**If all portrayals of History had been more fun like this, I would have paid more attention in Social Studies at school.**
Review:
By Catherine Hellmann, Guest Critic
“Well, that was unique!” was the reaction of my theater novice brother about the unusual but very fun production of The American Revolution by Theater Unspeakable. Difficult to explain, but a hoot to experience, Theater Unspeakable is a very physical theater company based in Chicago but tours extensively to share their creative works around the U.S. The American Revolution is an original production, a wild summary of the American fight for independence. Currently playing at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln Avenue, Theater Unspeakable has a limited engagement October 17 through November 11. Following its Chicago run, The American Revolution will soon play in Washington and California. Combining tongue-in-cheek humor and quick pacing with amazing body language, The American Revolution brings to life George and Martha Washington, King George III, Sam Adams, Paul Revere, John and Abigail Adams, Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson. The seven performers create a theatrical game like Twister with impressive acrobatics. One of my favorite bits was whenever King George III was portrayed, one of the actresses was placed behind him as his legs, creating a hilarious visual effect as he childishly waved “his” legs in the air. “I liked their retreat,” observed my sister after the show. When ascending a hill to battle, the actors had their fingers act as small legs rushing the hill, then “retreating” upon command. Funny stuff. “In this 50-minute play, seven actors, all performing two feet off the ground, share 21 square feet of space to recreate the entire American fight for independence from Lexington to Yorktown. Using only the actors’ bodies and voices, the show evokes an epic time-period in American history,” according to their press release. (“How did they not fall off that platform?” asked my mesmerized brother.) We asked how long they rehearsed and were amazed it was only three weeks. Just the variety of sound effects alone would be a challenge to coordinate. This production was originally devised by the following members of Theater Unspeakable: Brittany Anderson, Parker Arnold, Zachary Baker-Salmon, Marc Frost, Patrice Foster, Jeffery Freelon, Kyle Geissler, Jason Hammond, Trey Hobbs, Kathleen Hoil, Quenna Lené, Katie Mancuso, Aaron Rustebakke, Lyn Scott, Vanessa Valliere, Ryan Westwood and Thomas Wynne. The production stars Devin Sanclemente who is great as King George, Sonja Lynn Mata (Sam Adams), Alex Small (John Adams), Caroline M. Watson (Governor Dinwiddie), Lexi DeSollar (Abigail Adams), Jeffery Owen Freelon, Jr. as an awesome George Washington, Carolyn Moore (Martha Washington), Jamia Taylor, and Renata Camara Loader. Highlights include the Boston Tea Party, the re-enactment of Washington crossing the Delaware, and the rendition of “My Country, Tis of Thee” while mimicking an American flag. If all portrayals of History had been more fun like this, I would have paid more attention in Social Studies at school.
The American Revolution is a perfect family show, so we want families to enjoy it together! Theater Unspeakable is now offering a family discount. Get 4 tickets for only $50. Have more than 4 people in the family? No worries! It's only $12.50 for each additional family member.
Catch Theater Unspeakable's American Revolution now until 11/11/18.
The crazy physical comedy that results from Theater Unspeakable's unique platform performances has long been a favorite of ours here at ChiIL Mama. You have to see it to believe it, and with their acclaimed version of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, you just might learn a bit of contorted history too. Check it out! Theater Unspeakable, a devised, physical theater company based in Chicago that has received tremendous critical acclaim across the U.S., presents THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, a whirlwind re-telling of the American fight for independence at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln Avenue, for a limited engagement October 17 through November 11, with a press opening at 2 p.m. on October 20. Prior to its Chicago run, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION will play in Washington D.C at the Kennedy Center, and following Chicago in Washington at the Edmonds Center for the Arts and California at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo. Combining tongue-in-cheek humor with a dash of derring-do, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION brings to life George and Martha Washington, King George III, Sam Adams, Paul Revere, John and Abigail Adams, Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson, amongst others, to bring the audience the original story of the greatest democratic experiment in world history. The physical theater practiced by the company draws upon the heavy influence of Theater Unspeakable Founder and Director Marc Frost’s, time at the London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA). This two-year theater program based on the teachings of Jacques Lecoq exposed him to many different styles of theater. Since returning and founding the company, Marc has set a goal for himself and his collaborators to continue experimenting with these styles until they have broken ground on new forms of their own. "Theater Unspeakable loves to create big stories in small spaces. The story of the American Revolution appealed to us because of its epic scale. We were excited by the challenge of bringing it to life in less than an hour all upon a tiny stage,” said Marc Frost, founder and director of Theater Unspeakable. “I am originally from Chicago, and we founded Theater Unspeakable and THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION here in the city, so it is an honor to be able to bring the production back to our hometown.” From October 17 – November 11, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION will run Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sundays at 11 a.m. The running time is 50 minutes with no intermission. There will be a Q&A with the artists immediately following each performance. Ticket prices are $30 or $20 for students, industry, seniors, and military and can be purchased at https://www.greenhousetheater.org/theamericanrevolution-tickets.
