Bard Badges Abound During Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Citywide FREE Tour of The Comedy of Errors

Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks Program Expanded

Photo by Michael Litchfield.

The cast of The Taming of the Shrew performed for more than 700 people at South Shore Cultural Center on Sunday, July 29, 2012 at the launch of Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, which toured July 29– August 19, 2012 throughout the Chicago Park District.

FREE FOR ALL July 25–August 25, 2013 27 Performances in 18 Neighborhood Parks Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today the expanded Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program as part of the City’s “Night Out in the Parks” initiative. Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District and leaders of Chicago’s corporate community partner to expand the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program, after its inaugural success in 2012.  Photo by Michael Litchfield. Baptista Minola (Robert Joseph Miller) pronounces a match between his daughter Katherina (Ericka Ratcliff) and Petruchio (Matt Mueller) as Gremio (Mick Weber ) looks on in the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks production of The Taming of the Shrew, adapted and directed by Rachel Rockwell, which toured July 29–August 19, 2012 throughout the Chicago Park District. The citywide tour of The Comedy of Errors travels to neighborhood parks across Chicago, FREE FOR ALL, July 25–August 25, 2013. From Humboldt Park to Garfield and Loyola Park to South Shore, this summer’s Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks will break down barriers to arts participation and give Chicagoans direct access to their City’s cultural resources by bringing 27 free Shakespeare performances into 18 different neighborhood parks. “Chicago Shakespeare Theater brings Shakespeare to life at Chicago’s Navy Pier, in our neighborhoods and in our schools," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "The return of the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program will make Chicago’s neighborhood parks come alive with the thrill and magic of live theater. This is a fitting way to honor Shakespeare, and I thank Chicago Shakespeare Theater.” The expanded citywide tour is made possible by a renewed civic, cultural and corporate partnership between Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District and The Boeing Company. Additional support for the program is provided by production sponsor for The Comedy of Errors BMO Harris Bank and the Chicago Shakespeare Trust, as well as Mayor Emanuel’s commitment to support the Chicago Park District’s programs and provide family activities throughout the city’s parks. “The arts are essential to building strong communities,” said Lianne Stein, Vice President for Global Corporate Citizenship at Boeing. “This initiative brings innovative arts programming to Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods and supports local artists and arts organizations." Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks is inspired by the open air setting in which Shakespeare’s plays were originally performed more than 400 years ago, and Joseph Papp’s twentieth century American initiative that brought free Shakespeare to urban communities. Beginning its summer tour on July 25 through each of the Park District regions, a specially equipped truck will roll into each park, a stage will unfold and CST actors will perform a 75-minute production of The Comedy of Errors. Staged and adapted by Jeff Award-winning director and choreographer David H. Bell, The Comedy of Errors is one of the Bard’s most popular plays about mistaken identities. Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks will kick-off at Gateway Park at Navy Pier on Thursday, July 25. Additional parks scheduled to be visited, rain or shine, include Chicago Park District North Region Parks: Frank J. Wilson Park, Loyola Park, Riis Park and Welles Park. Central Region Parks: Eckhart Park, Douglas Park, Dvorak Park, Garfield Park Conservatory, Humboldt Park and Piotrowski Park. South Region Parks: Gage Park, Hamilton Park, Marquette Park, Ridge Park, South Shore Cultural Center, Tuley Park and Washington Park. Touring to neighborhoods across the City, the free performances of Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors will contribute to the activation of parks this summer with programming that attracts families, breaking down barriers to arts participation and encouraging young family members to take part in Chicago’s Summer of Learning program. The initiative represents an innovative public-private coordination to infuse learning into summer programs that young people across the city can attend when school is out of session. Summer programs throughout the Chicago Park District are participating—including Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, which will offer young audience members an opportunity to learn about the art of storytelling in the context of a professional theatrical production. After seeing the play, students will be prompted to reflect on their experience and respond to their favorite elements of the production through take-home questions printed in the program. Completion of the activities will earn each young person a “Bard Badge.”  “Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks furthers the Summer of Learning initiative as it will expose youth in our parks to one of the world’s greatest writers,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Michael P. Kelly. “The program also reinforces our commitment to working with our partners to provide citywide cultural programming in our community parks.” Chicago Shakespeare Theater Artistic Director Barbara Gaines said, “We’re privileged to build on the inaugural success of Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks and announce the expanded tour for this year’s production of The Comedy of Errors. We thank Mayor Emanuel for his support of the arts throughout our city and we are absolutely thrilled to be touring one of Shakespeare’s funniest plays that I know will tickle audiences of all ages and motivate students to earn a ‘Bard Badge.’” For more information on Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/parks. A complete Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks map and schedule may be downloaded here. For more information about “Night Out in the Parks,” visit www.nightoutintheparks.com. For more information about Chicago’s Summer of Learning and earning badges, please visit www.chicagosummeroflearning.org.

