REVIEW: Circus HAMLET Via The New York Circus Project at Chicago's Studebaker Theater Through August 18th, 2024

This Tragedy's a Triumph!

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List

 

Circus meets Shakespeare in cutting-edge production 

Geared toward adults but recommended for all ages 4+

90 minutes/no intermission

REVIEW

By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara

A 90 minute circus arts filled Hamlet?! Yes please! Last night I had the pleasure of ChiILin’ at New York Circus Project’s Hamlet, at Studebaker Theater, and I was absolutely gobsmacked by this powerful production. This is the first Chicago visit for The New York Circus Project, and we fervently hope it won't be the last! I belatedly found out about the production, and I'm so happy they were able to squeeze me in to review on this short run. Get thee to the Studebaker. Fans of Circus Arts, Shakespeare, and actors performing super human feats, don't miss this! Highly recommended. ★★★★ Four out of four stars.

Here at ChiIL Mama, we're no strangers to circus arts or Shakespeare. Since 2008, we've been covering Cirque du Soleil, Ringling, and other modern and traditional circuses from around the world, and right here at home. In fact, my son and daughter were cast in numerous youth circus arts show at Chicago's Actors Gymnasium, and were on the circus performance team at Circesteem. They also took classes at MSA and Aloft. So, I can attest to the talent and skills of this company. I've also been a theatre critic for 16 years, reviewing a plethora of professional productions of The Bard's works, including multiple Hamlets. This one is completely unique, highly entertaining, and a must see!

 

We were wowed by the aerial arts, partner acro, and sheer variety of circus skills rolled into this fast paced production. The hour and a half flew by. Everything was stellar from the actors, to the set, choreography, lighting, and song choices. The music spanned decades, from classics to contemporary, and added much. I want the playlist! 

My only criticism is that I wish the dialogue was as loud as the music. We were about halfway back on the main floor, and when the actors were upstage or turned away, it was a struggle to hear all the lines. This may be a venue issue. As much as we adore the art deco charm of The Studebaker Theatre, it was built in 1898... Still, it seemed as if the actors were not wearing mics, or if they were, they need to be turned up. It's a cavernous space to project in with only stage amplification! 

Overall, this is an excellent pick for multigenerational fun. All the circus skills are hella impressive. And we were completely entranced by Ophelia’s gorgeous, water contortion death scene! This abridged version retains all the key plot points, famous lines, and favorite characters, while keeping the action flowing fast. Yes, everyone dies, so don't expect a lighthearted fluff piece of a circus show. Still, it's a great, fast paced, playful way to introduce the littles (and Bard-wary adults, too) to a love of Shakespeare. Flippin' fantastic! ★★★★ Four out of Four Stars 

Bonnie is a Chicago based writer, theatre critic, photographer, artist, and Mama to 2 amazing adults. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly).

“ …dramatizing the inner conflict of the characters through dance and circus created a fundamentally different viewing experience than most productions of the play…utterly creative and original” (Columbia Bwog)

“Breaking the boundaries of art forms and time, ‘Hamlet’ ultimately traversed the lines of what a Shakespeare play should look like—revealing an undiscovered terrain within the arts world waiting for interdisciplinary talents to fill it with color.” (Columbia Spectator)

“...immensely effective in forwarding the tense, psychological themes at the heart of Hamlet”(The Blue and White)

The New York Circus Project brings HAMLET, an innovative, circus-infused retelling of the Shakespearean classic to Chicago, IL as the final stop in its premier touring season.

HAMLET upends what audiences expect of Shakespeare by blending theater with circus arts to arrive at a unique iteration of a well-known tragedy. The production’s fast-paced, abbreviated script is balanced with circus acts that change the story’s tempo and allow for deeper exploration of the internal, emotional conflict at hand. 

