FLASH GIVEAWAY: WIN Tickets to The 2nd Annual Chicago Circus and Performing Arts Festival March 9-12, 2023

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar   

Chicago Circus and Performing Arts Festival

FLASH GIVEAWAY: 

ENTER AT THE END OF THIS POST FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A Family 4 Pack of Tickets to Any Family Show and/or 

A Pair of Tickets to Any Adult Circus Act!

March 9-12 at Wicker Park’s Den Theatre, Opening Gala March 9

Chicago-Based Ensembles Offer Circus, Burlesque, Dance & Comedy

Chicago Circus & Performing Arts Festival, the Windy City’s newest multidisciplinary fest, will run March 9-12, 2023, at Wicker Park’s Den Theatre at 1331 N. Milwaukee. Thirteen unique performances from Chicago-based companies include traditional circus acts, avant-garde sideshow and burlesque offerings, family-friendly juggling and clowning shows, queer-themed work, plus several evening-length pieces that also include dance. Several shows are double features: twice the fun for the same price!

Single tickets are $15-40 and are available online or at 773-697-3830. The lobby features cashless cocktails from the newly renovated Haven Lounge before and after performances. The Opening Gala is on March 9, from 6-10 PM and includes vendor tables from local businesses and Chicago circus schools, door prize giveaways, and a silent auction. Exclusive previews for media and donors will be performed throughout the night. Metered street parking is available, and the apps ParkChicago, Spot Hero, Park Whiz, and Parq Ex are recommended to secure a spot. The venue is also accessible to the Blue Line (north of Division, south of Damen stops) and via various bus routes. The Festival’s media sponsors are The Actors Gymnasium and CircusTalk.

 

SCHEDULE

Thursday, March 9

Heath Mainstage & Lobby: 

6:00-10:00 pm Opening Gala: Show previews for media and donors, silent auction, local vendors.

 

Friday, March 10

Bookspan Stage: 

6:00-7:30 pm Creature Double Feature by Such Creatures (circus + dance fusion, queer-themed)

7:45-9:15 pm BIPOC Circus Alliance Midwest (classic circus cabaret, all BIPOC cast)

9:30-11:00pm the Back Side Show by Yes Ma’am Circus (side-show, burlesque, circus, ages 18+)

 

Saturday, March 11 

Bookspan Stage: 

12:45- 2:15 pm Distillations & Don't Try This At Home- Double Feature by Luther Bangert & Dinder Brothers’ Circus (juggling solo show, family circus troop, side-show, family friendly)

2:30- 4:00 pm Double Feature- Poised & The Reluctant Mind Reader by Raphael Entertainment (solo juggling + solo magic, family friendly)

4:15- 5:45 pm BIPOC Circus Alliance Midwest (classic circus cabaret, all BIPOC cast)

6:00- 7:30 pm Autobiography of a Late Bloomer by Lucid Banter Project (dance, queer-themed, ages 13+)

7:45- 9:15 pm Circus Dungeon Crawl by Yes Ma’am Circus (circus cabaret, burlesque, nerd-themed, ages 18+)

9:30- 11:00 pm Queer Double Feature: And They Were Shipmates, A Queer Pirate Romance Adventure & Queer Dance Freakout by Counterfeit Combat & Gender Fucked Productions

 

Sunday, March 12 

Heath Mainstage: 

10:30 am- 12:00 pm Serious Cirque by Duo Refraction+ (circus, clown, family friendly)

12:15- 1:45 pm Circus Cabaret of Wonder by the Amazing Prizzini Brothers (classic circus cabaret, clowning, family friendly)

 

Bookspan Stage: 

12:15- 1:45 pm Double Feature- Poised & The Reluctant Mind Reader by Raphael Entertainment (solo juggling + solo magic, family friendly)

2:00- 3:30 pm Distillations & Don't Try This At Home- Double Feature by Luther Bangert & Dinder Brothers’ Circus (juggling solo show, family circus troop, side-show, family friendly)

SHOWS/ENSEMBLES

The Amazing Prizzini Brothers’ Circus Cabinet of Wonder: The Amazing Prizzini Brothers’ classic circus cabaret features family-friendly circus acts and clowning. The goal is simple: to make the audience complicit in the mischief. 

Autobiography of a Late Bloomer: Lucid Banter Project presents Autobiography of a Late Bloomer, a collection of work created over a span of 15 years, following the choreographer's coming-out journey. Following Paula, Lucid Banter Project's director, through professional growth, family drama, religious realizations, sexual awakenings, relationship highs and lows, injury, and emotional abuse, the audience is brought along through the experiences, emotions, and growth of a late bloomer lesbian.

BIPOC Circus Alliance Midwest Showcase: This circus cabaret features circus artists of Color as they share individual stories that depict human emotions and unique challenges faced by POC in contemporary America. Disciplines will include rope, straps, aerial hammock, diabolo, and silks. For ages 13+. 

The Back Side Show: Produced by Yes Ma'am Circus, the Back Side Show features burlesque, sideshow, and variety acts from around Chicago. For ages 18+. 

Circus Dungeon Crawl: Yes Ma’am Circus’ longest running cabaret! Come see the Chicago debut of Circus Dungeon Crawl, previously only shown to the elite crowd of gamers at GenCon in Indianapolis! Journey with Marcus the Bard as they attempt to drink, seduce, and thieve their way through the Multiverse, along with a cast of aerialists, clowns, and burlesque dancers.

