Writers Theatre Presents Frida…A Self Portrait January 23 – February 23, 2025

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar: Adult Night Out

Writers Theatre continues its 2024/25 Season 

with the captivating solo performance piece

Frida…A Self Portrait

Written and Performed by Vanessa Severo 

Directed by Joanie Schultz

January 23 – February 23, 2025

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Artistic Director Braden Abraham, continues its 2024/25 Season with Frida…A Self Portrait, starring acclaimed writer and performer Vanessa Severo as both herself and legendary Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, directed by Joanie Schultz. Frida...A Self Portrait will run January 23 – February 23, 2025 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. I'll be out for the press opening January 31, so check back soon for my full review. Tickets are on sale at Writers Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe; 847-242-6000; www.writerstheatre.org  

Frida...A Self Portrait Events 

Family Matinee 

Saturday, February 8 at 3pm 

Going to the theatre just got a little bit easier for parents and caregivers. Parents and caregivers can see the 3pm matinee of the production while their young ones engage in active creative play with WT Education’s professional teaching artists.

Iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo was a woman who lived boldly, loved wildly, and painted prolifically in order to see herself and the world around her more clearly. Witness this extraordinary figure come to life onstage through playwright and performer Vanessa Severo, who brings breathtaking physicality and raw honesty to this stunningly creative production. With music and movement, Vanessa cracks open a powerful portal between herself and Frida, uncovering insights into the painter’s physical limitations, complex love life, addictions, and, of course, the beauty in her art. 

• Several of Frida Kahlo's iconic paintings are referenced and evoked in the staging and design of the play, including Frieda and Diego Rivera (1931), The Broken Column (1944), Self Portrait in a Velvet Dress (1926), Memory, the Heart (1937), The Two Fridas (1939), and Self Portrait with Cropped Hair (1940).

Artistic Director Braden Abraham comments, “Vanessa and Joanie have crafted an intimate theatrical experience that transcends the traditional stage biography, creating a rich tapestry that honors Kahlo's complex legacy while simultaneously exploring the universal themes of identity, pain, and artistic expression.”

• La Casa Azul, the Kahlo family home in Coyacán, Mexico City, Mexico, became the Museo Frida Kahlo in 1958. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico City.

In an interview with Cincinnati Playhouse, Vanessa Savero explained, "The concept of self-portraiture is such a tricky and blurred presentation today. In a world of selfies, filters and displaying our ‘best lives’ on social media, we have lost the concept of what real expression is. In looking at Frida Kahlo’s self portraits, we find a woman unapologetically showing her pain and her current state of being. It can be uncomfortable and also unnerving for the viewer, yet on the other hand, we see something in ourselves relating to her state of being. When I decided to write Frida...A Self Portrait, I found that I could not just tell her story without telling my own. I had to present my own self portrait in order to honestly connect with hers." 

• Frida…A Self Portrait arrives at Writers Theatre for its seventh full-length production, after acclaimed runs in Indianapolis, Rochester, NY, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Portland, OR, and Kansas City.

Frida…A Self Portrait has been touring to theatre companies across the country to rave reviews. It has previously played at Indiana Repertory Theatre, GEVA Theatre Center, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Portland Center Stage, and Kansas City Repertory Theatre.

Vanessa Severo (Writer / Performer) Vanessa has studied at Missouri State University, as well as The American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco. She is the recipient of the TCG 11th Round of the Fox Foundation resident Actor Fellowships, 2017, including the Carlsbad, CA Artist in Residency, 2022, as well as the winner of Dramatist Guild Grant 2022. She is certified in Suzuki Method, and Viewpoints under the instruction of Ellen Lauren, SITI Company. She is the playwright and actor of Frida...A Self Portrait (2020 Kilroys List). Other original works include: Dracula (World Premiere at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 2024), Rubik (World Premiere, Spinning Tree Theatre, 2024), Sueno de Agua (World Premiere, Kansas City Repertory Theater 2022). Website: VanessaSevero.com

• Severo performed a shorter version of the play several times starting in 2014. A fellowship from Theatre Communications Group allowed her to travel to Mexico City and further research Kahlo's life. Joanie Schultz subsequently began collaborating with Severo as director, and the new full-length version of Frida had its world premiere at Kansas City Repertory Theatre in 2019.

Joanie Schultz (Director) currently serves as Associate Artistic Director of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Her work has been seen in Chicago and regional theatres including The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, Steep Theatre, Remy Bumppo, Portland Center Stage, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Everyman Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Studio Theatre, The Cleveland Play House, GEVA Theater Center, Indiana Repertory Theatre, LaJolla Playhouse, and Philadelphia Theatre Company. She has directed and assistant directed opera from the site specific to the grand stage with Chicago Opera Theater, the Bayview Music Festival, the Chicago Cultural Center, and New Millennium Orchestra. In 2017-18, Joanie was Artistic Director of WaterTower Theatre in Dallas, Texas, where she produced new and inclusive programming from community partnerships to world premiere plays. Prior to that, Joanie served as Associate Artistic Producer at Victory Gardens Theater, as part of the TCG/Mellon Foundation Leadership U One-on-One Fellowship. She was also a Drama League Fellow; The Goodman Theatre Michael Maggio Director Fellow; the SDSF Denham Fellow; and member of the Lincoln Center Theatre Directors Lab. She is an ensemble member at Steep Theatre Company and an artistic cabinet member at Studio Theatre in Washington DC. Joanie has taught through her own studio, Steep Theatre, and Steppenwolf Theatre, along with Columbia College Chicago, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Roosevelt University. She holds a B.A. in Theater Directing from Columbia College Chicago and an M.F.A. in Theater Directing from Northwestern University. For more information on Joanie’s work, go to www.joanieschultz.com.

