| |
THEATER REVIEW We're Gonna Die
Playwright: Young Jean Lee At: Theatre Y, streaming online at Theatre-Y.com . Ticketsfree. Runs through: Oct. 4 "To be, or not to be" may have once been a dilemma to beguile wealthy Danish princes, but the ...
|
| |
THEATER REVIEW Pride and Prejudice: A Virtual Play
Playwright: Adapted by Christina Calvit from the novel by Jane Austen At: Streaming online at LifelineTheatre.com . Tickets: Free with donation. Runs through: Oct. 4 For starters, what we've got are two wealthy young bachelors, two ...
|
| |
'Under the Stars with Handbag' drive-in fest through Sept. 19
Hell in a Handbag Productions is hosting "Under the Stars with Handbag: A Drive-In Festival," which is running Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 19 at The Red Box Workshop, 4242 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., at 7:30 ...
|
| |
'Iconic: A Broadway Hits Cabaret' on Sept. 25, 27
Oil Lamp Theater has announced the first event in its Onstage and Outdoors: A Live Performance Series—" Iconic: A Broadway Hits Cabaret." The shows will take place Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. ...
|
| |
Jeff Awards to be online this fall
The 52nd annual Jeff Awards, recognizing theater excellence among Equity theater productions, will be presented this fall as an online program. In preparation for this program, the 2020 Equity nominations will be publicly announced Tuesday, Sept. ...
|
| |
STREAMING
THEATER REVIEW The Pursuit of Happiness: A BoHo Exploration of Freedom
Playwright: Scripted by the artists and curated by Sana Selemon At: Streaming online at BoHoTheatre.com Tickets: free with donation . Runs through: Open run The projected shuttering of theater facilities for the remainder of the ...
|
| |
Closet Play virtual benefit concert leads PrideArts virtual season
--From a press release
CHICAGO - PrideArts Artistic Director Donterrio Johnson today announced a four - show virtual fall season called REIGNITE! that will look to the 17th and 19th Centuries for inspiration. The season will open with a benefit ...
|
| |
American Blues marking 35 years on Sept. 4 with 'Blue Bash'
American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announced the 2021 Blue Bash, a fundraiser celebrating 35 Years Strong. The interactive celebration with live performances by ensemble and artistic affiliates will be ...
|
| |
Congo Square Theatre Company announces 2020-2021 Season including digital
--From a Congo Square press release
CHICAGO ( August 25, 2020 )—Congo Square Theatre Company ( Congo Square ), one of the nation's premier African American theatres, is proud to announce its full 21st Season of programming for 2020-2021. Kicking off the ...
|
| |
'Under the Stars with Handbag' drive-in festival thru Sept. 19
Hell in a Handbag Productions is hosting "Under the Stars with Handbag: A Drive-In Festival," which is running Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 19 at The Red Box Workshop, 4242 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., at 7:30 ...
|
| |
Tony Awards to be held virtually
The Tony Awards, having put its 74th annual ceremony on hold earlier this year, will head online in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Playbill reported. The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, co-presenters of ...
|
| |
STREAMING THEATER REVIEW Bad Dates
Playwright: Theresa Rebeck At: Online. Tickets: $25-$50; OilLampTheater.org. Runs through: Aug. 23 Fashion being an integral element in romantic fiction, we are not surprised to first discover our heroine in her boudoir, readying herself for ...
|
| |
Sideshow announces new artistic leadership
Sideshow Theatre Company Artistic director Jonathan L. Green announced he will step down this fall after helming the company for 13 years. Green will be succeeded by ensemble member and Artistic Director-elect Regina Victor ( a ...
|
| |
Illinois Arts Council Agency announces open-deadline grants
The Illinois Arts Council Agency ( IACA ) has announced the release of fiscal year 2021 guidelines and application materials for its open deadline programs: Artstour & Live Music, Short-term Artists Residency, and Individual Artist Support. ...
|
| |
Hyde Park Art Center reopening Sept. 1
Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave., will reopen its doors for limited exhibition hours starting Tuesday, Sept. 1. The reopening will feature the Artists Run Chicago 2.0 exhibition, celebrating the work of 50 artist-run ...
