Full Casting Announced for Steppenwolf Theatre's World Premiere of LEROY AND LUCY October 24 – December 15, 2024

Full Casting Announced for

Steppenwolf Theatre's World Premiere of 

LEROY AND LUCY

By Ngozi Anyanwu

Directed by Awoye Timpo

Featuring ensemble member Jon Michael Hill with Brittany Bradford

October 24 – December 15, 2024

in Steppenwolf’s in-the-round Ensemble Theater 

The cast of Steppenwolf Theatre’s world premiere of "Leroy and Lucy" includes (l to r) ensemble member Jon Michael Hill with Brittany Bradford.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation’s premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to present the second production of its 49th season: Ngozi Anyanwu’s world premiere of Leroy and Lucy, a bluesy and seductive play with music, directed by Awoye Timpo, playing October 24 – December 15, 2024 in Steppenwolf’s in-the-round Ensemble Theater in Honor of Helen Zell, 1646 N. Halsted St. in Chicago. Classic Memberships are on sale for Steppenwolf’s 2024/25 season at steppenwolf.org/myseason through September 30, 2024. Single tickets for Leroy and Lucy starting at $20 are now on sale at steppenwolf.org or the Box Office at (312) 335-1650. 

Tony Award-nominated ensemble member Jon Michael Hill (Elementary, Pass Over) returns following his critically acclaimed performance in Steppenwolf’s world premiere of Purpose, joined by Obie Award-winning stage actor Brittany Bradford, also known for her TV roles in Julia, The Watcher and Dead Ringers.

Two lost souls meet at a crossroads, in the dead of night, deep in the Mississippi of it all. With a yearning guitar between them, they tell secrets and conjure a sound once forgotten – a tune pitched with Leroy’s longing and the sweet purr of Lucy’s desires. In this sultry world premiere, the Delta Blues fill the air, the future lies just down the road and we are everywhere and nowhere all at once. 

The creative team includes Andrew Boyce (Scenic Design), Yvonne Miranda (Costume Design), Heather Gilbert (Lighting Design), Connor Wang (Sound Design), Jeremy Jones (Music Director & Composer), Adesola Osakalumi (Choreographer & Cultural Consultant), Arminda Thomas (Dramaturg), Patrick Zakem (Creative Producer), Elise Hausken (Production Manager), JC Clementz, CSA (Casting), Michelle Medvin (Production Stage Manager) and Jaclynn Joslin (Assistant Stage Manager). For full cast and creative team bios, click here.

Production Details:

Location: Steppenwolf’s Ensemble Theater in Honor of Helen Zell, 1646 N. Halsted St., Chicago

Dates: Previews: Thursday, October 24 – Saturday, November 2, 2024

Regular run: Tuesday, November 5 – Sunday, December 15, 2024

Curtain Times: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 3 pm & 7:30 pm; and Sundays at 3 pm. Please note: there will not 7:30 pm performances on Tuesday, October 29, Wednesday, November 6, Tuesday, November 12, Wednesday, November 13, Thursday, November 14, Tuesday, November 19, Wednesday, November 20, Thursday, November 21, Thursday, November 28 and Tuesday, December 10; there will be an added 2 pm matinee on Wednesday, November 27.

Tickets: Classic Memberships are on sale for Steppenwolf’s 2024/25 season at steppenwolf.org/myseason through September 30, 2024. Single tickets for Leroy and Lucy ($20 - $92) are now on sale at steppenwolf.org and the Box Office at (312) 335-1650. Steppenwolf Flex Memberships are also currently on sale: Black Card Memberships with six tickets for use any time for any production and RED Card Memberships for theatergoers under 30.

Education and Engagement:

Throughout the 2024/25 season, Steppenwolf continues its commitment to the next generation of theatre learners, makers and appreciators with robust education and engagement programming. Programming includes dedicated student matinee performances during four of the five Membership Series productions including Noises Off, Leroy and Lucy, Fool for Love and The Book of Grace, in-school residencies in partnership with Chicago Public schools, workshops, panels and events specifically geared towards teens, as well as professional development trainings and resources for educators. Additionally, Steppenwolf is reimagining their community engagement and will pilot new public programming, continue accessibility programming and offer opportunities for deeper explorations for audiences throughout the season. For additional information about Steppenwolf’s Education and Engagement programming and to register your school for a field trip visit steppenwolf.org/education.

Accessible Performance Dates:

Audio-described and touch tour: Sunday, November 24 at 3 pm (1:30 pm Touch Tour)

Open-captioned: Saturday, November 23 at 3 pm & Thursday, December 5 at 7:30 pm

ASL-interpreted: public performance: Friday, December 6 at 7:30 pm

Artist Biographies:

Brittany Bradford (Lucy) Broadway: Bernhardt/Hamlet. Off-Broadway: The Comeuppance (Obie Award, Signature Theater), Wedding Band (Obie Award, TFANA), Fefu and Her Friends (TFANA), Mac Beth (Hunter Theatre Project), Merrily We Roll Along (Roundabout/Fiasco Theater), TV: Julia (HBO Max), The Watcher (Netflix), The Gilded Age (HBO Max), Dead Ringers (Amazon), Fire Country (CBS), Fear the Walking Dead (AMC), New Amsterdam (NBC). Film: The Same Storm (dir. Peter Hedges). Classix member and HomeBase Theater Collective co-founder. Training: Juilliard.

Jon Michael Hill (Leroy) joined the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble in 2007. Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Purpose, True West, Pass Over, Constellations, Head of Passes, The Hot L Baltimore, The Tempest, Kafka on the Shore, The Unmentionables. Broadway: Superior Donuts, Pass Over. Off-Broadway: The Refuge Plays (New York Theatre Workshop) Pass Over (Lincoln Center). Film: Pass Over, Widows, In the Radiant City, No Pay, Nudity. Television: Upcoming: A Man in Full (Netflix), Elementary (CBS), Detroit 1-8-7 (ABC), Eastbound & Down (HBO), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) and Person of Interest (CBS).

Ngozi Anyanwu (Playwright) is a playwright, storyteller, and most recently a 2020 Steinberg Playwright Award winner. Her newest play, Last of the Love Letters, premiered at the Atlantic theater fall 2021. Previous productions include Good Grief (Vineyard Theatre in NYC / Center Theatre Group in LA) and The Homecoming Queen (sold-out world premiere run at the Atlantic Theatre). Good Grief was on the Kilroys List 2016 and a semi finalist for the Princess Grace Award, and won the Humanitas Award. The Homecoming Queen was on the Kilroys List 2017 and was a Leah Ryan Finalist. Her play Nike… (Kilroys List 2017) was workshopped at The New Black Fest in conjunction with The Lark and The Strand Festival in conjunction with A.C.T and Space on Ryder Farm. Ngozi also has commissions with NYU, The Old Globe, Two Rivers Theatre, The Atlantic Theatre and Steppenwolf. Anyanwu has also received residencies from LCT3, Space on Ryder Farm, the Djerassi Resident Artists Program, The New Harmony Project, New York Stage and Film and Page 73. She attended Point Park University (BA) and received her MFA in Acting from University of California, San Diego.

Awoye Timpo (Director) is a Brooklyn-based director and producer. Her recent New York credits include Elyria by Deepa Purohit (Atlantic Theater), Wedding Band by Alice Childress (Theatre for a New Audience), In Old Age by Mfoniso Udofia (New York Theatre Workshop), The Loophole by Jay Adana and Zeniba Britt (Public Theater), Carnaval by Nikkole Salter (National Black Theatre), Good Grief by Ngozi Anyanwu (Vineyard Theatre and Audible) and The Homecoming Queen by Ngozi Anyanwu (Atlantic Theater Company). Regionally she has directed The Bluest Eye (Huntington), Pipeline (Studio Theatre), Paradise Blue (Long Wharf), Everybody Black (Actors Theatre of Louisville), School Girls (Berkeley Rep), Jazz (Marin Theatre Company). Other projects include concert performances for independent artists as well as for the NBA, Ndebele Funeral (59E59, Edinburgh, South African Tour), “Black Picture Show” (Artists Space/Metrograph) and Bluebird Memories (Audible). Awoye is a Creative Arts Consultant for the African American Policy Forum and the Founding Producer of CLASSIX, theclassix.org.

