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Showing posts with label tickets on sale now. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tickets on sale now. Show all posts

Monday, February 7, 2022

SAVE THE DATES: Sean Masterson’s Message in a Bottle at Chicago Magic Lounge Wednesdays beginning April 6, 2022

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar 

Chicago Magic Lounge Presents

Sean Masterson’s Message in a Bottle

Wednesdays beginning April 6, 2022

**Tickets go on sale February 7, 2022**


Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago’s home for close-up magic, continues its Artist-In-Residence series with Sean Masterson’s Message in a Bottle, Wednesdays at 7:00pm, April 6 – June 29, 2022. Masterson’s combination of magic and storytelling in this brand new show will amaze and enchant audiences. Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge shows are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com.

The discovery of a message in a bottle makes the past present in Sean Masterson’s very visual and highly deceptive show. Sleight-of-hand magic is seamlessly woven into the true tale of the 19th century battle to decide American’s #1 magician.

In 1912 theatrical impresario Michael B. Leavitt published his 700-page memoir dishing the untold story of this jealousy-fueled battle between his clients, the magic greats Alexander Herrmann and Harry Kellar. Recently, Sean Masterson procured a signed edition of Leavitt’s memoir at auction and together with his research of Harry Houdini’s original archives at the Library of Congress in D.C., he has found the thread that nearly tells the whole tale. All Masterson needs now is a message in a bottle.

Sean’s blend of magic and storytelling have been part of the Chicago theater scene since his 1992 run at Shattered Globe Theater. Since then, he has performed in extended runs at Live Bait Theater, The Actors Gymnasium, The Music Box Theater, and Theater Wit. His close-up magic has been seen at many corporate, social events including Abbott Laboratories, The Chicago Architecture Foundation, Copia Capital and The Driehaus Museum. He regularly performs at the Old Town Art Fair and The Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, MI and has made appearances at Festimagic in Paris and The International Theater Festival of Grenoble, France. Each year Sean makes 40 appearances in local children’s hospitals.

Message in a Bottle will be presented on Wednesdays at 7:00pm, April 6 – June 29, 2022. Tickets are priced $45 (Main Floor) and $50 (Front Row). Tickets go on sale February 7, 2022.





Also Happening at Chicago Magic Lounge

 

Music & Magic

Mondays at 7:00pm

Tickets: General Admission $25

 

The Showcase

Tuesdays at 7:00pm

Tickets: Standard: $35; Front Row: $40


Artist-in-Residence Series

Wednesdays at 7:00pm

 

Kayla Drescher: Magic in Heels, Now through March 30, 2022

Tickets: Standard: $45; Front Row: $50

Ever wonder what the life of a magician is like? Join Kayla Drescher on this wild ride of magic, laughter, and interactive fun. And it’s all done in heels…because “magic in pajamas” was already taken.

Kayla Drescher, based in Los Angeles, brings her interactive show to the Chicago Magic Lounge. She’s performed for clients like Microsoft, IBM, Wells Fargo, and many more. You may have seen her on Penn & Teller’s “Fool Us,” Access Hollywood, or NBC’s “Today Show,” where she was given the title “The Next Great Magician” by David Copperfield. Most recently, Kayla could be seen touring the world with the Champions of Magic. Kayla hosts a popular magic podcast, Shezam, focused on diversity and inclusion within the magic and allied arts communities.

 

The Signature Show

Thursdays-Sundays at 7:00pm, Fridays and Sundays at 10pm

Tickets: Front Row $80, Premium Main Floor (main floor banquette and main floor cabaret) $70, Standard (rail and elevated banquette) $60, Mezzanine $50 

The Signature Show was conceived in 2015 as an homage to the historic, Chicago magic bar scene. Experience close-up magic right at your table during the cocktail hour, followed by an hour of stage magic featuring masters of their craft performing feats of prestidigitation and sleight of hand. Guests who purchase Premium tickets (Front Row, Main Floor Cabaret, Main Floor Banquette) are invited to an exclusive performance of close-up magic directly after the main stage show in our 43-seat close-up gallery, The 654 Club.

Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge performances are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.comChicago Magic Lounge is a 21+ venue. Ages 16+ allowed to ticketed shows with a legal guardian. 


For the health and safety of our staff, guests and community, you must be fully vaccinated to enter the premises. Ticket holders will be asked to present proof of vaccination status upon arrival.

For a complete schedule of performances and more information about Chicago Magic Lounge, resident and guest performers, and more, please visit chicagomagiclounge.com.

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

CITY WINERY CHICAGO ANNOUNCES ERIC ROBERSON, VAN HUNT, NANCY AND BETH AND MORE ON SALE THURSDAY, JANUARY 17th

 ChiIL Live Shows on our radar
CITY WINERY CHICAGO ANNOUNCES 
GRAMMY-NOMINATED ERIC ROBERSON RETURNS, R&B ARTIST VAN HUNT, AND MEGAN MULLALLY AND STEPHANIE HUNT PERFORM AS NANCY AND BETH
PLUS: ULTIMATE FLEETWOOD MAC COVER BAND TUSK, WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE FUNKADESI, CHICAGO-BASED STORYTELLERS WITH TEN-PIECE BAND STORY JAM AND GRAMMY-NOMINATED TRUMPETER AND SINGER VICTOR GARCIA




PUBLIC TICKETS ON SALE THURSDAY, JANUARY 17; ON-SALE NOW TO VINOFILE™ MEMBERS

**All City Winery Chicago events are open to all ages and start at 8 p.m., unless noted.**

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces the return of Grammy-nominated independent R&B artist Eric Roberson and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, January 17 at noon. All tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago.

Chase the winter blues away with a host of wonderful concerts on tap at City Winery Chicago. I'll be out in person to cover Paris Combo and Rachael Yamagata this month for ChiILLiveShows.com. Check back soon for my full review. 




New Shows On Sale 1/17/19:


Victor Garcia
Tuesday, February 19
$12/$15/$18/$22

Grammy-nominated musician Victor Garcia is best-known for his extraordinary trumpet talent. Beyond this, he sings and plays percussion, bass, and congas. His songwriting, arrangements and charts have led him to professorial positions at Roosevelt University, Loyola University, and the University of Illinois in Chicago. As a young talent, he has performed with some of the greats including Aretha Franklin, Arturo Sandoval, the Temptations, and more. Garcia has recorded on dozens of albums, three of them Grammy-nominated. He released his debut album, The Grind/The Groove, in 2018.


Funkadesi 
Sunday, February 24; 7:30 p.m.
$15/$18/$22/$25

Chicago’s high energy World Music funk party band Funkadesi returns to City Winery. The ensemble blends their unique signature Indian styles — bhangra, Bollywood, Indian folk — with reggae, funk, and Afro-Caribbean grooves. The six-time winner of The Chicago Music Awards, Funkadesi has been lauded by critics and fans alike, even catching the attention of President Obama who noted, “Funkadesi really knows how to get a crowd going.” Expect a mix of lush ambient sounds, paired with the band’s signature diverse dance tunes.


Van Hunt
Tuesday, March 26
$18/$20/$22/$25

Van Hunt, a Dayton, Ohio-born musician, made his way to Atlanta where he drew acclaim for his production efforts and crafty songwriting, featured on recordings by such diverse artists as Dionne Farris, Rahsaan Patterson, and Cree Summer as well as the platinum-selling soundtrack, Love Jones. His own self-titled debut album arrived in 2004, instantly establishing Hunt as a distinctive and original talent with its idiosyncratic melding of R&B, soul, funk, pop, and rock ‘n’ roll. Hunt received a 2005 “Best Urban/Alternative Performance” Grammy nomination for his breakthrough hit single Dust that was featured on his debut album. Hunt has released four other studio albums since, some of which reaching Billboard’s Top 50 R&B/Hip hop and Heat Seekers charts, as well as “The Best Albums of 2011” by The New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, and a league of other music publications.