|
| |
Goodman Theatre unveils 2021 season, "Whenever" Memberships"
( Chicago, IL ) Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer announce "Our Next Act"—Goodman Theatre's 2021 Season of eight plays on its two stages ( the 856-seat Albert Theatre and 350-seat flexible Owen ...
|
| |
'Making Sweet Tea': Out NU dean talks about new documentary
Performer and Northwestern University Dean E. Patrick Johnson discussed his new film and the importance of reclaiming storytelling agency in a virtual Q&A Lambda Legal hosted Aug. 9. Johnson, dean of Northwestern University's School of Communication, ...
|
| |
STREAMING THEATER REVIEW Bad Dates
Playwright: Theresa Rebeck At: Online. Tickets: $25-$50; OilLampTheater.org . Runs through: Aug. 23 Fashion being an integral element in romantic fiction, we are not surprised to first discover our heroine in her boudoir, readying herself ...
|
| |
Lookingglass hosting 'Eastland' watch party Aug. 20
Lookingglass Theatre Company will host a one-night watch party of Eastland: An Original Musical Watch Party, on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. It's a free online public fundraiser of the production in support of Lookingglass ...
|
| |
American Blues kicks off reading series Aug. 7 with 'A Shot'
American Blues Theater ( ABT ), under the leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announced "The Room"—a brand-new reading series that brings original work, plays in development and new stories to Chicago audiences. "The Room" will ...
|
| |
Fellowship for local Black theater artists announced
The League of Chicago Theatres announced The Samuel G. Roberson Jr. Resident Fellowship, a grant to fund a residency for early to mid-career Black theater artists based in Chicago for a one-year partnership with a Chicago-area ...
|
| |
STREAMING
THEATER REVIEW Alas: A Monologue from Matei Visniec's Cabaret of Words
Playwright: Matei Visniec, translation by Daniela Silindean. At: Trap Door Theatre streaming online . Tickets: TrapDoorTheatre.com; $10 suggested donation. Runs through: Sept. 4 Romania's location amid the quasi-feudal Balkan states has endowed it with a history ...
|
| |
About Face Theatre names new associate artistic director
About Face Theatre (AFT) welcomes Mikael Burke to its staff in the role of associate artistic director to lead AFT's education and new work development programs. Burke has been working with AFT since 2016, when he ...
|
| |
Greenhouse Theater stops creating shows
Greenhouse Theater Center co-owner William Spatz said July 27 that he no longer intends to produce theater at the multi-space Lincoln Park venue at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., formerly the home of the Victory Gardens Theater, ...
|
| |
Oil Lamp Theater hosting drive-in premiere Aug. 7
Oil Lamp Theater Executive Director Jay Pastucha and Associate Artistic Director Stephen Smith announced Bad Dates, which will premiere Friday, Aug. 7, 6 and 8:30 p.m., in the parking lot of Our Lady of Perpetual Help ...
|
| |
Ruth Bader Ginsburg exhibit extended
The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center has extended the run of its exhibit "Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. Based on the New York Times best-selling ...
|
| |
'Women Take the Stage' concert event Aug. 26
On Wed., Aug. 26, at 8 p.m. CT, top musicians, activists and feminist icons will gather for "Women Take the Stage"—a free virtual concert and rally to increase votes by and for women before the November ...
|
| |
Goodman reimagines summer education
Free programming for participants "aged eight to 80" is underway online, as Goodman Theatre's popular Education and Engagement summer offerings for multigenerational learners go virtual, a press release noted. In addition to expanding its established programs ...
|
| |
'Christmas Bingo: Summer Edition' online through July
Christmas Bingo: Summer Edition—written by Vicki Quade, one of the creators of the hit comedy Late Nite Catechism—is streaming through Friday, July 31. A portion of every ticket sold will go to help the Daughters of ...
|
| |
Fellowship for local Black theater artists announced
The League of Chicago Theatres announced The Samuel G. Roberson Jr. Resident Fellowship, a grant to fund a residency for early to mid-career Black theater artists based in Chicago for a one-year partnership with a Chicago-area ...
|
| |
Filament Theatre director stepping down
Filament Theatre announced that, after 13 years, founding Managing Director Christian Libonati will be stepping down from his position at the end of the summer. Libonati is stepping down to make more time for his own ...
|
| |
Court's new season: 'Othello,' August Wilson, 'Theatre & Thought' series
--From a press release
Court Theatre—under the continuing leadership of Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre—announced updates to its 2020-21 season in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The reimagined season has Court returning to ...
|
| |
STREAMING THEATER REVIEW The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes, Vol. 4, Lockdown!