Dates: 

First performance: January 23, 2025

Press opening: Friday, January 31, 2025 at 7:30pm 

Closing performance: February 23, 2025

 

Performance Schedule:

Wednesdays: 3:00pm (February 5 & 19 only) and 7:30pm

Thursdays: 7:30pm 

Fridays: 7:30pm 

Saturdays: 3:00pm (except January 25) and 7:30pm 

Sundays: 2:00pm and 6:00pm (January 26 only)

Open Captioned Performance: Thursday, February 13 at 7:30pm

ASL-Interpreted Performance: Saturday, February 15 at 3:00pm

 

Location: Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre; 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe 

 Prices: Tickets begin at $35.

Box Office: The Box Office is located at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe; 847-242-6000; 

Frida...A Self Portrait Events 

Family Matinee 

Saturday, February 8 at 3pm 

Going to the theatre just got a little bit easier for parents and caregivers. Parents and caregivers can see the 3pm matinee of the production while their young ones engage in active creative play with WT Education’s professional teaching artists.

The Final Word Audience Discussion 

Sunday, February 23 at 12pm 

Join WT Artistic staff and fellow audience members for a conversation about the themes and production elements of the show. 

 

Upcoming Education & Engagement Programs 

Show & Tell Storytelling 

Tuesday, February 4, March 18 and April 15 at 7pm 

Enjoy an engaging evening of storytelling at our monthly Show & Tell series. Each event features talented professional storytellers and celebrates unique themes in a relaxed environment. Tickets are Pay What You Can. 

Pop-Up Day Camps 

February 17 and April 21, 9am-3pm 

When school is off but you’re not, WT Education is here to help. Young people ages 7-11 just might catch the theatre bug on this day-long creative adventure. 

Wake Up Words Family Playtime 

Sunday, February 2 and March 9 

Stories jump off the page on select Sunday mornings at Writers Theatre. Each Playtime pairs a favorite story with another art form and is a unique opportunity for young children and their families to create together. Designed for ages 3-6 and their parents/caregivers, siblings welcome.  

WRITERS THEATRE 2024/25 SEASON 

The remainder of the season includes Brian Friel’s touching Irish drama Translations, directed by Braden Abraham, and the World Premiere of Madhuri Shekar’s Dhaba on Devon Avenue, directed by Chay Yew and produced in partnership with TimeLine Theatre Company.  

Flex subscriptions are $260 (4-pack), $325 (5-pack) or $360 (6-pack). Season package subscribers receive exclusive benefits including complimentary ticket exchanges by phone and mail (upgrade fees may apply), access to special play readings and lectures, special “subscriber-rate” prices on additional tickets, discounts at the bar, on Writers Theatre merchandise, event rentals, and more. For a complete list of benefits visit www.writerstheatre.org. 

Season Packages are available online at www.writerstheatre.org, and at the Box Office by calling 847-242-6000. 

 

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES: 

WT offers Open Captioning on select dates for each production. Please visit writerstheatre.org/accessibility for more information. 

Throughout the season, Writers Theatre offers a variety of audience enrichment and special programming. This includes regularly occurring offerings like the Family Matinee Series, The Green Room artist interview series and podcast, and The Final Word Audience Discussion Series. Please visit writerstheatre.org/events for a full listing of upcoming offerings. 

ABOUT WRITERS THEATRE 

Writers Theatre boldly looks to the future as it begins its 33rd season. Having captivated audiences for years with its dedication to creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible, the theatre is now a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called “America’s finest regional theater company” by The Wall Street Journal. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Braden Abraham and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, the company is charting a path forward for the next 30 years.  

Since its founding in 1992, Writers Theatre has stayed true to its core values: valuing the power of the written word and uplifting the artists who bring that word to life. The company has produced over 140 productions—everything from inventive interpretations of classics to groundbreaking new work. In 2016, Writers Theatre opened a new, state-of-the-art facility designed by the internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects. The new facility has allowed the Theatre to accommodate its growing audience, while maintaining its trademark intimacy.  

Writers Theatre now welcomes more than 60,000 patrons each season and has helped establish the North Shore of Chicago as a premier cultural destination. Through its Literary Development Initiative, which has been responsible for the nurturing and premiering of over 30 world premieres, the theatre has established itself as a major originator of new theatrical works. Serving as an extension of the Writers Theatre mission, WT Education programs engage an average of 10,000 students each year with active learning opportunities centered around the written word. 

Writers Theatre presents Filament Theatre's hit immersive experience FORTS! Build Your Own Adventure for all ages October 19 – November 26, 2023

 ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List

Writers Theatre presents Filament Theatre's hit immersive experience

FORTS! 

