Archive for March, 2009
Theater Thursday: Silk Road’s “Pangs of the Messiah”
Pangs of the Messiah by Motti Lerner
Join Silk Road Theatre Project and MaiChef Cuisine for a Mediterranean inspired reception. Then stay for Motti Lerner‘s breathtakingly powerful play, followed by what promises to be a lively a post-show discussion. Set in 2012 amidst the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians, Motti Lerner’s Pangs of the Messiah is an apocalyptic yet fiercely humane drama about eight West Bank Jewish settlers pitted against an Israel they feel betrayed by. The play focuses on a religious family that finds itself torn between fighting to stay in their settlement and obeying their government’s decision to dismantle it. Left hanging in the balance is the legacy of their beliefs. Event begins at 6:30 p.m.
Show begins at 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS ONLY $25
For reservations call 312.857.1234 x201 and mention “Theater Thursdays.”
Pangs of the Messiah features a cast of eight, led by Bernie Beck and Susan Adler. The designers are Kurt Sharp (Set), Carol J. Blanchard (Costumes), Rebecca A. Barrett (Lighting), Robert Steel (Sound) and Mike Tutaj (Projections). The stage manager is Michelle Dane.
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All Theater Thursday postings sponsored by this fine entertainment accessory retailer.
Lifeline welcomes Allison Cain as new Managing Director
Allison Cain Joins Lifeline Theatre as Managing Director
Lifeline Theatre welcomed Allison Cain as their new Managing Director starting March 24, 2009. In this fulltime, on-site position, Cain will be responsible for all the theatre’s non-artistic functions, including operations, finance, marketing and strategic planning, and hsave oversight of all development and fundraising. Together with Artistic Director Dorothy Milne, Cain will continue to work on the ensemble’s 26th anniversary, 2008-2009 season, which will feature the “Mystery3” (or “Mystery Cubed”) benefit with Sara Paretsky on April 16 at the Chicago Cultural Center, and concludes with the world premiere adaptation of Dorothy L. Sayers’ “Busman’s Honeymoon,” running May 1–June 21, 2009. Lifeline Theatre is also a member of the community partnership that will present this summer’s Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest (August 22–23, GlenwoodAve.org). The non-profit’s 2009–2010 season begins with two world premiere stage adaptations – the MainStage production “Treasure Island” (running September 11–November 1, 2009) , and the KidSeries musical “Dooby Dooby Moo” (running October 17–December 6, 2009).
From 2001-2008, Cain was Factory Theater’s Executive Director (where she remains an ensemble member), and was Artistic Director of Studio 108 from 1991–1998. She received her training at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, and at Chicago’s Columbia College, and, since 1990, has worked almost exclusively on new work in Los Angeles, Connecticut, and Scotland, in addition to Chicago. Lifeline audiences will recognize Cain from her work as an actor in the MainStage productions of “Johnny Tremain,” “Crossing California,” “The Mark of Zorro,” and “Mariette in Ecstasy,” as well as in numerous productions over the past 17 years with Factory and other Chicagoland theaters. Cain had been concurrently working in the corporate world for the past 25 years, and for 13 of them as a Human Resources professional. She said, “I am thrilled to make the full-time transition to the not-for-profit theater world, and remain committed to the development and production of new works.”
2009 Creative Chicago Expo – Saturday at the Cultural Center!
2009 Creative Chicago Expo
Info for artists on
Space • Housing • Business • Community
Saturday, April 4 10 AM – 4 PM
Chicago Cultural Center
Admission free ~ bring a friend!
20+ Workshops | 100+ Vendors | 40+ Consultants
Services for all Artists, Arts Businesses and Organizations
Dance | Fashion | Media | Music | Theater | Visual Art | Words
Once a year, the Creative Chicago Expo presents Chicago’s top resources, services and expertise specifically for people in the arts. Featuring workshops and vendors for individuals and arts organizations, the Expo is also an important opportunity to network and build community. Join over 3,500 artists who will make their way through the Cultural Center on Saturday April 4. The Expo is brings Chicago’s cultural community together under one roof!
CONSULT-A-THON!
Pick an expert on something you need — career coaching, legal or accounting issues, portfolio or grant review, casting agents, even organizational development and business issues for non-profits.
Schedule a 25 minute appointment for one-on-one consulting for only $10. Over 40 consultants will be available for appointments. Click here for the complete consultant list and to make an appointment. Limited to 3 appointments per person.
WORKSHOPS
Presented by top local and national service providers all day:
• Affordable Housing in Chicago
• Art Festival How-tos
• Benchmarking 101: Outcomes & Measurements
• Building a Board of Directors
• Business Licensing Basics
• Cultivating Individual Donors
• Finding Live/Work Space
• Fiscal Sponsorship
• Forming a Non-Profit
• Health Insurance Advice for Artists
• Marketing For the Cash Strapped and Time Poor
• Meet your Arts Service Agencies
• Obtaining Capital for your Creative Industry
• Reaching New Audiences
• Space Development Starter Kit for Non-profits
• Starting an Arts-Based Business
• Strategic Planning for Non-Profits
• Time Management for Artists
• Tips for “Successful Grant Applications
• Winning Public Art Commissions
• Your Credit Score: Re-Building Your Financial Health
Workshop Presenters include: Arts and Business Council of Chicago, Amdur Productions, Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, The Center for What Works, Columbia College Chicago Arts Entrepreneurship Center, Community Media Workshop, Communication Society, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Executive Service Corps, Fractured Atlas, Future of Music Coalition, Illinois Arts Alliance, Illinois Association of Mortgage Professionals, Illinois Facility Fund, International Academy of Design and Technology, Lawyers for the Creative Arts, Inc., League of Chicago Theatres, Mission Paradox, and others.
