Check out ChiIL Live Shows original interview with Brian Selznick & Mark
Messing on opening day of The Houdini Box, theatrical adaptation, at
Chicago Children's Theatre. I caught up with Brian and Mark hours
before the first performance of this world premier. Hugo, the movie,
adapted from Selznick's book and illustrations, was a huge hit in 2011
and has been nominated for 11 Oscars-the most of any film this year!
Hear how Brian first found out about the nominations, see him dabble
in set painting, hear about his stage adaptation of Houdini Box, and get
to know the man behind Scorsese's latest masterpiece. Hugo is one of
our family's favorite films of all times. The Houdini Box play was also
adapted from one of Selznick's original children's book. Mark Messing
wrote the score.
If you haven't caught this one yet, we highly recommend it! The Mercury Theater run ends March 4th. Then the show moves to Skokie. Catch Houdini Box before it magically disappears!
BONEdanse--This is
a Damage Manual was so excellent I came back for the closing
performance in Theater Wit's space and brought Sagezilla, too.
There were quite a
few kids in the Sunday afternoon audience and she thoroughly enjoyed the
show (and the bone candy & skull shaped lollipops at the
afterparty).
I
figured she'd dig the show, since at age 8, she's all about 80's punk, grrrl
power, and being mighty, and Atalee Judy and her troupe are some of the
mightiest.
We also did a little shop therapy and increased our BONEware wardrobes by another tee and a fleece.
Their
run at The Wit is over, but they do have some exciting shows coming up
at Viaduct Theatre and in conjunction with the Chicago Park District.
Gala Fundraiser at Actor's Gymnasium-opening night of Lost & Found 2012
Lost & Found: A Recycled Circus
Back by popular demand!
February 11 – March 11, 2012
"This production will charm, warm and wow you…sly and nuanced clowning…wordless, impressive poetry" - Chicago Theatre Blog.
"Director
Lawrence DiStasi showcases a wry sense of humor and some superb
acrobatics in this quirky Actors Gymnasium show" "Recommended" -
Chicago Reader.
We had the great pleasure of checking out opening night of Lost & Found at The Actors Gymnasium last Saturday. The caliber of their circus arts is truly top notch. This
colorful extravaganza combines all of our favorite elements--aerial
acts, steampunkery, a funky, rag tag band of urchins playing instruments
and making mischief, a love triangle, technology as art, low tech fun, recycled
and upcycled outfits, drums and toys. We'll be returning to catch the
show again with the kids as soon as possible. Lost and Found is highly
recommended, family friendly fun for all ages. We were quite impressed
with the cast, and the cast off set dressings. We're also enamored
with Co-Artistic Director, Lawrence E. DiStasi's statement about the
show. He says:
I
didn't used to like old things. They kind of depressed me. But now,
when someone takes an old chair or something, a thing that has managed,
against all odds, to survive the world for many years, and they give it a
little careful attention-I think it's incredibly moving. And these
things have so much personality. It's almost like they're alive. Like
people. They have souls in a way. Unfortunately most of the stuff we
all bring into our lives is disposable. And things that are made to be
thrown away, are sad company. It's so hard to stay away from them, but
who needs that kind of sadness? Anyway, I think there is treasure in
our garbage-in what we throw away, and overlook. And those people we
throw away and overlook too. There is magic in our trash. And probably
our future there too.
ChiIL
Mama has potential video interviews in the works with the Artistic
Directory and also actor/Chicago Dad, David Catlin, who plays alongside
both of his daughters in the show. Saylor, who is 9 and in 4th grade,
went to preschool with ChiIL Mama's Sage. Saylor's younger sister,
Emerson, is a 6 year old first grader and Lost & Found 2012 is her
first circus show! So check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi,
IL...early and often. We have lots of exciting things in store.
We
also sat next to an accomplished aerialist, whom we photographed and
chatted with in the past, when she played Alice in Lookingglass' last
remount of their namesake story. We also saw familiar faces from
CircEsteem, including Will, a talented high school senior, who plays the
lead juggler in Lost & Found. We highly recommend checking it
out.
Lost & Found gets ChiIL
Mama's GRRREAT GREEN SEAL OF APPROVAL: 99% Recycled! - Costumes, props
and set pieces used in this show are re-purposed, recycled,
found-object art.