About Theater Unspeakable Founded by Marc Frost in 2010, the Chicago-based Theater Unspeakable draws upon the heavy influence of Jacques Lecoq and Marc’s two years spent at the London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA). The American Revolution is Theater Unspeakable’s third production, following Superman 2050 and Murder on the Midwest Express. Their work has been presented at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, The Chicago Humanities Festival, and at Lincoln Center Education in New York. They continue to tour nationally.
Adventure Stage Chicago and Theater Unspeakable; a fantastic duo. We’re joining forces to make bringing your family to the theater easier. Use the code: Revolution to get $5 off tickets to any Adventure Stage or Theater Unspeakable production. Check out what ASC is offering this season!
The crazy physical comedy that results from Theater Unspeakable's unique platform performances has long been a favorite of ours here at ChiIL Mama. You have to see it to believe it, and with their acclaimed version of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, you just might learn a bit of contorted history too. Check it out! Theater Unspeakable, a devised, physical theater company based in Chicago that has received tremendous critical acclaim across the U.S., presents THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, a whirlwind re-telling of the American fight for independence at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln Avenue, for a limited engagement October 17 through November 11, with a press opening at 2 p.m. on October 20. Prior to its Chicago run, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION will play in Washington D.C at the Kennedy Center, and following Chicago in Washington at the Edmonds Center for the Arts and California at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo. Combining tongue-in-cheek humor with a dash of derring-do, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION brings to life George and Martha Washington, King George III, Sam Adams, Paul Revere, John and Abigail Adams, Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson, amongst others, to bring the audience the original story of the greatest democratic experiment in world history. In this 50-minute play, seven actors, all performing two feet off the ground, share 21 square feet of space to recreate the entire American fight for independence from Lexington to Yorktown. Using only the actors’ bodies, voices, and (pantomimed) cannons, the show evokes an epic time-period in American history. The physical theater practiced by the company draws upon the heavy influence of Theater Unspeakable Founder and Director Marc Frost’s, time at the London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA). This two-year theater program based on the teachings of Jacques Lecoq exposed him to many different styles of theater. Since returning and founding the company, Marc has set a goal for himself and his collaborators to continue experimenting with these styles until they have broken ground on new forms of their own. "Theater Unspeakable loves to create big stories in small spaces. The story of the American Revolution appealed to us because of its epic scale. We were excited by the challenge of bringing it to life in less than an hour all upon a tiny stage,” said Marc Frost, founder and director of Theater Unspeakable. “I am originally from Chicago, and we founded Theater Unspeakable and THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION here in the city, so it is an honor to be able to bring the production back to our hometown.” The production was originally devised by the following members of Theater Unspeakable: Brittany Anderson, Parker Arnold, Zachary Baker-Salmon, Marc Frost, Patrice Foster, Jeffery Freelon, Kyle Geissler, Jason Hammond, Trey Hobbs, Kathleen Hoil, Quenna Lené, Katie Mancuso, Aaron Rustebakke, Lyn Scott, Vanessa Valliere, Ryan Westwood and Thomas Wynne. The production team includes Sara Beaman (Stage Manager), Jennifer Gonsalves (Additional Costume Design), Rachel K. Levy (Lighting Designer), and Jacob Watson (Additional Set Designer) and stars Devin Sanclemente (King George), Sonja Lynn Mata (Sam Adams), Alex Small (John Adams), Caroline M. Watson (Governor Dinwiddie), Lexi DeSollar (Martha Washington), Jeffery Owen Freelon, Jr. (George Washington), Carolyn Moore (Abigail Adams), Jamia Taylor, and Renata Camara Loader. From October 17 – November 11, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION will run Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sundays at 11 a.m. The running time is 50 minutes with no intermission. There will be a Q&A with the artists immediately following each performance. Ticket prices are $30 or $20 for students, industry, seniors, and military and can be purchased at https://www.greenhousetheater.org/theamericanrevolution-tickets.
