THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Comes Home for the Holidays Via PlayMakers Laboratory December 10 – 19, 2021 at the Neo-Futurist Theater

ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List 

PlayMakers Laboratory Welcomes Back Live Audiences with

THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: 

Comes Home for the Holidays

Directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd

December 10 – 19, 2021 at the Neo-Futurist Theater

 

An Original Sketch Show Written by Kids, 

Performed by Grownups and Enjoyed by Humans

Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, PlayMakers Laboratory and That’s Weird, Grandma have been favorites of ours for years. They're casual, crowd pleasing, wacky, and fun for all ages. 

PlayMakers Laboratory is pleased to welcome back live audiences this winter with That’s Weird, Grandma: Comes Home for the Holidays, directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd, playing December 10 – 19, 2021 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Tickets go on sale Monday, November 1 at www.playmakerslab.org or by calling (773) 506-7140. The press opening is Saturday, December 11 at 7:30 pm. 

Please note: proof of vaccination is required or a negative COVID test for children under 12. Masking is required by all patrons.

Enjoy a line-up of holiday-themed sketches and songs performed by PlayMakers Laboratory Company Members Elijah Cox, Nick Crothers,Linsey Falls, Taylor Galloway and Bhak Yongwoo.

Now in its 20th year, That’s Weird, Grandma features adaptations of stories written during PlayMakers Laboratory’s creative writing residencies in Chicago elementary schools. PML’s ensemble of professional actors, comedians and musicians bring the young authors’ stories to life as raucous sketches, songs and movement pieces, performing first for students in their schools and then for the public. These stories – from hilarious dialogues between unlikely characters to poignant pleas for social change – resonate with adults while celebrating the imaginations of young people. Every week brings a new line-up of stories, and PML invites audiences to vote on their favorites at each performance. 

Performance Schedule:

Friday, December 10 at 7:30 pm (preview)

Saturday, December 11 at 7:30 pm (press opening)

Sunday, December 12 at 3 pm

Friday, December 17 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, December 18 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, December 19 at 3 pm

Tickets: Adults: $22.50 in advance, $25 walk-ups; Children 12 and under $12.50; Seniors/Students/Teachers w/I.D. $15; Teen Arts Pass (TAP) members: $5 with ID. Tickets on sale now at www.playmakerslab.org or by calling (773) 506-7140.

PlayMakers Laboratory will also continue to stream That’s Weird, Grandma on Patreon with a new show available at the beginning of each month. For information and subscriptions, visit www.playmakerslab.org. 

That’s Weird, Grandma: Comes Home for the Holidays!

DIGITAL PROGRAM

WRITTEN BY CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS,

ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY PLAYMAKERS LABORATORY TEACHING ARTISTS

Directed By: 

Brandon Cloyd

Stage Manager: 

Cedar Larson

The Cast: 

Jen Allman, Elijah Cox, Nick Crothers, Linsey Falls, 

Taylor Galloway and Bhak Yongwoo

The Stories:

THE TIME I ATE A CHRISTMAS BALL

THE FAIRY THAT EATS TEETH

SUBWAY KIDS

THE TALL MAN

JERRY LIKE TO WORK 

DEAR HIDOLYA

ALIENS ON THE MOON

FIGHTING DRAGONS

THE SORD

SNOWFLAKE

I AM A TEDDY BEAR/I AM A CHILD

UNTITLED (OMG I FOUND MY SISTERS FRIEND)

ALIEN SANTA

THE HANDITAZER MONSTER

I BELIEVE QUE TODOS LOS DIAS CAE NIEVE

THE TURKEY THAT ESCAPED THE PLATES

SANTA AND THE MUSCLE-BOUND

1 ROOM & I WANT MY HOUSE

Production Design:

Opening & Closing Song: 

Gwen Tulin

Choreography by:

Amy Carlson

Stage Design:

Kassi Bleifuss & Sarah Goeden

Music Composed by: 

Elijah Cox, Bhak Yongwoo, Jonathan Mastro & Curtis Williams

Digital Adaptations

Mara Dale, Noah Appelbaum, Maeli Goren, Gaby Hirsch, Jon Schneidman, Kaitlyn Andrews, Brenda Arellano, Jen Allman, Ashley Bland & Cedar Larson

Also, Check us out on Social Media by following our: Youtube, Patreon, Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram.

