OPENING: Polarity Ensemble Theatre Presents World Premiere Play LEAVINGS by Award Winning Chicago Native Gail Parrish

Polarity Ensemble Theatre Presents the World Premiere Play 

LEAVINGS 

by Gail Parrish, 

October 21 - November 20, 2016 

New Play Explores the Intergenerational Trauma of Slavery 

Polarity Ensemble Theatre presents the world premiere of Gail Parrish's LEAVINGS, a story of racial reconciliation that brings an important voice to the public dialogue on Black Lives Matter. Directed by Ashley Honore Roberson, it plays October 21 - November 20, 2016 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, where Polarity is a resident company. Tickets are on sale at www.petheatre.com or by calling the box office at 773-404-7336. 

About the play: Co-winner of our 2015 Dionysos Cup Festival of New Plays, LEAVINGS follows the final days of Mama Bea, a 111 year old African American in Chicago. Mama Bea uses her last strength to unite with Governor Skinner, the white governor of Mississippi, to set to rest the spirits that haunt her family. She and the governor are both descended from a nineteenth century slave owner who left the White half of the family with a heritage of privilege and economic security and the Black half with a history of familial separation, segregation and violence. Only by uniting the White and Black sides in a ritual of reconciliation can the tortured spirits that haunt the family be put to rest. 

LEAVINGS was developed in Polarity Ensemble Theatre's 2015 Dionysos Cup Festival of New Plays. It is the tenth Polarity-developed play by a Chicago-area playwright to reach its world premiere on a Chicago stage. 

The production team for LEAVINGS includes Charles C. Palia Jr (set design), Benjamin L. White, USA (lighting design), Spence Andrew Batho (sound design/composer), Rachel C. Boylan, (costume design), Deborah Baxter (properties), Jill Perez (dramaturg), and Hazel Flowers McCabe (stage manager). 

SCHEDULE AND TICKET INFORMATION 

Location: Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Dates: Previews: Friday, October 21 at 8:00 PM and Saturday, October 22 at 8:00 PM 

Press Opening: Sunday, October 23 at 3:00 PM

Regular Run: Thursday, October 27 - Sunday, November 20, 2016. Additional performance Monday, November 7 at 8:00 PM.

Curtain Times: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM

Tickets: Previews: $15. Press Opening and Regular Run: $25. Students: $10, Seniors: $20. 

Tickets are available at www.petheatre.com and 773-404-7336

About the Playwright

Gail Parrish is a Chicago-born playwright whose plays have been produced and developed at Polarity Ensemble Theatre, Karamu Theatre, Juneteenth Legacy Theatre at Actor's Theatre of Louisville, City 616, Black Women Playwrights Group at Studio Theatre, Amelia Earhart Playhouse at Wiesbaden, Germany, eta Creative Arts Foundation, In Good Company Children's Theatre, Extra Mile Playwrights, Michigan Playwrights, Chicago Dramatists and Black Writers in Production. She studied playwriting as an undergraduate at Howard University and has continued to write plays throughout her life.

Ms. Parrish's Leavings was the winner (tied) of Polarity Ensemble Theatre's Dionysos Cup Festival and a semi-finalist in American Blues Theater's Blue Ink Award. Her one-act play, Elevator, was awarded grand prize in Daimler-Chrysler's Dreambuilder's National Playwriting Competition. She received an Emmy nomination from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Midwest chapter for the Elevator screenplay. Other awards include The Black Gospel Play Association's National Stage Play Competition grand prize for Bringing Back Josephine and grand prize in Black Writers in Production National Playwriting Competition. Other plays and screenplays written by Parrish include Tribute, Prodigal, Meeting, Hear the Drum, Making of a Man, Brookland, Not Brooklyn (co-writer) and Neighbors of the Forest.

Ms. Parrish lives in Oswego, Illinois with her husband Maurice Parrish.