About Theater Unspeakable Founded by Marc Frost in 2010, the Chicago-based Theater Unspeakable draws upon the heavy influence of Jacques Lecoq and Marc’s two years spent at the London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA). The American Revolution is Theater Unspeakable’s third production, following Superman 2050 and Murder on the Midwest Express. Their work has been presented at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, The Chicago Humanities Festival, and at Lincoln Center Education in New York. They continue to tour nationally.
CHICAGO CHILDREN'S THEATRE PRESENTS THEATER UNSPEAKABLE'S
MOON SHOT: A RACE TO SPACE,
NOVEMBER 1-20, 2016
**Moon Shot: A Race to Space runs approximately one hour and is ideal for ages 10 to adult. **
Watch seven actors squeeze onto a 21-square foot table
to recreate the story of America's Apollo 11 lunar landing
when Chicago Children's Theatre presents
Theater Unspeakable's Moon Shot: A Race to Space,
November 1-20, 2017.
Theater Unspeakable's a local favorite of ours here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows. We adore their concept of performing contact theatre in a confined space-- a raised 21 square foot table! This leads to Twister-like scenarios and precarious blocking and adds a challenging intimacy to their shows that's fascinating to watch. We're also huge fans of Chicago Children's Theatre's Later Stages series for ages 10+. Chicago's theatre scene is incomparable on the adult productions front and has quite a few stellar companies doing children's theatre for the very young. Until now, the tweens and younger teens have been largely overlooked. Kudos to Chicago Children's Theatre for realizing many savvy urban children age out of early childhood theatre before childhood ends. There are plenty of theatre loving kids from age 10 on, that aren't quite ready for full on adult fare. This is the show for you!
Watch seven actors squeeze onto a 21-square foot table - nearly as tight as NASA's original Mercury capsules - to recreate the story of America's Apollo 11 lunar landing, when Chicago Children's Theatre presents Theater Unspeakable's Moon Shot: A Race to Space, November 1-20, 2016.
Using only their bodies and their voices, this astounding troupe of Chicago actors brings to life one of the most daring times in the history of human exploration: the Space Race. From the Cold War to Sputnik, from Yuri Gagarin to Neil Armstrong, this action-packed show brings Theater Unspeakable's tongue-in-cheek humor to a whole new atmosphere - one where the rules of gravity no longer apply.
Chicago Children's Theatre presents the world premiere of Moon Shot: The Race for Space, commissioned by Palo Alto Children's Theatre, November 1-20 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago.
Show times are Tuesdays through Friday at 10 a.m.; Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. (Exception: no show Tuesday, November 8.)
Single tickets are $10-$39. For tickets and information, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555.
Chicago Children's Theatre's performance home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, is convenient to public transportation, surrounded by family-friendly restaurants and located just steps from the Magnificent Mile.
CCT also offers discounted group rates for schools, playgroups, birthday parties and scouting groups. Email groupsales@chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call
(773) 227-0180 x 15 to learn more.
Better yet, include Moon Shot: A Race to Space in a 2016-17 Chicago Children's Theatre Membership Pass. Multi-show membership benefits include discounted tickets, reserved seats, flexible ticketing, discounts on CCT classes and camps, no ticket fees and invitations to CCT events. For membership information, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555.
November 12 and 13 is Access Weekend for Moon Shot:
The Race to Space
Access Weekend for Moon Shot: A Race to Space is Saturday and Sunday, November 12-13, with services for persons with disabilities integrated into public performances. These include:
Live open captioning for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing:
Saturday, November 12 at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 13 at 2:30 p.m.
