From Cops To Tots, Police To Plays: Chicago Children's Theatre's New Permanent Home Now Open

Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows we've been attending and loving Chicago Children's Theatre's fabulous offerings since their first production when my own children were toddlers. So we're elated that they've finally got a home of their own in a former West Town police station! We're thrilled they'll be adding circus arts classes, expanding their education outreach, and continuing to produce world class theatre for tots to teens. 



Their official ribbon cutting took place yesterday, and classes begin the first week of February. We'll be partnering up on discount tickets for our readers, reviewing, and more, so check back early and often.

We'll be out for the press opening of Magic City, reviewing their puppet fest offering, a partnership with another favorite of ours, Chicago's Manual Cinema. We can't wait to see the new space!

BE THE FIRST TO SEE CHICAGO CHILDREN'S THEATRE'S 

NEW HOME, THE STATION; GRAND OPENING EVENTS 

ANNOUNCED FOR FORMER WEST LOOP POLICE STATION

What once was the Chicago Police Department's 12th District police station in the city's West Loop neighborhood will be reborn this month as Chicago Children's Theatre, The Station, a wholly transformed, centrally located, inclusive destination for Chicago children to free their minds, explore their creativity and become the artists of the future.

The adaptive reuse of the former police station at 100 S. Racine, aka The Station, is Phase One of what will eventually be the new, expanded footprint for Chicago Children's Theatre, the city's largest professional theater devoted exclusively to children and young families. 

Phase One encompasses five new classrooms for education and community outreach, a dedicated, year round space for Red Kite interactive theater for children on the autism spectrum, a lobby with box office and concessions and Chicago's newest stage, the flexible, 149-seat Pritzker Family Studio Theatre. 

Phase Two, to be completed in 2021, will boast an all-new addition to the building, anchored by a second, 299-seat theater.

"After ten years of itinerancy, the grand opening of Chicago Children's Theatre's first-ever permanent home is a reason for all of Chicago to celebrate," said Jacqueline Russell, Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Chicago Children's Theatre. "So please join us at any of our special events and performances starting later this month to experience and help us celebrate of our beautiful new home."

Visit Children's Theatre's site to learn more about these exciting opening events and performances:

Official VIP Ribbon Cutting and Open House

Tuesday, January 17, 10:30 a.m.

City and state officials, West Loop community leaders, representatives from Chicago's arts, education and child welfare communities, top supporters and students from nearby schools now participating in Chicago Children's Theatre's Messages of Hope and Dream Box community engagement projects will join the company's board, staff and artists for a ribbon cutting ceremony, remarks and building tours. This event is invitation only (press welcome).

  

Community Open House and the debut of 

Station Breaks:  Photos of The Future

Sunday, January 22, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This event is free but pre-registration is encouraged at chicagochildrenstheatre.org/thestation.

The public is invited to discover Chicago's newest destination for children and families at this free Open House. Enjoy free snacks, giveaways and live shows rotating in the Performance Parlor, take a free class in one of the building's five arts education classrooms, and - in space once devoted to rows of jail cells - be the first to sneak a peek at Chicago's newest stage, Chicago Children's Theatre's new 149-seat Pritzker Family Studio Theatre.  

At 5 p.m., families are invited outside to enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and to experience Station Breaks, a new, rotating series of highly colorful, visually captivating animated video projections already turning heads in Chicago's West Loop. 

The first in the series, Photos of the Future, is now playing evenings only on select banks of windows on the northeast exterior of The Station. The captivating images are the result of CCT's recent school-wide community engagement project with nearby Skinner West Elementary School and feature colorful portraits of the school's students, each cast as an "author of the future," set against active, fantasy backgrounds like a moving sky, a seascape and a futuristic garden. Photos of the Future will rotate on the building's exterior (and run on a 50" LCD screen in the lobby) evenings in January, through grand opening events and into the spring.