Playwright: David Cerda At: Hell in a Handbag Productions, streaming online. Tickets: HandbagProductions.org/Stage773.com. Runs through: Aug. 15 As the long intermission drags on into its fifth month, home movies and backstage chat are no longer ...
|
| |
Director David Zak steps down from post after community outcry
Pride Films & Plays (PFP) Executive Director David Zak stepped down from his longtime post July 3 after numerous members of Chicago's theater community voiced complaints about his working style in late June and began a ...
|
| |
Broadway suspends shows through 2020
The Broadway League announced June 29 that Broadway performances in New York City will be suspended through the remainder of 2020 due to COVID-19, media reports noted. Broadway theaters are also now offering refunds and exchanges ...
|
| |
'Magic Parlour at Home' during July
Magician Dennis Watkins is taking his experience The Magic Parlour online for a completely new virtual offering dubbed "The Magic Parlour at Home." The new virtual magic show, designed for group and family viewings, will offer ...
|
| |
Raven Theatre names new managing director
Following a nationwide search, Raven Theatre's board of directors announced Markie Gray as the company's new managing director, effective July 1. Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Gray most recently was the associate director of marketing & ...
|
| |
THEATER Despite everything, there are shows for Pride Week
It's almost impossible to write about the indelible events of 2020 ( which is still not quite half over ) without diminishing them. Words fall short in describing—let alone analyzing—the failures of many government entities across ...
|
| |
CHF talk to feature Abby McEnany and Samantha Irby
Actor Abby McEnany and writer Samantha Irby will have a conversation in a Chicago Humanities Festival digital program that will take place Thursday, June 25, at 7 p.m. McEnany has adapted her Chicago's iO Theater one-woman ...
|
| |
47th Non-Equity Jeff Awards announces honorees
June 22, 2020 — Chicago — As part of the annual recognition of theater excellence, the 47th Non-Equity Jeff Awards has announced honorees in 21 artistic and technical categories. Recipients included 27 theater artists whose work ...
|
| |
COVID-19 Mercury Theater permanently closing
Executive Director L. Walter Stearns and partner, business manager Eugene Dizon, announced the permanent closure of Mercury Theater Chicago after 10 years and 25 productions, due to the loss of revenue following the COVID-19 shutdown. "A ...
|
| |
'That's Queer, Grandma' June 22-July 6
PlayMakers Laboratory ( PML ) celebrates Pride Month virtually with a free presentation of That's Queer, Grandma—a romp through student-written stories that at the heart are centered on inclusivity, equality and what it means to be ...
|
| |
Music Box, Kino Lorber hosting film 'Proud' starting June 19
To honor Pride Month, the Music Box Theatre and Kino Lorber are presenting Philippe Faucon's three-part episodic cinema event Proud as a Virtual Cinema presentation, beginning Friday, June 19. The Virtual Cinema experience was created to ...
|
| |
'Christmas Bingo: Summer Edition' online through July
Christmas Bingo: Summer Edition—written by Vicki Quade, one of the creators of the hit comedy Late Nite Catechism—is streaming through Friday, July 31. A portion of every ticket sold will go to help the Daughters of ...
|
| |
The Last Sunday in June online live reading June 28
Chicago, IL - Jonathan Tolins' look at gay life in the 1990s - THE LAST SUNDAY IN JUNE — will be performed via Zoom by a cast of socially-distanced actors on the actual last Sunday of ...
|
| |
Sideshow streaming 'Tilikum' June 19 for #LetUsBreathe Collective
Sideshow Theatre Company will present a one-night-only streaming revival of its 2018 hit Tilikum on Friday, June 19, at 7 p.m. CT. It will be a benefit for the #LetUsBreathe Collective in honor of Juneteenth and ...