Sensory friendly performance with quiet room for children on the autism spectrum or with Down Syndrome:
Sunday, November 13 at 2:30 p.m.
For more information about access services, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org/access or contact access administrator Alex Mauney at cmauney@chicagochildrenstheatre.org.
The Apollo 11 lunar landing: A brief history
July 20, 1969: Watch the Apollo 11 Moon Landing
It's the morning of July 16, 1969, a little over eight years since the flights of Yuri Gagarin and Alan Shepard, which spurred President Kennedy to challenge NASA to put a man on the moon before the decade was out. Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins sat atop Saturn V at Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, ready for the first manned flight to the moon.
At 9:32 a.m. EDT, the engines fired and Apollo 11 cleared the tower. About 12 minutes later, the crew was in Earth's orbit. After one and a half orbits, Apollo 11 got the "go" for what mission controllers called "Translunar Injection" - in other words, it was time to head for the moon.
Three days later the crew was in orbit. A day later, Armstrong and Aldrin climbed into the lunar module Eagle and began the descent, while Collins orbited in the command module Columbia.
When it came time to set Eagle down in the Sea of Tranquility, Armstrong improvised, manually piloting the ship past an area littered with boulders. When the lunar module landed at 4:18 p.m EDT, only 30 seconds of fuel remained. Armstrong radioed "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."
At 10:56 p.m. EDT Armstrong planted the first human foot on another world. With more than half a billion people watching on television, he climbed down the ladder and proclaimed: "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." Aldrin joined him, and they explored the surface for two and a half hours, collecting samples and taking photographs. They left behind an American flag, a patch honoring the fallen Apollo 1 crew, and a plaque on one of Eagle's legs. It reads, "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon. July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind."
Armstrong and Aldrin blasted off and docked with Collins in Columbia. The crew splashed down off Hawaii on July 24. President Kennedy's challenge had been met. (Source: https://www.nasa.gov.)
Biggest show. Smallest stage.
Theater Unspeakable's Moon Shot: A Race to Space
In 2010, Marc Frost created Theater Unspeakable, formally Un-Speak-Able, as a platform for devising new physical theater projects, drawing upon the heavy influence of Frost's time at the London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA).
The company's current project, Moon Shot: A Race to Space, commissioned by Palo Alto Children's Theatre, developed and presented in association with Chicago Children's Theatre, marks a return as well as a departure from the "platform" style.
It stars David Gordezky as Yuri Gagarin, Quenna Lené as Janet Armstrong, Sarah Liken as Valentina Tereshkova, Aaron Rustebakke as Neil Armstrong, Rejinal Simon as Sergei Korolev, Orion Lay-Sleeper as Wernher Von Braun and Vanessa Valliere as President Kennedy.
Marc Frost directs. Rachel K. Levy is lighting designer. Jacob Watson is additional set designer. Lucía Mier y Terán Romero is music director. Sara Beaman is stage manager. Stacey Klingberg is the assistant stage manager. Filipa Tomas is assistant movement director.
To date, Theater Unspeakable has created three original touring pieces. Their first "platform-style" piece, Superman 2050, was brought to life when Frost was awarded a six-month residency at Links Hall called the Lisa Dershin LinkUp. Chicago Children's Theatre subsequently presented SuperMan 2050 to unanimous audience acclaim in 2014. Other original works include Murder on the Midwest Express and The American Revolution.
Based in Chicago, the company continues to perform in venues across the country including Chicago Children's Theatre, Chicago Humanities Festival, Chicago Cultural Center, Adventure Stage Chicago, Filament Theatre, Links Hall (Chicago); Lincoln Center Education (NY), Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (NY); Palo Alto Children's Theatre (CA); Center of Creative Arts (St. Louis, MO); Alden Theatre (McLean, VA); Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (Sarasota, FL); Lewis University (Romeoville, IL), Piccolo Theatre (Evanston, IL); Gaillard Center (Charleston, SC) and Peace Center (Greenville, SC). For more information, visit theaterunspeakable.com.