    

2017 Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival

January 27-29: Friday at 7 and 9 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Chicago Children's Theatre, The Station, is your destination for closing weekend of the 2017 Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. Previews of the inaugural production in the Pritzker Family Studio Theatre - Manual Cinema's world premiere of Magic City - are part of the festival's closing events, and promise to be hot tickets. Learn more and purchase tickets at chicagopuppetfest.org.

Artistic Community Open House

Monday, January 30, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This Monday "Industry Night" welcomes artists and educators to take a deep dive into everything The Station has to offer as a new, inclusive destination for theater for young audiences, arts education and community engagement. Theater, dance, music, visual artists and educators are invited to tour the building and meet and interact with Chicago Children's Theatre staff and teaching artists. This event is invitation only.

Press Opening Weekend - Manual Cinema's  Magic City

Friday, February 3 at 7 p.m., Saturday, February 4 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Press are invited to experience the inaugural show in the new Pritzker Family Studio, Magic City, the first all-ages show created by Chicago's internationally acclaimed shadow puppet theater Manual Cinema. Loosely adapted from Edith Nesbit's 1910 novel, Magic City uses overhead projectors, paper shadow puppets, live actors in silhouette, miniature toy theater and live musical accompaniment to create an innovative theatrical experience. By the end of every show, Manual Cinema will have erected and illuminated a beautiful miniature city, live, onstage - a hopeful, communal setting that audiences will be invited to explore after every performance. 

Magic City runs through February 19. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at chicagochildrenstheatre.org/shows/magic-city/.

  

Performance Parlor -  Another Snowy Day with Beatrix Potter and Friends

Saturday, February 4, 10 a.m.

The Station plans to be a regular destination for Chicago children and families, thanks to free, periodic "pop up" shows, drop-in classes and more. 

Today, CCT invites the toddler set in for a free show in The Station's central gathering place, the first-floor Performance Parlor. Enjoy Will Bishop's Another Snowy Day with Beatrix Potter and Friends, an interactive show featuring mechanical suitcase sculptures with pulls and levers that kids turn and crank to help tell three classic Beatrix Potter stories. The performance is approximately 60 minutes. The performance is free, but space is limited and pre-registration is required. Register at chicagochildrenstheatre.org/thestation.

Education at The Station - First Day of Classes

Monday, February 6

With five brand new classrooms devoted to performing arts instruction, it's clear education and community engagement are the heart and soul of Chicago Children's Theatre's first-ever permanent home. 

Registration is now open for a rich, diverse roster of live performing arts classes in theater, storytelling, film making, craft, modern movement, hip hop, craft, aerial circus arts and vocal instruction at The Station. In addition, CCT will finally have its own dedicated, year-round space for Red Kite programming for children on the autism spectrum. The first eight-week session starts February 6 and runs through April 1. Register now at chicagochildrenstheatre.com/education.

 

  

Performance Parlor - Blair Thomas & Co. presents  The Selfish Giant

Saturday, February 18, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Chicago master puppeteer Blair Thomas returns to Chicago Children's Theatre with a free performance of his 2008 smash hit The Selfish Giant. This all-ages puppetry and music spectacle is an enormously imaginative retelling of the classic Oscar Wilde story about a grumpy old giant who forbids the children in his village from playing in his garden. Chicago Parent called it "a must-see for Chicago families."  Tickets are $5 and can be purchased here.

Chicago Children's Theatre, The Station Grand Opening Gala

Saturday, March 4, 7 p.m.

A major gala will be held inside The Station to mark the pinnacle achievement in the company's history - the grand opening of its first-ever permanent home. Guests will experience a unique "station to station" format, moving throughout the building enjoying food, drinks and sneak peeks of the building's future programs. 

Be one of the first to experience the profound symbolism of a former police station being transformed into the new home of Chicago's #1 professional theater for children and families. Tickets start at $300. Learn more at chicagochildrenstheatre.org/gala.

Performance Parlor, Celebrity Reader Series

Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m.

Actor/comedians Dave Pasquesi (Veep, Groundhog Day) and Tim Kazurinsky (Saturday Night Live, Police Academy) will read beloved children's books at this free morning event. This free series will continue through the spring with new celebrities to be announced.  

