HELP OUT: Benefit Performance of Theo Ubique's THE SECRET GARDEN to honor the late Molly LeCaptain November 24th, 2024

THEO UBIQUE CABARET THEATRE AND SARAH SIDDONS SOCIETY ANNOUNCE BENEFIT PERFORMANCE OF 

THE SECRET GARDEN 

IN MEMORY OF CHICAGO ARTIST MOLLY LECAPTAIN

 

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Artistic Director Fred Anzevino and Producing Director Christopher Pazdernik announced today that they will partner with Sarah Siddons Society to honor the late Molly LeCaptain and her contributions to the company and Chicago theatre community.  With the blessing of her family, the Sunday, November 24 6:00pm performance of The Secret Garden will be dedicated to LeCaptain with 50% of all tickets being donated to the Society.

“The Sarah Siddons Society is extremely grateful to Theo and Cathy and Jeff LeCaptain for selecting us as the beneficiary of the November 24th performance of The Secret Garden,” said President Martin Balogh. “The university theatre arts scholarships we fund are a very meaningful way to honor their daughter, Molly.”

Since its inception, the mission of the Society has been to fund scholarships to promising theater arts students at top Chicago area universities including; The Theater Department, Columbia College; The Theatre School at DePaul University; Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and Northwestern University School of Communications. Additionally, they offer support through their Artistic Council. Producing Director Christopher Pazdernik is proud to have recently been asked to join the Sarah Siddons Artistic Council, dedicated to the mission of the Council being a conduit between the Society’s Board of Governors, recent scholarship recipients, and members of the Chicago area professional theater community offering mentoring, networking, and guidance.

LeCaptain passed away January 19, 2024 following a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born on September 29, 1987 in Green Bay Wisconsin. LeCaptain charmed the Chicago arts scene and crawled into the hearts of Theo audiences in her notable performances in The Bridges of Madison County,  The Fully Monty, and Hello Again. 

 Hello Again (above and below)

The Bridges of Madison County was awarded the Jeff Award for Best Musical. In 2018, she was celebrated for her work in Yank! A WWII Love Story, with a nomination for both a Non-Equity Jeff Award and a Chicago Theatre Award, for Performer in a Supporting Role - Musical /Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. In 2017, she was nominated for a Chicago Theatre Award (Best Actor in a Musical) for her work in Strangest Things! The Musical.

The Bridges of Madison County

“I had the honor of directing Molly LeCaptain in two productions here at Theo - The Full Monty and The Bridges of Madison County,” said Artistic Director Anzevino. “One of the most GLORIOUS voices to ever grace our stage. Molly was charming, talented, humble and hard working. I told her once that she should be singing to sold out crowds in her own concert show at the United Center - she was that gifted. A young beautiful soul gone too soon. We are grateful to be able to honor her memory with this extra special performance in November.” 

 The Fully Monty

All ticket holders are also welcome to join the company for a pre-show reception beginning at 4:30pm Theo’s Howard Street Theatre located at 721 Howard Street. The reception will include a pre-show discussion, light snacks, and cash bar. All tickets and subscriptions can be purchased online at theo-u.com or via phone at 773-939-4101.

Performances of The Secret Garden, directed by Theo Producing Director Christopher Pazdernik, take place Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 6:00pm November 8-December 22, 2024. There will be no performance on November 28. Single tickets are available and range from $30 to $60. Subscription packages are available featuring 3-pack options for the remaining shows this season.

ABOUT THEO UBIQUE CABARET THEATRE

Theo was founded in 1997 by Artistic Director Fred Anzevino. Productions were first staged at the Heartland Studio Theatre, and from 2004 to May 2018, at No Exit Café, where the company began focusing on musicals and revues, reigniting the cabaret theatre trend in Chicago. The company moved to the Howard Street Theatre, a venue owned and developed for Theo by the City of Evanston, in fall of 2018. Theo has produced more than 60 shows and won 68 Jeff Awards, having received nearly 200 nominations. Learn more at theo-u.com

ABOUT THE SARAH SIDDONS SOCIETY

The Sarah Siddons Society was founded in 1952 by a small group of eminent Chicago theater-goers. Modeled after the fictional Society of the same name featured in the 1950 film “All About Eve”, the Society was named for one of England’s most prominent 18th-century tragediennes, and presented an annual award to the actress and later actors deemed most outstanding in a production based or touring in Chicago. The criteria no longer requires the awardee be featured in a production based or touring in Chicago.