Story Jam
Sunday, April 7; 12 p.m.
GA $18 advanced seating/$22 day of show, plus $20 brunch buffet option

Story Jam is an exciting music-lit show that features Chicago's top storytellers, original songs written for each story, and a ten-piece band. The personal stories represent a range of cultural, racial, and individual experiences; and the band is comprised of some of Chicago's best musicians. Stephanie Rogers is producer-songwriter.

Tusk - The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Experience 
Sunday, April 7 
$32/$35/$38/$45

Tusk covers all the great hits of Fleetwood Mac, which has featured the talents of Mick Fleetwood, Christine and John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and others over the years. The five seasoned, well-respected musicians comprising Tusk have been making music together in various combinations and styles, in original outfits and in cover bands, for over twenty-five years.


Eric Roberson 
Thursday-Saturday, April 25-27
$45/$48/$55/$58

Independent rhythm and blues/soul singer-songwriter Eric Roberson (Erro to his family and friends) is the first independent artist to be nominated for a BET Award in 2007 and has subsequently been nominated for two Grammys under Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the songs “A Tale of Two” and “Still,” both from his critically acclaimed album, Music Fan First.


Nancy and Beth
Monday-Tuesday, May 6-7
$40/$45/$50/$55

Emmy® Award winning actress Megan Mullally of “Children's Hospital,” “Party Down” and “Will & Grace” met fellow actress Stephanie Hunt (“Friday Night Lights,” “Californication”) while in Austin filming the independent movie Somebody Up There Likes Me. The minute the two started singing together they realized they had something special...and those that have come out to see their band, Nancy and Beth, agree! Within just three months of its inception in 2012, N&B had already played such fabulous venues as Royce Hall in Los Angeles and been featured as a musical guest on Conan.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on January 17 at noon. Only members of City Winery Chicago’s signature VinoFile™ program have access to ticket sales today in addition to receiving: a waiver of ticket service fees; free valet parking; Restaurant Loyalty Rewards, such as a free pair of VIP concert tickets for every $500 spent on food & beverage in the restaurant; exclusive membership-only events; and access to the proprietary City Winery Virtual Sommelier™, which helps make suggestions for wines one might enjoy based on past consumption at the venue.

Victor Garcia, Funkadesi, Van Hunt, Story Jam, Tusk, Eric Roberson and Nancy and Beth join a diverse mix of the most respected names in pop, rock, jazz, blues, world music, theater, dance, spoken word and comedy presented at City Winery Chicago, including previously announced headliners and supporting acts: Steve Earle (Jan. 15); EagleMania(Jan. 16); Paris Combo (Jan. 17); Skylar Grey (Jan. 18); Melanie Fiona (Jan. 19, 7 & 10p); GMiV plays The Beatles with Strings  (Jan. 20, 12p); Jodee Lewis & Jonas Friddle (Jan. 20, 7p); Let Freedom Ring, Chicago! (Jan. 21, 7:30p); The Hot Sardines (Jan. 23); Randy Bachman (Jan. 24-25); Chicago Philharmonic Sunday Brunch Series (Jan. 27, 12p);Susan Werner (Jan. 27); Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar (Jan. 28, 7p); Rachael Yamagata with Radnor & Lee (Jan. 29-30); Alejandro Escovedo with Don Antonio Band  (Jan. 31-Feb. 2); Langston Hughes Birthday Celebration (Feb. 3); Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton (Feb. 4-5); Marcus Johnson with Kathy Kosins (Feb. 6); Marc Roberge of O.A.R. (Feb. 8, 7 & 10 p); Anders Osborne (Feb. 9, 7 & 10p); Fox Crossing String Band (Feb. 10, 12p); Anita Wilson with Dante Hall (Feb. 10, 7p); Ruen Brothers (Feb. 11);Hudson Taylor (Feb. 12); Patrizio Buanne (Feb. 13); 10,000 Maniacs (Feb. 14-16); Chicago Philharmonic Sunday Brunch Series (Feb. 17, 12p); Kandace Springs (Feb. 17);Donavon Frankenreiter (Feb. 18, 6:30 & 9p); Procol Harum (Feb. 20-21); Bobby McFerrin & Gimme 5 (Feb. 22-23, 7 & 10p); The Four C Notes (Feb. 24, 2:30p); Steve Earle(Feb. 25-26); Ann Hampton Callaway (Feb. 27); We Banjo 3 (Mar. 1); JD Souther & Karla Bonoff (Mar. 3, 5 & 8p); Aaron Neville (Mar. 4-5); The Ides of March (Mar. 6); Kasim Sulton's Utopia (Mar. 7);  Ron Pope with Caroline Spence (Mar. 8); Ron Pope with Emily Scott Robinson (Mar. 9); Chicago Tap Theatre (Mar. 10, 3 & 7p); Luther Dickinson, Amy Helm & Birds of Chicago (Mar. 11); The High Kings (Mar. 12-13); Eilen Jewell (Mar. 15); Los Lonely Boys (Mar. 16-17); Michael Smerconish: (Mar. 17, 2p); Chris Diffordwith Steve Smith (Mar. 18); Christopher Cross (Mar. 19-20); The Subdudes (Mar. 21-22); Idan Raichel (Mar.23); Freddy Jones Band (Mar. 24); Eighth Blackbird (Mar. 25, 7p);The Tim O’Brien Band (Mar. 27); The Verve Pipe (Mar. 29); Will Downing (Mar. 30-31); David Archuleta (Apr. 2); Tommy Castro & the Painkillers (Apr. 4); Cyrille Aimée (Apr. 5); Willie Nile (Apr. 6); John Parr (Apr. 10); Martin Sexton (Apr. 12-13); Journeyman - A Tribute to Eric Clapton (Apr. 14, 7p); Graham Parker with Adam Ezra (Apr. 18);Carbon Leaf (Apr. 19); Dave Davies (Apr. 21); Chicago Philharmonic Sunday Brunch Series (Apr. 28, 12p); The Spring Quartet (May 1, 2p); Herb Alpert & Lani Hall (May 4-5); and David Bromberg Quintet (May 15).



Opened in 2012, City Winery Chicago is a fully operational winery, restaurant with outdoor patio, concert hall and private event space located in the heart of the West Loop at 1200 W. Randolph, in the historic urban Fulton Market district. Once a refrigerated food distribution warehouse, the 1911 building has been transformed into a contemporary 33,000 square foot haven for those passionate about wine, music and culinary arts. The décor evokes the romance of being in wine country, from the exposed stainless steel fermenting tanks and French oak barrels, to the aroma of fermenting grapes. The West Loop’s only fully operational winery has produced dozens of in-house wines sourced from vineyards in California, Oregon, Washington, Argentina and Chile, including a Wine Enthusiast 92-point 2015 Verna’s Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir. With more than 400 unique producers from around the world City Winery is recognized with 2014 and 2015 Best of Awards of Excellence “for having one of the most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world” by Wine Spectator. The globally inspired, locally sourced, wine-focused food menu is conceived for pairing and sharing. The concert hall accommodates up to 300 guests, all seated at tables with complete beverage and dining service, ensuring a comfortable “listening room” experience enhanced by a state-of-the-art Meyer Sound system. Riedel is the official and exclusive provider of glassware, showing City Winery’s commitment to enjoying quality wine in a quality vessel. American Airlines is the Official Airline and Virgin Hotels Chicago is the Official Hotel of City Winery. For more information, please visit www.citywinery.com.