Hamlet’s delirium materializes in an explosive group acrobatic tableau, Ophelia’s life flashes before her eyes during a last-breath contortion performance in a water filled basin, and the ghost of Hamlet’s father’s famous monologue is reimagined as a solo aerial dance act.

By oscillating between scenes with dialogue and circus performance, the lines between realism and internal monologue blur. Comparable to the use of song to emphasize emotional or narrative beats in musical theater, this interdisciplinary approach fills Shakespeare’s Hamlet with new color and life.

HAMLET opens at Studebaker Theater from August 15th to August 18th. 

Tickets are on sale now! Website: newyorkcircusproject.org

Evening performances are at 8pm, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday. 

Tickets are priced between $49 and $79.

New York Circus Project is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to producing contemporary circus shows in New York City and the United States, using acrobatics as a medium for presenting classic texts in a visually striking and unique way. Additionally, New York Circus Project produces free-to-the-public, family friendly circus cabaret performances on the streets of New York City. 

Hot Weekend Picks: Sideshow Villains New EP, Claws for Breakfast and Deviant Cabaret at Alhambra Palace Sunday, October 22, 2023

 ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Get Your Tricks And Treats On With Chicago's Own 

"Criminal Cabaret" Group Sideshow Villains

This Sunday, I'll be ChiILin' with the villains, reviewing for ChiIL Live Shows. Ready for some adult fun? Sideshow Villains will be performing their new EP, Claws for Breakfast, a compendium of tunes about revenge, addiction, and murder set to an eclectic mix of Americana musical styles, in the lush setting of the Alhambra Palace's main hall on Sunday, October 22 at 6PM CST. 

Interspersed between songs, the audience will witness the Villains' accomplices in the Deviant Cabaret, a mix of dance, circus, and cabaret acts designed to disturb and delight. Attendees are encouraged to arrive in their most exquisite Halloween finery and may be asked to assist Mark the Knife, the "World's Most Dangerous Comic."

The music featured on Claws for Breakfast evokes 70’s film soundtracks, Hollywood westerns, and vaudevillian burlesque acts with all tracks written or co-written by Sideshow Villains band leader Dante Ingram. 

 The Deviant Cabaret will feature Ingram on vocals and silks, MC and comedian Mark Faje, aerialist and juggler Benjy Radinsky, trapeze/aerial sling artist Camille Swift, aerial artist Chris Rooney, guitarist Chris Siebold, dancer Cristal Sabbagh, aerial rope artist Dalia Shafie, percussionist Dan Leoli, bassist Greg Nergaard, trumpet player Jaime Ruiz, aerialist Michael House, multi-instrumentalist Paul Mutzabaugh, and performance artist Spitfire. Sarah Kroth will be stage managing the event.

Ticket prices range from $25 for students to $65 for premium seats and Alhambra Palace is located at 1240 W Randolph St in Chicago's West Loop. 

For more information and tickets, click here:

https://sideshow-villains-deviant-cabaret.ticketleap.com/sv-deviant-cabaret/

https://sideshowvillains.bandcamp.com/album/claws-for-breakfast

https://sideshowvillains.com/

 

For World Circus Day, Cirque du Soleil Announces Global Cast of Corteo, Returning to Chicagoland After 4 Years

ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List

FOR WORLD CIRCUS DAY, CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

ANNOUNCES GLOBAL CAST OF CORTEO

Production represents 27 different nationalities, 18 languages,

and has toured to 20 countries

Here at ChiIL Mama, we've been covering Cirque du Soleil shows since 2008 and we missed their touring extravaganzas so much during the past few pandemic years. Both of my children grew up loving  Cirque du Soleil and their stellar shows inspired by kids to take circus arts at Actors Gymnasium, Cirque Esteem, and MSA. We've been fortunate to do many video interviews with Cirque du Soleil and shoot rehearsals as well as behind the scenes tours at many of their productions over the years. We adore the multicultural casts and world class skills of Cirque du Soleil shows. Corteo tickets are a great gift for all ages, and an excellent opportunity to make multigenerational memories. It's a short run, so don't miss this! I'll be catching opening night, so check back shortly after for my full review.

