Category: PLAY STATUS – EVENT
"Hizzoner" announces Spring 2009 schedule
The hugely popular (and critically-acclaimed) “Hizzoner: Daley The First”, which ran for over 300-performances, will be seen again on Chicago stages this coming spring. The producers, Gipeti Entertainment, have announced the 2009 performance schedule, including a month-long stay at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie (Feb. 6 – 22, 2009) and a return to the Chicago stage at the Theatre Building, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. (April 2 – May 17, 2009). Tickets for 2009 dates are available at each box office or at hizzonertheplay.com, Skokie Theatre dates are currently on sale and Theatre Building dates go on sale Friday, Dec. 5.
This upcoming production will include many of the original performers: Neil Giuntoli, Don Schroeder, William Bullion, Nick Leininger, Diane Honeyman, Gordon Gillespie; and some new additions; Chas Vrba, Cecil Burroughs, Chuck Jacobson, Mike O’Brien.
Read our glowing review here.
Cousin Itt coming to Broadway in Chicago!
Yep, you read right. The creepy yet lovable Addams family is getting a musical of their own, courtesy of Broadway in Chicago. Making its world premier here in Chicago at the Oriental Theatre (aka Ford Center for the Performing Arts), The Addams Family – A New Musical will begin its pre-Broadway run in November 2009.
Like many other Gen X-ers, I grew up watching “The Addams Family” after school, my favorite characters being mother Morticia and the oh-so-hairy gibberish-speaking Cousin Itt. (and, yes, being an avid crossword enthusiast, “Itt” is spelled with 2 t’s!).
Judging from the creative team, this show has a lot of promise: composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party), choreographer Sergio Trujillo (The Jersey Boys), and Olivier Award-winning director/designers Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch (Shockheaded Peter).
By the way, does anyone know what these original Addams Family actors are up to now?
Other Christmas Theater and Cultural Events
Strawdog Theatre Company is presenting their annual holiday benefit “Strawdog Yuletacular 2008″ on Monday, December 8th, 7-10pm, at Morseland in Rogers Park. The evening will feature a retro-style variety show with comedic sketches, a holiday cooking demonstration, a raffle and silent auction, and live, big-band style music provided by Strawdog’s guest band, The Jenn Rhoads Project. Sounds like fun to me! Find more info here.
Steppenwolf Theatre has announced the final extension of their Christmas hit “Dublin Carol”, by playwright Conor McPherson. The extended closing date will be Sunday, January 4th. More info here.
Due to popular demand, ComedySportz Theatre, now in their new home on Belmont and Clark, has added extra performances for during the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas. More info here.
UPDATE: ComedySportz will also be offering New Years Eve performances, at 6pm and 10pm.
On Wednesday, December 3rd, at 7:30, Loyola University will present its annual Holiday Concert, Joyola, with performances from the Loyola Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Wind ensemble, University Chorus and Jazz band. More info here.
Chicago Theater extensions – Steppenwolf and Lifeline
It’s always great news for the Chicago theater community as a whole when one hears that – due to popular demand – a production has been extended. You might ask – isn’t this just good news for the specific theater company doing the extension? I know it’s more than that – I call it the “putting-your-toe-in-the-water-syndrome”. In other words, when new theater-goers attend a play (i.e., put their toe in the water), they usually say to themselves “I enjoyed this, and would like to do it again”. Over the last few years (maybe 4-5 years) I’ve seen an uptick of play extensions – there must be a lot of toe-testers out there who are concluding that the water is fine, and whole-heartedly jump in the water (hopefully for multiple laps). Point in fact:
"Dublin Carol" at Steppenwolf
Steppenwolf Theater has announced, even before the opening on November 6th, that Dublin Carol will now be extended past Christmas, through December 28th. Dublin Carol, by Conor McPherson, will be directed by Amy Morton, and will feature Stephen Louis Grush, William Petersen and Nicole Wiesner.
"The Portrait of Dorian Gray" at Lifeline Theatre
Lifeline Theatre is extending their exciting new adaptation of Oscar Wilde’sThe Portrait of Dorian Gray a full 2 weeks, moving closing from November 8th to November 16th. CTB gave Dorian Gray a much-deserved 4-stars (review here), so we can see why the show’s popularity has called for extra performances to be added. Dorian Gray is adapted by Lifeline ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric, directed by Kevin Theis. The production features Nick Vidal as Dorian Gray.
Congrats to both theatre companies!!!
Wassup at *Village Players* ??