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Tickets On Sale Today: RACHAEL YAMAGATA, THE HIGH KINGS, AND MORE AT CITY WINERY CHICAGO

 ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

CITY WINERY CHICAGO ANNOUNCES
SEASONED VOCALIST AND PIANIST 
RACHAEL YAMAGATA 
AND MULTI-PLATINUM IRISH FOLK BAND 
THE HIGH KINGS
PLUS: SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE AND 4-DECADE ARTIST 
JD SOUTHER & KARLA BONOFF 
AND GENRE-BLENDING ARTIST 
MARTIN SEXTON
PUBLIC TICKETS ON SALE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces acclaimed singer/songwriter Rachael Yamagata, multi-instrumentalists The High Kings, beloved songwriters JD Souther & Karla Bonoff, and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, December 13 at noon. All tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago.


Rachael Yamagata
Tuesday-Wednesday, January 29-30
$32/$35/$42/$45
Called “the troubadour of heartbreak,” Rachael Yamagata bears the “old soul” singer/songwriter essence that calls upon Todd Rundgren, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, The Carpenters, and Elton John, while sonically gravitating towards the darker stylings of Nick Cave, Tom Waits, P.J. Harvey, and Danny Elfman. She has toured with The Swell Season, Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams, and Sara Bareilles. Yamagata has also opened for David Gray solo at Madison Square Garden; and she has shared the stage at Carnegie Hall with R.E.M. and Patti Smith. She released a new EP, Porch Songs, in October 2018. Yamagata returns to City Winery for two intimate performances.



JD Souther & Karla Bonoff
Sunday, March 3; 5:00 and 8:00 p.m.
$38/$42/$45/$48
JD Souther’s solo country-rock hits and collaborations with The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, and James Taylor include "Best of My Love," "New Kid in Town," "Prisoner in Disguise," "Faithless Love,” "You're Only Lonely" and "Her Town Too." The Detroit-born/Amarillo-raised Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee is recognizable to new fans as songwriter Watty White on TV’s Nashville.

Karla Bonoff has been described as one of the finest singer/songwriters of her generation. With a career spanning four decades, Bonoff has enjoyed enduring popularity and the unwavering respect of her peers. Three of her tunes – ''Someone to Lay Down Beside Me, ''Lose Again'' and ''If He's Ever Near'' – were recorded by Linda Ronstadt. Bonoff's self-titled debut was released in 1977, featuring ''Home'' (later recorded by Bonnie Raitt) and ''Isn't It Always Love?'' Also in '77, she toured the nation solo and as an opening act for Jackson Browne. Prior to ''Step by Step,'' Bonoff's ''Somebody's Eyes'' appeared on the Footloose soundtrack.



The High Kings
Tuesday-Wednesday, March 12-13
$30/$32/$35/$38
Ireland’s Folk Band of the Year The High Kings – Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, George Murphy, and Darren Holden – showcase their incredible versatility and skills as multi-instrumentalists, playing 13 instruments between them and bringing a rousing acoustic flavor to old and new songs alike. Coming from accomplished musical pedigrees, The High Kings grew up in households soaked in the Irish musical tradition and each member of the band witnessed firsthand the power of well-crafted Irish music on an audience. Their impressive 2013 album Friends for Life features tracks written by the lads plus old favorites. The High Kings continue to live up to their reputation as a phenomenal live band, serving up laughter, good times, and even the odd sing along.



Martin Sexton
Friday-Saturday, April 12-13
$45/$55/$58/$65
Martin Sexton is an American singer/songwriter and has released 9 studio albums blending soul, gospel, country, rock, blues, and R&B. His most recent album, Mix Tape of the Open Road, is a musical cross-country trip, blazing through all territories of style. Sexton considers the record is a charm bracelet of twelve gems all strung together with the golden thread of what Rolling Stone calls his "soul marinated voice." At his return to City Winery Chicago, Sexton will perform tunes from Mix Tape as well as Sexton classics.

City Winery Chicago also announces Kevin Burt opens for Shemekia Copeland on Dec. 26-27; and NIKO IS and K'Valentine open for Talib Kweli on Jan. 5.

All City Winery Chicago events are open to all ages and start at 8 p.m., unless noted.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on December 13 at noon. Members of City Winery Chicago’s signature VinoFile™ program have advanced access to ticket sales in addition to receiving: a waiver of ticket service fees; free valet parking; Restaurant Loyalty Rewards, such as a free pair of VIP concert tickets for every $500 spent on food & beverage in the restaurant; exclusive membership-only events; and access to the proprietary City Winery Virtual Sommelier™, which helps make suggestions for wines one might enjoy based on past consumption at the venue.

Rachael Yamagata, JD Souther & Karla Bonoff, The High Kings, Martin Sexton, Kevin Burt, NIKO IS and K'Valentine join a diverse mix of the most respected names in pop, rock, jazz, blues, world music, theater, dance, spoken word and comedy presented at City Winery Chicago, including previously announced headliners and supporting acts: 

Los Lobos (Dec. 11-12);  Art Garfunkel (Dec. 14-15); Vienna Teng with Katie Rose (Dec. 16); Tab Benoit with Whiskey Bayou Revue feat. Damon Fowler & Eric Johanson (Dec. 17-18); Kurt Elling (Dec. 19-20); Michael McDermott with Heather Lynne Horton (Dec 21-22); Michael McDermott with Christmas Carolers (Dec 23); Christmas for the Jews (Dec. 25); Shemekia Copeland (Dec. 26-27); Macy Gray (Dec. 28-29); Avery*Sunshine (Dec. 30; Dec. 31, 7:30 & 11p; Jan. 1, 5p); Musiq Soulchild with Kameelah Williams (Jan. 3-4, 7:30 & 10p); Talib Kweli (Jan. 5, 7p & 10p); Sons of the Never Wrong with Michael Smith (Jan. 6, 7p); Dan Tedesco (Jan. 7, 7:30p); Shane Koyczan (Jan. 8); Slice screening with director Austin Vesely (Jan 10); Three Women and the Truth (Jan. 11); Maysa (Jan. 12, 7 & 10p); Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues featuring Tracy Nelson (Jan. 13, 7p); Steve Earle (Jan. 14-15); EagleMania (Jan. 16); Paris Combo (Jan. 17); Melanie Fiona (Jan. 19, 7 & 10p); Jodee Lewis & Jonas Friddle (Jan. 20, 7p); Let Freedom Ring, Chicago! (Jan. 21, 7:30p); The Hot Sardines (Jan. 23); Randy Bachman (Jan. 24-25); Susan Werner (Jan. 27); Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar (Jan. 28, 7p); Alejandro Escovedo with Don Antonio Band  (Jan. 31-Feb. 2); Langston Hughes Birthday Celebration (Feb. 3); Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton (Feb. 4-5); Marcus Johnson with Kathy Kosins (Feb. 6); Marc Roberge of O.A.R. (Feb. 8, 7 & 10 p);Anders Osborne (Feb. 9, 7 & 10p); Anita Wilson with Dante Hall (Feb. 10, 7p); Ruen Brothers (Feb. 11); Hudson Taylor (Feb. 12); Patrizio Buanne (Feb. 13); 10,000 Maniacs (Feb. 14-16); Kandace Springs (Feb. 17); Donavon Frankenreiter (Feb. 18, 6:30 & 9p); Procol Harum (Feb. 20-21); Bobby McFerrin & Gimme 5 (Feb. 22-23, 7 & 10p); The Four C Notes (Feb. 24, 2:30p); Steve Earle (Feb. 25-26); Ann Hampton Callaway (Feb. 27); We Banjo 3 (Mar. 1);  Kasim Sulton's Utopia (Mar. 7); Ron Pope with Caroline Spence (Mar. 8); Ron Pope with Emily Scott Robinson (Mar. 9); Eilen Jewell (Mar. 15); Los Lonely Boys (Mar. 16-17); Michael Smerconish: (Mar. 17, 2p); Chris Difford with Steve Smith (Mar. 18); Christopher Cross (Mar. 19-20); The Tim O’Brien Band (Mar. 27); The Verve Pipe (Mar. 29);  John Parr (Apr. 10); Dave Davies (Apr. 21) The Spring Quartet (May 1, 2p); and Herb Alpert & Lani Hall (May 4-5).