In honor of World Circus Day today, Cirque du Soleil announces the global cast of one of its most beloved productions, Corteo. This unique production, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, features cast and crew from 27 different countries around the world who speak in 18 different languages. First premiered in Montreal in April 2005, and debuted under the Big Top in Chicago the following year, Corteo has amazed over 10 million spectators, in 20 countries, on four continents. Cirque du Soleil returns to Chicago for the first time since 2019 with the joyous Corteo in five performances only, from Thursday, June 1 to Sunday, June 4, 2023 at the NOW Arena (5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates).

Corteo is an international, multicultural production that unites talent from around the globe. The nationalities represented among the Corteo cast and crew members include Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Italy, Hungary, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, United States, United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan.

Corteo Artistic Director Alison Crawford says, “Corteo is a dive into the circus arts and the world of the clown, the favorite universe of its creator and director Daniele Finizi Pasca. We immerse ourselves in the images that say so much about the circus, the strength of its tradition, each day renewed.” 

The history of circus as a popular form of entertainment has roots in Europe, Asia, and North America. Reflecting the global origins of circus artistry, Corteo features rigging, costumes, and set design inspired by many different cultures that are manufactured and transported across numerous countries for the tour.

The show’s spectacular, Italian drape curtains—which are the largest in North America at 58 feet wide by 37 feet high—were inspired by the Eiffel Tower and hand-painted by Jean Rabasse, whose style is influenced by painters from France, Spain, and Italy. The curtains were sewn in Canada and sent to France to be painted.

Inspired by the Chartres Cathedral in France, the stage is central in the arena and divides the venue, with each half of the audience facing the other half, giving a unique perspective not only of the show, but also a performer’s eye view of the audience; an atmosphere like never seen before in Cirque du Soleil arena show.

The setting and story of Corteo come together to illustrate the humanity that is within each of us. Set in a magical world between heaven and earth, the show unravels as the clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere. Surrounded by angels who watch from above, Corteo juxtaposes the clown’s strength with fragility, the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic, and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection. Lyrical and playful music carries Corteo through a timeless celebration in which boundaries are blurred and illusion teases reality.

 

TICKET INFORMATION 

Tickets for Corteo at NOW Arena are available online at cirquedusoleil.com/corteo. 

 

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 7:30pm

Friday, June 2, 2023, at 7:30pm

Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 3:30pm & 7:30pm

Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 1pm

Follow #CORTEO and #cirquedusoleil on social media: TikTok | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

OFFICIAL PARTNER Cirque du Soleil wishes to thank Air Canada, its official partner.

About Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil has redefined how the world views the circus; from small town talent to a household name. Based in Montreal (Qc), the Canadian organization went on to become a global leader in live entertainment with the creation of world-class immersive and iconic experiences, across 6 continents. Cirque du Soleil connects with audiences by being genuine, human and inclusive. Privileged to work with artists from 64 countries bring their creativity to life on stages around the world, the company aims to make a positive impact on people, communities and the planet with its most important tools: creativity and art. Over the years, more than 220 million people have been inspired, in over 70 different countries. For more information, visit cirquedusoleil.com. 

 

FLASH GIVEAWAY: WIN Tickets To The Chicago Circus and Performing Arts Festival March 9-12, 2023, at Wicker Park’s Den Theatre

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar   

Chicago Circus and Performing Arts Festival

FLASH GIVEAWAY: 

ENTER AT THE END OF THIS POST FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A Pair of Tickets to Any Adult Circus Act! and/or 

A Family 4 Pack of Tickets to Any Family Show 

March 9-12 at Wicker Park’s Den Theatre, Opening Gala March 9

Chicago-Based Ensembles Offer Circus, Burlesque, Dance & Comedy

Chicago Circus & Performing Arts Festival, the Windy City’s newest multidisciplinary fest, will run March 9-12, 2023, at Wicker Park’s Den Theatre at 1331 N. Milwaukee. Thirteen unique performances from Chicago-based companies include traditional circus acts, avant-garde sideshow and burlesque offerings, family-friendly juggling and clowning shows, queer-themed work, plus several evening-length pieces that also include dance. Several shows are double features: twice the fun for the same price!