|
| |
Out professor named NU school dean
E. Patrick Johnson has been named dean of Northwestern University's School of Communication, Interim Provost Kathleen Hagerty announced. Johnson—the Carlos Montezuma Professor of African American Studies and Performance Studies at the Weinberg College of Arts and ...
|
| |
'Come from Away' switched to 2021
In response to COVID-19 ( coronavirus ) pandemic, Broadway In Chicago announced that the upcoming engagement of Come from Away, originally scheduled for Aug. 25-Sept. 6, 2020, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, will now play April ...
|
| |
NUNN ON ONE TELEVISION Ariane Labed plays numbers game in 'Trigonometry'
Greek-born French actress Ariane Labed is currently starring in a new BBC eight-episode drama called Trigonometry, on HBO Max. The story is about a couple—Gemma, played by Thalissa Teixeira, and Kieran, played by Gary Carr—who bring ...
|
| |
Victory Gardens ED leaving amid rising tensions
Victory Gardens Theater Executive Director Erica Daniels—who was also named executive artistic director just last month—shared her decision with the board to leave the company This development followed weeks of escalating frustration and anger expressed by ...
|
| |
SHOWBIZ Ruby Rose, Tamron Hall, actors come out, Billy Porter, Sondheim
Out actress Ruby Rose finally spoke out on her shocking decision to leave Batwoman after one season, NewNowNext.com noted. "I didn't want to not acknowledge everyone involved and how big this was for TV and for ...
|
| |
THEATER Pride in Place Festival brings LGBTQ theater to stay-at-home audiences
The upheaval of the Stonewall riots had barely settled before the weekend preceding Independence Day was set aside to honor the right of every citizen to love without outdated restrictions. On that date ever since, Pride ...
|
| |
STREAMING THEATER REVIEW Cymbeline: A Folk Tale With Music
Playwright: William Shakespeare. At: First Folio Theatre streaming online at FirstFolio.org. Tickets: $20. Runs through: June 14 If Shakespeare hadn't written it, would any theater still choose to grapple with the challenges presented by a ...
|
| |
Second City co-owner leaves after theater is charged with racism
The Second City co-owner Andrew Alexander stepped away from the improv theater after charges of institutionalized racism were leveled against the company, The Chicago Tribune reported. Dewayne Perkins, in particular, accused Second City of racism, On ...
|
| |
STREAMING THEATER REVIEW Improv House Party
Playwright: Second City ensemble. At: Second City online, at SecondCity.com. Tickets: Free. Runs through: June 13 All of Chicago's theaters, along with those across the rest of the country, remain shuttered due to COVID-19, but ...
|
| |
47th annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards postponed
June 3, 2020 — Chicago — The 2020 Non-Equity Jeff Awards program has been postponed. Originally scheduled as a virtual gathering for Monday, June 8, the organization that promotes and recognizes theater excellence has joined other ...
|
| |
THEATER Larry Kramer (1935-2020), polemicist and playwright
Larry Kramer was an angry man and he made sure people knew it. The language of his public discourse—the hundreds of articles he wrote and speeches he made, his novels and plays—drips with venom, insult, sarcasm, ...
|
| |
Jeff Awards Nominee Night cabaret concert online June 1
The Non-Equity Jeff Awards Nominee Night concert, a version of the annual event at Sidetrack to showcase Jeff Award nominees, will be broadcast without charge Monday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. at www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VZs3TQGefc . The annual ...
|
| |
SHOWBIZ Rufus Wainwright, LGBTQ films, Billy Porter, Janelle Monae
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright unveiled the latest single from his eagerly anticipated new pop album, Unfollow the Rules, a press release noted. "Alone Time" is available now at all DSPs and streaming services; an official companion ...
|
| |
Chita: A Legendary Celebration to stream May 29
Chita: A Legendary Celebration , Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' one-night-only evening of song and dance celebrating the legendary Chita Rivera , returns this Friday, May 29, 2020, in an exclusive stream benefiting Broadway Cares and its ...
