LAST CALL: The Dolphin Show’s Highly Recommended 81st production: Kinky Boots! Ends Tonight! 1/27/24

 The Dolphin Show

AMERICA’S LARGEST STUDENT PRODUCED MUSICAL PRESENTS…

KINKY BOOTS THE MUSICAL

WINNER OF 6 TONY AWARDS INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL!

With Book by Harvey Fierstein and Music & Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper

Recommended for Ages 10+

Review

By Guest Critic, Dugan Kenaz-Mara 

Sometimes a two-and-a-half-hour show feels daunting, and you fear you may get tired and bored, wanting to leave before the second act is through. But fear not, you will find yourself completely immersed in every second of The Dolphin Show’s 81st production: Kinky Boots! I had the pleasure of catching it last night. Overall, it is a stunning show, and I highly recommend you see the final performance tonight.

The show had many wonderful features, including:

Flashy costumes for all of the angels worthy of a runway show all to themselves.

Over-the-top makeup that builds in intensity, resulting in an expressive explosion in the finale.

An incredible versatile set with moving pieces that adapt easily to every scene.

Dramatic lights and sound that pull the audience into the world of the show.

And brilliant actors who shine on stage with their vocal talent, and guide the audience effortlessly through the highs and lows of the musical.

You can tell by the cheers, gasps, and standing ovation that this production really touches the audience, and it is incredibly clear how much dedication went into the show from every producer, designer, actor, and other member of the Dolphin team.

Over 90% sold out for the closing performance. Only 100 tickets are left for the final show. Don't miss this! Click here for more information and photos on Instagram.

Dugan Kenaz-Mara is a designer, photographer, educator, and recent graduate of Northwestern University.

The 81st Annual Dolphin Show is gearing up to bring you an electrifying performance of Kinky Boots the Musical! 

Get ready to be dazzled by this spectacular show filled with fabulous music, incredible designs, sensational choreography, and a heartwarming story that will leave you cheering for more. Our team of over 150 students cannot wait to bring this relevant and powerful narrative to Northwestern’s campus and continue our educational workshops, community outreach efforts, and more. 

Whether you're a fan of musical theater or just looking for a night of pure entertainment, this is an event you won't want to miss. Save the date and join us for a night of unforgettable entertainment that's sure to knock your boots off!

GET TICKETS NOW

Tickets can be purchased online from Northwestern Box Office or in person at the Norris University Center front desk at 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60201.

How do I access my tickets?

Tickets will be emailed to you after you make a purchase. Please present this PDF either on your screen or printed out when entering the theatre. Make sure to pull up the QR code.

What age is the show recommended for?

Kinky Boots is officially recommended for children ages 10 and older, but children younger than 10 may be suited for the production based on maturity levels and parental involvement. For more information, please visit our parent guide here.

Are there special discounts available for tickets?

Northwestern Students can access $10 tickets to performances by logging in with their Northwestern email. Limit 2 tickets per performance.

Northwestern Faculty can access $20 tickets to performances by logging in with their Northwestern email. Limit 2 tickets per performance.

Children under age 18 can access $10 tickets by applying the code TDSstudent10 at checkout. Limit 2 tickets per order.

Seniors over age 65 can access $20 tickets by applying the code TDSsenior20 at checkout. Limit 2 tickets per order. 

How can I bring a group to see Kinky Boots?

Group tickets are available for purchase for all performances. Orders with 10 or more tickets will receive a 10% discount on the order. If you are interested in group booking, please reach out to sales@nudolphinshow.org for booking assistance. Group tickets can only be paid for via check (made out to “Northwestern University” with the memo line “Dolphin Show - Group Tix”) or in person with a credit card at the Norris Center front desk.

What if purchasing tickets is a financial burden for me, as a Northwestern student?

The 81st Annual Dolphin Show has partnered with The Student Activities Assistance Fund to offer “pay what you can tickets” to financially support students in attending our upcoming production of Kinky Boots The Musical.