Single tickets are $15-40 and are available online or at 773-697-3830. The lobby features cashless cocktails from the newly renovated Haven Lounge before and after performances. The Opening Gala is on March 9, from 6-10 PM and includes vendor tables from local businesses and Chicago circus schools, door prize giveaways, and a silent auction. Exclusive previews for media and donors will be performed throughout the night. Metered street parking is available, and the apps ParkChicago, Spot Hero, Park Whiz, and Parq Ex are recommended to secure a spot. The venue is also accessible to the Blue Line (north of Division, south of Damen stops) and via various bus routes. The Festival’s media sponsors are The Actors Gymnasium and CircusTalk.

 

SCHEDULE

Thursday, March 9

Heath Mainstage & Lobby: 

6:00-10:00 pm Opening Gala: Show previews for media and donors, silent auction, local vendors.

 

Friday, March 10

Bookspan Stage: 

6:00-7:30 pm Creature Double Feature by Such Creatures (circus + dance fusion, queer-themed)

7:45-9:15 pm BIPOC Circus Alliance Midwest (classic circus cabaret, all BIPOC cast)

9:30-11:00pm the Back Side Show by Yes Ma’am Circus (side-show, burlesque, circus, ages 18+)

 

Saturday, March 11 

Bookspan Stage: 

12:45- 2:15 pm Distillations & Don't Try This At Home- Double Feature by Luther Bangert & Dinder Brothers’ Circus (juggling solo show, family circus troop, side-show, family friendly)

2:30- 4:00 pm Double Feature- Poised & The Reluctant Mind Reader by Raphael Entertainment (solo juggling + solo magic, family friendly)

4:15- 5:45 pm BIPOC Circus Alliance Midwest (classic circus cabaret, all BIPOC cast)

6:00- 7:30 pm Autobiography of a Late Bloomer by Lucid Banter Project (dance, queer-themed, ages 13+)

7:45- 9:15 pm Circus Dungeon Crawl by Yes Ma’am Circus (circus cabaret, burlesque, nerd-themed, ages 18+)

9:30- 11:00 pm Queer Double Feature: And They Were Shipmates, A Queer Pirate Romance Adventure & Queer Dance Freakout by Counterfeit Combat & Gender Fucked Productions

 

Sunday, March 12 

Heath Mainstage: 

10:30 am- 12:00 pm Serious Cirque by Duo Refraction+ (circus, clown, family friendly)

12:15- 1:45 pm Circus Cabaret of Wonder by the Amazing Prizzini Brothers (classic circus cabaret, clowning, family friendly)

 

Bookspan Stage: 

12:15- 1:45 pm Double Feature- Poised & The Reluctant Mind Reader by Raphael Entertainment (solo juggling + solo magic, family friendly)

2:00- 3:30 pm Distillations & Don't Try This At Home- Double Feature by Luther Bangert & Dinder Brothers’ Circus (juggling solo show, family circus troop, side-show, family friendly)

SHOWS/ENSEMBLES

The Amazing Prizzini Brothers’ Circus Cabinet of Wonder: The Amazing Prizzini Brothers’ classic circus cabaret features family-friendly circus acts and clowning. The goal is simple: to make the audience complicit in the mischief. 

Autobiography of a Late Bloomer: Lucid Banter Project presents Autobiography of a Late Bloomer, a collection of work created over a span of 15 years, following the choreographer's coming-out journey. Following Paula, Lucid Banter Project's director, through professional growth, family drama, religious realizations, sexual awakenings, relationship highs and lows, injury, and emotional abuse, the audience is brought along through the experiences, emotions, and growth of a late bloomer lesbian.

