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Tuesday, October 4, 2016

REVIEW: A Red Orchid's Production of Pinter's The Room Brings Full Sensory Exploration To Infamous Comedy of Menace

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

A RED ORCHID THEATRE KICKS OFF 2016-2017 SEASON WITH 
THE ROOM BY HAROLD PINTER
DIRECTED BY ENSEMBLE MEMBER DADO

September 29 – November 13, 2016

There's power in beginnings and it's a thrill to see a staging of the first play ever written by Nobel Prize winner, Harold Pinter. The Room is disturbing, edgy and far more about "how do you feel" than "what does it mean". A Red Orchid's exceptional production makes this a full sensory experience, from the opening scene with aromas and sounds of bacon and eggs actually cooking, to the closing scene of a brutal, inexplicable beating. The sounds of clanging pipes, slamming doors, creaking floorboards, electrical shorts and thumping potatoes are as key as the dialogue. I had read The Room back in college as part of my theatre degree, but I'd never seen it performed, and what a difference that makes in the piece. 



Ensemble Member Kirsten Fitzgerald and HB Ward
All Production Photos by Michael Brosilow

This is an ambitious season opener for A Red Orchid, and director DADO does an admirable job of bringing this unsettling, psychologically tense "comedy of menace" to life on stage. We've seen many of the productions she's directed over the years, and she never ceases to impress.

Light and lack thereof effectively evoked anxiety, and talk of the world beyond the room's walls being frigid and dangerous outside and dank and dripping above and below made the room a claustrophobic but cozy refuge. The angular, sparse set is perfect for this production and the choice to match the curtains to Rose's housedress was brilliant. She not only couldn't seem to leave the room, but the room really became Rose personified. What's left unsaid and unaddressed is as strong as the disjointed dialogue and strange relationships. The timing and rapport of the entire cast was stellar. Highly recommended. 



Mierka Girten and Dano Duran

A Red Orchid Theatre begins its 2016-2017 Season with The Room by Harold Pinter, directed by Ensemble Member Dado and featuring Ensemble Members Kirsten Fitzgerald and Mierka Girten. The Room runs September 29 – November 13, 2016. The press opening is October 3 at 7 p.m. at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N Wells Street. 

“Though I have seen and read many, The Room is my very first Pinter as an actor,” says Artistic Director Kirsten Fitzgerald. “I find his plays to be something of a Rorschach; everyone perceives something a bit different depending on the day and what they bring in. Today, as I consider The Room and the character of Rose in particular, I wonder what causes a person to retreat and how this willful isolation or chosen ignorance breeds territorialism and xenophobia. I wonder these same things when considering the world.”

By turns terrifying, moving and wildly funny, The Room is Pinter’s very first play. Rose prefers to stay in, safe from the hostile world outside, but her seemingly cozy sanctuary is continually being invaded. With visits from the landlord, a couple in search of their own space, a stranger and the return of her husband, it becomes increasingly unclear whether the menace comes from within or without.

Ticket Information
A Red Orchid continues the FLASHPASS, with some exciting new options this year. As always, FLAHPASS holders get reserved seats, ticket and date flexibility, no-fee ticket exchanges, discounts for friends & family tickets, and early access to events such as readings, panel discussions, and more. Three-show Flashpasses are $80 and include one ticket to each of the 3 shows in our 24th Season, excluding Press Opening and Red Nights. Three-show Red Night Flashpasses are $130 and include a ticket to each Red Night Opening and post-show reception with the cast and creative team. New this season, the Preview Saver Flashpasses are $50 and include one ticket to a preview performance of each of the 3 shows in our 24th season

2 new membership options that allow you to watch a show grow throughout the run:
The Artist’s Circle Membership is $600 and allows you to see a show develop over the run with 2 Flashpasses to see each show in our season as many times as you want and more. The Red Circle Membership is $1500 and includes 2 Flashpasses to our 3-play season, with access to see each show as many times as you want including Red Night Openings and post-show celebrations with the artists and more.  For full breakdown of benefits please give us a ring or visit www.aredorchictheatre.org.  A portion of your Artist Circle Membership and/or Red Circle Membership is tax deductible. Tickets are non-transferable and may only be used by member

Flashpasses and Memberships may be purchased from the Box Office at 1531 N. Wells Street, Monday through Friday from 12 pm to 5:00 pm. Subscriptions may also be purchased by telephone during office hours by dialing (312) 943-8722, or online at www.aredorchidtheatre.org. Individual tickets will go on sale at a later date.

