A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY Via Blank Theatre Company December 6th, 2024 - January 5th, 2025 at The Greenhouse Theatre Center

 Full Cast & Creative Team Set For 

A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY 

At Blank Theatre Company

Blank Theatre Company presents the cast and creative team for the final show of their 2024 season, A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY by Tony Kushner. A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY was originally produced by the Heat and Light Company (New York) and is produced by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc, NYC. I'll be catching it on opening night, December 10th, so check back soon for my full review. 

Set against the backdrop of 1930’s Germany, this gripping drama follows a group of artists and activists as they navigate the rise of fascism and the erosion of democracy. As their personal lives intertwine with the political upheaval of the time, they must confront the unfortunate parallels to our contemporary world. Kushner's poignant exploration of power, resistance, and the human spirit resonates more than ever in today's turbulent times, offering both a haunting reflection on history and a powerful call to action. 

A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY will be directed by Blank’s co-Artistic Director Danny Kapinos and assistant directed by Sophie Murk. Jeff-nominated Cindy Moon returns to Blank to design costumes. Other creatives on the team include Ellie Humphries (Lighting Design), Marcus Klein (Scenic Design), James Allen (Composer), Alex J. Gendal (Projection Design), Reiley Duffy (Props Designer), and Line Bower (Technical Director).

A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY features Katherine Schwartz (Agnes Eggling), Grant Carriker (Gregor Bazwald), Brandy Miller (Paulinka Erdnuss), Raúl Alonso (Vealtninc Husz), Shannon Bachelder (Annabella Gotchling),  Lilah Weisman (Zillah), Grayson Kennedy (Roland), Ann James (Die Alte), Hadar Zusman (Rosa Malek), Alex Levy (Emil Traum), and Ben Veatch (Gottfried Swetts). Alex Albrecht, Brice Baron, Peyton Hooks, Sonya Shea Robinson, Jeffrey David Thomas, and Natalie Younger will understudy.

"This beautiful play has been a favorite of ours for many years, and we are excited to continue our mission of presenting works from the recent past that we feel are worthy of being considered classics. While this piece is a departure from our typical musical theatre programming, we hope audiences will be dazzled by the language and compelled by the characters of this great piece of writing,” say Co-Artistic Directors Dustin Rothbart and Danny Kapinos.

A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY is the final mainstage production of Blank’s 2024 season and runs December 6th, 2024 - January 5th, 2025 at The Greenhouse Theatre Center, 2257 N Lincoln Ave., in Lincoln Park.Tickets range from $15 - $35. Additional information is available at www.blanktheatrecompany.org.

Chicago Premiere of Perfect Pie Via The Gwydion Theatre Company November 1st-November 23rd, 2024

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Gwydion Theatre Company presents

Perfect Pie 

by Judith Thompson

Directed by Ensemble Member, Maddie Hillock

Running at The Greenhouse Theatre Center’s ‘Studio 44’ space 

Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2:30pm 

from November 1st-November 23rd

Content Advisory: mentions of sexual violence and abuse ; depictions of seizures

About the show: Set in rural Ontario, "Perfect Pie" follows the revisitation of the childhood friendship between two women; one who has chosen to stay on her
farm and the other who, driven by small town torment as a child, chose to
escape. While the adults are recollecting their past, the story of the girls at
both ten and fifteen drives inexorably forward to the same event which scarred
and shaped the lives of the adult women. When the past meets the present, realizations are made that will force these women to question everything they previously thought to be true. Click here for more show information and tickets.

Cast:

Patsy: Tricia Rogers Francesca: Talia Langman Patsy (Young): Ellory Jezuit* Marie: Sydney Feldman

Directed by Maddie Hillock* Assistant Directed by Ellie Thomson* Lighting Design by Sam Bessler* Sound Design by Morgan Wilson* Set Design by Grayson Kennedy*+

* - Denotes Ensemble Member +- Denotes Artistic Director

About Gwydion: The Gwydion Theatre Company was formed in Los Angeles, CA by a group of actors following their completion of training in 2019. It started with doing Shakespeare in parking lots, apartments, parks, to then tackling full scale productions during the Hollywood Fringe Festival. Following the pandemic, a decision was made to move operations to Chicago, IL in order to connect with a more artistic theatre landscape. Since officially incorporating in Illinois, The Gwydion Theatre Company has committed its resources to producing a three show season, consisting of ‘The Zoo Story’, an original translation of Dario Fo’s ‘Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay!’, and finishing with the American Classic ‘Waiting for Lefty’ by Clifford Odetts. Now a resident company of The Greenhouse Theater Center, Gwydion Theatre Company is proud to present the Chicago Premiere of Perfect Pie. 

REVIEW: The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© Now Playing Through December 31 at The Greenhouse Theater Center

 ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

THE BUTTCRACKER: A NUTCRACKER BURLESQUE©

CHICAGO’S FAVORITE ALTERNATIVE 

HOLIDAY SHOW, IS NOW PLAYING THROUGH DECEMBER 31 AT

THE GREENHOUSE THEATER CENTER

Featuring the Best of Chicago’s Nightlife Entertainment; Highlighting the World of Burlesque, Boylesque, Magic, Sword Balancing, 

Circus, Dance and More

The cast of THE BUTTCRACKER BURLESQUE including (L to R) Lilly Rascal, Elena Avila, Anghell, Yasmyne Williams, Mandyn Mueller, Claire Francescon, Eilish Morse-O’Rourke, Baby Bagos Hood, Hannah Silverman and Jezzibel 

Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

REVIEW:

By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara

Sexy, sultry, silly... Alliteration aside, these belles slay! If you're looking for some adult holiday cheer, we highly recommend you shake a tail feather and get on over to see The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque©, now in their sixth season. We had a blast on opening night, our first time to see the show, but definitely not our last. 