What's Next? A Look Ahead to Chicago Children's Theatre's 2016-17 season
In addition to Moon Shot: A Race to Space, Chicago Children's Theatre kicks off its 2016-17 season with Thodos Dance Chicago's critically-acclaimed story ballet A Light in the Dark: The Story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, co-choreographed by Thodos Dance Chicago Artistic Director Melissa Thodos and Broadway icon Ann Reinking, October 15-23, 2016.
Theatre Unspeakable's Moon Shot: A Race to Space is rotating performances at the Ruth Page with Another Snowy Day with Beatrix Potter & Friends, November 5-20, 2016. Will Bishop's delightful trunk show for the toddler set features mechanical suitcase sculptures with pulls and levers that little kids turn and crank to help tell every family's favorite Beatrix Potter stories.
With the New Year comes the return of CCT's smash hit musical The Hundred Dresses, adapted and created by Ralph "Ralph's World" Covert and G. Riley Mills, directed by Sean Graney, artistic director of The Hypocrites. Don't miss this engaging and enlightening musical about a young girl who struggles to stand up to others-even when she's standing alone, January 17-February 12, 2017.
Has your child asked to take a gap year? Let them find out what it's really like with CCT's world premiere of The Year I Didn't Go to School: A Homemade Circus. Created and directed by Lookingglass Artistic Director Heidi Stillman and based on the popular Giselle Potter picture book, this all-new production will be a thrilling experience for all ages, filled with circus arts, February 28-March 26, 2017.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear & Other Treasured Stories by Eric Carle, presented by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, closes Chicago Children's Theatre 11th season, May 2-28, 2017.
All shows will be presented at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. For memberships, subscriptions or passes, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555.
New home for Chicago Children's Theatre to open in January 2017
In addition to presenting its 2016-17 mainstage season at the Ruth Page, Chicago Children's Theatre is busy transforming the former, 12th District Police Station at 100 S. Racine Avenue in Chicago's West Loop into a beautiful, mixed-use performing arts and education facility designed to serve all Chicago families.
Slated to open in January, 2017, Phase One of the new Chicago Children's Theatre will be CCT's headquarters for all educational programming, housing five classrooms for year round courses and camps for ages 0 to 14, and a space dedicated to year round Red Kite programs for children on the autism spectrum.
Phase One also boasts a flexible, 149-seat studio theater ready to host professional performances and student shows.
Phase Two of Chicago Children's Theatre's new building is anchored by a second, 299-seat mainstage theater, scheduled for completion in 2020.
Stay tuned for more exciting news about inaugural events, the first session of theater arts classes in Chicago Children's Theatre's first-ever permanent home starting in February, plus two, must-see live family productions set to premiere in the new studio theater in 2017.
About Chicago Children's Theatre
Since its launch in 2005, Chicago Children's Theatre has cemented its reputation as the city's largest professional theater company devoted exclusively to children and young families.
The company evolved out of Chicago's need for high-quality, professional year-round children's programming to match the quality and significance of theatrical powerhouses such as Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre and Lookingglass Theatre.
Likewise, CCT has always believed children should be treated as the sophisticated audiences that they are with high-profile and award-winning talent, inventive production values and compelling stories that challenge, educate and entertain.
Audiences have embraced Chicago Children's Theatre since its inaugural production, A Year with Frog and Toad, at the Goodman Theatre in 2006. Since then, the company's productions have featured everything from black-light scenery to live music to interactive four-dimensional sets to life-size puppets, with performances showcasing the heart of Motown to Vaudeville to contemporary, current and modern styles.
Chicago Children's Theatre also has built a national reputation due to its strong focus on new work, producing 12 world premieres in just the last 10 years including The Selfish Giant, The Hundred Dresses, Jackie and Me, Dot and Ziggy, The Houdini Box, The Elephant and The Whale (in association with Redmoon), Mr. Chickee's Funny Money, Leo Lionni's Frederick, Wonderland, Alice's Rock & Roll Adventure, A Snowy Day with Beatrix Potter and Jabari Dreams of Freedom. These enjoyed highly successful inaugural runs in Chicago, followed by new productions at family theaters across the U.S.
CCT has always honored a strong commitment to low-income families and children with special needs. In partnership with Chicago Public Schools, the company offers free tickets to more than 5,000 Chicago-area low-income students each season.