BIPOC Circus Alliance Midwest Showcase: This circus cabaret features circus artists of Color as they share individual stories that depict human emotions and unique challenges faced by POC in contemporary America. Disciplines will include rope, straps, aerial hammock, diabolo, and silks. For ages 13+. 

The Back Side Show: Produced by Yes Ma'am Circus, the Back Side Show features burlesque, sideshow, and variety acts from around Chicago. For ages 18+. 

Circus Dungeon Crawl: Yes Ma’am Circus’ longest running cabaret! Come see the Chicago debut of Circus Dungeon Crawl, previously only shown to the elite crowd of gamers at GenCon in Indianapolis! Journey with Marcus the Bard as they attempt to drink, seduce, and thieve their way through the Multiverse, along with a cast of aerialists, clowns, and burlesque dancers.

Creature Double Feature: Creature Double Feature brings you not one, but TWO new works by Such Creatures Co-Directors Luke Greeff & Ashaand Simone. Missile Kid by Luke Greeff shows a punk-rock apocalyptic horror movement suite on unmasking the Autistic soul within the confines of an Allistic world … or a dancey existential crisis to good tunes… you decide. intimate youniverse by Ashaand Simone transports the audience into an 8-bit arcade world where they’re in charge of helping the protagonist’s disparate parts work towards some amount of peace. In doing so, they will learn firsthand what it looks like to re-wire the brain away from the impacts of (Complex) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and towards acceptance of intimacy and connection.

Distillations & Don't Try This At Home- Double Feature: A family friendly double feature. A solo contemporary juggling show performed by Luther Bangert, Distillations takes the audience on a multimedia and multidimensional journey through the anatomy of a moment, investigating causality, and emerging into the ground state of the juggling universe. Dinder Brother's Circus is proud to present the "DONT TRY THIS AT HOME SHOW!!!" Seen across the midwest since 2015 this blend of circus, magic, and danger is sure to entertain anyone ages 4 and up!  With mystifying aerials, feats of death, and astounding illusions everyone will find something they enjoy.

Double Feature- Poised & The Reluctant Mind Reader: A funny and dazzling 1-man duo show! Welcome to an experience that aims to have you question the absolute limits of what is humanly possible. Brought to you by one of Chicago's top jugglers, Poised is a family friendly show full of laughs and amazing feats of balance and coordination. Then stay and watch as someone with the ability to read minds shows off his powers while talking about the pains and annoyances that come with always hearing what people are thinking. The Reluctant Mind Reader showcases how some gifts aren’t what they’re cracked up to be.

Serious Cirque: Serious Cirque is a not so serious deconstruction of contemporary circus performance. It transparently and unabashedly reveals the hilarity, failures, successes and discoveries that come out of circus creation. What happens when Siri tries to third wheel your adagio duet opener? What if the duo trapeze porter loses his flyer and must perform only with sock puppets?

Queer Double Feature- And They Were Shipmates, A Queer Pirate Romance Adventure & Queer Dance Freakout: First, Counterfeit Combat presents a gay pirate show full of fights and fun that you can’t miss! Join us onboard Calico Jack’s ship, The Ranger, as we follow the tale of the infamous female pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read. This occasionally true story based on historical facts will have you laughing, sighing, and gasping, oh aye! Then stick around for Queer Dance Freakout, an interactive, choose your own adventure spectacle produced by Gender Fucked Productions. This company of queer, trans, and nonbinary choreographers and storytellers will perform up to 30 dances that will have audiences booty shaking, grooving, and connecting with the queer community.

*Click HERE for your chance to WIN a FREE Family 4 Pack of Tickets to your choice of any family friendly show at the 2nd Annual Chicago Circus and Performing Arts Festival!