About the Director

Ashley Honore Roberson has been working as an artist in the Chicagoland area for the past eight years. She has worked on stage with Chicago Children's Theatre, Chicago Dramatists, and Court Theatre. As a teaching artist Ashley works all over the city with several theatres/programs such as Congo Square, Northlight, Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, Writers Theatre and PureArt. She recently wrote and directed her first play, Once Upon A Zombie Apocalypse for the Chicago Kid's Fringe Festival, assistant directed for Emerald City and Chicago Children's Theatre and directed in the Black Lives, Black Words International Project and The Artistic Home Studio's Cut to the Chase play festival. 

About Polarity Ensemble Theatre

Founded in 2004, Polarity Ensemble Theatre is a professionally diverse group of artists who strive to advance the state of Chicago theater for both local and international audiences by developing new works and bringing new life to the classics through live performance, workshops, and publishing. For more information, visit www.petheatre.com.

Theater Wit's Complete 2016-17 Season Announced

Chi, IL Live Shows On Our Radar

THE TRUMP CARD, THIS WAY OUTTA SANTALAND 

AND ANNE WASHBURN'S 

10 OUT of 12  

JOIN MAT SMART'S NAPERVILLE 

FOR THEATER WIT'S 2016-17 SEASON

Theater Wit Artistic Director Jeremy Wechsler, currently in rehearsals for Wit's 2016-17 season opener, Mat Smart's new dramatic comedy Naperville, announced the balance of the company's 2016-17 "smart art" line-up:




Jeremy Wechsler

New Additions To The Lineup:

First is an election-season production of Mike Daisey's The Trump Card. Already a sensation at New York's Public Theatre and now on tour, Daisey has "open sourced" the rights to his 70-minute take-down of the current Republican presidential nominee. 

Wit can't wait to "take on the reigning world heavyweight of self-mythologizing, the short-fingered vulgarian who captured a nation's heart through bullying, charm, one-syllable explosions, and occasionally telling the brutal truth: Donald J. Trump." The Trump Card opens October 5 and closes on election night, November 8.  Wechsler will direct. Casting, performance times and ticket prices are TBA.

Here at ChiIL Mama & ChiIL Live Shows we were bummed to hear the rights to The Santaland Diaries had been pulled nationally for this holiday season. Mitchell Fain's hilarious portrayal of Crumpet the elf has become a tradition for us and a much needed antidote to all the saccharin sweet songs and annoying commercialism that consumes our public spaces from November to January. We're beyond excited that Mitchell Fain and Theater Wit have found a way to do an end run around this obstacle and present the world premiere of a brand new holiday tradition, This Way Outta Santaland, Mitchell Fain's all-new autobiographical holiday show. Don't miss this stunningly funny tell-all about his eight years starring as Crumpet the elf in Wit's long-running hit The Santaland Diaries. 

Audiences will adore Fain's fresh revelations about how family, drunks, 250 performances and the holiday spirits collide. Boozy Christmas carols, celebrity holiday gossip and the private lives of elves are all up for grabs in this warm-hearted take on a holiday show about a holiday show. Performances are November 23-December 23, 2016.

The Midwest debut of 10 Out of 12 by Anne Washburn, author of Wit's 2014 smash hit Mr. Burns, a post-electric play, is Wit's spring finale. 

Here at ChiIL Mama & ChiIL Live Shows, we adored Mr. Burns, a post-electric play (pictured above & below)! We can't wait to see what Anne Washburn has in store for us this season.

Washburn's newest, most adventurous work, 10 Out of 12 is a near-perfect recreation of a technical rehearsal, celebrating the hopes and visions that emerge from the most mundane of processes. 

Anne Washburn, Playwright

In Wit's production, audiences will don their own headsets to hear the backstage chatter and experience the challenges of bringing a new play to life. What's more, Washburn will join director Jeremy Wechsler to create a 10 Out of 12 fully customized for Chicago's theater scene. Chicago theater lovers won't want to miss Wit's who's-who Chicago version of what the New York Times declared a  "wholly original love song to the maddening art of the theater." Performances are March 3-April 23, 2017.        