Members of THE BUTTCRACKER BURLESQUE ensemble including (L to R) Hannah Silverman, Eilish Morse-O’Rourke, Mandyn Mueller and Yasmyne Williams

Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

The two-hour experience begins with a cocktail hour which includes craft vendors from local artists (Thursday nights), special pre-show performances (Friday and Saturday nights), and brunch fare (Sunday matinees), followed by Tchaicovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite in a saucy, alternative and adult retelling of the holiday classic. 

Anghell (Chocolate) Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

On opening night our cocktail hour included fabulous samples from Jeppson's & ch. Though we're not fans of their Chicago classic, Malört, we were pleased to discover Jeppson's also makes a much tastier bourbon, ch espresso martini, and more! We're all about supporting Chicago businesses and are happy to drink locally (as long as it's not Malört) and shop locally whenever possible. Check out our social media channels for more Malört Face selfies and other original photos from our adventures at the show. 

 

Bonnie's "Not Buzzed Enough To Drink Malört" Face

My handsome husband, Dug

The holiday drinks were flowing for the cocktail hour, with Greenhouse Theatre bars both in the lobby and upstairs in the theatre itself. And then there were those delicious non-Malört ch & Jeppson's jems. We'll be picking up at least a few bottles this holiday season. 

 Another Bonnie, slinging samples and making friends. 

Booze can be beneficial for hanging with friends and making those family gatherings more palatable. The celebration of drinks, both alcoholic and non, continued into the onstage shenanigans. 

Lilly Rascal (Vodka) Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

We weren't sure quite what to expect of the show, given the corny title, and were pleasantly surprised at the level of talent and creativity. Of course there's a good bit of creative license and updates, but the plot and music follow the original Nutcracker more that I thought they would. I'm still geeking out on the costumes. And those Sugar Bum Fairy butt tassels were next level... 

Autumn Christensen (Sugar Bum Fairy) Photo by Daf Miller 

(L to R) Autumn Christensen (Sugar Bum Fairy); Elena Avila (Clara) and Olivia Lindsay 

Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

There wasn't as much in the way of circus arts as we'd hoped, but the burlesque dances were much more fun than any traditional Nutcracker I've ever seen. In edition to the eye candy, we appreciate the show's mission statement, and we're thrilled that they are gaining quite the cult following for this cheeky, nontraditional take on a holiday staple.

"The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© subverts the classic holiday ballet to promote diversity in body, gender expression, sexuality and race. The show utilizes the platform of parody to encourage audiences to imagine a more inclusive world, redefining the art of the tease through an alternative take on burlesque."

Members of THE BUTTCRACKER BURLESQUE ensemble including (L to R) Mandyn Mueller, Eilish Morse-O’Rourke, Yasmyne Williams and Hannah Silverman 

Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

If you're 18 or over, get your butts in gear and get your tickets before they disappear. A friend of mine bravely took a first date she'd only "met" on a dating app and they both ended up loving the show, and digging each other. We adored this (dare I say) tongue in cheek, body positive, rendition of this holiday classic. I will never hear Tchaikovsky quite the same way again!

Bonnie is a Chicago based writer, theatre critic, photographer, videographer, actress, artist and Mama. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly). 

More About The Buttcracker: 

A Nutcracker Burlesque© 

Members of THE BUTTCRACKER BURLESQUE ensemble including (L to R) Hannah Silverman,  Mandyn Mueller and Eilish Morse-O’Rourke

Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© is proud to announce its return this holiday season with the sixth edition of Chicago’s favorite alternative holiday show, a twist on the original story and a live event not to be missed, directed by Miguel Long and choreographed by Dylan Kerr, now playing through December 31 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.  

(L to R) Elena Avila (Clara), Olivia Lindsay (Buttcracker) and Claire Francescon (Drosselmeyer) Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

Each week features the best of Chicago’s nightlife entertainment in the roles of Tea, Coffee, Chocolate, Vodka and Mother Ginger, featuring sword swallowing, belly dancing, classic burlesque and more. It’s holiday performance schedule is Thursdays at 8 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. with a special New Year’s Eve closing night performance Saturday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. 

This New Year’s Eve special event includes a party following the show with cheese and charcuterie snacks, two drink tickets for after the show, a midnight “pole dancer booty drop” countdown with balloons and prizes, a DJ and more. There are no performances Friday, Dec. 24 and Saturday, Dec. 25. Admission is available for those 18 years old and older (21+ to drink). 

Slightly Spitfire (Tea) Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis

Tickets are Industry/SRO, $20; house left general admission, $30/$40 at the door, house center general admission, $40/$50 at the door and VIP, $75/$100 at the door with New Year’s Eve tickets house left general admission, $60/$70 at the door, house center general admission $80/$90 at the door and VIP $150/$200 at the door. Tickets are now on sale at greenhousetheatre.org and TheButtcrackerBurlesque.com and, based on availability,  at the door one hour before the performance.

