ACT OUT: 3 Must See Shows Opening at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

 One of our family favs--Chi-town treasure, 

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Opening:

Tonight and October 3rd we'll be at one of our favorite local spaces, the award winning Chicago Shakespeare Theater.   Check out their website for advanced tickets for their prolific, professional and profound offerings.

First up, we're super stoked The National Theatre of Scotland is presenting The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart.   

We'll be at the opening tonight 9/27 and will have a full review up shortly.    I've got a soft spot for all things Scottish, with a husband and kids who are all a bit Scottish in heritage, and a Scottish name, Bonnie.  Of course I also dig Faust, the supernatural, devilish doings, Scottish tunes, and a good tale.   So, I'm particularly intrigued about the show.   Here's a little teaser:

written by David Greig directed by Wils Wilson Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare September 26–October 28, 2012 “ You shouldn't miss this show for the world!” –The Herald (UK)

Take the strangest supernatural storytelling you've ever heard, add some Scottish border ballads, then mix in a few devilish encounters—and you have got National Theatre of Scotland's inventive, rollicking tale of The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart. Uptight academic Prudencia's dream-like journey of self-discovery is a Faustian tale, that unfolds among and around the audience in this music-filled romp of rhyming couplets and wild karaoke, which The Herald's five-star review raved is "rambunctiously life-affirming and touchingly beautiful." Approximate Running Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes (includes intermission) International programming at Chicago Shakespeare Theater is supported, in part, by the Julius Frankel Foundation.

Speaking of all things Scottish...

We're also pretty stoked to see the highly acclaimed production of Black Watch, also by National Theatre of Scotland.   Click the link for video clips, behind the scenes, reviews and more.   We missed it the last time around and are eagerly awaiting it's return October 10th.   It's playing at The Broadway Armory through Oct. 21st. by Gregory Burke directed by John Tiffany at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway, Chicago October 10–21, 2012 “  A feast of rich and finely detailed work...A show those with even a drop of Scottish blood in their veins should not miss!” –Chicago Tribune “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Superb 'Black Watch' is riveting.” –Chicago Sun-Times **Recommended for audiences 13 years and older. The production contains very strong language, loud explosions and strobe lighting.** Back by popular demand! CST brings the National Theatre of Scotland's world-renowned Black Watch to Chicago audiences for a return engagement at the Chicago Park District's Broadway Armory. This impassioned, urgent telling of a heroic Scottish regiment's tour in Iraq deftly interweaves events both past and present. Battles leap to heartrending life, glorious bagpipes resound, and the intimate moments of soldiers' lives are revealed as they discover what it means to make the journey home again. Approximate Running Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes (no intermission) There are very few good theater pieces about the military. But as anyone who has served in combat will surely sense here (this is a show both veterans and those with even a drop of Scottish blood in their veins should not miss), "Black Watch" is such a piece...a clear-eyed, even-handed look at the realities of war through the eyes of the expectant sons of Dundee, Perth or Fife...And for all its careful avoidance of spectacle, it also manages to achieve an eye-popping amount of bravura theatricality, replete with song, rich movement and, in one gut-wrenching moment, an air-bound re-creation of the most awful moment of combat. The size of the Broadway Armory, the only such apt space on the show's current North American tour, allows the actors to re-create the rush of battle, in a feast of rich and finely detailed work from such young British actors.”   Finally:

Sundays in the Park With George is currently in previews and we'll have a full review for you after the press opening, October 3rd.

music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

book by James Lapine | directed by Gary Griffin

Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine

Originally Produced on Broadway by The Shubert Organization and Emanuel Azenberg

By arrangement with Playwrights Horizon, Inc. New York City which produced the original production of "Sunday in The Park With George" in 1983.

in Chicago Shakespeare’s Courtyard Theater

September 26–November 4, 2012

Chicago's award-winning theatrical powerhouse that brought you last season’s Follies—rated the "#1 Show of 2011" by the Chicago Tribune—kicks off the fall theater season with Sondheim and Lapine's soaring musical about a painter's struggle between creating art and living life. The dynamic setting of CST's Courtyard Theater will transform into a life-size masterpiece, bringing audience members closer than ever to this remarkable work inspired by The Art Institute of Chicago's celebrated Seurat painting. Book your tickets to this limited engagement today, and enjoy a spectacular night at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Approximate Running Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes (includes intermission)

Support of the acting company of Sunday in the Park with George is provided by Merle Reskin.

Music support generously provided by Gayle and Glenn Tilles.

Music Director Brad Haak is the recipient of the Bob Tilles Music Chair, supported by the Gayle and Glenn R. Tilles Music Fund.

Sunday in the Park with George is presented in the Jentes Family Auditorium.