Category: League of Chicago Theatres

Theater Thursday: Ghosts of Atwood – MPAACT

Theater Thursday: January 20th

Ghosts of Atwood

MPAACT at Greenhouse Theater Center
2257 N. Lincoln, Chicago (map)

ghostsofatwood Meet the MPAACT family for a wine and cheese reception before the show and stay for a post-show discussion with the playwright, director and cast. Atwood School for Boys–an ivy covered paradise tucked away in the rolling hills of Wisconsin. Quinn finds himself "alone with white people" for the first time in his life. The challenges of isolation and racial tension greet him as he begins to navigate this new world. But in the Ghost of Atwood, deeper questions erupt as Quinn discovers that there are far greater dangers lurching in the hallowed halls of the Academy.

Tickets: $25 / Event begins at 7pm / Show begins at 8pm

For reservations call 773.404.7336 and mention MPAACT THEATER THURSDAYS.

January 19, 2011 | 0 Comments More

Theater Thursday: Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune

Thursday, December 16

Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune by Terrence McNally

Hubris Productions at the Greenhouse Theater Center

2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago (map)

frankienjohnnie Join Hubris Productions at the Greenhouse Theater Center before the show for a holiday wine tasting with a renowned wine expert from "In Grape Company" then stay for the critically acclaimed Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune (our review ★★★), after which we will conclude with a second wine tasting (both paired with holiday treats) along with a meet and greet with members of Hubris Productions.

Event begins at 7 p.m. Show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets: $30

For reservations call 773.404.7336 and mention "Theater Thursdays."

December 15, 2010 | 0 Comments More

Theater Thursday: Lady’s Not For Burning (Theo Ubique)

Thursday, October 30th

The Lady’s Not For Burning

Written by Christopher Fry
Directed by Fred Anzevino
Theo-Ubique Cabaret Theatre
at No Exit Cafe, 6970 N. Glenwood (map)

ladyburning A romantic comedy written in verse by Christopher Fry. Set in the Middle Ages, it reflects the world’s exhaustion and despair following World War II. The Story is about a disillusioned veteran who wants to be hanged unitil he is wooed by the happier accused witch on her way to the stake. Special guest, Neil Tobin, a well known Chicago mentalist and expert in supernatural history will appear with Fred Anzevino, director and Theo Ubique’s artistic director in a post-show discussion. A complementary dessert and coffee will be served to Theatre Thursday guests at intermission and a $5 discount is offered.

Show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Event begins immediately following the performance.

Tickets: $20

For reservations visit www.theoubique.org

and use discount code "TheatreThursday."

Additional offers for The Lady’s Not For Burning

Weekend Special: 2-for-1 tickets for Friday, Sunday shows

Buy 2 tickets for the price of one for the Friday and Sunday performances this weekend (October 1 and 3) through the ticket service at 800-595-4849 or through their website: www.theoubique.org.

A limited number of discount tickets also will be offered through Hot Tix for the duration of the run of The Lady’s Not for Burning, closing October 31 with a special Halloween Party performance package.

September 29, 2010 | 0 Comments More

Theater Thursday: The Tallest Man – Artistic Home

Thursday, July 1st

The Tallest Man by Jim Lynch

The Artistic Home, 3914 N. Clark (map)

tallest man Come before the show to enjoy a pint of Murphy’s Stout and live Irish music with playwright Jim Lynch. Then stay for the show the Sun-Times has called "forged in the tradition of such grand Irish writers as Synge and O’Casey" and the Tribune called "delivered with such a wry topspin" and the Reader said was delivered with "raucous zeal". After the show, stay for an opportunity to chat with the playwright, director John Mossman, and actors about the world premiere of this charming play.

The Tallest Man (our review ★★★) is a wildly hilarious celebration of perseverance in turn of the century Ireland. It begins as a ghost story, but draws its power from the very real problems of the living. Culled from a childhood nourished by tales of Irish fantasy, this world premiere tells of hardscrabble survivors in County Mayo, a high-spirited young tinker struggling to stay one step ahead of the English landlords, and corrupt clergy and vengeful locals filled with prejudice and superstition. A charming and delightful classic, told for the very first time!