Dates:
Regular Run: October 6 – November 13, 2016
Red Night: October 7, 2016 
Schedule:     Thursdays: 8:00 p.m. 
Fridays8:00 p.m. 
Saturdays: 8:00 p.m. 
Sundays: 3:00 p.m. (Sunday 10/2 preview at 7:00pm)
Location: A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells Ave.
Tickets: $15-$25 previews, $30-$35 regular run.  ($30Thurs, $35 Fri, Sat, Sun)
Box Office: Located at 1531 N. Wells Ave, Chicago, (312) 943-8722; or online www.aredorchidtheatre.org 



Anish Jethmalani 


Ensemble Member Kirsten Fitzgerald and Anish Jethmalani 


The cast of The Room includes JoJo Brown (Riley), Dano Duran (Mr. Sands), Kirsten Fitzgerald (Rose), Mierka Girten (Mrs. Sands), Anish Jethmalani (Mr. Kidd) and HB Ward (Bert). 

The creative team for The Room includes Grant Sabin (scenic), Kotryna Hilko (costumes), Claire Chzran (lighting), Heath Hays (sound), Alec Long (properties) and Barbara Siefert (violence). Katie Adams is the stage manager and Shannon Golden is the production manager. 


About The Artists
Dado (Director) directed A Red Orchid’s Jeff nominated production of Tennessee William’s The Mutilated last season. Previous shows at A Red Orchid include Red Handed Otter, Strandline (Actor), Simpatico, Megacosm and The Hothouse, among others. In 2015, Dado directed the Incubator project of Harold Pinter's Celebration (infused with the music of Mauricio Kagel) for A Red Orchid, which enjoyed an extended run at Kamehachi. She also directed As You Like It at UIC and Suburbia at St Joseph (where she also teaches Intro to Performance). She also staged an experimental opera at the Art Expo 2015 called Cake Mix, originally composed by Mikey Moran (Red Handed Otter) and based on the contents of a box of Pillsbury cake mix. She recently took her MFA from the University of Chicago in visual art. She lives in Whiting, Indiana with Stella and Booker.

Jo Jo Brown (Riley) is making their debut at A Red Orchid Theatre. Past credits include Passing Strange at UIC’s School of Theatre and Music, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Two Pence Theater, and The People’s Temple at American Theater Company.

Dano Duran (Mr. Sands) is debuting with A Red Orchid Theatre for the first time. Dano also shoots as many films/TV/commercials as he's allowed to. When not acting Dano is a broker with The North Clybourn Group.

Kirsten Fitzgerald (Rose) has been a member of the Artistic Ensemble at A Red Orchid since 2001. Her performances here at home include three world premieres by Brett Neveu; Pilgrim’s Progress, Weapon of Mass Impact and Four Murders. Other AROT performances include Mud Blue Sky, The Butcher of Baraboo, The New Electric Ballroom, Abigail's Party, The Sea Horse [Jeff Award], Pumpgirl, Mr. Bundy, The Killer and more. Other Chicago credits include Mary Page Marlowe, The Qualms, Clybourne Park, The Elephant Man, and A Streetcar Named Desire (Steppenwolf Theatre); Appropriate (Victory Gardens), and work with Defiant Theatre, Circle Theatre, Next, Remy Bumppo, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Goodman, Shattered Globe, Famous Door, Plasticene and the Utah Shakespeare Festival among others. You can see her on the small screen now in The Exorcist (FOX) and other TV credits include Sirens (USA), Chicago Fire (NBC), ER (NBC) and Underemployed (MTV).

Mierka Girten (Mrs. Sands) is an ensemble member at A Red Orchid, where she has been seen in over thirteen productions, including The Mutilated, Simpatico, Red Handed Otter, Mud Blue Sky and Abigail’s Party among others. This past summer Mierka played Maria Callas in Master Class at The Human Race Theatre Company in Dayton Ohio. Additionally, she has worked with The Hypocrites, Rivendell Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Cobalt Ensemble, Apple Tree, Provision, Strawdog, Circle Theatre, American Blues, Mary-Arrchie, Live Bait, Roadworks, Steppenwolf and The Goodman. She played Esther in Mistakes Were Made both here at A Red Orchid and in the Off-Broadway Barrow Street Theatre production with friend Mike Shannon. Her voice can be heard on national broadcast and web commercials.

Anish Jethmalani (Mr. Kidd) makes his A Red Orchid debut with The Room. His stage credits include Wit and ten seasons of A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre); Water by the Spoonful, Titus Andronicus, Mary Stuart, The Invention of Love and Life’s a Dream (Court Theatre); Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Homeland Security (Victory Gardens Theater); Inana, Blood and Gifts (TimeLine Theatre Company); Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Around the World in 80 Days and Sita Ram (Lookingglass Theatre Company); The Caretaker, To the Green Fields Beyond (Writers’ Theatre); Citizens of the World (Steppenwolf Theatre Company); Omnium Gatherum, Return to Haifa and The Millionairess (Next Theatre Company); Twelfth Night (First Folio Theatre); The Man Who Murdered Sherlock Holmes (Mercury Theatre); Indian Ink, The Sign of the Four (Apple Tree Theatre); Merchant of Venice (Silk Road Rising) and The Age of Cynicism (Chicago Dramatists). Regionally, he appeared in Henry VIII and Much Ado About Nothing at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. His film and television credits include APB, Boss, Leverage, Early Edition,and Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