(L to R) Olivia Lindsay (Buttcracker) and Elena Avila (Clara)

Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

The cast of THE BUTTCRACKER BURLESQUE including (L to R)Yasmyne Williams, Lilly Rascal, Darling Shear, Eilish Morse-O’Rourke, Baby Bagos Hood, Anghell, Jezzibel, Hannah Silverman, Autumn Christensen, Mandyn Mueller and Elena Avila 

Photo by Matthew Gregory Hollis 

Audiences are invited to follow Clara and her Buttcracker on a wild hallucinogenic trip from a boring-AF holiday party to the Land of Sweets where they battle rats, save the day and learn that body and sex positivity are to be celebrated. A combination of fairy tale and exotic trip down the rabbit hole with the best of Chicago’s nightlife entertainment. The Buttcracker highlights the world of burlesque, boylesque, magic, sword balancing, circus, dance and more.

Jezzibel (Chocolate) Photo by Daf Miller 

The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© cast includes Elena Avila*/^ (Clara); Olivia Lindsay* (Buttcracker);  Claire Francescon* (Drosselmeyer); Autumn Christensen* (Sugar Bum Fairy);  Baby Bagos Hood*/^ (Boss/Rat King); Hannah Silverman* (ensemble); Mandyn Mueller+/^ (ensemble); Eilish Morse-O'Rourke* (ensemble);  Yasmyne Williams*/^  (ensemble); Savannah Sinclair*/^ (swing) and Sierra Buffum*/^ (ensemble understudy). Features soloists for the roles of Vodka, Tea, Chocolate, Coffee, and Mother Ginger rotate weekly. Every week includes a different kind of performance from the best of Chicago’s nightlife entertainment.

The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© production team includes Miguel Long+ (director); Dylan Kerr* (choreographer); Brighid Martensen*/^ (costume designer); Gabrielle Strong* (set designer); Samuel Stephen+ (lighting designer);

Rowan Doe^ (props designer); Michael Bulaw+ (sound designer); Jake Snell+ (stage manager) and Carlie Rummel* (backstage manager); Kayla Drescher* (magic consultant). Jaq Seifert^/(sub)version productions (producer) and Caylei Hallberg* (producing assistant).

Pronoun Key: + (he/him/his); * (she/her/hers); ^ (they, them, theirs). = (any with respect)

Information on tickets:

New Year’s Eve

Saturday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m.

Ticket prices: HOUSE LEFT GA $60/75 at the door, HOUSE CENTER GA $80/$100 at the door, VIP $150/$200 at the door.

This special closing performance of the 2022 run includes a make-your-own cheese and charcuterie board, two drink tickets for after the show, a midnight “pole dancer booty drop” countdown with balloons and prizes, a DJ and other special guest performances. 

Darling Shear (Mother Ginger) Photo by Daf Miller 

Regular Performances:

VIP 

Ticket price: $75/$100 at the door

This upgraded ticket includes reserved seating at your own cafe table right on the theatre floor with early entrance to the theatre and a private VIP bar, meet and greet with cast members and official Buttcracker swag. 

General Admission

Ticket price: $40/$50 at the door

General Admission tickets include first come, first served seating in the center section of the theater.

House Left General Admission

Ticket price: $30/$40 at the door

General Admission tickets include first come, first served seating in the house left section of the theater.

Standing Room Only (SRO)

Ticket price:  $20

A limited number of standing room only tickets will be available at the door, based on availability.

ADA Accessible seating is available, email thebuttcrackerburlesque@gmail.com for more information or to make reservations.

ABOUT THE BUTTCRACKER: A NUTCRACKER BURLESQUE

The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© subverts the classic holiday ballet to promote diversity in body, gender expression, sexuality and race. The show utilizes the platform of parody to encourage audiences to imagine a more inclusive world, redefining the art of the tease through an alternative take on burlesque. This performance would not be possible without the generous support of individuals and companies who understand the value of having alternative adult entertainment during the holiday season, as well as supporting our mission of subverting audience’s expectations of what live entertainment looks and feels like. 

THE BUTTCRACKER: A NUTCRACKER BURLESQUE RETURNS TO THE GREENHOUSE THEATER CENTER, DECEMBER 1 - 31

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

THE BUTTCRACKER: A NUTCRACKER BURLESQUE©,

CHICAGO’S FAVORITE ALTERNATIVE 

HOLIDAY SHOW, RETURNS TO 

THE GREENHOUSE THEATER CENTER, DECEMBER 1 - 31

Featuring the Best of Chicago’s Nightlife Entertainment; 

Highlighting the World of Burlesque, Boylesque, Magic, Sword Balancing, 

Circus, Dance and More

The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© is proud to announce its return this holiday season with the sixth edition of Chicago’s favorite alternative holiday show, a twist on the original story and a live event not to be missed, directed by Miguel Long and choreographed by Dylan Kerr, December 1 - 31 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.  The two-hour experience begins with a cocktail hour which includes craft vendors from local artists (Thursday nights), special pre-show performances (Friday and Saturday nights), and brunch fare (Sunday matinees), followed by Tchaicovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite in a saucy, alternative and adult retelling of the holiday classic. Each week features the best of Chicago’s nightlife entertainment in the roles of Tea, Coffee, Chocolate, Vodka and Mother Ginger, featuring sword swallowing, belly dancing, classic burlesque and more. 