Shortly after its founding, the Society also began sponsoring scholarships for promising local drama students of the Goodman School of Drama (located first at the Art Institute of Chicago and now known as The Theatre School at DePaul University) and, more recently, students of Northwestern University, Columbia College and Roosevelt University.

Recent endeavors include an annual Susan Glick Grant to the Black Ensemble Theatre’s Plays with a Purpose, a series of musical productions reaching hundreds of school children, written to teach children positive life lessons for the purpose of fostering development, self-esteem, confidence and self-respect. In past seasons, the Society supported Chicago Humanities Spring Festival—Stages, Sights and Sounds—exposing disadvantaged students to theatre going experiences.

In addition to presenting these awards and hosting its annual Gala, the Society has organized year-round events for its members, including theater outings with talks, and trips, often involving members of the local and national theater community. Officially incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1960, the Sarah Siddons Society is governed by an elected President and Board of Governors. Membership is open to the public, through an annual membership fee. Learn more at www.sarahsiddonssociety.org.

Sondheim Tribute Revue Via Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre March 8-April 28, 2024

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THEO UBIQUE CABARET THEATRE ANNOUNCES CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM OF NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN 

SONDHEIM TRIBUTE REVUE

A specially curated evening of Sondheim favorites will run March 8-April 28, 2024.

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre announced today the cast and production team of Sondheim Tribute Revue playing March 8-April 28, 2024 at Theo’s home on Howard Street in Evanston. In celebration and honor of Sondheim’s passing through a collaboration with MTI and The Estate of Stephen Sondheim, theater companies have been invited to produce their own customizable Sondheim tributes. The tributes are curated from a selection of songs in which Sondheim wrote for the stage as solo composer and lyricist. Theo’s production will feature personal salutes to the late Broadway giant from the actors themselves along with performances from Anyone Can Whistle, Frogs, Saturday Night, Sweeney Todd, Company, and more!

“Stephen Sondheim is one of the greatest minds to ever write in the musical theater landscape,” says Artistic Director Fred Anzevino. “Ultimately, this is the story of Sondheim. You’ll be able to watch the evolution of his work and gain a sense of how he grew as a composer. We wanted the opportunity to honor his work through our work and this is really Theo coming back to itself. We started as a cabaret company, and we are thrilled for this unique opportunity to utilize Sondheim’s music and create something for our audiences that truly won’t be seen anywhere else.”

The Creative team is helmed by Jeff Award winners Fred Anzevino (he/him) as Director, and Jenna Schoppe (she/her) as Co-Choreographer/Associate Director. J Alan (J/she) returns to Theo as Co- Choreographer and Assistant Director, Carolyn Brady (she/they) makes their Theo debut as Music Director and Evelyn Ryan (she/her) joins the team as Assistant Music Director.

The cast welcomes the return of two Theo Jeff-nominated performers, Max DeTogne (he/him; Jesus Christ Superstar) and Joe Giovannetti (he/him; The Most Happy Fella). Elya Bottiger (she/her) and Maliha Sayed (she/her) make their Theo debuts with Isa Garcia (they/he; The Threepenny Opera) taking on a featured role for the first time at the company. Rounding out the cast are J Alan (J/she) and Melody Murray (she/her) as Swings.

Creating the design story will be Set Designer Manuel Ortiz (he/him), Co-Lighting Designers Maggie Fullilove-Nugent (she/her) and Josiah Croegaert (he/him), along with Robert S. Kuhn (he/him) as Costume Designer, and Matthew R. Chase (he/him) as Sound Designer and Director of Production. Completing the production team is Shelby Burgus (she/her) as Stage Manager, Carl Herzog (he/him) as Technical Director, Jackson Mikkelsen (he/him) as Production Electrician, Rose Johnson (they/them) as Scenic Charge, Jose Martinez (he/him) as Scenic Painter, and Isaac Mandel (he/him) as Audio Engineer.