We are grateful for the support of the following foundations & entities:

Crown Family Philanthropies, Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Illinois Arts Council Agency, Illinois Humanities Foundation, Maurice R. and Meta G. Gross Foundation, Mardi Gras Fund, Polk Bros. Foundation, The Saints Foundation, Siragusa Family Foundation, Paul M. Angell Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts

About the Director

Brandon Cloyd joined PlayMakers Laboratory in 2007 and has been deeply involved in many facets of the company ever since. Prior to joining PML, Brandon graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a minor in Business Institutions. Within PML, Brandon has served as an actor, teaching artist, lead teacher, a member of Teacher Corps, as well as directing shows for schools and public performances of That's Weird, Grandma. Before becoming the company’s Artistic Director in September 2017, Brandon served as PML After-School Program Coordinator at Loyola Park from 2014-2016 and Program Director from 2016-2017. Outside of PML, he worked as the Associate Director of Camp Echo, where he has spent 13 summers managing campers and staff at a co-ed sleep away camp in Upstate New York. Brandon has worked with other theatre companies including Urban Theatre Company, American Theater Company, Filament Theatre, InGen Productions, ACLE's Teatrino in Italy and Purple Crayon Players at Northwestern University. Brandon recently joined the Board of Directors for the League of Chicago Theatres.

About PlayMakers Laboratory

Since PlayMakers Laboratory’s inception in 1997 as Barrel of Monkeys, its teaching artists have served more than 60 Chicago Public Schools. Over 15,000 elementary school students have participated in the PlayMakers programs, which aim to build students' writing skills, improve self-esteem, and instill confidence in their ideas and abilities.

PlayMakers Laboratory is sponsored in part by Wintrust Financial, Allscripts, Inc., Ernst and Young and Punchkick Interactive. It receives generous support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency; the National Endowment for the Arts; a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; the Chicago Community Trust; Crown Family Philanthropies; Alphawood Foundation of Chicago; the Maurice R. and Meta G. Gross Foundation; Polk Bros Foundation; the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; the Robert and Isabelle Bass Foundation, Inc.; The Saints; The Topfer Family Foundation, and many other generous individuals and foundations. 

OPENING: The Ruffians BURNING BLUEBEARD Is Back For 6 Shows Only 12/27-31

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Six Performances Only!
The Neo-Futurists and The Ruffians 
Present the Return of the Holiday Hit
BURNING BLUEBEARD
By Jay Torrence
Directed by Halena Kays
December 27 – 31, 2017 at The Neo-Futurarium

BURNING BLUEBEARD • ALL PHOTOS BY EVAN HANOVER

Special New Year’s Eve VIP Package also includes
The Neo-Futurists’ THE INFINITE WRENCH

Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows we've been fans of Burning Bluebeard from the start. We caught the inaugural year at the Neo-Futurarium, several seasons at Theater Wit, and are excited to see them return to their roots, back where it all began for 2017. 

Ruffians, PLEASE tell me you're adding back in the hilarious, site specific "rap" about how to escape the building, and would you film it and put it on YouTube already? It was a favorite of ours that got cut when the production moved to larger digs. 

The show is family friendly for the most part for tweens and older kids, though it does deal with intense subject matter if your youngsters are sensitive. Check out some of our past reviews here. Highly recommended.

The Neo-Futurists and The Ruffians are thrilled to announce the return of the holiday hit BURNING BLUEBEARD for six performances only, December 27 – 31, 2017 at The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. The fantastical tale inspired by Chicago’s 1903 Iroquois Theatre fire has been an annual Chicago holiday favorite for six years running. Tickets are currently available at neofuturists.org.

Written by Jay Torrence and directed by Halena Kays, BURNING BLUEBEARD reunites the full cast from the past three seasons: Pam Chermansky, Anthony Courser, Molly Plunk, Jay Torrence, Leah Urzendowski and Ryan Walters.

Inspired by the true story of Chicago’s 1903 Iroquois Theatre Fire, BURNING BLUEBEARD is the story of six singed clown performers who emerge from the burnt remains of history attempting to perform their spectacular Christmas Pantomime once and for all. But this time, they hope to finally reach the true happy ending of their second act and avoid the fateful fire that killed 600 of its audience members. BURNING BLUEBEARD is a whimsical romp with a sensitive heart, a joyful eulogy with a sharp irreverent wit including music, clowning, tumbling, acrobatics and dance. Each performance is a vaudevillian delight with a story that excavates the poetic and poignant remains of a piece of Chicago’s rich history. 

The run of BURNING BLUEBEARD will include two performances on the 114th anniversary of the actual Iroquois Theatre fire, Saturday, December 30. An optional New Year’s Eve VIP Package is available which includes performances of BURNING BLUEBEARD (7:30 pm) and THE INFINITE WRENCH, The Neo-Futurists’ popular barrage of two minute plays (11 pm), along with food, drinks and a midnight toast. 

Performance Schedule:

Wednesday, December 27 at 7:30 pm (preview)

Thursday, December 28 at 7:30 pm

Friday, December 29 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, December 30 at 3 pm & 7:30 pm (114th Anniversary Performances)

Sunday, December 31 at 7:30 pm 

Tickets:

Preview: pay-what-you-can.

Regular run: $35 ($30 early bird discount through Wednesday, December 13). Students/seniors $25.