Accessibility

As a commitment to make the Steppenwolf experience accessible to everyone, performances featuring American Sign Language Interpretation, Open Captioning and Audio Description are offered during the run of each STC production (see dates above). Assistive listening devices and large-print programs are available for every performance and all our spaces are equipped with an induction hearing loop. Our building features wheelchair accessible seating and restrooms, push-button entrances, a courtesy wheelchair and all-gender restrooms, with accessible counter and table spaces at our bars. For additional information regarding accessibility, visit steppenwolf.org/access or e-mail access@steppenwolf.org.

Sponsor Information

Leroy and Lucy is supported in part by Conagra Brands Foundation. United Airlines is the Official and Exclusive Airline of Steppenwolf. Steppenwolf is also grateful for the significant season support from lead sponsors Allstate Insurance Company, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Crown Family Philanthropies, Caroline and Keating Crown, Good Chaos, Joyce Foundation, Lefkofsky Family Foundation, Ron and Paula Mallicoat, Northern Trust, Anne and Don Phillips, John Hart and Carol Prins, Robert Rivkin and Cindy Moelis, Shubert Foundation, Inc, Walder Foundation, and Zell Family Foundation. Steppenwolf also acknowledges generous support from premier sponsors Anonymous, ArentFox Schiff, Andrew and Amy Bluhm, Michael and Cathy Brennan, Ann and Richard Carr, Chicago Community Trust, Conagra Brands Foundation, Steven and Nancy Crown, CRC Group, Rich and Margery Feitler, Julius Frankel Foundation, FROST CHICAGO, Goldman Sachs, Shmaila Tahir and Asheesh Goel, Bob and Amy Greenebaum, Kirkland & Ellis, Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Christopher and Eileen Murphy, The Orlebeke Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, Bryan Traubert and Penny Pritzker, Sacks Family Foundation, Smart Family Foundation of Illinois, Gary Sinise Foundation, Elliot A. Stultz, and Vinci Restaurant. Steppenwolf also acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. This project is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.  

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation’s premiere Ensemble Theater with 49 members who are among the top actors, playwrights and directors in the field. Thrilling, powerful, groundbreaking productions — from Balm in Gilead and Grapes of Wrath to August: Osage County, Downstate and The Brother/Sister Plays — have made this theatre legendary. Founded in 1976, Steppenwolf started as a group of teens performing in the basement of a church. Today, the company's artistic force remains rooted in the original vision of its founders: an artist-driven theatre, whose vitality is defined by its appetite for bold and innovative work. Every aspect of Steppenwolf is rooted in its Ensemble ethos, from the intergenerational artistic programming to the multi-genre performance series LookOut, to the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf Education and Engagement which serves nearly 15,000 teens annually. While grounded in the Chicago community, more than 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Steppenwolf also holds accolades that include the National Medal of Arts, 12 Tony Awards, and more. Led by Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis, Executive Director Brooke Flanagan and Board of Trustees Chair, Keating Crown — Steppenwolf continually redefines the landscape of acting and performance.

Steppenwolf’s Mission: Steppenwolf strives to create thrilling, courageous and provocative art in a thoughtful and inclusive environment. We succeed when we disrupt your routine with experiences that spark curiosity, empathy and joy. We invite you to join our ensemble as we navigate, together, our complex world. steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.

Reminiscent Circus' Way Home July 19-21 Only at Aloft Circus Arts

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Check Out Some Short Run Circus Fun 

From Chicago's Newest Contemporary Circus Company

"Maybe home is something we are always making, building, collectively dreaming into being" 

- Raven See

Way Home runs 90 minutes with an intermission and is family friendly. 

WAY HOME is a full-length work of contemporary narrative circus presented by Reminiscent Circus, written/directed/produced by Kristi Alyssa, and co-produced by Aloft Circus Arts. It premieres July 19-21 at Aloft Circus Arts, 3324 W. Wrightwood in Chicago. Tickets on sale now.

Reminiscent Circus is a new company dedicated to the professional and ethical treatment of performers, and to active mentorship of aspiring professionals and circus students. Led by Kristi Alyssa,  director of youth programming and manger of the professional training program at Aloft Circus Arts, Reminiscent Circus is a showcase for both experienced professionals and emerging artists of all ages, with a focus on LGBTQ visibility and the creation of circus stories in which others may see themselves reflected.

For more see @reminiscentcircus on Instagram, or reminiscentcircus.com. 

Check Out The VIDEO TRAILER HERE

Cast and Crew of Way Home:

Director/Writer/Producer/Lighting and Sound Design: Kristi Alyssa

Assistant Director: Chloe Zabicki

Dance Choreographer: Luke Greeff

Stage Manager: Martha Bayne

Backstage Manager: Laila Ruangpan

Poet: Raven See

Set Design: James Taff

Performers: Kristi Alyssa, Daisy Coleman, Taylor Fost, Luke Greef, Nick Grischow, Noa Kim-Cohen, Benjy Radinski, Valeria Rosero, Laila Ruangpan, Courtney Sendzimmer, Camille Swift, Eleana Suazo, Lyla Taraska, and Chloe Zabicki

About co-producer Aloft Circus Arts:

Located in a church built in 1908 in Chicago's beautiful Logan Square Neighborhood, Aloft features 6000 square feet of studio space, making it the third largest circus training space in America. Founded in 2005 by Shayna Swanson, Aloft’s unique vision embodies the innovation of the new circus movement, the daring of the traditional big top shows, and the joy and comedy of vaudeville. We look to have a direct emotional dialogue with our audience, and due to our accessible nature, everyone regardless of education, age, culture, or background can be engaged.

Steppenwolf Theatre Presents RACHEL BLOOM: DEATH, LET ME DO MY SHOW August 14 - 24, 2024

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From the Co-Creator and Star of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”…

Steppenwolf Theatre Presents the One-Woman Musical Comedy  

RACHEL BLOOM:

DEATH, LET ME DO MY SHOW

August 14 - 24, 2024 in the Downstairs Theater

Rachel Bloom performs "Death, Let Me Do My Show." Photo by Emilio Madrid

"With signature panache and zero regard for propriety, Bloom ties her shambolic musings into one neat, colorful, hilarious bow." — New York Stage Review

Steppenwolf Theatre is pleased to present Rachel Bloom’s sell-out off-Broadway hit Death, Let Me Do My Show, playing a limited engagement August 14 - 24, 2024 in the Downstairs Theater, 1650 N. Halsted St. in Chicago. Tickets are now on sale at steppenwolf.org/RachelBloom or by calling the Box Office at (312) 335-1650.

From the co-creator and star of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend comes a one-woman musical comedy that is definitely NOT about the ever-present specter of death. Directed by Seth Barrish, Bloom’s new show is filled with raunchy and escapist material that will in NO way explore the pandemic and all the tumultuous events that ensued in her personal life. NOTHING will stop Rachel from partying like it’s 2019!

Production Details:

Dates: Wednesday, August 14 - Saturday, August 24, 2024

Performance schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 3 pm & 7:30 pm; and Sunday at 3 pm.

Tickets: $59 - $119. Tickets are now on sale at steppenwolf.org/RachelBloom or by calling the Box Office at (312) 335-1650.

"Rachel Bloom Shines! The songs are the highlights here. Bloom is especially good at puncturing emotion with surreal detail.” — New York Times

About Rachel Bloom

Rachel Bloom is an actress, comedian, producer, singer/songwriter and author.