H.B. Ward (Bert) has worked with A Red Orchid Theatre once before, in The Butcher of Baraboo. He has acted with many Chicago companies including Curious Theatre Branch, Prop Thtr, Collaboraction, DOG – a Theater Company, The Magpies, Teatro Vista, WNEP, Theater Oobleck, Tympanic Theatre,16th Street Theater, Wildclaw Theatre, Trap Door Theatre, Next Theatre, Rivendell Theatre, The Side Project, Jackalope Theatre, American Blues Theater, Haven Theatre and, most recently, with Timeline Theatre in Chimerica. He has also acted in television, commercials, and films, including Stephen Cone’s In Memoriam. He has understudied at Victory Gardens Theater, Goodman Theatre and Steppenwolf Theater. He is represented by Paonessa Talent Agency.


HB Ward and Anish Jethmalani 

About A Red Orchid
A Red Orchid Theatre has served as an artistic focal point in the heart of the Old Town community of Chicago since 1993 and was honored this year with a 2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. Over the past 23 years, its Resident Ensemble has welcomed into its fold an impressive array of award winning actors, playwrights and theatre artists with the firm belief that live theatre is the greatest sustenance for the human spirit. A Red Orchid is well known and highly acclaimed for its fearless approach to performance and design in the service of unflinchingly intimate stories. In addition to its professional season, the company also produces an annual OrKids (youth) project and hosts The Incubator (providing artists with space and time to explore new work, new forms and new artistic collaborations). 

A Red Orchid Theatre is: Lance Baker, Kamal Angelo Bolden, Dado, Mike Durst, Jennifer Engstrom, Kirsten Fitzgerald, Joseph Fosco, Steve Haggard, Mierka Girten, Larry Grimm, Karen Kawa, Karen Kessler, Danny McCarthy, Shade Murray, Brett Neveu, Michael Shannon, Guy Van Swearingen, Doug Vickers and Natalie West

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME WILL PLAY BROADWAY IN CHICAGO’S ORIENTAL THEATRE DECEMBER 6 – DECEMBER 24, 2016

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

TICKETS GO ON SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

A NEW PLAY BY SIMON STEPHENS
ADAPTED FROM THE NOVEL BY MARK HADDON
DIRECTED BY MARIANNE ELLIOTT



WINNER OF:
Five Tony Awards including Best Play,
Six Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Play,
Five Outer Critics Circle Awards including Outstanding New Broadway Play,
Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play
  
Broadway In Chicago is pleased to announce that individual tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, October 7, 2016 for The National Theatre production of THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, the Tony Award-winning new play by Simon Stephens, adapted from Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel.  Directed by Tony winner Marianne Elliott, the critically acclaimed production will play Broadway In Chicago’s Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph) December 6 – December 24, 2016.

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME on Broadway is the recipient of five Tony Awards including Best Play, six Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Play, five Outer Critics Circle Awards including Outstanding New Broadway Play, and the Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play. The production was named among the Top 10 productions of 2014 by amNY, Associated Press, Bergen Record, Broadway.com, Broadway Insider, Chicago Tribune, Daily News, Deadline, Entertainment Weekly, Hollywood Reporter, Huffington Post, New York Magazine, New York Post, NY-1, The New York Times, Playbill, Star Ledger, Time Magazine, Time Out New York and Towleroad.

Fifteen-year old Christopher has an extraordinary brain; he is exceptionally intelligent but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor’s dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an earth-shattering discovery and a journey that will change his life forever.

The production is designed by Tony Award-winner Bunny Christie and Tony Award-winning video designer Finn Ross, with lighting by Tony Award-winner Paule Constable, choreography by Scott Graham and Olivier Award-winner Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, music by Adrian Sutton, sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph, and hair and wig design by David Brian Brown. Casting is by Daniel Swee and Cindy Tolan.

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME transferred to London’s West End, following a sold-out run at the National’s Cottesloe Theatre in 2012. The production received seven 2013 Olivier Awards, including Best New Play and continues to play to sold-out houses at the Gielgud Theatre in London.

The North American tour is produced by Stuart Thompson, Tim Levy for NT America, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures Inc., Lisa Burger for NT Productions, Bob Boyett, Roger and William Berlind, Scott M. Delman, Roy Furman, Glass Half Full Productions, Ruth Hendel, JFLT TLP Partnership, Jon B. Platt, Scott Rudin, Triple Play Broadway and The Shubert Organization.

Mark Haddon’s novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was published in 2003. It was the winner of more than 17 literary awards, including prizes in the US, Japan, Holland and Italy as well as the Whitbread Book of the Year Award in the UK in 2004, and has been translated into 44 languages.


