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Showing posts with label Shakespeare 400. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shakespeare 400. Show all posts

Thursday, August 18, 2016

TWO NIGHTS ONLY: Belgium's Theater Zuidpool Presents Alt-Rock MACBETH at Chicago's Thalia Hall

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:
★★★★ Combines audio play, hardrock, pop concert and theatre   

Theater Kant

Shakespeare 400 Chicago comes to historic concert venue
Belgium's Theater Zuidpool presents
MACBETH
Alternative rock concert of the Scottish Play at Thalia Hall, 
August 21 & 22


Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Thalia Hall present Theater Zuidpool's alt-rock concert Macbeth at Thalia Hall as part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago, August 21 & 22 at 8:30 p.m. Photo by Raymond Mallentjer. 


Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) and Thalia Hall partner to present a two-night-only concert event from Belgium as part of the yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago celebration—Theater Zuidpool’s Macbeth. A dynamic and feverish production bordering between underground opera and rock concert, this Macbeth is a music theater deconstruction of one of Shakespeare’s most recognizable works with an original score in English by two of Belgium’s greatest alternative musicians, Mauro Pawlowski (of dEUS) and Tijs Delbeke(of Sir Yes Sir). 

Performed in English
      at Thalia Hall,
      1807 S. Allport Street
      Chicago

  Run Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
     (no intermission)


 Tickets start at $28
     To purchase by phone, call
     the Thalia Hall box office
     at 866.777.8932

The musicians weave together various rock, folk, alternative and operatic musical styles to create a dialogue between Macbeth and his wife, telling the story of their bloody takeover of the Scottish throne. This wholly unique musical experience is presented at Pilsen’s famed concert venue Thalia Hall, August 21 & 22 at 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.).

The visceral rendering of the Bard’s chilling tragedy has entranced music critics and Shakespeare lovers alike. Belgium’s DeMorgen raves “never seen anything like this before...Theater Zuidpool transforms Shakespeare’sMacbeth into an underground-like opera, provocative and modulating with an arsenal of musical genres, and poetry used as a weapon.” Cutting Edge says, “The ensemble brings Shakespeare’s musical poetry to life. ThisMacbeth shows how you can move the boundaries of theatre." De Standaard calls it “a startling Zuidpool-creation... Not often is the dim discomfort of Macbeth so precisely touched upon.”

Known for its surprising and uncompromising works, Theater Zuidpool is a professional Belgian theater company led by Artistic Directors Jorgen Cassier, Koen van Kaam and Sofie Decleir—all actors, musicians, directors, translators and writers. Zuidpool works with material from a wide variety of eras, traditions and media. Since 2005, they've created more than 20 co-productions, ranging from the classical Greek repertoire to Shakespeare, Goethe, Beckett and Fosse.

The dynamic Macbeth company includes actor-musicians Jorgen Cassier, Sofie Decleir, Arne Leurentop,Femke Heijens, Sjoerd Bruil and Koen van Kamm.

ABOUT SHAKESPEARE 400 CHICAGO

Shakespeare 400 Chicago is a yearlong international arts festival in 2016 celebrating the vibrancy, relevance and reach of Shakespeare as the world commemorates the four hundred years since the playwright’s death in 1616. Spearheaded by Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the festival unites 60 of the city’s world-class institutions, and welcomes scores of leading artists from nations around the world including Australia, India, Mexico, the United Kingdom and beyond. Events spanning theater, opera, music, dance—even cuisine—celebrate, interpret and reimagine Shakespeare’s work. Shakespeare 400 Chicago will engage more than 500,000 Chicagoans and visitors to our City through 850 events. With leading support from the Julius Frankel Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, this quadricentennial celebration is the world’s largest and most comprehensive celebration of Shakespeare’s enduring legacy.

ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER

CST is a leading international theater company, known for extraordinary productions; unlocking Shakespeare’s work for educators and students; and serving as Chicago’s cultural ambassador through its World’s Stage Series. Throughout 2016, CST is spearheading the international arts and culture festival, Shakespeare 400 Chicago, a citywide celebration of the playwright’s 400-year legacy. CST serves as a partner in literacy to Chicago Public Schools, working alongside English teachers to help struggling readers connect with Shakespeare in the classroom, and bringing his text to life on stage for 40,000 students every year. And each summer, 30,000 families and audience members of all ages welcome the free Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tour into their neighborhoods across the far north, west and south sides of the city. Reflecting the global city it calls home, CST is the leading producer of international work in Chicago, and has toured its plays to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and the Middle East. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, CST was the recipient of a Regional Theatre Tony Award. Its work has been recognized internationally with three of London’s prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards, and by the Chicago theater community with over 80 Joseph Jefferson Awards for Artistic Excellence. CST’s work with Chicago Public School students and teachers was recognized by the White House in 2014 with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award.