I'll be out for the press opening Dec. 1st so check back soon for my full review. Holiday performance schedule includes Thursdays at 8 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. with a special New Year’s Eve closing night performance Saturday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. This New Year’s Eve special event includes a party following the show with cheese and charcuterie snacks, two drink tickets for after the show, a midnight “pole dancer booty drop” countdown with balloons and prizes, a DJ and more. 

There are no performances Friday, Dec. 24 and Saturday, Dec. 25. Admission is available for those 18 years old and older (21+ to drink). Tickets are Industry/SRO, $20; house left general admission, $30/$40 at the door, house center general admission, $40/$50 at the door and VIP, $75/$100 at the door with New Year’s Eve tickets house left general admission, $60/$70 at the door, house center general admission $80/$90 at the door and VIP $150/$200 at the door. Tickets are now on sale at greenhousetheatre.org and TheButtcrackerBurlesque.com and, based on availability,  at the door one hour before the performance.

Audiences are invited to follow Clara and her Buttcracker on a wild hallucinogenic trip from a boring-AF holiday party to the Land of Sweets where they battle rats, save the day and learn that body and sex positivity are to be celebrated. A combination of fairy tale and exotic trip down the rabbit hole with the best of Chicago’s nightlife entertainment. The Buttcracker highlights the world of burlesque, boylesque, magic, sword balancing, circus, dance and more.

The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© cast includes Elena Avila*/^ (Clara); Olivia Lindsay* (Buttcracker);  Claire Francescon* (Drosselmeyer); Autumn Christensen* (Sugar Bum Fairy);  Baby Bagos Hood*/^ (Boss/Rat King); Hannah Silverman* (ensemble); Mandyn Mueller+/^ (ensemble); Eilish Morse-O'Rourke* (ensemble);  Yasmyne Williams*/^  (ensemble); Savannah Sinclair*/^ (swing) and Sierra Buffum*/^ (ensemble understudy). Features soloists for the roles of Vodka, Tea, Chocolate, Coffee, and Mother Ginger rotate weekly. Every week includes a different kind of performance from the best of Chicago’s nightlife entertainment.

The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© production team includes Miguel Long+ (director); Dylan Kerr* (choreographer); Brighid Martensen*/^ (costume designer); Gabrielle Strong* (set designer); Samuel Stephen+ (lighting designer);

Rowan Doe^ (props designer); Jake Snell+ (stage manager) and Carlie Rummel* (backstage manager); Kayla Drescher* (magic consultant). Jaq Seifert^/(sub)version productions (producer) and Caylei Hallberg* (producing assistant).

Pronoun Key: + (he/him/his); * (she/her/hers); ^ (they, them, theirs). = (any with respect)

Information on tickets:

New Year’s Eve

Saturday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m.

Ticket prices: HOUSE LEFT GA $60/75 at the door, HOUSE CENTER GA $80/$100 at the door, VIP $150/$200 at the door.

This special closing performance of the 2022 run includes a make-your-own cheese and charcuterie board, two drink tickets for after the show, a midnight “pole dancer booty drop” countdown with balloons and prizes, a DJ and other special guest performances. 

Regular Performances:

VIP 

Ticket price: $75/$100 at the door

This upgraded ticket includes reserved seating at your own cafe table right on the theatre floor with early entrance to the theatre and a private VIP bar, meet and greet with cast members and official Buttcracker swag. 

General Admission

Ticket price: $40/$50 at the door

General Admission tickets include first come, first served seating in the center section of the theater.

House Left General Admission

Ticket price: $30/$40 at the door

General Admission tickets include first come, first served seating in the house left section of the theater.

Standing Room Only (SRO)

Ticket price:  $20

A limited number of standing room only tickets will be available at the door, based on availability.

ADA Accessible seating is available, email thebuttcrackerburlesque@gmail.com for more information or to make reservations.

ABOUT THE BUTTCRACKER: A NUTCRACKER BURLESQUE

The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque© subverts the classic holiday ballet to promote diversity in body, gender expression, sexuality and race. The show utilizes the platform of parody to encourage audiences to imagine a more inclusive world, redefining the art of the tease through an alternative take on burlesque. This performance would not be possible without the generous support of individuals and companies who understand the value of having alternative adult entertainment during the holiday season, as well as supporting our mission of subverting audience’s expectations of what live entertainment looks and feels like. 

Cast Announced for Chicago Premiere of SEX TIPS FOR STRAIGHT WOMEN FROM A GAY MAN at The Greenhouse Theater Center April 8 Through July 2, 2022

 ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar 

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR 

“SEX TIPS FOR STRAIGHT WOMEN FROM A GAY MAN”

AHEAD OF CHICAGO PREMIERE

Following smash-hit runs in Las Vegas and New York, this inventive and wildly entertaining show announces its cast as it prepares to hit the stage in Chicago!