                                                                  

Already announced is Theater Wit's 2016-17 season opener, the Midwest premiere of Mat Smart's Naperville. This extraordinary dramatic comedy is set in a Caribou Coffee in - you guessed it - Naperville.  Smart, a native of Naperville, now a New York writer, returns to Chicago riding a wave of local acclaim after his play The Royal Society of Antarctica at Gift Theatre won the 2015 Equity Jeff Award for Best New Work. New York Theatre Review hailed the 2014 off-off-Broadway premiere of Naperville "a heartfelt and beautiful meditation on the comedy and tragedy of quiet places we are too quick to forget" and a "valentine to the heart and soul of the American suburbs." Previews start August 26. Press opening is Tuesday, 

September 6 at 7:30 p.m. Performances run through October 16. 

"I'm very excited to announce one of Chicago's most exciting seasons of work from the country's finest playwrights and artists, " said Theater Wit Artistic Director Jeremy Wechsler. " These surprising plays are a clarion call for how compassion, humor and understanding can ignite unexpected community in a divided society. Ranging from the broadest political stage to the smallest coffee house, these plays scale from the smallest nuclear family to the larger collectives that create meaning and connection from nothing but plywood and determination. I've strived to find those particular works that can thrive in our unique home and artistic processes. It's going to be a memorable year."

The best way to secure seats is to sign up for a Theater Wit Membership. Wit's Netflix-like "all the theater you can eat" deal lets members see as many plays at they want at any of Theater Wit's three spaces for one low monthly fee of $36/$22 for students, along with many exclusive member perks. 

To purchase a Membership, inquire about Flex Pass options or to buy single tickets, visit TheaterWit.org or call the Theater Wit box office, 773.975.8150.

Theater Wit is located at 1229 N. Belmont, in the heart of the new Belmont Theatre District in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. To receive an "artisanal selection of consonants and vowels from Theater Wit," sign up at TheaterWit.org/mailing for exclusive updates, flash deals and behind-the-scenes production scoop every few weeks.

About Theater Wit

Theater Wit - "a thrilling addition to Chicago's roster of theaters" (Chicago Tribune) and "a terrific place to see a show" (New City) - will open its sixth season this fall in its home at 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. 

Founded in 2004, Theater Wit's mission is to explore contemporary issues with wit and wisdom through new works and Chicago premieres. As a production company, Theater Wit is Chicago's premiere smart art theater, producing humorous, challenging and intelligent plays that speak with a vibrant and contemporary theatrical voice. 

Recent critical and box office hits include The New Sincerity by Alena Smith, Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon, Mr. Burns, a post-electric play by Anne Washburn, The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence and Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England by Madeleine George, Completeness and The Four of Us by Itamar Moses. 

In 2014, Theater Wit was awarded the National Theatre Award by the American Theatre Wing for strengthening the quality, diversity and dynamism of American theater.

As an institution, Theater Wit seeks to be the hub of the Chicago neighborhood theater scene, where audiences enjoy a smorgasbord of excellent productions in three, 99-seat spaces, see a parade of talented artists and mingle with audiences from all over Chicago. 

Theater Wit brings together Chicago's best storefront companies, including 2016-17 resident companies About Face and Shattered Globe. 

For more information, visit TheaterWit.org or all the Theater Wit box office, 773.975.8150.

OPENING: NAPERVILLE Kicks Off Theater Wit's Season With Smart's Locally Flavored Comedy

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

CHICAGO'S THEATER WIT BREWS UP PIPING HOT

HOMETOWN DEBUT OF MAT SMART'S 

NAPERVILLE

CHICAGO'S "SMART ART" THEATER TO SERVE UP NAPERVILLE NATIVE'S NEW DRAMATIC COMEDY, SET IN A NAPERVILLE CARIBOU COFFEE SHOP, 

SEPT. 6-OCT. 16 

      

Here at ChiIL Live Show, we're excited to see what's next for Theater Wit. How can you go wrong pairing Smart and Wit? We're expecting great things from this collaboration! We'll be there opening night so check back soon for our full review.

