OPENING: Redmoon Theatre's Devil's Cabaret The Next 3 Fridays (21+) #ChiILPicksList

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

This one's for the big kids AKA: adults (21+). Opening night is SOLD OUT already so stop slacking and buy your tickets before it's too late! This is going to be EPIC. ChiIL Live Shows will be there... will YOU?!

$25! 7 DEADLY SINS! LAGUNITAS!

ONLY 24 HOURS UNTIL THE SINNING BEGINS!

BUY NOW

ONLY $25 (21+)

redmoon.org ︱ 2120 S Jefferson, Chicago

Also: Rumor has it, there's going to be a gay friendly Redmoon "Take Over" Via The Welcoming Committee on April 10th. It's still an open to the public (of all persuasions) show, but you can get your "take over" tickets here and rock a wrist band to find your pack! 

When TWC learned of Red Moon Theater, the 57,000 square-foot warehouse that puts on spectacle performances designed to “engineer wonder” and “promote community and creativity” … we were intrigued. When we found out they regularly bring 1,000 people to these performance events but the LGBT community was missing … we knew we had to take it over.

Experience thrilling spectacle performances celebrating the Devil’s “greatest accomplishments” - The Seven Deadly Sins - while enjoying unlimited tastes from Lagunitas' craft beer bar. A 30’ tall crane tower equipped with multiple stages will be the centerpiece within Redmoon’s massive warehouse and will feature an eclectic mix of performances by aerialists, drummers, a rock-n-roll band, DJ, video wall, unique puppets, and “a special appearance by God.”

Ready to indulge your Lust and Gluttony while celebrating Pride? It’s time to unearth all our red satin and Hot Topic getup that hasn’t seen the sun since ever, because we’re descending into a hellmouth of burlesque. Red Moon’s The Devil's Cabaret is April 10, and we’re taking over each flaming circle.

How do you find TWC in the crowd? First, meet us at the pre-party so you know exactly who you're attending with. But once you check in at Redmoon you’ll be handed a bright green wristband so that you can seek out other TWC members in the crowd that night. Redmoon can hold as many as 1,000 people and often sells out their events, but with our pre-party and wristbands you’ll find your new BFFs in no time.

Dralion's Goddess of the Air Interview With ChiIL Mama #original video interview

Who saw a Cirque du Soleil show at age 12 and told her Mom, "That's what I want to do when I grow up"....and did it?!   (Her mom just flew in from Orlando last week to see her daughter fly through the air on silks at Allstate Arena).


Who trains for and runs triathlons when she's not rocking the aerial arts in Dralion's graceful love story? (Her partner on the silks for the last two years is also her personal trainer and good friend.)

Who can you see LIVE at United Center through July 1, dazzling in cobalt blue, as Azala, Goddess of the Air?  (this tiny but mighty girl has a lofty job description as keeper of the sun and the guardian of immortality.)


Meet Amanda Orozco, fascinating aerial artist with Dralion and world class athlete.   

Act Out: Top Theatre Picks-Lost & Found at Actors Gymnasium

Gala Fundraiser at Actor's Gymnasium-opening night of Lost & Found 2012

Lost & Found: A Recycled Circus

Back by popular demand!
February 11 – March 11, 2012

"This production will charm, warm and wow you…sly and nuanced clowning…wordless,  impressive poetry" - Chicago Theatre Blog. 
 
"Director Lawrence DiStasi showcases a wry sense of humor and some superb acrobatics in this quirky Actors Gymnasium show" "Recommended"  - Chicago Reader.




We had the great pleasure of checking out opening night of Lost & Found at The Actors Gymnasium last Saturday.   The caliber of their circus arts is truly top notch.  This colorful extravaganza combines all of our favorite elements--aerial acts, steampunkery, a funky, rag tag band of urchins playing instruments and making mischief, a love triangle, technology as art, low tech fun, recycled and upcycled outfits, drums and toys.  We'll be returning to catch the show again with the kids as soon as possible.  Lost and Found is highly recommended, family friendly fun for all ages.   We were quite impressed with the cast, and the cast off set dressings.  We're also enamored with Co-Artistic Director, Lawrence E. DiStasi's statement about the show.   He says:

I didn't used to like old things.  They kind of depressed me.  But now, when someone takes an old chair or something, a thing that has managed, against all odds, to survive the world for many years, and they give it a little careful attention-I think it's incredibly moving.  And these things have so much personality.  It's almost like they're alive.  Like people.   They have souls in a way.  Unfortunately most of the stuff we all bring into our lives is disposable.  And things that are made to be thrown away, are sad company.  It's so hard to stay away from them, but who needs that kind of sadness?   Anyway, I think there is treasure in our garbage-in what we throw away, and overlook.   And those people we throw away and overlook too.  There is magic in our trash.  And probably our future there too.

ChiIL Mama has potential video interviews in the works with the Artistic Directory and also actor/Chicago Dad, David Catlin, who plays alongside both of his daughters in the show.   Saylor, who is 9 and in 4th grade, went to preschool with ChiIL Mama's Sage.   Saylor's younger sister, Emerson, is a 6 year old first grader and Lost & Found 2012 is her first circus show!   So check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   We have lots of exciting things in store.


The Opening Night Gala was lots of fun, too.   We saw a zillion familiar faces including our past video interview subject, Director-David Kersnar, who can be seen HERE. (in his fabulous "Ernie & Bert style bed interview" with Mark Messing) on the set of Goodnight Moon.

We also sat next to an accomplished aerialist, whom we photographed and chatted with in the past, when she played Alice in Lookingglass' last remount of their namesake story.  We also saw familiar faces from CircEsteem, including Will, a talented high school senior, who plays the lead juggler in Lost & Found.   We highly recommend checking it out.

Lost & Found gets ChiIL Mama's GRRREAT GREEN SEAL OF APPROVAL:   99% Recycled! - Costumes, props and set pieces used in this show are re-purposed, recycled, found-object art.

Last year's runaway hit, Lost and Found: A Recycled Circus returns to The Actors Gymnasium! A collaborative original work by Co-Artistic Directors Larry DiStasi and Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi, together with an amazing team of designers and performers, this circus production explores the world of second-hand treasure. Cast-off junk and cast-off characters are saved in this show and given thrilling, new life. Lost and Found: A Recycled Circus features aerial acrobatics, live music, and magical, found-object invention. 


Click here for The Actor's Gym's main site for ticket ordering info and more.

Order Tickets HERE before it's sold out!!

Shows run every Friday through Sunday till March 11th.
The Actors Gymnasium
927 Noyes St
Evanston, IL 60201


Recommended for ages 5 and up.   
Adults $15
Students with ID and kids under 13 are $10

 Check out ChiILMama's past coverage here.