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Showing posts with label The Glass Menagerie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Glass Menagerie. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

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.  

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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Opening, Closing, Extended and Highly Recommended

Act Out:  

Opening Friday
 
PROFILES THEATRE
Sweet and Sad (Midwest Premiere)
by Richard Nelson
Directed by Joe Jahraus
 
Featuring Profiles ensemble members Darrell W. Cox and Eric Burgher with Robert Breuler, Kristin Ford, Harmony France and Kate Harris
August 17 – October 7, 2012

Location: Profiles Theatre, The Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway
Tickets: $30 - $40
Box Office: www.profilestheatre.org or (773) 549-1815
 
With Sweet and Sad, Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Nelson continues his series of plays exploring the immediate present and the ever-changing state of the nation. Over Sunday brunch on the tenth anniversary of 9/11, the Apple Family finds themselves talking about loss, remembrance and the family struggle to maintain its moral equilibrium in a world that no longer reflects its values.

Profiles Theatre’s production follows the highly acclaimed world premiere at The Public Theater in New York last season. Named one of the top ten plays of the year by the New York Times, New York Magazine and Bloomberg News, Sweet and Sad is part of Richard Nelson’s planned series of four works charting the changes undergone by an extended family from the village of Rhinebeck, New York. Beginning with That Hopey Changey Thing in 2010 and the upcoming Sorry opening at The Public Theater in October 2012, the plays take place in real time and have their World premiere on the dates they are set.

Closing (family friendly)

PINKALICIOUS Must Close On September 2!


**Check out our exclusive interview with Pinkalicious and her little brother here**
Emerald City Theatre Company's hit production of PINKALICIOUS was tickled pink to have so many extensions and spend over one year at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.   But the time has come to say goodbye.
 
Still didn't see it, or want one last chance to chuckle along?   Catch em while you can.   Use code SUMMER when ordering to get $18 tickets!*

"Can't I have just one more?" When Pinkalicious eats one too many pink cupcakes, she catches a case of Pinkititis and turns pink from head to toe! It'll take the wisdom of her broccoli-eating little brother to help her get out of this predicament. Don't miss Chicago's Emerald City Theatre production of this smash hit musical based on the popular book by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann.

Best suited for theatre lovers 3 and up.
 
* Valid on all performances through September 2. Offer ends September 1 at 11:59pm. Not valid with any other offer or on previously purchased tickets. Subject to availability. Normal ticketing fees apply. Other restrictions may apply.


Extended


The Glass Menagerie
by Tennessee Williams

directed by Josh Altman
is EXTENDING for 2 weeks through September 16
Thu, Fri, Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 3pm


 

Company member and Jeff Award-winner, Jacqueline Grandt, plays Amanda in Tennessee Williams' most intimate play, up close and personal at Redtwist

THE PLAY
In Williams' deeply personal-and autobiographical-memory play, Tom Wingfield reveals to us a critical moment in his family's life. Brimming with false hope and desperation, this vivid and penetrating drama explores the disguise of illusion and a family's struggle to survive. Redtwist approaches this American masterpiece from the unique perspective of its explosive storefront space to re-examine the dark secrets of a young man's family, the debris from which emerged the legendary American playwright.

CAST
Ryan Heindl as Tom Wingfield; Jacqueline Grandt as Amanda Wingfield; Sarah Mayhan as Laura Wingfield; Chris Daley as Jim O'Connor

STAFF
Josh Altman (Director); Allison Queen (Stage Manager); Olivia Baker (Assistant Stage Manager); Frank Sjodin (Tech Director); Henry Behel (Set Designer); Heather Gilbert (Lighting Designer); Christopher Kriz (Sound Designer); Kelsey Ettman (Costume Designer); Nick Heggestad (Prop Designer); Kevin McDonald (Dramaturg); Kathy Logelin (Dialect Coach); Garvin Jellison (Master Electrician); Mary Reynard Liss (Vocal Coach); Jan Ellen Graves (Graphic Design); Charles Bonilla (Box Office Manager); Justin Castellano (Production Manager); Brett Gould, Heather Brooke Scholten (Production Assistants); Michael Colucci & Jan Ellen Graves (Producers)