Theater Wit, Chicago's premiere "smart art" theater, looks forward to presenting the Chicago premiere of Naperville by acclaimed young playwright Mat Smart.

This extraordinary dramatic comedy, all new to Chicago, is set in a Caribou Coffee in - you guessed it - Naperville. 

Previews start August 26. Press opening is Tuesday, September 6 at 7:30 p.m. Performances run through October 16: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Exception: No show on Thursday, September 9. 

Tickets are $12-$36. Theater Wit is located at 1229 N. Belmont, in the heart of the new Belmont Theatre District in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. 

To purchase single tickets, a Theater Wit Membership or Flex Pass, visit TheaterWit.org or call 773.975.8150.

Theater Wit's Chicago premiere of Naperville by (from left) Mat Smart, directed by Jeremy Wechsler, stars Laura T. Fisher as Candice, Andrew Jessop as T.C., Abby Pierce as Anne, Charlie Strater as Roy and Mike Tepeli as Howard.

About Naperville

Naperville premiered off-off Broadway in 2014 at New York's Slant Theatre Project. The production was a New York Times "Critic's Pick." New York Theatre Review hailed Smart's heartfelt and beautiful meditation on the "comedy and tragedy of quiet places we are too quick to forget" as a "valentine to the heart and soul of the American suburbs." 

That idyllic suburb is none other than west suburban Naperville, where Howard is considering abandoning his career in Seattle to move back home to care for his mother Candice after an accident has left her blind. At the Caribou Coffee in downtown Naperville, Howard and Candice cross paths with Anne, Howard's high school classmate and an expert on the suburb's founder, Captain Joseph Naper. 

Ultimately, Naperville is a comedy about high school crushes, curfews (for your mother), sight, and how beauty reveals itself in the suburbs.

Smart, born in Naperville and a graduate of Waubonsie Valley High School, looks forward to coming back to work with Wit on the play's hometown premiere, where all of its local references will fully resonate. 

Smart returns to Chicago riding a wave of local acclaim after his play The Royal Society of Antarctica at Gift Theatre won the 2015 Equity Jeff Award for Best New Work.

                                                                                

Theater Wit Artistic Director Jeremy Wechsler directs the Chicago premiere of Naperville. Theater Wit's cast includes Laura T. Fisher as Candice, Andrew Jessop as T.C., Abby Pierce as Anne, Charlie Strater as Roy and Mike Tepeli as Howard. 

The production team includes Joe Schermoly (set), Christine Pascual (costumes), Alexander Rogers (lights), Ethan Deppe (sound), Amanda Hermann (props), Majel Cuza (production manager) and Katrina Herrmann (stage manager). 

Mat Smart's (playwright) other plays include Tinker to Evers to Chance (Geva, Merrimack Rep), Samuel J. and K. (Williamstown Theatre Festival, Steppenwolf for Young Adults), The Hopper Collection (Magic Theatre, Huntington) and The 13th of Paris (City Theatre, Seattle Public Theatre). He is the recipient of two Jerome Fellowships, a McKnight Advancement Grant, and the 2014 Otis Guernsey New Voices Award from the William Inge Center for the Arts. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Evansville and his MFA from the University of California, San Diego. An avid baseball fan and traveler, Smart has been to all 30 of the current MLB stadiums, all 50 states and all of the continents. Smart currently lives in Manhattan. 

