ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List
TimeLine Theatre's World Premiere of Sandra Delgado's HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF STARS
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Thursday, September 4, 2025
TimeLine Theatre's World Premiere of Sandra Delgado's HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF STARS
REVIEW: SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM Via OIL LAMP THEATER Now Playing Through September 14th, 2025
ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar
OIL LAMP THEATER'S
SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM
Now Playing Through September 14th, 2025
DIRECTED BY CHRISTINA RAMIREZ AND MUSIC DIRECTED AMY BRANAHL
Oil Lamp Theater Celebrates the Life and Works of the Late, Great, Stephen Sondheim
Tommy Wells, Abbey Loria, Jacob Alexander and Daria Koon.
Photo credit for all: Gosia Photography
REVIEW
By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara
Whether you're an avid Sondheim fan, or completely uninitiated, Oil Lamp will illuminate and entertain you with their latest production, Side by Side by Sondheim, a full immersion into the legacy of this legendary composer and lyricist. This production features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and music by Leonard Bernstein, Mary Rodgers, Richard Rodgers and Jule Styne with continuity by Ned Sherrin. This tiny but mighty cast of four are ready to take you on a journey through dozens of songs in Sondheim's repertoire, including deep cuts, forgotten gems, and over 2 hours of favorites!
Tommy Wells and Jacob Alexander
Embrace this joyful reprieve from daily life with a plethora of timely tunes. Feel free to laugh, toe tap, and sing along. You might even be surprised by the famous collaborations you didn't know he had a hand in. We adored this cast's playful sense of humor. This is a great pick for multigenerational fun so bring the kids and the grandparents too.
ChiIL Tips: I've been covering Oil Lamp for years but I've always caught their opening nights or other evening performances. This time I caught a matinee and we could hear a cacophony of different dogs barking from what I assume is the business next door. It was quite loud and ongoing. I don't know if this is an ongoing issue, but if sound bleeding in from the neighborhood would limit your enjoyment of Oil Lamp's shows, I suggest you avoid matinees and pick an evening time instead.
Spilling the tea: This production is light on dialogue, with just a few short introductions and backstories, so it's more like a concert experience than a musical.
Tommy Wells and Jacob Alexander
Stephen Joshua Sondheim was a beloved American composer and lyricist whose witty lyrics and catchy hooks revolutionized Broadway musicals and Oil Lamp celebrates his legacy in style. Don't miss this! Now playing through September 14th, 2025. Recommended. 3 out of 4 stars ★★★
Check out Oil Lamp Theater’s brand new SPARK CENTER for the Performing Arts!
Bonnie is a Chicago based writer, theatre critic, photographer, artist, and Mama to 2 amazing adults. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly).
The production runs August 15 - September 14, at Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Road. Side by Side by Sondheim is directed by Christina Ramirez and music directed by Amy Branahl. The schedule includes a preview performance Thursday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m. with the opening/press performance Friday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.,Saturdays at 3 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with additional Wednesday performances August 20 at 3 p.m. and September 3 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be an understudy performance on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m.Tickets are on sale now for $30 for previews and $55 for the run at OilLampTheater.org.
Abbey Loria
Side By Side By Sondheim offers a captivating journey through the wit and brilliance of one of Broadway’s greatest musical storytellers. Simple and unpretentious, this Tony Award-winning musical is a perfect introduction to the work of the contemporary master, Stephen Sondheim, and a must for diehard fans featuring songs from Gypsy, Company, West Side Story, A Little Night Music, Follies and others.
The cast of Side by Side by Sondheim includes Jacob Alexander (he/him); Michael Davis Arnold (he/him)); Abbey Loria (she/her); Alondra Rios (she/her); with understudies Julia Hope Budd (she/her); Thomas Ferro (he/him); Daria Koon (she/they) and Tommy Wells (he/him).
The production team includes Christina Ramirez (she/her, director); Amy Branahl (she/her, music director); Andy Cahoon (he/him, technical director); Spencer Donovan (he/him, scenic designer); Taylor Pfenning (she/her, costume designer); Ellie Fey (she/her, lighting designer); Alex Trinh (he/him, sound designer); Leo Bassow (he/they, props designer); Connor Windle (he/him, production stage manager) and Sara Segneri (she/her, assistant stage manager).