Tickets can be purchased online at Sondheim Tribute Revue or via phone at 773-939-4101. Ticket prices range from $30-$59. Box office hours are Wednesday-Sunday 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Theo continues to offer its one stop dinner and a show experience, offering a pre-fixed dinner menu before performances courtesy of a local Evanston restaurant for an additional $33. All performances take place at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre located at 721 Howard Street in Evanston.

Special thanks to production sponsors Michael and Mona Heath.

Licensed by special arrangement with Music Theatre International with the permission of The Estate of Stephen Sondheim.

ABOUT SONDHEIM TRIBUTE REVUE

Sondheim Tribute Revue is a customizable revue featuring the work of the incomparable Stephen Sondheim.

Stephen Sondheim is widely acknowledged as the most innovative, most influential, and most important composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. For more than 50 years, he set an unsurpassed standard of brilliance and artistic integrity in musical theatre. In the tradition of Theo’s acclaimed cabaret revues, and with special permission from Music Theatre International, Artistic Director Fred Anzevino will helm a one-of-a-kind tribute evening, created especially for our audiences with performances from Anyone Can Whistle, Frogs, Saturday Night, Sweeney Todd, Company, and more!

ABOUT THEO UBIQUE CABARET THEATRE

Theo was founded in 1997 by Artistic Director Fred Anzevino. Productions were first staged at the Heartland Studio Theatre, and from 2004 to May 2018, at No Exit Café, where the company began focusing on musicals and revues, reigniting the cabaret theatre trend in Chicago. The company moved to the Howard Street Theatre, a venue owned and developed for Theo by the City of Evanston, in fall of 2018. Theo has produced more than 60 shows and won 68 Jeff Awards, having received 173 nominations. Learn more at www.theo-u.com.

March 8-April 28, 2024

Tickets are $30-$59, with pre-fixe dinner available for an additional $33.

Performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 6:00pm

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Directed by Fred Anzevino

Stephen Sondheim is widely acknowledged as the most innovative, most influential, and most important composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. For more than 50 years, he set an unsurpassed standard of brilliance and artistic integrity in musical theatre. In the tradition of Theo’s acclaimed cabaret revues, and with special permission from Music Theatre International, Artistic Director Fred Anzevino will helm a one-of-a-kind tribute evening, created especially for our audiences with performances from performances from Anyone Can Whistle, Frogs, Saturday Night, Sweeney Todd, Company, and more!

All performances will be held at the Howard Street Theatre, 721 Howard Street, Evanston, IL 60602. More information at www.theo-u.com or by phone at 773-939-4101 Wed.– Sun. Noon – 5 p.m.

THEO UBIQUE CABARET THEATRE ANNOUNCES THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR THEIR SPRING PRODUCTION OF THE THREEPENNY OPERA March 23-April 30, 2023

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Artistic Director Fred Anzevino directs the Kurt Weill & Bertolt Brecht classic for Theo’s 25th Anniversary in tribute to the revues that were a part of the company’s founding cabaret years.

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre announced today the cast and creative team for their upcoming production of The Threepenny Opera playing at Theo’s Howard Street Theatre March 10 through April 30, 2023. Arguably the pinnacle production of Theo’s 25th Anniversary season, the show reunites Artistic Director Fred Anzevino with Music Director Ryan Brewster, both of whom won back-to-back Jeff Awards for their collaboration on Theo’s Evita and Chess. Returning for her fourth production with Theo is Jeff Award-winning choreographer Jenna Schoppe as Associate Director/Choreographer (choreographer for Theo’s The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Godspell and Once Upon a Mattress.)

As a tip of the hat to the company’s 25th Anniversary season, this production of The Threepenny Opera honors the theatre’s founding history with Kurt Weill. Theo originally opened its doors at the No Exit Cafe in Rogers Park with A Kurt Weill Revue: Songs of Darkness and Light during the 2004-2005 season, marking the beginning of the working relationship with the Kurt Weill Foundation. Notably, the company later gained permission to create an original cabaret show featuring two sets of Weill music; the first act focusing on Weill's Berlin years and the second act featuring Weill's time and experiences in New York and on Broadway.