New Year’s Eve VIP Package: $75 – In addition to regularly priced tickets to BURNING BLUEBEARD, a limited number of special VIP New Year’s Eve packages will be available, which include tickets to both BURNING BLUEBEARD at 7:30 pm and The Neo-Futurists’ THE INFINITE WRENCH New Year’s Eve performance at 11:00 pm. In between shows, VIP ticket holders will be treated to dinner, live performance and music, brews from Metropolitan Brewery and type-written poetry on demand from Poems While You Wait. The Neo-Futurists' THE INFINITE WRENCH performance will finish just in time for an audience champagne/sparkling apple juice toast at midnight. Tickets are currently available at neofuturists.org.

The production team for BURNING BLUEBEARD includes: Lizzie Bracken (scenic, costume and props design), Jay Torrence and Mike Tutaj (sound design), Maggie Fullilove-Nugent (lighting design), Archer Curry (prop master) and Justine Palmisano (stage manager).

About the Creative Team

Jay Torrence (Playwright) is a founding member of the artistic collective The Ruffians. Playwriting credits include: Burning Bluebeard, Ivywild and Roustabout: The Great Circus Train Wreck. Performance credits: 500 Clown (Frankenstein), The Hypocrites (Ivywild), Redmoon Theater (Hunchback), Akvavit Theatre (Hitler on the Roof), Theater Oobleck (SOS: Summer Clown Cruise) and The Neo-Futurists (Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind) where he was a proud ensemble member for twelve years and the former Artistic Director. Jay was named one of the “Top 50 Players in Chicago Theater” by Newcity and was also named Best Dark Clown in the Age of Trump in Newcity’s “Best of Chicago 2017.” He earned his MFA degree in playwriting and creative non-fiction from The University of British Columbia. He currently teaches clown, playwriting and performance studies in Chicago and is a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists.

Halena Kays (Director) is a Chicago and Nashville based theater director and performer. Most recently, she was the artistic director of The Hypocrites where she both performed and directed. She is the co-founder and former artistic director of Barrel of Monkeys, where she created and directed the majority of their public performances. She is a UT-Austin and Northwestern grad, former member of the Big Apple Circus Clown Care unit, past co-artistic curator for Theater on the Lake and professor of directing at MTSU. Halena is a proud founding member of The Ruffians and an Artistic Associate with The Neo-Futurists where she directed Pop/Waits, 44 Plays for 44 Presidents, Burning Bluebeard, co-created and directed Daredevils and Daredevils Hamlet and the sight specific extravaganza, Fake Lake. Other interesting Chicago directing credits include: Endgame, Ivywild, Six Characters in Search of an Author at The Hypocrites; The Magic Play at The Goodman, Lord of the Flies at Steppenwolf TYA; Feast (part of a collaborative directing effort) with The Albany Park Theatre Project at The Goodman. Halena has been nominated for a Jefferson Citation for Best Supporting Actress and Best Direction, named one of the “Top 50 Players in Chicago Theater” by Newcity and is a recipient of the prestigious 3Arts. Proud member, SDC.

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 over 10,071 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, exchanges with branches in New York and San Francisco, Neo-Lab, and The Infinite Wrench, their flagship ongoing late-night show running 50 weekends every year. For more information visit www.neofuturists.org

About The Ruffians

The Ruffians are an artistic collective of theater makers (clowns, daredevils, acrobats, dancers, writers, performers, designers, directors). The Ruffians have all honed their craft working over a decade in Chicago’s various and thriving experimental, clown and storefront theater communities. A Ruffians objective is to make beautiful things with rough edges. A Ruffians motto: Breathe. Dare. Live. 

Sunday 2pm Matinees Return for Barrel of Monkeys' THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA at the Neo-Futurist Theater

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Barrel of Monkeys Presents

THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories on Sunday Afternoons

Directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd

October 15 – November 12, 2017 at Neo-Futurist Theater

(left to right)  Barrel of Monkeys company members Kassi Bleifuss, Nancy Casas, Nick Hart and Bradford Stevens perform “When I Went To Wizard World” in THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA. Photo by Evan Hanover.

**Barrel of Monkeys annually performs more than 300 student-written stories for the students in their schools and 175 stories on the stage for the general public!**

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List: 

Family Friendly Theatre 

Sundays at 2 pm from October 15 – November 12, 2017

Here at ChiIL Mama & ChiIL Live Shows, we've been long time fans of Barrel of Monkeys' THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA shows, and their quirky kid created masterpieces. We also adore their tireless energy working with Chicago Public School students to encourage creative writing and introduce theatre to kids all over town. My now teens have dug their hilarious sketches for years, and these shows are a trip for adults too! They run year round on Monday nights, with the original concept being a showcase for fellow adult actors to catch, on what's often a dark night, when they're off work. Along the way, though, they've grown a great family following as well, hence their well received Sunday matinees, at a more kid friendly time. Check it out!  