                                                          

About Chicago Children's Theatre, The Station

"After a decade of staging awe-inducing productions and educational programs at museums, theaters and other venues throughout the city and suburbs, Chicago Children's Theatre is beginning a new chapter," said Jacqueline Russell, Co-Founder and Artistic Director."At last we are moving into a space of our own, where we will create a centrally located, dynamic new family destination for all of Chicago's children and families, regardless of their circumstances or ability to pay."

Set to open in late January, the adaptive reuse of the former police station at

100 S. Racine, aka The Station, is Phase One of what will eventually be the new, expanded footprint for Chicago Children's Theatre. Phase Two will be completed in 2020, and will boast an all-new addition to the building, anchored by a second, 299-seat theater for the company's mainstage programming.

Chicago Children's Theatre is calling its new home The Station in homage to its history as a former police station, and to underscore the building's focus on education and community engagement. In addition to spaces devoted to education, The Station boasts a lobby with box office and concessions, and Chicago's newest theater space, the flexible, 149-seat Pritzker Family Studio Theatre. 

On stage in the spring in the Pritzker Family Studio Theatre is a new staging of Pinocchio, presented with Chicago's Neverbird Project. This production, which originated at Chicago's Bell Elementary School in 2016, will feature young hearing and Deaf actors in a signed and voice performance of this all-new take on the classic fairy tale. Performances are April 20-May 7.

Wheeler Kearns Architects - a Chicago-based firm that counts Old Town School of Folk Music and Wolcott School among past clients - including collaborating architect Working Group Oneand Schuler Shook Theatre Planners to create a new facility on the .44 acre site for Chicago Children's Theatre. Pepper Construction was the project's general contractor.

While Chicago Children's Theatre is offering courses, camps, family experiences and more inside The Station, the company's 2016-17 mainstage productions will continue to be presented at CCT's current performance home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago.

For more information, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (773) 227-0180.

FLASH GIVEAWAY AND REVIEW: Win A Pair Of Tickets to The Rosenkranz Mysteries at Royal George (Up to $150 value per pair/2 winners)

ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows are pleased to partner up with The Royal George Theatre. We're giving away 2 Pairs Of Tickets (Up to $150 value per pair/2 winners) to The Rosenkranz Mysteries, which is highly recommended and extended through January 22nd. Check back early and often. We'll announce our winner tomorrow morning as well as 2 additional theatre ticket giveaways.

ENTER HERE through midnight tonight 1/11 for your chance to WIN 
 A Pair of tickets to The Rosenkranz Mysteries valid for this Thursday 1/12 at 8pm or Sunday 1/15 at 2pm. (2 winners chosen to win a pair of tickets each) 

REVIEW: 

The Rosenkranz Mysteries brings a merging of the arts of medicine and magic that makes for a spellbinding night out. It's recommended for adults and kids ages 10+, and my 15 year old son and I enjoyed it immensely. 

Rosenkranz is a man of many hats: Northwestern professor, MD, collector of vintage magic tricks, and mystifying magician. Over the years we've reviewed many magic shows and Rosenkranz brings a bag of tricks that includes quite a few I've never seen before, which is refreshing. Amazingly, his show only features one card act. There are many audience volunteers called and all are treated with care and set up to succeed. I was pleased to see that he pulls audience members from all areas of the theatre, not just the front row seats.

I was also impressed with this medicine man's wit and wisdom. I couldn't help thinking how lucky his students and patients are to have a doctor who understands the importance of empathy and humor and who can covey to others the art of medicine and healing and not just the science. 

I'm still recovering from major knee surgery, in late November, so this hybrid of medicine and magic hit home to me. From the heavy burden of patient pain portrayed through a box trick, to an expressively clairvoyant skull, and a scarf full of holes made whole, Rosenkranz has a gift of expressing the depth and calling of the medical profession in unforgettable visuals. Therein lies the true brilliance of this show. 

