Pages

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Emilie Autumn at House of Blues, Chicago



Here are ChiIL Live Shows' original shots of Emilie Autumn's unique show at House of Blues last month on  2/25/2012.  We were delighted by the demented, daring world of a Victorian Era Asylum and the colorful characters who dwell within.  Emilie Autumn and her Bloody Crumpets put on a memorable live show and were a joy to photograph.  The music, set, costumes and underlying social commentary were impressive.

The audience was great, too.   We saw many familiar freaks from the Chicago steampunk, Renaissance Faire, and Comic Con crowds, most of whom live for an excuse to dress up.    We were enamored with the creativity, talent and passion that went into this show, and Emilie and company truly seemed to enjoy themselves and the audience just as much as the audience adored them.   

Friday, February 24, 2012

Act Out: Highly Recommended Zastrozzi Closing (Review)


 
Jason Kingsley as Zastrozzi and Dani Smith as Matilda are particularly impressive.   photo credit:   The Division
The Division knows how to make an entrance! Check out the final days of the first show of their debut season, Zastrozzi!    In a city bursting at the seams with great storefront theatre, it's rare to find a new contender worth raving about.   The Division Theatre Company is off to an impressive start.
 
We were able to squeak in and see them Wednesday, near the end of their run and we're glad we did!  They made the daring choice to introduce their company with George Walker's Zastrozzi, The Master of Discipline and the press lapped it up.
ZASTROZZI IS...
 
"Horrifying and wickedly amusing"
RECOMMENDED ~ Centerstage Chicago

"Exciting, Lively and engaging"
 RECOMMENDED ~ Time Out Chicago

"Arresting...Voluptuous"
Chicago Tribune

"Great laughs, sexual tension and surprises"
RECOMMENDED ~ Chicago Stage Style

"Handled with attention and wit"
RECOMMENDED ~ Chicago Reader

"Impressive... Riveting... Swashbuckling thrills"
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ~ Windy City Times
There's not a weak link in the cast.  And the characters are written with a delightful mix of traits, taunting the audience to love the handsome roguish, brilliant murderers and find the virginal brat and the visionary artist annoying.   The wealthy are imbecilic and the servant a genius.   The show is full of eloquent monologues, witty observations, and intriguing contradictions, as the saintly are seduced but not to self destruction, and those who wish to protect, destroy.    Even the power plays are not one sided between the protagonists, but ebb and flow in a tantalizing trade off, much like many of the characters' very insanity and lucidity.
The Division's mission statement:
...to engage the community in questions of ethics, morality, and the demands of civilization. By exploring these issues in a theatrical setting, we seek to stimulate dialogue, self reflection, accountability, and a greater apprehension of each individual's role in shaping the culture and the world we live in.
Their ambitious debut:
ZASTROZZI The Master of Discipline

Europe, 1893.  Zastrozzi - atheist, art-critic, and master criminal - has spent the past three years in the singleminded pursuit of revenge against his mother's murderer, the born-again, former performance artist and self proclaimed Messiah of caterpillars, Verezzi.

With the aid of his murderous protege Bernardo, and his sometimes lover the accomplished seductress Matilda, Zastrozzi has finally cornered Verezzi for a final showdown between good and evil, love and hate, art and mediocrity.
There are only 2 nites left to check out Zastrozzi. So Chi Town...what are you waiting for?!   I've been a sucker for sword fights since I took stage combat and fencing in college back in the day....   Victorian BDSM and witty word play well done indeed. 
“You think that a wall
 as solid as the earth
 separates civilization from barbarism.   
I tell you the division is a thread, 
a sheet of glass. 
A touch here, a push there, 
and you bring back the reign of Saturn.”  
~ John Buchan
 Zastrozzi plays through Feb 25th at Viaduct Theatre 
3111 N. Western
7:30pm nightly
Tickets $20
Check out their main site for advanced tickets and more info

Up next from The Division:
THE DYBBUK
FALL 2012 
In an isolated Jewish shtetl community, brilliant young Talmudic scholar Hannan delves deep into the mystical arts of the Kabbalah, hoping to win the hand of the beautiful Lehla.

When Lehla's engagement to someone else is announced, Hannan dies on the spot...  But his relationship with Lehla is only beginning.