ABOUT CHRISTINA RAMIREZ, director
Christina Ramirez is thrilled to be back at Oil Lamp after directing First Date last season. Ramirez serves as managing director at the award-winning Actors Training Center in Wilmette, working with actors of all ages (youth through adult) and when not directing is known for her work as a teaching artist and coach. She holds a masters in directing from Roosevelt University CCPA and a BFA in musical theatre from The Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University.
ABOUT AMY BRANAHL, music director
Amy J. Branahl is the director of Choral Activities at New Trier High School and president of the IL-American Choral Directors Association(ACDA). She is the music and vocal director of the Frosh/Soph musical and coaches badminton there. Branahl is a proud alum of the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana where she received her MME/BME in choral music education. With her husband Jared, they have three awesome boys. When not doing music, she loves to travel and document them by knitting, crocheting, while watching tennis/sports or going to shows. Please check out her work @craftingcourtside.
MORE FROM FROM OIL LAMP THEATER
Gaslight (Angel Street)
October 2 - November 2
By Patrick Hamilton
Directed by Susan Gorman
Preview Performance:Thursday, Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Press Opening: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Performance Schedule: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with additional Wednesday performances October 8 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., October 15 at 7:30 p.m. October 22 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and October 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Audiences are invited to step into the suspenseful world of Gaslight (Angel Street), where secrets lurk in the shadows and reality blurs with deception. When Bella begins to suspect that the flickering lights and missing objects in her home aren’t just in her imagination, her world unravels into a chilling game of manipulation and control. Suspenseful, haunting and unforgettable, this is the classic mystery that inspired the 1944 Academy Award-winning film starring Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten and Angela Lansbury, in her film debut, defined a genre and inspired the term “gaslighting.”
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
November 20 - December 28
Adapted by Joe Landry
Preview Performance:Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Press Opening: Friday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Performance Schedule: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with an additional Wednesday performance, December 10 at 7:30 p.m.
This heartwarming production is the perfect way to embrace the spirit of the Holidays. Experience unrivaled cheer with Frank Capra's beloved classic, “It's a Wonderful Life,” reimagined as a captivating live radio play, complete with foley sound effects and set in Oil Lamp’s own WBFR radio studio.
Journey to Bedford Falls, where George Bailey's troubles lead him to wish he was never born. Clarence, an angel sent to intervene, steps in to make his wishes come true and George quickly learns just how many lives he has touched and just how blessed he really is.
ABOUT OIL LAMP THEATER’S SPARK CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Oil Lamp Theater recently opened the Oil Lamp Theater’s SPARK CENTER for the Performing Arts, 1009 Waukegan Rd. The SPARK CENTER spans 2,750 square feet, featuring two spacious studios for classes and dedicated office spaces for Oil Lamp staff. The SPARK CENTER enables the expansion of Oil Lamp’s arts education programs led by top Chicagoland theater professionals for all ages and skill levels. These same studios serve as the creative center where Oil Lamp’s productions come to life as it is also a rehearsal space for Oil Lamp Theater productions taking place across the street at 1723 Glenview Road.
The inaugural offerings of the SPARK CENTER included Summer Camps and Youth and Adult Education classes with fall classes on sale now. For more information on the SPARK CENTER, go to OilLampTheater.org/spark-center.
ABOUT OIL LAMP THEATER
Oil Lamp Theater is an award-winning 60-seat storefront theater located in the heart of downtown Glenview. Keith Gerth founded the theater in February 2005, originally staging 20 productions for up to thirty-five friends and guests at night in his condo in Chicago. In March 2012, the organization was incorporated as a nonprofit and established a new location in downtown Glenview, fitted with warm décor and comfortable seating, reminiscent of a home. Oil Lamp produced 53 shows over the next seven years, reaching 10,000+ patrons per year and earning “Best Live Theater in the North Shore'' for four consecutive years. At the start of 2020, Keith Gerth retired, and shortly after, the pandemic began. Despite these major changes, Oil Lamp sprung into action and organized a drive-in for a fully-produced solo show, hosted outdoor concerts and built an outdoor venue for two full productions. Seeing the impact this made and the ability to conquer any challenge, Oil Lamp returned to indoor programming with a renewed vision. Oil Lamp now produces a dynamic Main Stage Season, Speak Easy Nights, a Women on Wednesdays series and continues investing in its connection with the community.
Monday, August 11, 2025
'Twas the Night Before...by Cirque du Soleil returns to Chicago Theatre December 11-28, 2025
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) announced today that, due to overwhelming success, the celebrated holiday theatrical ‘Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil is returning to The Chicago Theatre for a limited engagement this holiday season from December 11-28. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com.