Tickets for undergraduate and graduate Northwestern students are $10. If this is a financial burden, please email sales@nudolphinshow.org to access pay what you can tickets, where you will have the option to pay as little as $0.

What is the Dolphin Show?

The Dolphin Show at Northwestern University is a non-profit student theatre organization that annually produces the largest student-produced musical in the country. It celebrates the diverse talents of the Northwestern undergraduate community by providing opportunities to learn and excel in all artistic and administrative fields. Every year, The Dolphin Show presents a professional-caliber production led by over 150 undergraduate students. Learn more about Dolphin’s mission on our About page.

Where did the Dolphin Show get its name?

The Dolphin Show was named after the Dolphin Swim Club, the Northwestern swim team who presented the first annual Dolphin Show in the Northwestern swimming pool as a fundraiser for their team to travel to competitions. Visit our About page for Dolphin Show’s full history. 

Who can get involved with The Dolphin Show?

Northwestern University undergraduate students of all backgrounds, majors, and experience levels are welcome to work on the Dolphin Show. Students can work on the production in many capacities, including on the business team, the artistic team, the production team, in the cast, or in the orchestra. Dolphin Show’s annual productions are open to the public. 

Click here for information, show photos, tickets and more. 

Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo at Northwestern University's Wirtz Center April 22 – May 1, 2022

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar 

Northwestern’s Wirtz Center closes season with bold dramas

“Bengal Tiger” and “Water by the Spoonful” 

provide relevant connections to our time

I'll be checking out Rajiv Joseph's Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo on the 23rd, with my son. I reviewed this play at Chicago's Lookingglass Theatre back in January of 2013 and still recall the deep impact it made. I just reviewed the world premiere of Rajiv Joseph's new smash hit at Steppenwolf last month (King James Review) and can't wait to see Northwestern's take on his award winning words.

"GROUNDBREAKING… I'm tempted to call it the most original drama written so far about the Iraq war, but why sell the work short? The imagination behind it is way too thrillingly genre-busting to be confined within such a limiting category."

—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times

The complexities of our current times are reflected in two bold dramas set to take the stage at Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts on the Evanston campus this spring. “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo” blends the realities of war and humor as a tiger haunts the streets of present-day Baghdad seeking the meaning of life. The second offering, “Water by the Spoonful,” is a Pulitzer prize-winning drama about forgiveness, redemption and family in a precarious, virtual world that reverberates in real life.

“Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo”

April 22 – May 1

Josephine Louis Theater

“Bengal Tiger at Baghdad Zoo” is based on a real-life incident at the Baghdad Zoo involving two U.S. Marines and an Iraqi translator who encounter a tiger. The play unfolds to reveal how war influences each of these characters.

“When I picked this play, there was no war,” said director Hamid Dehghani, a master’s degree candidate in the School of Communication. “But now, we are unfortunately dealing with a terrible war in Ukraine, making this show even more relevant.”

“Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo” was written by Steppenwolf Theater ensemble member Rajiv Joseph, and appeared on Broadway in 2011 starring Robin Williams as the Tiger in the actor's Broadway debut.

“I think Rajiv Joseph realized that a play all about war and violence is a challenging play to watch — it does have its moments that are quite intense,” said Ph.D. student Keary Watts, dramaturg for the production. “Joseph layers in comedy and absurdist elements to give the audience a break, in some sense, but also to show that these characters have levity and that these characters are more than just a type. They're more than just soldiers or interpreters, or animals, they are fully formed beings capable of being serious in one moment and lighthearted in the next.”.

Performances of "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo" are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. in the Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive, on the Evanston campus.

 

“Water by the Spoonful”

May 20 – 29

Ethel M. Barber Theater

“‘Water by the Spoonful’ is a heartfelt, poetic meditation on people at the brink of redemption and self-discovery that takes place during a time of heightened uncertainty,” said director Ji Won Jeon, a master’s degree candidate in the School of Communication.