Opened in 2012, City Winery Chicago is a fully operational winery, restaurant with outdoor patio, concert hall and private event space located in the heart of the West Loop at 1200 W. Randolph, in the historic urban Fulton Market district. Once a refrigerated food distribution warehouse, the 1911 building has been transformed into a contemporary 33,000 square foot haven for those passionate about wine, music and culinary arts. The décor evokes the romance of being in wine country, from the exposed stainless steel fermenting tanks and French oak barrels, to the aroma of fermenting grapes. The West Loop’s only fully operational winery has produced dozens of in-house wines sourced from vineyards in California, Oregon, Washington, Argentina and Chile, including a Wine Enthusiast 92-point 2015 Verna’s Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir. With more than 400 unique producers from around the world City Winery is recognized with 2014 and 2015 Best of Awards of Excellence “for having one of the most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world” by Wine Spectator. The globally inspired, locally sourced, wine-focused food menu is conceived for pairing and sharing. The concert hall accommodates up to 300 guests, all seated at tables with complete beverage and dining service, ensuring a comfortable “listening room” experience enhanced by a state-of-the-art Meyer Sound system. Riedel is the official and exclusive provider of glassware, showing City Winery’s commitment to enjoying quality wine in a quality vessel. 

American Airlines is the Official Airline and Virgin Hotels Chicago is the Official Hotel of City Winery. For more information, please visit www.citywinery.com.

Saturday, September 17, 2016

SAVE THE DATES: Chick Flick the Musical Begins Previews 11/1

Tilted Windmills Theatricals
presents
the National Debut of
Chick Flick the Musical
this fall at The Royal George Theatre Cabaret in Chicago




Here at ChiIL Live Shows we're excited to check out this national debut. We adored Landree Fleming (Sheila) as Kira in Xanadu (American Theater Company) and can't wait to see her in action again. This uniquely female-positive new musical is written and directed by women. Chick Flick the Musical begins previews November 1, and opens November 10 for an open run. 

Grab your friends and head out for an evening of humor, heart, and harmony as Chick Flick the Musical comes to The Royal George Theatre Cabaret, 1641 N. Halsted Street in Chicago. Written by newcomer Suzy Conn (Suffra-Jets, The Mercer Girls) and directed by Mary Catherine Burke, Chick Flick the Musical delivers an evening of heartfelt female friendship and empowerment wrapped in the iconic conventions of chick flicks. With a cast of four and a live band, this original, 90-minute, no-intermission musical is the perfect girls’ night out. Described in testimonials as “everything you loved about Friends mixed with everything you loved about Sex and the City,” Chick Flick the Musical shows us characters and friendships that are both inspirational and aspirational -- audiences feel like they are watching themselves and their friends on stage.

So join BFFs Karen, Dawn, Sheila, and Meg as they get together to take the weight of daily life off their shoulders by watching a chick flick and playing their favorite drinking game. As the festivities proceed and the beverages flow, they each divulge how their lives haven’t quite turned out the way they had hoped. When they view themselves with the same kindness, humor, and reverence that their friends do, they learn how to make real life better than the movies. Proving that “friendship is the best medicine” the four friends reignite the dreams that have dwindled over the years. Whether you’re a fan of romantic comedies or teary sisterhood dramas, you’ll recognize the delicious tidbits of life advice that chick flicks offer these four friends on their transformative journey of empowerment. 

“You need that group of friends who will pull you back from the edge when you are about to jump off a cliff, and help you up the mountain when you’re too afraid to climb,” says writer Suzy Conn. “Movie quotes, makeover montages, and meet cutes have created a shared language and experience among women, and Chick Flick the Musical celebrates this phenomenon.”

The quartet of Chicago-based cast members includes Landree Fleming as “Sheila,” Marya Grandy as “Dawn,” Sophie Grimm as “Meg,” and Rebecca Prescott as “Karen.”

The original, catchy, and upbeat pop score is brought to life by music supervisor Geraldine Anello with choreography by Tiffany Green. Vocal arrangements and orchestrations are by Frank Galgano and Matt Castle. This show is designed to make audiences feel like they are truly in Karen’s living room, going through the characters’ journey with them, with scenic design by Edward K. Ross, costume design by Hunter Kaczorowski, and lighting design by Jeff Croiter and Charles Cooper.

Chick Flick the Musical has been in development for four years and is produced by Tilted Windmills Theatricals. Managing Partner David Carpenter shares, “We are excited to be premiering in Chicagoland because it’s a real theater town with great local talent and audiences that embrace new work, and it gives us the opportunity to reach as many women as possible who identify with the challenges of day-to-day life.”

An initial block of tickets is currently on sale to the general public as of September 5 for performances through January 29, available through Ticketmaster.com (312.988.9000). More information can be found at www.ChickFlicktheMusical.com or on our social media channels- Facebook www.facebook.com/ChickFlicktheMusical, Instagram at chickflickthemusical, and Twitter @chickflickmusic. 
  
About the Cast
Landree Fleming (Sheila) is thrilled to be in Chick Flick the Musical! She was recently seen as Kira in Xanadu (American Theater Company). She’s worked with Paramount Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Marriott Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Griffin Theatre, Theatre at the Center, Circle Theatre, and Adventure Stage Chicago. She's a member of comedy group Off Off Broadzway. Catch her stand-up or tune in to her podcast Deep Dish. She’s represented by Gray Talent.

Marya Grandy (Dawn) most recently appeared in the Marriott Theatre’s production of Sister Act, and this fall she will be playing Smitty in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, also at the Marriott. Other Chicago credits include The Secret Garden at Court Theatre, Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables at the Paramount Theatre, Hildy in On the Town (Jeff Nomination—Actress in a Supporting Role), the title role in Juno at TimeLine Theatre, Roz in 9 To 5, and A Grand Night for Singing at the Mercury Theater (Jeff Nomination). Broadway and New York productions: the 2012 Off-Broadway revival of Maltby & Shire’s Closer Than Ever, Les Misérables (2006 Revival), Damn Yankees, Bells Are Ringing (City Center Encores!), The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Drama Desk Nomination), and The Water Coolers (co-author). Marya has performed regionally in Fanny Brice: America’s Funny Girl (World Premiere, directed by David H. Bell), Pump Boys & Dinettes, Follies, Take Flight, Gypsy, Beehive, Smokey Joe’s Café, The Honky Tonk Angels, Working, and The Water Coolers (Jeff Nomination). Television/film credits: “Rescue Me”, “Conviction”, “Law & Order”, “Law & Order: SVU”, “Denis Leary’s Merry F***ing Christmas”, and “Love Streams.” Recordings include the Original Cast Recording of The Great American Trailer Park Musical, The Manhattan Transfer’s Bodies and Souls, and Superwoman, by her own band, Five Floor Monica. Marya received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University, and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity.

Sophie Grimm (Meg) joins Chick Flick the Musical as a lover of girl power and times with friends in her home! You’ve seen her in Chicagoland area theaters including The Paramount, Marriott Lincolnshire, Drury Lane, and Chicago Shakespeare, as well as in nightclub, cabaret, and religious settings. She can’t wait to showcase comedy, friendship, and musical theatre with her hilariously talented co-stars where characters and audience alike can let it ALL hang out! www.sophiegrimm.com

Rebecca Prescott (Karen) is a Chicago-based actress. Credits: Broadway: How the Grinch Stole Christmas; Select Regional: Utah Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival; Chicago: Morticia in The Addams Family, Mercury Theatre; Dina Beach/(us) Ethel/ (us) for I Love Lucy Live on Stage, Broadway Playhouse; credits at Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Drury Lane, Northlight Theatre, and Eclipse Theatre. Rebecca is a company member of Eclipse Theatre. Currently, Rebecca is working with her husband on the workshop of his original musical revue, The Squeeze.