Build Your Own Adventure for all ages

The adventure plays in the Gillian Theatre

October 19 – November 26, 2023

●FORTS! is recommended for ages 2 and up, with special Adult Nights exclusively for those 21 and over scheduled for Fridays, November 3, 10 and 17 at 7:30pm.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Artistic Director Braden Abraham, is pleased to introduce FORTS! Build Your Own Adventure, Filament Theatre’s hit immersive play experience for families. FORTS! Build Your Own Adventure will be presented October 19-November 26, 2023 in the Gillian Theatre, 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe. I'll be out to play on Saturday the 28th, so check back soon after for my recap. We've given away Forts! tickets for our readers quite a few times in past years, and I've sent freelancers and their families to guest review, but I've never had a day off to enjoy it myself. Here at ChiIL Mama we're huge fans of immersive experiences that spark creativity, and I can't wait to check this one out. 

 

Enter a world of imagination and creation as Filament Theatre transforms Writers Theatre into an interactive play-space. Picture the Gillian Theatre as a giant living room filled with couches, cardboard boxes, sheets, clothesline and more. When participants enter, the lights come up on giant towers of boxes. First order of business---build a fort! Maybe it’s the tallest fort ever. Maybe it has a secret room. Maybe team up with other participants and make a giant super fort. Maybe make it cozy and curl up to have a chat. Maybe take a tour of someone else’s fort and make a friend. With new elements added throughout the experience and lights and sound that take participants from day to night and back again, the story is different every time.

 

Writers Theatre Director of Artistic Development Bobby Kennedy comments, “We are overjoyed to bring Filament Theatre’s FORTS! to Writers Theatre. Nestled as we are between a playground and a park, it has long been our wish for WT to also be a favorite destination of young people. Like all of our programming, FORTS! is an intimate theatrical experience—only this time the stage is yours and the storyteller is you. We cannot wait to see what new worlds our young audiences create when their imaginations and cardboard boxes collide.” 

●FORTS! Build Your Own Adventure is both a play (the noun) and a play (the verb). Just like a play (noun), there is theatrical lighting, sound design, and music that shapes the imaginative journey. Unlike a play (noun), participants won’t sit in a seat and watch, they will play (verb). 

 

FORTS! plays on Saturdays at 10:30am, 1pm, and 3:30pm and Sundays at 11am and 1pm. The experience runs 60 minutes and is facilitated by two guides who are there to support the journey and make sure everyone has a great time and stays safe. Audiences are encouraged to arrive up to 15 minutes early to participate in pre-show activities. All participants should wear appropriate socks or bring slippers.

 ●The experience runs for 60 minutes. Guests should plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to the show to enjoy pre-show activities with the guides. Shoes are not allowed in the play-space so participants should wear appropriate socks or bring slippers.

 

Tickets, priced $20, are now on sale at Writers Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe; 847-242-6000; www.writerstheatre.org. One adult is able to bring up to three children. If more than three children are attending, additional adult tickets are required. Children cannot attend alone. For purchases greater than 16 tickets, contact the Box Office at 847-242-6000 for a group sale. Private buyouts and birthday parties are also available for booking through the Box Office.

 

For teachers and administrators looking for a one-of-a-kind field trip opportunity for their students, weekday experiences are available for grades pre-K and up. Students will have a blast playing together and connecting outside of the traditional classroom environment through creative play, teamwork, and exploration. Field trips run Tuesday-Thursday, October 24^th-November 16^th at 10am and 12pm. There is a capacity of 35 people including adults. There must be 1 adult for every 6 students. A ratio of 1:5 is recommended for younger ages. Contact education@writerstheatre.org for more information.

●While food and drink are not allowed inside during the FORTS! experience, there will be space outside of the adventure zone to fuel up or take a break and concessions will be open.

 

Forts aren’t just for kids! A limited number of FORTS! Adult Nights exclusively for those age 21 and over will be held on Fridays, November 3, 10 and 17 at 7:30pm. At these select evening performances, grownups can grab a drink at the Writers Theatre bar and rediscover their inner child. Tickets, priced $20, are available at Writers Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe; 847-242-6000; www.writerstheatre.org.

 

Conceived and Directed by Filament Theatre Founder Julie Ritchey

Created in collaboration with Andrew Marikis, Eleanor Kahn, Jeffrey Levin, Carley Walker, and Christian Libonati

●The first production of FORTS! ran at Filament Theatre, December 2017 – March 2018. 

Creative Team:  Eleanor Kahn (Environment Design), Jeffrey Levin (Sound Design), Andrew Marikis (Facilitation Design), Joel Zishuk (Lighting Designer), and Carley Walker (Creative Consultant, Lighting Design). 

 

Dates: October 19 – November 26, 2023

Previews: October 19 at 1:30pm and October 20 at 11am

Regular Schedule:           

Saturdays: 10:30am, 1pm, and 3:30pm

Sundays: 11am and 1pm

Additional experiences on Friday, November 24 at 11am and 1pm

Adult Nights:  Fridays, November 3, 10 & 17 at 7:30pm

Adult Night participants must be 21 and older

Location: Gillian Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe

Price: $20

Box Office: The Box Office is located at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe; 847-242-6000; www.writerstheatre.org 

●FORTS! is an experience where everyone can build, dream, and create together.