Voted Best Comedy for Couples, Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man, presented by Matt Murphy and Shawn Nightingale, has announced the cast for its Chicago debut. Starring Adam Fane as Dan, Emma Jo Boyden as Robyn, and Bradley Allen Meyer as Stefan, Sex Tips will preview April 8th and open April 23st for a limited engagement at the Greenhouse Theater Center, located 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue. Becoming Off-Broadway's Longest-Running Comedy in New York and launching a national tour before making its Las Vegas debut, this “uproariously funny” show is finally bringing its "big laughs and naughty fun,” taking the audience on a hilarious and wild ride where no topic is taboo and the insider ‘tips’ come straight from the source: a gay man. 

“I feel incredibly blessed to get to work with such a talented and group of actors for our Chicago premiere,” said Matt Murphy, Playwright and Producer of Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man. “I have no doubt Adam, Emma, and Bradley are going to have the audience in stitches throughout our run and I can't wait to see them shine on the stage!”

The play is set at a local university auditorium where the English department holds its monthly meet the authors event. Robyn is the shy and studious moderator of the event and this month's featured author is Dan Anderson of Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man.  With the help of a hunky stage assistant named Stefan, Dan aims to turn this meet the authors event upside down with a highly theatrical, audience interactive sex tip seminar.

Written and directed by Matt Murphy, Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man is produced by Murphy and Shawn Nightingale. The cast features Adam Fane as seen in Rock of Ages (National Tour); Ms. Blakk for President (Steppenwolf) and Jersey Boys (Norwegian), Emma Jo Boyden, as seen in A Recipe for Disaster (Windy City Playhouse), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Drury Lane); and Hamlet (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), and Bradley Allen Meyer, an actor who studied at the Atlantic Theater Company known for Chicago Fire (2012), Soundtrack (2019), and Black and Blue (2018). The production features Scenic Design by Luke Cantarella, Lighting Design by Brian Tovar, Costume Design by Tilly Grimes, and Projection and Sound Design by Randy Blair. 

 

Hailed by critics as “one of the best date-night shows of the year,” SexTips has recently been showcased on television in three different reality series whose stars performed in the show, including Kendra On Top, Real Housewives of New York, and Shahs of Sunset. The popularity of this production is no surprise given its source material is the international best-selling book of the same title, which has been published in over 50 different countries and translated into 17 different languages.  

Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man will run at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago previewing April 8 and opening April 23 for a limited engagement through July 2, 2022. The performance schedule is as follows: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm. The running time is 1 hour and 15 minutes with no intermission. Tickets range from $49.95 to $79.95 plus processing fees. For tickets and more information, visit SexTipsPlay.com or call the Greenhouse Theater Center Box Office at 773-404-7336. 

Save The Dates: THE WORLD PREMIERE of WHEN HARRY MET REHAB at Greenhouse Theater Center

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar 

THE WORLD PREMIERE

of

WHEN HARRY MET REHAB

Starring

Dan Butler, Frasier’s “Bulldog”

by Spike Manton and Harry Teinowitz

Directed by Jackson Gay

 

Don Clark, Chicago based Film and Theatre Producer and Co-Owner of the Chicago Magic Lounge, presents the World Premiere of WHEN HARRY MET REHAB – a comedy that takes sobriety seriously, based loosely on the real-life experiences of Chicago sports radio personality, Harry Teinowtiz. Dan Butler will star as Harry. Butler is best known for his role as “Bulldog” for seven seasons on the legendary television comedy Frasier, as well as “Art” on Roseanne. WHEN HARRY MET REHAB previews November 24 and opens December 5 at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue, for a limited engagement. Co-authored by former ESPN personality and playwright Spike Manton (Leaving Iowa), WHEN HARRY MET REHAB chronicles in a humorous yet poignant way how an alcoholic on the edge of clueless annihilation ended up in the hands of a magician whose greatest trick was making his denial and excuses disappear.

In addition to his much-loved role on Frasier, highlights from Butler’s long and illustrious stage career include Broadway productions of Travesties, Biloxi Blues, Twentieth Century as well as the world premiere of Terrence McNally’s Lisbon Traviata with Nathan Lane and John Slattery.  

Butler is surrounded by a powerhouse Chicago cast that includes Ora Jones (Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Goodman Theatre, as well as Broadway productions of Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Matilda), Elizabeth Laidlaw (Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Goodman Theatre, Court Theatre, Steppenwolf), Keith Gallagher (Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, Northlight), Chiké Johnson (Steppenwolf, Goodman Theatre, Broadway production of Wit), and newcomer Richard Gomez (Columbia College, Chicago).

WHEN HARRY MET REHAB is an evening in the theater that will leave a mark that is flat-out funny, moving, and unforgettable. It is a story of redemption, perseverance, and hope. It is estimated that over 22 million Americans are in recovery. This show is for them, their families, and their friends.

WHEN HARRY MET REHAB will run at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago previewing November 24 and opening December 5 for a limited engagement through January 30. The performance schedule is as follows: Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Sunday evenings at 7:00 pm, with additional matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 pm. Tickets range from $42 to $85 plus processing fees. For tickets and more information, visit www.whenharrymetrehab.com or call the Greenhouse Theatre Center Box Office at 773-404-7336.