Jeremy Wechsler (director) most recently staged Theater Wit's The New Sincerity by Alena Smith, The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence by Madeleine George, Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon, Mr. Burns, a post-electric play by Anne Washburn, Madeline George's Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England, and that show's summer remount at Art Square Theatre in Las Vegas. Wechsler also staged Wit's acclaimed Completeness and The Four of Us (Itamar Moses), Tigers Be Still (Kim Rosenstock), This (Melissa James Gibson), Spin (Penny Penniston), Feydeau-Si-Deau (Georges Feydeau), Men of Steel (Qui Nguyen), Thom Pain (Based on Nothing) (Will Eno), Two for the Show (James Fitzpatrick and Will Clinger) and The Santaland Diaries. His productions have been nominated for and won multiple awards for design, performance, adaptation and best new work.

About Theater Wit

Theater Wit - "a thrilling addition to Chicago's roster of theaters" (Chicago Tribune) and "a terrific place to see a show" (New City) - will open its sixth season this fall in its home at 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. 

Founded in 2004, Theater Wit's mission is to explore contemporary issues with wit and wisdom through new works and Chicago premieres. 

As a production company, Theater Wit is Chicago's premiere smart art theater, producing humorous, challenging and intelligent plays that speak with a vibrant and contemporary theatrical voice. Recent critical and box office hits include The New Sincerity by Alena Smith, Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon, Mr. Burns, a post-electric play by Anne Washburn, The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence and Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England by Madeleine George, Completeness and The Four of Us by Itamar Moses. 

In 2014, Theater Wit was awarded the National Theatre Award by the American Theatre Wing for strengthening the quality, diversity and dynamism of American theater.

As an institution, Theater Wit seeks to be the hub of the Chicago neighborhood theater scene, where audiences enjoy a smorgasbord of excellent productions in three, 99-seat spaces, see a parade of talented artists and mingle with audiences from all over Chicago. Theater Wit brings together Chicago's best storefront companies, including 2016-17 resident companies About Face and Shattered Globe.

The best way to secure seats at Theater Wit is by signing up for a Theater Wit Membership. Wit's Netflix-like "all the theater you can eat" membership deal lets members see as many plays at they want at any of Theater Wit's three, 99-seat spaces for one low monthly fee of $36/$22 for students, along with many exclusive member perks. 

Wit also offers a 10-play Flex Pass for $215 to anything presented in the building, a savings of up to 40%. Single tickets for Wit's 2016-17 productions start at $12, and will go on sale approximately two months before the first preview of each production.

We're also elated about the theme for the 2016-17 season: "Unexpected Families"

I'm very excited to announce one of Chicago's most exciting seasons of work from the country's finest playwrights and artists. These surprising plays are a clarion call for how compassion, humor and understanding can ignite unexpected community in a divided society. I hope you enjoy all these Chicago premieres; I've strived to find those particular works that can thrive in our unique home and artistic processes.

- Jeremy Wechsler, Artistic Director

For more information, visit TheaterWit.org or call the Theater Wit box office, 773.975.8150.

OPENING: House Theatre Presents the World Premiere of Kara Davidson’s A Comedical Tragedy for Mister Punch

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

THE HOUSE THEATRE OF CHICAGO LAUNCHES ITS 15^TH SEASON WITH THE WORLD PREMIERE PUPPET-DRIVEN

A COMEDICAL TRAGEDY FOR MISTER PUNCH,

WRITTEN BY KARA DAVIDSON AND DIRECTED BY SHADE MURRAY, SEPTEMBER 2 – OCTOBER 23

The House’s Anniversary Season Opener Tells the Graphic and Haunting Tale of the Creation of Legendary Puppets Punch and Judy

Oh joy! Whenever The House Theatre announces a new show or a favorite remount I get all excited like a little kid at Christmas. Their season opener is no exception. They had me at the title. I mean really, The House Theatre prowess AND puppetry are two of our favorite things. And, extra bonus, Adrian Danzig, Chicago dad and one of our favorites for physical comedy, stars as Pietro the puppet master in this world premiere. We've known him since his son was in preschool with my 13 year old daughter and we've adored his work in 500 Clown, Go Dog Go with Chicago Children's Theatre, and so much more. My whole family can't wait to catch this one! We'll be there to review A Comedical Tragedy for Mister Punch on opening night. In the meantime, here's the scoop: 

The House Theatre of Chicago is proud to announce its 2016 – 2017 season opening production, the world premiere of Kara Davidson’s A Comedical Tragedy for Mister Punch. Influenced by the long history of puppets, Punch and Judy, and directed by Shade Murray, the production runs September 2 – October 23 at the Chopin Theatre’s Upstairs Theater, 1543 W. Division St. Previews are Friday, Sept. 2 – Friday, Sept. 9. Opening/press night is Sunday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. 