Barrel of Monkeys is pleased to bring back its popular Sunday matinees this fall with THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA: Stories on Sunday Afternoons, playing Sundays at 2 pm from October 15 – November 12, 2017 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Celebrate the change of season with a new line-up of stories written by Chicago Public School students, adapted for the stage and performed by Barrel of Monkeys Company Members and directed by Artistic Director Brandon Cloyd. 

Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (773) 506-7140.


(front right) Spencer Meeks and fellow Barrel of Monkeys company members perform “The Ten Diamonds & Sisters” in THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA. Photo by Evan Hanover.


Clever and funny – touching and poignant – the collection of short sketches featured in THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA is equally entertaining for adults and children. The line-up of the long-running, critically-acclaimed revue changes each week by audience vote, so no two shows are ever the same. 

Barrel of Monkeys, a Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble now in its 21th season, conducts creative writing workshops with 3rd through 5th grade students in underserved Chicago Public Schools. The ensemble of actor-educators then turns their stories and words into professionally performed theater, presented both in-school and for the general public through its revues. 

Location: Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago
Dates: October 15 – November 12, 2017
Curtain Times: Sundays at 2 pm 

Tickets: $15 for adults; $5 for children under 12. Discounts: $10 for students with ID, seniors, veterans and groups of 10 or more people. Tickets are available at www.barrelofmonkeys.org or by calling (773) 506-7140.


Barrel of Monkeys company member Spencer Meeks performs “Peggy's Little Darlings” in THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA. Photo by Evan Hanover.


About the Director
Brandon Cloyd joined Barrel of Monkeys (BOM) in 2007 and has been deeply involved in many facets of the company ever since. Prior to joining BOM, Brandon graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a minor in Business Institutions. Within BOM,Brandon has served as an actor, teaching artist, lead teacher, a member of Teacher Corps, as well as directing shows for schools and public performances of That's Weird Grandma. He has also held the role of the BOM After-School Program Coordinator at Loyola Park from 2014-2016 and the Program Director since the summer of 2016. Outside of Barrel of Monkeys, he worked as the Associate Director of Camp Echo, where he has spent 13 summers managing campers and staff at a co-ed sleep away camp in Upstate New York. Brandon has worked with other theatre companies including Urban Theatre Company, American Theatre Company, Filament Theatre, Ingen Productions, ACLE's Teatrino in Italy and Purple Crayon Players at Northwestern University. 


(left to right)  Barrel of Monkeys company members Raquel Torre, Bradford Stevens and Michael Turrentine perform "Bennie and Eddie" in THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA. Photo by Evan Hanover.


(center) Barrel of Monkeys company member Nancy Casas performs "Bennie and Eddie" in THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA. Photo by Evan Hanover.


About Barrel of Monkeys
Since Barrel of Monkeys’ inception in 1997, its teaching artists have served more than 60 Chicago Public Schools. Over 15,000 elementary school students have participated in the Barrel of Monkeys programs, which aim to build students' writing skills, improve self-esteem, and instill confidence in their ideas and abilities.

Barrel of Monkeys is sponsored in part by Wintrust Financial, Allscripts, Inc., IMC Chicago, Ernst and Young, and Punchkick Interactive. It receives generous support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency; the National Endowment for the Arts; a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; the Chicago Community Trust; Crown Family Philanthropies; Alphawood Foundation of Chicago; the Maurice R. and Meta G. Gross Foundation; Polk Bros Foundation; the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; the Robert and Isabelle Bass Foundation, Inc.; The Saints; The Topfer Family Foundation, and many other generous individuals and foundations. 


TWGSundays-6  (left to right) Barrel of Monkeys company members Bradford Stevens, Raquel Torre, Mary Winn Heider and Emily Marso perform “The Amazing Zurine” in THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA. Photo by Evan Hanover. 

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.

SAVE THE DATES: THE NEO-FUTURISTS UPCOMING 2016-17 PROGRAMMING ANNOUNCED

THE NEO-FUTURISTS 

OPEN THE DOOR 

FOR A SEASON OF 

THOUSANDS OF NEW WORKS IN UPCOMING 2016-17 PROGRAMMING

Neo-Futurists Announce a Slew of Summer Programming and Launch Next Years’ Premiere-Packed Season with a 24-hour Party

I first saw The Neo-Futurists back in 1990, on a weekly basis at Live Bait Theatre, which was walking distance from my first Chicago apartment in Uptown. Back then we cued up outside early to get a coveted spot in the tiny theatre, and they passed out playing cards that equaled their audience capacity. When they sold out (which was every show), they ordered out -- pizza, which generally arrived just as the 60 minute show ended. Admission was the roll of a die, so an affordable $1-$6. Those were fun times and fond memories. The Neo-Futurists pioneered this wacky new form of theater in 1988, launching what became Chicago’s longest running show, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, now in its 28^th year.

From humble beginnings as the first late-night theater production in Chicago, The Neo-Futurists have grown to become one of the most highly regarded experimental theater companies in America. More than 70 Ensemble-alumni have added thousands of new works to the American theatre canon and today branches bring Neo-Futurism to both coasts in New York City and San Francisco.