**Click HERE for your chance to WIN a FREE Pair of Tickets to your choice of any Adult Show at the 2nd Annual Chicago Circus and Performing Arts Festival!

Winners announced at noon Thursday, March 9th.

ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows are thrilled to partner up with the 2nd Annual Chicago Circus and Performing Arts Festival to give away A Family 4 Pack of Tickets to Any Family Show and/or A Pair of Tickets to Any Adult Circus Act!

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. 

Teatro ZinZanni Bringing Love, Chaos, & Dinner Cirque Cabaret To Chicago In April of 2019

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Love, Chaos, & Dinner Premieres in Chicago

Launching this Spring

In Brand New Venue in Chicago Theatre District

 

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, we're seriously stoked for Love, Chaos, & Dinner to open in Chicago as a long running dinner destination. Circus arts have made a resurgence in new and creative ways, and Chicago's talent pool runs deep. This style of  dinner theatre featuring everything from campy cabaret to breathtaking aerial arts and more, has taken cities by storm. Chi, IL is ripe for The Spiegeltent ZaZou, a Belgian mirror tent filled with historic touches, which will host this self described "Kit Kat Klub on acid". We can't wait!

With great excitement, Teatro ZinZanni today announced the premiere of Love, Chaos, & Dinner, the critically acclaimed show combining the best of cirque, cabaret, spectacle, live music, comedy and fine dining.  Presented by Randolph Entertainment, performances are scheduled to begin on April 5, 2019 at a brand new location in the center of Chicago Theatre District. The Spiegeltent ZaZou, a Belgian mirror tent filled with historic touches, will be located on the 14th floor in the newly opened Cambria Hotel Loop-Theatre District.  The previously forgotten space was discovered in 2017 during the renovation of the hotel when dropped ceilings were removed revealing the original grand space within the 1926 historic building. 







Described as the “Kit Kat Klub on acid, Teatro ZinZanni brings to Chicago an international cast of premier entertainers for its anticipated engagement.  Love, Chaos & Dinner features the master of madcap improv Frank Ferrante, cabaret star Lady Rizo, and acclaimed Chicago natives aerial trapeze act Duo Rose. The company will also feature entertainment from comedians Joe De Paul and Tim Tyler, hoop aerialist Elena Gatilova, Parisian acrobat Domitil Aillot, and the body juggling Anastasini Brothers.  Teatro ZinZanni’s founder Norm Langill will direct the production.  The menu will be designed by Chicago’s own Debbie Sharpe – The Goddess in The Goddess and Grocer.







Broadway In Chicago is will be handling the sales and marketing for Teatro ZinZanni. Group tickets for 10 or more are now available by calling (312) 977-1710 or visiting BroadwayInChicago.com.



About Teatro ZinZanni
Teatro ZinZanni was founded in 1998 launching a wholly original new form of entertainment combining a unique fusion of cirque, comedy, cabaret, spectacle, and live music while serving up a multi-course feast. Inspired by the great cabarets of Europe, a team of creative artists and theatre professionals who have been working together for over 40 years created Teatro ZinZanni led by Founder Norm Langill. Teatro ZinZanni has brought in celebrated artists from the worlds of cirque, clowning, cabaret, music, aerial arts, magic, and illusion.  Performers over the years have included internationally recognized names like Joan Baez and Ann Wilson.  The show in Chicago is presented in the Spiegeltent ZaZou on the 14th floor in the newly opened Cambria Hotel Chicago Loop located in the Theatre District.





About Randolph Entertainment

Randolph Entertainment is a partnership of some 25 people who share in the vision of bringing an extraordinary experience to Chicago. A group of mostly Chicago based individuals; the partnership is committed to being a good neighbor and contributor to Chicago’s vibrant cultural community. Stanley Feig, a veteran of the entertainment industry with a career spanning several decades, manages the partnership. 





