PARENTS' NIGHT OUT: Hellcab at Profiles

OPENING Friday the 13th: 

Hellcab at Profiles Theatre

ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List:

Highly Recommended Holiday Shows

For the fourth consecutive year, including the 20^th Anniversary production in 2012, Profiles revisited Kern’s landmark play for the holiday season. Here at ChiIL Live Shows we caught Hellcab way back in 1992 when it was first produced as a late-night show by Famous Door Theatre.  Hellcab was originally scheduled for twelve performances. It ended up running for over nine years, becoming one of the longest running shows in Chicago theatre history. Hellcab has been performed all over the U.S. and abroad, including Scotland, Israel, Singapore, and Ireland, winning numerous awards, including a Fringe First at the Edinburgh Festival.

 Pictured: Irene Currie, Zlatomir Moldovanski. Photo credit: Michael Brosilow

We've caught Profiles' excellent holiday remounts of Hellcab for several years now and highly recommend it. This is a unique glimpse at humankind and the ability of an insightful cab driver to be both human and kind to an odd assortment of holiday fares. It's appropriate for teens and up and makes an excellent parents' night out. 

Hellcab presents a day in the life story of a cab driver in for the longest night of his life as he transports a bizarre and mysterious collection of customers through the gritty streets of Chicago. Playwright Will Kern draws from personal experience as a former cab driver to create this alternately frightening, hilarious and poignant journey. Throughout his long shift, the eclectic collection of passengers includes a trio of drug-addicts, a smug lawyer, a born-again couple, and a randy couple on their way to a motel. Set during a bitter cold Christmas Eve, Hellcab presents a rear-view image mirroring the passing parade of humanity.

Pictured: Zlatomir Moldovanski. Photo credit: Michael Brosilow

   

Regular Run: November 12, 2015 – January 10, 2016

Schedule: Thurs., Fri.: 8:00 p.m. 

Saturday: 5:00 p.m. and 8:00p.m.

Sunday: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Profiles Theatre, The Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway

Parking is available for $14 - $16 at 4100 N. Clarendon

(One block east of the theatre at the corner of Clarendon and Belle Plaine)

Ticket prices: Previews: $20

Regular Run: Thursdays are $35, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are $40; Students and Senior Citizens receive a $5 discount on all performances; Group rates are available.

Box Office: Buy online at www.profilestheatre.org

or call (773) 549-1815

Profiles Theatre introduces Zlatomir Moldovansky

as The Driver in the 2015 seasonal return

of Hellcab by Will Kern

Profiles Theatre announces the return of its annual holiday revival of Hellcab by Will Kern, this year featuring Chicago newcomer Zlatomir Moldovansky in the iconic role of the Chicago cab driver. Directed by Profiles ensemble member Eric Burgher, a cast of 33 joins Moldovansky as the beleaguered driver. Profiles’ production runs at The Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway, November 6, 2015 – January 10, 2016.

Directed by Profiles ensemble member Eric Burgher, Hellcab features a cast of 33 Chicago actors. Originally performed by a cast of one driver and six ensemble members playing multiple roles as the passengers, Profiles celebrates the diversity of Chicago by filling each ensemble role with a different actor. Zlatomir Moldovansky, seen regionally in productions with Asolo Repertory, Creede Repertory and New Stage Collective, appears with Profiles for the first time. In addition to Moldovanksy’s debut as the Driver, the passenger roles are performed by Cristiana Barbatelli, Bobby Bowman, Hannah Brown, Ben Burke, Taylor Craft, Irene Currie, Alex Dauphin, Patrick Deal, Jeff Dolecek, Richard Esteras, Brianne Duncan Fiore, Will J. Green, Rasell Holt, Logan Hulick, Grant Johnson, Liz Krane, Josephine Longo, Sean Magill, Edward Mawere, Liliana Mitchell, Brian Nelson, Tim Newell, Sissy Anne Quaranta, Akua Sarhene, Danny Schaefer, Judi Schindler, Josh Segovia, Londen Shannon, Rejinal Simon, George Stalling, Paige Taylor and Elise Zell.

The designers are Katie-Bell Springmann (set), Mike Durst and Claire Chrzan (lights), Matt Reich (sound), and Raquel Adorno (costumes). Nate Dion is the stage manager and Bradley Mark serves as assistant director.

Pictured: Jeff Dolecek, Zlatomir Moldovanski. Photo credit: Michael Brosilow

League of Chicago Theatres’ annual Holiday Guide highlights seasonal productions

CHICAGO THEATERS GET FESTIVE FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

With over 60 live theatre shows currently playing, Chicago's theatre scene is second to none. Check back with ChiIL Live Shows and ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often. We'll be featuring openings, closings, news, and original reviews and coverage. Still, it's not humanly possible to make it around to every show currently playing, so check in with the fabulous League of Chicago Theatres for a comprehensive guide.