ABOUT FILAMENT THEATRE

Winner of the 2020 Award of Excellence for Theatre for Young Audiences by the Illinois Theatre Association, the mission of Filament Theatre is to create a more equitable society by celebrating and amplifying the perspectives and experiences of young people through the performing arts. To this end, it creates immersive and site-specific theatre that inspires, empowers, and activates young people and their communities. Filament’s unique production process welcomes young people into the room as essential collaborators. Filament imagines a world where young people are the experts and adults are allies working to build a more just world. Filament Theatre has been an anchor cultural organization for the Six Corners business district in Chicago’s Portage Park since 2007. Filament serves approximately 8500 patrons annually through theatre programming, camps, school residencies, and classes. As the only theatre of its kind in Chicago, Filament is a vital home for innovative artists and young people finding and using their power through the performing arts. Please visit filamenttheatre.org for more information.

WRITERS THEATRE 2023/24 SEASON

The season begins with Eurydice, followed by The Band’s Visit, written by David Yazbeck and Itamar Moses, directed by Zi Alikhan and with music supervision by Andra Velis Simon. Hershey Felder then stars as Monsieur Chopin, written by Hershey Felder and directed by Joel Zwick, and concludes with The Hot Wing King, written by Katori Hall, directed by Lili-Anne Brown. Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol also runs November 16-December 24.

 

The 2023/24 Season will see the company now firmly at home in its award-winning building at 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe, designed by Studio Gang Architects. Productions will be presented in the 255-seat Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre. Masks are strongly encouraged, but not required, in all Theatre spaces. Please visit https://www.writerstheatre.org/covid-safety for full details.

 

Writers Theatre is pleased to welcome back BMO Harris Bank as a 2023/24 Season Sponsor, marking the Bank’s tenth consecutive year as season sponsor. Writers Theatre also acknowledges Capital Group Private Client Services as a Lead Production Sponsor.

 

Season Packages are available online at www.writerstheatre.org, and at the Box Office by calling 847-242-6000.

 

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

WT offers Open Captioning on select dates for each production. Please visit writerstheatre.org/accessibility for more information.

Writers Theatre is working with Erika Walker and Maylene Peña of the Walker Thomas Group on workplace culture and equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives. Additional information about this important and ongoing work can be found at writerstheatre.org/working-at-wt.

ABOUT WRITERS THEATRE 

Writers Theatre boldly looks to the future as it begins its 31st season. Having captivated audiences for years with its dedication to creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible, the theatre is now a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called “America’s finest regional theater company” by The Wall Street Journal.

Since 1992, Writers Theatre has stayed true to its core values: valuing the power of the written word and uplifting the artists who bring that word to life. The company has produced over 120 productions—everything from inventive interpretations of classics to groundbreaking new work. In 2016, Writers Theatre opened a new, state-of-the-art facility designed by the internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects. The new facility has allowed the Theatre to accommodate its growing audience, while maintaining its trademark intimacy.

Writers Theatre now welcomes more than 60,000 patrons each season and has helped establish the North Shore of Chicago as a premier cultural destination. Through its Literary Development Initiative, which has been responsible for the nurturing and premiering of over two dozen world premieres, the theatre has established itself as a major originator of new theatrical works. Serving as an extension of the Writers Theatre mission, WT Education programs engage hundreds of students each year with active learning opportunities centered around the written word.

Hot Holiday Themed Shows in Chicago 2022

How can it be December already?! If you're looking for some fun ways to entertain family and friends or clutter-busting, experiential gift ideas, check out Chicago's theatre scene. After years of pandemic induced theatre closures, the lights are back on and audiences and actors alike appreciate live theatre more than ever. Here at ChiIL Mama, we catch hundreds of shows a year and these are a few of our holiday favs. 

Chronological Order:

Elf the Musical, Drury Lane Theatre, November 9, 2022 – January 8, 2023

It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, American Blues Theater, November/December 2022

What the Elf?, The Second City, November 17-January 1

The Best of The Second City Holidays, November 21-December 31

A Christmas Carol, Drury Lane Theatre for Young Audiences, November 25 - December 30, 2022

Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley, Northlight Theatre, November 25 – December 24, 2022

The Second City’s Holiday Improv Bruch, The Second City, Sundays November 27, 2022-January 1, 2023 

Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol, Writers Theatre, November 29-December 24, 2022

Jackie Taylor’s Joy to the World: A Holiday Celebration, Black Ensemble Theater, December 10, 11, 17 and 18, 2022

Cirque Dreams Holidaze, Auditorium Theatre, December 22-24, 2022

AMERICAN BLUES THEATER

It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!

From Frank Capra’s film

Directed by Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside

Music Direction by Ensemble Member Michael Mahler

November/December 29 at Location TBD

(773) 654-3103; www.americanbluestheater.com

 Recommended for all ages

George Bailey, the Everyman from small town Bedford Falls whose dreams of escape and adventure were stopped by family obligation and civic duty, has fallen onto desperate times. Only a miracle can save him from despair. Filled with original music and classic holiday carols, this critically acclaimed, warm “holiday favorite makes the bell ring every time.” (Chicago Tribune) For 21 years, American Blues has treated audiences to a live retelling of the Frank Capra classic in a 1940s radio broadcast tradition, making It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! the second longest-running holiday play in Chicago!

 

BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER

4450 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640

(773) 769-4451

https://blackensembletheater.org/

 Recommended for all ages

Jackie Taylor’s Joy to the World: A Holiday Celebration

December 10, 11, 17 and 18, 2022

Tickets: $55 ($50 for seniors; ½ price for children under 18).  

