when real emotion overtakes his online relationship. When Nick’s virtual world collides with the real world, his fantasies of love, intimacy, obsession and betrayal spiral into consequences that lead him to the brink of death. Dark play or stories for boys was first produced as part the Humana Festival at Actor's Theatre of Louisville. Murrillo is the winner of National Latino Playwriting Award (2006) and the Otis Guernsey New Voices in American Playwriting Award at the 28th annual William Inge Theatre Festival. Murillo currently serves as the Head of Playwrighting Program at The Theatre School at DePaul University.

The cast of the Chicago premiere includes Clancy McCartney (Nick), Aaron Kirby (Adam), Olivia Dustman (Rachel/Molly), Jane deLaubenfels (Female Netizen) and Sorin Brouwers (Male Netizen). Lighting Design by Michael Reed, set design is by Joe Schermoly, sound design is by Stephen Ptacek and costume design is by Drew Hill.

CAST

Aaron Kirby (Adam) is thrilled to be making his Collaboraction debut.  He most recently appeared with the House Theatre in Cyrano.  Other Chicago credits include:  Entertaining Mr. Sloane (Project 891), Much Ado About Nothing (Chicago dell’Arte), A Christmas CARL (Chicago dell’Arte), Vaudeville (Cold Basement), Spectacle Lunatique (Redmoon).  International: The Girl of 10,000 Smiles (Edinburgh Fringe).  He also holds an MFA in Acting (Wayne State).

Clancy McCartney (Nick) comes to you from the foggy shores of San Francisco, and is proud to make his theatrical debut with Collaboraction Theatre. A recent graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University, he would like to thank his family, Daniela Colucci, and everyone else that’s helped get him here.

Jane deLaubenfels (Female Netizen) is thrilled to be working with Collaboraction.  She appeared in the Jeff Award winning production of Man From Nebraska at Redtwist Theatre last Spring.  Jane has also worked with Provision, Stage Left, American Theater Company, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, and City Lit, among others.  This May she will be performing with the storytelling collective, 2nd Story.  Jane lives in Lincoln Square with her husband, Jamie, and their children, Alice and Gabriel.

Olivia Dustman (Rachel/Molly) originally hails from Salt Lake City, Utah and is a recent graduate from DePaul University with her BFA in Acting. At DePaul she performed in; Holes, Four Twins, Inky, The Skriker (Lily), A View from the Bridge (Catherine) and Medea.  She made her professional Chicago theatre debut in Summer and Smoke at The Den Theatre and played Nellie in that production. After Dark Play, Olivia will be playing one of her dreams roles; Juliet in Romeo and Juliet with Glass Onion Theatre and will also be working on Pride and Prejudice at Lifeline Theatre. Olivia is super excited to be a part of this amazing ensemble and is thankful to everyone who has supported her in her dreams!

Sorin Brouwers (Male Netsizen) makes his onstage debut at Collaboraction with Dark Play.  As an actor, he's worked with the Cleveland Playhouse, 16th Street, Dog & Pony Theatre, Eclipse Theatre, Circle Theatre, Playwrights Center, Griffin, Breadline, Mary Arrchie and others.  He's directed for The Playwrights Center (Jeroen Brouwers’ Without Subtitles) and written music and designed sound for Organic Theater Co. (resident emeritus), About Face Theatre, Eclipse Theatre, Dog & Pony Theatre Co., Inequity Theater, Historic Pickwick Theater, Directors Theatre Chicago and others.  He's also enjoyed starring and supporting roles in independent and feature films, nat'l commercials and voiceovers and working as a motion capture artist for popular video games.
 

"Turn your web cam on..." Aaron Kirby (L), Olvia Distman (C) and Clancy McCarntey (photo by Cesario Moza)

The verdict is in! Chicago loves "dark play." The show has opened to enthusiastic responses from critics and audiences alike:

Chicago Sun-Times - "...as disturbing as it is powerful..."
Chicago Theater Beat - "...a simultaneously repellent and ultra-compelling saga.”
Around the Town Chicago - "...the acting is strong as is the direction..."
Chicago Now - "Amazes and dazes!"
Chicago Critic - "...a worthy journey into the potential power of the Internet..."
Centerstage - "Collaboraction's production is...top-notch."
Newcity Stage - "...a deeply felt Chicago premiere."
Chicago Reader - "...compelling...a thrill.”
TimeOut Chicago - "surprisingly packed and active...a digital dreamscape."
WBEZ Dueling Critics Audio Review - "...this is why Chicago theater is the best in the country."