Creature Double Feature: Creature Double Feature brings you not one, but TWO new works by Such Creatures Co-Directors Luke Greeff & Ashaand Simone. Missile Kid by Luke Greeff shows a punk-rock apocalyptic horror movement suite on unmasking the Autistic soul within the confines of an Allistic world … or a dancey existential crisis to good tunes… you decide. intimate youniverse by Ashaand Simone transports the audience into an 8-bit arcade world where they’re in charge of helping the protagonist’s disparate parts work towards some amount of peace. In doing so, they will learn firsthand what it looks like to re-wire the brain away from the impacts of (Complex) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and towards acceptance of intimacy and connection.

Distillations & Don't Try This At Home- Double Feature: A family friendly double feature. A solo contemporary juggling show performed by Luther Bangert, Distillations takes the audience on a multimedia and multidimensional journey through the anatomy of a moment, investigating causality, and emerging into the ground state of the juggling universe. Dinder Brother's Circus is proud to present the "DONT TRY THIS AT HOME SHOW!!!" Seen across the midwest since 2015 this blend of circus, magic, and danger is sure to entertain anyone ages 4 and up!  With mystifying aerials, feats of death, and astounding illusions everyone will find something they enjoy.

Double Feature- Poised & The Reluctant Mind Reader: A funny and dazzling 1-man duo show! Welcome to an experience that aims to have you question the absolute limits of what is humanly possible. Brought to you by one of Chicago's top jugglers, Poised is a family friendly show full of laughs and amazing feats of balance and coordination. Then stay and watch as someone with the ability to read minds shows off his powers while talking about the pains and annoyances that come with always hearing what people are thinking. The Reluctant Mind Reader showcases how some gifts aren’t what they’re cracked up to be.

Serious Cirque: Serious Cirque is a not so serious deconstruction of contemporary circus performance. It transparently and unabashedly reveals the hilarity, failures, successes and discoveries that come out of circus creation. What happens when Siri tries to third wheel your adagio duet opener? What if the duo trapeze porter loses his flyer and must perform only with sock puppets?

Queer Double Feature- And They Were Shipmates, A Queer Pirate Romance Adventure & Queer Dance Freakout: First, Counterfeit Combat presents a gay pirate show full of fights and fun that you can’t miss! Join us onboard Calico Jack’s ship, The Ranger, as we follow the tale of the infamous female pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read. This occasionally true story based on historical facts will have you laughing, sighing, and gasping, oh aye! Then stick around for Queer Dance Freakout, an interactive, choose your own adventure spectacle produced by Gender Fucked Productions. This company of queer, trans, and nonbinary choreographers and storytellers will perform up to 30 dances that will have audiences booty shaking, grooving, and connecting with the queer community.

*Click HERE for your chance to WIN a FREE Family 4 Pack of Tickets to your choice of any family friendly show at the 2nd Annual Chicago Circus and Performing Arts Festival!

**Click HERE for your chance to WIN a FREE Pair of Tickets to your choice of any Adult Show at the 2nd Annual Chicago Circus and Performing Arts Festival!

Winners announced at noon Thursday, March 9th.

ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows are thrilled to partner up with the 2nd Annual Chicago Circus and Performing Arts Festival to give away A Family 4 Pack of Tickets to Any Family Show and/or A Pair of Tickets to Any Adult Circus Act!

REVIEW: Adventure Stage Chicago’s World Premiere of Andrew Marikis’ Fast Food Chain

ChiIL Mama’s Chi, IL Picks List:

Family Friendly Theatre 

Adventure Stage Chicago’s

World Premiere of Andrew Marikis’

Fast Food Chain

directed by Black Ensemble Theater’s Daryl Brooks

Guest Review
By Catherine Hellmann

“If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.”

---Attributed to Mark Twain

Rudy (or Hare) learns this lesson in Fast Food Chain as the lies to his mother add up and begin to spiral out of control. In his defense, he is trying to provide for his family, as his single mom struggles to pay the rent to their evil landlord, Mr. Lyons, and put food on the table. (Rian Jairell is convincingly mean; when he asks to try the desperate family’s food, moments after harassing them for money, a woman behind us blurted,”No!”) When Mom catches Rudy in a lie, she looks at him suspiciously. “She knows he’s full of shit,” my companion whispers. “”My mom gave us that look before she gave us an ass whupping.”



Combining African folk tales with a realistic setting of hungry families in 2019 Chicago, each character has their animal counterpart. Yahdina U-deen as the narrator is Tortoise as well. Her costume, commanding Nigerian voice and stage presence really anchor the show and draw us in. “Ancient stories tell us who we are,” she informs us.



Rudy’s sister, Akari or Rat, (La Shone Kelly) is involved in her brother’s schemes of running a (literal) food cart out of a shopping cart in an alley. Rudy, played with charming enthusiasm by Davon Roberts, has dreams of being a chef and creates fanciful recipes with limited ingredients. One recipe is a mole created from Doritos and chocolate! As he tells his mom,”I’m not picky. I just deserve the best!”

The kids are constantly hungry, and their mom regularly visits the food pantry, unbeknownst to her children. When it is time for dinner, the mom feigns being tired to skip the meal, leaving more for her children. Even in tough times, the family members are there for each other.



Before the show, we are asked to look for examples of literal and figurative hunger. Besides their growling stomachs, Rudy also has a hunger to improve his life by becoming a chef. His aspirations are a hunger needing to be satisfied.

The staging and set really add to the story. Clusters of milk and water plastic bottles are placed around the stage. When they light up, it is a fun magical moment. There is also a screen at the back of the stage where  acrobatic dancers are in silhouette acting out the roles of the animals in the folk tales. Another neat feature is a Spanish translation of the dialogue above the stage.

School groups and families will love this world premiere. The playwright, Andrew Marikis, was in the audience, and suggestions from Chicago Public School students were incorporated into the show. We liked the themes of modern social issues, gentrification, family, and being true to oneself. 