An uplifting, inspirational and fun musical tribute to the holiday, written and directed by Jackie Taylor, featuring Robin DaSilva, Rhonda Preston, Vincent Jordan, Jim Wynton, Dwight Neal, Colleen Perry and a live band.

 

CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE

Auditorium Theater

50 E Ida B. Wells Dr in Chicago

(312) 341-2342; auditoriumtheatre.org

Tickets start at $45

 

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

December 22-24

Thursday, December 22 at 7:30pm; Friday, December 23 at 11am, 3pm and 7:30pm; Saturday, December 24 at 11am and 3pm.

 Recommended for all ages

Cirque Dreams Holidaze lights up the stage in this popular and dazzling family holiday spectacular. This annual tradition wraps a whimsical, Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus artistry into the ultimate holiday gift for the entire family! This critically acclaimed extravaganza is sure to dazzle any audience as Broadway World proclaims it, “The Perfect Holiday Gift… a show that everyone will enjoy.” Audiences of all ages will marvel at soaring acrobatics, gravity defying feats and extravagant theatrical production numbers the Boston Globe hails as “Entrancing… Las Vegas meets family entertainment.”

 

DRURY LANE THEATRE

Drury Lane Theatre

100 Drury Lane

Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

(630) 530-8300; http://drurylanetheatre.com

A full schedule of holiday events, including Afternoon Tea and Brunch/Dinner with Santa at Drury Lane’s Lucille Restaurant, is available here: https://lucillerestaurant.com/holiday-events/

 Recommended for all ages

Elf the Musical

Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin

Music by Matthew Sklar

Lyrics by Chad Beguelin

Based upon the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum

November 9, 2022 – January 8, 2023

Schedule: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Tickets:  Single Tickets: $69 – $84*

 

After discovering he is really a human raised as an elf, Buddy makes the journey from the North Pole to New York City to find his birth father, sharing the true meaning of Christmas along the way. Elf the Musical brings heart, hilarity, and holiday joy—after all, “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” Based on the hit Christmas film, the musical adaptation was nominated for one Drama League Award.

 

Drury Lane Theatre for Young Audiences presents  

A CHRISTMAS CAROL 

By Charles Dickens 

November 25 - December 30, 2022

Performances: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:00am; Fridays and Saturdays at 10:00am and 12:00pm      

Tickets: Start at $26

Set in Victorian-era London, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol tells the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts that visit him one fateful Christmas Eve, hoping to change his miserly ways. Continue your tradition or start a new one by gathering the whole family for Drury Lane Theatre's heartwarming production. Complete with falling snow, magical illusions and special effects, the play is a visually-stunning experience, and at one hour long, perfect for children of all ages. On select performance dates, families will have the opportunity to have breakfast or dinner with Santa Claus in Drury Lane's elegantly decorated dining room.

NORTHLIGHT THEATRE

9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie, IL 60077

(847) 673-6300

http://www.northlight.org/

Previews: $30-$61; Regular run: $30-$89

Student tickets are $15, any performance (subject to availability)

 

Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley

By Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon

Directed by Marti Lyons

Rolling World Premiere

November 25 – December 24, 2022

Recommended for adults

The beloved characters from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice return for a third and final installment of the Pemberley trilogy (Miss Bennet, The Wickhams). The youngest Darcy and Bennet sisters have become fast friends, and eagerly await the arrival of Georgiana’s secret correspondent. Mixups of manners and an overprotective Mr. Darcy keep romance from unfolding easily. But music, ambition, friendship, and sisterhood lead to happiness—and a love story that spans a lifetime.

 

 

THE SECOND CITY

230 W North Ave, Chicago

312-337-3992

www.secondcity.com

Recommended for adults

 

What the Elf?

Running November 17 – January 1 

Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 7pm.

Tickets start at $29

It’s just not the holidays without hot cocoa…and hot takes! Make merry at The Second City with this original sketch, variety, and improv celebration of the season. After all, what better time to look back and laugh at 2022? Let’s toast to the best…and roast all the rest.

 

The Best of The Second City Holidays

Running November 21 – December 31

Mondays at 8pm & Saturdays at 3pm.

Tickets start at $29

 

We guarantee yule laugh a whole latke as The Second City unwraps the most wonderful time of the year in our nut-cracking-est, jingle-bell-ing-est revue ever! Celebrate over sixty years of sketches, songs, and comedic conviviality as the next generation of comedy superstars perform our greatest holiday hits. Plus, The Second City’s famous improvisation means every show is like a snowflake: no two are alike--or are impervious to climate change.

 

The Second City’s Holiday Improv Brunch

Running November 27 – January 1 

Sundays at noon

Tickets are $35 (menu items sold separately)

From uproarious laughter to limitless libations, The Second City’s Holiday Improv Brunch is the gift that keeps on giving! Bring your band of merrymakers as we scramble together two of everyone’s favorites, comedy and brunch, for a scrumptiously seasonal breakfast with a totally improvised experience from the city’s finest. Whether you side on the Naughty or the Nice List, come enjoy mimosas...we don’t judge.

WRITERS THEATRE

Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre

325 Tudor Court, Glencoe

www.writerstheatre.org

 

Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol

Presented LIVE on stage for the first time

November 29-December 24, 2022

Tickets: $35-$90

 Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol is recommended for patrons ages 12+

Told through puppetry and music, this striking holiday experience comes to brilliant life on stage for the first time!

