ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List
FROM A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY…
ONE-MAN STAR WARS TRILOGY
LANDS IN CHICAGO THIS JANUARY!
limited engagement, January 5-8, 2022
One-Man Star Wars Trilogy is recommended for all ages.
REVIEW:
By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara
I still remember when the first Star Wars movie hit theaters in 1977. I invited a group of friends to see it for my epic 10th birthday party. Since then I've seen all the sequels, prequels and most of the spinoffs, and enjoyed introducing my own son and daughter to the franchise. I even brought them with me to see Charles Ross doing his now legendary One-Man Star Wars Trilogy back in 2016 when they were 13 and 15, and we all thought the show was a hoot. When I heard he was coming back around again for a 4 day run at The Apollo, I grabbed my friend, D'Arcy, and we braved the subzero weather and omicron surge to get our geek on. It was SO worth it.
Photo Credit: Bonnie Kenaz-Mara
The audience was tiny but mighty, like a scrappy band of rebels, with a smattering of legendary locals in full comic con regalia. We take our LARPing seriously here in Chicago!
ChiILin' With The Villains. Bonnie Kenaz-Mara (AKA: ChiIL Mama) & D'Arcy Mies
Seeing Charles Ross in action is like spending an hour with your funniest friend. He's a one man band of foley-worthy sound effects, physical theatre action, funny faces, and rapid-fire monologuing complete with accents, seamlessly interspersed with improv banter. After twenty years and over 4,000 performances of the original Star Wars Trilogy on stage in a hilariously condensed Cliff Notes style, Ross still manages to make the material freshly funny.
We laughed hard and immensely enjoyed this highly entertaining break from reality. This show is family friendly and recommended for anyone who's seen Star Wars, from diehard fans to those vaguely familiar.
Charles Ross is a force to reckon with. His high energy performance is nothing short of incredulous and too much fun. I'm hopeful he'll be back in the Windy City some time soon with his One Man Lord of the Rings, which I have not seen.
Photo Credit: Bonnie Kenaz-Mara
One final note. I'm a sucker for show themed drinks and Apollo's got some boozy doozies. Come early so you have time to enjoy them in the lobby before the show, since you can't presently bring them to your seat.
When it comes to reenacting the Star Wars saga, with the speed of a light saber battle, and the joy of childhood, Charles Ross nails it, with his One-Man Star Wars Trilogy. Don't miss this!
Bonnie is a Chicago based writer, theater critic, photographer, videographer, actress, artist and Mama. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly).
Start the new year off with a journey through space and time with One-Man Star Wars Trilogy, created by Charles Ross, presented by Right Angle Entertainment! Join Charles for a fast and furious live solo performance of the original trilogy of Star Wars movies (A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi), directed by TJ Dawe. This limited engagement runs January 5-8, 2022 at Apollo Theater Chicago, located at 2550 N Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.
Canadian actor and uber geek, Charles Ross, brings his solo madcap creation One-Man Star Wars Trilogy to the stage in this mind-bending whirlwind of a show. Ross retells the classic bad hair trilogy in 60 minutes- no costumes, no props, no sets- all the characters, the music, the ships, and the battles.
If your kid’s name is Chewbacca, this show is a no-brainer. If not, get your nerd on and experience the global sensation loved by audiences from London’s West End, Off-Broadway, Dubai, the Sydney Opera House, Lucasfilm, and Charlie’s mom. The Force is strong with this one.
Tickets for are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, by calling (773) 935-6100, or by visiting the box office at Apollo Theater Chicago.
One-Man Star Wars Trilogy performed with permission of Lucasfilm Ltd. All ‘Star Wars’ elements property of Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.
About the Artist
Charles Ross may have the best job in the world: professional Geek.
Born in the town of Prince George, in British Columbia, Canada. Charlie’s family moved to the wee town of Nelson, BC, a gorgeous little place featured in movie Roxanne. He first discovered the theatre. Drama teachers gave him a way to focus his energy—igniting a lifelong passion for performing.
Charlie studied theatre at the University Victoria’s Theatre program. Since graduation he’s been happily writing, performing and touring solo shows. He sometimes misses being in big shows with a big casts.
His community tends to be spread pretty far and wide.
Since 2002, legions of Tolkien and Star Wars have attended One Man Star Wars and One Man Lord of the Rings, enriching Charlie’s life with their own sense of community. Charlie has toured the globe for the last 20 years, delighting audiences with his unique and frenetic solo stage shows.
Fandom is a community, theatre is community, and when I make a new show about something I love, I feel like it is what keeps my community together.
Licensed by DISNEY and MIDDLE EARTH MEDIA, Charlie has lent his voice and stage talent, carrying the official banner of STAR WARS and LORD OF THE RINGS. HBO even had Charlie create and star in One Man Star Wars commercials to promote on SHOWCASE.
You may have seen Charlie on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Last Call With Carson Daley, and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
Check out: charlesstuartross.com and onemanstarwars.com
Photo Credit: Dean Kalyan
Check with Apollo Theater's website for the latest on covid protocols. Vaccine records upon entry and masks are required for the duration of the show.
Upcoming Production from Right Angle Entertainment
WORLD PREMIERE!
Bachelor: The Unauthorized Musical Parody
Book and Lyrics by Richelle Meiss
Music by Sam Johnides and Tony Gonzalez aka The Sam & Tony Show
January 13 – February 13, 2022
Bachelor: The Unauthorized Musical Parody is the most dramatic unauthorized musical parody of The Bachelor yet! With songs like "Sob Story," "Two-On-One Tango," and "The Date Card is a Riddle," this uproarious parody is packed with romance, competition, and contestants who may or may not be here for The Right Reasons. Whether you love The Bachelor, only watch The Bachelor with your girlfriend, or have never seen The Bachelor, get ready to fall in love with this musical. Who will get the final rose? Who will go home heartbroken? And how many Bachelor jokes can they cram into a 90-minute musical? You’ll just have to come pick up your rose and find out!
Bachelor: The Unauthorized Musical Parody is recommended for ages 13+.
www.bachelorthemusical.com/
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
Friends! The Musical Parody
Book & Lyrics by Bob & Tobly McSmith
Music by Assaf Gleizner
March 3 – April 3, 2022
Friends! The Musical Parody is the comedic musical that lovingly pokes fun at TV’s Friends, celebrating the adventures of your favorite group of 20-something friends as they navigate the pitfalls of work, life and love in 1990s Manhattan. It’s a typical day at New York’s only coffee shop, Central Perk, until an unexpected runaway bride enters the picture and kicks the whole gang out of second gear! The musical recreates our favorite moments from all 10 years of Friends through an uncensored, fast-paced, music-filled romp.
FRIENDS! THE MUSICAL PARODY is recommended for ages 13+.
www.friendsparodyontour.com
RIGHT ANGLE ENTERTAINMENT (Producer) specializes in the production, marketing, management and distribution of live theatrical, digital and concert events. RAE’s proud roster includes: America's Got Talent Live!, The Price is Right LIVE!, The Masked Singer National Tour, The Simon and Garfunkel Story, The Office! An Unauthorized Musical Parody (Off Broadway and National Tour), FRIENDS! A Musical Parody (Off-Broadway and National Tour), Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (National Tour and Grand Old Opry), Together Live with Abby Wambach and Glennon Doyle, Sasha Velour’s Smoke & Mirrors Tour, among many others.