Cirque du Soleil productions captivate millions of theatergoers around the globe each year, and ‘Twas the Night Before… marks the company’s first and only holiday show. Inspired by the classic poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore, memorable lines from the cherished tale sparked Cirque’s story about a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of the holidays. Directed by James Hadley, a 25-year veteran of circus productions and live theater, ‘Twas the Night Before…is a festive flurry of love and cheer created especially for families, featuring the incredible acrobatics Cirque du Soleil is known for – from a mesmerizing aerial straps duo and daring hoop diving, to gravity-defying hair suspension and high-energy dancing, performed by a cast of 26 artists from all over the world. The show also features lovable characters and a soundtrack including Christmas favorites re-invented by Cirque du Soleil.
"Bringing Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Twas the Night Before… to The Chicago Theatre feels like coming home for the holidays," said James Hadley, the production’s writer and director. “Inspired by the classic poem ‘A Visit from Saint Nicholas,’ we created a world of wonder and the kind of exhilarating, heart-filled spectacle only Cirque du Soleil can bring to life. I can’t wait for audiences to experience the holiday joy with us this year."
With something for everyone in the family to enjoy, 'Twas the Night Before… is the perfect introduction for the next generation of theatergoers to the incredible world of Cirque du Soleil. This dazzling production, inspired by the joy of giving and the wonder of the holiday season, promises to spark lasting memories in the hearts of all audiences this holiday season.
Tickets for ‘Twas the Night Before… at The Chicago Theatre start at $39 when purchased in person at the Ticketmaster Box Office at The Chicago Theatre and at $51 when purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. For groups of nine or more, please contact the Group Sales Department at 212-465-6080 or Group.Sales@msg.com. Accessible and companion seats are available for these shows via the Accessibility Services Department. For more information please visit www.msg.com/the-chicago-theatre/accessibility-services.
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CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is a world leader in live entertainment. Building on four decades of pushing the boundaries of the imagination, the Company brings its creative approach to a large variety of entertainment forms, such as multimedia productions, immersive experiences, and special events. Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group celebrates 40 years of defying reality, defining entertainment, and illuminating the world through art and creativity. Since its creation in 1984, more than 400 million people have been inspired on 6 continents and 86 countries. The Canadian company now employs more than 4000 employees, including 1200 artists from 80 different nationalities.
For more information about Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, please visit cirquedusoleil.com.
About Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) is a leader in live entertainment, delivering unforgettable experiences while forging deep connections with diverse and passionate audiences. The Company’s portfolio includes a collection of world-renowned venues – New York’s Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and Beacon Theatre; and The Chicago Theatre – that showcase a broad array of sporting events, concerts, family shows, and special events for millions of guests annually. In addition, the Company features the original production, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, which has been a holiday tradition for more than 90 years. More information is available at www.msgentertainment.com.
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
GOODMAN'S BOOK UP! “THEATER FOR THE VERY YOUNG” (0-5) APPEARS IN 12 CHICAGO PARKS OVER THREE WEEKS, NOW THROUGH AUGUST 10, 2025
ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List: FREE Family Friendly Fun
BOOK UP!
Directed by Tor Campbell and Raquel Torre
July 23 – August 10, 2025
(L-R) Madie Doppelt, Kylie Anderson, Robbie Matthew and Jean Claudio
Photos by Justin Barbin
A high-octane outdoor circus spectacle
NEWEST “THEATER FOR THE VERY YOUNG” (0-5)
Goodman Theatre’s summer 2025 “Theater for the Very Young” (TVY) production, BOOK UP!—a high-octane outdoor circus spectacle that invites little ones and their grown-ups to move, play and discover the magic of reading—are now available. Specially made for children aged 0–5 years and their adult friends and family, BOOK UP! is co-directed by Goodman Michael Maggio Directing Fellow Raquel Torre and Northwestern University Directing Fellow Tor Campbell. BOOK UP! will bring its high-flying energy to eight more Chicago parks through August 10. Remaining performances include July 30 (Hale Park/Clearing), July 31 (Hayes Park/Ashburn/Wrightwood), August 2 (Haas Park/Logan Square), August 3 (Marquette Park/Chicago Lawn), August 6 (Homan Square Community Center Park/North Lawndale), August 7 (Brighton Park Community Campus/Brighton Park), August 9 (Portage Park) and August 10 (Oriole Park/Norwood Park).