“This play is especially relevant given the impact of human connections and the virtual aspects related to the pandemic these past few years,” he said.

Playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes, Tony-nominated for “In the Heights” and screenwriter for the film, tells the story of two families — one connected by birth, one discovered online — who struggle with human connection but reveal that honest relationships are the lifeline in our brutal world.

“‘Water by the Spoonful’ paints a vivid portrait of addicts' struggles,” said Lia Christine Dewey, dramaturg and Northwestern Ph.D. candidate. “It's all about human connections and failing the people you care most about.” 

Performances of "Water by the Spoonful" are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. in the Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive, on the Evanston campus.

 

Tickets

More information and tickets for both shows are available on the Wirtz Center website. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 847-491-7282 or in-person at the Wirtz Center box office, located in the lobby of the Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive on Northwestern's Evanston campus. Box office hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday’s from noon to 4 p.m.  The box office is closed Sundays and Mondays.

The Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts is a member of the Northwestern Arts Circle, which brings together film, humanities, literary arts, music, theater, dance and visual arts.

OPENING: The Battlefields of Clara Barton a Workshop Production at Northwestern's Wirtz Center October 29–31, 2021

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar 

The Battlefields of Clara Barton

a workshop production

October 29–31, 2021

By Suzan Zeder & Jenn Hartmann Luck

Directed by Rives Collins

The Battlefields of Clara Barton is a modern folk/rock musical about the vibrant life of Clara Barton, a Civil War nurse, a political activist, and a revered founder of the American Red Cross. In a tumultuous life that spanned almost a century, Clara fought on many battlefields: historical, political, and emotional. Brought to life by an ensemble of women playing multiple roles where age and gender are fluid, the threads of Clara's story run from past to present with seamless synchronicity, creating a rich tapestry of themes as personal and potent today as they were then.

Since 2017, The Battlefields of Clara Barton has been under creative development here at Northwestern University, the University of Texas, and the Austin Playhouse at the Paramount Theatre in Texas. This workshop brings Northwestern's MFA and undergraduate programs together to develop the theatrical world of a brand-new musical, all with the writers in the room providing feedback throughout the month-long process. The creative team will elicit audience reactions after each performance to refine the piece before its ultimate premiere.

GET TICKETS

Fri., 10/29 @ 7:30 p.m.

Sat., 10/30 @ 7:30 p.m.

Sun., 10/31 @ 2 p.m.

Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts

Josephine Louis Theater

20 Arts Circle Drive



*Proof of vaccination or recent negative COVID test required.

Wirtz Center’s MFA Lab series To Feature Eurydice, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and The Glass Menagerie

 ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

Wirtz Center’s MFA Lab Series 

features intimate productions of 

‘Eurydice,’ ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ and ‘The Glass Menagerie’

Tickets now available online, by phone, and at the box office.

A Greek myth retold, an unconventional narrative about cellmates in an Argentine prison and a Tennessee Williams classic seen through the lens of a Chinese American family will make up Wirtz Center’s annual MFA Lab series in winter and spring of 2020.

The series includes Sarah Ruhl’s 2003 play “Eurydice,” Jan. 31 to Feb. 2; Manuel Puig’s “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” May 1 to 3; and Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie,” May 22 to 24.

The MFA Lab series matches new theater directors from Northwestern’s MFA program with emerging designers from its partner MFA program in stage design for exciting and unexpected collaborations.

“These artists are the next wave,” said Al Heartley, managing director for the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts. “They are given the freedom to create bold, risk-taking productions that span genres to delight audiences.”  

All productions will be presented at the Hal and Martha Hyer Wallis Theater, 1949 Campus Drive on the Evanston campus.

The productions include:
Eurydice
By Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Hamid Dehghani
Jan. 31 to Feb. 2

“Eurydice” retells the Greek myth about love that transcends death. Told from Eurydice’s viewpoint, the play depicts how Eurydice is seduced into death on her wedding day and must decide whether to return to earth or to stay in the underworld. The New York Times called this Drama League Award recipient a “weird and wonderful new play.” MacArthur “Genius” Ruhl's script is designed to be a “playground for the designer of the sets” which this MFA collaboration plans to exploit. 