Event begins at 6:30 p.m. Show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $25

For reservations call 866-811-4111

June 29, 2010 | 1 Comment More

Theater Thursday: Fuerza Bruta – Look Up

Thursday, June 24

Fuerza Bruta: Look Up

Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress (map)

fuerzabruta You’ve got to see it to believe it! Come see Fuerza Bruta: Look Up (our review ★★★), a theatrical experience that floods the senses. Experience a 360-degree heart-pounding theatrical event, filled with flying dancers, pumping beats, engaging dream sequences and a multi-dimensional swimming pool above the heads of an audience who is standing on stage in the middle of the action. Enjoy a free open bar for 60 minutes before the show and stay after for a special question-and-answer session with the amazing cast. Please note, the performance is general admission and is 65-minutes long.

Event begins at 6:30pm. Show begins at 7:30pm.

Tickets: $50

For reservations, visit www.BroadwayinChicago.com, and use code “THURSDAY” when ordering. Tickets also available by calling 800-775-2000, or visit the Auditorium Theatre box-office or any Broadway in Chicago box-office.

June 23, 2010 | 0 Comments More

Theater Thursday: The Ghost Sonata at Oracle Theatre

Thursday, May 20

The Ghost Sonata by August Strindberg

Oracle Theatre, 3809 N. Broadway, Chicago

ghostsonata Join Oracle for wine and appetizers before the show and a post-show discussion on the direction of Oracle’s 2010-2011 season. Max Truax follows up his Oracle directorial debut – 2008′s stunning conceptual Termen Vox Machina – with an elegant, haunting interpretation of Strindberg’s classic chamber play. This mesmerizing and complex narrative portrays a world where two families are imprisoned in their legacy of greed, duplicity and manipulation. Truax’s vision highlights the play’s depiction of the destructive force of truth. There are things in life much more frightening than death.

Event begins at 6:30 p.m. Show begins at 8 p.m.

TICKETS ONLY $25 – For reservations visit http://oracletheatre.org/Tickets.htm

May 10, 2010 | 0 Comments More

If what you really wanna do is produce… Here’s a chance to pick the brains of the industry’s elite

So you wanna be a producer? Mark the weekend of March 19 – 21 and plan on attending the Chicago Producing Intensive Conference at the Goodman Theatre’s Owen Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn. A $350 ticket ($275 for members of the League of Chicago Theatres) includes access to presentations and networking opportunities with a who’s who of heavy-hitter producers and general managers from blockbuster shows in Chicago and on Broadway as well as national tours.

Presenters scheduled for the conference include Tom Viertel, partner with Scorpio Entertainment (A Little Night Music); Allied Live Managing Partner Laura Matalon (Broadway’s Hair, Billy Elliot, Mama Mia and Legally Blonde, among others); Broadway in Chicago Vice President Eileen LaCario; Jujamcyn Theatres Creative Director Jack Viertel; Steppenwolf Theatre Executive Director David Hawkanson; David Richards of Richards/Climan (general managers for Broadway’s Blithe Spirit and All My Sons, among others) and Goodman Theatre Executive Director Roche Schulfer.

Presenters are slated to address audience development, script and story development and promotional strategies and marketing techniques, among others topics.

The conference is open to anyone interested in producing, co-producing or investing in the theater, be it in Chicago, New York or for national tours. Aspiring general managers and investors are also invited. Program planners say the weekend will be of special interest to anyone exploring relationships between the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors in the development of a theater project.

The Commercial Theater Institute, now in its 29th year, is a project of Theatre Development Fund (TDF) and The Broadway League, Inc. Dedicated to training the next generation of commercial theatre producers, CTI strives to provide resources and guidance to people interested in creating commercial productions for the stage.