In Fast Food Chain, Adventure Stage Chicago’s artistic associate and playwright Andrew Marikis wrote the piece with help from Chicago students, diving into the magical realism of African folktale while showcasing the power of community and storytelling in combatting social issues. Because the show was written with the help of youth, it is largely targeting to a youthful audience. The show reimagines Igbo folk heroes Hare and Tortoise against the backdrop of Chicago in 2019. Rudy is a teenage boy who dreams of becoming a famous chef. The problem is, his schemes usually involve getting him and his younger sister Akari into trouble. Their family struggles with the pressure of food insecurity in Chicago until one day, Rudy and Akari discover a garden in the unlikeliest of places.

Adventure Stage Chicago (ASC), a program of the Northwestern Settlement, presents the world premiere of ASC Artistic Associate Andrew Marikis’Fast Food Chain from April 26 to May 18, 2019 at the Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble Street. This production continues ASC’s 15th season, which explores the many challenges of hunger, both literal and metaphorical. Fast Food Chain is directed by Black Ensemble Theater’s Daryl Brooks, who helmed ASC’s Akeelah and the Bee last season.

Casting for the new production includes Davon Roberts (Rudy), La Shone T. Kelly (Akari), Sonya Cha’Rae (Ursula), Yahdina U-Deen (Mbeku), Kelvin Davis (Eddie), Rian Jairell(Mr. Lyons) and Lisa Revis (Shadow 1).

Fast Food Chain reimagines Igbo folk heroes Hare and Tortoise against the backdrop of Chicago in 2019. The story follows a brother and sister as they wrestle with the pressures of food insecurity in Chicago. Rudy is a teenage boy who dreams of becoming a famous chef. The problem is, his schemes usually involve getting him and his younger sister, Akari, into big trouble. Their family struggles with the pressure of food insecurity in Chicago until one day Rudy and Akari discover a garden in the unlikeliest of places. Fast Food Chain is written with help from Chicago students, diving into the magical realism of African folktale while showcasing the power of community and storytelling in combatting social issues.

Tickets for the world premiere of Fast Food Chain at Adventure Stage Chicago are on sale now for $12 to $17. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit adventurestage.org or call 773-342-4141.

Adult - $17.00
Youth (14 and Under) - $12.00

Fast Food Chain is the second world premiere play at ASC to benefit from a new play development process formalized by ASC Playwright-in-Residence Carlos Murillo. Marikis worked with school, youth and community groups at Northwestern Settlement over 18 months, using their input and participation to integrate community stories into the world of the play. The resulting story about heroic youth amplifies the mission of the Settlement, educating and inspiring its community to help disrupt generational poverty in Chicago.

Artist bios

Davon Roberts (Rudy) makes his Adventure Stage Chicago debut in Fast Food Chain. He is an actor, writer, director and comedian born and raised in Chicago IL. Davon's first performance was in a school production of The Wiz. As time progressed, he discovered a love for acting on film. Davon has been on shows such as Chicago Fire and Shameless, two indie films and several student films.

La Shone T. Kelly (Akari) returns to Adventure Stage Chicago after last appearing in Akeelah and the Bee and in Reprise, which got the opportunity to participate in Scotland National Theater’s “Home Away” showcase. She is new to the theater scene but comes from a musical background; having been in a family band called “The Chicago Kellys,” who have featured on NBC Nightly News, WGN and other local news outlets.

Sonya Cha’Rae (Ursula) makes her Adventure Stage Chicago debut in Fast Food Chain. Having graduated with a B.A in Acting from Western Illinois University in 2014, she went on to perform in a variety of plays and TV shows in Memphis, Tennessee and Chicago. Her latest performance was in the play Passin’ Where the River Bend (Iris). She has also played main roles in Fences (Rose)​​, The Wizard of Oz (The Wicked Witch), She Kills Monsters (Vera), and numerous extra roles in TV shows such as The Chi, Proven Innocent and Red Line.

Yahdina U-Deen (Mbeku) returns to Adventure Stage Chicago after her performance in Akeelah and the Bee. She is a mother, grandmother, professional singer and actor in the Chicagoland area and abroad. Recent performances include Black Ensemble's The Marvin Gaye Story, Nina Simone: The High Priestess Speaks, and At Last: A Tribute to Etta James. She’s also performed at ETA Creative Arts Agency, Victory Gardens and The South Shore Drill Team.

Kelvin Davis (Eddie) returns to Adventure Stage Chicago after his appearance in Akeelah and the Bee. He discovered his love for theatre as an ensemble cast member with Theatre IV, now called Virginia Repertory Theatre, with which he toured for over a decade, performing in shows such as Hugs and Kisses and Buffalo Soldiers. In Chicago, Kelvin has worked with The Black Ensemble Theatre during the Black Playwrights’ Festival. Kelvin has also understudied for The Gospel According to James at Victory Gardens.

Rian Jairell (Mr. Lyons) makes his Adventure Stage Chicago debut in Fast Food Chain. He was last seen as Major Metcalf in Metropolis Performing Arts Center’s production of The Mousetrap. Other Chicago credits include: Gas for Less, Dartmoor Prison (The Goodman Theatre), Cymbeline, Troilus and Cressida, A Flea in her Ear (Chicago Shakespeare Theater),Boeing Boeing (MPAC). His regional credits include: It’s Only A Play (Theatre Workshop of Nantucket), Macbeth, You Never Can Tell (Montana Shakespeare in the Parks), Pericles, The Fair Maid of the West, Line of Descent (Riverside Theatre), The Taming of the Shrew, The Rainmaker (Idaho Repertory Theatre). His film and television credits include: The Sighting, Using, Dimension, Chicago Fire and The Laramie Project.