Kiss of the Spider Woman
By Manuel Puig
Directed by Ji Won Jeon
May 1 to 3

Based on Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel, “Kiss of the Spider Woman” is an impactful tale of persecution that juxtaposes gritty realities with liberating fantasies. Set in a Buenos Aires prison, the story follows the relationship of two cellmates, Valentin and Molina, as they form an intimate bond. The work’s form is unusual because there is no traditional narrative voice.

The Glass Menagerie
By Tennessee Williams
Directed by Alvin Chan
May 22 to 24

This refreshing new take on Tennessee Williams’ classic memory play, “The Glass Menagerie” is told through the lens of a Chinese American family. Set in St. Louis in 1937, Tom Wingfield, an aspiring poet, recalls the memories of his mother and sister. Tom’s father ran off years ago and, except for one postcard, has not been heard from since…until now.

Performances for all MFA Lab Series productions are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for the general public and $6 in advance for Northwestern students (or $10 at the door).

More information and single tickets are available on the Wirtz Center website. Tickets can also be purchased by phone at 847-491-7282 or in-person at the Wirtz Center box office, located in the lobby of the Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive on Northwestern’s Evanston campus. Box office hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. The box office is closed Sundays and Mondays. 

The Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts annually mounts more than 40 productions in theater, music theater and dance. Undergraduate actors, managers and playwrights, alongside graduate actors, designers, directors and dramaturgs, collaborate on works both classic and contemporary for audiences of all ages. The Center adheres to and reflects the academic mission of the University, the curricular needs of the theater and performance studies departments and the educational priorities of communication students. It exists in service to the campus and the greater community of the metropolitan Chicago area.

The Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts is a member of the Northwestern Arts Circle, which brings together film, humanities, literary arts, music, theater, dance and visual arts.  

More news at Northwestern Now
Find experts on our Faculty Experts Hub
Follow @NUSources for expert perspectives

OPENING: Legally Blonde: The Musical at Northwestern’s Wirtz Center Feb. 14 to March 1, 2020

America’s beloved blonde law student takes the stage at Northwestern’s Wirtz Center

“Legally Blonde: The Musical” 

(complete with canines) 

opens Valentine’s Day

Northwestern University’s Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts presents “Legally Blonde: The Musical” Feb. 14 to March 1.

Elle Woods, Bel Air's favorite pink-clad blonde, and her equally stylish Chihuahua, Bruiser seem to have it all until Elle’s boyfriend dumps her to attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle charms her way into law school, then discovers she has far more legal savvy than she ever imagined. 

Based on the popular 2001 movie, this musical comedy with book by Heather Hatch and music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin is directed and choreographed by Christopher Chase Carter.

“‘Legally Blonde’ is just as relevant today because it is all about breaking down stereotypes,” said Chase Carter, known to Chicago audiences for his recent directing work for Theo Ubique Cabaret’s production of “Working” and choreography for Porchlight Musical Theatre’s production of “A Chorus Line.”

Chase Carter even believes Elle’s signature color “pink” is about breaking down stereotypes.  “For many people, pink is seen as soft, or for girls, but in this show, pink makes a statement,” Chase Carter said. “It’s power, it’s vibrant and bold, and it’s a symbol for breaking down stereotypes.”

In addition to plenty of pink, this production includes two campus canines: Atty, who plays Bruiser, Elle’s stylish Chihuahua and Shlomo, who plays Rufus, Elle’s manicurist and confidant’s dog. Bruiser’s pet parent is Caleb Whittaker, a Northwestern student, and Rufus’ pet parent is China Whitmire, house manager for the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts.