Follow THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME: TWITTER, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM


PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Tuesdays at 7:30 PM
Wednesdays at 7:30 PM (additional 2 PM matinee on Dec. 14 & Dec. 21)
Thursdays at 7:30 PM (additional 2 PM matinee on Dec. 22)
Fridays at 7:30 PM
Saturdays at 2 PM and 8 PM (no evening performance on Dec. 24)
Sundays at 2 PM (additional 7:30 PM evening performance on Dec. 11)

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME at the Oriental Theatre range from $25-$98. A select number of premium tickets are available for many performances. Group tickets for 10 or more are available by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 16 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country.  A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining well up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres.  Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including The PrivateBank Theatre, Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.

For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Twitter @broadwaychicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Cast Announced For Porchlight's Upcoming Judy Garland Story, End of the Rainbow


PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE ANNOUNCES THE CAST FOR
THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF 
END OF THE RAINBOW
FEATURING THE MUSIC OF THE LEGENDARY JUDY GARLAND, 
NOVEMBER 4 - DECEMBER 4, AT STAGE 773

All Photos by Michelle Leatherby. Angela Ingersoll as “Judy Garland”



Angela Ingersoll Stars in the Highly Lauded Play with Music Nominated for an Olivier Award and Three Tony Awards Featuring Garland’s Most Memorable Songs and the Story of the Events Leading up to the Final Days of Her Life

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the Chicago premiere of End of the Rainbow, November 4 – December 4,  featuring music from the songbook of Judy Garland, written by Peter Quilter, starring Angela Ingersoll as “Judy Garland,” direction by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber, music direction by Jon Steinhagen, who also appears as “Anthony,” at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Previews are Friday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. and Monday, Nov 7 at 1:30 p.m. Opening night is Monday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. 

The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is an added matinee performance Thursday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 25 at 4 p.m. NOTE: *There are no Thursday 7:30 p.m. performances November 10 and 24. Tickets for previews are $38 and for the regular run $45 - $51. Single tickets may be purchased at 773.327.5252 or at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org
Subscriptions to the entire season or Porchlight’s series, Porchlight Revisits, are currently on sale as well as single tickets for the entire season.  Subscriptions are available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling 773.777.9884. Groups of ten or more may receive discounts on tickets purchased via Group Theater Tix at 312.423.6612 or grouptheatertix.com.

It’s December 1968 and Judy Garland (Angela Ingersoll) is about to make her comeback... again. In a London hotel room, with both her new fiancé (Kyle Hatley) and her adoring accompanist (Jon Steinhagen), Garland struggles to get 'beyond the rainbow' with her signature cocktail of talent, tenacity and razor-sharp wit. Featuring many of Garland’s most memorable songs, this savagely funny play with music offers unique insight into the inner conflict that inspired and consumed one of the most beloved figures in American popular culture. 

End of the Rainbow also features Felipe Jorge as ”The Radio Interviewer/The Porter/The ASM.”

The End of the Rainbow production team includes: Christopher Rhoton, scenic designer; Bill Morey, costume designer; Shelley Strasser Holland, lighting designer; Ross Hoppe, projection designer; Mealah Heidenreich, properties designer; Robert Hornbostel, sound designer; Christopher Pazdernik, assistant director and Alex Rhyan, production manager.


ABOUT ANGELA INGERSOLL, “Judy Garland
Angela Ingersoll returns to Porchlight where she last appeared in The Secret Garden. Currently appearing in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Marriott Theatre, other credits include: The Great Gatsby (Indiana Repertory Theatre); Shakespeare’s Greatest HitsThe Merry Wives of WindsorRichard III, The Comedy of Errors (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); The Game’s AfootThe 39 Steps (Drury Lane Theatre); The Mistress Cycle (Apple Tree/Auditorium); Carousel (Madison Rep); South Pacific (Light Opera Works); Disney’s Beauty and the BeastMan of La ManchaMacbethJekyll and HydeRagtimeNineThe Philadelphia StoryThe Wizard of Oz (Playhouse on the Square). Comedy: Second City Hollywood. TV: “Chicago PD.” Ingersoll and husband Michael Ingersoll produce the Artists Lounge Live concert series. Concerts: I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues (Paramount Theatre, etc); My Baby Just Cares for Me (Northlight Theatre, etc,) and The 12 Dames of Christmas. She’s the recipient of two Jeff Award Nominations, two Ostrander Award Nominations and four Ostrander Awards.