About the Creative Team
Suzy Conn (Book/Music/Lyrics) is a musical theatre composer, lyricist, and librettist interested in telling the stories of women throughout history. Her shows have been performed across the United States and in Canada. Chick Flick the Musical tells a contemporary story of female friendship. Suffra-Jets (first performed at NYMF as Plane Crazy) tells the story of the emergence of the modern women’s movement set against the backdrop of the swinging ’60s Jet Age. The Mercer Girls tells the story of how women civilized the Pacific Northwest. Suzy is currently working on Cocktail Nuts (the story of cocktail waitresses in the ‘70s); Comicon the Musical (a contemporary story of self-discovery); and a ’50s Christmas musical that tells the empowering story of an under-appreciated female elf. TYA shows include The Tale of Pigling Bland; Field Trip: Journey to Mount St Helens; Larry Gets Lost in Seattle; Daisy the FirecowSave As...; and The Last Shot. Suzy has taught musical theatre writing in the Seattle area for the Village Theatre’s Kidstage program, and served as the writing mentor for three years for their Company Originals program. Suzy spent the ‘90s in Nashville writing country songs and leading workshops for the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI).

Mary Catherine Burke (Director) Her work has been hailed as “the next Off-Broadway hit” by The New York Times, “Extraordinary” by The New Jersey Star and “Incisive” by The Dallas Morning News. As a director, she has developed Austentatious at The New York Musical Theatre Festival and Music City, USA with five #1 Country Billboard hits, House of Baseball at EST, The Flea, nominated for two New York Innovative Awards; Diving Normal at The Fringe, winner of the Best Ensemble Award, published, On Island at 59E59. She also served as the Director of Programming at the New York Musical Theatre Festival and the Artistic Director of Millbrook Playhouse. She assistant directed for Arthur Penn on the Tony Award-winning Fortune’s Fool. She is currently a SDC member.

Tiffany Green (Choreographer) is thrilled to be part of Chick Flick the Musical. Her directing and choreography credits include: The Buddy Holly Story, Nuncrackers, The Oresteia, and Hairspray. In addition to her theatrical credits, Tiffany is a recognized Director and Creative Producer for companies such as Airbnb, Laureate Universities, Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Bloomberg LP, and NBC News. She can be seen as Bunny Wiles on Marvel’s “Jessica Jones” (Netflix). Other film and television performance credits include: “The Family,” “Hairspray,” “Rescue Me,” “College Road Trip,” “The Underlings.” Recent theatre performance credits include: Les Miz: Mme. Thenardier (St. Louis Muny), Shrek: Mama Ogre/Humpty Dumpty (St. Louis Muny), Green Gables: Mrs. Walter Pringle (Hangar Theatre). For more on Tiffany: xoxotgreen.com | @xoxoTGreen

Geraldine Anello (Music Supervisor) Born and raised in France, Geraldine Anello is a NYC-based music director, pianist, and conductor. Her Broadway credits include playing in the pit at On the Town and School of Rock, rehearsals at Matilda, Neverland, and An American in Paris. Her Off-Broadway credits include piano/conductor sub at The Fantasticks, piano at Trip of Love and rehearsal pianist for Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812. As a music director, she did the New York premiere of Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money (nominated for an Off-Broadway Alliance Award) at the Atlantic Theatre Company, with original music by Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier. With a passion for new works, she has also been music director and associate music director on multiple readings, including Len Moors’ PetrifiedBy Wing and By Wheel directed by Jayne Atkinson from “House of Cards,” and most recently of The Names We Gave Him at New York City’s Public TheaterRecently, she was also the associate music director of How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry; and the music director of the world premiere of Head Over Heels at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. MM: WMU; DMA: Boston University.

Edward K. Ross (Scenic Designer) is a scenic designer for theatre, fashion shows, live events, and installation art. He has previously designed for Bloomsberg Theatre Ensemble, Jobsite, Book It, Surflight Theatre Company, Millbrook Playhouse, University of Scranton, Cornish College of the Arts and Bleecker Street Theatre. He currently designs events for Refinery29, including Refinery29Rooms installation and upfront launch events. He has worked with Omega, Victoria Beckham, Margiela, Diesel, Kith, Thom Browne and many other designers through his time as the Technical Director and Partner at Eyesight.

Hunter Kaczorowski (Costume Designer) Hunter is a New York City-based designer.  New York credits include: Stet (Abingdon Theater, dir. Tony Speciale), HAM (Ars Nova, dir. Billy Porter), Before Your Very Eyes (Gob Squad at the Public Theater), Sense of An Ending (Kef Productions at 59E59), several productions with Astoria Performing Arts Center, HERE Arts Center, Dixon Place, Joyce Soho, The New School for Drama, Lee Strasberg Institute, Vital Children's Theater, and The Gallery Players. Regional: The Fix (Signature Theater, dir. Eric Schaeffer), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Design for Living, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune (Berkshire Theater Festival), A Streetcar Named Desire (Yale Rep), AfterLife and Josephine (Urban Arias DC, dir. Alan Paul), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Barrington Stage), as well as Millbrook Playhouse, Red House Theater, Kitchen Theater Company, Luna Stage Company, The Yale Baroque Opera Project and Muhlenberg College.  MFA, Yale School of Drama. www.Huntersk.com

Jeff Croiter (Co-Lighting Designer) Broadway: Something Rotten, Penn &Teller, Peter and the Starcatcher (Tony Award), Disaster, Newsies, Mothers and Sons, A Time to Kill, Soul Doctor, Jekyll and Hyde, The Anarchist, The Performers, The Pee-wee Herman Show, Next Fall, Kiki and Herb. Other NYC: Head of Passes; Parade; A Month in the Country; Fly By Night; Last Five Years; Much Ado About Nothing; King Lear; Loves Labors Lost; Old Jews Telling Jokes; Silence; Love, Loss, and What I Wore; By the Way, Meet Vera Stark; Rapture Blister Burn; A Lie of the Mind; Ordinary Days; Family Guys Sings; The Voysey Inheritance; The Internationalist; Jacques Brel; Almost Maine; The Dazzle; Jennifer Muller The Works. Jeff is the lighting designer for Penn & Teller in Las Vegas.

Charles Cooper (Co-Lighting Designer) Recent: Bye Bye Birdie, Hairspray, Curtains, and Sleeping Beauty (Drury Lane), Woody Sez and Gutenberg! The Musical (Milwaukee Rep); A Wrinkle In Time (First Stage Children’s Theatre); Grapes of Wrath and Good for Otto (The Gift Theatre); Murder Ballad (Jeff Award, Outstanding Lighting Design), Carrie, and Mahal (Bailiwick Chicago);  Old Jews Telling Jokes (Chicago Company); The Clean House and Creditors (Remy Bumppo); The Rose Tattoo, Mill Fire (Jeff Nomination) and Orpheus Descending (Shattered Globe); Love, Loss, and What I Wore (Asolo Rep, Philadelphia Theatre Co, San Jose Rep, Broadway in Chicago,1st National Tour, Second National Tour); Do The Hustle, and Old Glory (Writers’ Theatre); Of Mice and Men and First Look Repertory of New Work (Steppenwolf Theatre); Around the World in 80 Days (Indiana Repertory Theatre); Eclipsed, and She Stoops to Conquer (Northlight Theatre). 16 productions for TimeLine Theatre (Associate Artist), and six seasons for Peninsula Players in Door County. Charles has received seven Jeff nominations for outstanding lighting design. He Lives in Oak Park with his wife Angela, and children Ethan and Gavin. Member: United Scenic Artists. Cooperportfolio.com.