Bloom is perhaps best known from the CW musical dramedy Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, which she co-created, executive produced, and starred in as ‘Rebecca Bunch.’ Bloom won the 2016 Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Series – Musical or Comedy, Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actress in a TV Comedy and TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy. In 2019, she won an Emmy Award for Original Music and Lyrics along with her songwriting partners Adam Schlesinger and Jack Dolgen for “Antidepressants Are So Not A Big Deal.” The series was also awarded a Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Series.

Most recently, Bloom performed her own one-woman musical comedy, Death, Let Me Do My Show to sold-out audiences off Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre and the Orpheum Theatre. The show originally toured as a comedy special in spring/summer 2023 to theatres in London, Chicago and Boston, among other cities. She will be performing an encore engagement of the show at the Williamstown Theatre Festival this summer. Rachel, alongside her collaborators Eli Bolin and Jack Dolgen, is nominated for the 2024 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics.

Recently, Bloom can be seen in the guest starring role of ‘Elaine Levitch’ in season two of the Max series, Julia, which premiered on November 16, 2023. She also co-starred as up-and-coming indie film screenwriter ‘Hannah Korman’ in the Hulu comedy series Reboot alongside Keegan-Michael Key, Judy Greer, Johnny Knoxville, Paul Reiser, Calum Worthy and Krista Marie Yu. The series, which first premiered in September 2022, was created by Steven Levitan, and was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy Series, and Bloom was nominated for a 2023 HCA TV Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Comedy Series.

In February 2023, Bloom appeared as ‘Scarlet’ in the Netflix original film Your Place or Mine, alongside Reese Witherspoon, Ashton Kutcher and Jessie Williams. In October 2022, Bloom appeared as ‘Honora’ in Paul Feig and Netflix’s The School for Good and Evil and in November 2022, she starred as ‘Chelsea’ in Bar Fight alongside Melissa Fumero for IFC.

In 2019, Bloom sold out Radio City Music Hall performing Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Live as well as at The London Palladium, the latter of which earned her a five-star review from The Guardian. She also wrote and performed in Yes: It’s Really Us Singing: The Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Concert, which aired after the series finale on the CW. She also starred in her own solo tour, “What Am I Going To Do With My Life Now?” in 2019, which included a week-long residency at Just For Laughs.

Her feature voiceover credits include the role of ‘Barb’ in Trolls 2: World Tour opposite Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake, ‘Silver’ in The Angry Birds Movie 2 opposite Jason Sudeikis, ‘Batgirl’ in Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles opposite Darren Criss, ‘Op’ in Extinct opposite Adam Devine and Ken Jeong, and in Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers. Bloom can also be seen in the SXSW comedy, Most Likely To Murder. Additional television guest credits include Portlandia, Ridley Jones, Close Enough, The Simpsons, Bojack Horseman, RuPaul’s Drag Race and iCarly.

Rachel is a mental health activist. In addition to her film and television work, in 2020, she published her book “I Want To Be Where The Normal People Are,” a collection of personal essays and poems on the subjects of insecurity, fame, anxiety, and much more.

“Sprightly and enjoyable! Bloom and her director are more than up to the task of finding the funny in the bleakest moments.” — Vulture 

Accessibility

Steppenwolf is committed to making the theatergoing experience accessible to everyone. Assistive listening devices are available for every performance and all our spaces are equipped with an induction hearing loop. Our building features wheelchair accessible seating and restrooms, push-button entrances, a courtesy wheelchair and all-gender restrooms, with accessible counter and table spaces at our bars. For additional information regarding accessibility, visit steppenwolf.org/access. If you have questions or would like to make a specific request, email access@steppenwolf.org or call our box office at 312-335-1650.

Sponsor Information

United Airlines is the Official and Exclusive Airline of Steppenwolf. Steppenwolf is also grateful for the significant season support from lead sponsors Allstate Insurance Company, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Crown Family Philanthropies, Caroline and Keating Crown, Good Chaos, Joyce Foundation, Lefkofsky Family Foundation, Ron and Paula Mallicoat, Northern Trust, Anne and Don Phillips, John Hart and Carol Prins, Robert Rivkin and Cindy Moelis, Shubert Foundation, Inc, Walder Foundation, and Zell Family Foundation. Steppenwolf also acknowledges generous support from premier sponsors Anonymous, ArentFox Schiff, Andrew and Amy Bluhm, Michael and Cathy Brennan, Ann and Richard Carr, Chicago Community Trust, Steven and Nancy Crown,  CRC Group, Rich and Margery Feitler, Julius Frankel Foundation, FROST CHICAGO, Goldman Sachs, Shmaila Tahir and Asheesh Goel, Bob and Amy Greenebaum, Kirkland & Ellis, Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Christopher and Eileen Murphy, The Orlebeke Foundation, PNC, Polk Bros. Foundation, Bryan Traubert and Penny Pritzker, Sacks Family Foundation, Smart Family Foundation of Illinois, Gary Sinise Foundation, Elliot A. Stultz, and Vinci Restaurant. Steppenwolf also acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. This project is partially supported by a CityArts 

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation’s premiere Ensemble Theater with 49 members who are among the top actors, playwrights and directors in the field. Thrilling, powerful, groundbreaking productions — from Balm in Gilead and Grapes of Wrath to August: Osage County, Downstate and The Brother/Sister Plays — have made this theatre legendary. Founded in 1976, Steppenwolf started as a group of teens performing in the basement of a church. Today, the company's artistic force remains rooted in the original vision of its founders: an artist-driven theatre, whose vitality is defined by its appetite for bold and innovative work. Every aspect of Steppenwolf is rooted in its Ensemble ethos, from the intergenerational artistic programming to the multi-genre performance series LookOut, to the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf Education and Engagement which serves nearly 15,000 teens annually. While grounded in the Chicago community, more than 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Steppenwolf also holds accolades that include the National Medal of Arts, 12 Tony Awards, and more. Led by Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis, Executive Director Brooke Flanagan and Board of Trustees Chair, Keating Crown — Steppenwolf continually redefines the landscape of acting and performance.

Steppenwolf’s Mission: Steppenwolf strives to create thrilling, courageous and provocative art in a thoughtful and inclusive environment. We succeed when we disrupt your routine with experiences that spark curiosity, empathy and joy. We invite you to join our ensemble as we navigate, together, our complex world. 

steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.

Rachel Bloom performs "Death, Let Me Do My Show." Photo by Emilio Madrid.

44 - THE unOFFICIAL, unSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL at Chicago’s Epiphany Center for the Arts August 7-17, 2024

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

The hit musical comedy

44 - THE unOFFICIAL, unSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL

(As Told Through the Hazy Recollection of Joe Biden),

brings humor to politics ahead of the DNC

Limited run August 7-17, 2024

at Chicago’s Epiphany Center for the Arts

The smash-hit comedy musical 44 - THE unOFFICIAL, unSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL (As Told Through the Hazy Recollection of Joe Biden), direct from a sold-out engagement at L.A.’s The Bourbon Room, lands in Chicago just in time for the Democratic National Convention. 44 is a satirical look at the rise and presidency of Barack Obama, as well as the eccentric political characters he met along the way. 44 is written, composed, and directed by Eli Bauman, and is produced by Bauman alongside his partner and fellow Lead Producer, Monica Saunders-Weinberg (Hana Black Productions), as well as Producer Kevin Bailey (Annie Get Your Gun, The Lion King), in association with Steve McKeever (Hidden Beach Recordings), Toni Isreal (REALEMN Productions) and Martin Lawrence & Stacy Lyles (RunTelDat Entertainment). 44 will play August 7 – 17, 2024 at The Epiphany Center for the Arts, located at 201 S Ashland Ave.