Imminent Sonic Destruction - Breaking Through LIVE at Reggies Rock Club #livevideo

Imminent Sonic Destruction performing Breaking Through at Reggie's in Chicago, May 10, 2013. Opening for Pain of Salvation and Kingcrow via gladcarrot

IMMINENT SONIC DESTRUCTION  Wrap Up First Ever North American Tour!    IMMINENT SONIC DESTRUCTION recently wrapped up their North American tour with Pain of Salvation and Kingcrow It was quite an experience for everyone involved and ISD would like to share their gratitude for those who came out to support them and all the new fans that were made "So, as we say in ISD, "Here, it's over." The tour is done and we're all back home. What an absolutely amazing experience this has been. We were floored every night by the reception of the incredible fans who came to see Pain of Salvation, but were also eager to soak up all the new music we were bringing them. We made so many new friends along this tour, there's nothing like an open-minded prog/metal crowd to make you feel at home! Also, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to the guys in Pain of Salvation and Kingcrow for pushing us to up our game at every show, and for being such outstanding people. We couldn't have asked for a better group of guys to tour with. Not to mention the tour manager, Brian, who ran himself ragged but kept it all rolling, and Milton at Intromental for having the crazy idea to ask us to join this tour in the first place! It means the world to us, and we're only looking to improve and grow from this point forward! The end of the tour, but if feels like the beginning of a new, better chapter in ISD. THANKS!! \m/(><)\m/" And remember if you missed any of the updates, the complete blog from the tour can be viewed at the ISD Facebook Page. IMMINENT SONIC DESTRUCTION released their debut Recurring Themes in 2012.  The album was produced by Roy Z (Halford, Bruce Dickinson), and features nine original tracks that showcase the band's vocal harmonies soaring over original progressive-metal riffing, melodic compositions and the rhythms of ex-Tiles drummer, Pat DeLeon.  Recurring Themes was financed entirely by the band and is available for purchase via the band's website, iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, Lasers Edge, Dearborn Music and is now available through Nightmare Records.  IMMINENT SONIC DESTRUCTION is: Tony Piccoli - Lead Vocals, Guitars Pat DeLeon - Drums, Percussion Scott Thompson - Guitars, Vocals Pete Hopersberger - Keyboards, Vocals Bryan Paxton - Bass, Vocals For more information on Imminent Sonic Destruction, please visit: www.imminentsonicdestruction.com www.facebook.com/imminentsonicdestruction  www.reverbnation.com/imminentsonicdestruction

ACT OUT OPENING: The Actors Gymnasium Circus in Progress 5/18 Only #circus

The Actors Gymnasium Announces Circus in Progress Performers

The Actors Gymnasium announces performance acts for its May 18th show, Circus in Progress: An Evening of Daring New Work. We've long been fans of the fantastic circus work and aerial arts at The Actors Gymnasium.   Their two show only spring showcase looks to be stellar.   Check out some of our highly recommended favs in the circus arts world--Dean Evans (solo clown), Jill Heyser (trapeze), Willem McGowan (diabolo juggling).      Chicago theatre and circus lovers of all ages delight in this popular sneak peek at some of Chicago's most exciting new works of circus art.  This cabaret style performance series focuses on the development of new acts, showcasing many Chicagoland area circus and variety arts professionals as well as advanced students from The Actors Gymnasium's classes.    Further performer announcements will continue throughout May through the company's social media, but the following acts are confirmed: Dean Evans (solo clown), Anna Hartje (contortion), Jill Heyser (trapeze), Willem McGowan (diabolo juggling), Rackim Ramsey (lyra),  The Actors Gymnasium Intermediate Aerial Class (rope & harness w/ silks), The Actors Gymnasium Teen Ensemble (silks w/ straps), Vox 3 (acapella choral song), Andi Wywiorski (lyra), Aerial Dance Chicago (sling), Kevin Brown and Jason Hanggi of Be The Groove (percussion). Tickets can be purchased through event's facebook page or through www.actorsgymnasium.com. There are a limited number of tickets available for each performance and tickets are first come, first served. Check early for the best selection. Tickets are available online only.  Once online sales are closed, 1.5 hours prior to the show start time, the on location box office will be open.  For group reservations and general questions call 847-328-2795.     Two Performances Only!  This one day only event performs on May 18, 2013 with shows at 4:30 & 7:30 pm.    The Actors Gymnasium is located at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street, Evanston, Illinois - just off of the Noyes purple line 'L' stop. For additional information on The Actors Gymnasium's innovative programming, please visit www.actorsgymnasium.com or call (847)328-2795.

Circus in Progress Spring 2013 trailer About The Actors Gymnasium The Actors Gymnasium is dedicated to bringing a new physicality to the American Theatre. Encouraging ground-breaking theatrical exploration, The Actors Gymnasium teaches circus arts, physical theatre and multi-disciplinary performance to children and adults; produces original, daring works of circus-theatre; and serves as a talent resource, providing performance opportunities to our students and innovative professional event entertainment for a wider audience.  At The Actors Gymnasium, people Learn To Fly - physically, emotionally, intellectually and creatively.

