OPENING: HIT MUSICAL THE PROM AT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO’S CADILLAC PALACE THEATRE APRIL 19-24, 2022

 ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

 THE PROM

BROADWAY IN CHICAGO’S

CADILLAC PALACE THEATRE

APRIL 19-24, 2022 

EVERYONE DESERVES A CHANCE TO CELEBRATE!

THE PROM will play Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.) for a limited one-week engagement April 19-24, 2022. I'll be there opening night, so check back soon for my full review. 

This hit musical stars Kaden Kearney (they/them) as “Emma, High School Student, Banned from the Prom,” Kalyn West as “Alyssa Greene, Head of Student Council with a Secret,” Courtney Balan as “Tony Award Winner Dee Dee Allen,” Patrick Wetzel as “Drama Desk Award Winner Barry Glickman,” Emily Borromeo as “Angie Dickinson, Broadway Chorine,” Bud Weber as “Trent Oliver, Esteemed Julliard Graduate/Cater Waiter,” Sinclair Mitchell as “Mr. Hawkins, High School Principal,” Ashanti J’Aria as “Mrs. Greene, President of the PTA” and Shavey Brown as “Sheldon Saperstein, Broadway’s Press Agent with a Plan.”

Rounding out the ensemble are Jordan Alexander, Gabrielle Beckford, Ashley Bruce, Olivia Rose Cece, Maurice Dawkins, Jordan De Leon, James Caleb Grice, Megan Grosso, Marie Gutierrez, Chloe Rae Kehm, Braden Allen King, Brandon J. Large, Christopher McCrewell, Adriana Negron, Lexie Plath, Brittany Nicole Williams, Thad Turner Wilson and Josh Zacher.

Directed and choreographed by Tony Award® winner Casey Nicholaw (Aladdin, Mean Girls), THE PROM features a book by Tony Award® winner Bob Martin (Elf, The Drowsy Chaperone) and Tony Award® nominee Chad Beguelin (Aladdin), music by Tony Award® nominee Matthew Sklar (Elf the Musical) and lyrics by Tony Award® nominee Chad Beguelin with scenic design by Tony Award® winner Scott Pask (The Book of Mormon), costume design by Tony Award® winner Ann Roth (The Book of Mormon) and Matthew Pachtman (The Book of Mormon), lighting design by Tony Award® winner Natasha Katz (Diana: The Musical), sound design by Tony Award® winner Brian Ronan (Mrs. Doubtfire, Mean Girls), wig and hair design by Josh Marquette (Pretty Woman, Means Girls), make-up design by Milagros Medina-Cerdeira (Mean Girls), orchestrations by Tony Award® winner Larry Hochman (Hello, Dolly!), music supervision by Mary-Mitchell Campbell (Mean Girls) and casting by The Telsey Office. THE PROM is based on an original concept by Jack Viertel.

Everyone’s invited to the joyous Broadway hit that New York Magazine hails as “smart and big-hearted” while The New York Times declares it “makes you believe in musical comedy again!” THE PROM is a musical comedy about big Broadway stars on a mission to change the world and the love they discover that unites them all. 

Variety raves, “It’s so full of happiness that you think your heart is about to burst.” And The Hollywood Reporter cheers, “It’s comic gold!”  

Tony, Emmy, Golden Globe & Peabody Award winner Ryan Murphy (The Boys In The Band, American Horror Story) turned THE PROM into a movie event for Netflix starring Meryl Streep (DeeDee), James Corden (Barry), Nicole Kidman (Angie), Keegan-Michael Key (Principal Tom Hawkins), Andrew Rannells (Trent), Jo Ellen Pellman (Emma), Ariana DeBose (Alyssa), Kerry Washington (Mrs. Greene), and Kevin Chamberlin (Sheldon).

Viking Books also recently announced that Saundra Mitchell, author of over twenty books for tweens and teens, has written the YA novelization of the hit Broadway musical comedy, THE PROM to adapt the new original musical into a reading experience that reflects the energy and humor of the show, and echoes its message of acceptance and inclusion. The book was published on September 10, 2019 with Viking Children’s Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers.