Tickets range from $44 to $129 and are on sale now at 44ObamaMusical.com or https://epiphanychi.com.  Use the early bird discount code “44” for a 25% discount on full price tickets purchased by July 26.

Photo Credit: Mackenzie Hilton

Barack Obama's election changed history. And as we can clearly see, it also ended racism forever! But 44 is the story of Obama you won't read about in history books...because history books are now banned in most states. But also because 44 is the story of Obama as Joe Biden kinda sorta remembers it...

“As we careen toward the totally normal and stress-free 2024 election, we hope you’ll join us for a look back at the 44th Presidency of the United States - when the White House was full of hope, the President didn’t endorse a violent attack on his own Vice President, and the President’s largest scandal was wearing a tan suit,” comments Bauman.

Selling out runs in L.A. and New York City, 44 - THE unOFFICIAL, unSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL quickly proved to be a must-see show, drawing in audiences that included Stevie Wonder, Martin Short, Congressman Adam Schiff, Martin Lawrence, Cheyenne Jackson, Wanda Sykes, Charlemagne Tha God, Tobey Maguire, Bill Burr and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Following its L.A. run, 44 took home seven 2023 BroadwayWorld L.A. Awards, including Best Musical, Best Ensemble, Best Direction of a Musical (Eli Bauman), Best Lead Performer of a Musical (T.J. Wilkins), Best Supporting Performer of a Musical (Chad Doreck), Best Musical Direction (Anthony Brewster) and Best Choreography (James Alsop). 

The musical satire features music, lyrics and book by a former Obama campaign organizer Eli Bauman ("NBC's Maya & Marty"), with additional songs co-written by Eli Bauman and Jon "Bowzer" Bauman (Sha Na Na). This brilliantly funny musical stars T.J. Wilkins (NBC's "The Voice") as ‘Barack Obama’ and Shanice (award-winning R&B artist - "I Love Your Smile" and OWN's "Flex & Shanice") as ‘Michelle Obama’ and Chad Doreck as ‘Joe Biden.' 

They are joined by Kevin Bailey as ‘John Boehner,’ Larry Cedar as ‘Mitch McConnell,' Marqell Edward Clayton as ‘Brother Abe Lincoln,' Kelley Dorney as ‘Hillary Clinton,' Summer Nicole Greer as ‘Voice of the People,' Jane Papageorge as ‘Sarah Palin,' Dino Shorté as ‘Herman Cain,' Jeff Sumner as ‘Lindsey Graham,' and Michael Uribes as ‘Ted Cruz.' Celeste Butler is the understudy for the roles of ‘Voice of the People' and ‘Michelle Obama,' Ally Dixon understudies ‘Hillary Clinton' and ‘Sarah Palin,' and Scott Kruse understudies ‘Joe Biden,' ‘Mitch McConnell,' ‘Lindsey Graham,' and ‘Ted Cruz.'

44 will feature legendary L.A. band House of Vibe as “The Andrew Jackson Five” with Anthony “Brew” Brewster (keyboards), Phillip “Fish” Fisher (drums), Corey Cofield (bass), Conrad Bauer (guitar), and Greg Raymond (keyboards).

The performance schedule is as follows:

Weekday performances (Tues-Thurs) take place at 7:00pm. Friday and Saturday performances take place at 7:30pm (no performance Aug 9) and Sunday performances take place at 2:00pm and 7:00pm.

 

About the Creative Team

Eli Bauman (Writer, Composer, Director, Lead Producer) was born and raised in Los Angeles to his mother Mary, a therapist for special needs children, and father, Jon, also known as “Bowzer” from the retro 50's nostalgia TV show/most random band to play Woodstock, “Sha Na Na.” After enduring this not remotely strange childhood, Bauman graduated from Columbia University with a degree in English and Creative Writing. Upon graduation, Eli toured the country with his father, singing in casinos ranging from the 10,000 seat “Mohegan Sun Arena” to the utterly depressing “Boomtown Casino” in Biloxi, Mississippi. After moving back to LA in 2007 to pursue a career in Hollywood, Eli gave up the glamorous world of television production for the even more glamorous world of political campaigning, moving to Las Vegas' largest and hottest county to organize for radical fringe candidate, Barack Obama, whom we've never heard from since.

After the campaign, Bauman coordinated Veterans Affairs for Obama's 2009 Inaugural Committee and interned for ABC's Special Investigative Unit, where he was shoved by disgraced bamboozler, Bernie Madoff. Later, Bauman transitioned back to scripted television, writing episodes of FX's “Lights Out” and NBC's “Prime Suspect,” before moving onto variety television, including the Emmy nominated “ACLU: Stand For Rights with Tom Hanks and the Writer's Guild Award nominated “Maya and Marty” with Maya Rudolph and Martin Short. Most recently, Bauman has entered the highly lucrative world of musical theater and contributed material to the fraudulently “won” Biden 2020 campaign. He resides in Los Angeles with his far more talented wife, Joanna Calo, their spectacular daughter, Ivy (5), and their sweet yet destructive son, Charlie (3).

Monica Saunders-Weinberg (Lead Producer) has an extensive professional and creative portfolio – from business and real estate to philanthropy and the performing arts. Saunders-Weinberg has over 26 years of experience working on the board of The Terrace Tower Group where she is the Co-Owner and joint Deputy Chair. The Terrace Tower Group is a privately owned, leading property development company with various investments in Australia and the United States. A passionate philanthropist, Saunders-Weinberg collaborates with numerous charities globally. She is a founding partner of The Growth Project - an initiative that brings emerging charities and business leaders together for maximum positive social impact. She also heads her family's charitable arm - The Saunders Foundation, cultivating its mission for the last 25 years and spearheading its day-to-day operations. Monica chaired the Sydney Children's Hospital Gold Dinner Committee from 2019 – 2021, presiding over the largest charity event in Australia, and breaking several Australian fund-raising records. Saunders-Weinberg continues to work closely with a wide range of charities and is hugely passionate about philanthropy and the arts. Saunders-Weinberg recently teamed up with Award winning producer Bruna Papandrea's Made Up Stories to executive produce the feature film, Addition and to develop a film adaptation of Fiona McIntosh's bestselling book, The Pearl Thief. Monica resides in Sydney with her husband, Richard, where they are devoted parents to their three children.

Anthony “Brew” Brewster (Music Director) was born in Santa Monica, California. He developed an enriched soulful style by singing and playing the piano and trumpet in church. As a lead member in two of Los Angeles' most seminal acts, Fishbone and The Untouchables, Brewster showcased his wide range for developing, arranging and producing skills for some of today's top artists.

Miss James Alsop (Choreographer) most recently contributed choreography to the Renaissance World Tour and you can see her movement direction on Kim Kardashian and Emma Roberts on the most current season of “American Horror Story: Delicate.” The Whitney Houston biopic “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” marks her feature film choreographic debut. She choreographed the acclaimed Peacock musical TV series “Girls5eva,” executive produced by Tina Fey as well as the #1 Netflix series “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” Her choreography has also been featured on “Pose,” “Soundtrack,” “Gossip Girl” and the upcoming season of “Emily in Paris.” Her work can also be seen in the Kerry Washington sitcom “Unprisoned.”

She began her career as co-choreographer of Beyoncé's videos, tour, and promotional materials for “Who Run the World (Girls),” “Dance For You” and “Love on Top.” She also assisted in choreographing “Booty” by Jennifer Lopez and worked with Paul Thomas Anderson for the HAIM music video “Just A Little of Your Love.” After choreographing the entire season of “Maya & Marty,” she was asked by Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond to choreograph season three of “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and has since worked for shows on NBC, Showtime, Netflix, and others. When not working with top stars, she teaches around the country and world, educating young artists and dancers to be who they are in their art form and love it.