Lisa Revis (Shadow 1) makes her Adventure Stage Chicago debut in Fast Food Chain. She earned her BFA in Music Theatre from Rockford University. She has performed at theatres throughout the country including Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts, Cumberland County Playhouse, Show Palace Dinner Theatre and Artist’s Ensemble Theatre. Some of her favorite credits include 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Marcy), Trojan Women (Helen), Mamma Mia! (Dance Captain), A Chorus Line (Connie), The Little Mermaid (Arista), Time of War (Combatant) and dancing with Bad Wolf Dance Theatre (Soloist). Since settling in Chicago, Lisa has performed with Filament Theatre (The Adventures of Robin Hood), Innervation Dance Cooperative (20th Season) and Chicago Honey Bears Dancers (company member).

Andrew Marikis (playwright) is a theater devisor, storyteller, actor, teaching artist and educator. This is his first full-length play at Adventure Stage Chicago. As a devisor, Marikis was lead teaching artist with the Adventure Stage Chicago Trailblazer—a mixed-age devising ensemble—for two years and is a resident artist with Filament Theatre, where he most recently helped develop and remount FORTS, an interactive play installation. As a storyteller, Marikis has told true tales all over Chicago and is the host and producer of Story Club South Side, a monthly live lit show he founded in 2012. As an actor he’s worked with Adventure Stage Chicago, Filament Theatre, Erasing the Distance, Irish Theatre of Chicago, Boho, City Lit, Lifeline and The Artistic Home among others. As a teaching artist, Marikis has taught all over the city and suburbs with Writers Theatre, Northlight Theatre, ASC, Dream Big and Emerald City.

Daryl Brooks (director) returns to Adventure Stage Chicago to tell the story of Fast Food Chain after directing ASC’s Akeelah and the Bee last season. Brooks has been a visible part of the Chicago theatre scene since 1999, having performed and directed all over the city. Recent projects include: Memphis (Porchlight Music Theatre; Jeff Nominated); writing and directing Women of Soul (Black Ensemble Theater; Jeff Recommended); The Black Pearl: The Story of Josephine Baker (Black Ensemble Theater; Jeff Nominated). Other directing credits include Men of Soul and Curtis Mayfield; he received the African American Arts Alliance award for Best Director for both productions. Brooks is the Producing Managing Director of the Black Ensemble Theater.

About Northwestern Settlement and Adventure Stage Chicago

Northwestern Settlement nurtures, educates and inspires children and families across Chicago. The Settlement’s success results from a commitment to treating every person who enters its doors with dignity and respect, while supporting them with transformational programming designed to disrupt generational poverty. The Settlement has led the way in innovative programming by offering residential science and environmental education for inner-city youth, launching successful charter schools, and adding a theater so children and teens have a forum for expressing their life experiences. For more information, visit www.northwesternsettlement.org.

The Settlement’s Adventure Stage Chicago (ASC) is one of the only theaters in Chicago to develop and present works specifically for the pre-teen and teenage audience. Adventure
Stage Chicago creates and tells heroic stories about young people in order to engage the community and inspire everyone to be a hero in their own lives. ASC also offers: Neighborhood Bridges, the in-classroom arts residency program; Trailblazers, a youth mentoring arts program; summer drama camps; and drama instruction in the Settlement’s Rowe Elementary School.
Adventure Stage Chicago is a member of IPAY (International Performing Arts for Youth), League of Chicago Theatres, Theatre Communications Group (TCG), and TYA/USA. For more information, visit www.adventurestage.org.

GIVEAWAY: WIN 4 Tickets ($58 Value) to the World Premiere of Fast Food Chain at Adventure Stage Chicago April 26 to May 18, 2019

ChiIL Mama’s Chi, IL Picks List:

Family Friendly Theatre 

Casting announced for Adventure Stage Chicago’s

world premiere of Andrew Marikis’

Fast Food Chain

directed by Black Ensemble Theater’s Daryl Brooks

ChiIL Mama will be out to review at the press opening, April 27th, so check back soon for our full review. It's been our pleasure to partner up with Adventure Stage for years. They have provided complimentary tickets for our giveaways and review purposes. As always, all opinions are our own.

Enter below for your chance to WIN 4 Tickets ($58 Value)!

Giveaway runs through midnight April 20th. Valid for winner's choice of any public performance of Fast Food Chain after April 27. 

In Fast Food Chain, Adventure Stage Chicago’s artistic associate and playwright Andrew Marikis wrote the piece with help from Chicago students, diving into the magical realism of African folktale while showcasing the power of community and storytelling in combatting social issues. Because the show was written with the help of youth, it is largely targeting to a youthful audience. The show reimagines Igbo folk heroes Hare and Tortoise against the backdrop of Chicago in 2019. Rudy is a teenage boy who dreams of becoming a famous chef. The problem is, his schemes usually involve getting him and his younger sister Akari into trouble. Their family struggles with the pressure of food insecurity in Chicago until one day, Rudy and Akari discover a garden in the unlikeliest of places.

Adventure Stage Chicago (ASC), a program of the Northwestern Settlement, presents the world premiere of ASC Artistic Associate Andrew Marikis’Fast Food Chain from April 26 to May 18, 2019 at the Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble Street. This production continues ASC’s 15th season, which explores the many challenges of hunger, both literal and metaphorical. Fast Food Chain is directed by Black Ensemble Theater’s Daryl Brooks, who helmed ASC’s Akeelah and the Bee last season.

Casting for the new production includes Davon Roberts (Rudy), La Shone T. Kelly (Akari), Sonya Cha’Rae (Ursula), Yahdina U-Deen (Mbeku), Kelvin Davis (Eddie), Rian Jairell(Mr. Lyons) and Lisa Revis (Shadow 1).