Cast

Dan Butler – Harry

Ora Jones – Barb

Elizabeth Laidlaw – Andrea

Keith Gallagher – Isaiah

Chiké Johnson – Vince

Richard Gomez – George

 

Creative Team

(Co-writer) Spike Manton

(Co-writer) Harry Teinowitz

(Direction) Jackson Gay

(Dramaturg/Creative Consultant) Jack Viertel

(Scenic Designer) Regina Garcia

(Costume Designer) Caitlin McLeod

(Lighting Designer) Simean Carpenter

(Sound Designers) Ray Nardelli & Chris Laporte

(Projection Designer) Chris Commendatore

(Casting Director/ Consulting Producer) Laura Stanczyk

(Associate Director) Maggie Spanuello

(Stage Manager) Shannon Golden-Starr

(General Manager) Pemberley Productions

 

(Director) Jackson Gay

Jackson Gay is a director and co-Producing Artistic Director of New Neighborhood https://www.newneighborhood.net. Upcoming work includes the new musical SCKBSTD (book by Mike Rafael with music by Bruce Hornsby); God’s Ear (Juilliard); New Neighborhood’s Endless Loop of Gratitude (REP); Goldie, Max & Milk by Karen Hartman (59e59), and Partnership (Mint Theater). Directing work includes Lucy Thurber’s Transfers for Audible, MCC and New York Stage & Film; Endless Loop of Gratitude with New Neighborhood (New Ohio’s Ice Factory); The Seagull (Juilliard); Kleptocracy by Kenneth Lin (Arena Stage); Lover Beloved with Suzanne Vega and Duncan Sheik (Alley Theater); These Paper Bullets! By Rolin Jones with music by Billie Joe Armstrong (New Neighborhood, Atlantic, Geffen, Yale Rep – Critics Pick Time Out NY, Best Production and Adaptation LA Sage Awards, Time Out Los Angeles, Connecticut Critics Circle Award Best Production and Best Director). Jackson has taught directing and acting at Williams, Yale, New School, Sarah Lawrence, and Columbia. Jackson is the 2021 Guild Hall Artist-in-Residence in East Hampton, NY. Jackson and New Neighborhood recently joined forces with Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and The Commissary to produce Why Would I Dare: The Trial of Crystal Mason. In collaboration with Dan Butler and DMNDR, New Neighborhood produced the first 24-hour reading of Filibustered and Unfiltered: America Reads the Mueller Report which inspired more than a dozen other events across the country. Featured everywhere from the Los Angeles Times (“a live-theater summer sensation!”) to Breitbart News (“the single most boring and pointless way to waste your time!”), the tidal wave of public readings reached its apex when it was name-checked in Congress during Robert Mueller’s nationally televised public testimony. BFA Acting University of the Arts.  MFA Directing Yale School of Drama.

(Producer) Don Clark

Donald Cameron Clark, Jr., Esq. is a renaissance man who believes in the power of storytelling, whether to a jury, in a theater, or to his grandchildren. Clark began his professional career as a trial attorney at some of Chicago’s most venerable law firms. His memoir, Summary Judgment, was recently published. Clark is Executive Producer of the award-winning feature film “Guest Artist,” written by and starring Jeff Daniels. He produces plays on Broadway and in regional theaters. Clark co-owns the Chicago Magic Lounge—a nightlife venue that is top rated on TripAdvisor and one of “Chicago’s Best” according to Chicago Magazine. He is also a member of Chicago’s Cultural Treasures grant program.

 

 

OPENING: World Premiere of N By David Alex at Greenhouse Theater Center October 24 – November 17, 2019

 ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

World Premiere!

Greenhouse Theater Center and GLP Productions Present

N

By David Alex

Directed by TaRon Patton

October 24 – November 17, 2019 at Greenhouse Theater Center

I'll be ChiILin' at Chi, IL's Greenhouse Theater Center for the press opening of the world premiere of David Alex’s political drama, N, later this month. Check back soon for my full review. David's not only a prolific, Chicago based playwright with fourteen full-length and eighteen one-acts plays to his credit, but he's also a frequent fixture at theatre openings. I'm eager to finally see one of his scripts brought to life in a Chicago production.

Greenhouse Theater Center and GLP Productions are pleased to present the world premiere of David Alex’s political drama N, directed by TaRon Patton, playing October 24 – November 17, 2019 in The Greenhouse Theater Center’s Upstairs Studio, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at greenhousetheater.org, in person at the box office or by calling (773) 404-7336. The press openings are Saturday, October 26 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, October 27 at 3 pm.

The cast of Greenhouse Theater Center and GLP Productions’ world premiere of “N” includes (left to right) Stacie Doublin, Reginald Hemphill and Ryan Smetana.

Mrs. Page is a 70-year-old, African-American widow; a passionate political conservative who campaigned for Barry Goldwater and strong admirer of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Her guilt for a personal decision involving astrology led her to the decision to never leave her home again. Eddy, a liberal young white struggling actor, is her caregiver. He is cast in show that is a career maker for him. During the rehearsal process the playwright adds the N-word to the script. Eddy is repulsed by what he considers the offensive and destructive nature of the N-word and refuses to say it – ever, including on stage. Mrs. Page and Eddy learn something from each other and as well as about themselves while Eddy struggles to remain the person he hopes to be. N challenges us to look at the role society has played in shaping our personal, and thus, our national attitudes and prejudices. 

Comments Director TaRon Patton, “This story is a great way to approach this very delicate topic with a focal lens of humanity versus history.”

N was given a staged reading in one of DePaul University’s Black History Month Celebrations and was a semi-finalist in the National Arts Club Playwrights First Competition.