Kevin Bailey (Producer) is a Los Angeles based producer and performer with his company MB Artists, founded in 1992, with partner and husband, James J. Mellon. Since 2013 he has served as Executive Producer for the play Ann, written by and starring Holland Taylor, which he spearheaded from the play's inception at the NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood, California. Ann made its Broadway premiere at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theater and garnered a Best Actress Tony nomination for Taylor. It was presented by PBS “Great Performances” in the summer of 2020, and is currently available on Broadway HD.

MB Artists produced and represented Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard and their four highly successful plays in the Greater Tuna cycle and continues to represent and produce the works of Jaston Williams. The world premiere of Williams' solo play I Saw The Lights about the Lubbock, Texas UFO sightings of 1951, was recently filmed in Austin, Texas, as was his holiday show, Blood and Holly – Christmas West of the Pecos. Kevin served as Executive Producer for the play God Looked Away, which starred Al Pacino and Judith Light. In addition to 44, projects in development include the new musical Belles Are Swingin' and the solo play White Lies, starring Annie Potts. MB Artists has created, produced, and general-managed over 50 theatrical productions, five films, and dozens of industrials.

As a performer, Bailey starred on Broadway and in Los Angeles in the original companies of The Lion King, and in the Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun with Bernadette Peters. He has performed in regional theaters from coast to coast and toured the country extensively performing with multiple productions of The Phantom of The Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Fantasticks, and The Foreigner, to name just a few. Bailey resides in Los Angeles with his husband of 33 years, James Mellon, their son William, and their lovable dogs Mia and Cooper.

 

Photo Feature and Review: Crane Wives at Chicago's Thalia Hall 6-29-24

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

INDIE/ALT ROCK BAND

THE CRANE WIVES

LIVE AT THALIA HALL IN CHICAGO, IL ON JUNE 29, 2024

All Photos by Dugan Kenaz-Mara ©2024 

Guest Review

by Dugan Kenaz-Mara

It was almost exactly two years ago that one of my best friends introduced me to the Crane Wives’ music. He played me “Curses” and I put it into my playlist immediately. From that point I slowly gathered more of their music for myself, discovering all throughout that many of my friends loved their songs. I started noticing it in the background music of our lives - during car rides and hangouts - and began feeling how much emotion their songs brought into every space they touch. I’m happy to report that the emotions The Crane Wives pump into their music are felt tenfold live. 

The best part of the show was undoubtedly the community the performers have cultivated. There was a strong queer presence in the crowd, with multiple members showing pride flags and folding fans. I particularly loved that everyone was able to bond even when the band wasn’t on stage. During the changeover between the opener and headliner, an audience member pulled up pictures of a pride flag and a UK flag, which the rest of the audience cheered or booed respectively. They also sang along to ‘Red Wine Supernova’ by Chappell Roan and traded friendship bracelets. 

One of the lead vocalists recounted a story about how the band had, years ago, performed at a nearby restaurant for an audience of 3. The same restaurant where they dined before this concert. She emphasized how much the band appreciates their audience and the immense support they receive, and it was evident the audience's impact on the band is as immense as the Crane Wives' on their fans. Eagle-eyed fans might even be able to spot friendship bracelets around the bands’ wrists, highlighting further the bond between audience and performer.

In comparison to other live concerts I’ve had the pleasure to shoot, the audience was near the top of my list for energy and enthusiasm. The entire audience belted along to favorite songs like “Take Me To War” and “Steady Steady” during the set, sharing wholeheartedly in the Feminine Rage release session that the band created space for. 

Chicago Set list:

Nobody

Allies or Enemies

Take me to War

Empty Page

The Well

Queen of Nothing

Never Love an Anchor

Daydreamer

Scars

Steady Steady

The Moon Will Sing

Arcturus Beaming

Bitter Medicine

The Hand That Feeds

Tongues and Teeth

Curses

How to Rest

The Crane Wives performed not one, but two currently unreleased songs from their upcoming album Beyond Beyond Beyond, coming September of this year. “Scars” and “Bitter Medicine” were like treats for the audience, prompting them to explore grief and vulnerability in a safe space. These songs were complimented by their newest release “Arcturus Beaming”, which explores hope and healing—imagining a better future while holding space for distress. Something I’m sure all of us can use a little of right now. 

Dugan Kenaz-Mara is a designer, photographer, educator, and recent graduate of 

Northwestern University.

Crane Wives 

NORTH AMERICAN SUMMER TOUR STARTS JUNE 5: GET TICKETS HERE

ANNOUNCE LUSH FIFTH STUDIO ALBUM

BEYOND BEYOND BEYOND

DUE OUT SEPTEMBER 6

PRE-ORDER THE LP HERE

"The Crane Wives charmed us again this year with its harmony-laced folk-rock..polished sound and dynamic energy..proves just how much fun the band is having with its music.”

"The Crane Wives are a four-piece band that have an uncanny ability at crafting goose-bump inducing three-part harmonies.”

"They’re an impeccable band with incredibly tight instrumentation and harmonies that, paired with an inclination for catchy hooks and scintillating lyricism, make a strong case for their burgeoning popularity.”

Grand Rapids, Michigan based indie rock band The Crane Wives announce their self-produced, rousing fifth studio album Beyond Beyond Beyond due out September 6 and available for pre-order now. Alongside the announcement, the band shares the first taste with anthemic, empowering track and lyric video “Arcturus Beaming” out now. Plus, The Crane Wives will embark on a summer tour across North America kicking off tomorrow in Milwaukee, WI. See a full list of dates below and get tickets now here. Their first project since 2016, Beyond Beyond Beyond sees the band evolve into a guitar-driven, self-assured group who is unafraid to experiment and explore new territory.

Beyond Beyond Beyond, the fifth studio record by The Crane Wives, explores the mixture of fear, joy, and deep vulnerability that occurs when a person is on the cusp of changing the course of their life. The eleven track album is a circular journey that asks heavy questions of the listener: Am I strong enough to change? Am I brave enough to take the risk? Do I deserve the chance to be happy? It offers the listener momentum to move forward, a guide through dark spaces with shimmery other-worldly melodies and an encouraging push to venture forth into the unknown. 

Beyond Beyond Beyond is an electric departure from the Crane Wives’ previous releases, prominently highlighting the lead guitar work of songwriters and singers Kate Pillsbury and Emilee Petersmark. Drummer Dan Rickabus contributes darker, stormy and dynamic rhythms to this record, while bassist Ben Zito creates narrative movement in the songs with his rooting, counter-melodic approach. The album is self-produced by the four-piece collaboration, and engineered & mixed by Zito at his studio, Centennial Sound. The band invited guest violinist Samantha Cooper and guest cellist Jordan Hamilton to help portray a distinct emotional voice. The album was mastered by Heba Kadry. The band’s longtime collaborator, visual artist Rebecca Green returned to create her fifth piece of album artwork for the project.

Rickabus shares that the band collaborated like never before throughout the album creation process. “We tried to challenge ourselves to shake loose from our old patterns and explore what is possible between the four of us. Those brave experiments mean even more to me when I think about the lyrical content of the album. The album begins with inner-conflict, and moves through a very human process of growth toward a bold belief in possibility, and an attempt to create change. So, that sense of creative experimentation really resonates.”   

“Arcturus Beaming” is a triumph of curiosity and bravery, expressing a journey to uncharted spaces through swooping vocals and anthem-esque rhythms. With an exhilarating determination, Kate Pillsbury’s evocative lyrics invite the listener to wonder what is possible beyond their preconceived notions and norms. The song’s building energy culminates in a realization of personal empowerment. “Nothing will change until I change.”