Meanwhile, the company has pioneered immersive theater designed for children on the autism spectrum via its Red Kite Project, and recently expanded programming for children with impaired vision or hearing and Down's syndrome.
Chicago Children's Theatre also offers a full roster of after school theater classes and summer camps.
Led by Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell, Board Chair Todd Leland and Community Programs Artistic Director Frank Maugeri, Chicago Children's Theatre is supported by a dynamic Board of Directors comprised of dedicated individuals from the fields of entertainment, philanthropy and business. Officers include Jeff Hughes, President; Lynn Lockwood Murphy, Vice Chair and Secretary; David Saltiel, Vice Chair; and David Chung, Treasurer.
Chicago Children's Theatre is sponsored in part by ComEd and Goldman Sachs Gives.
For more information visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org, or call (773) 227-0180.
Act Out Kids: Family friendly Chicago theatre openings, closings, reviews, giveaways, ticket sale dates and more.
Must close Saturday at 4pm.
Best enjoyed by ages 8 & older.
Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is happy to partner up with Theater Unspeakable and Adventure Stage and they have provided tickets for our giveaway and for review purposes.
We caught opening night and highly recommend it. Theatre Unspeakable has a great platform (literally) for bringing history to life with humor and physical and mental agility. We've long been fans of Theater Unspeakable since we caught their stellar production, Murder on the Midwest Express, as part of the Chicago Humanities Festival years ago. We haven't caught their Superman2050 show, but we've heard stellar things. We're on the lookout for a remount and hope to see it soon. Theater Unspeakable is great at physical theatre and their small space, platform staging is utterly unique and pumps up the energy in a big way. Their tell it like it is version of The American Revolution humanizes the characters we grew up with and includes their faults and foibles along with their legendary deeds. The physical comedy that ensues from the confines of their platform is hilarious and brilliant. Go early and get a "revolutionary selfie" and contribute to the declaration on the wall!
Think history is dry and boring--think again. Suspend your disbelief as 7 actors suspended on a platform bring history to life in 50 minutes and 21 square feet! Now that's a feat. Come check it out. We'll be there to review November 8th. Get your tickets before this show is history!
Theater Unspeakable’s Highly Original Take on the Country’s Founding Fathers Will Be Staged at the Vittum Theater, November 4-29.
From The Patriot to John Adams, from the iconic portrait of Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emmanuel Gottlieb Leutze to the musical 1776, the birth of our nation has been portrayed countless times in countless ways in the arts. But never quite like this.
Adventure Stage Chicago, a program of Northwestern University Settlement Association, proudly presentsTheater Unspeakable’s production of The American Revolution, a critical history lesson in 50 minutes, from November 4-29 at the Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St. in Chicago.
Seven actors—suspended on a platform two feet off the ground—share 21 square feet of space to recreate the entire heroic fight for American independence from Lexington to Yorktown. Using only the actors’ bodies, voices and (pantomimed) cannons, the show evokes an epic time period in American history. Combining tongue-in-cheek humor with a dash of derring-do, The American Revolution displays Theater Unspeakable’s company’s rowdy brand of bare-boned and imaginative physical theater in the company’s first ever extended run in Chicago.
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION DATES, TIMES AND TICKET INFO
Public Performances will take place November 8, 15, 29 at 4 p.m., and November 14, 21, 28 at 7:30 p.m.; Student Matinees will take place November 4-6, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25 at 10:30 a.m.
Tickets for all shows are $17 for adults, $12 youth aged 14 and under and groups of ten or more; $7 previews. Student groups begin at $7. *A special $10 ticket is available to neighbors in the 60622 and 60642 zip codes. The American Revolution is performed at Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St., in the heart of Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. Street parking is available, and the theater is close to the Noble St. stop on the #56 Milwaukee bus line and the Division stop on the CTA Blue Line. The theater is wheelchair accessible.
For more information, call (773) 342-4141 or visit www.adventurestage.org
Adventure Stage Chicago is funded by Banco Popular , Grover Hermann Foundation, Kinder Morgan Foundation, Lloyd A Fry Foundation, I.A. O’Shaughnessy Foundation, Illinois Arts Council, The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince, Paul M Angell Family Foundation, Polk Bros Foundation, RBC Foundation – USA, Searle Funds at the Chicago Community Trust
Limited Engagement!