In a world where the dead and the living sit side by side at table, history can not be forgotten, and love can not be ignored.

Houdini Box-ChiIL Mama's Video Interview With Blair Thomas and Hannah Kohl



Houdini Box at Chicago Children's Theatre opened to rave reviews and critical acclaim.  ChiIL Mama had the great opportunity to interview director, Blair Thomas and book/lyrics writer, Hannah Kohl.  Catch this show while you can, before it performs a disappearing act worthy of the great magician himself.
   
Houdini Box is suitable for kids 5 and up, but all ages through adults will enjoy this magical production full of puppetry, excellent music, and a mysterious, creative storyline.    Houdini Box is playing in Chicago at The Mercury Theatre through March 4th, then rematerializing in Skokie from March 14th-25th.

*Check out ChiIL Mama's Houdini Box review and photo filled feature here.   

*Check out our interview with Oscar nominee, Brian Selznick, author of the original children's stories Houdini Box, the play, and Hugo, the movie, were based on!   He's joined by Mark "Mucca Pazza" Messing, one of our favorite musical masterminds who wrote the score to Houdini Box and the recently extended Hunchback Variations, also now playing!

Click here for tickets and further information.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Badfish & Scotty Don't Rock House of Blues Chicago 2/4/12 (photos)


Badfish and Scotty Don't rocked House of Blues Chicago, February 4th, 2012. Check back with ChiIL Live Shows like we vote in Chi, IL....early and often. We've got show video footage and CD reviews coming soon!

Midwest Hype Opens for Badfish at HOB Chicago 2/4/12 (photos)



We have a review of Midwest Hype's new CD and show videos soon to come.   So check in with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.

Full Service Opens for Badfish-HOB Chicago (photos)



Here are ChiIL Live Shows original shots from The House of Blues-Chicago show on 2/4/2012.    It was our great pleasure to see Badfish and Scotty Don't live.    Local favorites, Midwest Hype, opened and we enjoyed a first listen to Full Service, pictured above.

It may still be winter in Chi-Town but all 4 bands made us want to dance barefoot and welcome the summer festival season in with a vengeance.    We had a chance to check out Full Service's self titled CD,  released in 2011, with 10 fun tracks including Lately, Coconuts, Hi Ho, Gymnasium, Ramona, Tasteless Gravy, Rocketships (LIVE), Hotter in the House, Trumpets & Hallways.    It may just make you wanna pack up the tent in a micro bus and hit the road!   Keep an ear out for these boys on the summer circuit.    They put on a sweet, live show.


Give them a listen at their main site, Full Service Music, here.

They're currently rockin' Austin, TX (their current home base) and just premiered their documentary, "TAKEOVER!", about their unique, determined underdog style of co-opting tours and scrambling their way up from the parking lot scene to the main stage!.   Check out the details on their Takeover!  Facebook page and website.


Home is Where The Yard Is Vol 1 is now available, too.   

ChiIL Live Shows will have HD videos from that night, from all 3 bands, coming soon.   So check back like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   See you out there.

 

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

New REPTAR track today! #Free Download

Reptar has just announced that their debut full-length album, Body Faucet, will be released May 1st via Vagrant. Produced by Ben Allen (Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley, Washed Out), the new record is the follow up to the group’s debut EP Oblangle Fizz Y’all. Grouplove support tour dates, Sasquatch and Bonnaroo announcements, and more.

To celebrate the announcement, they're asking fans to sign up for the band's mailing list to grab a free download of the lead track and first single from the record, "Sebastian."

Email For Download Code:


REPTAR

Facebook: http://facebook.com/reptarmusic

Twitter: http://twitter.com/reptarathens

Website (circa 1995!): http://reptarmusic.com/

ChiIL Live Shows Facebook Page #Free Give Away

ChiIL Live Shows has a brand spankin' new Facebook Page and we could use some like love.    We'll be running loads of free downloads, worldwide tour news, live Chi, IL show dates/features in the theatre and music scene, and new artists that will only appear on our FB page.