The Actors Gymnasium  at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center 927 Noyes Street ~ Evanston, Illinois 60201~ (p) 847-328-2795 ~ (f) 847-328-3495

INCOMING: DAVID SEDARIS 11/2 Presale Discount Code Before Friday Only

Click here for tickets

ACT OUT OPENING: SPEECH & DEBATE AT ATC

AMERICAN THEATER COMPANY CONCLUDES 2012-2013 SEASON 

WITH THE REPRISE OF

SPEECH & DEBATE

Written by Stephen Karam

Directed by Artistic Director PJ Paparelli

Oregon. 2007. In the midst of controversy and scandal three misfit teens form their high school's first debate club. This hilarious and touching comedy walks the fine line between adolescence and adulthood. ATC Artistic Director PJ Paparelli remounts his 2008 critically-acclaimed production, written by columbinus co-author and 2012 Pulitzer Prize finalist Stephen Karam.

American Theater Company concludes 2012-2013 Season with a revised remount of Speech & Debate, written by Stephen Karam, and directed by Artistic Director PJ Paparelli.  Speech & Debate will run May 10 – June 23, 2013, at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St, Chicago, IL.  

Speech & Debate is a quick-witted and timely comedy that tells the story of three misfits who team up to expose their teacher's online secrets while forming their high school's first Speech and Debate club.  With a searing script by columbinus co-writer Stephen Karam, Artistic Director PJ Paparelli remounts this hysterical yet touching tale of three teens' quest for fame and free speech.  Under newly-appointed Artistic Director PJ Paparelli’s direction, Speech & Debate made its Chicago Premiere at ATC in 2008 to critical and popular success, garnering 3 Jeff Award nominations for Best Mid-Size Play, Best Director, and Best Actress for Sadieh Rifai’s portrayal of Diwata. 

This production replaces the previously announced restored & revised Hair, which has been moved to Spring 2014.

"Stephen Karam’s Speech & Debate was my first show in Chicago and the first time I worked with Ensemble member Sadieh Rifai – and there are not two funnier artists to collaborate with then Stephen & Sadieh,” Says Paparelli.  “It is a unique theatrical experiment to produce this play right after our work together on columbinus.  Both of Karam’s plays are searches for identity-- one extreme tragedy, one extreme comedy-- but both speak directly to American adolescent experience."

The production will feature original cast member Sadieh Rifai reprising her original role (Diwata), as well as Patrick Riley (Howie), Janet Ulrich Brooks (teacher/reporter), and Will Allan (Solomon) in their ATC debuts.  

The creative team of Speech & Debate includes William Boles (Set Designer), Sally Dolembo (Costume Designer), Jesse Klug (Lighting Designer), Scotty Iseri & Lindsay Jones (Original Sound Design)

Andrew Wheatley (Sound Designer), Rasean Davonte Johnson (Projection Design).  Deborah Chesterman is Stage Manager. 

Sadieh Rifai (Diwata) is an ensemble member at American Theater Company where she has performed in columbinus, The Catholic Rep: Doubt and Agnes of God, The Amish Project, The Original Grease, Welcome to Arroyo’s, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Distracted, and Speech and Debate for which she won an After Dark Award for Outstanding Performance. 

Other credits include The Piano Teacher (Next Theater), Merchant of Venice (Silk Road Theatre), Ski Dubai (Steppenwolf Theatre First Look) and understanding the role of Johanna Monevata in August: Osage County (Steppenwolf Theatre). Sadieh is a graduate of The School at Steppenwolf.  Film credits include: the award winning The Wise Kids (New Fest, Out Fest and NYC LGBT Film Festival) and the feature film Nate and Margaret. She’s also a recurring character in the mockumentary Bad Sides, which was recently a finalist in the Chicago Comedy TV Pilot Competition. Sadieh was most recently awarded the Princess Grace Theater Award. 

Will Allan (Solomon) is making his American Theater Company debut with Speech & Debate. His recent Chicago credits include The Whale (Victory Gardens); Good People, The March, and A Separate Peace (Steppenwolf); The Seagull and Dartmoor Prison (Goodman); The History Boys (TimeLine Theatre - Jeff Award for Ensemble and Production); The Goat Or, Who Is Sylvia? (Remy Bumppo - Jeff Award for Production); and Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing (First Folio). Will is an Associate Artist with TimeLine Theatre Company, a graduate of North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, and this fall, he will begin working toward his M.F.A. in Acting at the Yale School of Drama. 

William Patrick Riley (Howie) is very excited to be making his Chicago theatre debut at American Theater Company. Regional credits: The Tempest (Hartford Stage); Ah, Wilderness! (Arena Stage); Hoover Comes Alive! (La Jolla Playhouse); Measure for Measure (A Noise Within). Other credits include: The Tempest, Twelfth Night, As You Like It (Shakespeare Santa Cruz); The Seagull, Camino Real, The Misanthrope, As You Like It (UCSD). Recent TV credits include appearances on Chicago Fire, Torchwood, 90210 and the HULU series Pretty/Tough. He is the co-founder and former Artistic Director of Lonesome No More! Theatre in Los Angeles, where he most recently directed a highly acclaimed production of Spring Awakening. Education: MFA, University of California, San Diego. 