The performance schedule is Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 7 p.m.  Preview tickets are $15 and regular run tickets range from $30-35. $15 same-day tickets for students and industry professionals are available for all dates, seats permitting. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.thehousetheatre.com or call 773.769.3832. 

Charlotte, a young orphan, has made a home for herself thieving on the streets of London. She soon falls into employment as the assistant to an eccentric Italian puppeteer, Pietro. A master of the violent Punch and Judy puppet show, Pietro becomes a reluctant mentor to Charlotte. She is inspired and charmed by his bold, cheeky, and witty creations. The two become an efficient pair under Pietro's gruff and focused attention. As their partnership flourishes, Charlotte's vivid imagination calls the puppets to life to conjure her own versions of the classic tales. But Pietro may not let his protégé cut the strings easily. Reality blurs as live actors, hand puppets, shadow puppetry and marionettes share the stage to illustrate a dark reality of imperfect adults, corrupt authority, class discrepancy, and violence.

Davidson’s A Comedical Tragedy for Mister Punch takes audiences back to the arrival of the Punch and Judy show in 18th-century England, before it became a popular seaside and country fair entertainment staple. The production features puppet creations from Jesse Mooney-Bullock, designer of the puppets for The House’s The Hammer Trinity. Today, many Punch and Judy shows are censored, removing Punch's cruel and murderous nature, opting for themes that are more palatable for youthful ears. But Mister Punch can't escape his peppered past. Why do we cheer for this scoundrel? How does Mister Punch, a character who has been depicted as a merciless hero-villain for over two hundred years, get away with abuse and murder? Perhaps something meaningful lies underneath Mister Punch's colorful yet ruthless exterior. This production is recommended for ages 12 years old and older.

The cast includes: Adrian Danzig, “Pietro;’ Johnny Arena*, “Punch;” Sarah Cartwright, “Charlotte;” Will Casey, “Officer” and others; Joey Steakley*, “Joey” and others; Carolyn Hoerdemann, “Judy” and others; Echaka Agba, “Polly” and others; Michael E Smith*, “Crocodile” and others and Owais Ahmed, “Flirt” and others. Understudies include: Ben Hertel, Joseph “Joey” Galizia, Vahishta Vafadari, Carlos Almedo and Gillian Butcher.

*House Company Member

The design team includes: Lee Keenan*, scenic designer; Izumi Inaba, costume designer; Mike Durst, lighting designer; Kevin O’Donnell*, sound designer; John Fournier, composer; Jesse Mooney-Bullock, puppet designer; David Woolley, choreographer; Jon Beal, assistant choreographer; Adam Goldstein, dialect coach; Brian DesGranges*, stage manager; and Eleanor Kahn, props master.

ABOUT KARA DAVIDSON, writer

Kara Davidson has been working with the House as an actor since 2013, but is excited to be stepping into the role of playwright this season! Two of her original full-length scripts were previously produced in the Twin Cities with Dovetail Theatre Company (of which she was a co-founder), and she is thrilled that Mister Punch will be making its world premiere on a Chicago stage. Previous (and current) productions with The House include Death and Harry Houdini (2013 and current), The Hammer Trinity, and Rose and the Rime. Around Chicago, Kara has also worked with Lookingglass, Chicago Shakespeare, and Manual Cinema, among others, and she regularly writes and performs for The Plagiarists "Salon" series. She holds degrees in Theatre Performance and French from the University of Nebraska.