Fast Food Chain reimagines Igbo folk heroes Hare and Tortoise against the backdrop of Chicago in 2019. The story follows a brother and sister as they wrestle with the pressures of food insecurity in Chicago. Rudy is a teenage boy who dreams of becoming a famous chef. The problem is, his schemes usually involve getting him and his younger sister, Akari, into big trouble. Their family struggles with the pressure of food insecurity in Chicago until one day Rudy and Akari discover a garden in the unlikeliest of places. Fast Food Chain is written with help from Chicago students, diving into the magical realism of African folktale while showcasing the power of community and storytelling in combatting social issues.

Tickets for the world premiere of Fast Food Chain at Adventure Stage Chicago are on sale now for $12 to $17. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit adventurestage.org or call 773-342-4141.

Adult - $17.00

Youth (14 and Under) - $12.00

Fast Food Chain is the second world premiere play at ASC to benefit from a new play development process formalized by ASC Playwright-in-Residence Carlos Murillo. Marikis worked with school, youth and community groups at Northwestern Settlement over 18 months, using their input and participation to integrate community stories into the world of the play. The resulting story about heroic youth amplifies the mission of the Settlement, educating and inspiring its community to help disrupt generational poverty in Chicago.

Artist bios

Davon Roberts (Rudy) makes his Adventure Stage Chicago debut in Fast Food Chain. He is an actor, writer, director and comedian born and raised in Chicago IL. Davon's first performance was in a school production of The Wiz. As time progressed, he discovered a love for acting on film. Davon has been on shows such as Chicago Fire and Shameless, two indie films and several student films.

La Shone T. Kelly (Akari) returns to Adventure Stage Chicago after last appearing in Akeelah and the Bee and in Reprise, which got the opportunity to participate in Scotland National Theater’s “Home Away” showcase. She is new to the theater scene but comes from a musical background; having been in a family band called “The Chicago Kellys,” who have featured on NBC Nightly News, WGN and other local news outlets.

Sonya Cha’Rae (Ursula) makes her Adventure Stage Chicago debut in Fast Food Chain. Having graduated with a B.A in Acting from Western Illinois University in 2014, she went on to perform in a variety of plays and TV shows in Memphis, Tennessee and Chicago. Her latest performance was in the play Passin’ Where the River Bend (Iris). She has also played main roles in Fences (Rose)​​, The Wizard of Oz (The Wicked Witch), She Kills Monsters (Vera), and numerous extra roles in TV shows such as The Chi, Proven Innocent and Red Line.

Yahdina U-Deen (Mbeku) returns to Adventure Stage Chicago after her performance in Akeelah and the Bee. She is a mother, grandmother, professional singer and actor in the Chicagoland area and abroad. Recent performances include Black Ensemble's The Marvin Gaye Story, Nina Simone: The High Priestess Speaks, and At Last: A Tribute to Etta James. She’s also performed at ETA Creative Arts Agency, Victory Gardens and The South Shore Drill Team.

Kelvin Davis (Eddie) returns to Adventure Stage Chicago after his appearance in Akeelah and the Bee. He discovered his love for theatre as an ensemble cast member with Theatre IV, now called Virginia Repertory Theatre, with which he toured for over a decade, performing in shows such as Hugs and Kisses and Buffalo Soldiers. In Chicago, Kelvin has worked with The Black Ensemble Theatre during the Black Playwrights’ Festival. Kelvin has also understudied for The Gospel According to James at Victory Gardens.

Rian Jairell (Mr. Lyons) makes his Adventure Stage Chicago debut in Fast Food Chain. He was last seen as Major Metcalf in Metropolis Performing Arts Center’s production of The Mousetrap. Other Chicago credits include: Gas for Less, Dartmoor Prison (The Goodman Theatre), Cymbeline, Troilus and Cressida, A Flea in her Ear (Chicago Shakespeare Theater),Boeing Boeing (MPAC). His regional credits include: It’s Only A Play (Theatre Workshop of Nantucket), Macbeth, You Never Can Tell (Montana Shakespeare in the Parks), Pericles, The Fair Maid of the West, Line of Descent (Riverside Theatre), The Taming of the Shrew, The Rainmaker (Idaho Repertory Theatre). His film and television credits include: The Sighting, Using, Dimension, Chicago Fire and The Laramie Project.

Lisa Revis (Shadow 1) makes her Adventure Stage Chicago debut in Fast Food Chain. She earned her BFA in Music Theatre from Rockford University. She has performed at theatres throughout the country including Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts, Cumberland County Playhouse, Show Palace Dinner Theatre and Artist’s Ensemble Theatre. Some of her favorite credits include 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Marcy), Trojan Women (Helen), Mamma Mia! (Dance Captain), A Chorus Line (Connie), The Little Mermaid (Arista), Time of War (Combatant) and dancing with Bad Wolf Dance Theatre (Soloist). Since settling in Chicago, Lisa has performed with Filament Theatre (The Adventures of Robin Hood), Innervation Dance Cooperative (20th Season) and Chicago Honey Bears Dancers (company member).

Andrew Marikis (playwright) is a theater devisor, storyteller, actor, teaching artist and educator. This is his first full-length play at Adventure Stage Chicago. As a devisor, Marikis was lead teaching artist with the Adventure Stage Chicago Trailblazer—a mixed-age devising ensemble—for two years and is a resident artist with Filament Theatre, where he most recently helped develop and remount FORTS, an interactive play installation. As a storyteller, Marikis has told true tales all over Chicago and is the host and producer of Story Club South Side, a monthly live lit show he founded in 2012. As an actor he’s worked with Adventure Stage Chicago, Filament Theatre, Erasing the Distance, Irish Theatre of Chicago, Boho, City Lit, Lifeline and The Artistic Home among others. As a teaching artist, Marikis has taught all over the city and suburbs with Writers Theatre, Northlight Theatre, ASC, Dream Big and Emerald City.