ABOUT KYLE HATLEY, “Mickey Deans”
Kyle Hatley is making his Porchlight debut. He is an actor, director and writer. Hatley was born and raised in Memphis, TN and relocated to Chicago after graduating from Rhodes College. His television credits include a guest starring role on NBC’s “Chicago Fire” and co-starring in FOX’s “Prison Break” and CBS’s “As The World Turns.” He is a 2011 Charlotte Street Foundation Generative Artist Fellow and served as associate artistic director of Kansas City Repertory Theatre from 2008 until 2014, where he directed, performed and produced six seasons alongside Artistic Director Eric Rosen and Producing Director Jerry Genochio. After joining his wife in Chicago in August of 2014, he served as resident director for the 50th Anniversary Season at Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and remains a board member and artistic associate of The Living Room Theatre. In the last seven years he has worked primarily in Kansas City, Missouri at KC Rep, The Living Room Theatre, The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival and KC Fringe. In Chicago he has worked on Take Me Out (Steppenwolf Theatre), Execution of Justice (About Face Theatre), The Last Supper (InFusion Theatre), Picasso at the Lapine Agile (Noble Fool Theatricals), and Danny Casolaro Died for Your Sins (TimeLine Theatre Company) and, recently, The Iliad (Geva Theatre Center).

ABOUT JON STEINHAGEN, “Anthony” and Music Director/Conductor
Jon Steinhagen returns to Porchlight where he last music directed the Porchlight Revisits production of Fade Out – Fade In and where his critically acclaimed musical The Teapot Scandals made its world premiere. Last seen starring as “Artie” in The House of Blue Leaves at Raven Theatre, this prolific Chicago actor and playwright has appeared in Dividing the Estate, The Odd Couple and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Raven Theatre),1776, Six Degrees of Separation, The Real Inspector Hound, and ACES (Signal Ensemble); Mack & Mabel, Sweet Smell of Success, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Circle Theatre). Steinhagen is also a resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists, a past winner of the Julie Harris Playwriting Award, a finalist for the first Noël Coward Award and a member of the Dramatists Guild, He has received four Jeff Awards and six nominations (AEA and non-AEA).

ABOUT FELIPE JORGE, “The Radio Interviewer/The Porter/The ASM”
Felipe Jorge makes his Porchlight debut with this production. Recent credits include Parachute Men (Teatro Vista), The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Importance of Being Earnest and Cruel Intentions (White Mask Theatre Club), War of the Worlds (Gorilla Tango Theatre) and Spring Awakening (Teatro-Escola Celia Helena).

ABOUT PETER QUILTER, playwright
Peter Quilter's plays have been performed in major theatres in cities across six continents, including London, Cape Town, Rome, Prague, Warsaw, Amsterdam, Rio de Janeiro, Toronto, Chicago, Madrid, Sydney and New York and translated into 27 languages. He is best known for his Broadway play End of the Rainbow and his West End comedy Glorious!. He has twice been nominated for the Olivier Award (Best New Comedy 2006 and Best New Play 2011) and his Broadway debut was nominated for three Tony Awards.

ABOUT MICHAEL WEBER, director
Artistic director of Porchlight Music Theatre, Weber previously served as artistic director for the inaugural season of Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place (now The Broadway Playhouse) and at Theatre at the Center (1998-2004). His productions of Side Show, Sweeney Todd, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Pal Joey and Assassins at Porchlight Music Theatre, Grand Hotel at Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place and She Loves Me at Theatre at the Center were each nominated for the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Production-Musical. Most recently he directed Side Show (2016 Jeff Award-nomination) and Chess for Porchlight. Directing credits include Living the History-125 Years of The Auditorium Theatre starring Patti LuPone, John Mahoney and stars of Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and more, Fifth of July and Talley’s Folly at the Oak Park Festival Theatre, The Petrified Forest at Theatre at the Center, Beauty and the Beast at Marriott Theatre, Over the River and Through the Woods at The Mercury Theater, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Pheasant Run Theatre, and Cirque du Symphony at Sears Center Arena. The recipient of two Joseph Jefferson Awards, he has written and directed the past nine Equity Joseph Jefferson Awards ceremonies. Weber is proud to serve as a pledge host on WTTW, Channel 11, and he is author of the play, WAR of the WELLES.

(L to R) Kyle Hatley, Angela Ingersoll and Jon Steinhagen as 
“Mickey Deans,” “Judy Garland” and “Anthony" 

ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
Porchlight Music Theatre, now in its 22nd season, is nationally recognized for developing innovative new works, reimagining classic productions and showcasing musical theatre’s noted veterans and rising stars. Porchlight elevates the genre in Chicago by providing intimate and powerful theatrical experiences for its growing and diverse audiences. With the vision of Artistic Director Michael Weber, Porchlight builds on its role as Chicago’s only Equity not-for-profit company exclusively specializing in music theatre. Porchlight’s rich history includes the staging of more than 60 productions with 15 Chicago premieres and five world premieres. Through Porchlight’s “Off the Porch” new works program, the musicals of the next generation are developed and given a first audience. The School at Porchlight is Chicago’s new center for music theatre training in the areas of performance, writing and appreciation. The company’s many accolades include 15 Black Theatre Alliance nominations and two awards, as well as a total of 126 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations resulting in 35 Jeff Awards including three consecutive Best Production awards for Sondheim on Sondheim (2015), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (2014) and A Class Act (2013) as well as Sondheim on Sondheim being named one of the Chicago Tribune’s “Best Theatre of 2015.”