Their 2016-17 Season, which includes three world premieres, multiple in-process initiatives and a 24-hour party. Can’t Stop//Won’t Stop: A 24-Hour Fundraiser with The Neo-Futurists launches the 28^th season with local bands and pop-up performances, all benefitting the company’s 2016-17 season and programs. 

The 28th season includes three full-length Prime Time productions: Saturn Returns created by Tif Harrison; The? Unicorn? Hour? created by Leah Urzendowski and Anthony Courser and The Food Show created by Dan Kerr-Hobert and Caitlin Stainken. The company continues its Neo-Lab residency, presenting Kirsten Riiber’s Tangles and Plaques. In addition to beginning the 28^th year of Chicago’s longest running show, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, The Neo-Futurists expand their recurring storytelling performances with The Arrow, created by Kurt Chiang and Lily Mooney and explore a new Neo-structure through Nick Hart’s The Infinite Whale. All season events are held at The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland (at Foster) in Andersonville, unless otherwise noted.

The 2016-17 Neo-Futurists Season includes: 

NeoFuturists_Tangles: (L to R) Kirsten Riiber and Jan de Goede. Photo by Will Sonheim.

2016-17 Neo-Lab presents: Tangles & Plaques

Created by Neo-Futurist Ensemble member Kirsten Riiber

Workshop presentations: Wednesday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $8

Tangles & Plaques is a play about the life and death of memories; the ways they persist, the ways they depart and the various ways they distort over time. Driven by live memory games, improvisation and scene deconstruction, the show functions as a machine that creates, warps and loses memories, with the input and participation of the audience. Interviews with a local artist who is currently living with dementia will inform what it means to have a memory taken from us without warning and what remains after a memory is lost. 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 night.

2016-17 SEASON LAUNCHES THREE WORLD PREMIERES WITH A 24-HOUR PARTY

Can’t Stop//Won’t Stop: A 24-Hour Fundraiser with The Neo-Futurists

Saturday, Sept. 17 to Sunday, Sept. 18 from 8 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Full line-up, tickets and information at www.neofuturists.org/cantstop

Crowdrise fundraising page at  https://www.crowdrise.com/cantstop

Team 24 – Full Night Tickets: $150

4-Hour segment tickets: $25 

The Neo-Futurists launch their 28^th Season with their benefit Can’t Stop//Won’t Stop: a 24-hour fundraiser jam packed with pop-up performances, local bands and DJs and a Neo-Futurist ensemble creating a brand-new Too Much Light throughout the night. The sun-down to sun-up to sun-down marathon invites audiences to stay up all night by joining Team 24 or to purchase tickets for just their favorite acts. Team 24 tickets for the full 24-hour event include entry to the final performance of Too Much Light: 30 Plays in 60 Minutes MADE IN 24 HOURS.  In addition to sponsorships and single tickets on sale, the entry fee can be raised via the peer-to-peer fundraising website Crowdrise, the world’s largest and fastest growing fundraising platform, allowing everyone to access the event and fundraise with the Neos.

PRIME TIME SERIES

Saturn Returns

October 13 – November 19

Created by Neo-Futurist Ensemble member Tif Harrison

Previews: Thursday, Oct. 13 -  Saturday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night: Monday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Run: Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.,

Tickets: Previews Pay-What-You-Can, Run: $10-$25  

Neo-Lab’s inaugural commission during the 2015-16 Season, Saturn Returns is a two-year Neo-Futuristic exploration that asks larger existential questions about time, patience and the vast expanse of an unknowable universe. Not content simply with looking inward, Tif Harrison and ensemble look upward and outward, offering observations on the silence and solitude of space, on the uncrossable distances between celestial bodies and the intimacy of standing next to somebody you love.

The? Unicorn? Hour?

April 6 – May 13, 2017

Created by Neo-Futurist Ensemble member Leah Urzendowski and Artistic Associate Anthony Courser

Previews:  Thursday, Apr. 6 – Saturday, Apr. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night: Monday, April 10, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Run: Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: Previews: Pay-What-You-Can, Run: $10-$25 

In a world where hate and anger prevail. Where lines between the dark and light can be broken, where night lights are needed to sleep. Where closet doors are shut. Where monsters lurk under the bed. In a world of death and destruction, one creature, and one creature alone can bring joy and adventure. One creature can light the dark corners and glow in the deepest of fogs. One creature, whose single horn can heal sickness and cure disease, whose majestic body glides through the woods, uncaught, spreading laughter to all who seek him. One creature who will save the world. One hour? at a time. Come and see what it is to fight against the no, to find your inner rumpus, to remove the film and seek the beauty that is saying yes to an unbridled lifting of spirit.

NeoFuturists_FoodShow: (L to R) Daniel Kerr-Hobert and Caitlin Stainken. Photo by Will Sonheim.