February 26, 2010 | 0 Comments More

Shows Opening/Closing this week

Show Openings

“Master Harold”…and the Boys

– TimeLine Theatre

The Alcyone Festival 2010 - Halcyon Theatre

The Castle - Oracle Theatre

Desperately Seeking - Chemically Imbalanced Theater

Dreamgirls - Cadillac Palace Theatre (Broadway in Chicago)

First Words - Greenhouse Theater Center (MPAACT)

The Dames Storm Division - New Millenium Theatre

Glitter in the Gutter - Annoyance Theatre

Harper Regan - Steep Theatre

Hughie/Krapp’s Last Tape - Goodman Theatre

King of the Mountain - Chemically Imbalanced Theater

Nighthawk Sandwich - Storefront Theater (DCA Theatre)

Phedra - New World Repertory Theatre

Real Bros of DuPage County - Gorilla Tango Theatre

Savage in Limbo - Village Players Performing Arts Center

Short Shakespeare! The Comedy of Errors - Chicago Shakespeare

WHACK! - Gorilla Tango Theatre

The Year of Magical Thinking - Court Theatre

Show Closings

Annie - Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

The Capitol Steps - North Shore Center for the Performing Arts

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan - Dance Center of Columbia College

Give Us Monday - Gorilla Tango Theatre

Icarus - Lookingglass Theatre

Little Women - Circle Theatre

Mamma Mia! - Rosemont Theatre

Mark and Laura’s Couples Advice Christmas Special - Gorilla Tango Theatre

Openings/Closings list courtesy of League of Chicago Theatres

January 20, 2010 | 0 Comments More

Five last-minute gifts for your Chicago theater-loving friends

By Leah A. Zeldes

Still wracking your brain for the perfect gift? Here are a few last minute ideas for the local theater fans on your list.

Theater tour tickets

Take your friends on a tour of a treasure of Chicago’s Theatre District. Modestly priced backstage tours highlight the beautiful architecture and rich performance history of the Loop’s gorgeous historic theaters. Check out the Chicago Theatre Marquee Tour, $12; Auditorium Theatre Tour, $10; and the Broadway in Chicago Venue Tours (each BIC tour covers two theaters from among the Oriental Theatre, the Cadillac Palace and the Bank of America Theatre), $10. If you want to be lavish, throw in a gift card for a post-tour meal at Petterino’s in the Theatre District.

Theater passes

The League of Chicago Theatres’ Play Money is the perfect one- size-fits-all gift. These $25 certificates are redeemable at more than 75 Chicagoland theaters for up to a year, so recipients can choose the play and performance that suits them best. A copy of the Chicagoplays Theater Guide is included. Or, for a versatile gift to a family or a theater-loving friend, a $95 Theatre Building Chicago Pass offers five tickets to any shows at the Lakeview theater complex in the coming year: five admissions at once, one at a time, or in any combination the recipient prefers.

Playwriting classes

Sign the budding dramatist on your list up for instruction from seasoned playwrights at the award-winning Chicago Dramatists or a musical workshop at Theatre Building Chicago. Of course, you’ll have to promise to attend any resulting performances.

Chicago theater books

With express shipping, there’s still time to get copies of these books on the fascinating history of Chicago’s theater scene: A Theater of Our Own: A History and a Memoir of 1,001 Nights in Chicago by longtime Chicago Tribune critic Richard Christiansen; Steppenwolf: Steppenwolf Theatre Company : Twenty-Five Years of an Actor’s Theater, famed photographer Victor Skrebneski‘s book featuring production highlights and portraits of Steppenwolf’s ensemble; and The Second City: Backstage at the World’s Greatest Comedy Theater — one of the early directors at the Second City, Sheldon Patinkin traces the origins of Second City back to 1955 in this book with two audio CDs.

Theater toys

For the theater buff who has everything, how about a Shakespeare action figure, complete with removable book and quill pen? Or a set of playing cards each featuring an insulting remark from The Bard? Chicago Shakespeare has it covered.

December 21, 2009 | 0 Comments More

Chicago theater openings/closings this week

show openings

1985 - The Factory Theater

All the Fame of Lofty Deeds - The House Theatre of Chicago

Becoming Ingrid - Rubicon Theatre Project

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet - Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

Cooperstown - Theatre Seven of Chicago

The David Bowie Hepzikat Funky Velvet Flarney Solstice Spectacular Live!…From Space (David Bowie’s 1977 Christmas Special Network Edit) - New Millenium Theatre

Democracy - Eclipse Theatre

G.I.F.T. - Collaboraction Theatre

Little Women - Circle Theatre

Macbeth - Dominican University Performing Arts Center

Mass – Northwestern University

Plaid Tidings - Noble Fool Theatricals

Spanish Strings - McAninch Arts Center

Stars in the Morning Sky - UIC Theatre

A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant - A Red Orchid Theatre