Last
year's runaway hit, Lost and Found: A Recycled Circus returns to The
Actors Gymnasium! A collaborative original work by Co-Artistic Directors
Larry DiStasi and Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi, together with an amazing
team of designers and performers, this circus production explores the
world of second-hand treasure. Cast-off junk and cast-off characters are
saved in this show and given thrilling, new life. Lost and Found: A
Recycled Circus features aerial acrobatics, live music, and magical,
found-object invention.
Here's a full set of ChiIL Live Shows' pit photos fromLed Zeppelin 2 at House of Blues Chicago 1-14-12. Double click the slideshow for SmugMug and more settings, including easy share options.We'll be putting up a "best of" much smaller set from this show as well, but these guys were so much fun to shoot and we got so many sweet shots, we didn't want to decimate it down to just a few pictures. Enjoy!
Check out all of ChiIL Mama's live show shots above. Monster Jam's sooo much fun to shoot. Double click on the slide show to get to SmugMug's easy sharing and more options.
Monster Jam is a car crushin', dirt throwin', tire spinnin', truck jumpin' fun for all.We
had a blast at opening night Friday! If you haven't gone yet,
today's the last day for Chicago, unless you want to wait till next
year. Final Chi-Town shows are Sunday at 2pm & 7:30pm at Allstate
Arena.
Helpful hint: Bring ear protection. Eh, what was that? I said, you'll be regretting not throwing in earplugs for everyone. What?! I can't hear you over the deafening roar of those powerful truck engines.
I SAID....BRING EARPLUGS! YOU CAN BUY SOME FUN TIRE SHAPED ONES ON
SITE FOR $20, BUT IF YOU'D RATHER SPEND THE CASH ON A COOL SHIRT YOU CAN
WEAR MORE OFTEN OR A CREEPY SNO CONE CUP, THEN BRING YOUR OWN EARPLUGS.
In the opening scene of This is a Damage Manual, the ensemble is in suspended animation, frozen in space and time, as the audience filters in. Take a good look, as this is one of the last moments of calm before a storm of political, passionate, intense dance. We adored this surreal look at damaged souls, making the best of an insane world. Damage Manual had the whole audience laughing and cringing in turn. The music was fantastic and the message right on target. This show is a must see for self help addicts, skeptics, and nonconformists. Is the message hitting a little too close to home? You can even duck out for a hypnotically suggested tranquilizer, in the form of a well stocked lobby bar, over intermission.
I was blown away by the excellent, multimedia presentation, and the way BONEdanse organically melds into the space. They made great use of the varying textures in The Wit walls, projecting giant images on the black cinder block back wall and throwing visually stunning shadow play across the brick and metal end walls. The voice overs of Earl Nightingale, self help guru, were even more disturbingly wonderful with the vintage scratch of a record running throughout. Atalee Judy and the ensemble take us on a vital journey through the eyes of a driven, unbalanced ballerina, an over medicated 50's houswife, a nazi, and more. The audience is propelled on a journey through dream treatment, tranquilizers, and other attempts to numb people into acquiescence in an unbalanced world.
Conceptually, this is an adult piece, or recommended for mature tweens and teens. Although there isn't anything objectionable or over the top, if you're considering bringing underagers.
Here are our post show shots. Be sure to stick around for snacks and a bit of shopping therapy after the show! The multifaceted women of BONEdanse not only choreograph, write, and kick butt on stage, but they design amazing, affordable eco-friendly clothes too!! Instead of a fundraiser, BONEdanse is selling Bone Ware. Damage Manual was drop dead delicious, but it's well worth the ticket price to get to the goodies. T's are only $5-$15. Fleeces are $15. One of a kind Upcycled T-Shirt dresses are $30-$40.
Check out photographer, Chrystyne, modeling one in our shots above. I snagged the awesome black & orange one with excellent text on the back "I will not be a victim...I will not be a perpetrator....above all I will not be a bystander & PEACE...it's what matters.
BONEdanse is
one of our favorite Chi-town dance troupes. Check out their creative
and ferocious theatre. These women are all about being smart AND
mighty, and they create some mighty fine, thought provoking pieces of
modern dance. We've been loving their weekly Danse Skitz. Check 'em all out on YouTube where Danse Skitz #1-10 are all archived. They were all shot around Chicago last June through August.