Frank Galgano and Matt Castle (Vocal Arrangements and Orchestrations) Off-Broadway: Into the Woods (Roundabout/Old Globe/McCarter) Once Upon A Mattress (Transport Group) and Found (Atlantic Theater). RegionalA Little Princess (Sacramento Theatre Company), Litter (ACT), A Dog Story (Waterfront Playhouse) and several children’s musicals for Kennedy Center, Theatreworks/USA, George Street Playhouse & Pioneer Drama Service. Concerts and Specialty Numbers: Kristin Chenoweth, Deborah Voigt, Randy Newman, Carole King, William Finn, Adam Gwon, Debra Monk, Chris Mann, Ektor Rivera, Aloe Blacc. UPCOMINGA Dog Story (Off-Broadway) and Donner Party (Sacramento Theatre Company).


Tilted Windmill Theatricals (Producer) is a producing partnership between David Carpenter and John Arthur Pinckard. The company specializes in the development of new work for the American theater and is currently focused on producing artistically and commercially successful entertainment for under-served markets across North America. David Carpenter’s Broadway career has taken him from industry powerhouse Dodgers Theatricals (Jersey Boys, Matilda), to DreamWorks Theatricals, and most recently to Dede Harris Productions, where he supervised creative development, finances, and day-to-day operations for a 6 Time Tony-Award winning producer. John Arthur Pinckard’s producing career began over a decade ago with the cult festival hit Silence! the Musical. Soon he won the prestigious T. Edward Hambleton Fellowship for Creative Producers from Hal Prince, the 21-time Tony Award winning producer and director whose 60 years of hits range from Fiddler on the Roof to Phantom of the Opera. John’s work as an independent producer has garnered him four Tony Award nominations and two wins, for Clybourne Park and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

SAVE THE DATES: American Theater Company (ATC) Announces Season 32 Led By New Artistic Director Will Davis

AMERICAN THEATER COMPANY ANNOUNCES 
2016-17 SEASON
LED BY NEWLY APPOINTED ARTISTIC DIRECTOR WILL DAVIS




World premiere of T. by Dan Aibel
World premiere of We’re Gonna Be Okay by Basil Kreimendahl
Regional premiere of acclaimed Men On Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus
Reimagined classic Picnic by William Inge

Plus a new season-long partnership with the Chicago Inclusion Project

SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW

American Theater Company (ATC) proudly announces Season 32, led by its newly appointed Artistic Director Will Davis and continuing the theater’s dedication to developing new works. The 2016-17 season kicks off this September with the world premiere of Dan Aibel’s T., an exploration of the competitive ice skating saga between Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding, directed by Margot Bordelon, Sept. 23-Oct. 30, 2016. In the New Year, ATC presents Jaclyn BackhausMen On Boats, making its regional premiere at ATC Jan. 6-Feb. 12, 2017, under Will Davis’ direction after he remounts his acclaimed New York production Off Broadway at Playwrights Horizons this summer. Next spring brings another world premiere at ATC, Basil Kreimendahl’s We’re Gonna Be Okay, March 17-April 23, 2017. The production is directed by Bonnie Metzgar and was originally developed at ATC in collaboration with The Araca Group during AracaWorks: Chicago 2015. The final production of ATC’s 2016-17 Season is a reimagined classic, Pulitzer Prize winner Picnic by William Inge, under Davis’ direction May 19-June 25, 2017. Season subscriptions are on sale now and range from $60-$150, with special pricing available for advance purchases before July 31, 2016. To purchase a subscription or for more information, visit www.atcweb.org or call the ATC Box Office at 773-409-4125.

With Season 32, ATC is opening up a dialogue with theatricality and style. I want ATC to become a home for wild new plays and old plays done in new ways that experiment with form. We're deepening our commitment to the mission question ‘What does it mean to be an American?’ by using it as a spring board to ask identity questions not just about the plays we curate and produce, but also how those works get made and who brings them to life,” says Artistic Director Will Davis. “As one of the first trans identified artists to run a professional theater, I feel both responsible and honored to make ATC an organization dedicated to access and inclusion, and to move our company towards a place of openness and curiosity about how we champion and celebrate truly new work for the American theater.”

ATC also announces a new season-long partnership with Chicago Inclusion Project, whose work creates inclusive theater experiences that bring together Chicago artists and audiences normally separated by physical ability, gender identity and/or ethnic background. The two companies will partner around casting for ATC's Season 32, giving diverse theater artists access to roles they might traditionally have been excluded from. Together with the Chicago Inclusion Project, ATC will continue its commitment to presenting works that boldly reflect the diversity of stories and experiences in America today.

2016-17 SEASON SUBSCRIPTION AND TICKET INFORMATION:            

The American Membership                                     $150 (available until Oct. 31)
Includes reserved seating

Early Bird 4-Ticket Membership                             $120 (before July 31)
4-Ticket Membership                                                 $135 (Aug. 1-Oct. 31)

Early Bird 3-Ticket Membership                             $90 (before July 31)
3-Ticket Membership                                                 $105 (Aug. 1-Oct. 31)

Under-35 Membership
4-Ticket Membership                                                  $80 (available until Oct. 31)
3-Ticket Membership                                                  $60 (available until Oct. 31)

ATC is offering the new American Membership in Season 32 for $150, which offers the member a reserved seat at each production in the season. ATC is transitioning to general admission seating in Season 32. Under 35 Memberships range in price from $60-80. Early Bird 3- and 4-ticket subscriptions range in price from $90-$120 and are available until July 31, 2016. Regular subscriptions range in price from $105-$135 and are available Aug. 1-Oct. 31, 2016. All Memberships allow you to choose your performance dates upon purchase. To purchase a subscription or for more information, please contact the ATC Box Office at 773-409-4125 or visit www.atcweb.org.

Past world premiere productions at ATC include Stephen Karam’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-nominated The Humans and Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning Disgraced, both of which enjoyed acclaimed Broadway runs. Last spring ATC presented the world premiere of The Project(s), a documentary play about Chicago’s public housing residents written by late Artistic Director PJ Paparelli and Joshua Jaeger. In the 2015-16 Season, ATC produced the co-world premiere of Thomas Bradshaw’s Fulfillment with The Flea Theater in New York and the world premiere of Bruise Easy by Dan LeFranc, playwright of ATC’s blockbuster world premiere The Big Meal, which went on to an acclaimed Off Broadway run at Playwrights Horizons.


AMERICAN THEATER COMPANY’S 2016-2017 SEASON:

World Premiere
T.
Written by Dan Aibel
Directed by Margot Bordelon
September 23–October 30, 2016

“Ice Follies” read the cover of Time Magazine on January 24, 1994, after ice skating medalist favorite Nancy Kerrigan was struck in the leg with a police baton by Shane Stant. In his darkly funny and unrelenting play, Dan Aibel explores the lengths one will go to for fame. Margot Bordelon returns to Chicago to direct this world premiere play named for Tonya Harding, the first woman ever to complete a triple axel jump in competition. Nancy Kerrigan never saw her coming.

Regional Premiere
Men On Boats
Written by Jaclyn Backhaus
Directed by Will Davis
January 6–February 12, 2017

Ten explorers set out on four boats to map the raging rapids of the Green and Colorado Rivers on the government’s first sanctioned expedition in the American West. Playwright Jaclyn Backhaus and director Will Davis team up again on this play, originally produced by Clubbed Thumb and returning to Playwrights Horizons in New York this summer, in Davis’ first production as ATC’s artistic director. Performed by a genderfluid cast of women and folks otherwise defined, Men On Boats takes back 1869.

World Premiere
We’re Gonna Be Okay
Written by Basil Kreimendahl
Directed by Bonnie Metzgar
March 17–April 23, 2017

Mag has a horse inside her, the spirit of a horse anyway. It’s the Cuban Missile Crisis, and President Kennedy said that “…the greatest danger of all would be to do nothing” so Efran and Leena and Mag and Sul are thinking about doing something big. Two families wrestle with macrame, female empowerment and a shared property line in Basil Kreimendahl’s We’re Gonna Be Okay.  Bonnie Metzgar directs this world premiere play first workshopped through ATC’s partnership with The Araca Group (Disgraced).