“It’s always interesting working with animals,” Chase Carter said. “You can’t always communicate 100 percent of what you want them to do.” Despite the communication challenges, Chase Carter knows the canines add something very special to the cast. “Bruiser is Elle’s dearest friend, he serves as an important support system for her,” Chase Carter said.

“Legally Blonde: The Musical” opens Valentine’s Day, Fri., Feb. 14 and continues performances through March 1 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. in the Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive, on the Evanston campus.

Tickets are available now on the Wirtz Center website, by phone at 847-491-7282 or in-person at the Wirtz Center box office, which is located in the lobby of the Ethel M. Barber Theater.

Box office hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. The box office is closed Sundays and Mondays. 

The Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts annually mounts more than 40 productions in theater, music theater and dance. Undergraduate actors, managers and playwrights, alongside graduate actors, designers, directors and dramaturgs, collaborate on works both classic and contemporary for audiences of all ages. The Center adheres to and reflects the academic mission of the University, the curricular needs of the theater and performance studies departments and the educational priorities of communication students. It exists in service to the campus and the greater community of the Metropolitan Chicago area.

The Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts is a member of the Northwestern Arts Circle, which brings together film, humanities, literary arts, music, theater, dance and visual arts.  

More news at Northwestern Now
Find experts on our Faculty Experts Hub
Follow @NUSources for expert perspectives

"CELEBRATION OF LATINA|O ARTISTS” Hits Chicago For 8 Weeks January 16th through March 13th

A "CELEBRATION OF LATINA|O ARTISTS” SPOTLIGHTS DISTINGUISHED WRITERS JOSÉ RIVERA, MARÍA IRENE FORNES, ROBERTO BOLAÑO  AND MORE                                                                                                  ***FROM POETRY TO PANEL DISCUSSIONS TO A COLOMBIAN DANCE PARTY, EVENTS AMPLIFY JOSÉ RIVERA’S ANOTHER WORD FOR BEAUTY AND ROBERTO BOLAÑO’S 2666, ADAPTED AND DIRECTED BY ROBERT FALLS AND SETH BOCKLEY*** Goodman Theatre, in collaboration with off-Loop theaters, DePaul University and Northwestern University, presents an eight-week “Celebration of Latina|o Artists,” centered around its first two productions of 2016, both of which are world premieres—Another Word For Beauty by José Rivera (starts this Saturday, January 16) and Roberto Bolaño’s 2666, adapted and directed by Robert Falls and Seth Bockley (starts February 6). Curated by Henry Godinez, Goodman Theatre Resident Artistic Associate and 2666 cast member, the celebration highlights the careers and influence of noted writers Bolaño, María Irene Fornés and Rivera and includes a slate of readings, discussions and more—many of which are free of charge. Celebration events begin January 16 and continue through March 13. For ticket reservations and information, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/LCelebration.  Tickets for Another Word for Beauty ($25 -$77) and 2666 ($20-$45) are available at GoodmanTheatre.org, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). Highlights of “A Celebration of Latina|o Artists” include the following events: Poetry by Roberto Bolaño, Gabriel García Márquez and Eduardo Galeano at The Poetry Foundation of Chicago   Readings and panel discussions of works by José Rivera (References to Salvador Dalí Make Me Hot, School of the Americas, Marisol and The Hours are Feminine) and María Irene Fornés (Fefu and Her Friends, Mud, Sarita and The Conduct of Life) at venues including: Urban Theater Company, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, The Hypocrites Theater Chicago (The Den), Northwestern University and DePaul University “Pageants and Prisons,” a discussion presented by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs about the surprising use of beauty pageants for inmate rehabilitation A one-night-only reading of Issac Gomez’s play, La Ruta—a new work inspired by the unsolved murders of hundreds of women in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico (the US/Mexican border city that serves as inspiration for the fictional city of Santa Teresa in 2666)—at The National Musuem of Mexican Art. Additionally, clips from Lourdes Portillo's award-winning documentary, Señorita Extraviada, will be shown “Club Colombia,” a dance party with DJ at the Goodman following Another Word for Beauty