The Royal George Cabaret is an intimate space, so there's not a bad seat in the house, and great sight lines even from the back row. There's a bar on the way in, with show themed drinks, soft drinks, and snacks and all are permitted in the theatre. My son and I had the great pleasure of sitting at one of the 4 top cabaret tables at the front, and it was a stellar way to see the show. I won't give too many spoilers on the illusions, but I did get called up to assist on a chalk board trick involving a pocket watch, soup, and channeling the magician's dearly departed Oma. It was quite fun.

If there's any weak link it's the timing. Rosenkranz has the pacing of a professor rather than a professional prestidigitator and some of the acts have long lead ins and are repeated a bit more than necessary. Short of that, the show is fabulously fun and well worth seeing. Highly recommended. 

The Rosenkranz Mysteries

An Evening of Magic to Lift the Spirits

Extends at The Royal George Cabaret

(great for ages 10+)

Due to popular demand, performances have been added through January 22

"An immensely likeable, intelligent and very intimate show. Well worth seeing!" 3.5 Stars - Chicago Tribune

“Highly Recommended. Mind boggling and exceptional.” – Around the Town Chicago

Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, we're huge fans of magic and illusion. I've been out recovering from major knee surgery since late November, then out of town for the holidays with the family, but I'll finally be able to review The Rosenkranz Mysteries tomorrow, with my 15 year old son. This show's high on our must see list so we're elated that they extended through January 22nd. We'll be running a ticket giveaway with our review as well, so check back soon!

Classic as well as never been seen before illusions have amazed audiences at the Royal George Cabaret space in what Chicago Critic calls a “must see,” as the nationally regarded illusionist Ricardo Rosenkranz stars in The Rosenkranz Mysteries, an evening of magic to lift the spirits. “Full of fascinating bits! Impressive,” according to the Chicago Reader, the astounding numbers have captivated audiences in its cabaret style setting with tables featured in the space. This one man, ninety-minute production Buzz News proclaims is filled with “astonishing illusions and jaw-dropping acts of mentalism,” runs through January 22 at the Royal George Theatre’s Cabaret space, 1641 North Halsted Street.

Every illusion has been researched, evaluated, and workshopped with the nation’s most elite and respected magicians including Eugene Burger (Chief Architect of Magic for the production) whose credits include The Art of Magic on PBS and Mysteries of Magic on The Learning Channel; Jeff McBridge (Chief Magic Consultant) whose credits include being designated as Grand Prix of Magic winner in Monte Carlo; Ross Johnson and Johnny Thompson (Magic Consultants), and Jan Rose and Jordan Wright (Magic Team).

Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz is a respected professor at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He has been fascinated by magic since a young age and has long been incorporating his illusions into his teaching as a way to help engage students and encourage participation. After winning several teaching awards and traveling the country to deliver seminars, Rosenkranz decided to bring his act to the stage.

“There is something beautiful and wonderful about the unknown, and I think in that sense, magic and medicine share a DNA,” said Rosenkranz. “I am committed to creating a unique experience that energizes and uplifts every audience.”

The Rosenkranz Mysteries stars Ricardo Rosenkranz as “The Doctor Magician”, Jan Rose as “The Hostess” and Balsamo as himself. The show is directed by Northwestern graduate Jessica Fisch (Fefu and Her Friends at the Goodman Theatre/Rivendell Latina/o Celebration), and is produced by Opus Magica Music, LLC and Ricardo Rosenkranz. The artistic team includes script by Eugene Burger, Jessica Fisch and Ricardo Rosenkranz, Set Design by Chip Von Weise, Sets by Ravenswood Studio, Lighting Design by Jennifer Kules, Prop Design and Construction by John Gaughan, and Musical Direction by Craig Terry (Lyric Opera of Chicago).

The Rosenkranz Mysteries runs through January 22, 2017. The show is intended for ages 10 and older. Tables in the cabaret space seat 4 guests ($75 per person). Regular tickets are $50 (with a seniors and students discount available). Performances will be held Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. To purchase tickets or for additional information, visit www.ticketmaster.com or call the box office at 312.988.9000.