An avowed holiday skeptic, Aunt Trudy has been recruited to channel her late husband Joe’s famous Christmas cheer over a Zoom call with family. But as Trudy becomes more absorbed in her own version of the Ebeneezer Scrooge story, the puppets take on a life of their own, and the family’s call transforms into a stunning cinematic adaptation of Dickens’s classic ghost story.

After the stunning success of its online Christmas Carol, Manual Cinema uses its groundbreaking creativity and powerful storytelling to elevate one of the most famous holiday stories ever told to new heights in this unique theatrical experience. Featuring the combined talents of actors, puppeteers and musicians, come experience a new holiday tradition unlike anything else you’ve seen before. 

The cast included Lizi Breit (Puppeteer), Sarah Fornace (Puppeteer), Ben Kauffman (Guitar, Piano, Lead Vocals), N. LaQuis Harkin (Aunt Trudy, Puppeteer), Julia Miller (Puppeteer), and Kyle Vegter (Cello, Keys, Vocals).

The creative team includes Drew Dir (Storyboards), Ben Kauffman and Kyle Vegter (Original Music and Sound Design), Drew Dir with Lizi Breit (Puppet Design), Sarah Fornace and Julia Miller (Puppet Build Assistants), Julia Miller and Kyle Vegter (Set Design), Julia Miller (Costume Design), Mike Usrey (Technical Director and Sound Engineer), Shelby Sparkles (Stage Manager), and Ben Kauffman (Streaming and UX).

FREE Public Performances of The MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Rights 1/20/20 and 2/28/20

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List:

Writers Theatre opens the 2020 tour of

The MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Rights

By Yolanda Androzzo

Directed by Sophiyaa Nayar

Featuring Adhana Reid

with free public performances at the Chicago History Museum

on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 20, 2020 at 10:30am) and 

DuSable Museum of African American History 

on February 28, 2020 at 7pm

Writers Theatre opens its 14th annual tour of The MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Rights, written by Yolanda Androzzo, directed by Sophiyaa Nayar and featuring Adhana Reid. A special Martin Luther King, Jr. Day public performance will take place at 10:30am on January 20, 2020 at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark Street in Chicago. The kickoff event also includes a post-show community discussion. The event is free and open to the public, and audience members will also receive free museum admission for the remainder of the day. The closing performance will also be free and open to the public, at 7pm on February 28, 2020 at DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 East 56th Place in Chicago. Tickets are free and can be reserved in advance by calling 773-947-0600. Visit dusablemuseum.org/events for more information.

Weaving together poetry, hip hop and history, The MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Rights is a one-woman show that follows Chicago student Alaya’s personal transformation through studying the Civil Rights Movement. Alaya uses her fists as an outlet for anger. After interviewing local heroes of the Movement, she discovers she can put “anger into action” and that her power is in her voice and her hip hop, not violence.

Seen by more than 83,000 students, this dynamic, cross-cultural, multi-media performance interlaces personal interviews of Chicago-based Civil Rights activists, featuring both celebrated and unsung heroes of the Movement, such as Reverend Samuel “Billy” Kyles, spoken word artist and activist Sista Yo, Reverend Jesse Jackson and Puerto Rican poet and activist David Hernandez, among others. 

The 2020 production will tour to more than 35 venues during its 6-week run, including Chicago Public Schools, community centers, and juvenile detention centers.  All performances on the tour include a post-show discussion and a study guide with wrap-around curriculum.



Title: The MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Rights
By: Yolanda Androzzo
Directed by: Sophiyaa Nayar
Featuring: Adhana Reid
Dates: Monday, January 20, 10:30am – Chicago History Museum (Free) 
Friday, February 28, 7pm – DuSable Museum of African American History (Free) 

The 2020 tour of The MLK Project is made possible in part by support from Allstate, Major Corporate Sponsor.  Additional supporters of The MLK Project and Writers Theatre’s education programs in 2020 include: The Crown Family, Polk Bros. Foundation, Dr. Scholl Foundation, and The Seabury Foundation.



Writers Theatre Education Programs are aimed at exploring text, nurturing the creativity of young people and instilling appreciation of the arts for future generations. Through comprehensive programming in schools, on-site and through community-based initiatives, WT Education’s curriculum is designed to emphasize collaboration, cultivate self-expression, encourage imaginative inquiry and promote civic responsibility.

Additional Writers Theatre’s Education Programs include: 
Write On! a flexible artist-in-residence program customized for each school and group of students. Write On! pairs teaching artists with schools and community organizations in dynamic explorations of performance and text with a focus on encouraging young people to find their creative voices.  Writers Theatre has provided after-school drama programs, in-depth Shakespeare or mythology workshops, ethnographic performance and dramaturgy units, and poetry and writing classes in collaboration with CPS schools, community organizations and juvenile detention centers.

The Novel Series, a cutting-edge theatre and literary arts curriculum designed to allow students to explore literature and the art of bringing text to life. Under the guidance of a Writers Theatre Teaching Artist, students engage in a layered study of a book and enter a rigorous artistic process that merges writing, discussion, and vocabulary with arts-integrated theatre projects. Residencies culminate in a final performance of student-created work as students use voice, body, and imagination to make new and exciting connections to the text.