Then we'll run also run a feed from the blog with our original band video interviews, live show shots, give aways and reviews.    To kick things off right, we're giving away Colin Quinn's Long Story Short DVD to one of our random likers as soon as we hit the big 100, thanks to our friends over at MVD.   We're more than half way there!

Like Our FB for free downloads, reviews, tour news, original photos & videos & band interviews
Every time we hit a new 100 likes we're picking one winner from our followers for new DVDs, CDs & more. First up-this sweet DVD-Colin Quinn-Long Story Short ($19.99). 
 
Remember Colin Quinn-side kick on MTV's Remote Control?   He's nobody's sidekick now!!   We were front row, center on opening night, when he came through Chi-Town with his freakin' funny one man show.  Now he can be all yours, to play at will, without leaving the couch.   
 
His wise and wickedly witty take on humanity and history had us laughing out loud.  Even now, months later, his schtick is still stuck in my head.   I can't sit down to work without his rant about bloggers and cavemen coming to mind.   I'm a bit flattered, though.   He mostly lampoons people groups, and only a few professions made the cut.   Note to Colin...bloggers may have the cave man keyboard stance, but we're the cockroaches of the publishing world...surviving, thriving and multiplying while traditional media is dropping like the dinosaurs.
 
I know you WANT this DVD.
 
COLIN QUINN - Long Story Short
on DVD and Blu-ray 

The one-man show directed by Jerry Seinfeld
                                                         
"Hilarious!" New York Times

Nominated for a 2011 Emmy Award
 
Taped before a live audience at the Helen Hayes Theatre in New York City, Colin Quinn: Long Story Short showcases the comedian's keen observations in the uproarious history of the world, juxtaposing modern-day human behavior with the rise and fall of empires.

Colin Quinn began his comic career in New York as a regular on the comedy show circuit. Colin made his television debut as co-host of MTV's popular game show "Remote Control". Quinn landed a spot on the legendary late-night show, "Saturday Night Live" where  he entertained audience for five seasons. After SNL, Quinn tackled societal issues on "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn". Colin's first one-man show Sanctifying Grace, began off-Broadway in 1994 and was later produced as Colin Quinn - An Irish Wake and played at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Last summer, Colin appeared in the Adam Sandler comedy "Grown Ups". He can be seen in Sony's "Donny's Boy" opposite Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, June 2012.

From his personification of Caesar as the original Italian mobster, to his complaints about Ancient Greece and Antigone giving way to Costco and Snooki, Quinn is at his satirical best, taking on the attitudes, appetites and bad habits that have toppled the world's most powerful nations.

First running on Broadway, then airing on HBO, the show's Broadway run was extended due to the popularity. Quinn has been touring Long Story Short throughout 2011 and took a show to the highly acclaimed Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal where it received tremendous accolades. Directed for the stage by Jerry Seinfeld, the Broadway show was produced by Eva Price and Richard Martini. 

Bonus Features:
- Commentary with Colin Quinn and director Jerry Seinfeld
- Behind-the-Scenes Footage
- Press Event Footage

Press:
"Quinn is a Master. A Polished Act." - Daily News
"Colin Quinn nails it.  State of the art." Time Magazine
"Brisk and Seinfeldian" New York Magazine


 
Click this link for more info

ABOUT VIDEO SERVICES CORP.
Founded in 1993 by former rock critic Jonathan Gross, Video Services Corp. is a leading independent DVD distributor with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto. With a vast catalogue strong in television, sports and comedy, some of VSC's releases include the Canadian hit Corner Gas, The Roller Derby Chronicles The Tom Green Show, The WHA Chronicles and Spectacle: Elvis Costello With.... VSC also owns the e-commerce websites sportonvideo.com, laffstock.com and jewishflicks.com.

ABOUT MVD ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
MVD Entertainment Group (previously known as Music Video Distributors, Inc) was founded in 1986 by Tom Seaman, an industry veteran of more than 40 years, whose background includes retailing stints with Record Hunter, Sam Goody, Musicland, CBS Retail, and wholesale experience with Jem Records. MVD initially acted primarily as a one-stop, buying all labels' music-related VHS releases and reselling to music and video stores. In the last 10 years, MVD has transitioned from being a one stop/wholesaler for music video to a corporation consisting of three major divisions: MVD Visual, MVD Audio, and MVD Distribution. Some of the artists MVD has worked with include Sublime, Pixies, Bad Brains, Devo, The New York Dolls, Iggy Pop, the MC5, Dead Kennedys, Danzig, Marillion, Ween, Shane MacGowan, Stryper, Johnny Winter, and much more. Since 1999, MVD has released over 1500 exclusive titles. For more information, visitwww.mvdb2b.com.