Picnic
Written by William Inge
Directed by Will Davis
May 19–June 25, 2017

Closeted and dogged by an acute sense of failure for most of his life until he ended it, William Inge wrote some of the great lyrical plays of the American mid-century, and Picnic was his masterpiece, his playground and, quite possibly, his fantasy. In this loving reimagining, ATC Artistic Director Will Davis puts Inge at the center of his Pulitzer Prize-winning play and animates what is both sacred and profane about small town life against the backdrop of dust bowl hymns and love songs. Part séance, part love letter to a ghost, this Picnic explores a life lived at the periphery of one’s own desire.
  


ARTIST BIOS:
Dan Aibel's plays have been developed and/or produced by the Detroit Rep, the Sundance Institute, Syracuse Stage, the Blank Theater (Los Angeles), Flashpoint Theatre Co. (Philadelphia), the Source Theatre (Washington, D.C.) and Outsider's Inn Collective (Seattle). In New York he has worked with Page 73, Rattlestick and The New Group. His play The Meaning of Lunch was seen in Chicago at Stage Left as part of Leapfest 7. A 2014 Sundance Theatre Lab fellow, Dan's plays have been published by Smith & Kraus and Playscripts. He lives in New York.

Jaclyn Backhaus is an Indian-American playwright and co-founder of Fresh Ground Pepper. Recent New York productions include Men On Boats (NYT Critics’ Pick, Clubbed Thumb’s Summerworks, The Kilroys' 2015 List), People Doing Math Live! (Under The Radar Festival's INCOMING! Series at The Public Theater), The Incredible Fox Sisters (Live Source, The New Ohio), and You On the Moors Now (Theater Reconstruction Ensemble, upcoming with The Hypocrites in Fall 2016). She has received commissions from Playwrights Horizons and Ars Nova and is the 2016 Tow Foundation Playwright-in-Residence at Clubbed Thumb. Her work has been developed and showcased with the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Playwrights Horizons, The Public and Joe’s Pub, The Ice Factory Festival, (not just) 3 New Plays, The Civilians R&D Group, SPACE on Ryder Farm, Ars Nova’s ANTFest, and The Falcons. She hails from Phoenix, Arizona.

Margot Bordelon is a freelance director who specializes in new work. Recent projects include Jiehae Park's peerless at Yale Repertory Theater, Anna Ziegler's A Delicate Ship for Playwrights Realm (NYT's Critics' Pick), and Joshua Conkel's Okay, Bye at Steppenwolf Theater. In New York, she's directed for Atlantic Theater, NYTW, Clubbed Thumb, Ars Nova, Dodo Theater Collective, Target Margin, The Lark, Juilliard, The Bushwick Starr, Theater Masters, and Stella Adler Institute, among others. Margot moved to the East Coast after spending six years in Chicago working as a director, writer, and performer. She is a founding member of Theatre Seven of Chicago, where she conceived and directed We Live Here; Lies & Liars; and Yes, This Really Happened to Me (all with Cassy Sanders). Margot spent four seasons working at Lookingglass Theatre, where she served as Literary Manager and Company Dramaturg. In Chicago she also worked for Collaboraction, Timeline, Pavement Group, Live Bait, Around the Coyote, Bailiwick, Hell in a Handbag, and Steppenwolf Theatre. She spent three years as a storyteller for 2nd Story, and her autobiographical work has been seen numerous times on the Victory Gardens stage. Theater BFA, Cornish College of the Arts. Directing MFA, Yale School of Drama.

Will Davis is a director and choreographer focused on physically adventurous new work, and the newly appointed artistic director of American Theater Company. Recent projects include: an upcoming production of Evita for the Olney Theatre Center remade and reconsidered; Men on Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus for Clubbed Thumb's Summerworks, receiving a remount at Playwrights Horizons in August; Orange Julius by Basil Kreimendahl; Mike Iveson’s Sorry Robot for PS122’s COIL Festival; and two productions of Colossal by Andrew Hinderaker for Mixed Blood Theater and the Olney Theatre Center, for which he won a Helen Hayes award for outstanding direction. Davis has developed, directed and performed his work with New York Theatre Workshop, Clubbed Thumb, the New Museum, the Olney Theatre Center, the Alliance Theatre, the Playwright's Realm, the Fusebox Festival, New Harmony Project, the Orchard Project, the Ground Floor Residency at Berkeley Rep, Performance Studies International at Stanford University, and the Kennedy Center. He is an alum of the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab, the NYTW 2050 Directing Fellowship and the BAX (Brooklyn Art Exchange) artist in residence program. He holds a BFA in Theatre Studies from DePaul University and an MFA in Directing from UT Austin.

William Inge (1913-1973), a playwright, teacher, and novelist born in Independence, Kansas, wrote a string of successful plays throughout the 40s and 50s. His play Come Back, Little Sheba earned him the title of most promising playwright of the 1950 Broadway season. This success was followed in 1953 by Picnic (winner of the 1953 Pulitzer Prize) and again in 1955 by the highly revered Bus Stop. Inge’s fame continued to grow as The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, a reworking of his first play Farther Off from Heaven opened on Broadway in 1957. The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, considered to be Inge’s finest play, is one in which he draws most directly from his own past. He spent the final years of his life writing two novels: Good Luck, Miss Wyckoff in 1970 and My Son Is a Splendid Driver in 1971. Inge committed suicide on June 10, 1973 at the age of 60.

Basil Kreimendahl is a resident playwright at New Dramatists. Basil’s plays have won the Rella Lossy Playwright’s Award and a National Science Award at The Kennedy Center. Basil has had a Jerome Fellowship and a McKnight Fellowship from the Minneapolis Playwright’s Center, and an Arts Meets Activism grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women for theatre work with the trans community. Orange Julius was developed at the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, included in La Jolla Playhouse’s DNA new work series and The Kilroy’s List. Basil was commissioned by Actors Theatre of Louisville for Remix 38 in the 2014 Humana Festival of New Plays. Basil's plays have also been developed or produced by New York Theatre Workshop, The LARK, ATC, The Playwright’s Center, Victory Gardens, About Face Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Inkwell, Rattlestick Theater, Labrynth Theater, and The Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Basil’s work has been published by Howlround, Dramatic Publishing, Playscripts, Inc., and included in Xlibria’s Becoming: Young Ideas on Gender and Identity. MFA University of Iowa, 2013.

Bonnie Metzgar is a Chicago-based playwright, director, dramaturg and producer. Recent directing credits include American Theater Company’s production of Let Me Down Easy by Anna Deavere Smith, The Secretaries by the Five Lesbian Brothers at About Face and Walk Across America for Mother Earth by Taylor Mac for Red Tape as part of the 2015 Garage Rep at Steppenwolf. She is currently writing a commission for Sideshow Theater’s Freshness Initiative and was a member of the Goodman's 2014-15 Playwrights Unit. From 2008-2013, Metzgar served as Artistic Director of About Face Theatre and was proud to work on behalf of LGBTQ artists at a theater dedicated to advancing the national dialogue on sexuality and gender. In 2013-2014, Metzgar was awarded the Carl Djerassi Fellowship in Playwriting at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Her plays have been finalists for the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Festival, and selected for the Great Plains Theater Conference in Omaha.  Previously, Metzgar produced the 365 Festival with Suzan-Lori Parks and was Associate Producer at the Public Theater where she founded Joe’s Pub. Metzgar is on the National Advisory Committee for Howlround and has taught at a number of universities including Brown, University of Chicago and currently at Purdue and DePaul. She received her MFA in Playwriting from the University of Iowa and her BA from Brown.

About American Theater Company
American Theater Company (ATC) challenges and inspires its community by exploring stories that ask the question, "What does it mean to be an American?" ATC’s Ensemble includes Patrick Andrews, Kareem Bandealy, Jaime Castañeda, Kelly O’Sullivan, Tyler Ravelson, and Sadieh Rifai.