Friday, July 8, 2016

OPENING: DAVID CARL'S CELEBRITY ONE-MAN HAMLET UPSTAIRS AT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER


Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents 
Comedian and improviser David Carl in
DAVID CARL'S  
CELEBRITY ONE-MAN HAMLET
★★★★ Carl’s 90-minute solo is as much fun as its title suggests... 

It's crazy hilarious. 
Time Out New York


Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

A riotously funny breakout hit from New York Fringe

part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago, July 12–17, 2016

On the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare’s legacy in 2016, Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) welcomes New York Fringe Outstanding Solo Performance Award-winner David Carl and his hilarious David Carl's Celebrity One-Man Hamlet as part of the year long Shakespeare 400 Chicago celebration. Co-created by Carl and director Michole BiancosinoDavid Carl's Celebrity One-Man Hamlet depicts Shakespeare’s Hamlet as one imagines Busey might—unhinged and full of detours to his movies and personal grievances. Deemed a “deliciously deranged… head-spinning performance” by The New York Times, this offbeat spectacle is featured in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare for only eight performances, July 12–17, 2016.
Carl performs as Busey in a fury of tragically epic madness. Having triumphed in Celebrity Big Brother, survived Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, and taken on Meatloaf and Donald Trump, the eccentric, cult classic film star now undertakes his biggest challenge yet: performing all the parts in Hamlet with outrageous songs and homemade puppets. Carl channels the ultimate “Hamlet-ized Busey” in what the Georgetown Voice has deemed “the best impersonation of Gary Busey the world will ever know.” This riotous one-man show comes to Chicago as part of the diverse lineup of Shakespeare 400 Chicago.
Acclaimed by critics, Shakespeare scholars and fans of Busey alike, David Carl’s Celebrity One-Man Hamlet was a breakout hit in the New York comedy scene and received Outstanding Solo Performance at New York Fringe. It garnered four stars and a critic’s pick designation from Time Out New York, and the New York Post proclaimed that it is “so demented a concept that it actually works.” The production also traveled to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2015, where The Scotsman called it a “defiantly unpretentious reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy.”
Comedian, actor and improviser David Carl is a dynamic performer on comedy stages across New York City, and has been featured in television and film. Co-creator and director Michole Biancosino is a Co-founding Artistic Director of the award-winning Project Y Theatre Company, where she develops and directs new work. Biancosino is the recipient of numerous grants and awards for her productions. David Carl’s Celebrity One-Man Hamlet is presented by Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Richard Jordan productions, PM2 Entertainment and Project Y.
Show Dates/Times
Tuesday, July 12, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 13, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 14, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 15, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 16, 2016 – 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 17, 2016 – 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: start at $35
For more information about the production, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/gary.

ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER
CST is a leading international theater company, known for extraordinary productions; unlocking Shakespeare’s work for educators and students; and serving as Chicago’s cultural ambassador through its World’s Stage Series. Throughout 2016, CST is spearheading the international arts and culture festival, Shakespeare 400 Chicago, a citywide celebration of the playwright’s 400-year legacy. CST serves as a partner in literacy to Chicago Public Schools, working alongside English teachers to help struggling readers connect with Shakespeare in the classroom, and bringing his text to life on stage for 40,000 students every year. And each summer, 30,000 families and audience members of all ages welcome the free Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tour into their neighborhoods across the far north, west and south sides of the city. Reflecting the global city it calls home, CST is the leading producer of international work in Chicago, and has toured its plays to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and the Middle East. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, CST was the recipient of a Regional Theatre Tony Award. Its work has been recognized internationally with three of London’s prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards, and by the Chicago theater community with over 80 Joseph Jefferson Awards for Artistic Excellence. CST’s work with Chicago Public School students and teachers was recognized by the White House in 2014 with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award. www.chicagoshakes.com

ABOUT SHAKESPEARE 400 CHICAGO
Shakespeare 400 Chicago is a yearlong international arts festival in 2016 celebrating the vibrancy, relevance and reach of Shakespeare as the world commemorates the four hundred years since the playwright’s death in 1616. Spearheaded by Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the festival unites 60 of the city’s world-class institutions, and welcomes scores of leading artists from nations around the world including Australia, India, Mexico, the United Kingdom and beyond. Events spanning theater, opera, music, dance—even cuisine—celebrate, interpret and reimagine Shakespeare’s work. Shakespeare 400 Chicago will engage more than 500,000 Chicagoans and visitors to our City through 850 events. With leading support from the Julius Frankel Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, this quadricentennial celebration is the world’s largest and most comprehensive celebration of Shakespeare’s enduring legacy. www.shakespeare400chicago.com