 

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Brian Selznick Video Interview-Author of Hugo Cabret & Houdini Box

Article first published as Interview With Brian Selznick, author of Hugo Cabret & Houdini Box on Technorati.



Check out ChiIL Live Shows original interview with Brian Selznick & Mark Messing on opening day of The Houdini Box, theatrical adaptation, at Chicago Children's Theatre. I caught up with Brian and Mark hours before the first performance of this world premier. Hugo, the movie, adapted from Selznick's book and illustrations, was a huge hit in 2011 and has been nominated for 11 Oscars-the most of any film this year!

Hear how Brian first found out about the nominations, see him dabble in set painting, hear about his stage adaptation of Houdini Box, and get to know the man behind Scorsese's latest masterpiece. Hugo is one of our family's favorite films of all times. The Houdini Box play was also adapted from one of Selznick's original children's book. Mark Messing wrote the score.

Check out ChiIL Mama's prior photo filled Houdini Box coverage for show details.

If you haven't caught this one yet, we highly recommend it!   The Mercury Theater run ends March 4th.   Then the show moves to Skokie.   Catch Houdini Box before it magically disappears!







Monday, February 20, 2012

Act Out: Ending--Zastrozzi-The Division at Viaduct Theater



GET YOUR TICKETS ONLINE NOW, OR AT THE BOX OFFICE ON SHOW NIGHT!


   Final 4 SHOWS THIS WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.
the DIVISION presents ZASTROZZI 
@THE VIADUCT THEATER


ALL SHOWS 7:30PM/$20

3111 North Western Avenue
 (on the east side of lower western, just south
of the western/belmont/clybourn intersection)

773.296.6024


LOBBY BAR OPENS 1 HOUR BEFORE CURTAIN 
$5 PARKING LOT @ S/W CORNER OF BELMONT AND WESTERN

  


BONEdanse-This Is A Damage Manual (photo filled feature)




BONEdanse--This is a Damage Manual was so excellent I came back for the closing performance in Theater Wit's space and brought Sagezilla, too. 
   
































There were quite a few kids in the Sunday afternoon audience and she thoroughly enjoyed the show (and the bone candy & skull shaped lollipops at the afterparty).  




I figured she'd dig the show, since at age 8, she's all about 80's punk, grrrl power, and being mighty, and Atalee Judy and her troupe are some of the mightiest. 


















We also did a little shop therapy and increased our BONEware wardrobes by another tee and a fleece.



Their run at The Wit is over, but they do have some exciting shows coming up at Viaduct Theatre and in conjunction with the Chicago Park District.  




Check out their main site for details and follow them on Facebook, to stay up to date.






Friday, February 17, 2012

Act Out: Top Theatre Picks-Lost & Found at Actors Gymnasium


Gala Fundraiser at Actor's Gymnasium-opening night of Lost & Found 2012

Lost & Found: A Recycled Circus

Back by popular demand!
February 11 – March 11, 2012

"This production will charm, warm and wow you…sly and nuanced clowning…wordless,  impressive poetry" - Chicago Theatre Blog. 

"Director Lawrence DiStasi showcases a wry sense of humor and some superb acrobatics in this quirky Actors Gymnasium show" "Recommended"  - Chicago Reader.