Nov. 8, 14, 15, 21, 28, 29 Fridays at 7:30pm Saturdays at 4pm Adults: $17 / Youth: $12 Neighborhood discount: $10 (60642 and 60622, by phone or at the door only) Groups (10+): $12 Cada función presentada con subtítulos en español. Gettin' crafty and noshing at the post opening show reception. There were improv games & art for the kids, fab food, and a great community vibe!
ABOUT THEATER UNSPEAKABLE
Marc Frost started Theater Unspeakable as a platform for creating new works of devised, physical theater. Based in Chicago, the company is dedicated to telling stories using the entire mind, body, heart and soul. Working indoors and outdoors, the company creates live theatrical performances combining elements of movement, dance, mime, circus and clown. Since 2010, the company has created three original pieces including “Superman 2050,” “Murder on the Midwest Express” and “The American Revolution”. Theater Unspeakable has toured these pieces at various venues including: Lincoln Center, McLean Community Center, Chicago Humanities Festival, The Second City and the Chicago Cultural Center.
Adventure Stage is proud to be a regional host for TYA/USA and AATE'S Young Playwrights for Change, and now through January 18, we are collecting your 10-minute plays for a national contest that features young playwrights. Our first playwriting workshop is Saturday, November 15th at 10am, and it's free for any interested contestants interested in learning more about the process of writing a play. Find more details here.
"Adventure Stage Chicago bills itself as
the premier Chicago theater for audiences
ages 8–14, and with each new
production, it's not difficult to see why."
-Time Out Chicago
"Great fun that inspires one to be excited
to see the world, have adventures,
help others and love!"
“A week later my class is still talking
about the play. It was a wonderful
experience. Thank you!”
-Chris Berglind / Lee Elementary
ABOUT ADVENTURE STAGE CHICAGO
Adventure Stage Chicago creates and tells heroic stories about young people. We do this to engage our community and inspire all of us to be heroes in our own lives. This is our 11th season.
Adventure Stage has received numerous honors since its inception in 2004, including:
•American Alliance for Theatre and Education’s 2013 Orlin Corey Award for Artistic Excellence to ASC Founder/Producing Artistic Director Tom Arvetis
•Illinois Theatre Association’s 2012 Award of Excellence in Theatre for Young Audiences
•Zeta Phi Eta Winifred Ward Award for Outstanding New Children's Theatre Company from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education
Adventure Stage Chicago is a program of Northwestern University Settlement House, the oldest continually operating settlement house in Chicago. Throughout its 122-year history, the Settlement has remained committed to providing resources that empower neighbors to overcome the obstacles of poverty. Adventure Stage extends this mission by presenting Chicago's young audiences, educators and families with affordable artistic experiences rooted in performance.
Disclosure: Once again, ChiIL Mama is happy to partner up with Theater Unspeakable and Adventure Stage and they have provided tickets for our giveaway and for review purposes.
Act Out Kids: Family friendly Chicago theatre openings, closings, reviews, giveaways, ticket sale dates and more.
Best enjoyed by ages 8 & older.
Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is happy to partner up with Theater Unspeakable and Adventure Stage and they have provided tickets for our giveaway and for review purposes.
ENTER HEREfor your chance to WIN 4 free tickets (up to $68 value/2 winners) for Fri 11/14 7:30pm!
ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama for fun in Chi, IL and beyond! We're thrilled to offer TWO Family 4 Packs of Tickets to The American Revolution (up to $68 value)for the *Friday, November 14, 7:30pm performance*. Enter through midnight Nov 10th.
Think history is dry and boring--think again. Suspend your disbelief as 7 actors suspended on a platform bring history to life in 50 minutes and 21 square feet! Now that's a feat. Come check it out. We'll be there to review November 8th. Get your tickets before this show is history!
Theater Unspeakable’s Highly Original Take on the Country’s Founding Fathers Will Be Staged at the Vittum Theater, November 4-29.
From The Patriot to John Adams, from the iconic portrait of Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emmanuel Gottlieb Leutze to the musical 1776, the birth of our nation has been portrayed countless times in countless ways in the arts. But never quite like this.