American Theater Company is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, the MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince, and the Shubert Foundation.

About the Chicago Inclusion Project
The Chicago Inclusion Project is a collective of artists, committed to creating inclusive theater experiences by bringing together Chicago artists and audiences often separated by ethnic background, economic status, gender identity, physical ability and countless other barriers. By deliberately choosing the unexpected, both in play choices and non-traditional casting, cultivating a diverse audience by bringing new combinations of artists to as many communities in Chicago (and its surrounding suburbs) as possible, choosing facilities for the multiple projects that are handicap accessible and keeping price of tickets affordable, The Chicago Inclusion Project programming aims to unite diverse collections of Chicagoans. For more information, visit www.thechicagoinclusionproject.org.


Tuesday, May 10, 2016

SAVE THE DATES: THODOS DANCE CHICAGO'S NEW DANCES 2016 IS JULY 16 &17


AT THE ATHENAEUM, 
TRADITION OF SELF-CREATED 
NEW WORKS PAVES WAY FOR 
POST-PERFORMANCE DANCE CAREERS

Every year, Thodos Dance Chicago cultivates new dance creation through its nationally renowned New Dances series, Chicago's earliest and most extensive in-house choreography project, and always a highlight of the city's summer dance season.

Now in its 16th year, New Dances is an annual opportunity for Thodos's dancers to take off their dance shoes, step off the stage and call their own shots as choreographers. 


(top, from left) Thodos Dance Ensemble members John Cartwright, Tenley Dorrill, Abby Ellison, Alex Gordon, (bottom) Hattie Haggard, Jessica Miller Tomlinson, Brennen Renteria, Briana Robinson and guest choreographer Shannon Alvis are creating world premiere works for Thodos Dance Chicago's New Dances 2016, July 16 and 17 at the Athenaeum Theatre. 

  


New works that debuted at last summer's New Dances 2015 included (top, from left) 
Jessica Miller Tomlinson's Something To Do With Five, Tenley Dorrill's Waiting For What, (bottom, from left) Taylor Mitchell's All You Need Is and Kevin McGinnis's Miriam. 


Collectively, New Dances has spawned more than 140 world premieres, launched the choreographic careers of more than 75 Chicago-based dance artists, and created a platform for 300+ dance artists to showcase their skills and build their reputations. 

Past New Dances works have subsequently entered the Thodos Dance repertory, been showcased at festivals including Jacob's Pillow and Dance Chicago, and been remounted by the Joffrey Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

As always, Thodos Dance Chicago's New Dances 2016 promises to be another wildly diverse program boasting nine, fresh, homegrown world premiere works created by the ensemble's own dancers. Performances are Saturday, July 16 at 
7:30 pm, and Sunday, July 17 at 3 p.m., at the Athenaeum Theatre, 
2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Tickets are $14-$40. For tickets, visit athenaeum.org or call the Athenaeum box office, (773) 935-6875.
                                                                          
New Dances 2016 will feature world premieres by TDC company members John Cartwright, Tenley Dorrill, Abby Ellison, Alex Gordon, Hattie Haggard, Jessica Miller Tomlinson, Brennen Renteria and Briana Robinson

Each is already making all production decisions about his or her work, from submitting written creative proposals, to developing budgets, casting their works from within and outside the company, collaborating with costume and lighting designers, contributing to marketing plans and scheduling their own rehearsal time.

"Members of Thodos Dance Chicago are far more than performers - they are creative artists selected to join the company based on their passion and talent for choreography," explains TDC Founder and Artistic Director Melissa Thodos

"We are unique in our strong commitment to support dance creation as no other dance organization offers as comprehensive of an in-house choreography initiative to its artists as ours, in part to help assure they are fully equipped to pursue a post-performance career in dance."

In total, each dancer/choreographer is given a three-month development period with more than 30 hours of studio time - unprecedented in the field - to bring their choreographic vision to life with their hand-picked ensemble of dancers.

Thanks to their New Dances experiences, past TDC dancer/choreographers have gone on to set works on the Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street, River North, Goodman Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Dutch National Ballet Project, Dance Kaleidoscope, Atlanta Ballet, Dance Works Chicago, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Idaho Dance Theatre, Grand Rapids Ballet, Giordano Dance Chicago, Eisenhower Dance Ensemble and the second companies of Alvin Ailey and American Ballet Theater.

Likewise, Thodos' artists are mentored throughout the process by a panel of high-profile Chicago dance professionals who gather for two private showings of each work to provide feedback, clarity, ideas and encouragement. New Dances 2016 panelists are:

Jeff Hancock, founding member of River North Dance Chicago and former Hubbard Street Dance Chicago dancer; 

Kristina Isabelle, artistic director of Kristina Isabelle Dance Company and director of HighJinks Productions;

Kristina Fluty, former dancer with Mad Shak, founder of Kinespark Consulting and a professor at Columbia College Chicago; 

Zachary Whittenburg, Manager of Communication at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and former dancer with Hubbard Street, BJM Danse Montréal and Pacific Northwest Ballet.
                                                                         
In addition to eight exciting and diverse brand new works created from within the ensemble, each year Melissa Thodos selects a guest choreographer to create a new work for the project. The New Dances 2016 guest choreographer is Shannon Alvis, former dancer with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Nederlands Dans Theater, currently on the faculty of Joffrey Academy.


Check out the behind the scenes sizzle reel for
TDC's Tenley Dorrill's New Dances 2015 new work Waiting for What.





About Thodos Dance Chicago
In 1992, Melissa Thodos, a young Evanston-born, Chicago-based dancer and choreographer, was frustrated with the lack of opportunities for dancers to work in what in her mind was the obvious environment for a well-rounded dance professional: A place to perform. A place to create. And a place to educate. Fast-forward 24 years, and Thodos is the only female choreographer and director to have helmed her own mid-sized, contemporary dance company in Chicago for more than two decades with this unique mission.

Today, Thodos Dance Chicago (TDC) is an ensemble of twelve versatile dance artists with a captivating style that uses a variety of dance forms. The company's unique mission of inspiring expression through dance education, dance creation and dance performance has established TDC as an innovative presence in American contemporary dance.

In addition to performing works by Melissa Thodos and resident artists, TDC performs works created by other renowned choreographers: Bob Fosse, Ann Reinking, Sybil Shearer, Lar Lubovitch, Shapiro & Smith, Jon Lehrer, Garfield Lemonius, Zachary Whittenburg, Lucas Crandall, Brian Enos, Amy Ernst, Ron De Jesús, Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, Ahmad Simmons, KT Nelson, Kevin Iega Jeff and Robyn Mineko Williams.

Thodos Dance Chicago's 12 ensemble members, who each teach, choreograph and perform for the company, include Caitrin Bellavance, John Cartwright, Tenley Dorrill, Abby Ellison, Alex Gordon, Hattie Haggard, Thomas Jacobson, Jessica Miller Tomlinson, Shelby Moran, Brennen Renteria, Briana Robinson and Luis Vasquez, plus performing trainee Richard Peña.

Thodos Dance Chicago continues to expand its artistic and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Founder and Artistic Director Melissa Thodos, Executive Director Gail Ford, Booking Director Rick Johnston, Artistic Associate Laura Gates, Resident Lighting Designer Nathan Tomlinson, Education and Outreach Associate
Kate Weatherly, Board President Sharon Lear, a dedicated board of directors and the support of thousands of contemporary dance enthusiasts both in Chicago and nationwide. 

The company is supported by the The Sono and Victor Elmaleh Foundation, The Garden of the Phoenix Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council-a state agency,
Target, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The Arts Work Fund, The Morrison-Shearer Foundation, The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, The Service Club of Chicago, Project 120, the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events and many individual and corporate sponsors. 


For more information, visit thodosdancechicago.org.

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