We had the great pleasure of checking out opening night of Lost & Found at The Actors Gymnasium last Saturday.   The caliber of their circus arts is truly top notch.  This colorful extravaganza combines all of our favorite elements--aerial acts, steampunkery, a funky, rag tag band of urchins playing instruments and making mischief, a love triangle, technology as art, low tech fun, recycled and upcycled outfits, drums and toys.  We'll be returning to catch the show again with the kids as soon as possible.  Lost and Found is highly recommended, family friendly fun for all ages.   We were quite impressed with the cast, and the cast off set dressings.  We're also enamored with Co-Artistic Director, Lawrence E. DiStasi's statement about the show.   He says:

I didn't used to like old things.  They kind of depressed me.  But now, when someone takes an old chair or something, a thing that has managed, against all odds, to survive the world for many years, and they give it a little careful attention-I think it's incredibly moving.  And these things have so much personality.  It's almost like they're alive.  Like people.   They have souls in a way.  Unfortunately most of the stuff we all bring into our lives is disposable.  And things that are made to be thrown away, are sad company.  It's so hard to stay away from them, but who needs that kind of sadness?   Anyway, I think there is treasure in our garbage-in what we throw away, and overlook.   And those people we throw away and overlook too.  There is magic in our trash.  And probably our future there too.

ChiIL Mama has potential video interviews in the works with the Artistic Directory and also actor/Chicago Dad, David Catlin, who plays alongside both of his daughters in the show.   Saylor, who is 9 and in 4th grade, went to preschool with ChiIL Mama's Sage.   Saylor's younger sister, Emerson, is a 6 year old first grader and Lost & Found 2012 is her first circus show!   So check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   We have lots of exciting things in store.


We also sat next to an accomplished aerialist, whom we photographed and chatted with in the past, when she played Alice in Lookingglass' last remount of their namesake story.  We also saw familiar faces from CircEsteem, including Will, a talented high school senior, who plays the lead juggler in Lost & Found.   We highly recommend checking it out.

Lost & Found gets ChiIL Mama's GRRREAT GREEN SEAL OF APPROVAL:   99% Recycled! - Costumes, props and set pieces used in this show are re-purposed, recycled, found-object art.

Last year's runaway hit, Lost and Found: A Recycled Circus returns to The Actors Gymnasium! A collaborative original work by Co-Artistic Directors Larry DiStasi and Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi, together with an amazing team of designers and performers, this circus production explores the world of second-hand treasure. Cast-off junk and cast-off characters are saved in this show and given thrilling, new life. Lost and Found: A Recycled Circus features aerial acrobatics, live music, and magical, found-object invention. 



Shows run every Friday through Sunday till March 11th.
The Actors Gymnasium
927 Noyes St
Evanston, IL 60201


Recommended for ages 5 and up.   
Adults $15
Students with ID and kids under 13 are $10


Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Led Zeppelin 2 at House of Blues Chicago 1-14-12 (live show photos)



Here's a full set of ChiIL Live Shows' pit photos from Led Zeppelin 2 at House of Blues Chicago 1-14-12.   Double click the slideshow for SmugMug and more settings, including easy share options.   We'll be putting up a "best of" much smaller set from this show as well, but these guys were so much fun to shoot and we got so many sweet shots, we didn't want to decimate it down to just a few pictures.   Enjoy!



Here's a video from their recent Ft. Lauderdale, Florida shows and Stairway to Heaven below, so you can get a taste of their live shows.   Check out their Zep2 YouTube Channel for more.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Advanced Auto Parts Monster Truck Jam Rolls Outta Chi-Town Sunday! (photo filled feature)


Check out all of ChiIL Mama's live show shots above.    Monster Jam's sooo much fun to shoot.    Double click on the slide show to get to SmugMug's easy sharing and more options.

Monster Jam is a car crushin', dirt throwin', tire spinnin', truck jumpin' fun for all.
   We had a blast at opening night Friday!    If you haven't gone yet, today's the last day for Chicago, unless you want to wait till next year.   Final Chi-Town shows are Sunday at 2pm & 7:30pm at Allstate Arena.

Helpful hint:   Bring ear protection.   Eh, what was that?    I said, you'll be regretting not throwing in earplugs for everyone.   What?! I can't hear you over the deafening roar of those powerful truck engines.   I SAID....BRING EARPLUGS!  YOU CAN BUY SOME FUN TIRE SHAPED ONES ON SITE FOR $20, BUT IF YOU'D RATHER SPEND THE CASH ON A COOL SHIRT YOU CAN WEAR MORE OFTEN OR A CREEPY SNO CONE CUP, THEN BRING YOUR OWN EARPLUGS.
Check out our past coverage here for our discount ticket code and photo filled feature from last year.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

This is a Damage Manual-BONEdanse Rocks!