Don't miss the opportunity to see them live. This is a Damage Manual has just 6 performances left!
this is a DAMAGE MANUAL february 2-12, 2012 th/fri/sat 8pm, sun 3pm theater wit 1229 belmont tickets $15-$24
BONEdanse PRESENTS This
is a DAMAGE MANUAL THIS WINTER. WHERE THE SUB-TRASH PROPAGANDA OF THE
80S CLASHES WITH THE FEAR OF EVERYTHING 50S WHERE THERAPY PROMISES TO
HELP, BUT MORE OFTEN DESTROYS... WHAT’S YOUR DAMAGE?
BONEdanse’s (simplified from its former Breakbone DanceCo), evening length version of This is a Damage Manual premieres
this February; a satirical, witty, and humoured performance that offers
as many absurd questions about the idiosyncrasies of human behavior as
it answers.
With its title
sourced directly from the industrial post-punk music entity The Damage
Manual featuring 80s punk era icons Martin Atkins (Public Image Ltd
[Pil], Killing Joke), Chris Connelly (Murder, Inc), Geordie Walker
(Killing Joke) and Jah Wobble (PiL), BONEdanse’s Damage Manual, also
draws largely from the world of vintage instruction manuals and
self-help vinyl records to explore how universally damaged we all are
and how many of us stay that way.
Once again, here's the basics:
WHAT:
Damage Manual, a darkly comedic dance theater work examining vintage
self-help books and recordings through dynamic physicality.
WHO: BONEdanse. A solo created by guest choreographer Jyl
Fehrenkamp Choreography by Atalee Judy with performances by Janna Barta,
Anita Fillmore, Atalee Judy & Mindy Meyers. Lighting Design: Jacob
Snodgrass Costumes, Video, and Soundscore: A. Judy
WHEN: Thursdays-Sundays, February 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12;
Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 3: 00
pm
WHERE: Theater Wit is located at 1229 W Belmont, Chicago, 60657 in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.
HOW: Ticket prices are Th/Fr $15, Sat $24, and Sunday matinee
$20. ALL tickets are available at walk-up or call-in box office:
773.975.8150 (no service fee online or by phone) www.theaterwit.org
Follow BONEdanse on Facebook and join their email list for exclusive
discount ticket offers at www.bonedanse.com
This is a Damage Manual & Punk Rock are both playing at Theater Wit!
Kid
alert-Punk Rock Contains Adult themes NOT suitable for kids. Damage
Manual is appropriate for all ages, but recommended for an adult night
out or possibly savvy tweens & teens--conceptually.
Political, passionate, accessible dance. This is a Damage Manual is a
must see! Stick around for the Bone Ware--awesome, affordable up
cycled clothes. We'll be seeing
and reviewing Punk Rock tomorrow.
Visiting Company Griffin Theatre
Punk Rock
By Simon Stephens
Directed by Jonathan Berry
Now playing through March 04, 2012
The American Premiere of Simon Stephens' powerful and critically
acclaimed drama about a group of high school age students preparing for
their final exams and nearing the end of their school lives. When the
whole world opens up before you, there’s a danger it’ll swallow you up,
there’s danger all around in this shattering new play that explores the
volatility of adolescent life.
*Strong Adult Content
There is no late seating available for this production.
****NOTE: If you loved This is a Damage Manual.....In a similar vein, check out Under The Gaslight, coming soon at Aloft.
The Aloft Student Ensemble Performance group presents a full length
contemporary circus show exploring the line between sane and "crazy".
Aloft's signature style of using traditional circus apparatus in new and
surprising ways, and spinning clear narrative through movement and risk
come alive again through this group of 10 up-coming acrobats, studying
at the Aloft Loft, the Midwest's premiere contemporary circus school.
Trained by some of the top instructors in the country, and directed by
Aloft's Artistic Director, Shayna Swanson, the performers have created a
show based in consensus building which questions weather mental illness
is just one tragedy away from everyone.
All proceeds from this
show will go into a new scholarship fund to assist current Aloft Loft
students who lose their incomes due to the economy in continuing their
acrobatic training. Some money will also be directed into mirco-grants
to help professional artists-in-residence at the Aloft Loft develop new
work.