The producing team for THE PROM includes Bill Damaschke, Dori Berinstein, Jack Lane, NETworks Presentations, Natasha Davison, Merry & Jim Mosbacher, Terry Schnuck, Liz Armstrong, Elizabeth L. Green, Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra & Stephen Della Pietra, Seth A. Goldstein, Jane Dubin, Smedes-Stern-Palitz, Fahs Productions, Joe Grandy, Don & Nancy Ross, Three Belles & A Bob, Instone Productions, Fakler-Silver, Arment-Tackel, Cliff Hopkins, Larry & Elizabeth Lenke, Christopher Ketner, The John Gore Organization, Nancy & Ken Kranzberg, Independent Presenters Network, Mark Lonlow & JoAnne Astrow, Iris Smith, Sabrina Wallace, Garris-Morris-Masie Productions, Judith Manocherian, The Shubert Organization, Karen DeVerna & Jeremiah J. Harris, Fox Theatricals, Michael and Adrienne Blackman and Heidi & Stephen Distante. 

THE PROM made its world premiere at The Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, GA, Susan V. Booth, Artistic Director, in 2016, and played its final performance at the Longacre Theatre on Broadway on August 11, 2019 after playing 23 previews and 310 regular performances.

 

For more information visit:

Website: ThePromMusical.com

Facebook: @ThePromMusical

Instagram: @ThePromMusical

Twitter: @ThePromMusical

TikTok: @ThePromMusical

Hashtag: #ThePromMusical

 

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Tuesday, April 19 at 7:30 P.M.

Wednesday, April 20 2:00 P.M. and 7:30 P.M.

Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 P.M.

Friday, April 22 at 7:30 P.M.

Saturday, April 23 at 2:00 P.M. & 8:00 P.M.

Sunday, April 24 at 2:00 P.M.

 

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets for THE PROM go on sale tomorrow and range from $31 to $107 with a select number of premium tickets available. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com. For more  information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 21 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining more than 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, Auditorium Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.

 

COVID-19 Protocol: When entering the theatre, audience members will be required to provide their valid ticket, be masked, and provide valid I.D. (ages 16 and up). Guests, ages 5 and up, will be required to provide vaccination card that proves full vaccination, meaning 14 days after their second dose of a two-dose FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccine or at least 14 days after a single dose vaccine. Those with vaccine exemptions, including children 2 – 4, religious or medical, will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test along with a photo ID and valid ticket. Acceptable tests are either a PCR test taken within 72 hours of the performance start time or an antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance start time. No home tests will be accepted. Due to COVID-19 protocol, children under the age of 2 will not be admitted to any Broadway In Chicago Theatre. We are currently not serving or allowing food and beverage inside the theatres to allow audience members to remain masked throughout the performance. 

For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

 

FREE Posters Launched To Build HEALTHY FUTURES For LGBTQ & GENDER DIVERSE CHILDREN & YOUTH

NEW RESEARCH-BASED POSTER SERIES LAUNCHED TO BUILD HEALTHY FUTURES FOR LGBTQ & GENDER DIVERSE CHILDREN & YOUTH

Family Acceptance Project Poster Series Guides Families & Caregivers on Reducing Risk for Suicide, Drug Use and Other Serious Health Risks & Promoting Well-Being for LGBTQ Youth

Designed for Use in Public Spaces & Everywhere that LGBTQ Children & Youth Are Served

High levels of risk for LGBTQ adolescents for suicide, substance abuse, depression and victimization call for evidence-based approaches that increase support and connectedness at individual and institutional levels, starting with the family. Foundational research from the Family Acceptance Project (FAP) at San Francisco State University has shown that parents and caregivers have a compelling influence on their child’s risk and well-being that provides a behavioral framework to reduce risk, strengthen families and support positive development for LGBTQ children and youth. In conjunction with National Coming Out Day, FAP is releasing a new series of posters that are designed to be used in public spaces like libraries and community centers and everywhere that children and youth are served, including schools – to share key information from FAP’s peer-reviewed studies and family support work with ethnically, racially and religiously diverse families and their LGBTQ children.