Janet Ulrich Brooks (reporter/teacher) was recently seen at Victory Gardens in Failure: A Love Story and Jacob & Jack. She is a TimeLine Company Member and has appeared there in more than 10 productions, most recently A Walk in the Woods and All My Sons. Other credits include South of Settling (Steppenwolf Theatre), Ten Chimneys (Northlight Theatre), The Original Grease (American Theater Co.), Pony (About Face Theatre), The Seagull and A True History of the Johnstown Flood (Goodman Theatre). Other Chicago credits include Golda’s Balcony (Pegasus Players, Non-Equity Jeff Award – Outstanding Solo Performance) and work with Strawdog Theatre, Steppenwolf for Young Adults, Writers' Theatre and Collaboraction. Janet's film credits include Fools, Conviction, Polish Bar, I Heart Shakey, and One Small Hitch, and her television credits include Boss, Underemployed, The Chicago Code and The Playboy Club.

Synopsis:

Speech & Debate is a quick-witted and timely comedy that tells the story of three misfits who team up to expose their teacher's online secrets while forming their high school's first Speech and Debate club.  With a searing script by columbinus co-writer Stephen Karam, Artistic Director PJ Paparelli remounts this hysterical yet touching tale of three teens' quest for fame and free speech.  Under newly-appointed Artistic Director PJ Paparelli’s direction, Speech & Debate made its Chicago Premiere at ATC in 2008 to critical and popular success, garnering 3 Jeff Award nominations for Best Mid-Size Play, Best Director, and Best Actress for Sadieh Rifai’s portrayal of Diwata. 

Title: Speech & Debate

Written by: Stephen Karam

Directed by: Artistic Director PJ Paparelli

Featuring: Sadieh Rifai, Will Allan, Patrick Riley, and Janet Ulrich Brooks  

Dates: May 10 – June 23, 2013 

Press Performance: Monday, May 13, 2013 at 7pm

Schedule:      Thursdays & Fridays: 8:00pm  

Saturdays: 2:00pm & 8:00pm

Sundays: 2:00pm

Location: American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St., Chicago

Tickets: Previews: $33 

Regular run: Thurs, Sat matinees, Sun matinees $38

Fri & Sat evenings $43

Opening night including post-show reception $50

Box Office: The Box Office is located at 1909 W Byron St., Chicago; 

773.409.4125; www.atcweb.org

AMERICAN THEATER COMPANY

American Theater Company is an ensemble of artists committed to producing new and classic American stories that ask the question, “What does it mean to be an American?”  

American Theater Company is supported by a CityArts Program 2 Grant and a Cultural Outreach Program Grant from the City of Chicago Office of Tourism & Culture, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, Illinois Arts Council, Pauls Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, and the generous support of Prince Charitable Trusts and Barbara Kipper.

GENESIS THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS TO TAKE UP RESIDENCY AT THE NATIONAL PASTIME THEATER IN THE PRESTON BRADLEY CENTER

GENESIS THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS TO TAKE UP RESIDENCY AT THE NATIONAL PASTIME THEATER IN THE PRESTON BRADLEY CENTER

           Genesis Theatrical Productions, whose mission is to find, develop and produce works that are new to Chicago, has announced that it will take up residency in the National Pastime Theater space in the Preston Bradley Center, 941 W. Lawrence, Chicago.

            Genesis produced their production, of TUNNEL RAT, a the National Pastime space in 2012  and is planning both a staged reading series and a main stage production to go into the space beginning in late summer of 2013.

            Genesis will become part of the efforts of  National Pastime Theater and Alderman James Cappelman to create an arts center at the Preston Bradley Center and assist in the further development of the Uptown community in order to bring the arts to a highly diverse neighborhood.

            For more information about Genesis Theatrical Productions, go to www.genesistheatricals.com or email info@genesistheatricals.com.

ACT OUT OPENING: CHICAGO DRAMATISTS PRESENTS “HOMECOMING 1972” 5/16

CHICAGO DRAMATISTS PRESENTS “HOMECOMING 1972”

BY RESIDENT PLAYWRIGHT ROBERT KOON

Four-Time Jeff Award Nominee and Associate Artist Kimberly Senior
Directs a World Premiere about a Young Veteran Coming Home

Chicago Dramatists proudly closes its 34th season with Robert Koon’s “Homecoming 1972,” directed by Associate Artist Kimberly Senior, May 16 – June 23, 2013.