In the opening scene of This is a Damage Manual, the ensemble is in suspended animation, frozen in space and time, as the audience filters in.  Take a good look, as this is one of the last moments of calm before a storm of political, passionate, intense dance.  We adored this surreal look at damaged souls, making the best of an insane world.  Damage Manual had the whole audience laughing and cringing in turn.  The music was fantastic and the message right on target.  This show is a must see for self help addicts, skeptics, and nonconformists.   Is the message hitting a little too close to home?  You can even duck out for a hypnotically suggested tranquilizer, in the form of a well stocked lobby bar, over intermission.

I was blown away by the excellent, multimedia presentation, and the way BONEdanse organically melds into the space.   They made great use of the varying textures in The Wit walls, projecting giant images on the black cinder block back wall and throwing visually stunning shadow play across the brick and metal end walls.    The voice overs of Earl Nightingale, self help guru, were even more disturbingly wonderful with the vintage scratch of a record running throughout.   Atalee Judy and the ensemble take us on a vital journey through the eyes of a driven, unbalanced ballerina, an over medicated 50's houswife, a nazi, and more.   The audience is propelled on a journey through dream treatment, tranquilizers, and other attempts to numb people into acquiescence in an unbalanced world.

Conceptually, this is an adult piece, or recommended for mature tweens and teens.   Although there isn't anything objectionable or over the top, if you're considering bringing underagers.   



Here are our post show shots.   Be sure to stick around for snacks and a bit of shopping therapy after the show!    The multifaceted women of BONEdanse not only choreograph, write, and kick butt on stage, but they design amazing, affordable eco-friendly clothes too!!   Instead of a fundraiser, BONEdanse is selling Bone Ware.   Damage Manual was drop dead delicious, but it's well worth the ticket price to get to the goodies.   T's are only $5-$15.   Fleeces are $15.  One of a kind Upcycled T-Shirt dresses are $30-$40.   

Check out photographer, Chrystyne, modeling one in our shots above.   I snagged the awesome black & orange one with excellent text on the back "I will not be a victim...I will not be a perpetrator....above all I will not be a bystander & PEACE...it's what matters.

BONEdanse is one of our favorite Chi-town dance troupes.   Check out their creative and ferocious theatre.   These women are all about being smart AND mighty, and they create some mighty fine, thought provoking pieces of modern dance.   We've been loving their weekly Danse Skitz.   Check 'em all out on YouTube where Danse Skitz #1-10 are all archived.   They were all shot around Chicago last June through August.  

Don't miss the opportunity to see them live.   This is a Damage Manual has just 6 performances left!

Check out ChiIL Mama's prior coverage with more show details and Chrystyne's exceptional photos here. 

this is a DAMAGE MANUAL

february 2-12, 2012 

th/fri/sat 8pm, sun 3pm

theater wit

1229 belmont 

tickets $15-$24

BONEdanse PRESENTS This is a DAMAGE MANUAL THIS WINTER. WHERE THE SUB-TRASH PROPAGANDA OF THE 80S CLASHES WITH THE FEAR OF EVERYTHING 50S WHERE THERAPY PROMISES TO HELP, BUT MORE OFTEN DESTROYS... WHAT’S YOUR DAMAGE?

BONEdanse’s (simplified from its former Breakbone DanceCo), evening length version of This is a Damage Manual premieres this February; a satirical, witty, and humoured performance that offers as many absurd questions about the idiosyncrasies of human behavior as it answers. 

With its title sourced directly from the industrial post-punk music entity The Damage Manual featuring 80s punk era icons Martin Atkins (Public Image Ltd [Pil], Killing Joke), Chris Connelly (Murder, Inc), Geordie Walker (Killing Joke) and Jah Wobble (PiL), BONEdanse’s Damage Manual, also draws largely from the world of vintage instruction manuals and self-help vinyl records to explore how universally damaged we all are and how many of us stay that way.

Once again, here's the basics:
 
WHAT:  Damage Manual, a darkly comedic dance theater work examining vintage self-help books and recordings through dynamic physicality.