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the Chicago premiere of End of the Rainbow, November 4 – December 4,  featuring music from the songbook of Judy Garland, written by Peter Quilter, starring Angela Ingersoll as “Judy Garland,” direction by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber, music direction by Jon Steinhagen, who also appears as “Anthony,” at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Previews are Friday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. and Monday, Nov 7 at 1:30 p.m. Opening night is Monday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is an added matinee performance Thursday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 25 at 4 p.m. NOTE: *There are no Thursday 7:30 p.m. performances November 10 and 24. Tickets for previews are $38 and for the regular run $45 - $51. Single tickets may be purchased at 773.327.5252 or at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org.

Subscriptions to the entire season or Porchlight’s series, Porchlight Revisits, are currently on sale as well as single tickets for the entire season.  Subscriptions are available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling 773.777.9884. Groups of ten or more may receive discounts on tickets purchased via Group Theater Tix at 312.423.6612 or grouptheatertix.com.


Porchlight Music Theatre is partially supported by generous contributions from the Actors’ Equity Foundation, the Arts Work Fund at the Chicago Community Trust, the Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, Cooper’s: A Neighborhood Eatery, the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, James P. and Brenda S. Grusecki, Family Foundation, the MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Prince Foundation, the National Association of Realtors, The Saints and the Service Club of Chicago. The season program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency. 

Fall Brings Over 100 World Premiere Productions Opening In Chicago

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Fall 2016 Chicago Theatre Season Highlights,
Featuring an Exceptional Number of
World Premiere Productions


Photo Credit for all shots: ©Kenaz-Mara 2016

The Fall of 2016 will see Chicago bursting with new works and adaptations. Long regarded as the leader in the U.S. for producing new work, Chicago companies will stage a record number of new plays making their world premieres in Chicago. More than 250 companies of the Chicago theater community typically produce more than 100 world premieres each season.  



Many of this season’s world premieres are written by Chicago playwrights, including Miss Holmes by Christopher M. Walsh at Lifeline Theatre, The Magic Play by Andrew Hinderaker at Goodman Theatre, The Mars Assignment by Ronan Marra at Collaboraction, Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth by Doug Hara at Lookingglass Theatre, Hell in a Handbag Productions’ Scooby Don’t by David Cerda, Cinderella at the Theater of Potatoes by Andra Velis Simon at The Hypocrites and Sideshow Theatre Company’s Give It All Back by Calamity West.


Other new work will be presented by a cross-section of Chicago’s vibrant theatres, including storefront theatres and large regional theatres, including The Gift Theatre’s A Life Extraordinary by Melissa Ross; The Poor Theatre’s Dirt by Creighton James; American Theater Company’s T. by Dan Aibel; Teatro Vista’s Parachute Men by Mando Alvarado; and Court Theatre’s Man in the Ring by Michael Cristofer; Writers Theatre presents The Hunter and the Bear by Pig Pen Theatre Co. and Steppenwolf Theatre premieres Visiting Edna by David Rabe and The Fundamentalists by Erika Sheffer.



“It is an incredibly exciting time in Chicago. This year will see so many new plays and new voices launched in Chicago.  Marked by creativity and innovation, these new works are sure to delight and astound audiences this year and for many years to come,” says Deb Clapp, Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres. 

Check back with ChiILLiveShows.com like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often. I'm reviewing a record 25 shows in September, and plenty of openings throughout the fall. We have plenty of Chicago based theatre news, reviews, interviews, and even ticket giveaways for our readers. For family friendly productions check out our sister site, ChiILMama.com.

Get Social
Follow ChiIL Mama on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for fabulous fun in Chi, IL and beyond. 

For a comprehensive list of Chicago productions, visit the League of Chicago Theatres website, ChicagoPlays.com. A Fall Theatre Guide will also be distributed in early September. Discounted tickets are available at HotTix.org or at the three Hot Tix half-price ticket locations: across from the Chicago Cultural Center at Expo72 (72 E. Randolph); in the Water Works building (163 E. Pearson); and inside Block Thirty Seven (108 N. State). Hot Tix offers half-price tickets to more than 250 Chicago area theatres, full price tickets to all Ticketmaster events including concerts and sports, and Play Money gift certificates.

About Chicago theater
Chicago theater is the leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theaters throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theaters in the country, including 5 which have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago’s theaters serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. Last season alone Chicago theater companies produced more than 100 world premiere productions and adaptations. Each year Chicago theaters send new work to resident theaters across the country, to Broadway, and around the world. 

The League of Chicago Theatres’ Mission Statement
The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theaters which leverages its collective strength to promote, support and advocate for Chicago's theater industry locally, nationally and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the art of theater in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theaters and theater professionals.