And here's a handful of audience member reactions to the production:
"This is an incredibly well produced and intense play. With simple and clean scene changes, with minimal fuss, the world of a lonely teen is presented graphically. There is drama, humor and intensity in every scene, and the young cast brings it off beautifully. It's one of those rare pieces that takes you on a journey with surprises around every corner. Do yourself a favor and see this play in this tight production in an intimate setting. You'll love it." ~"John" on goldstar.com (5 out of 5 stars)

"Wonderfully exciting 90 minutes of theatre. Highly recommend." ~"Goldstar Member" on goldstar.com (4 out of 5 stars)

"A pretty intense experience...really well acted, staged, and directed. The venue is also a terrific place to see a play." ~"Goldstar Member" on goldstar.com (4 out of 5 stars)

"Dark Play is not an easy ride, although it is a worthwhile one...See this jarring and disturbing wonder." ~"Goldstar Member" on goldstar.com (5 out of 5 stars)

Check out video clips of scenes from the show here.

Join Collaboraction at Luminous Field in Millennium Park--February 10th and 17th (family friendly/free fun)
 
Collaboraction is proud to announce that this February we will be a part of the groundbreaking public project "Luminous Field," a site-specific, audio-visual installation in Millennium Park. The Chicago-based artistic ensemble Luftwerk will transform the plaza "into a digital canvas of light and geometrical form" reflected by the Cloud Gate (aka "The Bean") and set to music composed by local Third Coast Percussion member Owen Clayton Condon.

On February 10th and 17th at 7, 8 and 9PM, Collaboraction will present a 5-minute choreographed performance followed by interactive games inspired by the installation. Even better, the event is FREE. Please join us for this exciting citywide celebration of art, technology, and performance! (We encourage you to dress in white in order to take full advantage of the projected environment.)
 
Check out the photos below of Collaboraction performer Nathaniel Card rehearsing in preparation for Luminous Field:

 

Photo Credit:   http://collaboraction.org/

CONSIDER A DONATION TO COLLABORACTION'S 300 CAMPAIGN TO CREATE A SECOND COLLABORACTION PERFORMANCE VENUE IN THE FLAT IRON ARTS BUILDING.

Act Out-Opening, Closing, Extended & Recommended

Opening:   Here at ChiIL Mama/ChiIL Live Shows, we can't wait for Houdini and Houdini Box!   Houdini Box is family friendly fun at Chicago Children's Theatre and Houdini is playing simultaneously at The House for the PG13 crowd (*As always, use your best judgement.   You know your own kids better than suggested age guides.)  We'll be at opening night of both, very different shows next week.   There are so many fantastic offerings this year.   We'll continue to run ACT OUT theatre features often, with more family friendly and adult shows.   Here's a hand full of stand outs.  *FF signifies family friendly.

Mama Mia
Broadway in Chicago
Oriental Theatre
1 week only!
Opens 1/24-29th FF 

MAMMA MIA! is the ultimate feel-good show that has audiences coming back again and again to relive the thrill. Now the Broadway sensation is coming to Chicago’s Oriental Theatre and it’s your turn to have the time of your life at this smash-hit musical that combines ABBA’s greatest hits, including “Dancing Queen,” “S.O.S.,” “Super Trouper,” “Take A Chance on Me” and “The Winner Takes It All,” with an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. Whether it’s your first visit or your fourteenth, see the show that has the whole world coming back for more, because every time feels like the first time at MAMMA MIA!.

Ticket prices are $18 to $85.