Thursday, June 2, 2016

REVIEW: Shakespeare 400 Continues With I, Malvolio and Tug of War at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

Tonight, ChiIL Mama will be ChiILin' out at The Chicago Shakespeare Theatre with England's hilarious Tim Crouch. As I've mentioned many times before, Twelfth Night has been a favorite of mine since I was in the show myself in college. As many wildly varied adaptations as I've seen, I can't say I've ever seen it done as an hour long solo show from Malvolio's point of view. I'm very much looking forward to it. Get your tickets fast, as this is a short one week run.


I, Malvolio | Tim Crouch Theatre at Chicago Shakespeare Theater | Photo by Bruce Atherton and Jana Chiellino


Shakespeare 400 Chicago continues with 
Celebrated UK theater-maker, Tim Crouch’s reimagining of Twelfth Night
Hilarious and thought-provoking rant by Twelfth Night's slandered steward
5 performances only as part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago, June 2–5

On the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare’s legacy in 2016, Chicago Shakespeare Theater welcomes one of Britain’s most innovative and respected theater makers, Tim Crouch, in his inventive one-man show 
I, Malvolio as part of the Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival line-up. Following the international success of Crouch’s I, CalibanI,Peaseblossom and I, Banquo—a collection of plays shedding light on some of Shakespeare’s more shadowy characters—I, Malvolio plucks the pompous steward out of Shakespeare’s  Twelfth Night and unravels a hilarious and thought-provoking story of cruelty, self-hatred and revenge. 

Conceived, written and performed by Crouch and designed by Olivier Award-winner Graeme Gilmour, I, Malvolio is performed in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare for five performances only, June 2–5, 2016.  

Performance Listing
Thursday, June 2 – 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 3 – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 4 – 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 5 – 2:00 p.m.
For more information about the production, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/malvolio.

Reimagining the much-maligned steward pining for his mistress in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, I, Malvolio is a charged, hysterical and sometimes unsettling rant from a man adrift in front of a cruel audience. Crouch’s Malvolio asks the audience to explore the delight we take in other people’s suffering. Part clown, part theater-hating disciplinarian, Malvolio is ultimately a man sorely wronged. Both heart-breaking and ingenious with a crass sense of humor, I, Malvolio takes the audience on a one-hour ride, humanizing the character with raw honesty.


The Guardian gives I, Malvolio five stars—saying “Tim Crouch is at the top of his game, sharing a text that plays as much with intelligence as slapstick.” 

The New York Times declares “I, Malvolio improbably finds its own delicate sweet (and sour) spot between comedy and self-subverting analysis.” 

The Times (UK) praises “this is a treasure…Immaculate, moving, funny, wise.” 

Crouch’s Malvolio is described by the Scotland Herald as “a pompous ass who falls somewhere between the buffoonery of Boris Johnson, the absurdism of Vic Reeves and the misguided self-importance of the late Princess Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell.” 

The production has amused and affected audiences on stages around the globe in Sydney, Singapore and New York. Described as “one of the smartest artists making theatre in Britain now” by Kulturflash, Tim Crouch is a multi-talented theater maker who writes, performs and produces new work. Crouch’s work is noted for rejecting theatrical conventions and for engaging the audience in an active role during the performance. He has collaborated with some of the UK’s finest theater companies, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, the Royal Court Theatre and the British Council. 

Currently, he is adapting and directing Spymonkey’s highly anticipated premiere of The Complete Deaths, which will be presented by Chicago Shakespeare as part of Shakespeare 400 Chicago, November 30–December 11, 2016.





More of ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List:
Chi, IL Live Shows On Our Radar 


REVIEW:  
Tug of War is a 6 hour epic and we highly recommend it! The live band on stage, melding of anti war ballads, and tales of soldiers, kings, passion and power plays makes this production a must see. I never thought I'd hear Pink Floyd ballads and Shakespeare sharing a stage! Chicago Shakespeare makes it work and then some. Ancient history comes alive and it's stunning how little has truly changed in the world in over 400 years. The "Tug of War" is indeed mighty and nearly inescapable. 