About Debbie Sharpe
Two parts rock n’ roll, one part Chicago, and one sassy Aussie, Debbie Sharpe is The Goddess in The Goddess and Grocer. The Goddess got her background in rock n’ roll catering, traveling the globe and feeding some of the most influential musicians of our time including The Rolling Stones, Madonna, U2 and Fleetwood Mac. Instantly falling in love with Chicago, she got off the Paul McCartney tour bus and laid down roots in the Wicker Park – Bucktown neighborhood in 1990. Serving a colorful, globally inspired menu of creative sandwiches, vibrant salads, mix-and-match square meals, and gourmet pantry items, she opened The Goddess and Grocer in 2004 and it was an instant hit. At The Goddess and Grocer, we believe in the power of community, the influence of music, and most of all, we believe great food brings people together.



Love, Chaos, and Dinner
Enter a realm where reality and dreams converge; an experience unlike any other! Teatro ZinZanni is a whirlwind of international cirque, comedy and cabaret served with a multi-course feast.  Described as the “Kit Kat Klub on acid”, the fast-paced action unfolds around, above and alongside guests as world-class acrobats, musicians, divas, illusionists, madmen, and aerialists fill our intimate Spiegeltent ZaZou, a unique jewel box mirror tent. Teatro ZinZanni’s signature blend of Love, Chaos & Dinner has played to sold out audiences in Seattle and San Francisco. Don’t miss the show The New York Times calls, “A feast for the senses” and the “city’s hottest ticket!”



WHERE:
Spiegeltent ZaZou
The Cambria Hotel Loop-Theatre District
32 W. Randolph St.

WHEN:
Begins Performances April 5, 2019
Wednesday-Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sundays Brunch Matinees at 12:00 p.m.

TICKETS:
Tickets start at $123 and include a 4-course meal
Broadway In Chicago Subscription and Group Sales:  (312) 977-1710
BroadwayInChicago.com  

Individual Tickets – Presale begins November 26, 2018 and General Onsale begins December 7, 2018
ZinZanni.com/Chicago