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows are pleased to partner up with The Royal George Theatre which has provided 2 pairs of complimentary tickets for our giveaway. As always, all opinions are my own. 

OPENING: SNACK BREAK: Savory Shorts, Palatable Playwrights

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

THE YARD in Artistic Alliance with VICTORY GARDENS

Proudly Presents

SNACK BREAK: Savory Shorts, Palatable Playwrights

JANUARY 12-14, 2016

Featuring Short Plays By:

Lauren Gunderson, Philip Dawkins

Ike Holter, Isaac Gomez

Kristiana Rae Colon, Hansol Jung, and Brett Neveu

and selections from the upcoming Chicago premiere of Blood at the Root by Dominique Morisseau Produced in Artistic Alliance with Jackalope Theatre Company April 2017 

Thursday, Jan. 12th; Friday, Jan. 13th; Saturday, Jan. 14th @ 7:30pm; Victory Gardens Theater in the Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago (Tickets are $20 (CPS Student Ticket $10) Tickets are available online at www.victorygardens.org . 

Help Out: All proceeds go to helping support the second season of The Yard and its mission of young people making theatre.

Check out the fun trailer film designed by one of The Yard students/company members Cleo Shine: 

TODAY: Chicago Theatre Week (CTW) Tickets Now On Sale #CTW17

As of 10am today, Chicago's stellar theatre scene just got even more affordable. Since it's inception, we've been promoting Chicago Theatre Week (CTW) here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows. Get your tickets ASAP as shows go fast at these discounts! Highly recommended. We'll see you out there.

Tickets for Chicago Theatre Week (CTW), an annual celebration of the rich tradition of theatre-going in Chicago, will go on sale January 10, 2017.  All Theatre Week tickets will be priced at $30, $15, or less. Participating shows and offer details will be available on the CTW website, ChicagoTheatreWeek.com, once tickets go on sale.

CTW will take place February 9 – 19, 2017, spanning a week and two full weekends. Heading into its fifth year, Chicago Theatre Week is a program of the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago. Over 120 theatre productions are expected to participate in neighborhoods throughout the city and suburbs. A list of participating organizations is online at ChicagoTheatreWeek.com.

In February 2016, 124 productions offered value-priced tickets for performances during Chicago Theatre Week. Almost 11,000 Chicago residents and visitors spanning 40 states attended a show during Chicago Theatre Week. This coming February, visitors and residents will again have the opportunity to sample the extraordinary range of theatrical offerings throughout Chicagoland. 

“This year marks the fifth year of Chicago Theatre Week—and each year, the program proves more successful than ever. Theatre Week invites Chicago audiences and visitors to experience the wide range of offerings,” comments Deb Clapp, Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres. “We are so thrilled to be able to share the amazing work and we equally love hearing from participants that they visited a favorite theatre or discovered a great new one. This is a week that reminds us all that Chicago is known locally, nationally, and internationally for its theatre scene, and especially this season for generating new work, showcasing fresh talent and spotlighting its rich Chicago tradition.”

“Chicago Theatre Week is an excellent opportunity to experience the breadth of Chicago’s expansive and renowned theatre community and we’re thrilled to see this celebration now in its fifth year,” David Whitaker, President and CEO of Choose Chicago said. “It is our celebrated theatre scene—from the large productions to the Tony-award winning theatres to neighborhood storefront performances—that help make Chicago such an exciting destination. These 11 days offer a unique chance to get the most out of a Chicago theatre itinerary.”

Kate Lipuma, Executive Director of Writers Theatre and Chair of the League of Chicago Theatres adds, “Chicago Theatre Week celebrates the tradition and quality of theatre in Chicago. With over 100 productions during Chicago Theatre Week—in many suburbs and in almost every neighborhood—there are seemingly endless opportunities to visit a favorite theatre and explore new companies all across the city.”