Disseminated in conjunction with a range of international, national and local groups, the posters will educate the public, families, youth, religious leaders and others about the critical link between specific family rejecting and accepting behaviors with risk and well- being for LGBTQ children and youth – especially suicide. They provide a dynamic education and intervention resource to help families decrease rejection to prevent risk and increase acceptance and support to promote well-being for LGBTQ children & youth.



Often compared to the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study that is shaping interventions to prevent health risks, FAP’s research has identified specific family behaviors that predict risk and well-being for LGBTQ youth in adulthood. In addition, FAP has developed the first evidence-informed family support model that is being integrated into systems of care including behavioral health care, family preservation services, foster care, school-based care, trauma-based care and faith-based mental health care that will use the posters and other FAP evidence-based materials that are also Best Practice resources for suicide prevention. FAP’s research has found that family behaviors such as not letting an LGBTQ youth learn about their sexual orientation and gender identity, have an LGBTQ friend or participate in an LGBTQ support group have the same impact related to risk as physically beating an LGBTQ child. Similarly, FAP’s research has found that supporting a young person’s gender expression is among the most wellness- promoting behaviors that help protect against risk and foster well-being.



FAP’s poster series is being released in conjunction with National Coming Out Day in the U.S. and internationally in English and Spanish to emphasize the importance of family and caregiver reactions to LGBTQ and gender diverse children and youth. FAP is working with groups in the U.S. and other countries to disseminate the posters in a wide range of settings, including public spaces, clinics, schools and congregations to promote open conversations between parents and children, between young people and their providers and in families and communities to increase acceptance and support for LGBTQ children and youth. FAP is partnering with University of Oregon Implementation Science and Prevention Science researchers to evaluate the impact the posters have on care for LGBTQ young people.



Direct links:
Main landing page: http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/poster  
English main page: http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/poster-english
Spanish main page: http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/poster-spanish

Said Dr. Christine Moutier, Chief Medical Office of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: “We know that suicide risk is increased for LGBTQ youth, particularly when rejection occurs in their lives. So educating parents and others about the research surrounding the critical role they can play in the risk and well-being of their children is vitally important. We all need to learn more about what constitutes accepting verses rejecting behaviors. These posters are a prime example of how research can be turned into lifesaving action.”



Dr. Judith Cohen, Co-Developer of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the most widely used trauma treatment model for children and youth, noted that, “FAP’s posters provide simple, evidence-based ways for families to support their LGBT children and improve their health and happiness. We’re very excited to integrate FAP’s posters and intervention strategies into Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for LGBT youth who have experienced trauma.”



Dr. Caitlin Ryan, Director of the Family Acceptance Project, noted that: “The posters are key resources to help families and providers understand the critical need for family support and the impact that specific family accepting and rejecting behaviors have on risk and well-being for LGBTQ children and youth. Efforts to change, deny and minimize a child’s LGBTQ identity and gender expression start at home and last a lifetime just as affirmation and support build healthy futures for LGBTQ children and youth. 



The posters are free and available for all to use. We hope that agencies, congregations and communities will download, print and use them everywhere.”



For more information about the Family Acceptance Project and to view and download the posters, visit http://familyproject.sfsu.edu

OPENING: Almost Wonderland, Actors Gymnasium's Fall Youth Circus November 3rd -11th for 6 Shows Only

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List:

Almost Wonderland

Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, we've been huge fans of the excellent circus arts productions and classes at Actors Gymnasium for years. My own teens were in their youth circus shows the past 4 years, and only stopped this fall because they were cast in school shows and cheer that conflicted. They're hoping to audition for the spring youth circus. 

These fun, high energy productions are a joy to see, and partner kids with top talent in the industry. As I review professional shows all over town, my kids often come as my +1, and it's been great to discover how many names they recognize in shows as people they've worked with at Actors Gymnasium. Quite a few actors, directors, costumers and more, are familiar names and faces to my teens now. Come on out and see the next generation of Chicago's circus artists in a whimsical all ages show. Two weekends, six shows only!

About Almost Wonderland:

Be immersed in multiple worlds in this new spin on beloved children’s classic tales created by Sammy Zeisel and Jason Clark, Almost Wonderland.