“The Threepenny Opera is the "mother" of all cabaret shows,” says Anzevino. “I'm excited to be revisiting this show primarily because it touches on many of the same issues that we, as a society, are dealing with today, particularly political corruption and the growing gap between the haves and have nots. This will be Theo's third Kurt Weill production - audiences have always been very enthusiastic with our attempts in re-imaging his work.”Audiences will yearn for more as the cast brings life to bold text and Weill’s sexy songs that have evolved into classic standards including “Mack the Knife,” which has been covered by everyone from Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra to Michael Buble.

The crooner cast welcomes the return of familiar Theo faces; Carl Herzog (he/him) in the role of Macheath, Megan Elk (they/she) playing Mrs. Peachum and Chamaya Moody (she/her) as Polly Peachum. Also returning to Theo is Nathe Rowbotham (they/them) as Lucy Brown and Liz Bollar (she/her) as Jenny. Making their Theo debuts are Thomas M. Shea (he/him) as Mr. Peachum, Michael Mejia (they/them) as Tiger Brown, Rusty Allen (he/him) as Filch along with Tyler DeLoatch (he/they), Isabel Garcia (they/them), Peter Stielstra (he/him) and Luiza Vitucci (she/her) in the Ensemble. Rounding out the cast are Danielle Kerr (she/her) and Larry D. Trice II (they/them) as Swings.

Howard Street Theatre will transform to the world of Macheath at the hands of scenic designer Mara Ishihara Zinky (she/her), lighting designer Maggie Fulliulove-Nugent (she/her), costume designer Cindy Moon (she/her), properties designer Lonnae Hickman (she/her), and sound designer Daniel Etti-Williams (they/he). The production team also includes production manager Matthew R. Chase (he/him), stage manager Caitlyn Birmingham (she/her), intimacy and violence director Charlie Baker (they/he), dialect coach Kathy Logelin (she/her), assistant music director Isabella Isherwood (she/her), technical director Manuel Ortiz, production electrician Josiah Croegaert (he/him) and audio engineer Isaac Mandel (he/him).

The Threepenny Opera is a "play with music" by Bertolt Brecht, adapted from a translation by Elisabeth Hauptmann of John Gay's 18th-century English ballad opera, The Beggar's Opera, and four ballads by François Villon, with music by Kurt Weill. 

Tickets can be purchased online at theo-u.com or via phone at 773-939-4101. Single tickets are $35 for preview performances, and range between $45-$55 during the regular run of performances. Box office hours are Wednesday-Sunday 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Theo continues to offer its one-stop dinner and theatrical experience with pre-show dinner courtesy of a local Evanston restaurant partner. All performances take place at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre located at 721 Howard Street in Evanston.

The Threepenny Opera

By Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill

In collaboration with: Elisabeth Hauptmann

Based on “The Beggar’s Opera,” by John Gay

English translation: by Marc Blitzstein

Director Fred Anzevino

Associate Director/Choreographer Jenna Schoppe

Music Director Ryan Brewster

Previews: March 10-18, 2023 (Fridays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 6:00pm)

Run: March 23-April 30, 2023 (Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 6:00pm)

The Threepenny Opera is a biting satire of the post-war rise of capitalism, wrapped up in Kurt Weill’s jazzy score, and the tale of Macheath, a debonair crime lord on the verge of turning his illegal empire into a legitimate business. Songs from Threepenny have become classic standards, including “Pirate Jenny” and, most notably, “Mack the Knife,” which has been covered by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Buble. Theo’s Artistic Director Fred Anzevino will direct this production for our 25th Anniversary Season, in honor of the many Kurt Weill revues that were part of the company’s founding years.

ABOUT THEO UBIQUE

Theo Ubique was founded in 1997 by Artistic Director Fred Anzevino. Productions were first staged at the Heartland Studio Theatre, and from 2004 to May 2018, at No Exit Café, where the company began focusing on musicals and revues, reigniting the cabaret theatre trend in Chicago. The company moved to the Howard Street Theatre, a venue owned and developed for Theo Ubique by the City of Evanston, in fall of 2018. Theo Ubique has produced more than 60 shows and won 64 Jeff Awards, having received 154 nominations. The company also earned three After Dark Awards. theo-u.com