Groups of 15 or more now on sale!
Call 312-977-1710

The Hunchback Variations Opera
Theatre Oobleck
Victory Gardens
*Music by Mark Messing (Check out our video interview with him here) 

That’s right. It’s happening. Theater Oobleck is doing its first opera.
 
“Cerebral, comic, and just plain weird,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2002) 

Mickle Maher‘s The Hunchback Variations (2001) has been one of the most successful productions in Oobleck’s 23-year history—presented to critical acclaim over the last decade in Chicago, St. Louis, Washington D.C., and Hamburg, Germany.

The Hunchback Variations takes the form of a panel discussion between Quasimodo, hunchback of Notre Dame, and Ludwig van Beethoven, composer, on their attempt to create a mysterious sound effect called for in Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard. Playing out over 11 scenes, or “variations,” the story details the duo’s collaboration—one doomed by their mutual deafness, their unpleasant working conditions, and the fact that Beethoven has not yet finished reading the The Cherry Orchard.

A deft deconstruction of the creative process, and a fearless investigation of artistic collaboration, Hunchback is driven by questions about the nature of music and sound and performance. So, what could be more natural than to throw it fully – collaboratively!—into the embrace of music and sound and performance by giving it over to the wildly innovative mind of composer Mark Messing, the genius behind the scores of numerous Redmoon productions, and co-founder of the mad, brilliant marching band, Mucca Pazza?

With George Andrew Wolff (tenor) as Beethoven, Larry Adams (bass) as Quasimodo, Tim Lenihan on piano, and Paul Ghica on cello.
Lighting design by Chris Wooten. Stage Management by Melinda Evans.
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This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts

*Quick ticket explanation: You can get your “more if you’ve got it, free if you’re broke” tickets (as per Theater Oobleck tradition) by calling the box office 773-871-3000. For on-line tickets, click on the link above, then click on the day you want. Then in the next screen you indicate how many tickets you want. Then in the NEXT screen you are given the option of a “Regular Price” (that would be $20), a $10, or a $1 ticket.

The Hunchback Variations is “a moving meditation on collaboration and the creative process.” –Jack Helbig, Chicago Reader, on the play’s 2001 debut

“This is not the stuff of standard theater, much less standard opera. It is the stuff of an absurdist masterpiece.” —Chicago Stage Review’s Venus Zarris, on a 2011 workshop production of The Hunchback Variations Opera


Houdini Box
Chicago Children's Theatre
Mercury Theatre 
3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago
opens 1/24 FF
*Music by Mark Messing (interviewed here by ChiIL Mama)
January 24-March 4, 2012
Recommended for ages 5 and up




Directed by Blair Thomas. Book and Lyrics by Hannah Kohl, Music by Mark Messing. Based on the book THE HOUDINI BOX written and illustrated by Brian Selznick, and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Brought to life right before your eyes by actors, musicians, and puppets, sure to thrill and surprise. As famed escape artist Harry Houdini circles the globe performing one incredible stunt after another, Victor, a young devotee goes through his own rigorous magician’s training – locking himself in closets, holding his breath under water and walking into walls.  After a chance encounter with his hero, Victor receives a special box that just might contain the secrets of Houdini’s great success.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE: “The Houdini Box” is Top 10 show to see in early 2012
-Chris Jones

“The Houdini Box,” Chicago Children’s Theatre. Brian Selznick wrote the children’s book “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” the source for “Hugo,” one of the more prominent holiday movies this year. That has propelled Selznick and his work to a new level of awareness. “The Houdini Box,” which will be directed at Chicago Children’s Theatre by the formidable visual storyteller Blair Thomas, is a brand-new musical based on Selznick’s first book, the story of a boy who receives a mysterious box that may unlock the secrets of Harry Houdini.
 

Download “The Houdini Box” Study Guide and get info about the
Entrants to The Houdini Box Who's Your Hero? illustrated essay contest must be 15 years or younger as of Feb. 17, 2012. 

Limit one entry per person.  Comprehensive show study guides including complete contest information and rules are already being sent to schools, libraries, book stores and children's retailers throughout Chicagoland.   Or, download a show study guide via The Houdini Box show page on Chicago Children's Theatre's website, http://chicagochildrenstheatre.org/shows/the-houdini-box. 