Dalice (they/them) doesn’t quite fit in, especially at school. Dropped into a fantasy world reminiscent of Wonderland, Oz and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with the aid of a magical book, they discover that they’re not the only ones that are struggling.

This show is for all kids, even the kids at heart! 

PERFORMANCES NOV. 3 - NOV. 11

Saturdays at 4:30p and 7:30p

Sundays at 3p

Click here to order your tickets. Shows do sell out, so we highly recommend booking in advance.

REVIEW of the new musical "Trevor," running at Writers Theatre in Glencoe through September 17th

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar: 

Writers Theatre presents the World Premiere of

TREVOR

THE MUSICAL

Book and Lyrics by Dan Collins

Music by Julianne Wick Davis



All production photos by Michael Brosilow

Based on the Academy Award-winning film Trevor

Orchestrations by Greg Pliska

Music Direction by Matt Deitchman

Choreography by Josh Prince

Directed by Marc Bruni

August 9 – September 17, 2017

REVIEW

By Catherine Hellmann. 

**As I'm recovering from major knee surgery, Cath Hellmann will be guest reviewing for me throughout August. Cath is a lifelong theatre lover, on stage, directing, and in the audience. She's an English teacher, mom of three, and elated to be living in Chicago again, after a 10 year stint in the wilds of rural Michigan near Kalamazoo. **

      Trevor is ahead of his time. The year is 1981, and 13-year-old Trevor is experiencing all the usual angst of adolescence, trying to fit in, be accepted at school, and appear to be a typical teen to his peers while he suspects he is quite different from other kids. He frequently channels a fantasy life inspired by his idol, Diana Ross, as he struggles with his sexuality and his identity in a world not prepared yet for gay teens. 




      "Trevor" is a brand-new musical premiering at Writers Theatre in Glencoe. The inspiration came from a short film by the same name which won an Academy Award for  Best Live Action Short in 1994. The movie also inspired The Trevor Project which is "the only accredited crisis intervention and suicide prevention organization focused on saving young LGBTQ lives. www.TheTrevorProject.org," citing the  press release. "Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10-24; the rate of suicide attempts is 4 times greater for LGB youth and 2 times greater for questioning youth than that of straight youth," according to The Trevor Project. After being humiliated at school, the title character does begin to believe the world may be a better place without him in it. 

       Such a serious topic could mislead potential audience members into being wary of the show being a downer. But "Trevor" is so far removed from that: Uplifting, life-affirming, inspiring, charming, and downright laugh-out-loud funny. The script and lyrics by Dan Collins with music by Julianne Wick Davis are delightful and witty. One of the songs is called "Weird," where Trevor cheerfully acknowledges, "In another ten years, I'll be even weirder!" 



       The choreography by Josh Prince is creative, whether it involves the students with their desks in the classroom or Trevor throwing his heart into rehearsing with the football team for a number in the school talent show. Trevor admits that he is "more of a performer than an athlete." The ensemble cast is notable throughout but especially here in Trevor's fantasy scene where he imagines how incredible his choreography could be for the athletes; some of the best and most hilarious numbers in the show feature Trevor's wildly active imagination. Donyale Werle's clever set design also assists in a few fun surprises and humor. 



       Eli Tokash is already a Broadway and touring veteran at age 14. In the title role, he is astounding in his singing and acting as Trevor. He is riveting to watch and displays a maturity in his performance beyond his years. My theater companion had an older gentleman sitting next to her who proudly told us at intermission that the boy playing Trevor is his grandson. During the scene when Trevor is attempting to end his life (sorry for the spoiler, but I already told you the mission of the Trevor Project!), we heard this sweet grandfather crying. My friend said she debated the awkwardness of patting his hand or putting her arm around him...

       Other notable performances are the stunning Salisha Thomas as Diana Ross and Jarrod Zimmerman as Father Joe in a cringe-worthy but hysterical scene when he explains the birds and the bees to Trevor at the Tastee Freez. Equally hideous but true-to-life are Mara Blumenfeld's costumes of lots of striped knit shirts and sweaters. (Ugh. What were we thinking?) Matthew Uzarrraga plays Trevor's best friend who likes to examine his own sperm under a microscope. His questioning of Trevor's interest in girls, or lack thereof, provides the first indication that Trevor is a little different from others. 