Due to popular demand, world-premier musical The Medium at Large, starring Tony & Jeff Award Nominee John Herrera, has added an extra weekend of shows, extending the run through Sunday, Novebmer 23rd. The production is co-written by Julia Cameron (international best-selling author of The Artist’s Way) and Emma Lively; directed by Carl Occhipinti. (blog aside: Carl is my neighbor! Hey Carl, when are you going to return that Tupperware I loaned you?)
Betrayal, by Harold Pinter, is also currently running in the black box space at Village Players Performing Arts Center.
Also at the Village Players – At Large! will be presented in their black box space November 20-23. This one-woman show, which tackles weight issues head on, is written and performed by Keri Marcouillier, and directed by Christopher Pazdernik.
For more information, including tickets, call 866-764-1010 or visit www.village-players.org
Broadway In Chicago: Skate to "Xanadu"
On Friday, October 24th, be one of the first 20 people to skate to the Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place box office (175 E. Chestnut, Chicago) and receive a pair of tickets to the first performance of “XANADU” on Friday, January 16, PLUS a copy of the original Broadway cast recording!
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What is XANADU???
ANSWER: Put a bunch of smash pop songs, the Tony® Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane and the cutest couple in town into a Broadway blender, and what do you get? A roller-skating, disco-dancing, glow-stick-waving smash-hit musical! Taking audiences back to 1980 California, this hilarious new musical follows the beautiful Kira, who travels to earth to inspire a struggling young artist named Sonny. A vision in leg warmers and wind-swept hair, she helps this hunky painter find his voice, discover true love and build the world’s first roller disco (not necessarily in that order).
Closing – "No Darkness…" and "Radium Girls". Don’t miss!
By Venus Zarris
This weekend marks the closing of a couple of shows that, if you haven’t seen them yet, you should make every effort to see because they are terrific and this is your LAST CHANCE!
No Darkness Round My Stone
Trap Door Theatre’s brilliantly dark and atmospheric macabre masterpiece about the fate of two gravedigger brothers is a rare and unusual treat that shouldn’t be missed as well as a bizarre addition to your Halloween celebrations.
No Darkness Around My Stone is a spellbinding, poignant, chilling and profound mix of existential destitution and sweet tenderness. Do not miss this unique opportunity to experience a challenging, chilling, peculiar and incomparably haunting production.
Rating: ««««
(“No Darkness Round My Stone” runs through October 11 at Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland Ave. 773-384-0494.)
For the full review go to
Radium Girls
Quite simply, the Chicago premier of Radium Girls, presented by Point of Contention Theatre, raises the bar for black box theater productions. Not with dazzling effects or innovative conceptualization, but rather by doing something so simple and yet so powerfully profound. It makes you care.
This is one of those hidden treasure productions that you will be thrilled that you uncovered before the time ran out! Do not miss the opportunity to experience this deceptively spellbinding, unique and wonderful production.
Rating: ««««
(“Radium Girls” runs through October 12 at The Side Project, 1439 W. Jarvis. 630-220-0730.) *tickets ONLY $15
For the full review go to
Also closing this weekend:
(“Weekend” runs through October 12 at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington. 773-281-8463.) See our review here.
- Timeline Theatre’s Chicago premiere of Gore Vidal’s political classic.
(“The Threepenny Opera” runs through October 12 at Steppenwolf Merle Reskin Garage Theatre, 1624 N. Halsted St. 312-335-1650.)
- The Hypocrites’ take on the Bertolt Brecht classic.
(“The U.N. Inspector” runs through October 12 at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street, Evanston. 847-475-1875.)
- the American Premiere by Next Theatre in Evanston.