The production team includes Grant Sabin (scenic design), Shanesia Davis (costume design, assistant director), Richard Norwood (lighting design), Shawn Wallace (sound design), Sarah Richman (props design), Dr. Alvin Goldfarb (dramaturg), Maggie Speer (associate producer, voiceover) and Razor Wintercastle (production manager).

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Title: N
Playwright: David Alex
Director: TaRon Patton
Cast (in alphabetical order): Stacie Doublin (Mrs. Page), Reginald Hemphill (DeShawn) and Ryan Smetana (Eddy).

Undertudies: Carolyn Nelson and Jordan Tragash.

Location: The Greenhouse Theater Center’s Upstairs Studio, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago
Dates: Previews: Thursday, October 24 at 7:30 pm, Friday, October 25 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, October 26 at 3 pm
Press Performances: Saturday, October 26 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, October 27 at 3 pm
Opening: Monday, October 28 at 7:30 pm.
Regular run: Thursday, October 31 – Sunday, November 17, 2019
Curtain times: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 3 pm & 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3 pm
Understudy Performance: Friday, November 8 at 7:30 pm.
Tickets: Previews: $15. Regular run: $25. $15 students/seniors/industry. Tickets are currently available at greenhousetheater.org, in person at the box office or by calling (773) 404-7336.

About the Artists
David Alex (Playwright) has written fourteen full-length and eighteen one-acts plays. He has received three grants from the Illinois Arts Council and one from the Pilgrim Foundation, an award for plays that deal with issues of moral significance. Full-length productions include Eroica, Azusa Productions i/a/w Redtwist Theatre; Ends, an African-American Theatre Festival Award Winner (Univ. of Louisville), New Jersey Repertory Company and Bowen Park Theatre Company; Adrift, Azusa Productions; Corpus Delicti, MadKap Productions; Onto Infinity, Azusa Productions and Bowen Park Theatre Company, By the Rivers of Babylon, Chicago Playwrights Center. Dramatic Publishing has published two of his plays. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild. www.davidalex.net.

TaRon Patton (Director) is excited to expand her talents by serving as director to this production. Directing credits include Saturday Night, Sunday Morning (Steppenwolf Garage Rep) Bulrusher (Congo Square Theatre), Nativity Tribute (Congo Square Theatre). Acting credits include: Meet Vera Stark (Goodman Theater), Hot L Baltimore (Steppenwolf); the Chicago and New York adaptation of Toni Morrison's novel The Bluest Eye (Steppenwolf), St James Infirmary and King Hedley II (Congo Square Theatre Company), Black Nativity and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Goodman Theater). Television credits: The Chi, Empire, Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, A Different World, Misty Tanner and the Emmy award winning CBS After-School special What About Your Friends. Film credits: Of Boys and Men and Stitches. TaRon received her MFA in Acting from UCLA and is very proud of her role as Executive Director of Congo Square Theatre Company.
About the Companies

The Greenhouse Theater Center (GTC) is a producing theater company, performance venue and theatre bookstore located at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.

GTC began its producing life in 2014 with the smash hit Churchill, followed by 2016’s much-lauded Solo Celebration!, an eight month, 16 event series highlighting the breadth and depth of the solo play form. In 2017-18, the Greenhouse presented its first full subscription season, including Machinal (4 stars from Chicago Tribune's Chris Jones), a remount of the Jeff Award-winning Rose and the Chicago premiere of Birds of a Feather. 
As a performance venue, the Greenhouse complex offers two newly-remodeled 198-seat main stage spaces, two 60-seat studio theaters, a newly-built 44-seat cabaret space, two high-capacity lobbies and an in-house rehearsal room. GTC also houses Chicago’s only dedicated used theatre bookstore, located on the second floor the complex. 

The Greenhouse Theater Center’s mission is first and foremost to grow local theatre. GTC seeks local theatre companies and artists to partner on co-productions, offering partners a multitude of resources including an equitable split of production costs, production manager, full-service box office and front-of-house staff, artistic consultation, marketing and public relations support and a full-service bar with concessions. For additional information, call (773) 404-7336, ext. 13.

GLP Productions is a Chicago-based arts investment and production company that nationally produces theatrical new works and independent film. The GLP mission is to support artists in reaching their dreams through direct investments or management. Film credit: Road to Freedom and the web series Misty Tanner.

CASTING ANNOUNCED: U.S. Premiere of SONS AND LOVERS August 29 – September 29, 2019 at Greenhouse Theater Center

Greenhouse Theater Center & On The Spot Theatre

Announce Casting for the U.S. Premiere of

SONS AND LOVERS

Based on the novel by D.H. Lawrence

Adapted and Directed by Mike Brayndick

August 29 – September 29, 2019 at Greenhouse Theater Center

The Greenhouse Theater Center and On The Spot Theatre are pleased to announce casting for the U.S. premiere of the full-length drama SONS AND LOVERS, based on the novel by D.H. Lawrence and adapted and directed by On The Spot Artistic Director Mike Brayndick.

SONS AND LOVERS will play August 29 – September 29, 2019 in The Greenhouse Theater Center’s (Upstairs Studio), 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at greenhousetheater.org, in person at the box office or by calling (773) 404-7336. The press opening is Saturday, August 31 at 7:30 pm.