       Writers Theatre is to be commended for taking on this ambitious labor of love with U Rock Theatricals. Director Marc Bruni, who directed "Beautiful:The Carole King Musical," has assembled a top- notch creative team of artists, crew, and performers. Writers Theatre's new home in Glencoe is gorgeous. If you haven't been there because you think it's too far from the city, it is certainly worth the trip. "Trevor" is a powerful, riveting, funny show on a serious topic. You can brag you saw the premiere in the Chicago production. 





       Although things are better for gay teens, it is still a struggle, as noted by The Trevor Project. When I was in high school, same era as this show, it was highly unusual for a young person to admit to being homosexual. Oh, we had our suspicions, and assumed they were just "wimpy" or "artistic" like Trevor. Now I am astounded how many of my teenagers' classmates say they are gay or bisexual, and I am like,"Oh, another one?" What's really cool is how accepting my children are of differences. It does not phase them; they explain the new terminology to me. The coming out of teens has become so accepted. It is progress at a time when distrust of The Other is having a new surge. As Marc Bruni explains,"I hope there will be a time where the story of 'Trevor' will feel like yesterday's news."

For show times, further information and ticket purchasing links click here.

June Lineup For Neo-Futurists Includes Steppenwolf LookOut, Gay Pride Shows, and Neo-Lab

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

THIS JUNE, THE NEO-FUTURISTS ANNOUNCE ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES AT STEPPENWOLF, GAY PRIDE PERFORMANCES OF THE INFINITE WRENCH AND THE LATEST INSTALLMENT OF NEO-LAB

Ready to Chill in Chi, IL this summer (literally) with a new A/C system 

and some of the coolest shows in town? 

Come on out to The Neo-Futurarium at Foster and Ashland!

I've been a big fan of the NeoFuturists since I first moved to Chicago's Uptown neighborhood in 1990, where I was walking distance to The Live Bait Theatre, and was a regular at their weekly shows. I'm also elated to see that they've chosen to support Chicago's excellent LGBTQ Youth Empowerment Performance Project with a Special Benefit Performance for pride month! We caught Youth Empowerment Project's latest show in March and were blown away by the stunning talent and raw honesty of this original production by homeless youth.

Photo from this year’s recipient of The Neo-Futurists’ Pride Benefit Performance YEPP (Youth Empowerment Performance Project) - (L to R) Henri Slater, Zizi Phillips, Ka'Riel Gaiter, Lola Monroe, and Ahniyha Johnson  (Photo by Sarah-Ji Rhee)

June offerings from the Neos includes: 

Kirsten Riiber's Neo-Lab production Tangles and Plaques, Thursday, June 15 at 7:30 p.m. 

The Infinite Wrench at Steppenwolf’s Summer LookOut Series, Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 at 7 p.m.

The Infinite Wrench presents 30 Queer Plays in 60 Straight Minutes and announces YEPP (Youth Empowerment Performance Project) as beneficiary for their benefit performance



Special Benefit Performance for Youth Empowerment Performance Project: Thursday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Additional Pride-Themed Performances: Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24 at 11:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 25 at 7 p.m.

The Neo-Futurists are proud to announce, in addition to a new HVAC system at The Neo-Futurarium, a special pre-season showing of Ensemble Member Kirsten Riiber's Neo-Lab production Tangles and Plaques, Thursday, June 15 at 7:30 p.m. In addition, June offers presentations of the ongoing The Infinite Wrench at Steppenwolf’s Summer LookOut Series, Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 at 7 p.m. andduring Pride Week, June 22 - 25. All performances are at The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. (at Foster) in Andersonville, unless otherwise noted.