WHO: BONEdanse. A solo created by guest choreographer Jyl Fehrenkamp Choreography by Atalee Judy with performances by Janna Barta, Anita Fillmore, Atalee Judy & Mindy Meyers. Lighting Design: Jacob Snodgrass Costumes, Video, and Soundscore: A. Judy

WHEN: Thursdays-Sundays, February 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12; Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 3: 00 pm

WHERE: Theater Wit is located at 1229 W Belmont, Chicago, 60657 in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.

HOW: Ticket prices are Th/Fr $15, Sat $24, and Sunday matinee $20. ALL tickets are available at walk-up or call-in box office: 773.975.8150 (no service fee online or by phone) www.theaterwit.org Follow BONEdanse on Facebook and join their email list for exclusive discount ticket offers at www.bonedanse.com
 
 
 

Make it a whole Wit Weekend:
 
This is a Damage Manual & Punk Rock are both playing at Theater Wit!
  
Kid alert-Punk Rock Contains Adult themes NOT suitable for kids. Damage Manual is appropriate for all ages, but recommended for an adult night out or possibly savvy tweens & teens--conceptually.

Political, passionate, accessible dance. This is a Damage Manual is a must see! Stick around for the Bone Ware--awesome, affordable up cycled clothes. We'll be seeing and reviewing Punk Rock tomorrow.
 
Punk Rock
Griffin Theatre
Theatre Wit

Visiting Company Griffin Theatre
Punk Rock
By Simon Stephens
Directed by Jonathan Berry
Now playing through March 04, 2012


The American Premiere of Simon Stephens' powerful and critically acclaimed drama about a group of high school age students preparing for their final exams and nearing the end of their school lives.
When the whole world opens up before you, there’s a danger it’ll swallow you up, there’s danger all around in this shattering new play that explores the volatility of adolescent life.




*Strong Adult Content

There is no late seating available for this production.
 
 
 
****NOTE:   If you loved This is a Damage Manual.....In a similar vein,  check out Under The Gaslight, coming soon at Aloft.

Under the Gaslight

The Aloft Loft
Chicago, IL


The Aloft Student Ensemble Performance group presents a full length contemporary circus show exploring the line between sane and "crazy". Aloft's signature style of using traditional circus apparatus in new and surprising ways, and spinning clear narrative through movement and risk come alive again through this group of 10 up-coming acrobats, studying at the Aloft Loft, the Midwest's premiere contemporary circus school. Trained by some of the top instructors in the country, and directed by Aloft's Artistic Director, Shayna Swanson, the performers have created a show based in consensus building which questions weather mental illness is just one tragedy away from everyone.

All proceeds from this show will go into a new scholarship fund to assist current Aloft Loft students who lose their incomes due to the economy in continuing their acrobatic training. Some money will also be directed into mirco-grants to help professional artists-in-residence at the Aloft Loft develop new work.

Revocation at Bottom Lounge-Pit Photos 2-2-12



Revocation opens for Eluveitie at Bottom Lounge, Chicago 2-2-12
all photos by Bonnie Kenaz-Mara for ChiILLiveShows.com 

25% Discount on Tickets, Ticket Winner Announced & Video Interview With Adrienn Banhegyi


Cirque du Soleil Quidam's Skipping Rope Artist, Adrienn Banhegyi's Video Interview With ChiIL Mama

We had the great pleasure of chatting with Adrienn, a young skipping rope artist from Hungary, who will be in town with Quidam, starting February 8th.   We can't wait to see her act in person opening night!



Quidam will be at the Ford Centre in Hoffman Estates February 8-12th only.   So get your tickets today!!   Congrats to our family 4 pack winner:

(check out our original rafflecopter form here for more info and/or to enter to win 4 tickets to Windy City Circus through  )

We still have a special discount code!   

**All our readers are winners!   ChiIL Mama's also got a cool 25% off discount on non-peak performances on all price levels using the promo code “CHILL”.  Non-peak performances are all performances except for those on Friday and Saturday.

 
  
Here is Adrienn in action.  Come see her and all the world class circus artists in Cirque du Soleil's Quidam.   Recommended for families with kids 5 and up.    Quidam makes a great "date night" too!

   

Also check out ChiIL Mama's Original Interview with Quidam's Publicist, Jessica by clicking right here.