Daryl Brooks (director) returns to Adventure Stage Chicago to tell the story of Fast Food Chain after directing ASC’s Akeelah and the Bee last season. Brooks has been a visible part of the Chicago theatre scene since 1999, having performed and directed all over the city. Recent projects include: Memphis (Porchlight Music Theatre; Jeff Nominated); writing and directing Women of Soul (Black Ensemble Theater; Jeff Recommended); The Black Pearl: The Story of Josephine Baker (Black Ensemble Theater; Jeff Nominated). Other directing credits include Men of Soul and Curtis Mayfield; he received the African American Arts Alliance award for Best Director for both productions. Brooks is the Producing Managing Director of the Black Ensemble Theater.

About Northwestern Settlement and Adventure Stage Chicago

Northwestern Settlement nurtures, educates and inspires children and families across Chicago. The Settlement’s success results from a commitment to treating every person who enters its doors with dignity and respect, while supporting them with transformational programming designed to disrupt generational poverty. The Settlement has led the way in innovative programming by offering residential science and environmental education for inner-city youth, launching successful charter schools, and adding a theater so children and teens have a forum for expressing their life experiences. For more information, visit www.northwesternsettlement.org.

The Settlement’s Adventure Stage Chicago (ASC) is one of the only theaters in Chicago to develop and present works specifically for the pre-teen and teenage audience. Adventure
Stage Chicago creates and tells heroic stories about young people in order to engage the community and inspire everyone to be a hero in their own lives. ASC also offers: Neighborhood Bridges, the in-classroom arts residency program; Trailblazers, a youth mentoring arts program; summer drama camps; and drama instruction in the Settlement’s Rowe Elementary School.
Adventure Stage Chicago is a member of IPAY (International Performing Arts for Youth), League of Chicago Theatres, Theatre Communications Group (TCG), and TYA/USA. For more information, visit www.adventurestage.org.

Enter HERE for your chance to WIN 4 Tickets ($58 Value)!

Giveaway runs through midnight April 20th. Valid for winner's choice of any public performance of Fast Food Chain after April 27. 

Enter Here

Disclosure: it's been our pleasure to partner up with Adventure Stage for years. They have provided complimentary tickets for our giveaways and review purposes. As always, all opinions are our own.

WIN 4 TICKETS ($116 value) TO EMERALD CITY THEATRE'S CHICAGO PREMIERE OF CORDUROY AT THE ATHENAEUM THEATRE’S MAIN STAGE THROUGH APRIL 20, 2019

ChiIL Mama’s Chi, IL Picks List

EMERALD CITY THEATRE PRESENTS 

CHICAGO PREMIERE OF CORDUROY 

AT THE ATHENAEUM THEATRE’S MAIN STAGE, 

MARCH 1 – APRIL 20

**Ages 3+**

Emerald City Theatre Concludes Their 2018 – 2019 Season with the Stage Adaptation of Don Freeman’s Best-Selling Children’s Book Corduroy 

Enter Below
One of ChiIL Mama's lucky readers will
WIN 4 TICKETS ($116 value) TO EMERALD CITY THEATRE'S CHICAGO PREMIERE OF CORDUROY AT THE ATHENAEUM THEATRE’S MAIN STAGE THROUGH 
APRIL 20, 2019
Winner can select from any of the following performances to attend: 
Saturday, April 6 at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m., Friday, 
April 19 at 10:30 a.m., or Saturday, April 20 at 10:30 a.m. 
ENTER THROUGH MIDNIGHT 3/31/19

Emerald City Theatre (ECT) concludes its 2018 – 2019 Season this spring with the Chicago premiere of Corduroy, a new stage adaptation by Barry Kornhauser of Don Freeman’s classic books, directed by ECT Artistic Associate Jamal Howard. Corduroy runs Friday, March 1 – Saturday, April 20 at the Athenaeum Theatre Main Stage, 2936 N Southport Ave. 

Previews are Friday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m. and Saturday, March 2 at 10:30 a.m. Regular performance times post opening are Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. with additional performances on Sunday, April 14 at 2 p m. and Friday, April 19 at 10:30 a.m. prices are $22-$29. Tickets may be purchased at AthenaeumTheatre.org or through the Athenaeum Theatre box office at 773.935.6875. Visit EmeraldCityTheatre.com for more information.  Educators may visit EmeraldCityTheatre.com or call 773.529.2690 to book a field trip that includes a performance and companion study guide.



“A bear. A button. A place to belong.” A small bear’s quest for a missing button leads to the friendship of a lifetime. The department store comes to life with circus elements and physical comedy as Corduroy must stay a step ahead of the Night Watchman to be ready for Lisa when she returns to the store. Learn the importance of empathy and unconditional love along with a young girl and her mother in this sweet adaptation of the beloved book by Don Freeman. Corduroy is a Chicago premiere and a playful adventure that will delight ages three years and older.

“I am delighted to present this wonderfully talented group of performers for our production of Corduroy,” says Mr. Howard, ECT Artistic Associate. “This cast will use clowning, physical comedy, and other circus elements to bring Don Freeman’s iconic book to life for our youngest audiences in this ambitious Chicago premiere.”



The cast of Corduroy includes: Jean Claudio (Corduroy), Matt Miles (The Night Watchman), Tia Pinson (Lisa), Michelle Renee Thompson (Mother), Averis I. Anderson (Clown 1), Kelsey Shipley (Clown 2), Kirk Osgood (The Night Watchman/Clown 1 Understudy), Ellen DeSitter (Corduroy/Clown 2 Understudy), and Kianna Rose (Lisa/Mother Understudy).