NeoFuturistsTangles2  - (L to R) Kirsten Riiber and Jan de Goede​ in Tangles and Plaques 

(Photo by Will Sonheim)

NEO-LAB Presents: Tangles & Plaques – The Final Workshop Presentation
Created by Kirsten Riiber
Directed by Jen Ellison
The Final Workshop Presentation
Thursday, June 15 at 7:30 p.m.
The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave.
Tickets: $8

Tangles & Plaques attempts to demystify the experience of dementia in the language of theatre— offering a vivid, poignant, participatory experience that is unique to each audience and different every performance. Ensemble Member Kirsten Riiber and Memory Care Therapist Alex Schwaninger discuss and demonstrate the process of memory loss through interviews and personal narrative about the life and death of memories; how they persist, when they depart and the ways they distort over time. Neo-Lab is an original works residency that annually commissions one new play anchored by innovative approaches to creation and shares public readings and presentations of the work in progress. Tangles & Plagues is directed by Jen Ellison and features Kaitlyn Andrews, Ida Cuttler, Justin Deming, Mike Hamilton, Nick Hart and Kirsten Riiber and a reception, with libations from Metropolitan Brewery, before and after the performance.



THE INFINITE WRENCH, NOW IN AN OPEN RUN, ANNOUNCES STEPPENWOLF ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES and PRIDE WEEKEND’S 30 QUEER PLAYS IN 60 STRAIGHT MINUTES

The Infinite Wrench
Open Run – Fridays and Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m.
The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave.
At-the-door cash tickets are $9 plus the roll of a six-sided die; online pre-sales are available for $20 with a cash rollback at neofuturists.org or 773.275.5255. 

The Infinite Wrench, The Neo-Futurists’ open run production, is a mechanism that unleashes a barrage of two-minute plays for a live audience. Each play offers something different—some are funny, others profound. Some are elegant, disgusting, topical, irrelevant, terrifying, or put to song. All of the plays are truthful and tackle the here-and-now, inspired by the lived experiences of the performers. The Infinite Wrench is The Neo-Futurists’ ongoing and ever-changing show, performed late-night every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 50 weeks of the year, with special performances: 

NeoFuturistsNeoAccess3 - Al Raci, with Neo-Futurists Ensemble in Background at The Infinite Wrench Access Performance (photo by Will Sonheim)

Steppenwolf’s LookOut Series presents The Infinite Wrench
Accessible Performances Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 at 7 p.m.
Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre, 1700 N Halsted St.
Accessible Performances Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15 - available at steppenwolf.org and 312-335-1650.



Tickets are now on sale for The Neo-Futurists two performances of The Infinite Wrench featuring accessible services for people with disabilities. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, the performance Friday, June 2 at 7 p.m. features Open Captioning and ASL interpretation; for people who are blind or have low vision, the performance Saturday, June 3 at 7 p.m. features Audio Description and a pre-performance Touch Tour at 5:30 p.m. The cast features Neo-Futurist ensemble members Dan Kerr-Hobert, Lily Mooney, Kurt Chiang, and Jeewon Kim as well as Neo-Futurist alums John Pierson and Lisa Buscani.

The 1700 Theatre is wheelchair accessible and is equipped with an induction hearing loop for people who use personal hearing devices that have a T-coil. Front Bar, directly in front of the 1700 Theatre, has a push-button entrance, wheelchair accessible seating and multi-stall all-gender restrooms.

NeoFuturistsPride4 - Crowd Shot Taken at The Neo-Futurists' Pride Performances

(Photo by Evan Hanover)

The Infinite Wrench presents 30 Queer Plays in 60 Straight Minutes Announces YEPP as Beneficiary

Special Benefit Performance for Youth Empowerment Performance Project: Thursday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25 with no cash rollback

Additional Pride-Themed Performances: Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24 at 11:30 p.m.
and Sunday, June 25 at 7 p.m.
At-the-door cash tickets are $9 plus the roll of a six-sided die; online pre-sales are available for $20 with a cash rollback at neofuturists.org or 773.275.5255
The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave.

The Neo-Futurists present their annual Pride Weekend benefit: 30 Queer Plays in 60 Straight Minutes, a special edition of The Infinite Wrench that corrals the queerest plays into one show, slaying gender roles and celebrating deviance. The cast features Neo-Futurist ensemble members Trevor Dawkins, Jeewon Kim, Ida Cuttler, Tif Harrison, Lily Mooney, Kirsten Riiber, Malic White and Neo-Alum John Pierson.