The Chicago theater community will present a wide variety of festive plays and musicals, as well as dance and concert offerings this Holiday season.  In support, the League of Chicago Theatres will once again create a comprehensive Holiday Theater Guide that will be available at hotels, theaters, events, and destinations across the Chicago area.  An updated list of holiday shows with additional details about each production will be available throughout the season at www.chicagoplays.com. They even have a downloadable guide. 

The following is a selection of Holiday-themed work playing in Chicago this season.

*We've marked our favorites below. Click the links and scroll down for some of our original coverage, reviews, interviews & videos from ChiIL Live Shows (all) & ChiIL Mama (family friendly productions).

Classic Chicago favorites include:

*The Goodman Theatre brings back the beloved Chicago tradition A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Charles Dickens’ classic tale of hope and redemption.
through December 28, 2014.

Capra’s holiday staple gets the 1940’s radio treatment with IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO! presented by American Blues Theater at the Greenhouse Theater Center, through December 28, 2014.

*The House Theatre presents its fantastical, fast-paced, and family-friendly version of THE NUTCRACKER at the Chopin Theatre, weaving dance, text, and songs to tell a story of magic and mystery, through December 28, 2014.

*The Joffrey Ballet’s grand production of THE NUTCRACKER returns to the Auditorium Theatre, through 28, 2014.

Holiday-themed musicals include:

*Broadway in Chicago premieres DEE SNIDER’S ROCK & ROLL CHRISTMAS TALE. Dee Snider, infamous lead singer of Twisted Sister, has created and stars in a VERY funny, VERY rocking and (sshhh!) VERY sweet new holiday musical, guaranteed to rock your holiday at the Broadway Playhouse, through January 4, 2015.

*The Mercury Theater remounts The classic Chicago musical,THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER. It sets sail again for 2014 featuring a powerful, moving story, an exquisite score of original music and traditional holiday favorites, and a company of 25 actors and musicians, through December 28, 2014.

Holiday comedies include:

The Second City and Goodman present TWIST YOUR DICKENS. Scrooge, Tiny Tim, three ridiculous ghosts and a cast of The Second City’s funniest members take the Goodman by storm, as wicked parody, daring improve and a host of guest celebs run rampant, through December 28, 2014.

*Theater Wit features David Sedaris’ classic comedy SANTALAND DIARIES, through December 28, 2014.

Nuns4Fun’s interactive bingo show. CHRISTMAS BINGO: IT’S A HO-HO-HOLY NIGHT runs at the Royal George Theatre Center, through January 4, 2015.

Other notable works include:

*Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents A Q BROTHERS’ CHRISTMAS CAROL, a hip-hop holiday treat set to a bangin’ beat, through December 31, 2014.

About Face Theatre presents BIG RED AND THE BOYS, a non-traditional, boozy night of songs, stories and spirits, through December 20, 2014.

Chicago a cappella presents HOLIDAYS A CAPPELLA. Enjoy this perfect mix of familiar holiday tunes, Renaissance Carols, Chanukah songs, Christmas spirituals and contemporary classics, through December 20, 2014.

*Profiles Theatre remounts their annual hit, HELLCAB, which portrays the story of a cab driver in for the longest night of his life as he transports a bizarre and mysterious array of customers through the gritty streets of Chicago on Christmas Eve, through January 11, 2015.

Hot Tix

Hot Tix offers half-price tickets to more than 200 Chicago area theaters, full price tickets to all Ticketmaster events including concerts and sports, and Play Money gift certificates. Hot Tix tickets are always half-price and may be purchased up to a week in advance of the performance.  Hot Tix ticket centers are located in the Loop at 72 E. Randolph Street, the Chicago Tourism Center and on North Michigan Ave. at the Waterworks Visitors Center located at 163 E. Pearson and Block Thirty Seven, located at 108 N. State St.  Hot Tix are available for purchase online at HotTix.org.  

About Chicago theater

Chicago theater is the leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theaters throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theaters in the country, including 5 which have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago’s theaters 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 2009-10 alone Chicago theater companies produced more than 130 world premiere productions and adaptations. Each year Chicago theaters send new work to resident theaters across the country, to Broadway, and around the world. 

The League of Chicago Theatres’ Mission Statement

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

For a comprehensive list of Chicago productions, visit the League of Chicago website, www.chicagoplays.com.  Discounted tickets are available at www.hottix.org.