The cast includes Pete Blatchford, Brian Boller, Miles Borchard, Emma Brayndick, Baird Brutscher, Erika Caldwell, Heidi Drennan, Stephen Dunn, Amy Gray, Corrie Riedl, Andrew Rowson and Tina Shelley.

(top, l to r) Pete Blatchford, Brian Boller, Miles Borchard, Emma Brayndick, Baird Brutscher and Erika Caldwell with (bottom, l to r) Heidi Drennan, Stephen Dunn, Amy Gray, Corrie Riedl, Andrew Rowson and Tina Shelley.

Set in England during the first decade of the twentieth century, SONS AND LOVERS dramatizes the early years of the spirited and lyrically inspired writer D.H. Lawrence as he charted his course from a Midlands coal mining town into the larger world. The story portrays his parents’ turbulent, mismatched marriage, his own first affairs of the heart, and his mother’s jealousy about the women he brought into his life. In the process, Lawrence developed his views on the mystical role of sexuality in shaping the soul and the power of determined creativity to overcome dark circumstances.   

Comments Director Mike Brayndick, “D.H. Lawrence was rhapsodic about the glories of our physical and spiritual being. He also provided an unstinting vision of human flaws. Written in 1913, Sons and Lovers has a very modern resonance dynamically revealing the tension between the desire for love and the need for a fulfilled individuality. This play tells the story from the perspective of his older self who relives the past he must constantly rediscover, ruefully struggling to grow and be free in the present of a time-haunted life.”

The production team includes Emma Brayndick and Pat Henderson (scenic design), Casey Brayndick and Andy Long (sound design), Andy Long (stage manager) and Andrew Rowson (production assistant).


Location: The Greenhouse Theater Center (Upstairs Studio), 2257 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago

Dates: Previews: Thursday, August 29 at 7:30 pm and Friday, August 30 at 7:30 pm
Press Performance: Saturday, August 31 at 7:30 pm
Regular run: Sunday, September 1 – Sunday, September 29, 2019
Curtain times: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:30 pm.

Tickets: Previews: $20 Regular run: $20 - $29. Discounts: $25 students/seniors/groups. On The Spot donates a limited number of tickets for each performance to Vet Tix, which provides free tickets to veterans. Group discounts are available. Tickets are currently available at greenhousetheater.org, in person at the box office or by calling (773) 404-7336.

About the Artists
Mike Brayndick (Adapter/Director) is the Artistic Director of On The Spot Theatre Company. He began as resident writer at the Chicago Playwrights’ Center with Fragments from the Permanent Collection, Connecting Flight, Anna Gerhardt and In the Garden of the Prison, also broadcast on WJUF. His adaptation of D.H. Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers commissioned by Traffic of the Stage in Hampstead toured the UK and was performed at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre. Smithsonian and Luce Foundation grants led to How to Make a Rainbow, developed at the Juilliard, and directed by Mike at the 2005 St. Ives Festival in the UK and the Greenhouse Theater Center in Chicago in 2013. Also at the Greenhouse, On The Spot presented his adaptations of Turgenev's Home of the Gentry and Balzac's, Pére Goriot, as well as his original works, Pieces of Klee, Lisette Dances Divine and Scenes For A Green World.  Mike's contemporary comedies Only You Could Think That, What About Martha, All About Armando, Sex Lives of the Zebra Finch and Lost and Found have all been produced in Chicago. Most recently, his full-length romance set in 1950’s Cornwall, England, Called Home By the Sea, was performed at Berger Park Coach House Theatre along with his one-act farce set in contemporary London, Rondelay.

About the Companies

The Greenhouse Theater Center (GTC) is a producing theater company, performance venue and theatre bookstore located at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.

GTC began its producing life in 2014 with the smash hit Churchill, followed by 2016’s much-lauded Solo Celebration!, an eight month, 16 event series highlighting the breadth and depth of the solo play form. In 2017-18, the Greenhouse presented its first full subscription season, including Machinal (4 stars from Chicago Tribune's Chris Jones), a remount of the Jeff Award-winning Rose and the Chicago premiere of Birds of a Feather. 

As a performance venue, the Greenhouse complex offers two newly-remodeled 198-seat main stage spaces, two 60-seat studio theaters, a newly-built 44-seat cabaret space, two high-capacity lobbies and an in-house rehearsal room. GTC also houses Chicago’s only dedicated used theatre bookstore, located on the second floor the complex. 

The Greenhouse Theater Center’s mission is first and foremost to grow local theatre. GTC seeks local theatre companies and artists to partner on co-productions, offering partners a multitude of resources including an equitable split of production costs, production manager, full-service box office and front-of-house staff, artistic consultation, marketing and public relations support and a full-service bar with concessions. For additional information, contact Nicholas Reinhart at (773) 404-7336, ext. 13.

On The Spot Theatre Company was created in 2003 by Mike Brayndick to develop and stage new plays for performance “on the spot” in a variety of venues. In the new play development process, Mike creates a collaborative space in which he works with actors to allow characters and stories to evolve out of a few initial scripted scenes or the exploration of a germ idea. Each week he brings in more scenes for the actors to play with as the script grows into a whole. Discussion of the play continues as it goes through multiple readings in the workshop from one draft to the next. On The Spot intends to continue to expand the ensemble and develop new plays in the evolving method outlined above. For additional information, visit onthespottheatrecompany.weebly.com.