The Food Show

July 27 – September 2, 2017

Created by Neo-Futurist Ensemble member Dan Kerr-Hobert and Caitlin Stainken

Previews:  Thursday, July 27 – Saturday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night: Monday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m.

Run: Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: Previews Pay-What-You-Can, Run: $10-$25  

The Food Show asks what it means to change a family recipe. Created by Kerr-Hobert and his cousin Caitlin Stainken, a Neo-Futurist alum, the performance explores how food brings us together and sets us apart, amidst a backdrop of their family's culinary inheritance and an ensemble of six writer-performers' own stories. Using the structure of a nine-course fine Italian meal, The Food Show honors the traditions of our past and acknowledges our impact on the environment as each generation decides what parts to keep and what parts to throw away. Farmers, restaurateurs, writers, musicians, and audiences come together to experience the common thread of food and memory in American culture.

More information at: http://neofuturists.org/events/2016-17season/

ONGOING EVENTS AND PERFORMANCES

Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind: 30 Plays in 60 Minutes

Created by Greg Allen, Written by The Neo-Futurist Ensemble

Fridays and Saturdays at 11:30 p.m.; Sundays at 7 p.m.

Every weekend except December 16-18 and 23-25

Best of performances December 2-4 and 9-11

Tickets at the door: Cash only, $9 plus the roll of one six-sided die ($10-15)

Advance tickets: $20 with a $1-6 cash rollback; tickets online at www.neofuturists.org

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind is The Neo-Futurists’ never-ending, ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes. The Neo-Futurists' signature show, now in its 28th year, is the longest-running production in Chicago history. 

NeoFuturists_TheArrow: (L to R) Kurt Chiang and Lily Mooney. Photo by Will Sonheim.

The Arrow

Created by Kurt Chiang and Lily Mooney

November 13; February 5 – 26, 2017; May 21 – June 11, 2017 and August 6 – 27, 2017

Sundays at 3 p.m.

Tickets: $15

Moving into its second year, The Arrow is an innovative storytelling show that subjects written essays to spontaneous interventions. Combining elements of Neo-Futurism, essay reading, improvisation, live lit, and theatrical experiment, The Arrow is a continuing attempt to show dynamic, honest interactions between the people on stage before a live audience. The shows will always be different, and performers will be featured from a variety of disciplines in writing and performance. 

The Infinite Whale

Workshop presentation

Created by Nick Hart

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2017 and Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $8

Using The Neo-Futurists aesthetic, an ensemble writes an infinite number of experimental plays, each one infinitely long and performs them simultaneously in encroaching darkness. 

The Neo-Futurists

The Neo-Futurists, performers of Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind and creators of over 65 original, full-length productions, are a collective of wildly productive writer-director-performers who are committed to creating immediate, non-illusory, irreproducible events at head-slappingly affordable prices. The Neo-Futurists pioneered a new form of theater in 1988, launching what became Chicago’s longest running show, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, now in its 28^th year. From humble beginnings as the first late-night theater production in Chicago, The Neo-Futurists have grown to become one of the most highly regarded experimental theater companies in America. More than 70 Ensemble-alumni have added thousands of new works to the American theatre canon and today branches bring Neo-Futurism to both coasts in New York City and San Francisco.

The Neo-Futurists are partially supported by grants from Alphawood Foundation Chicago, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Chicago Community Trust, a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, The Field Foundation of Illinois, 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.

Alice Opening At Lookingglass And Closing At Upended #theatre

The Chicago Theatre scene is a microcosm, a world of it's own full of magical coincidences and oddly interwoven themes. This season is no exception. We're way beyond stoked here at ChiIL Mama/ChiIL Live Shows that one of our favorite stories is springing to life in parallel universes in very different ways. 

Alice (of Wonderland fame) is popping up in mirror worlds across town, at the aptly named Lookingglass Nov 12-Feb 15 and all over Andersonville (beginning at the Neo-Futurarium) in an "ambulatory, multi-disciplinary theatrical experience" through Nov. 2. These productions are both highly anticipated remounts and we can't wait to catch it all!

UPENDED PRODUCTIONS ALICE

Photo: Johnny Knight

8 Andersonville venues, 9 artists, 12 chapters, 6 rabbits, 1 wild afternoon. Noelle Krimm gives audiences a seat at the tea party with a re-imagining of her 2004 hit, Alice. The show runs through with tours beginning at 1:00 p.m. and leaving every 15 minutes until 2:00 p.m. All tours start at The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland. Space is limited and advanced purchase is very highly recommended. Don't be late!

Recommended by The Trib, The Sun-Times, The Reader, Newcity Stage and more, here’s what some of the critics had to say about 2004’s Alice.

Upended Productions’ Alice – The reviews are in!!

Stage and Cinema Raves!  