Read complete workshop descriptions and schedule here
All 2009 Vendors after the fold.
Sunday Night Sondheim: “Hello, Little Girl” from London cast of “Into The Woods”
Here’s the original London Cast featuring Clive Carter and Tessa Burbridge singing “Hello Little Girl” from Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods on the Wogan TV show (which explains why the set looks so cheap!).
Here’s some entertaining comments from the YouTube posting:
Comment: The only thing I like about this performance is the wolf head!
Reply: Really? Because it scares the CRAP out of me…
Reply: Same here! It was creeping me out the whole time. And is it just me, or does the wolf look like he should be holding a wand or pulling a rabbit out of his hat or something? I couldn’t help thinking of a magician. A scary wolf-headed magician….oooh…
Happy World Theatre Day!!! (March 27)
World Theatre Day, March 27. Its aim is to:
“Promote international exchange of knowledge and practice in theatre arts (drama, dance, music theatre) in order to consolidate peace and solidarity between peoples, to deepen mutual understanding and increase creative co-operation between all people in the theatre arts”
The Chicago World Theatre Day celebration will culminate with a party in association with the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, following performances on the 27th. All Chicago theater patrons, artists and administrators are invited to attend this free event.
Be sure to enjoy one of our theatre offerings this Friday!
For more info, go to the World Theatre Day Blog.
See all of the theatre-related events going on ALL OVER THE WORLD here.
Hat-tip to Jeff Delong at the Chicago Theatre Building for the event happenings.
Hugh Jackman to play Harry Houdini on Broadway??
This is at least the news from “the Queen of all Media“, Perez Hilton:
As we first told you about last year, singing and dancing actor Hugh Jackman has signed up to appear on Broadway playing Harry Houdini in a new musical.
And he’s taking his role very seriously! He’s even studying how to perform Houdini’s magic acts. He’ll need to be good, considering he’ll have to perform the same tricks on stage eight times a week.
Scott Sanders, a Tony Award-winning producer, is already on board as is Tony-nominated architect/set designer David Rockwell.
Houdini is set to open in the Spring of 2010.
Find the entire story here.
Okay, I know that this photo has nothing to do with Jackman’s theatre role, but do you blame me???
“Mary Poppins” comes here first!
Even with tepid reviews, “Mary Poppins” becamse one of the few Broadway hits during the past year. And now the producers of “Mary Poppins” (Cameron Mackintosh and Walt Disney Theatricals) have announced that the first stop on their national tour will be in Chicago, specifically March 2009. What’s interesting is that the producers have not yet posted any city/dates beyond the opening, which possibly implies that they are expecting the British nanny to enjoy an extended stay in the Windy City. So don’t be surprised if you see a middle-aged English woman, umbrella in hand, flying around the Cadillac Palace Theatre!! Supercalifragilisticespialidocious! (sp?)
Jeff-Recommended Shows currently playing
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Equity Wing (what’s this?) |
Non-Equity Wing (what’s this?) |
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Wait Until Dark Wings: The Musical Arms and the Man Mauritius Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Our Lady of the Underpass Our Town Art I Am Who I Am (The Story of Teddy Pendergrass) |
Wonder of the World Evita The Shape of a Girl The Memory of Water Mariette in Ecstasy Rose and the Rime The Dastardly Ficus and Other Comic Tales of Woe.. The Robber Bridegroom |
Aside: This Chicago ticket broker offers a great selection of tickets in the city – Purchase tickets for Blue Man Group in Chicago and Chicago Jersey Boys tickets – which is now celebrating its second year of sellout performances!
Theater Thursday: Backstage Theatre’s "The Memory of Water"
Thursday, March 26
The Memory of Water by Shelagh Stephenson
BackStage Theatre Company at Chemically Imbalanced Theatre
1420 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago
This touching and hugely entertaining comedy provides insight into the lives of three sisters who are reunited for their mother’s funeral. The siblings reminisce about their childhood, but find that personal grievances have colored their memories. This powerful examination of the complexities of family is as emotional as it is hilarious. Join BackStage Theatre for a wine and hors d’oeuvres post-show discussion featuring ensemble members, as well as other members of the cast, crew, and BackStage Family! Don’t miss this gritty comedy!
Show begins at 7:30 p.m.
Event begins following the performance at 9 p.m.
TICKETS ONLY $25
For reservations click here.
For more information, on Backstage Theatre, visit their official blog.
The Memory of Trees has been Jeff Recommended.
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Cast of “Blagojevich Superstar” to be interviewed by Blago himself!
Blago to interview Blago
Those listening to WLS AM radio at 7am this Wednesday morning will hear something quite unique – ex-Gov Blago will be interviewing two stars of the Second City spoof of Blago himself, entitled “Rod Blagojevich Superstar” - Joey Bland, who plays Blagojevich, and Mike Bradecich (who plays both Ald. Dick Mell and D.A. Patrick Fitzgerald). Second City’s popular review, now playing at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre at Navy Pier, is a foul-mouthed portrayal of the ex-governor’s legal woes (which is apt, after one hears the Blago’s expletive-laced phone conversations). The show also takes shots at Blago’s wife, Patti.
So why is the ex-Gov on the radio to begin with? It seems that he is sitting in on the regularly scheduled “Wade and Roma” show at WLS AM while the duo are on vacation. He was a guest on the program just last week after he took a hiatus from a full-blown media blitz earlier this year.
Ah, the joys of Chicago’s ultimate theatrical event: politics
Story is courtesy of Natasha Koreckion of the Chicago Sun-Times