TOMORROW: Liquid Soul and March Fourth at Lincoln Hall (21+) #HighlyRecommended

INCOMING:   Chi, IL Live Shows on Our Radar Tues 6/10 at Lincoln Hall 8:00 PM   21+  $14.00 ChiIL Live Shows will be there shooting stills. It's our 14th wedding anniversary and we're way beyond jazzed to get to spend it with two of the most fun bands to see LIVE. We can't wait!  Highly recommended. Here's some crazy cool partner acro on STILTS that we shot when March Fourth played Martyrs last year!  Check it out. Then go see them LIVE already. MarchFourth Marching Band Liquid Soul Click the links below for loads of our past original photos, videos and coverage on BOTH bands. March Fourth Liquid Soul A kaleidoscope of musical and visual energy mere “mortal” bands cannot compete with, Aside from their marching band themed costumes, and multi member drum and brass corp, M4 is far from a “marching band” in any traditional sense (though this group of about 20 has been known to parade down Main Street before taking the stage). The show will take you on a journey from the swamps of Louisiana to the gypsy camps of eastern Europe and through the deepest grooves of American funk, rock, and jazz then boiling it all together in cinematic fashion with high-stepping stilt-acrobatics and dazzling dancers. They’ve headlined too many major festivals to name, multiple times, as well as playing prestigious venues from The Kennedy Center to a cultural exchange tour of China. (We've been huge Mars Williams fans since back in the Psychedelic Furs days.   Here's Mars in orbit at Chicago Folk and Roots Fest 2011 with Soul Sonic Sirkus.) Liquid Soul, the Grammy-nominated combo that has built its reputation on a compelling mix of jazz, hip-hop, funk and hard-bop, makes its Telarc debut with the release of One-Two Punch. Pioneers of the acid-jazz movement during their early days in the Chicago club scene of the mid-1990s, Liquid Soul has evolved over the past dozen years into a musical compendium of sounds and styles that starts with jazz and embraces hip-hop, R&B, dance, funk, techno, world, spoken-word and much more.  Led by innovative saxophonist/composer Mars Williams, the eight-piece collective has conquered nearly every corner of the U.S. and is looking to turn up the juice in Europe and other parts of the world via their Telarc debut. 2014 US Tour Dates  Fri. Jun 6 Omaha, NE Omaha Summer Arts Fest   Sat. Jun 7 Wichita, KS Wichita River Fest   Sun. Jun 8 Madison, WI Marquette Fest   *Tue. Jun 10 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall   with Liquid Soul Wed. Jun 11 Minneapolis, MN Cedar Center   with The Brass Messengers Thu. June 12 Davenport, IA River Music Experience with The Winter Blues All-Stars Fri. June 13 St. Louis, MO 2720 Cherokee with Hellzapoppin Sat. Jun 14 Kansas City, MO Boulevardia    Sun. Jun 15 Columbia, MO The Blue Note    Thu. June 26 Durango, CO Animas City Theater  Fri. June 27 Louisville, CO Steinbaugh Pavilion   Sat. June 28 Salt Lake City, UT Utah Arts Festival  Sun.  June 29 Salt Lake City, UT Utah Arts Festival  Fri. July 4 San Rafael, CA Marin County Fair  Sat. July 5 Reno, NV Cargo   with Diego's Umbrella Wed. July 9 Seattle, WA Westlake Park    Wed. July 9 Bellingham, WA Downtown Sounds   Fri. July 11 Veneta, OR Oregon Country Fair    Fri. July 18 Chico, CA Sierra Nevada Big Room    Sat. July 19 Chico, CA Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Sun. July 20 San Diego, CA Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Tue. July 22 Vail, CO Bud Light Hot Summer Nights Wed. July 23 Glenwood Springs, CO Summer of Music Thu. July 24 Frisco, CO Concerts in the Park Fri. July 25 Denver, CO Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Sat. July 26 Ames, IA DG's Tap House with Dead Larry Sun. July 27 Chicago, IL Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Tue. July 29 Hamden, CT Spaceland Ballroom Wed. July 30 Wilmington, DE World Cafe Live at the Queen with Zach Deputy Thu. July 31 New York, NY Watermark with Philly Bloco + Brother Joscephus & The Love Revolution Fri. Aug 1 Portland, ME Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Sat. Aug 2 Philadelphia, PA  Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Sun. Aug 3 Mills River, NC  Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Fri. Aug 8 Nevada City, CA Miner's Foundry Cultural Center Sat. Aug 9 Ashland, OR Ashland Armory with SambaDa Fri. Sept 12 Walla Walla, WA Gesa Power House Theater Sat. Sept 13 Spokane, WA Bing Crosby Theater Mon. Sept 15 Portland, OR Mondays on the Mall

Here's the latest Via March Fourth: My, what a busy summer! MarchFourth is on a mission to visit each and every one of you this year it seems (more info about the US fall tour coming soon). Seriously. It will take a lot of scrolling to get to the bottom of this show list! From San Diego, California to Portland, Maine to Tampa, Florida, and from the mountains of Telluride, CO (8700 ft) to the streets of New Orleans, LA (0 ft) and everywhere in between, there's a pretty good chance we're headed your way (except maybe the southwest, since we just returned from there). Let's hope the A/C in the bus is fixed for good this time, because this summer is going to be HOT!!! For a little taste of life on the road with M4, I suggest you check out stilter/stunter Phill's blog. He's kind of new to M4, joining after stilt veteran Sid Simpatico retired last summer due to a knee injury. Phill's been writing these great tour recap posts on Facebook for a while, but now he's taken to the blogosphere. I'm sure there will be much to write about this summer, so keep an eye there to follow our adventures! Here's a video from our birthday show this year of Phill and the gang doing stilt acro to "Surfunk" (a newish song by Taylor Aglipay).