In “Homecoming 1972,” Frank limps out of the war in Vietnam and back into the world. In his small Midwestern hometown, he finds that his once-mundane world of football, cars and Sunday dinners has turned suddenly strange and threatening. Caught between the realities of war and the retrospective absurdities of his old life, he stares down the iconic celebration of returning local heroes at the high school homecoming game.

The source material for “Homecoming 1972” hits close to home for playwright Robert Koon whose family has a history of military service dating back to the Revolutionary War. “Like many Americans, I have strong military connections within my family and despite this play’s Vietnam-era setting I think modern audiences will have plenty to connect with,” he said. “We are no strangers to the uncertain realities of wartime and I hope ‘Homecoming 1972’ will call attention to veteran’s issues like mental health and unemployment.”

“As a longtime admirer of Chicago Dramatists’ fervent commitment to incubating important new works, I could not be more thrilled to be returning to bring Robert’s remarkable play to life with this outstanding group of collaborators,” says director Kimberly Senior. “Plays like ‘Homecoming 1972’ are vital to the theatrical landscape as they shed new light on important societal issues.”

“Homecoming 1972” marks Resident Playwright Robert Koon’s second production with Chicago Dramatists, which produced his play “St. Colm’s Inch” in 2005. About that production, The Chicago Tribune’s Chris Jones raved, “Few playwrights write the family fight as well as Robert Koon.” In 2005, Chicago Dramatists published another of Koon’s works, “Vintage Red and The Dust of The Road” in the anthology “New Plays from Chicago.”

“Homecoming 1972” will be directed by four-time Jeff Award nominee and Chicago Dramatists Associate Artist Kimberly Senior, whose innumerable Chicago-area and regional directing credits include the world premiere of Aline Lathrop’s “Feast” for Chicago Dramatists in 2007, “Want” and “The North Plan” for Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and “After the Revolution” and “The Overwhelming” for Next Theatre. In October 2012, Senior made her Lincoln Center Theater debut with a well-received production Ayad Akhtar’s “Disgraced” after directing its world premiere at Chicago’s American Theatre Company in January 2012. The New York Times’ Charles Isherwood praised the “sleek production directed by Kimberly Senior,” which starred The Daily Show’s Aasif Mandvi, as “a continuously engaging, vitally engaged play.”

About the Production

“Homecoming 1972” is written by Robert Koons and directed by Kimberly Senior featuring Matt Holzfeind as Frank, Greta Honold as Maria, Brett Schneider as Joe, Julian Hester as The Kid, and Molly Glynn as Darla.

“Homecoming 1972” will begin previews May 16. Press openings will be Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25 at 8 p.m. Performances are Thursdays – Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. through June 23. Tickets are $32 and student tickets are $15 for all Thursday performances. To purchase tickets or for more information visit www.chicagodramatists.org or call 312-633-0630. Both opening night performances are sponsored by Branch 27.

About the Playwright

Robert Koon is a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists, where he also serves as the company dramaturg. Chicago Dramatists produced his play “St. Colm's Inch” and published his play “Vintage Red and The Dust of The Road” (Joseph Jefferson Award Citation for New Work, American Theatre Critics Steinberg Award nominee) in their anthology New Plays from Chicago. Robert's other work includes “Odin's Horse” (Joseph Jefferson Award nominee, 2004 national award for ecodrama), “The Point of Honor,” “Changing Attire,” “Solstice,” and “Looking West from Fira.” His most recent play, “Menorca,” was produced at 16th Street Theatre in the fall of 2010.

Robert's work has been featured at the Ashland New Plays Festival, Playwrights Week at the Lark Theatre (New York), the Dayton Playhouse FutureFest, Stage Left Theatre's (Chicago) LeapFest, Mirror Stage's (Seattle) Feed Your Mind Series, Earth Matters On Stage, the Pittsburgh Ecodrama Festival, and Estrogen Fest in Chicago. He has been awarded creative residencies at the Ragdale Foundation in Lake Forest, Illinois, and the William Inge Center for the Arts in Independence, Kansas. He teaches regularly in the Playwrights Studio at Chicago Dramatists, and has also taught at The Theatre School at DePaul University, Aurora University, Independence (Kansas) Community College, Northlight Theatre's Open Door Ensemble, The Off-Campus Writers Workshop, Theatre of Western Springs, Timber Lake Playhouse, and the Ashland (Oregon) New Plays Festival. Dramaturgical credits include Stageworks Theatre in Tampa, Florida and Indiana Theatre Works. He is a member of The Dramatists Guild of America.

About the Director

Kimberly Senior is an Artistic Associate at Next Theatre, Strawdog Theatre, and Chicago Dramatists. As a director, Kimberly’s Chicago credits have earned her four Joseph Jefferson nominations and include “Want” and “The North Plan” at Steppenwolf, “Madagascar,” “The Overwhelming” and “The Busy World is Hushed” at Next, “Waiting for Lefty” at American Blues, “Old Times,” “The Conquest of the South Pole,” “Uncle Vanya,” “Cherry Orchard,” “Three Sisters,” “Fuddy Meers” and “Knives in Hens” at Strawdog, “Bad Dates” and “Mouse Cop” at Fox Valley Repertory, “Bug” and “The Pillowman” at Redtwist, “Thieves Like Us” at The House, “All My Sons” and “Dolly West's Kitchen” at TimeLine, among others. Upcoming Chicago productions include “The Whipping Man,” currently playing at Northlight Theatre through February 24, 2013.