Adventure Stage Chicago, a program of Northwestern University Settlement Association, proudly presentsTheater Unspeakable’s production of The American Revolution, a critical history lesson in 50 minutes, from November 4-29 at the Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St. in Chicago.
Seven actors—suspended on a platform two feet off the ground—share 21 square feet of space to recreate the entire heroic fight for American independence from Lexington to Yorktown. Using only the actors’ bodies, voices and (pantomimed) cannons, the show evokes an epic time period in American history. Combining tongue-in-cheek humor with a dash of derring-do, The American Revolution displays Theater Unspeakable’s company’s rowdy brand of bare-boned and imaginative physical theater in the company’s first ever extended run in Chicago.
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION DATES, TIMES AND TICKET INFO
Public Performances will take place November 8, 15, 29 at 4 p.m., and November 14, 21, 28 at 7:30 p.m.; Student Matinees will take place November 4-6, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25 at 10:30 a.m.
Tickets for all shows are $17 for adults, $12 youth aged 14 and under and groups of ten or more; $7 previews. Student groups begin at $7. *A special $10 ticket is available to neighbors in the 60622 and 60642 zip codes. The American Revolution is performed at Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St., in the heart of Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. Street parking is available, and the theater is close to the Noble St. stop on the #56 Milwaukee bus line and the Division stop on the CTA Blue Line. The theater is wheelchair accessible.
For more information, call (773) 342-4141 or visit www.adventurestage.org
Adventure Stage Chicago is funded by Banco Popular , Grover Hermann Foundation, Kinder Morgan Foundation, Lloyd A Fry Foundation, I.A. O’Shaughnessy Foundation, Illinois Arts Council, The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince, Paul M Angell Family Foundation, Polk Bros Foundation, RBC Foundation – USA, Searle Funds at the Chicago Community Trust
Limited Engagement!
Nov. 8, 14, 15, 21, 28, 29 Fridays at 7:30pm Saturdays at 4pm Adults: $17 / Youth: $12 Neighborhood discount: $10 (60642 and 60622, by phone or at the door only) Groups (10+): $12 Cada función presentada con subtítulos en español.
ABOUT THEATER UNSPEAKABLE
Marc Frost started Theater Unspeakable as a platform for creating new works of devised, physical theater. Based in Chicago, the company is dedicated to telling stories using the entire mind, body, heart and soul. Working indoors and outdoors, the company creates live theatrical performances combining elements of movement, dance, mime, circus and clown. Since 2010, the company has created three original pieces including “Superman 2050,” “Murder on the Midwest Express” and “The American Revolution”. Theater Unspeakable has toured these pieces at various venues including: Lincoln Center, McLean Community Center, Chicago Humanities Festival, The Second City and the Chicago Cultural Center.
Call for Kid Playwrights!
Adventure Stage is seeking 10-minute plays written
by 6th, 7th and 8th graders on the theme of "family."
All participants will receive workshops and feedback from ASC staff and artists. Winning submissions will have their plays read by professional artists on the ASC stage in Spring 2015!
Adventure Stage Chicago creates and tells heroic stories about young people. We do this to engage our community and inspire all of us to be heroes in our own lives. This is our 11th season.
Adventure Stage has received numerous honors since its inception in 2004, including:
•American Alliance for Theatre and Education’s 2013 Orlin Corey Award for Artistic Excellence to ASC Founder/Producing Artistic Director Tom Arvetis
•Illinois Theatre Association’s 2012 Award of Excellence in Theatre for Young Audiences
•Zeta Phi Eta Winifred Ward Award for Outstanding New Children's Theatre Company from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education
Adventure Stage Chicago is a program of Northwestern University Settlement House, the oldest continually operating settlement house in Chicago. Throughout its 122-year history, the Settlement has remained committed to providing resources that empower neighbors to overcome the obstacles of poverty. Adventure Stage extends this mission by presenting Chicago's young audiences, educators and families with affordable artistic experiences rooted in performance.
Disclosure: Once again, ChiIL Mama is happy to partner up with Theater Unspeakable and Adventure Stage and they have provided tickets for our giveaway and for review purposes.