SCHEDULE
Runs: Thu, Fri, Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 3pm
Closes: Sun, Sep 16, 3pm
Running Time: Approx. 2:15 hours, includes one intermission
Tickets: Thu, $25; Fri & Sun, $27; Sat, $30 (seniors & students $5 off)

DETAILS
Call: 773-728-7529
Email: reserve@redtwist.org
Website/Tickets: www.redtwist.org

Redtwist is located at 1044 W Bryn Mawr, 2 blks W of LSD, 2 blks E of the Red Line El station. Street parking (paybox/meters until 9pm) is available on Bryn Mawr, side streets, and Broadway. Please reserve 48 hours in advance. Credit cards accepted by phone and via Paypal to guarantee seating.


Highly Recommended

BABES WITH BLADES KICKS OFF 15th ANNIVERSARY SEASON  WITH “SUSAN SWAYNE AND THE BEWILDERED BRIDE”

 WORLD PREMIERE OF REINA HARDY’S VICTORIAN DETECTIVE COMEDY

Dig Sherlock in skirts, and cutthroat killers in corsettes?   Then you must see Susan Swayne and The Bewildered Bride.   There's plenty of Victorian murder, mayhem and mystery afoot in this detective drama.  And the gender bending, cross dressing is worthy of The Bard himself.

ChiIL Live Shows had the great privileged of checkin' out opening night and we were thoroughly entertained.   The stage combat and sword play is  exhilarating and intense while the characters are as amusing as they are confusing.   We enjoyed the well written script and quirky sleuthing.   From opium dens to underwear duels, this show is highly recommended!   There are some mature sexual themes and simulated violence but nothing too over the top for older kids.   If in doubt, come check it out first.

Babes With Blades Theatre Company (BWBTC), Chicago’s all-female stage combat ensemble, will open their 15th anniversary season with the world premiere of “Susan Swayne and the Bewildered Bride” by Reina Hardy, directed by Dan Foss.  

It’s 1888 in London, and the Society of Lady Detectives meets discreetly to indulge its members’  tastes for swordplay and sleuthing.  As the genteel club considers a disturbing series of murders in the Whitechapel district, a frantic heiress turns up with a startling accusation towards one of their own.  Society member Susan Swayne takes the case, defying societal norms and pursuing the truth through the Victorian streets.  

Combat sequences from violence designer/BWBTC ensemble member Libby Beyreis will feature smallsword and bartitsu (a Victorian mixed martial art influenced by jujitsu and savate).  

Tickets are $20 for regular performances, students and seniors $12.
 
Originally submitted to BWBTC’s inaugural Joining Sword & Pen Playwriting Competition in 2005, “Susan Swayne and the Bewildered Bride” began as a one-act play inspired by a print of Emile Bayard’s “An Affair of Honor.”  The script was selected for the company’s New Plays Development Program in 2009 and became a full-length play through a series of three readings and feedback sessions.  Director Foss describes the resulting script as “a quirky Victorian detective comedy.”
  
 
The cast includes BWBTC ensemble members Lisa Herceg, Kimberly Logan, and  Megan Schemmel, joined by guest artists Kathryn Acosta, Justine Serino, and Kelly Yacono.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW for Reina Hardy’s Susan Swayne and the Bewildered BrideCLICK!

“Susan Swayne and the Bewildered Bride” opened on Saturday, August 18 at 8:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Square Theatre, 4754 N. Leavitt (inside Berry Memorial UMC, lower level).   The show runs Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m., August 23  to September 22.  In addition, there will be Saturday matinees on September 1, 8, and 15 at 2:00 p.m.



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