As an educator, Kimberly spent 10 years as both an administrator and Resident Artist with Steppenwolf for Young Adults. In addition, Kimberly either ran programs or taught for Court Theater, Northlight Theater, Redmoon Theater, Roadworks Productions, Victory Gardens, Metropolis, Act One Studios, and Acting Studio Chicago. At Columbia College she teaches Chekhov, Dramaturgy and Text Analysis. She is the recipient of Columbia College's 2010 Excellence in Teaching Award. Kimberly has served as Program Director and as a dramaturg for Steppenwolf's First Look Repertory of New Work.

About Chicago Dramatists

Since 1979, Chicago Dramatists has been dedicated to a single mission—the development and advancement of playwrights and new plays that contribute to the American theatre repertory and enrich the lives of audiences across the country. Simply put, Chicago Dramatists is a safe and creative place where playwrights, theatre artists, audiences, producers, and donors can join forces to build the theatre of the future.

Through workshops, readings, classes, and special programs, we provide opportunities for beginning and established dramatists to develop their work, expand their professional affiliations, showcase their plays to the theatre marketplace, and collaborate with actors, directors, and audiences during the creative process. And by the same token, we offer theatres and audiences a convenient central resource to discover the plays and playwrights that will shape the theatre of the twenty-first century.

ACT OUT OPENING: BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER PRESENTS “IN MEMORY OF HOWLIN WOLF”

BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER PRESENTS

“IN MEMORY OF HOWLIN WOLF”

(AIN’T NO CRYING THE BLUES)

AT THE BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER CULTURAL CENTER

June 1 – August 11, 2013

Black Ensemble Theater announces In Memory of Howlin Wolf (Ain’t No Crying the Blues), written by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor, directed by Associate Director Rueben Echoles, and starring Rick Stone one of the stars of the classic movie Cooley High . In Memory of Howlin Wolf will be presented at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, June 1 – August 11, 2013. The official press opening is scheduled for Sunday, June 9, 2013 at 3:00PM.

When Rick Stone (Cooley High) first performed as Howlin Wolf, Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, "It's Rick Stone who consistently knocks your socks off in his terrifically sustained performance. And as he moves through Wolf's hits—Red Rooster, Goin' Down Slow, I Ain't Superstitious, Baby Please Don't Go and more—it's the audience that begins howlin' loudest." Now Rick Stone returns to do it again in this new story reflecting the life and times of one of the greatest blues singers the world has ever known - Howlin Wolf.

Title:                             In Memory of Howlin Wolf (Ain’t No Crying the Blues)

Written by:                    Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor

Directed by:                  Associate Director Rueben Echoles

Featuring:                     Rick Stone

Dates:                          June 1 – August 11, 2013

                                    Press Performance: Sunday, June 9, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.

Schedule:                     Wed & Thurs:               7:30 p.m.

                                    Friday:                         8:00 p.m.

                                    Saturday:                     3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Sunday:                       3:00 p.m.

Location:                      Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street.

                                    Valet parking is             available.

Ticket prices:                $55 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday matinees; and $65 on Fridays, Saturday evenings, and Sunday matinees. A 10% discount is available for students, seniors, veterans and groups.

Box Office:                   Buy online at www.ticketmaster.com or call (773) 769-4451

The Black Ensemble Theater

Founded in 1976, by the phenomenal producer, playwright and actress Jackie Taylor, Black Ensemble Theater is the only African American theater located in the culturally, racially and ethnically diverse north side Uptown community. Through its Five Play Season of Excellence, The Black Ensemble Theater dazzles audiences locally, nationally and internationally with outstanding original musicals that are entertaining, educational and uplifting. The Black Ensemble Theater has produced more than 100 productions and employed over 5,000 artists.

On November 18, 2011, The Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center opened and is able to accommodate larger-scale productions, bigger audiences and a wider range of educational programming. The new facility includes amenities such as a 299-seat main stage theater (double the capacity of the original venue); 14 offices, classroom space; rehearsal hall, dance studio, scene shop, costume shop, and wardrobe rooms; seven dressing rooms; rehearsal room for musicians; front lobby space with concession areas; and an indoor parking garage.  In addition, a 150-seat studio theater, which will serve as an experimental stage for the work of the Black Playwright Initiative (BPI), is in development as part of a long range strategic plan for the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center.

The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater Company is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects upon society through the theater arts.  For more information on the Black Ensemble Theater Company, please visit www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org or call 773-769-4451.