ACTIVATE is Writers Theatre’s wraparound residency designed to deepen students’ engagement with the art on our stages. Students and teachers involved in ACTIVATE attend an exclusive student-only matinee performance of a play in our season, prepare for and extend their experience at the theatre through in-school pre and post-performance participatory workshops designed to investigate contextual information and the major themes in the play, and participate in a post-show discussion with WT artists and educators.

Writers Theatre Youth Council, an artistic leadership advisory board for motivated, passionate high school students interested in hands-on, in-depth exposure to arts administration. Council members get behind-the-scenes access to Writers Theatre productions, artists, and programs, participate in play readings and artistic discussion groups, host youth nights at the theatre, and develop artistic leadership skills. Youth Council members attend after-school meetings, performances at the theatre, and workshops. Youth Council members represent a valued voice in theatre operations.

Writers also began offering Onsite Theatre Classes for young people in Fall 2017. Classes each session will mirror WT’s mission of the word and the artist with creative themes that highlight each of these theatrical tenants created specifically for young artists at the heart of the process. Held in our state-of-the-art theatre center, these customized classes are the perfect way to introduce children to the arts through creative and active collaboration.

All of Writers Theatre’s education programs are aligned with state and national Common Core standards. To learn more visit www.writerstheatre.org/education.



ABOUT WRITERS THEATRE
For over 25 years, Writers Theatre has captivated Chicagoland audiences with inventive interpretations of classic work, a bold approach to contemporary theatre and a dedication to creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible.

Under the artistic leadership of Michael Halberstam and the executive leadership of Kathryn M. Lipuma, Writers Theatre has grown to become a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called the top regional theatre in the nation by The Wall Street Journal. The company, which plays to a sold-out and discerning audience of more than 60,000 patrons each season, has garnered critical praise for the consistent high quality and intimacy of its artistry—providing the finest interpretations of both classic and contemporary theatre in its two intensely intimate venues. 

In February 2016, Writers Theatre opened a new, state-of-the-art facility. This established the company's first permanent home—a new theatre center in downtown Glencoe, designed by the award-winning, internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects, led by Founder and Design Principal Jeanne Gang, FAIA, in collaboration with Theatre Consultant Auerbach Pollock Friedlander. The new facility has allowed the Theatre to continue to grow to accommodate its audience, while maintaining its trademark intimacy. The new facility resonates with and complements the Theatre’s neighboring Glencoe community, adding tremendous value to Chicagoland and helping to establish the North Shore as a premier cultural destination.

Find Writers Theatre on Facebook at Facebook.com/WritersTheatre, follow @WritersTheatre on Twitter or @Writers_Theatre on Instagram. For more information, visit www.writerstheatre.org.

PICTURED: CAREN BLACKMORE AS ALAYA THE MLK PROJECT. PHOTOS: TOM MCGRATH

EXTENDED: TREVOR THE MUSICAL Now at Writers Theatre Through Oct 1st

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Writers Theatre extends the run of

TREVOR 

THE MUSICAL

Book and Lyrics by Dan Collins

Music by Julianne Wick Davis

Based on the Academy Award-winning film Trevor

Orchestrations by Greg Pliska

Music Direction by Matt Deitchman

Choreography by Josh Prince

Directed by Marc Bruni

All production photos by Michael Brosilow

Now through October 1, 2017

**TREVOR the musical set a Writers Theatre record for most tickets sold in a single week!**

Click here for our full review.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, adds ten performances to the run of TREVOR the musical. The production is directed by Marc Bruni (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway), with book and lyrics by Dan Collins, music byJulianne Wick Davis, music direction by Matt Deitchman, orchestrations by Greg Pliska and choreography by Josh Prince, by special arrangement with U Rock Theatricals. TREVOR the musical now runs through October 1, 2017 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.

Newly added performances for TREVOR are as follows: 

Wednesday, September 20 at 7:30pm; Thursday, September 21 at 7:30pm; Friday, September 22 at 7:30pm; Saturday, September 23 at 7:30pm; Sunday, September 24 at 2:00pm; Tuesday, September 26 at 7:30pm; Thursday, September 28 at 7:30pm; Friday, September 29 at 7:30pm; Saturday, September 30 at 7:30pm; and Sunday, October 1 at 2:00pm. 


Closing performance: October 1, 2017

Schedule: Tuesdays – Fridays: 7:30pm
(with select 3:00pm Wednesday matinees)
Saturdays: 3:00pm and 7:30pm
Sundays: 2:00pm and 6:00pm

Location: The Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre
325 Tudor Court, Glencoe
             
Prices: Prices for all performances range from $35 - $80
Purchase early for best prices                                  
             
Box Office: The Box Office is located at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe; 
847-242-6000; www.writerstheatre.org


Tickets for TREVOR are currently on sale. Subscriptions and individual tickets, priced $35-$80, may be purchased online at www.writerstheatre.org, by phone at 847-242-6000, or in person at the box office, 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe. 

Meet Trevor, a 13-year-old boy in 1981 whose vibrant imagination drives a turbulent journey of self-discovery. As he deals with adolescence and all that goes with it, Trevor begins to explore what it means to be himself, influenced by his friends, parents and his musical idol.