Watch: "Arcturus Beaming" (Official Lyric Video)

Vocalist and guitarist Kate Pillsbury shares the track was born while she found herself moving through a crucial healing process as she learned to listen to herself, be gentle with herself and take actions to mitigate her problems. “‘Arcturus Beaming’ is about holding grief and gratitude simultaneously as I have stumbled forward through the pain. In an era when it’s justifiably easy for many of us to gravitate toward doom and gloom, 'Arcturus Beaming' is about holding strong to a radical imagining of a better future, and doing the work to cultivate that future, which I believe requires healing ourselves on an individual level so that we can be fortified in the work required to heal our communities.” 

This summer, The Crane Wives will captivate audiences throughout North America. First through the Midwest, including an already sold out show in Madison, WI, then to Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, down the East Coast, including another sold out show in Hamden, CT, and concluding in their home state in Ann Arbor, Michigan. See a full list of dates below and get tickets now.

The Crane Wives formed in 2010 and have captivated audiences across hundreds of stages around the U.S. since. The band has built a global community and has amassed over 1M Spotify monthly listeners and 100M total streams with their unparalleled, spirited live show, evocative lyricism and glimmering harmonies. The group has shared stages with The Avett Brothers, Lake Street Dive, Rusted Root, The Dead South, Joseph, and more. In 2017, they won JBL’s “Best American Band Contest” and were named one of Paste Magazine's “12 Michigan Acts You Should Be Listening To Now,” Featured by Michigan Radio and NPR’s “All Songs Considered”, the band has been the recipient of several local accolades such as the WYCE Best Rock/Pop album for their 2016 full-length studio record, Foxlore. Now, in 2024, The Crane Wives prepare to enter an all-new, dynamic phase of their artistic identity where they learn to trust themselves, dive deeper lyrically and take sonic risks like never before.

"Arcturus Beaming," is a sweeping, healing journey of self-improvement where the group balances grief and gratitude at once. Beyond Beyond Beyond, the lush fifth LP by The Crane Wives is due out September 6 and available for pre-order now. Don't miss The Crane Wives live this summer across North America with tickets on sale now here. Connect with the rising rockers now on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X and YouTube.

The Crane Wives

Live Across North America

Summer 2024

06/05 - Turner Hall - Milwaukee, WI

06/06 - Majestic Theatre - Madison, WI (SOLD OUT)

06/07 - Amsterdam Bar & Hall - St Paul, MN

06/08 - Englert Theatre - Iowa City, IA

06/09 - Slowdown - Omaha, NE

06/11 - Recordbar - Kansas City, MO

06/13 - Rose Music Hall - Columbia, MO

06/14 - Delmar Hall - St Louis, MO

06/15 - Hi-Fi Annex - Indianapolis, IN

06/29 - Thalia Hall - Chicago, IL

07/15 - Axis Club - Toronto, ON

07/16 - Club Saw - Ottawa, ON

07/17 - La Sala Rosa - Montreal, QC

07/19 - Higher Ground Ballroom - Burlington, VT

07/20 - State Theatre - Portland, ME

07/21 - Royale - Boston, MA

07/23 - Lark Hall - Albany, NY

07/24 - Space Ballroom - Hamden, CT (SOLD OUT)

07/26 - Levon Helm Studio - Woodstock, NY

07/27 - Iron Works - Buffalo, NY

07/28 - Mr Small’s - Pittsburgh, PA

08/15 - The Black Sheep - Colorado Springs, CO  (SOLD OUT)

08/16 - Washington’s - Fort Collins, CO

08/17 - Gothic Theatre - Denver, CO

08/18 - Strings Pavilion - Steamboat Springs, CO

08/20 - Soundwell SLC - Salt Lake City, UT  (SOLD OUT)

08/21 - Treefort Music Hall - Boise, ID

08/23 - Wonder Ball Room - Portland, OR  (SOLD OUT)

08/24 - South Sound Block Party - Olympia, WA

08/29 - Sonic Lunch - Ann Arbor, MI

Beyond Beyond Beyond (LP) Tracklist

01. Scars

02. Bitter Medicine

03. Higher Ground

04. Predator

05. Say It

06. Mad Dog

07. Arcturus Beaming

08. Time Will Change You

09. Black Hole Fantasy

10. Red Clay

11. River Rushing

The Crane Wives Bio

Born of the 2010’s folk boom and now comfortably stationed in their rock and roll era, The Crane Wives epitomize the evolving sound of the indie genre. Having performed hundreds of shows on stages across the country, they gravitate toward high-energy melodies while their lyrics extol the shadow side of the human condition, delving into mythology and themes of darkness and inner conflict. The band has amassed over 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify, racking up over 100 million streams on their most popular songs and accumulating listenership from far-flung corners of the US to the UK, Australia, Germany, Brazil, Poland, Mexico, and the Philippines.

Winners of the JBL’s “Best American Band Contest” in 2017 and named one of Paste Magazine's “12 Michigan Acts You Should Be Listening To Now,” The Crane Wives have 5 full-length albums under their belts and have performed over 600 shows across the US, sharing stages with acts such as The Avett Brothers, Lake Street Dive, Rusted Root, The Dead South, Joseph, and many more. Featured by Michigan Radio and NPR’s “All Songs Considered”, the band has been the recipient of several local accolades such as the WYCE Best Rock/Pop album for their last full-length studio record, “Foxlore.”

The pulse of the Crane Wives, Ben Zito (bass) and Dan Rickabus (drums) create a groovy backdrop integral to the band’s sound, while co-leads Emilee Petersmark and Kate Pillsbury duel on electric guitar and strongly-belted vocals. The band softens the blows of their emotional candor with soulful three-part vocal harmonies, like a 21st century Cerberus, the hound of Hades reimagined as an emotional support animal. To date, they have released five full length albums, including their 2020 live album, “Here I Am.” 

Their new album, Beyond Beyond Beyond arrives September 6th.

For more information on The Crane Wives, please visit: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Facebook | Twitter/X | Soundcloud | Bandcamp

All Photos by Dugan Kenaz-Mara ©2024

REVIEW: ARTISTIC BRAVURA Ensemble Español's "Flamenco Passion" Program Superb

 Chi, IL Live Shows On Our Radar 

ENSEMBLE ESPAÑOL SPANISH DANCE THEATER’S 2024

 “FLAMENCO PASSION” CONCERTS

SHOWCASE WORLD PREMIERES CREATED BY ACCLAIMED INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS AT THE NORTH SHORE CENTER JUNE 7-9

LaLupi with musicians Diego Alvarez, Jose Diaz El Chachito, Curio de Maria, 

Jose Moreno and Jose Alconchel.  Photo by Dean Paul

Exciting Premieres Include “Viejos Aires” / Flamenco Tango by Award-winning Choreographer Antonio Najarro 

“Resliencia” / Resilience and “El Bolero de Puerta de Tierra” by Former Principal Dancer with the National Ballet of Spain, Raquel Gomez; and 

“Compas de Seda” / Silk Rhythm by Flamenco Superstar La Lupi

Guest Review 

by Flo Mano

ARTISTIC BRAVURA 

Ensemble Espanol at North Shore Center for performing Arts opened to dramatic lighting, marigold costumes, and jazz fusion that gave a modern feel to "Sur",  choreographed by guest artist Raquel Gomez.

In her solo world premiere, "Resilencia", Raquel Gomez was impassioned. Her exceptional dancing within the perimeters of a movable geometric rectangle to square was impressive to see. I enjoyed the lighting from above by Dustin L. Derry.

“El Bolero de Puerta de Terra”, a world premiere, was a feather like flamenco on ballet slippers by the entire company, choreographed by Raquel Gomez, and inspired by Dame Libby‘s “Seguidillas”.

This piece was followed by Flamenco guitarist, Curro de Maria, with “Mi Andalusia”.

Jonathan Pacheco with Ensemble Espanol Company Dancers in Fantasia Suite Regional-Tribute to Juanjo Linares. Photo by Dean Paul

Folklore legend Juanjo Linares’ “Fantasia Suite Regional” depicted exerpts from Galicia-Extremadura & Valencia, individual & intertwining seamlessly!