  
MAGIC MYSTERY DEATH & HARRY HOUDINI
The House Theatre
opens 1/29 FF-PG13

Come one, come all to see the Great Harry Houdini escape the clutches of Death!
Before your very eyes, The House's very own Dennis Watkins takes your breath away, chained and submerged in Houdini's dreaded Water Torture Cell.
Death-defying performances begin this weekend... with FREE PIZZA!
Tickets are just $25 to witness this unforgettable performance through March 11.

DON'T DELAY - performances are already selling out!
 
Saturday 1/21 at 8pm SOLD OUT
Sunday 1/22 at 7pm Limited Availability
Thursday 1/26 at 8pm Good Availability
Friday 1/27 at 8pm SOLD OUT
Saturday at 1/28 SOLD OUT
$5 off each ticket with code MAGIC5 good for shows through 1/28

 

Quidam
Cirque Du Soleil
Hoffman Estates
Sears Centre Arena
Opens 2/8 FF
1 week run only-must close 2/12

*ChiIL Mama has an exclusive video interview

with members of Quidam's cast coming soon.

Cirque Du Soleil will be coming to a suburban Whole Foods Market Near You!


  A Cirque Du Soleil bus will be coming to Whole Foods Market Chicagoland locations to bring their show on the road.  Customers will be able to participate in many fun activities including:
    •    Watch Quidam sizzle reels and behind the scenes videos
    •    Souvenir photos with a Quidam theme using green screen technology
    •    Opportunity to win Quidam show tickets and prizes
    •    Receive Quidam branded popcorn bags and postcards



For more information, call your participating store.

Participating Whole Foods Market 
Locations and Schedules:
 
151 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton IL  

630-588-1500

Monday January 23rd from 3-5pm



2607 West 75th St., Naperville IL 

630-579-7700

Wednesday January 25th from 11am-1pm



1331 North Rand Rd. Palatine, IL

847-776-8080

Thursday January 26th from 3-5pm



750 Martingale Rd. Schaumburg, IL

847-585-5800

Sunday January 29th from 11am-2pm
 

 American Idiot
Broadway in Chicago
Oriental Theatre
Opens 2/7-2/19

Direct from Broadway, the smash-hit musical AMERICAN IDIOT tells the story of three lifelong friends, forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. Based on Green Day’s GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum album and featuring the hits “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday” and the blockbuster title track, AMERICAN IDIOT boldly takes the American musical where its never gone before. With direction by Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), choreography by Steven Hoggett (Black Watch) and orchestrations and arrangements Tom Kitt (Next to Normal), the result is an experience Charles Isherwood of The New York Times declares “thrilling, emotionally charged, and as moving as any Broadway musical I’ve seen this year!”

Ticket prices are $27 to $95.

Groups of 15 or more now on sale!
Call 312-977-1710


Damage Manual
Atalee Judy & BONEdanse
Theatre Wit
Opens 2/2

We're huge fans of Atalee Judy's work and we've already posted loads of YouTube video clips that became this show, but nothing compares to seeing it in person.   Come check them out!
 

Closing:

Come Fly Away
Broadway in Chicago
Bank of America Theatre


*highly recommended

closes 1/22

We had the great pleasure of seeing the show on opening night.   We were blown away by the choreography, and the excellent orchestra, prominently featured on stage instead of tucked away in the orchestra pit.   With booming, seductive vocals by Frank Sinatra himself, overlaid with the live, big band, I kept catching myself looking for the singer, even though I knew better!   Come Fly Away is flying from Chi-town the 22nd, so don't miss your chance.   The dancing was exquisite, moving and the perfect balance between classic and contemporary.    We particularly loved the "drunken dancers" reminiscent of drunken masteresque kung fu movie choreography.   That takes talent to pull off!  The emotions shone through, whether the dances were angry, playfully flirtatious, bumbling, sorrowful or sexy and provided a perfect compliment to Sinatra's classics.   If a picture's worth a thousand words, this wordless wonder just might provide a picture perfect evening of enjoyment.