All proceeds of the Thursday, June 22 performance will be donated to YEPP (the Youth Empowerment Performance Project), whose mission is to create a safe environment for LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness to address their struggles and celebrate their strengths through the process of developing a theatrical performance piece.  Executive and Artistic Director Bonsai Bermudez states, “YEPP is honored by The Neo-Futurists and their support of the mission of YEPP and our providing services for LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness during this year’s Pride season.”

ABOUT THE NEO-FUTURISTS
The Neo-Futurists are a collective of writer-director-performers creating theater that is fusion of sport, poetry and living-newspaper. Originating nearly 10,000 plays within the newly launched The Infinite Wrench, 28 years of Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, and over 65 full-length productions within their immediate, non-illusory aesthetic, The Neo-Futurists have grown to become one of the most highly regarded experimental theater companies in the United States. From humble beginnings as the first late-night theater production in Chicago, they launched what became Chicago’s longest running show and today sustain multifaceted programs such as Neo-Access, The Kitchen (a micro-festival on art and performance), Prime Time, Neo-Lab and The Infinite Wrench, the ongoing late night show running 50 weekends every year. For more information visit www.neofuturists.org.


The Neo-Futurists are partially supported by grants from Alphawood Foundation Chicago, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Network for Ensemble Theaters, The Illinois Arts Council Agency, The Chicago Community Foundation, a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, The Field Foundation of Illinois, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, and The National Endowment for the Arts.

OPENING: Forging From Fire, True Stories of 6 Young People Facing Homelessness and Other Struggles

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar

YEPP’s New Production: 

Forging From Fire 

**Recommended for ages 13+ due to references to adult situations. **

Performance lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes without intermission.

Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, we firmly believe ALL voices deserve and need to be heard. Tonight, instead of reviewing, we'll be learning, witnessing, and listening. We're very much looking forward to hearing the true back stories of 6 survivors who are brave enough to share their experiences and recovery process. 

Youth Empowerment Performance Project (YEPP), a non-for-profit organization that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth experiencing homelessness, is opening its new show at the Athenaeum Theatre during March 23-26 titled Forging From Fire. This performance is based on the healing process and true stories of 6 young people facing homelessness and other personal, emotional and physical struggles. 

Forging From Fire
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 

Dates and Times: 
March 23rd, 1:00PM, 7:00PM March 24th, 1:00PM, 7:00PM March 25th, 3:00PM, 7:00PM March 26th, 1:00PM, 5:00PM 

Admission: $20 Seniors/Students, $25 Adults

Forging From Fire tells of the various journeys that individual ensemble members have taken to build lasting relationships and how circumstances, behaviors and choices can create compromising situations. Through diligent deconstruction and self-discovery, each member worked through a heated process to understand ways to develop meaningful and healthy relationships afterwards to mold and refine a new space of love - for one’s self and for others. Some of the life-topics they address include physical, verbal and sexual violence, DCFS and the foster care system, incarceration within the trans and gender non-conforming community, domestic violence, self-harm, mental health, and suicide, among many others. Forging From Fire is the journey of the ensemble members to continue discovering their inner- power to become agents of change within themselves and in their communities. 

About YEPP: 
YEPP seeks a safe environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth experiencing homelessness to explore their history, investigate new ways to address their struggles and celebrate their strengths through the process of developing a theatrical performance piece. 
YEPP uses harm reduction, social justice, transformative justice and education for liberation (theatre of the oppressed and popular education) frameworks to contain and guide the work. 

We work with the ensemble members for one year: 6 to 8 months in the story telling, individual-group healing, and theatrical performance piece development, and 6 months traveling around the country performing, creating awareness and educating communities about LGBTQ street-based youth issues. 


GET SOCIAL: 
YEPP’s Web Page: www.WeSayYEPP.com
Twitter: @WeSayYEPP
Facebook Page: Facebook.com/WeSayYEPP