Two FREE 60-minute performances appear in each park (at 9:30am and 11:30am) and a hands-on workshop immediately follows. Tickets are not required, but registration is encouraged; visit GoodmanTheatre.org/FreeActs. The Goodman is grateful to Kirkland & Ellis, Arts and Community Sponsor for Theater for the Very Young programming.
“Think Reading Rainbow meets the circus meets Chicago’s beautiful parks network,” said Jared Bellot, Goodman’s Clifford Director of Education and Engagement. “BOOK UP! is joyful, imaginative and built to meet children exactly where they are—physically, developmentally, and creatively. We believe that live performance has the power to spark curiosity, build connections and foster a lifelong love of storytelling. And by bringing this work directly into neighborhoods across the city, we’re saying every child deserves access to the arts, and every park can be a stage. This is about nurturing early literacy, yes—but it’s also about creating shared moments of wonder and joy for families and communities.”
Jean Claudio
A traveling librarian (Jean Claudio) rolls into town with a magical book cart, ready to spark big imaginations everywhere and beyond! With a little wiggle, a little giggle and a whole lot of wonder, stories leap off the pages through juggling, tumbling, clowning and aerial acrobatics—with Kylie Anderson, Madie Doppelt and Robbie Matthew, all ProTraining alumni of Chicago’s famed Actors Gymnasium.
BOOK UP! is presented as part of Goodman’s 100 Free Acts of Theater program and the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series, both supported by the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). The Night Out in the Parks program presents cultural events year-round in neighborhood parks throughout the city. The Chicago Park District in partnership with 100 local artists and organizations, presents engaging events and performances that enhance quality of life across Chicago and amplify the artistic and cultural vibrancy in every neighborhood. Through multiple disciplines, which include theater, music, movies, dance, site-specific work, nature programs, and community festivals, the series aims to support Chicago-based artists, facilitate community-based partnerships and programs, cultivate civic engagement, and ensure equity in access to the arts for all Chicagoans. www.nightoutintheparks.com.
(Right) Jean Claudio
Full Company of BOOK UP!
Directed by Tor Campbell and Raquel Torre
Created by Raquel Torre, Originally Devised by La Vuelta
Kylie Anderson…Kid 1/Teaching Artist
Jean Claudio…Librarian/Teaching Artist
Maddie Doppelt…Kid 3/ Teaching Artist
Robbie Matthew…Kid 2/Teaching Artist/US Librarian
Creative Team
1st Line Producer…Jared Bellot
2nd Line Producer…Raquel Torre
Production Manager…Claudette Przygoda
Set Designer…Alyssa Mohn
Scenic Builder…Luke Lemanski
Costume Designer…Ben Argenta Kress
Composer & Sound Designer…Justin Cavazos
Casting Director...Lauren Port, CSA
Production Associate…Jojo Wallenberg
Production Assistant & Circus Rigger…Glenna Broderick
(L-R) Robbie Matthew, Kylie Anderson and Madie Doppelt
ABOUT 100 FREE ACTS OF THEATER
An unprecedented citywide event spanning Goodman Theatre’s Centennial 2025/2026 Season, 100 Free Acts of Theater activates all 50 wards of Chicago. The Goodman partners with local organizations to amplify existing creative programming and collaborate on new efforts—from performances to special events to community engagement offerings—to celebrate the city’s rich cultural landscape and honor the communities that have inspired and supported Chicago’s flagship resident theater over the past 100 years. Each Act, developed in close collaboration and in tune with that partner organization’s mission, is programmed to take place at destinations in its community. Produced in partnership with the Department of Cultural Events and Special Affairs (DCASE), all 100 Acts are offered FREE with participation open to Chicagoans of all ages and backgrounds. Together, DCASE and The Goodman help provide resources to make each Act possible—including but not limited to artistic personnel, tech support, assistance with marketing/publicity and more. Allstate Insurance Company is additionally a Corporate Sponsor Partner for 100 Free Acts of Theater. The first quarter of Free Acts is now live; additional Acts will be announced as the Centennial Season continues. Visit GoodmanTheatre.org/FreeActs for more information.
ABOUT CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city—to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city—serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.
ABOUT GOODMAN THEATRE
Chicago’s theater since 1925, Goodman Theatre is a not-for-profit arts and community organization in the heart of the Loop, distinguished by the excellence and scope of its artistic programming and community engagement. Led by Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and Executive Director John Collins, the theater’s artistic priorities include new play development (more than 150 world or American premieres), large scale musical theater works and reimagined classics. Artists and productions have earned two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards and more than 160 Jeff Awards, among other accolades.