ABOUT SHADE MURRAY, director

Shade Murray is an ensemble member of A Red Orchid Theater, where he has directed the world premieres of Brett Neveu’s Pilgrim’s Progress and Ike Holter’s Sender, as well as productions of Marisa Wegrzyn’s Mud Blue Sky and The Butcher of Baraboo, Annie Baker’s The Aliens, Nick Jones’ Trevor, Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party and Kimberly Akimbo by David Lindsay-Abaire.  He also performed in the A Red Orchid production of The Mutilated. Other directing credits include Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Steep Theater, Second City, Writers’ Theater, The Inconvenience, Strawdog, and elsewhere. Murray is a lecturer at University of Chicago and teaches at DePaul University and Actors’ Studio Chicago.

ABOUT PUNCH AND JUDY

The first record of the puppet, that eventually grew to be the infamous Punch, was made by Samuel Pepys in the late 17^th century. He wrote his observations on the Italian puppet show playing in London’s Covent Garden in his journal. At the time Punch, short for Punchinello, was a puppet on strings but eventually, along with his wife Judy, evolved after nearly a hundred years to become glove puppets dressed in a jester-like fashion.

Puppeteers favored street performances at first, where the title of “Punch and Judy” was born, but eventually found their way to the seaside to perform to those on vacation. Today, various iterations of the show with roots in Commedia dell’ Arte, clown and slapstick comedy can still be found at the seaside, street festivals and carnivals around the world.

NOW PLAYING: 

We're also coming into the final stretch of Death & Harry Houdini. This is one of our top favorites of all times and nothing short of astonishing. We've seen it a handful of times now and it's always a thrill. Don't miss this. Oh SO highly recommended. ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List. 

ABOUT THE HOUSE THEATRE OF CHICAGO
The House is Chicago's premier home for intimate, original works of epic story and stagecraft. Founded and led by Artistic Director Nathan Allen and driven by an interdisciplinary ensemble of Chicago’s next generation of great storytellers, The House aims to become a laboratory and platform for the evolution of the American theatre as an inclusive and popular art form.

The House was founded in 2001 by a group of friends to explore connections between Community and Storytelling through a unique theatrical experience. Since becoming eligible in 2004, The House has been nominated for 60 Joseph Jefferson Awards (21 wins), became the
first recipient of Broadway in Chicago’s Emerging Theater Award in 2007, and was awarded a 2014 National Theatre Company Grant by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards. Now in its 14th year of original work, The House continues its mission to unite Chicago in the spirit of Community through amazing feats of Storytelling.

13th Season Announced For Redtwist Theatre

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Redtwist Theatre is pleased to announce its 13th Season!

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, Redtwist has long been a favorite of ours on the blackbox storefront theatre scene. They're polished, professional productions and edgy late night choices keep Redtwist on our radar. Mark your calendars. Their lucky 13th season looks like a winner.

"Home is where the HURT is" examines the fabric of family relationships. 

How do we live in the present when the future is looming? 

How far will we go to reach our potential and make our dreams a reality? 

And will that help or hurt the ones closest to us?

Scarcity by Lucy Thurber

A Chicago Premiere directed by Cody Estle

Sept 10 to Oct 9, 2016 (Previews Sept 7, 8, 9)

Press Opening - Saturday, September 10, 2016, 3pm

  

A family stuck in the sticks and struggling to make ends meet has a chance to get their brilliant son into an advanced program when his obsessed math teacher becomes mesmerized by Billy's intellect and potential and offers to help with his college dreams. But what are her real intentions? And will the family grab this golden opportunity for a way out? Featuring Jeff Award-winner, Jacqueline Grandt, and fellow Redtwist company members, Johnny Garcia and Debra Rodkin, along with guest artists, Mark Pracht, Brendan Meyer, and Ada Grey.