The lead hotel sponsor of Chicago Theatre Week 2017 is Sheraton Grand Chicago along with CTW hotel partners dana hotel and spa and the W City Center. Special Theatre Week room rates will be available at these downtown Chicago hotels.

Chicago Theatre Week is presented by the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago. Subscribe to the Theatre Week email newsletter or follow @ChicagoPlays on Twitter for updates and announcements. The official hashtag for Chicago Theatre Week 2017 is #CTW17.

About Chicago theatre

Chicago theatre is a leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theatres throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theatres in the country, including 5 that have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago’s theatres serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. In the 2014-2015 season, Chicago theatre companies produced more than 100 world premiere productions and adaptations. Each year, Chicago theatres send new work to resident theatres across the country, to Broadway, and around the world.

About the League of Chicago Theatres

The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theatres which leverages its collective strength to promote, support, and advocate for Chicago's theatre industry locally, nationally, and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the art of theatre in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theatres and theatre professionals.

For a comprehensive list of Chicago productions, visit the League of Chicago Theatres website, ChicagoPlays.com.  Half-price tickets are available each week at HotTix.org.  Additional information about Chicago Theatre Week is available at ChicagoTheatreWeek.com.

OPENING: 30th YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

PEGASUS THEATRE CHICAGO ANNOUNCES 30th YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL FEATURING

FOUR NEW WORKS BY EMERGING ARTISTS  

Now Through JANUARY 29 AT CHICAGO DRAMATISTS

Written by High School Students and Given a Staged Professional Production, this Year’s Plays Explore the Theme of “Assumptions”

We'll be out Pegasus Theatre Chicago's opening night of the 30^th Young Playwrights Festival this Sunday and the fest is one of our top picks for the weekend here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows. 

The competition received 600 submissions in 2016 with this year’s selections being Alexandra Obert of Lincoln Park High School and her play Obsessed; Elyssa Saldana of Whitney Young Magnet High School, Guarding the Princess; Ricardo Salgado of Lane Tech Academy, Eye See All and Sejahari Saulter-Villegas of Kenwood Academy, Race to the Finish.

Previews are currently going on through Saturday at Pegasus’s resident home Chicago Dramatists, 773 N. Aberdeen. This year’s world premieres, written by high school students and given a staged professional production, explore the theme of “Assumptions.” Each winning production is performed in tandem Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with weekday student matinees. 

Previews are Wednesday, Jan. 4 - Saturday, Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is Sunday, Jan. 8 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18 - $30 and available at PegasusTheatreChicago.com or by phone at 866.811.4111. 

The Young Playwrights Festival, the second oldest such festival in the United States, has for 30 years engaged and inspired high school students across Chicago by teaching them to craft one-act plays. Under the auspices of Pegasus Theatre Chicago, the winning teen playwrights’ productions are work-shopped and staged as part of its main stage season. The competition enhances language arts, encourages independent, high-level thinking, strong personal values and influences career development for Chicago’s teens.

YPF Winners Alex Obert, Ricardo Salgado, Elyssa Saldana and Sejahari Saulter-Villegas. Photo credit: Emily Schwartz

The 30th YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL:

Obsessed

By Alexandra Obert -- Lincoln Park High School – teacher Ahoo Kosari

Directed by Juan Ramirez

A barista believes that he has met the woman of his dreams. Things take a nasty turn when he becomes obsessed with her.

Guarding the Princess

By Elyssa Saldana -- Whitney Young High School – teacher Elizabeth Graf

Directed by Ilesa Duncan

Eadweard the Dragon guards his beloved princess from all potential suitors, whether a good match or not.

Eye See All

By Ricardo Salgado -- Lane Tech Academy – teacher Kirsten Hanson

Directed by Warner Crocker

Jessica, a paranoid conspiracy theorist, drags her brother into a plan to expose a secret society she believes is controlling the world.