For the full reviews go to
2008 After Dark Awards Announced!
Gay Chicago Magazine has just announced this year’s After Dark Awards. Below is an abbreviated list. For the complete list, as well as production photos, go to Venus Zarris’s website: Chicago State Review
Best Production
Passion Play: A Cycle in Three Parts (Goodman Theatre)
The Mark of Zorro (Lifeline Theatre)
Hunchback (Redmoon Theatre)
Outstanding New Work
Sarah Ruhl - Passion Play: A Cycle in Three Parts (Goodman Theatre)
Anna Carini – Sweet Confinement (SiNNERMAN Ensemble)
Tracy Letts – Superior Donuts (Steppenwolf Theatre)
Outstanding Adaptation
Shishir Kurup – Merchant on Venice (Silk Road Project)
Devon de Mayo and Ensemble – As Told By The Vivian Girls (Dog & Pony Theatre)
Outstanding Musical
Old Town (Strawdog Theatre)
Outstanding Direction
David Cromer – Our Town (Hypocrites Theatre)
John Mossman – Juno and the Paycock (Artistic Home)
Anna Bahow – Sweet Confinement (SiNNERMAN Ensemble)
Peter Robel – Merchant of Venice (Bohemian Theatre Ensemble)
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Fred Anzevino – “Cabaret” and Jacque Brel’s Lonesome Losers of the Night (Theo Ubique Theatre)
Outstanding Musical Direction
Joshua Stephen Kartes – Jacque Brel’s Lonesome Losers of the Night (Theo Ubique Theatre)
Outstanding Performance in a Play
Jennifer Grace – Our Town (Hypocrites Theatre)
Mark Ulrich – Juno and the Paycock (Artistic Home)
Nicole Wiesner – Passion Play: A Cycle in Three Parts (Goodman Theatre)
Keland Scher – Much Ado About Nothing (First Folio Theatre)
Madeline Long – Soldiers: The Desert Stand (LiveWire Chicago Theatre)
Sadieh Rafai – Speech and Debate (American Theatre Company)
Jeremy Sher – Hunchback (Redmoon Theatre)
Annabel Armour – Fiction (Remy Bumppo)
Jenn Remke – Resort 76 (Infamous Commonwealth)
Andy Hager – Red Light Winter (Thunder and Lightning Ensemble)
Polly Noonan – Passion Play: A Cycle in Three Parts (Goodman Theatre)
Nick Vatterott – Love is Dead: A NecRomantic Musical Comedy (Annoyance Theatre)
Adam Kander – The Merchant of Venice (Bohemian Theatre Ensemble)
Outstanding Performance in a Musical or Review
E. Faye Butler – Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Goodman Theatre)
Kat McDonnell – Old Town (Strawdog Theatre)
Summer Smart – Sweet Charity (Drury Lane Oakbrook)
Bethany Thomas – Nine (Porchlight Music Theatre)
Outstanding Ensemble
Emma (Trapdoor Theatre)
As Told by the Vivian Girls (Dog & Pony Theatre)
Juno and the Paycock (The Artistic Home)
Sweet Confinement (SiNNERMAN Ensemble)
Superior Donuts (Steppenwolf Theatre)
For the complete listing of all 2008 After Dark Awards, including full descriptions and great pictures, go to my friend Venus Zarris’s theatre blog: www.chicagostagereview.com. Go Venus!!
College Watch – "Intimate Apparel" at Loyola
I recently received an e-mail from a publicist at Loyola University, asking me to post info on their upcoming show, Intimate Apparel, by Lynn Nottage. As I have yet to cover theater within Chicago area universities, I was a bit undecided whether or not to make the postings. But then it occurred to me that, for many, the love of live theater actually occurs in upper education, so why not? In fact, I’d love to have a person on my blogging team that covers the college theater-scene; probably not reviews as much as just wassup. So if anyone out there (or someone you know) might be intrigued by this, let me know…
So here you go:
Production: Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage directed by Jonathan Wilson.
Synopsis: Set in New York City in 1905, the play follows a young African-American
seamstress, Esther Mills, and the trials she faces creating undergarments for a wide array of clientele, ranging from upper class white women to prostitutes.
Performance Dates: September 26–October 5, 2008
Thursday through Saturday performances taking place at 7:30 p.m. and
Sunday performances at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Loyola University’s Kathleen Mullady Theatre is located just a crosswalk away from the Loyola “L” stop on the Red Line.
More info: http://blogs.luc.edu/artsalive
Witness a Behind-the-Scenes experience of "Jersey Boys"
Now’s your chance to witness “Jersey Boys” in an entirely new way – an intimate view from backstage, featuring the stars of the mega-hit Chicago production. You’ll even get the chance to take photos and gather autographs from the talented cast
The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University presents an Exclusive Backstage Experience with the Stars of “Jersey Boys” Sunday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m.
The evening begins at 6 p.m. in the lobby of The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, where guests will gather to enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Just prior to the performance, dessert will be served on The Center’s stage. The “Jersey Boys” cast will serenade guests with chart topping songs from the past beginning at 7 p.m. The performance, with the audience seated at tables on The Center’s gorgeous stage, will include Top 40 hits not seen in the Broadway production of “Jersey Boys,” including “In the Still of the Night” by the Five Satins, “For the Longest Time” by Billy Joel and more. The unforgettable evening concludes with the opportunity for autographs and photos with the cast.
From executive director of the University’s Center for Performing Arts, Burt Dikelsky: “This experience with members of the ‘Jersey Boys’ cast offers an incredible opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the largest musical stars in Chicago.”
For more information, and to buy tickets, call the Performing Arts Center at (708) 235-2222. Proceeds support future programming at The Center. The Center is located at 1 University Parkway (Governors Highway and University Parkway), 45 minutes south of the Loop, off I-57 at Sauk Trail. Parking is free.
Flex-pass for multiple Rogers Park theater companies!