ACT OUT OPENING: Chicago Premiere Reverb at Redtwist

Here at ChiIL Live Shows we're looking forward to Reverb and can't wait to check it out.   They had me at darkly comic...   Redtwist is one of our local favs and they consistently impress with high caliber  offerings in their intimate black box space.

REVERB

By Leslye Headland  

Directed by Jonathan Berry

Opens at Redtwist Theatre Saturday, May 18, at 3pm

Redtwist announces the Chicago premiere of Reverb, a darkly comic, brutal dissection of the deadly force of wrath in the playwright's cycle of the Seven Deadly Sins  

Featuring Redtwist company member and two-time, Jeff Award-winner, Peter Oyloe

PLAY

Jeff-Award winning director, Jonathan Berry, directs the Chicago premiere of Reverb, the story of a rising young musician and his girlfriend/muse as they try to clear the decks of their own dysfunctional pasts, while the reverberations keep these soulmates locked in a vicious maze of loving tenderness and mortal combat. 

  

CAST

Brittany Burch (Lydia), Chris Chmelik (Shane), Ashley Neal (Ivy), Peter Oyloe (Dorian), Nick Vidal (Hank), Mary Williamson (June)

STAFF

Jonathan Berry (Director), Will Crouse (Assistant Director), Allison Queen (Stage Manager), Olivia Baker (Assistant Stage Manager), Elizabeth Penrose (Assistant Stage Manager), Sarah Burnham (Production Manager), Frank Sjodin (Tech Director), Joe Schermoly (Set Designer), Brandon Wardell (Lighting Designer), Christopher Kriz (Sound Designer), Peter Oyloe and Christopher Kriz (Original Music) Emily McConnell (Costume Designer), Jeff Shields (Prop Designer), Ryan Bourque (Fight Designer), Mary Reynard (Vocal Coach), Kevin McDonald (Dramaturg), Garvin Jellison (Master Electrician), Alan Weusthoff (Set Assistant), Peter Oyloe (Graphic Designer), Jan Ellen Graves (Marketing), Charles Bonilla (Box Office Manager), E. Malcolm Martinez (Box Office Associate), Johnny Garcia (Associate Producer), Michael Colucci & Jan Ellen Graves (Producers)

SCHEDULE

Opens: Sat, May 18, 3pm

Runs: Thu, Fri, Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 3pm

Note: no evening performance on Sat, May 18 and no performance on Sun, May 19 

Closes: Sun, June 23

Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes, no intermission

Previews: $15; Wed, Thu, Fri, May 15, 16, 17, at 7:30pm

Tickets: Thursdays, $25; Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, $30 (seniors & students $5 off) 

Group Rates: Special discounts for groups of 10 or more, and groups of 25 or more

 
DETAILS

Call: 773-728-7529

Website/Tickets: www.redtwist.org

ChiIL Picks for Mother's Day: BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER PRESENTS SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY CONCERT

BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER PRESENTS

SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY CONCERT

TO MOTHER – WITH LOVE (A CONCERT JUST FOR HER)

FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY THE STARS OF BLACK ENSEMBLE

Sunday, May 12 at 3 p.m.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor announces a special Mother’s Day concert, To Mother – With Love (A Concert Just For Her), featuring the stars of Black Ensemble. The one-day-only concert will be held on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12 at 3 p.m. at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago.

To Mother – With Love will feature the Black Ensemble's star performers singing love songs dedicated to “Mom.”  Featured performers include Rashawn Thompson, Melanie McCullough, Dawn Bless, Meghan Murphy, Lyle Miller, and more.

Tickets, priced at $50, are available by calling (773) 769-4451 or online at www.blackensembletheater.org.

The Black Ensemble Theater

Founded in 1976, by the phenomenal producer, playwright and actress Jackie Taylor, Black Ensemble Theater is the only African American theater located in the culturally, racially and ethnically diverse north side Uptown community. Through its Five Play Season of Excellence, The Black Ensemble Theater dazzles audiences locally, nationally and internationally with outstanding original musicals that are entertaining, educational and uplifting. The Black Ensemble Theater has produced more than 100 productions and employed over 5,000 artists.

On November 18, 2011, The Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center opened and is able to accommodate larger-scale productions, bigger audiences and a wider range of educational programming. The new facility includes amenities such as a 299-seat main stage theater (double the capacity of the original venue); 14 offices, classroom space; rehearsal hall, dance studio, scene shop, costume shop, and wardrobe rooms; seven dressing rooms; rehearsal room for musicians; front lobby space with concession areas; and an indoor parking garage.  The completion of a 150-seat theater, which will serve as an experimental stage for the work of the Black Playwright Initiative (BPI), is expected in 2013.

The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater Company is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects upon society through the theater arts.  For more information on the Black Ensemble Theater Company, please visit www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org or call 773-769-4451.