COME FLY AWAY is the new Broadway musical that brings together the legendary music of FRANK SINATRA and the creative vision of Tony Award-winner TWYLA THARP (Movin’ Out).This one-of-a-kind experience combines the seductive vocals of “Ol’ Blue Eyes” with the sizzling sound of a live on-stage big band and the visceral thrill of Tharp’s choreography. As 15 of the world’s best dancers tell the story of four couples falling in and out of love, you will experience the exhilaration of a first kiss, the excitement of a first dance, and the bittersweet moments of a first good-bye in a world of sparkling romance and astonishing beauty. 

COME FLY AWAY features a score of beloved Sinatra classics including “Fly Me to the Moon,” “My Way,” “New York, New York” and “Witchcraft.”

Ticket prices are $32 to $95. 

GROUPS OF 15 OR MORE ON SALE NOW! 
CALL (312) 977-1710 

Highly Recommended/Full Reviews Coming Soon: 

The Ghost is Here
Vitalist Theatre
DCA Storefront
click here for ChiIL Mama's prior coverage


Megacosm
Brett Neveu's latest
A Red Orchid Theatre

click here for ChiIL Mama's prior coverage
 

On Our Radar :

(shows we haven't had a chance to see yet, but have heard great things about)

 
Dark Plays Or Stories for Boys  

dark play or stories for boys by Carlos Murillo

Directed by Anthony MoseleyJan. 12 - Feb. 26, 2012
 Collaboraction at the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1575 N. Milwaukee Ave

Dark play or stories for boys follows a teenage boy’s foray into the virtual world. His fictional internet identity begins as a harmless game, but the game takes on a frightening reality when real emotion overtakes his online relationship. When Nick’s virtual world collides with the real world, his fantasies of love, intimacy, obsession and betrayal spiral into consequences that lead him to the brink of death. dark play or stories for boys was first produced as part the Humana Festival at Actor's Theatre of Louisville. Murrillo is the winner of National Latino Playwriting Award (2006) and the Otis Guernsey New Voices in American Playwriting Award at the 28th annual William Inge Theatre Festival. Murillo currently serves as the Head of Playwrighting Program at The Theatre School at DePaul University.

The cast of the Chicago premiere includes Clancy McCartney (Nick), Aaron Kirby (Adam), Olivia Dustman (Rachel/Molly), Jane deLaubenfels (Female Netizen) and Sorin Brouwers (Male Netizen). Lighting Design by Michael Reed, set design is by Joe Schermoly, sound design is by Stephen Ptacek and costume design is by Drew Hill.

Punk Rock
Griffin Theatre
Theatre Wit

Visiting Company Griffin Theatre
Punk Rock
By Simon Stephens
Directed by Jonathan Berry
Now playing through March 04, 2012

The American Premiere of Simon Stephens' powerful and critically acclaimed drama about a group of high school age students preparing for their final exams and nearing the end of their school lives.
When the whole world opens up before you, there’s a danger it’ll swallow you up, there’s danger all around in this shattering new play that explores the volatility of adolescent life.

*Contains  

*Strong Adult Content

There is no late seating available for this production.

El Circo Cheapo
Aloft
ongoing-1st Saturdays of every month-next show 2/4

“The only thing cheap is the admission!”-Santa Fe Reporter
 
Like circus? Like awesome things that are crazy cheap? Then have we got just the thing for you. El Circo Cheapo Cabaret is an amazing circus show like nothing you have ever seen. An ever changing cast of some of the world’s most talented circus performers, as well as other performance artists, ensures no two shows are ever the same.

Feb 4th, 2012 at 7 and 10 PM
Make your seat reservation now by heading here.
 
*The 7 PM is family friendly. The 10 PM is 18+.

Extended:

 

Pinkalicious

Broadway in Chicago

Broadway Playhouse

extended through May 27th! FF

Check out ChiIL Mama's Pinkalicious review here and our exclusive interview with Pinkalicious and her little brother right here!

*We also recommend checking out Chicago Kids

for a great guide to Family Friendly Theatre going on right now.