Rogers Park Theatres Offer 2008-2009 Season Flex Pass
$50 to See Four Plays at Four Theatres; Dining Discounts at Local Eateries
What a great, great idea! I know that often potential theatre-goers are wary of being “tied down” to specific dates, which is the m.o. of most theatre subscriptions. (on a personal note, being on the board of my condo, I am very aware that people feign away from being on committees for fear of being “tied down” to a meeting schedule). But now theatre-devotees have an offer they can’t refuse – you can go to various theatres without being shackled to specific dates, specific shows and specific number of seats for the performance. Brilliant!
The participating Rogers Park theatres, all in the Glenwood Avenue Arts District, include Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, Lifeline Theatre, The Side Project, and Theo Ubique. (Okay, it’s a bit of a stretch to designate the Side Project as part of the Glenwood Arts district, but who am I to question). The flexible subscription pass will be valid for any of these theatre’s productions from September 15, 2008, to July 1, 2009. This foursome garnered nine non-Equity Jeff Awards this season alone, and wanted to share this commitment to excellence in this neighborhood with the community, by offering this discounted pass with up to 40% savings over regular single tickets.
Where: The $50, four-show pass – good for one adult or kids show, anytime during the season, from each of the four participating theaters (offer does not include participant shows in venues outside Rogers Park) – is available at each theatre’s box office, and at www.thesideproject.net/tickets.php The pass is business card-sized to be kept throughout the season, to be punched when used at each theatre, and displayed at each restaurant when a discount is requested.
Who: Participating theatres and 2008-2009 season offerings include (call or visit the Web sites for run dates and details):
Bohemian Theatre Ensemble (BoHo) at the Heartland Studio Theater, 7016 N. Glenwood Ave., 773-791-2393, info@bohotheatre.com, www.bohotheatre.com – “Bernarda Alba – A Musical,” “Playing with Fire (After Frankenstein),” “The Tempest.”
Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., 773-761-4477, info@lifelinetheatre.com, www.lifelinetheatre.com – MainStage shows “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” “Mariette in Ecstasy,” “Busman’s Honeymoon,” and KidSeries shows “Duck for President,” “Snowflake Tim’s Big Holiday Adventure,” “Flight of the Dodo,” “Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.”
Side Project Theatre Company, 1439 W. Jarvis Ave., 773-973-2150, tickets@thesideproject.net, www.thesideproject.net – “Cut to the Quick,” one-acts including “Static/Cling,” “Splinters and Shrapnel,” “Splayed Verbiage (and other compound fractures): 10-Minute Plays with No Time to Waste” (fall 2008); and “The Bird Sanctuary,” “The Rocks” and a second “Splayed Verbiage” (spring 2009); plus Rascal Children’s Theater titles “The Nerdy Girl and the Intergalactic Dog,” “Tam Lin,” “Spinning Yarns: A Journey Through Legends.”
Theo Ubique at the No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood Ave., 773-743-3355, freddyanz@gmail.com, www.theoubique.org – “Jacques Brel’s Lonesome Losers of the Night,” “Evita.”
Dining Discounts: Rogers Park restaurants near these theatres are partnering to offer dining discounts to pass purchasers for the season through July 1, 2009. The Heartland Café (“good wholesome food for the mind and body”), 7000 N. Glenwood Ave., is offering a 15% discount to audiences with a flex pass; Gruppo di Amici (Roman style Italian food), 1508 W. Jarvis Ave., and the Morseland (“good eats, nice beats”), 1218 W. Morse Ave., will extend 10% off to patrons (with flex pass). In addition, Charmers Café/Dagel & Beli [sic] (coffeehouse and bagels), 1500 W. Jarvis Ave., will offer $2 off one order with flex pass (one visit only-not season long). Theo Ubique offers dinner and show packages at the No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood Ave.
Glenwood Avenue Arts District, in the heart of Rogers Park, features numerous artist studios, music venues, theaters and restaurants and is fast becoming known as a vibrant and unique arts destination, which was described in the Daily Herald – “Rogers Park, on the north edge of Chicago, offers an urban vibe, intimate but exciting theater, a variety of live music, good restaurants and largely free parking, not to mention glorious Lake Michigan beachfront open to all.” The theatres in this area frequently are nominated for, and win, Jeff Awards (www.jeffawards.org), and are often picked to perform at the Chicago Park District’s Theater on the Lake, “best of the best” summer season.
Last word: Again, I think this is a great idea. I would suggest looking into getting Raven Theatre on board (maybe they already have), as well as looking into the type of flex pass the Raven uses – one that never expires. I suggest this because I assume that most people will use all of their flex-pass tickets during the first year anyway – but offering tickets with no expiration date just makes the deal that much sweeter.