For a comprehensive list of Chicago productions, visit the League of Chicago website, www.chicagoplays.com.  Discounted tickets are available at www.hottix.org

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

INCOMING: Clutch at House of Blues Chicago

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar:







Hey Chicago. Clutch is coming back through for another smokin' show at House of Blues Chicago! Don't miss this. Here at ChiIL Live Shows, Clutch has been a favorite of ours for decades. In fact, we've run over 26 features on the band over the years, interviewed frontman Neil Fallon, and shot stills from the photo pit numerous times. We've even road tripped to other states to see them 4 times. We've covered them at music fests, tiny hole in the wall dives, and large auditorium shows. And we welcomed in 2016 with them at Bogarts in Cincinnati with a stellar New Years Eve show.









Whether you're just discovering Clutch or you've been a fan since 1991, they're a must see for rock and metal fans. They're hard to pin into a genre, with notes of funk, punk and blues rolled into the mix and literate lyrics, but they shine live, and always dig deep into their archives for set lists full of old favorites and new stuff that just keeps getting better. We love that the band members take turns writing the set lists! 





Clutch - Psychic Warfare World Tour 2016
House of Blues Chicago

Artist(s) At This Event: Clutch, Zakk Sabbath, Kyng, Clutch - Psychic Warfare World Tour 2016


Event Info:
Doors @ 6:30PM. Performance begins at 8PM. This show is for AGES 17 AND OLDER. Valid Photo ID is required for age restricted shows. Forms of valid ID are current and non-expired Driver's License, State ID or Passport. House of Blues Chicago is a standing room only venue, all tickets are General Admission unless otherwise stated. Please contact the House of Blues Box Office 312.923.2000 to inquire about Dinner Package Seating and/or Disability Seating. Those in need of Accessible seating need to first purchase a General Admission ticket, then contact the venue Box Office at 312.923.2000 to reserve accommodations. House of Blues Chicago is Smoke Free. There is no re-entry.
Notes:
All tickets subject to all applicable facility fees and service charges. No refunds, exchanges, cancelations.






Artist Info:
It's the parabolic motion of projectiles. Or, as Isaac Newton stated, what goes up must come down - that is, everything except Clutch. Earth Rocker created an insurmountable peak. But Psychic Warfare has altered laws of physics by elevating the smart songwriting and impressive performances of that last album, setting an even higher benchmark as their now-definitive album to date. The eleventh Clutch studio album Psychic Warfare goes straight for the throat with “X-Ray Visions” and never lets go. Working again with acclaimed producer Machine, this time in Texas, the concise arrangements that made Earth Rocker so assertive is the same harness for the combustible musical energy on Psychic Warfare. Harder, faster... let the rhythm hit ‘em. 

Formed in 1991, the Maryland-based band's ability to absorb different musical styles and fabricate them into a distinct Clutch sound continues to be their forté. “A Quick Death In Texas,” overstocked with signature “Clutch heavy” Tim Sult riffs and lonesome guitar licks, and the funk undercurrent of “Your Love Is Incarceration,” color Psychic Warfare with articulate musicality and comfortable familiarity. 

The overall intensity of Psychic Warfare would be self-consuming without the pressure valve of a canny rhythm section. Drummer Jean-Paul Gaster and bassist Dan Maines have an intuitive sense of dynamics that gives weight and contrast to the forcefulness of the vocals, steering Clutch into the straightaway out of tight, exhilarating corners. “I listened closely to the rhythm of Neil’s vocals this time around.” Gaster explains. “The rhythms he sings, are very syncopated. It was my goal to articulate these rhythms on the drums while keeping the pulse of the music strong.” 




Psychic Warfare is cinematic, a soundtrack to the plot of singer Neil Fallon's imagination. The narrative of “ The Affidavit” sets the scene for an album of gunslingers, energy weapons, paranoid neurosis, and the occasional three-legged mule. It's an episodic lyrical landscape populated by abstract characterization, nuance, and clever peculiarity. “I spent a lot of time doting over the lyrics,” Fallon says. “It was fun because I have a great luxury that I'm a professional liar—that's what a storyteller is. Or at least that’s what I try to be. It's the one socially acceptable way to completely deceive people, and that's what they want. If you sing it with enough conviction, people won't question it. I just love that escapism, the fantasy aspect of it. And fantasy doesn’t necessarily equate to dragons and wizards. It can be seedy hotel rooms and sketchy hitchhikers.” 

Gaster says the band knowing Earth Rocker was such a high water mark put them in a position of needing to follow up with an exceptional album. “Looking back on the process, one thing that sticks out in my mind is the amount of rehearsal the band put in. We started each pre-production day by writing out a new album sequence and then playing that sequence straight thru as if it were a set list. I think this allowed us to get inside the songs in a way we had not done before. When it came time to record drum tracks, I had a clear idea of how I wanted to play each song.” 




In the past, Clutch consciously made each album conspicuously different from the last one. “We had a sadistic fear of repeating ourselves,” Fallon admits. “But over the last few years, we've realized our strengths and what it is that people like about us. Why deny it? Clutch is Clutch, embrace what you are.”  The bar is set higher, laws of physics be damned. Psychic Warfare is the new adventure, and it has no limit.