The creative team also includes: Amanda Crockett, movement and circus director;  Jeffrey Kmiec, scenic designer; Jazmin Aurora Medina, costume designer;  Cat Wilson, lighting designer; Eric Backus, sound designer; Letitia Guillaud, props designer; Marika Mashburn , casting director and Marcus Carroll, stage manager. 


ABOUT EMERALD CITY THEATRE
Emerald City Theatre (ECT) is Chicago’s largest theater for young audiences, reaching children 0 – 15-years-old through its three pillars of work: artistic, education, and outreach. Serving an average of over 60,000 children and their grown-ups annually, the company has created over 100 productions in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and Downtown Chicago. ECT was recently named “Chicago’s Best Children’s Theatre” by Make it Better magazine.

ECT also builds skills in children through its yearly camps, classes, and residencies – the largest theater arts education program in Chicago, serving over 64,000 students to date and an average of 200 schools annually. 

ECT’s signature outreach program, One Fund supports increased literacy among Chicago’s children by providing a free play and free companion book to low-resourced Chicago Public Schools students. In 2018, ECT provided 95,000 free books to CPS students in Kindergarten – 3rd grade as part of a partnership with Mary Pope Osborne, author of the Magic Tree House book series.

ECT's lead supporters include AMITA Health, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, KPMG, Illinois Arts Council, the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, and The League of Chicago Theatres and ComEd’s Powering the Arts program. 

For more information, please visit EmeraldCityTheatre.com



Enter HERE
One of ChiIL Mama's lucky readers will
WIN 4 TICKETS ($116 value) TO EMERALD CITY THEATRE'S CHICAGO PREMIERE OF CORDUROY AT THE ATHENAEUM THEATRE’S MAIN STAGE THROUGH 
APRIL 20, 2019
Winner can select from any of the following performances to attend: 
Saturday, April 6 at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m., Friday, 
April 19 at 10:30 a.m., or Saturday, April 20 at 10:30 a.m. 
ENTER THROUGH MIDNIGHT 3/31/19

ENTER HERE

Disclosure: It's our pleasure to partner up with Emerald City Theatre once again, to offer a sweet giveaway for our readers. They have provided complimentary tickets for our giveaway.

WIN a Pair of Tickets ($100 value/2 winners ) to Bunraku-Style Pinocchio WORLD PREMIERE at THE HOUSE THEATRE OF CHICAGO MARCH 28 – MAY 19

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

THE HOUSE THEATRE OF CHICAGO CONTINUES THEIR

2018 – 2019 SEASON WITH THE WORLD PREMIERE OF 
PINOCCHIO

**This production is recommended for adults 

& those ages 11 years old and older.**

Enter Below for your chance to WIN a pair of tickets to The House Theatre's Pinocchio! 

(2 winners/$100 value a pair)

*Winners' choice of any date/time within the first two weeks of performances after opening (April 11-21 excluding April 14). 

April 11 8 p.m.

April 12 8 p.m. 

April 13 8 p.m. 

April 18 8 p.m.

April 19 8 p.m. 

April 20 8 p.m. 

April 21 3 p.m. 

MARCH 28 – MAY 19  

AT THE CHOPIN THEATRE

The Classic Tale of a Wooden Boy Will Be Brought To Life Through the Direction and Adaption of Company Members Chris Mathews, Joseph Steakley, and Ben Lobpries 

I'll be ChiILin' with The House Theatre of Chicago at the Pinocchio press opening April 7th with the whole family. We can't wait to see their unique take on this classic. Enter our giveaway through 3/31/19 and check back after 4/7/19 for my full review. Our 2 winners will be announced on April Fools Day, no lyin'. 

The House Theatre of Chicago continues their 2018 -2019 season with the beloved tale of Pinocchio at The Chopin Theatre upstairs theatre, 1543 W. Division, March 28 – May 19. This world premiere of the classic story inspired by the works of Carlo Collodi has been adapted for the stage by Company Members Joseph Steakley and Ben Lobpries. The House Theatre of Chicago’s rendition of Pinocchio features the direction of Company Member Chris Mathews. Previews take place Thursday, March 28 at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 30 at 8 p.m., Sunday, March 31 at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 4 at 8 p.m., Friday, April 5 at 8 p.m. 

The regular performance schedule is Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Preview tickets are $20 with regular run tickets $30 – $50. Student and industry same-day discounted tickets are available for $20 for all dates, based on availability. Tickets may be purchased by calling 773.769.3832 or by visiting www.thehousetheatre.com.

The House brings to life this tall tale about telling the truth. Carved from an enchanted stump in a charred forest, toyshop owner Geppeto's small puppet child flourishes. The growing Pinocchio devours books and the complex worlds they reveal. He relishes musicals and the emotional ride they offer. And he longs to sink his adolescent teeth into real relationships and conversations beyond the walls of his storefront home. But his protective father keeps Pinocchio's wild branches trimmed back, and forbids venturing out. A method sure to inspire rebellion in this precocious, curious not-quite-real young man. 

Pinocchio will be portrayed by a Bunraku-style puppet, created and crafted by Tom Lee of Chicago Puppet Studios. 

Funny, imaginative, and moving, Pinocchio explores how the lies we tell ourselves hurt those we love. 

(Top Row, L to R): Molly Brennan, “Geppetto;” David Corlew, “U/S Geppetto & Doohickey;” Carley Cornelius, “Kitty;” Sean Garratt, “Pinocchio;” Jenni M. Hadley, “U/S Miss Patty & Blue Fairy;” Brent LeBlanc, “U/S Pinocchio;” Mike Mazzocca, “Bangon & U/S Dingo;”

(Bottom Row, L to R): Karissa Murrell Myers, “Blue Fairy;” Tina Muñoz Pandya, “YimYam & U/S Kitty;” Christine Mayland Perkins, “Miss Penny;” Brandon Rivera, “Romeo;” Omer Abbas Salem, “Dingo;” Steven Romero Schaeffer, “U/S YimYak, Bangon and Romeo;” Kevin Stangler, “Doohickey”

The cast of Pinocchio features guest artist Sean Garratt, voicing and puppeteering PINOCCHIO. Garratt is a UK-born artist and was a co-deviser and puppeteer on multi-award-winning show The Table (Blind Summit) which appeared at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in 2015 and has toured to over 25 countries.