A stupendous performance of "Chamberi" was perfection, by guest artist La Lupi. Her mastery commanded the utmost attention, as the audience collectively held its breath, so as not to miss a second. Every precision move in her “Batas de Cola” was hypnotic, as she effortlessly tossed & swayed her long train dress. I was struck by the intensity of her jaleo sounds and facial expressions.

The musicians' synchronized percussion-palmas-Spanish guitar and singing transported one to Andalusia.

“Pasion Oculta" was danced by 5 couples to Escala electronic string quartet “Requiem for a Tower” & “Palladio” flawlessly, to loud applause!

"Compas de Seda", another world premiere choreographed by La Lupi, featured stylized fans & shawls. Flamenco Guajiras is a melange of Andalusian-Canary island and Afro-Cuban palo dance, and an amazing  ensemble piece. Loved the fade to silhouettes. 

La Lupi was superb in her solo “A Silvetio”!!! 

The final dance was a world premiere of Flamenco Tango, “Viejos Aires”, by multitalented Argentinian guest Artist Antonio Najaro, choreographer/dancer/costume designer extraordinaire! Very Impressive!! Astounding even!!!

Ensemble Espanol is stretching beyond in this exquisite production! They will be performing at old Town school of music & NEIU. 

DO NOT MISS!! Imbibe dance!!!

Florence Manolis (AKA: Flo Mano) is a Greek American CPS elementary teacher/librarian, hairdresser, and theater/dance/film fanatic who catches hundreds of Chicago shows annually. She volunteers at numerous film venues and theaters and has called Chicago home since she immigrated here from Greece in early elementary school. 

Jonathan Pacheco and Samantha Micklewright in Viejos Aires by Antonio Najarro. 

Photo by Casey Mitchell

Popular Works from Ensemble Español’s Repertoire in the Traditional and Contemporary Genres Complete the Program

Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, brings their popular “Flamenco Passion” performances to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8 and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 9. These performances are part of the company’s 48th multi-faceted American Spanish Dance and Music Festival (June 7-15).

“Flamenco Passion” program highlights include the world premiere of “Viejos Aires” / Flamenco Tango as reset on Ensemble Español by Antonio Najarro, award-winning choreographer and former artistic director of the National Ballet of Spain, choreographer of Disney movie "WISH.

” Najarro’s work features a fusion of Spanish classical style and Argentinean Tango and displays the sensuality, passion and elegance of Buenos Aires.

Additional world premieres include “Resliencia” / Resilience and “El Bolero de Puerta de Tierra” (Escuela Bolera) choreographed by Raquel Gomez, former principal dancer and Rehearsal Director of the National Ballet of Spain; and the Cuban influenced dance “Compas de Seda” / Silk Rhythm choreographed by Flamenco superstar La Lupi, to an original music composition by Curro de Maria.Works from Ensemble Espanol’s repertoire included in the program include “Sur” by Raquel Gomez (2015); “Fantasia Suite Regional” choregraphed by Juanjo Linares and Nana Lorca (1977) and “Pasion Oculta” /Hidden Passion choreographed by Ensemble Español Artistic Director Irma Suarez Ruiz (2019).Joining the members of Ensemble Español in performance will be guest dancer/choreographers includingRaquel Gomez, La Lupi and Antonio Najarro; and featured musicians including José Díaz “El Cachito”(singer), José Alconchel and Curro de Maria (guitarists); Diego “El Negro” Alvarez and José Moreno (percussionists).

“Every ‘Flamenco Passion’ festival performance is meant to entertain and highlight the timeless yet ever-evolving art that is Flamenco as performed by Chicago’s premiere Spanish dance company Ensemble Español,” says Executive Director and Associate Artistic Director Jorge Perez. “We also pride ourselves in our record of collaborating with some of the most exciting voices in Flamenco, Escuela Bolera, Classical and Folkloric as we maintain our important role as active participants in the continue evolution of this exciting music and dance form,” says Ruiz, Ensemble Español Artistic Director.

The “Flamenco Passion” performances are part of Ensemble Español’s 48th American Spanish Dance and Music Festival which also features these related events:

● VIP-Pre-Opening Night Reception: Preceding the Saturday, June 8 performance there will be a “Meet

the Artists” VIP Pre-Opening Night Reception in the North Shore Center on the 2nd level. Tickets are

$65 (includes VIP seating for that evening’s performance). To purchase tickets and for more information

visit NorthShoreCenter.org/ee/ or call 847.673.6300.

● Free Ethnic Dance & Music Symposium 2024 at NEIU (June 10-12) Topics include: “The Complexities of Covering Ethnic Dance & Music” and “Arts Economic Ecosystem: The New Workforce Development Plan to Build Strong Community” (June 10); :Ethnic Arts Crossing Genres” and “Expanding Flamenco Musical Language” (June 11) and “It’s a Family Affair Ethnic Art, Oral Traditions, Art as a Way of Life” and “From Flamenco to Tap and All That Jazz” (June 12). All sessions take place at NEIU, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave. Admission is free, but reservations are requested. For more information and to register visit ensembleflamencopassion.org/symposium.

● Festival Spanish Dance Classes at Northeastern Illinois University Dance Studios NEIU, 5500 N. St. Louis Avenue (June 10-15) Over 100 Spanish dance and music classes in Flamenco, Classical, Escuela Bolera and Folklore. Single class rate $35. For more class information and registration visit ensembleflamencopassion.org/classes or email at Patricia Mendez at patricia.mendez@eesdt.org.

● Concerts at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. –“Flamenco to Tap and All That Jazz” with Wendy Clinard, Bril Barrett, Diego "El Negro" Álvarez, José Moreno, José Diaz "Cachito", José Manuel Alconchel, 8 p.m. June 13; “Duende Flamenco” with La Lupi, Nino de los Reyes, Curro de María, Diego "El Negro" Álvarez, José Moreno and José Diaz "Cachito" 8 p.m. June 15. Tickets: $30.

For tickets visit oldtownschool.org/concerts.

About Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater 

Ensemble Español, founded in 1976 by Dame Libby Komaiko, is the premiere Spanish dance company and center in the U.S. with a professional and unique residency at Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago. Under the artistic direction of Irma Suarez Ruiz and executive leadership of Jorge Perez, the Ensemble continues its mission of preservation, presentation and promotion of Spanish dance and culture which also includes the exploration of the country’s history in the; Flamenco, Folkloric, Classical and Escuela Bolera styles and identifies its influence on Latin American art and dance in both traditional and contemporary formats. They forge ahead as the leaders in Spanish dance and culture with a commitment to our communities, via performances, education, school residencies, academic university programs, festivals and tours. They remain committed to their roots in education and mission of educational, artistic, and social development. Their incredibly rich history includes serving over 30,000 students annually, training over 90 company dancers, training over 160 Youth Company dancers from ages 12 to 18, over 90 international guest artists and musicians from Spain and the Americas, over 2,600 scholarships awarded to talented aspiring dancers, musicians and educators, tours and residencies of U.S., including Hawaii, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Poland, Australia, Canada, China and Spain. For more information on concerts, performances, classes and residencies, visit EnsembleEspanol.org.

Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theatre in residence at Northeastern Illinois University is grateful to thefollowing 48th Season Festival Partners and Sponsors: Northeastern Illinois University, Interim President, Katrina Bell-Jordan, Ph.D., NEIU Department of Music and Dance, Caerus Foundation, Hurvis Foundation, Illinois Arts Council, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Microsoft, Eugene Jarvis and Sasha Gerritson, Salme and Michael Steinberg, Sonia Florian,Estate of Gregory Ragsdale and the Ragsdale Family, FourStar Branding, The Nest, Jaleo by Jose Andres, Atzimba Catering and Events, Stonewolf Studios, Clinard Dance Theater, Instituto Cervantes, International Latino Cultural Center, Negocios Now, HMS Media and Chicago Dance Supply.