 

Monday, September 26, 2016

Hamilton Chicago $10 Day of Show Ticket Lottery

ANNOUNCES #HAM4HAM LOTTERY FOR
44 DAY-OF-SHOW TICKETS FOR $10 EACH
TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 27


Producer Jeffrey Seller and Broadway In Chicago are pleased to announce the day-of-show digital lottery for HAMILTON, launching in Chicago on September 27, 2016 at The PrivateBank Theatre (18 W. Monroe). The Chicago production will conduct a day-of-show lottery for every performance beginning on Tuesday, September 27. Forty-four day-of-show tickets will be sold for every performance for $10 each. Seat locations vary per performance; some seats will be located in the front row and the boxes.

HOW TO ENTER
Visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com/HamiltonLottery for available lottery performances.

Click the “Enter Now” button for the performance you want to attend.
Fill out the entry form including the number of tickets you would like (1 or 2). Patrons will receive a confirmation email once they have validated their email (one time only) and successfully entered the lottery.
After the lottery closes, patrons will be notified via email within minutes as to whether they have won or not.

Winners have 60 minutes to pay for tickets online via major credit card.
After payment has been received and a confirmation payment email has been received, patrons can pick up tickets at The PrivateBank Theatre Box Office (18 W Monroe) no sooner than 30 minutes before show time with a valid photo ID.

ADDITIONAL RULES
Limit 1 entry per person, per performance. Multiple entries will not be accepted. Patrons must be 18 years old and have a valid, non-expired photo ID that matches the names used to enter. Tickets are non-transferable. All lottery prices include a $3.00 facility fee. Ticket limits and prices displayed are at the sole discretion of the show and are subject to change without notice. Lottery prices are not valid on prior purchases. Lottery ticket offer cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. All sales final - no refunds or exchanges. Lottery may be revoked or modified at any time without notice. No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning. For more details, please visit BroadwayInChicago.com/HamiltonLotteryFAQ.

ABOUT HAMILTON
With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and music supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. HAMILTON is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary.  Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON is the story of America then, as told by America now. HAMILTON’s creative team previously collaborated on the 2008 Tony Award ® Winning Best Musical IN THE HEIGHTS. HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, and casting by Telsey + Company, Bethany Knox, CSA. The musical is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman and The Public Theater. The HAMILTON Original Broadway Cast Recording is available everywhere nationwide.  The HAMILTON recording received a 2016 Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album. 



ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 16 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country.  A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining well up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres.  Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including The PrivateBank Theatre, Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. 

For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Twitter @broadwaychicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

NEW BLOCK OF HAMILTON CHICAGO SEATS ON SALE SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

Chi, IL Live Shows On Our Radar: 

Performances begin September 27 at The PrivateBank Theatre in Chicago (18 W. Monroe).  For more information, visit www.BroadwayinChicago.com.


Here at ChiIL Live Shows and ChiIL Mama, we've been promoting and excited about Hamilton for months. Now it's finally opening! Got your tickets yet? We have great news on that front. There's a daily $10 ticket lottery and a new block of tickets for performances through September 17, 2017. 

Producer Jeffrey Seller and Broadway In Chicago announced the addition of 26 more weeks for HAMILTON at The PrivateBank Theatre (18 W. Monroe) putting tickets on sale for performances through September 17, 2017.   
Tickets for the new block will go on sale on Tuesday, September 27 at 10:00 a.m. and will be available at The PrivateBank Theatre Box Office, the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line (800-775-2000) and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.  The PrivateBank Theatre Box Office will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

There is a maximum purchase limit of 6 tickets per household. Tickets range from $65 - $180 for regular performances with select number of premium seats available for all performances. There will be an online day of show lottery for forty-four (44) $10 seats for all performances. Lottery seat locations vary per performance but will always include seats in the first row.  Visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com/HamiltonLotteryFAQ for more lottery information.

**BUYER BEWARE: There are many sites and people that are selling overpriced, and in some cases, fraudulent tickets. For the best seats, the best prices and to eliminate the risk of counterfeit tickets, all purchases should be made through authorized Broadway In Chicago outlets.**


With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and music supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

HAMILTON is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary.  Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON is the story of America then, as told by America now.  

HAMILTON’s creative team previously collaborated on the 2008 Tony Award ® Winning Best Musical IN THE HEIGHTS.

HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, and casting by Telsey + Company, Bethany Knox, CSA.

The musical is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman and The Public Theater.

The HAMILTON Original Broadway Cast Recording is available everywhere nationwide.  The HAMILTON recording received a 2016 Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album. 

For information on HAMILTON, visit:


ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 16 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country.  A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining well up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres.  Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including The PrivateBank Theatre, Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.


For more information and performance schedule, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.


Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Twitter @broadwaychicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

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