The Goodman is the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle.” Its longtime annual holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, now in its fifth decade, has created a new generation of theatergoers in Chicago. The Goodman also frequently serves as a production and program partner with national and international companies and Chicago’s Off-Loop theaters.
Using the tools of theatrical practice, the Goodman’s Education and Engagement programs aim to develop generations of citizens who understand and empathize with cultures and stories of diverse voices. The Goodman’s Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement is the home of these programs, which are offered for Chicago youth—85% of whom come from underserved communities—schools and life-long learners.
Goodman Theatre was built on the unceded homelands of the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi Nations. We recognize that many other Nations consider the area we now call Chicago as their traditional homeland—including the Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Wea, Kickapoo and Mascouten and remains home to many Native peoples today. The Goodman is proud to have a relationship with Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum. Located in Evanston, the Museum honors the survival and perseverance of Indigenous communities and promotes a greater understanding of Indigenous peoples: gichigamiin-museum.org.
Goodman Theatre was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago’s cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family’s legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth’s family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation on the new Goodman center in 2000.
Marsha Cruzan is Chair of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Diane Landgren is Women’s Board President and Kelli Garcia is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.
Friday, July 11, 2025
HELP OUT: The Actors Gymnasium Invites the Community to Celebrate 30 Years Under the Big Top
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Exclusive Event with Midnight Circus
Honors the Past and Supports the Future
Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, we've adored both The Actors Gymnasium and Midnight Circus for decades. My own son and daughter grew up doing circus arts and were cast in numerous Actors Gymnasium youth circus shows over the years. Come on out and celebrate 30 years of AG and help out at the same time. The celebration isn’t just about looking back—it’s about paying it forward. All proceeds from the evening benefit the Actors Gymnasium's Student Scholarship Fund, ensuring that young artists can access their world-class training—regardless of financial circumstances.
The Actors Gymnasium, one of the nation’s premier circus and performing arts schools, invites the community to its 30th Birthday Bash happening Friday, September 19, 2025, at Tallmadge Park in Evanston, IL, under the big top!
This one-night-only event features an exclusive performance by Midnight Circus, followed by a birthday bash with drinks, dancing, and surprise performances—all set under an iconic circus tent.
“For 30 years, we’ve helped people learn to fly,” says Murphy Monroe, AG Executive Director, “This event celebrates our history by investing in our future—through the students whose talent, drive, and potential inspire us every day.”
Evening Highlights Include:
VIP Reception (6:00 PM): Early entry to the show, drinks, bites, alumni mingle, and more
Midnight Circus Exclusive Performance (7:30 PM)
Birthday Bash (9:00–11:00 PM): Live music, exclusive 30th anniversary beer from Illuminated Brew Works, and a meet-and-greet with Midnight Circus performers, AG alumni, teen ensemble, and more!
Tickets are available now at https://givebutter.com/AG30thBirthdayBash
Can’t attend? Make a tax-deductible donation to the Scholarship Fund at checkout
Actor’s Gymnasium serves more than 1,000 students annually and is a cultural cornerstone of Evanston’s arts scene. This celebration is a chance to support their future—one daring performance at a time.
About Actors Gymnasium
Founded in 1995, the Actors Gymnasium is one of the nation's premier circus and performing arts training centers. Known for its original and daring circus-theatre productions, Actors Gym teaches thousands of students and welcomes tens of thousands of spectators annually.
Actors Gym partners with theaters nationwide and is proud to be a part of many of the nation's best physical theater productions. The Gym's Professional Circus Training Program is not just a training ground but a robust pipeline for career circus/theatre artists. These artists, who have honed their skills at the Gym, go on to grace stages and circus rings in Chicago and worldwide.
Actors Gym provides award-winning entertainment for corporate events, parades, halftime shows, and other special events. It also serves as the exclusive circus performing arts training provider for Lookingglass Theatre. Our collaborations with Lookingglass Theatre include Lookingglass Alice, Icarus, The Little Prince, Moby Dick, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Hardtimes, Luna Muda and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
Under the leadership of the legendary Circus-Ring-of-Fame artist and performer Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi, the Gym is committed to breaking down barriers in circus arts. This commitment not only makes circus arts more accessible but also showcases the power of circus to expand human potential, inspiring all who witness it.