Race to the Finish

By Sejahari Saulter-Villegas -- Kenwood Academy – teacher Nina Williams

Directed by Ilesa Duncan

Two heaven-bound beings, recent victims of police brutality in Chicago, compete in a game show in this play satirizing All Lives Matter. 

The productions’ casts include Quenna Lené Barrett, Alex Brick, Kai Ealy, Alex Ireys, Nicole Laurenzi, Ryan Smetana and Christina Ward.

ABOUT THE DIRECTORS

Warner Crocker, Eye See All

Warner Crocker recently directed the world premiere of the new musical The Man Who Murdered Sherlock Holmes at Mercury Theatre Chicago. As a producer, director, and playwright his work has been seen on numerous stages in the United States and Russia. He directed the world premiere of The Seven-Per-Cent Solution for City Lit Theatre, Barnum for The Old Creamery Theatre and Boeing Boeing for Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse. Following a 20-year career in Chicago theatre, he served as artistic director of the Wayside Theatre in Middletown, Virginia from 1999 to 2013. In Chicago he was the founder of the Absolute Theatre Company and Plan B Productions, and served as artistic director for New Tuners Theatre and Pegasus Players. A short list of his directing work in Chicago and regionally includes Pentecost, The Kentucky Cycle, Passion, La Bête, Edward II, Good, Kiss Me Kate, Man of La Mancha, Cotton Patch Gospel, Southern Crossroads, Romeo and Juliet, Ballad of the Sad Cafe, Forever Plaid, Othello, Noises Off, Always a Bridesmaid, Tuesdays With Morrie, and Stonewall Jackson’s House. He is the recipient of a number of Joseph Jefferson Awards and other awards for his work as a director and designer. He is the author of Robert E. Lee and John Brown: Lighting the Fuse; the musicals Southern Crossroads and Southern Crossroads: New Orleans, a musical version of A Christmas Carol with composter Steve Przybylski, and a musical adaptation of The Three Musketeers with Gregg Opelka.

Ilesa Duncan, Guarding the Princess and Race to the Finish

Ilesa Duncan is the producing artistic director at Pegasus Theatre Chicago. Her other recent directing work includes the world premiere of Jeff-Recommended Rutherford’s Travels, and For Her as a Piano for Pegasus, Broken Fences at 16th Street Theater, the Jeff Award-nominated The Nativity with Congo Square and the Jeff Award-winning Jar the Floor at ETA Creative Arts. Duncan has also worked with Goodman Theatre, Writers Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Lifeline Theater, Stage Left and Chicago Dramatists, as well as Contemporary American Theatre Company (Ohio), The Alliance Theatre (Atlanta), Arena Stage (Washington DC) and Lincoln Center Theater (New York). Duncan’s creative nonfiction short stories have been published (Columbia College Chicago) and she’s written poems and screenplays.  For the stage, she co-adapted Rutherford’s Travels from the National Book Award-winning novel Middle Passage, co-wrote and directed Blakk Love: Stoeez of A Darker Hue and facilitated the devised project Do You See What I’m Saying for Chameleon.

Juan Ramirez, Obsessed

Juan Ramirez has been active in film, theater and television for 35 years. As an actor, he has been featured in over 50 films, television shows and stage plays, including a co-starring role on the Chicago based ABC series “Missing Persons.” Ramirez is currently in charge of PanAmerica Performance Works, formerly Latino Chicago Theater Company at The Firehouse. As a director, he has mounted more than 30 stage productions and two feature length films, which he also wrote and produced). The first of these, “Israel in Exile,” was a 2002 Slamdance Film Festival Competition selection that has been screened in France, England, Spain, Cuba, Mexico and across the United States. The second, “Blankverse,” is currently in post-production. Other projects include the completion of two screenplays and the development of several others. 

ABOUT PEGASUS THEATRE CHICAGO

Pegasus Theatre Chicago has been a mainstay in the Chicago theater community for nearly 38 years. Its recent rebranded mission is to produce boldly imaginative theatre, champion new and authentic voices and illuminate the human journey. The theatre adheres to the core values of community engagement, social relevance, boldness, adventure and excellence.