“Throughout the whimsical and comic episodes, there are consistent reminders of the subjective nature of reality, a medicine that goes down easily, delivered as it is with a bit of sugar—not pepper—and a wry touch. Attend Alice with an open spirit and light heart, or arrive as a grump and a cynic and leave with a smile and a less-heavy step nonetheless.”                    -Erika Mikkalo                                                    

Recommended by New City!  

“Other standout vignettes include the most interactive portions, like the tea party and croquet game led by the ShowParty! collective. A headier but equally captivating highlight is the eleventh chapter from Sid Branca & Amanda Fink, staged in a pet supply shop, wherein the trial over the tarts becomes a sort of nonsensical polemic attack on meaning and ownership while revealing much truth through almost aggressive wordplay.”                                                              - Raymond Rehayem                                                                               

Recommended by Chicago Theatre Review! 

“But Alice is more than its ambulatory conceit—it also features witty and imaginative writing that gets to the emotional core of the original. Chad the Bird’s meditations on humans and animals seemed both apt and fitting for a story that is filled with many anthropomorphic animals. A final scene towards the end of the play poses a choice between dreams and the reality that inspires them. Alice is ultimately a fun production that is at times unfaithful to the letter of the original, but fully faithful to its spirit. It invites you to stroll through its Wonderland, but urges you to eventually wake up, refreshed, from the dream.
                                                                                            - Ivy Perez

And perhaps most importantly...

10-year-old theater critic Ada Grey of Ada Grey Reviews For You had a blast!

“People who would like this show are people who like bunnies, insanity, and lollipops. I think should definitely see this show. It is so funny, and I had so much fun, and I think you should bring all your best friends to it because they will have a lot of fun. It is basically like you get to go on the experience of going to Wonderland with your friend.”                               -Ada Grey

Alice is an ambulatory, multi-disciplinary theatrical experience. The audience, traveling in groups of 15, follows a white rabbit to various locations throughout the Andersonville neighborhood. Ducking into storerooms and back patios, through bookstores and taverns and galleries, the audience IS Alice and the Andersonville neighborhood becomes a wonderland. Chapters of the book are divided amongst Chicago fringe theater companies, visual and film artists and performed in various locations throughout the neighborhood.

Locations include: The Neo-Futurarium, Simon's Tavern, The Landmark of Andersonville, Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities, Rad Vintage, George's Ice Cream and Sweets, The Swedish American Museum, and Women and Children First Bookstore.

(Wow! Just WOW. So many of our favs are representing here.)  Alice features original work by: The Neo-Futurists, Striding Lion Performance Group, The Whiskey Rebellion Theatre, ShowParty, Sophisticated Cornbread, David Kodeski, Corrbette Pasko, Emmy Bean, Josh Zagoren, Greg Allen, Bilal Dardai, Dina Walters, Logan Kibens, John Randle and other special guests.

Don't sit in the dark and wait to be entertained. Be Alice. Chase the rabbit!

Noelle Krimm states, "I originally created the show for The Neo-Futurists in 2004. It was a great success and I have often thought of remounting it. This fall is the 10th anniversary of the first production and it falls at a time when I think we all need to be able to look around and see a little wonder."

Noelle Krimm (Creator/Rabbit) After being thoroughly educated in theater/musical theater performance at the Florida School of the Arts and Florida State University, Noelle became a Neo-Futurist ensemble member in 1999 where she wrote and performed regularly in their signature show, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind for 10 years (and still comes back every once in a while). While with The Neo-Futurists, Noelle also created several full-length original shows including The Neo-Futurists' first full-length musical, City Girl!, which had an extended run in Chicago in 2002 and went to the Minnesota Fringe Festival in 2003 where it won Artists' Choice and Critics' Choice for Best Musical. In 2004, Noelle created and curated Alice for The Neo-Futurists which involved more than 50 cast members from numerous experimental theater companies and took place over an entire city block of Andersonville. Using a similar model, she created Fear in 2009 which, touted as "a thinking man's haunted house, " involved dozens of different artists who worked in mediums from graffiti to modern dance. Fear took place throughout the fairly creepy building which houses The Neo-Futurarium. The 2014 production of Alice is the inaugural show for Krimm's new production company.

Upended Productions was founded by Neo-Futurist alumni Noelle Krimm in the summer of 2014. After creating Alice and Fear for The Neo-Futurists, Noelle became really interested in creating theatrical events that collage the work of many different artists into one semi-coherent piece.

Upended Productions' Alice is part of Chicago Artists Month 2014, the 19th annual celebration of Chicago's vibrant art community presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. For more information, visit www.chicagoartistsmonth.org.

Sign up for a specific tour time by purchasing tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com. Tickets are $20 or $15 with a valid student ID. All performances begin at The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland. For more information, visit www.upendedproductions.com or call 773-817-3956.

LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE
Lookingglass Alice
Adapted and Directed by David Catlin
From the works of Lewis Carroll
Produced in association with The Actors Gymnasium
November 12, 2014 – February 15, 2015
Press Opening: Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 2pm
Location: Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson  
Tickets: $35-$45 previews, $45-$75 regular run

Imagination soars and laughter and awe abound when this signature production returns with all its gravity-defying spectacle and breathtaking theatricality.  Lookingglass Alice is a marvel for all ages, transporting audiences down the rabbit hole to a circus-infused playground for an exhilarating wonderland adventure inspired by Lewis Carroll’s beloved stories.

Lookingglass Theatre Company announces casting for the return of signature Lookingglass production Lookingglass Alice, adapted and directed by Ensemble Member David Catlin from the works of Lewis Carroll, produced in association with The Actors Gymnasium. Artistic Associates Lauren Hirte and Lindsey Noel Whiting both return to share the role of Alice. Lookingglass Alice runs November 12, 2014 – February 15, 2015 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. Tickets are currently on sale to the general public and can be purchased through the box office at (312) 337-0665 or www.lookingglasstheatre.org.  

Lookingglass Alice features Ensemble Members Kevin Douglas (Mad Hatter) and Anthony Fleming III (Cheshire Cat) and also includes Molly Brennan (Red Queen), Artistic Associate Lauren Hirte (Alice), Samuel Taylor (White Knight) and Artistic Associate Lindsey Noel Whiting (Alice).

The creative team includes Ensemble Member Daniel Ostling (scenic design), Ensemble Member Mara Blumenfeld (costume design), Artistic Associate Alison Siple (associate costume design), Artistic Associate Christine A Binder (lighting design), Production Affiliate Ray Nardelli (sound design), Sarah Burnham (properties), Artistic Associate Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi (choreographer) and Lee Brasuell (rigger). Jeri Frederickson is the stage manager for Lookingglass Alice.

Imagination soars and laughter and awe abound when this signature production returns with all its gravity-defying spectacle and breathtaking theatricality.  Lookingglass Alice is a marvel for all ages, transporting audiences down the rabbit hole to a circus-infused playground for an exhilarating wonderland adventure inspired by Lewis Carroll’s beloved stories.

FACT SHEET/Lookingglass Alice

Dates:  Previews:  November 12 – 21, 2014

                      

            Regular run:  November 25, 2014 – February 15, 2015

Times:      Tuesdays:                    3:00 p.m. (Dec 23 only)

7:30 p.m. (Nov 25; Dec 23 and 30 only)

Wednesdays:                1:00 p.m. (Dec 24 only)

3:00 p.m. (Nov 26, Dec 31 only)

7:30 p.m.

Thursdays:                   3:00 p.m. (except Nov 13, 20, 27; Dec 25; Jan 1, 8, 22; Feb 5 and 12)

7:30 p.m. (except Nov 25, Dec 25 and Jan 1)

                 Fridays:                        3:00 p.m. (Nov 28, Dec 26 and Jan 2 only)

7:30 p.m.

                          Saturdays:                    3:00 p.m. (except Nov 15 and 22)

7:30 p.m. (except Nov 22)

Sundays:                      3:00 p.m. (except Nov 23)

7:30 p.m. (Dec 7, 14, 21; Jan 11 and 25;

Feb 8 and 15 only)

Accessible

Performances:  Touch tour/Audio described performance, Sunday, February 1, 2015 at 3 p.m.

Open captioned performance, Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 3 p.m. Partial support for open captioning provided by Theatre Development Fund.

Location:          Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  

Prices:      Previews are $25 - $40

Regular Run is $40 - $80

                                   

A limited number of student tickets are available the day of the show for $20 with valid student ID.

Groups of 8 or more patrons save up to 20%. Call the box office for details.

Box Office: Buy online at www.lookingglasstheatre.org

or by phone at (312) 337-0665

The Lookingglass box office is located at Water Tower Water Works,

821 N. Michigan Ave.

About Lookingglass Theatre Company
Inventive.  Collaborative.  Transformative.  Lookingglass Theatre Company, recipient of the 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award, was founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students.  Now in its 27^th season, Lookingglass is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric. The Company has staged 62 world premieres, received 101 Joseph Jefferson awards and nominations, and work premiered at Lookingglass has been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, Philadelphia, Princeton, Hartford, Kansas City, Washington D.C., and St. Louis.  Lookingglass original scripts have been produced across the United States.

The Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago's landmark Water Tower Water Works opened in June 2003.  In addition to developing and presenting ensemble work, Lookingglass Education and Community programs encourage creativity, teamwork and confidence with thousands of community members each year.

Lookingglass Theatre Company continues to expand its artistic, financial and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Artistic Director Andrew White, Executive Director Rachel Kraft, Producing Artistic Director Philip R. Smith, Artistic Director of New Work Heidi Stillman, a 24-member artistic ensemble, 15 artistic associates, 11 production affiliates, an administrative staff and a dedicated board of directors led by Chairman Joe Brady of Jones Lang LaSalle and President John McGowan of CTC | myCFO (a part of BMO Financial Group). For more information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org.