We particularly loved the minimalist set design reminiscent of tire swings, junk yards, and children's playground games like capture the flag and king of the hill. The costume design was also fantastically ragtag and we adored the kings' capes with their names running around the bottom hem and their likenesses on their backs. This production is highly entertaining and a fabulous alternative to binge watching TV at home. Try out this historical Game of Thrones. There's something cathartic about seeing so much live theatre for hours on end that has to be experienced at least once.

Take a day for this full on Shakespeare immersion. Great for an adult day out or for families with tweens and up. My 15 year old son has now completed the Chicago theatre trifecta with me in the last couple of years. Together we enjoyed the award winning 12 hour All Our Tragic by The Hypocrites, the 9 hour Hammer Trinity by House Theatre and now Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's Tug of War. This show makes ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List. Highly recommended.

THE PLAY:
Get ready for the ultimate game of thrones... Artistic Director Barbara Gaines takes us on a riveting gallop through two centuries, distilling six Shakespeare masterworks into two action-packed dramas that trace the rise and fall of kings, and the uncommon courage of common men. Power plays, ego, lust, humor and, yes, even love: no writer surpassed Shakespeare in portraying the forces that drive leaders to war—or the wisdom and valor of the common soldier. Twenty-two actors including a four-member band, form the company that will satisfy your craving for a multi-episode immersion into some of the most brilliant stories of the cyclical human condition. The adventure begins with Edward III, Henry V and Henry VI, Part 1 in Foreign Fire, where France is the prize. The action continues in Fall 2016 when turmoil seizes England in Tug of War: Civil Strife.


This fabulous, free program has been a favorite of ours since it's inception. Bring a picnic, a chair and as many friends, neighbors and family members as you can rally. Shakespeare in the Parks is a multigenerational must see and great for Chicago's communities. ChiIL Mama will be there... will YOU?! Highly recommended. ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List: Family Friendly Fun for all ages.





ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER
Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) is a leading international theater company and the recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award®. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, CST is dedicated to creating extraordinary production of classics, new works and family programming; to unlocking Shakespeare’s work for educators and students; and to serving as Chicago’s cultural ambassador through its World’s Stage Series. Through a year-round season encompassing more than 650 performances, CST attracts 225,000 audience members annually. One in four of its audience members is under eighteen years old, and today its education programs have impacted the learning of over one million students. CST is proud to take an active role in empowering the next generation of literate, engaged cultural champions and creative minds. During 2016, CST has spearheaded the Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival in addition to announcing the creation of an innovative performance venue, The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare. www.chicagoshakes.com

ABOUT SHAKESPEARE 400 CHICAGO
Shakespeare 400 Chicago is a yearlong international arts festival in 2016 celebrating the vibrancy, relevance and reach of Shakespeare. As the world commemorates the four hundred years since Shakespeare’s death in 1616, Shakespeare 400 Chicago engages more than 500,000 Chicagoans and visitors to the City through 850 events. Spearheaded by Chicago Shakespeare Theater and with leading support from the Julius Frankel Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, this quadricentennial celebration is anticipated to be the world’s largest and most comprehensive celebration of Shakespeare’s enduring legacy. Current and upcoming highlights include: Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of Tug of War: Foreign Fire, adapted and directed by Artistic Director Barbara Gaines (ongoing to June 12); CST’s Chicago Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night (July 14–August 14); David Carl in NY Fringe Festival hit, Gary Busey’s One Man Hamlet (July 12–17) and the Shakespeare’s Globe production of The Merchant of Venice starring Jonathan Pryce (August 4–14).www.shakespeare400chicago.com

Friday, February 19, 2016

Paterson Joseph's Sancho upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Through February 21

Chicago's all encompassing Shakespeare 400 celebration continues with Paterson Joseph's Sancho upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.



Paterson Joseph is a superb storyteller. He brings Sancho to life in a revealing, poignant and funny show. 
The Public Reviews (UK)


Celebrated Royal Shakespeare Company actor Paterson Joseph (Julius Caesar, HBO’s The Leftovers) inhabits the curious, daringly determined life of Charles Ignatius Sancho—composer, social satirist, general man of refinement. Born on a slave ship but never a slave, immortalized by the great English painter Thomas Gainsborough, in 1774 Sancho became the first black person of African origin to vote in Britain. Among Sancho’s circle of friends was David Garrick, celebrated Shakespeare actor and theater owner. Sancho was a renowned man of letters and quotes Shakespeare in his numerous letters more than any other author. This endlessly revealing, often funny one-man show casts a new light on the often misunderstood narratives of African-British experience.


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