Turtle  by Jake Jeppson

A World Premiere directed by Damon Kiely

Nov 19 to Dec 30, 2016 (Previews Nov 16, 17, 18)

No performance Nov 24, Dec 24 or Dec 25

Press Opening - Saturday, November 19, 2016, 3pm

Molly has it all-a great suburban home, two cute kids, and a hard-working husband. According to what the politicians on her TV say, she is the model of the American dream. And yet, there's a sense of uneasiness in the air. When a sea turtle waddles its way into Molly's life, she and her family can't help but face the unspoken dread that has been lurking in the shadows. This charming and clever new play combines the distant echoes of timeless wisdom with an aggressively post-modern drama about our vexing present day fears.

Death of a Salesman  by Arthur Miller

Directed by Steve Scott

Feb 4 to Mar 5, 2017 (Previews Feb 1, 2, 3)

Press Opening - Saturday, February 4, 2017, 3pm

The great American drama about dashed hopes and delusional optimism, Miller's timeless themes play out in the fractured Loman household where Willy is the worn out king of his castle. He's also prince of the road as a fading traveling salesman, barely clinging to reality while searching in vain for the life of his dreams, yet failing to embrace the life that he lives. Featuring Jeff Award-winner, Brian Parry, with Redtwist company member Jan Ellen Graves, as Willy and Linda Loman.

Circle Mirror Transformation  by Annie Baker

Directed by Scott Weinstein

Apr 15 thru May 14, 2017 (Previews Apr 12, 13, 14)

Press Opening - Saturday, April 15, 2017, 3pm

When four lost New Englanders enroll in Marty's six-week community center drama class, they begin to experiment with seemingly harmless theatre games, but hearts are quietly torn apart, and tiny wars of epic proportions are waged. In her savvy storytelling, this Pulitzer-winning playwright takes you into the underbelly of the craft of acting and reveals the creative process that allows the actor to access the range of emotions that seem so intensely real on stage.

Going to a Place Where You Already Are by Bekah Brunstetter 

A Chicago Premiere directed by Matt Hawkins

Jun 24 thru Jul 23, 2017 (Previews June 21, 22, 23) 

Press Opening - Saturday, June 24, 2017, 3pm

A fun-loving couple, Roberta and Joe, are avowed atheists in their golden years, moving along nicely until Roberta undergoes a serious medical diagnosis. Funny and poignant, this is an insightfully compassionate play about a senior couple navigating the land mines of their advancing years in a delightfully carefree manner, until life catches up and demands some big time decisions about faith. Featuring Kathleen Ruhl in the role of Roberta.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS 

Showtimes:

Thu, Fri, Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 3pm (Openings are on Saturdays at 3pm) 

Tickets: Thursdays, $30; Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, $35 (seniors & students $5 off)

RESERVATIONS  

Call: 773-728-7529 Website/Tickets: www.redtwist.org

LOCATION

Redtwist is located at 1044 W Bryn Mawr, 2 blks W of LSD, 2 blks E of the Red Line El station.

PARKING

Valet parking for Redtwist is available across the street in front of Francesca's Bryn Mawr for most performances (but not for Sunday matinees). Dining is not required. 

Allow ample time for parking. FREE street parking is available on side streets. You don't need a permit to park on Winthrop and Kenmore but availability is limited.

Limited FREE street parking is available on side streets. Metered street parking is 3-hour Paybox on Bryn Mawr Av and 2-hour Paybox on side streets. Free on Sundays, and after 10pm Mon thru Sat. You can mange the meter with your smart phone by registering at parkchicago.com which will save you an extra trip to your car during intermissions.

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

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

★★★★ Combines audio play, hardrock, pop concert and theatre   

Theater Kant

Shakespeare 400 Chicago comes to historic concert venue

Belgium's Theater Zuidpool presents

MACBETH

Alternative rock concert of the Scottish Play at Thalia Hall, 

August 21 & 22

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

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

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

  Run Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
     (no intermission)

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT SHAKESPEARE 400 CHICAGO

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

ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER

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