The Elephant & The Whale Ticket Giveaway & Original Video Interview With Three of The Creative Masterminds Behind The World Premier #originalvideointerview #giveaway #review #ad

ChiIL Out with ChiIL Mama.   Pop a bowl of popcorn and get ready to see something amazing.  We're so excited to bring you our original video interview with the Co-Directors of The Elephant and The Whale, Frank Maugeri (Redmoon) & Leslie Buxbaum Danzig (500 Clown) and with actor, David Catlin (Lookingglass).   All 3 are parents and theatre professionals and they graciously took time out of their busy lives for an interview with us about the show.  They also shared their insights on "How Creatives Parent and How Parents Create" for ChiIL Mama's long running series on the theme.



We generally try to keep our original videos around 15 minutes, but these three had some seriously sweet gems of info on parenting and great stuff about The Elephant and The Whale, so we're going to go ahead and run it as a longer feature.   I'll also break the material down into shorter 15 minute individual interviews at a later date, to add to our Creative Parenting series.




Win 4 Free Tickets:

ChiIL out with free tickets to Chicago Children's Theatre & Redmoon's stellar collaboration!   Our last giveaway was so successful, we're going to do it again!  Enter now through midnight on 5/13.   This giveaway is short, sweet & hard to beat.    We highly highly recommend you catch this show before it closes May 26th.

Click The Rafflecopter Link Below For Your Chance to Win 4 Tickets To The Elephant & The Whale AND a free pizza party Thurs, 5/16, 6:30 pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ChiIL Live Shows caught the opening weekend of The Elephant & The Whale at Chicago Children's Theatre and we were enormously impressed by this mammoth undertaking.   We've long been fans of Redmoon's mission statement "engineering wonder" and of the fabulous physical comedy and energy of 500 Clown.   These world collided in a BIG way for this show and adults and hard to please tweens and teens will dig this one, too!   Yes, Chicago Children's Theatre is not only for the littles, my friends.   A lot of blood, sweat & prep went into this production, but the end result is pure magic.

Credit for all Production Photos Charles Osgood

Click here for ChiIL Mama's past coverage of The Elephant and The Whale including ticket links, show times and plot points as well as more show footage & stills.

Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often for loads of original content, fabulous happenings and great giveaways.   

**Final footage footnote:  It took me longer than I'd hoped to don my editor's hat and finish the interview above.  There were so many insightful comments in the interviews that I tried to chop it to about 20 minutes for days, and finally surrendered, and decided that this needs to be published as a longer piece... at least once.
   
We also got caught up in crazy busy parenting land over here, with two kids in and out of their own performances with CircEsteem, 2 Roller Derby halftime shows, a school variety show and 2 gymnastics team showcases.   And I had a 4 day International film fest to cover, and a German filmmaker to interview.

Thanks for your patience.   It's worth the wait!   






SPECTACLE IN MINIATURE TELLS THE TALE OF A GIANT FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE LARGEST ANIMALS ON OUR PLANET, APR. 10-MAY 26 AT THE RUTH PAGE CENTER  


This all-new family fable features sea voyages, wild mechanical objects, circus songs, panoramic paintings, exquisite shadow puppets and an innovative sound design. Performances through May 26, 2013 at Chicago Children's Theatre's new home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn, Chicago.

The Elephant and The Whale is recommended for all ages.

Schedule through May 26:  Tuesday at 10 a.m.; Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.; Thursday at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Friday at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Saturday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2p.m. 

Run time is approximately 60 minutes with no intermission.

FREE PIZZA PARTIES ON THURSDAYS & ART PARTIES FRIDAY

As if you need any more reasons to see this show...

Note:  Family-friendly 6:30 p.m. Thursday shows are preceded with a free pizza party starting at 5:45 pm.  Thursday evenings are $25 for dinner and show. On Friday evenings, families are encouraged to kick off their weekend at the 6:30 p.m. show, and stay after for a fun post-show craft party.  Friday evenings are $25 for show and party.

Regular single tickets are $26 for children, $36 for adults. To purchase, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555. For discounted school, scout, playgroup, extended family and other group rates, visit GroupTix.net or call (773) 327-3778. 

Disclaimer:  Thanks to the fabulous folk at Chicago Children's Theatre for giving us family 4 packs of tickets to share with our readers.   All opinions are our own.

Stages Sights & Sounds 2013 Kick Off Party Photo Filled Feature #originalphotos

Paige in Full and Kick Off Party for The Chicago Humanities Fest's Stages, Sights & Sounds 2013 at the MCA.   



It was a true pleasure to mix and mingle... 

We were even given a thought provoking "homework" assignment to go on our name tags.   It proved to be a good ice breaker and conversation starter.   We were asked to provide the first theatre-music-art-or event that "sparked" or inspired your love of the arts.   (even if the love of my life did write Evel Knievel)...

We met the masterminds behind the fest... 

And we got to catch a sneak peek at the excellent Paige in Full show... 

We were even sent home with sweet goody bags full of tasty treats from another of our Chi-town favs, Vosge's Chocolate! 
  

Click here for full listings and more of our past coverage on the fest.   Shows run for the next two weeks.