FREE: CABINET OF CURIOSITY PRESENTS “KAZOOZAPALOOZA: PEDAL POWERED PROGRAM YEAR 4: THE BLACK MAN FROM MACON” July Through September 2025
ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List: FREE Family Friendly Fun
CABINET OF CURIOSITY PRESENTS “KAZOOZAPALOOZA: PEDAL POWERED PROGRAM YEAR 4: THE BLACK MAN FROM MACON”
Images of Cabinet of Curiosity past events courtesy of Cabinet of Curiosity.
This Musical, Interactive Celebration of the Man Behind the Kazoo, Alabama Vest, is FREE with Locations at Boler Park (July 26), Marquette Park (August 9), and Navy Pier (September 20)
Cabinet of Curiosity presents “Kazoozapalooza Pedal Powered Program Year 4: The Black Man from Macon” beginning July 26 at 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Boler Park and continues with two additional events at Marquette Park and Navy Pier (full details below). This bike-powered spectacle is presented in collaboration with Working Bikes, the School of the Art Institute, the Homan Square Neighborhood Association, the Chicago Climate Action Museum, the Lawndale Pop-Up Spot, and the Chicago Park District. All events are free, for more information go to www.cocechicago.com.
“Kazoozapalooza Pedal Powered Program Year 4: The Black Man from Macon,” is an outdoor interactive and participatory show written by Frank Maugeri, Lynne Jordan, Brandon Boler, Samarem Diaz-Negrete and Alexis Willis with illustrations by Mandy Newham-Cobb and engineered objects by Dustan Creech and Tom Robinson, and original music by Lynne Jordan, Gordon Middleton and Chicago saxophone player Michael Jackson. This bike-powered panoramic celebratory spectacle shares the visual tale of Alabama Vest, the inventor of the Kazoo. Each guest receives a free kazoo and is invited to contribute to the show's musical score. Early attendees are invited to attend a S.T.E.A.M. workshop, where guests, young and old, can engineer their own mechanical, illustrated story.
Kazoozapalooza Pedal Powered Program events include:
Boler Park
3601 W. Arthington St.
Saturday, July 26 from 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Free
Marquette Park
6743 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago IL 60629
Saturday, August 9 from 1 - 2:30 p.m,
FREE
Chicago Live! At Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
Saturday, September 20, 3:30p.m, with a bubble parade prior
FREE with a live performance by Lynne Jordan and band members
The primary collaborators for “Kazoozapalooza Pedal Powered Program Year 4” include Lynne Jordan (primary collaborator), Gordon Middleton (songwriter), Brandon Boler (community collaborator), Dustan Creech (engineer), Tom Robinson (engineer), Alexis Willis (performance actress), Mandy Newhan-Cobb (illustrator), Frank Maugeri (Cabinet artistic director), Samarem Diaz-Negrete (Cabinet associate artistic director) and Dayna Calderon (parks district rep). School of Celebration Summer 2025 students include Thanh Do, Lucca Duston, Nocturne Best and Olivia Gibson. Band members include Michael Jackson, Raymond Glower, Brady Williams, and Matthew Skoller.
ABOUT CABINET OF CURIOSITY
Cabinet of Curiosity (Cabinet) expertise and mission lies in interactivity, immersion, ritual composition, community building, and collaboration between artists and community members of various skill levels and mediums. Cabinet of Curiosity focuses on creating new types of experiences, gatherings, ceremonies, and rituals which promote community and interactivity amongst people who may not usually mix. Cabinet is composed of diverse project-by-project collectives who authentically collaborate on original celebrations and productions. Cabinet uses sophisticated puppetry and handmade devices to develop unique interactive experiences, productions, and events. The company supports multicultural professionals in the field of theater, visual arts, dance, sculpture, and music, while mindfully training high school and college-age apprentices to become the future creators of new, meaningful rituals. All the objects and devices created by Cabinet are engineered to expose their mechanical operations, so they are simultaneously educational, informative, and magical. Cabinet embraces commissions that require unique elements of ritual, ceremony, procession, and pageantry. These commissions create funding that establishes an innovative revenue stream, reducing the responsibility of sustainability from the board, audience, and foundations, trains apprentices through a unique scholarship apparatus, builds community, and funds our free and significantly discounted public work. Cabinet is committed to social engagement — both grand and intimate, with its purpose to promote curiosity, community, and culture.