The cast also includes Company Members of The House Molly Brennan*+ as GEPPETTO, Kevin Stangler+ as DOOHICKEY, and Christine Mayland Perkins+ as MISS PENNY.  

Other guest artists include Mike Mazzocca as BANGON, Karissa Murrell Myers as BLUE FAIRY, Tina Muñoz Pandya as YIMYAM, Carley Cornelius as KITTY, Omer Abbas Salem as DINGO, and Brandon Rivera as ROMEO.

Understudies include Jenni M. Hadley, Brent LeBlanc, Steven Romero Schaeffer, and David Corlew.

The production and design team of Pinocchio includes Chris Mathews+, Director; Ben Lobpries+, Adaptor; Joseph Steakley+, Adaptor; Joe Schermoly^, Scenic Designer; Anna Wooden, Costume Designer; Alexander Ridgers, Lighting Designer; Kevin O'Donnell+, Sound Designer; Matthew Muñiz+, Composer; Chicago Puppet Studio, Puppet Designers; Kasey Foster, Choreographer; Marika Mashburn+, Director of Casting; Jamie Karas, Props Designer; and Brian DesGranges*+, Stage Manager.

+Company Member of The House Theatre of Chicago

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association

^Member of United Scenic Artists

 ABOUT CHRIS MATHEWS+, director

Chris Mathews joined The House as a Company Member in 2002 after performing in their second show as “Curly” in The Terrible Tragedy of Peter Pan. In the time since he has served as a performer, playwright, dramaturg, carpenter, prop builder, grant writer, floor sweeper, water torture cell escape coach and every little thing in between. With fellow Company Members Jake Minton and Nathan Allen, Mathews has co-written Dave DaVinci Saves the Universe (Jeff Nomination New Work), The Sparrow (Jeff Award New Work), Rose and the Rime, and The Hammer Trinity. He served as the Director for The Nutcracker in 2017 and works regularly developing new works with Barrel of Monkeys and The Actor’s Gymnasium.

ABOUT JOSEPH STEAKLEY+, adaptor

Joseph Steakley is a proud company member of The House and has been performing with them for 15 years. His acting credits include The Hammer Trinity, The Nutcracker, and The Great And Terrible Wizard of Oz. Pinocchio marks his first project as a writer, and he could not be more excited to share this story.

ABOUT BEN LOBPRIES+, adaptor

Ben Lobpries became a company member with The House in 2002 and appeared on stage in several early productions (most notably as “the gay cowboy” in San Valentino and the Melancholy Kid).  Since then he’s been working primarily as a writer.  Six of his plays have been produced in both Dallas and Chicago, and readings of his fiction have been performed in and around Boston.  He holds a BFA in Theatre Studies from Southern Methodist University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College.  Currently, he teaches in the First-Year Writing Program at DePaul University and lives with the hipsters in Logan Square.

ABOUT SEAN GARRATT

Garratt is a classically and contemporary trained actor who specializes in puppetry, voice, and improvisation and is originally from the UK.  He is most renowned for the award-winning puppet show The Table by BlindSummit Theatre, which he co-devised and starred in and which has been touring for five years to over 25 different countries, and was seen at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in 2015.

Garratt has also worked with the National Theatre of Scotland, The Globe Theatre, Improbable Theatre, Familia del a Noche, and puppeteered at the world famous Bregenz Festival and the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony. His credits in Chicago include Pug Cup with Nickelodeon, The Table with BlindSummit Theatre at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Rita at Chicago Opera Theatre, and most recently Atalanta helmed by Leslie Buxbaum Danzig and Jessica Thebus at the 2019 Chicago International Puppet Theatre Festival.



ABOUT THE HOUSE THEATRE OF CHICAGO 
The House is Chicago's premier home for intimate, original works of epic story and stagecraft. Founded and led by Artistic Director Nathan Allen and driven by an interdisciplinary ensemble of Chicago’s next generation of great storytellers, The House aims to become a laboratory and platform for the evolution of the American theatre as an inclusive and popular artform.

The House was founded in 2001 by a group of friends to explore connections between Community and Storytelling through a unique theatrical experience. Since becoming eligible in 2004, The House has won 23 Joseph Jefferson Awards, became the first recipient of Broadway in Chicago’s Emerging Theater Award in 2007, and was awarded a 2014 National Theatre Company Grant by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards. The 17th season of original work is underway and The House will continue its mission to unite Chicago in the spirit of Community through amazing feats of Storytelling.  

Enter HERE for your chance to WIN

a pair of tickets to The House Theatre's Pinocchio! (2 winners/$100 value a pair)

*Winners' choice of any date/time within the first two weeks of performances after opening (April 11-21 excluding April 14). 

April 11 8 p.m.

April 12 8 p.m. 

April 13 8 p.m. 

April 18 8 p.m.

April 19 8 p.m. 

April 20 8 p.m. 

April 21 3 p.m. 

Enter through midnight 3/31/19. Winner will be emailed and announced here and on our social media networks on April Fools Day... no lyin'.

ENTER HERE

Disclosure: It's been our pleasure to partner up with House Theatre on giveaways for our readers for years. They have given us complimentary tickets for our giveaway and for review purposes. As always, all opinions are my own.