Based on the story that inspired the Academy Award-winning film, the charity and the national movement, TREVOR the musical is a coming-of-age story about identity, emerging sexuality and the struggles of growing up in a world that may not be ready for you. This world premiere musical is directed by Marc Bruni, who helmed the Tony Award-winning production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway.

The Trevor Project was created as a result of the Academy Award-winning film that also inspired TREVOR the musical. The Trevor Project is the nation’s only accredited crisis intervention and suicide prevention organization focused on saving young LGBTQ lives. www.TheTrevorProject.org.

The cast includes: Nathaniel Braga (Ensemble), Ariana Burks (Ensemble), Declan Desmond (Pinky), Timothy Eidman (Ensemble), Sophie Grimm (Mom/Mrs. Kerr/Others), Maya Lou Hlava (Frannie), Isabel Kaegi (Ensemble), Eloise Lushina (Mary), Carly Meyer (Ensemble), Jhardon DiShon Milton (Jack/Others), Justin O’Brien (Ensemble), Reilly Oh (Jason), Jerome Riley, Jr. (Ensemble), Salisha Thomas (Diana Ross), Eli Tokash (Trevor), Matthew Uzarraga (Walter), Tori Whaples(Cathy), Graydon Peter Yosowitz (Trevor) and Jarrod Zimmerman (Dad/Father Joe/Others).



AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT
Accessible Performances
Open-Captioned performance: Friday, September 15, 2017 at 7:30 pm
ASL-Interpreted performance: Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 7:30 pm

Sunday Spotlight—Sunday, September 3, 2017
Are you curious about the world that surrounds your favorite plays? Sunday Spotlight offers access to the finest speakers, scholars and cultural leaders. This one-hour event extends the conversation on our stages by featuring an expert in an area connected to the play. Seating is limited. RSVP is required. Save the date!

The Making of… Series—Monday, September 11, 2017 at 6:30 pm
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of our productions? The Making of… series offers you an insider view of what goes into creating each production at WT. Music Director & Conductor Matt Deitchman will talk with Director of New Work and Dramaturgy Bobby Kennedy about his work bringing to life this world premiere musical, including how he manages to conduct 18 cast members and 8 musicians every night. Reservations are requested to secure your seat. Seating is limited. RSVP is required.

Post Show Conversation: The Word
Join us after every Tuesday evening performance (excluding First Week and extensions) for a 15-minute discussion of the play, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.

Post Show Conversation: The Artist
Join us after every Wednesday evening performance (excluding First Week and extensions) for a 15-minute talk-back featuring actors from the production, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.

Pre-Show Conversation: Up Close
Join us at 6:45pm before every Thursday evening performance (excluding First Week and extensions) for a 15-minute primer on the context and content of the play, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.

For more information about Writers Theatre Audience Enrichment programs visit writerstheatre.org/events.



RIDE METRA TO WRITERS THEATRE
In an effort to promote taking public transit to the Theatre, Writers Theatre launched a new promotion in 2013. Any audience member who purchases a ticket to a Writers Theatre production and rides Metra’s Union Pacific North Line to the Theatre may snap a photo of themselves on the train and post it to their Facebook or Instagram page or their Twitter feed with a tag of @WritersTheatre and #TrevorTheMusical, and upon showing the post at the Writers Theatre Box Office, receive $5 in cash to put toward the cost of your fare as a thank you for going green.

This promotion is available for a limited time only, and may end without warning. Ticket must have been paid for in advance. Not valid on comp tickets. More information available at writerstheatre.org/metra

WRITERS THEATRE PARTNERS
Writers Theatre is pleased to welcome back BMO Harris Bank as the 2017/18 Season Sponsor, and ComEd as the Official Lighting Sponsor of the 2017/18 Season. The Major Corporate Sponsor for TREVOR the musical is Northern Trust. The Major Production Sponsor is Mary Pat Studdert. Additional support for TREVOR the musical is provided by the Director’s Society Sponsors.

ABOUT WRITERS THEATRE
For 25 years, Writers Theatre has captivated Chicagoland audiences with inventive interpretations of classic work, a bold approach to contemporary theatre and a dedication to creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible.

Under the artistic leadership of Michael Halberstam and the executive leadership of Kathryn M. Lipuma, Writers Theatre has grown to become a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called “America’s No. 1 theatre company” by The Wall Street Journal. The company, which plays to a sold-out and discerning audience of more than 60,000 patrons each season, has garnered critical praise for the consistent high quality and intimacy of its artistry—providing the finest interpretations of both classic and contemporary theatre in its two intensely intimate venues. 

In February 2016, Writers Theatre opened a new, state-of-the-art facility. This established the company's first permanent home—a new theatre center in downtown Glencoe, designed by the award-winning, internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects, led by Founder and Design Principal Jeanne Gang, FAIA, in collaboration with Theatre Consultant Auerbach Pollock Friedlander. The new facility has allowed the Theatre to continue to grow to accommodate its audience, while maintaining its trademark intimacy. The new facility resonates with and complements the Theatre’s neighboring Glencoe community, adding tremendous value to Chicagoland and helping to establish the North Shore as a premier cultural destination.

Find Writers Theatre on Facebook at facebook.com/WritersTheatre, follow @WritersTheatre on Twitter or follow @writers_theatre on Instagram. For more information, visit www.writerstheatre.org.