|
| |
BAMtheatre starting virtual classes
In response to the stay-at-home and social distancing orders implemented by the COVID-19 pandemic, BAMtheatre has reimagined its musical theatre-focused programming through a host of virtual master classes, workshops, choirs and other activities to keep students ...
|
| |
THEATER Pride in Place Festival brings LGBTQ theater to stay-at-home audiences
The upheaval of the Stonewall riots had barely settled before the weekend preceding Independence Day was set aside to honor the right of every citizen to love without outdated restrictions. On that date ever since, Pride ...
|
| |
STREAMING
THEATER REVIEW School Girls; Or The African Mean Girls Play
Playwright: Jocelyn Bioh At: Goodman Theatre online at GoodmanTheatre.org/StreamSchoolGirls. Tickets: $20. Runs through: May 31 Ranking in popularity on the list of spectator sports just behind young men inflicting physical damage upon one another is the ...
|
| |
STREAMING THEATER REVIEW To Master the Art
Playwright: William Brown and Doug Frew. At: TimeLine Theatre, streaming. Tickets: TimelineTheatre.com; $15-$25. Runs through: June 7 TimeLine Theatre commissioned To Master the Art in 2008 and presented its world premiere two years later. It was ...
|
| |
Steppenwolf names first woman Executive Director
Steppenwolf Theatre Company announced that Brooke Flanagan—who previously worked at Steppenwolf for seven years—will return to the organization in the role of executive director, and will become the first woman to hold the title in Steppenwolf's ...
|
| |
'SapphFest' to take place virtually May 28-29
On May 28-29 at 7:30 p.m., Violet Surprise Theatre will present SapphFest—a digital variety show celebrating queer women and non-binary artists from all over the country and internationally, through storytelling, comedy, music, poetry, performance art and ...
|
| |
Broadway In Chicago reschedules 'Frozen'
In response to the COVID-19 ( coronavirus ) pandemic, Broadway In Chicago announced that the upcoming engagement of Disney's Frozen—originally scheduled to run Oct. 21,-Jan. 3, 2021 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre—will now run Nov. 18, ...
|
| |
STREAMING THEATER REVIEW The Happiest Place on Earth
Playwright: Philip Dawkins At: Sideshow Theatre online. Tickets: SideshowTheatre.org; $5+ ( pay what you can ). Runs through: Open run Playwright Philip Dawkins' many successful works—among them, Charm, Le Switch, Failure: A Love Story and The ...
|
| |
Hell in a Handbag updates season with 'Girls,' 'Tiger Queen'
Hell in a Handbag Productions announced several updates to its 2020 season, including a streaming production slated for this summer and a world-premiere musical parody set to debut this fall. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ...
|
| |
First Folio to stream 'Cymbeline' in June
As a way to help address the absence of live theater performances, First Folio Theatre will offer a streaming video recording of the award-winning Cymbeline: A Folk Tale with Music, directed by Michael Goldberg. Adapted from ...
|
| |
Victory Gardens announces IGNITION Festival of New Plays
Victory Gardens Theater outgoing Artistic Director Chay Yew and Executive Artistic Erica Daniels announced the lineup for the 2020 IGNITION Festival of New Plays. Productions include Black Like Me, by Monty Cole; North Star, by Georgette ...
|
| |
Broadway in Chicago updates show schedule
( Chicago — Friday, May 15 ) The safety and health of our patrons, staff and theatrical companies is our top priority. In response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 ( coronavirus ), here is an update ...
|
| |
'Dear Evan Hansen' cancelled
With a ban on mass gatherings still in effect for the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago, Broadway In Chicago announced that the upcoming engagement of Dear Evan Hansen, originally scheduled for July 7-Sept. ...
|
| |
STREAMING THEATER REVIEW To Master the Art
Playwright: William Brown and Doug Frew At: TimeLine ( sic ) Theatre, streaming. Tickets: TimelineTheatre.com; $15-$25. Runs through: June 7 TimeLine Theatre commissioned To Master the Art in 2008 and presented its world premiere two years ...
|
| |
'Six' postponed until November
In response to the COVID-19 ( coronavirus ) pandemic, Broadway In Chicago announced today that the upcoming engagement of Six—originally scheduled to begin Wed., July 8, at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place— will now ...
|