Special thank you to the Northeastern Illinois University Board of Trustees, NEIU Foundation, the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts and festival official hotel sponsor, Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago North Shore and O’Hare.

Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater 

“Flamenco Passion” Performances 

at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, June 7-9

Act 1

“Sur” / South (2015)

Choreographer and Costume Designer: Raquel Gomez, Guest Artist

Music: David Dorantes, Pianist and Composer

Costume Production: Luz Creations Lighting Designer: Original concept by Nathan Tomlinson

Lighting design reimagined in 2023 by Dustin L. Derry

Dancers: Company

Raquel Gomez created this work that reaches back to the traditions of the Escuela Bolera (classical Spanish style) from the 18th Century, as it simultaneously embraces contemporary Flamenco music. “’Sur’ proves…that something with so much tradition and such deep cultural roots…can be current and keep its deepest history.” (Raquel Gomez)

Raquel Gomez performing her work Resiliencia. Photo by Dean Paul

“Resiliencia” / Resilience (Clasico Español), WORLD PREMIERE

Choreographer, Costume Design, Dancer: Raquel Gomez, Guest Artist

Music: Joni Fuller

Lighting Design: Dustin L. Derry

“The ability of the human spirit to overcome the obstacles that life challenges us with. It does not matter how much life challenges us with, what matters is how strong we become every time we get up.” (Raquel Gomez)

“El Bolero de Puerta de Tierra” (Escuela Bolera), WORLD PREMIERE

Choreographer: Raquel Gomez, inspired by Antonio Ruiz

Music: Isaac Albeniz (1860-1909)

Costume Design: Raquel Rodriguez Ruiz-Medrano

Costume Production: Luz Creations

Lighting Design: Dustin L. Derry

Dancers: Sammi Micklewright, Abigail Mosquera, Jonathan Pacheco, Irene Sivianes Fernandez, Martina Wensell

“My inspiration when putting together this choreography was the great teacher and dancer Antonio Ruiz. Ruiz was one of the first major artists to implement classical ballet in Spanish dance companies. This style and choreography requires great technical experience and artistry of classical ballet. My second inspiration was Ensemble Español’s beautiful and elegant choreography, ‘Seguidillas,’ performed by Dame Libby Komaiko. The work was set in 1977 by former artistic director of the National Ballet of Spain, Nana Lorca, to the Spanish zarzuela (light opera) music of ‘El Nino Judío’ by Pablo Luna.” (Raquel Gomez)

“Mi Andulicia”

Flamenco Guitarist: Curro de Maria

“Fantasia Suite Regional”

- Tribute to Juanjo Linares (1977)

Choreography by Nana Lorca, former artistic director of the National Ballet of Spain and (1984-2000): Juanjo Linares

Music: Traditional; Fernando Arias, Milladoiro, M. Padilla, Ginet, Guidi & Caserio

Costume Design: Juanjo Linares

Lighting Design: Dustin L. Derry

Dancers: Company

Maestro Juanjo (Sept.1933 -Nov. 2009) created 25 works for the full company from 1984 through 2000. As Spain’s foremost authority on folklore, Juanjo’s detail to the style, customs and celebration of the people of each region in Spain made him the legendary master on this art form. Now Ensemble Español honors his legacy by presenting excerpts from the regions of Galicia, Extremadura, and Valencia. Ensemble Espanol’s Irma Suarez Ruiz and Jorge Pérez have both performed and been a part of Juanjo’s works with the Ensemble Español since his first residency to Chicago in 1984.

“Chamberí” (Flamenco Caracoles) (2023)

Choreographer & Dancer : La Lupi, Guest Artist

Music: Curro de Maria & Pedro Medina

Musicians: Curro de Maria, Jose Alconchel, guitarists; Jose Diaz El Cachito, singer; Diego “El Negro” Alvarez, percussionist; José Moreno, singer, percussionist

Costume Design: La Lupi & Enrique Vicent

Lighting Design: Carlos Rodriguez

Chamberí, the oldest train station in Madrid. The cante por Caracoles, conceived by the singer D. Antonio

Chacón, pays tribute to the city as a key point for Andalusian artists who arrived and left for the capital. Madrid, with its open arms, welcomed these artists in a warm and hospitable way.

“Pasion Oculta”/ Hidden Passion (2019)

Choreographer and Costume Designer: Irma Suarez Ruiz, Artistic Director

Music: Escala

Costume Production: Luz Creations

Lighting Design: Dustin L. Derry

Dancers: Company

This Flamenco contemporary work, set on five couples of Ensemble Español Company dancers by artistic director, Irma Suarez Ruiz, portrays the hidden passions of love and desire. Ruiz set this sensual work to two songs by the all-female electronic string quartet, Escala: “Requiem for a Tower” and “Palladio.”

Act 2

“Compas de Seda” / Silk Rhythm, WORLD PREMIERE

Choreographer & Costume Designer: La Lupi, Guest Artist

Music Composition: Curro de Maria

Costume Design & Production: Enrique Vicent

Lighting Design : Dustin L. Derry

Dancers: Nalanie Molina, Sammi Micklewright, Abigail Mosquera, Irene Sivianes Fernandez, Maria Lujan,

Catherine Beza, Jose Torres, Juan Carlos Castellon, Luis Beltran, Jonathan Pacheco, Sergio Rojas, Miguel Conde

This work, in the Flamenco Guajiras palo/style dance, is based on the sung genre of Cuban music, a poetic art with music. A guajira is simply a song for voice and guitar with a series of similar letras. It became popular in the western and central regions of Cuba in the 17th century and consolidated as a genre in the 18th century. It has Andalusian and Canary Islands origins, and it integrated African elements in Cuba. The Flamenco guajira is the adaptation to Melos Flamenco of the Cuban point, the peasant point, a genre that brings together a series of songs called Guajiros that are grown in the rural areas of the island of Cuba.

“Duende Flamenco”

Music: Curro de Maria, Jose Alconchel, guitarists; Jose Diaz El Cachito, singer; Diego “El Negro” Alvarez, percussionist; José Moreno, singer, percussionist

Lighting Design: Dustin L. Derry

“A Silverio” (2022)

Choreographer and Dancer: La Lupi

Music: Curro de Maria and Livio Gianola

Costume Design: Enrique Vicent

Lighting Design: Tito Osuna

“…a bravura showcase of Flamenco Abandolaos and Serrana styles” (WTTW).

“Viejos Aires” / Flamenco Tango, WORLD PREMIERE

Choreographer, Dancer, Costume Designer: Antonio Najarro, Guest Artist

Music: Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992)

Costume Production: Enrique Vicente

Lighting Design: Dustin L. Derry

Dancers: Section 1: “Otoño Porteno” - the Company; Section 2: “Fuga y Misterio” - Antonio Najarro, Guest Artist

Antonio Najarro performs a solo in his Viejos Aires. Photo by Dean Paul

Section 3: “Viejos Aires” – the Company

“Choreographing my creation 'Viejos Aires' on the Ensemble Español dancers represented a personal reunion with the repertoire of my own dance company. ‘Viejos Aires’ has a choreography that has given me numerous successes throughout its presentation and performances in the best theaters around the world. Irma and Jorge’s invitation to set this work on the Ensemble Español as part of their extensive repertoire was exciting. I wanted to merge two very different styles in terms of technical elements: Argentinean tango and Spanish dance, including my own personal style. In Ensemble Español, I clearly saw a company with great desire and enthusiasm to assimilate, face and interpret this complex work. ‘Viejos Aires,’ from my point of view, is a timeless passionate choreography that speaks from the heart to the heart. (Antonio Najarro)