Pegasus is also committed to initiating important conversations through the arts with strong community engagement and socially relevant programming, including the Young Playwrights Festival for high school-age scribes, celebrating its 30^th Anniversary in 2017. Pegasus Theatre Chicago has received seventy-seven Joseph Jefferson Citations since its inception. 

The 30^th Young Playwrights Festival is made possible with the generous support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, The MacArthur Fund at the Richard Driehaus Foundation, the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, the Seabury Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the National Endowment for the Arts.

EXTENDED: The Rosenkranz Mysteries at The Royal George Cabaret

The Rosenkranz Mysteries

An Evening of Magic to Lift the Spirits

Extends at The Royal George Cabaret

(great for ages 10+)

Due to popular demand, performances have been added through January 22

"An immensely likeable, intelligent and very intimate show. Well worth seeing!" 3.5 Stars - Chicago Tribune

“Highly Recommended. Mind boggling and exceptional.” – Around the Town Chicago

Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, we're huge fans of magic and illusion. I've been out recovering from major knee surgery since late November, then out of town for the holidays with the family, but I'll finally be able to review The Rosenkranz Mysteries tomorrow, with my 15 year old son. This show's high on our must see list so we're elated that they extended through January 22nd. We'll be running a ticket giveaway with our review as well, so check back soon!

Classic as well as never been seen before illusions have amazed audiences at the Royal George Cabaret space in what Chicago Critic calls a “must see,” as the nationally regarded illusionist Ricardo Rosenkranz stars in The Rosenkranz Mysteries, an evening of magic to lift the spirits. “Full of fascinating bits! Impressive,” according to the Chicago Reader, the astounding numbers have captivated audiences in its cabaret style setting with tables featured in the space. This one man, ninety-minute production Buzz News proclaims is filled with “astonishing illusions and jaw-dropping acts of mentalism,” runs through January 22 at the Royal George Theatre’s Cabaret space, 1641 North Halsted Street.

Every illusion has been researched, evaluated, and workshopped with the nation’s most elite and respected magicians including Eugene Burger (Chief Architect of Magic for the production) whose credits include The Art of Magic on PBS and Mysteries of Magic on The Learning Channel; Jeff McBridge (Chief Magic Consultant) whose credits include being designated as Grand Prix of Magic winner in Monte Carlo; Ross Johnson and Johnny Thompson (Magic Consultants), and Jan Rose and Jordan Wright (Magic Team).

Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz is a respected professor at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.  He has been fascinated by magic since a young age and has long been incorporating his illusions into his teaching as a way to help engage students and encourage participation. After winning several teaching awards and traveling the country to deliver seminars, Rosenkranz decided to bring his act to the stage.

“There is something beautiful and wonderful about the unknown, and I think in that sense, magic and medicine share a DNA,” said Rosenkranz. “I am committed to creating a unique experience that energizes and uplifts every audience.”

The Rosenkranz Mysteries stars Ricardo Rosenkranz as “The Doctor Magician”, Jan Rose as “The Hostess” and Balsamo as himself. The show is directed by Northwestern graduate Jessica Fisch (Fefu and Her Friends at the Goodman Theatre/Rivendell Latina/o Celebration), and is produced by Opus Magica Music, LLC and Ricardo Rosenkranz. The artistic team includes script by Eugene Burger, Jessica Fisch and Ricardo Rosenkranz, Set Design by Chip Von Weise, Sets by Ravenswood Studio, Lighting Design by Jennifer Kules, Prop Design and Construction by John Gaughan, and Musical Direction by Craig Terry (Lyric Opera of Chicago).

The Rosenkranz Mysteries runs through January 22, 2017. The show is intended for ages 10 and older. Tables in the cabaret space seat 4 guests ($75 per person). Regular tickets are $50 (with a seniors and students discount available). Performances will be held Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. To purchase tickets or for additional information, visit www.ticketmaster.com or call the box office at 312.988.9000.