Opening day of The Giver, Adventure Stage's latest offering, was fantastic. Newberry Award winning author, Lois Lowry, flew in for the first show and graciously signed books for a lengthy line of fans at the cupcake social after the show. We have fond memories of Gossamer, another Adventure Stage/ Lois Lowry adaptation they produced in Nov./Dec. 2009.
We'd been reading The Giver out loud as a family and it was truly magical to see the book transformed to stage in such an adept way. The baby, Gabriel, was effectively portrayed by a puppet, and the monochromatic, grey, distopia provided the perfect back drop for this cautionary tale. Highly recommended. Recommended for ages 9+. Nobody under 5 will be admitted. Playing through April 26th. Check out a full summary, show dates and details below.
Every performance includes a post-show audience talkback with the
cast. * Please note: Out of respect for our actors and audience members, children under
age 5 are not permitted in the theatre during a performance.
*ENTER HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE AT 4 FREE TICKETS FROM CHIIL MAMA/ CHIIL LIVE SHOWS THROUGH MIDNIGHT TOMORROW 4/3/12. WE'LL ANNOUNCE OUR WINNER ON 4/4.
The Giver at Adventure Stage-winners' choice of any Saturday night performancepending availability (That's April 7, 14 & 21 at 7:30pm.
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It's Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's 25th Anniversary Season and they're continuing their impressive world class offerings. We've been raving about A Midsummer Night's Dream and Taming of the Shrew, Short Shakespeare since opening night of both shows late last month. ChiIL Live Shows highly recommends
both. If you haven't gotten out to see these productions yet, don't
delay. Shrew and Midsummer close April 7th & 8th respectively. Both are family friendly, impressive and accessible. Congrats again to ChiIL Mama's family 4 pack Taming of the Shrew ticket winner, Kathy E. She'll be checking out the show this weekend.
You could travel the globe and be hard pressed to find a rival for the award winning Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. In fact, on opening day of Taming of The Shrew, Chi Shakes was playing host to delegates from Shakespeare Fests around the world.
Short Shakespeare in particular, is designed with families in mind. They keep the original language and intent in tact, but condense Taming of the Shrew into an action packed romp with a few modern nods, like sunglasses and funky boxer shorts beneath ornate, traditional costumes and contemporary music at transition points. These additions bridge the historical gap and help the audience more easily grasp the modern relevance of Shakespeare's timeless themes and endearing characters. We also liked the female director, Rachel Rockwell's take on the "taming", which is sometimes played up as a misogynistic nightmare. Her take was that Kate was a victim of labeling and self fulfilling prophecy and instead of having her will broken by her new husband, she became more completely herself by someone who could appreciate her spunk and intensity.
Kate, played by Ericka Ratcliff, and Bianca, played by Tiffany
Yvonne Cox, were a true pleasure to see. On opening day, we ran into another friend and member of the press, who plays "count the black people" with her kids when they go to theatre and movies. She was elated to see the sisters were played by women of color. Of course, in an ideal world, skin color would be as irrelevant in casting as eye color, and Chicago is moving in that direction. Still, I'm amused by her game and agree it's a valid point she makes with her children, as they strive to find role models in entertainment that represent and resemble them. Kudos to Chicago Shakespeare for casting an interracial leading couple, and letting talent and temperament trump genetics. The entire cast was impeccable, amusing and adept.
We're big fans of prepping the kids when they're going to see a challenging play. We try to read the books first, when it's literature based theatre and the kids still love playing the same/different game when we've read a book version or seen a movie version first. There are numerous adaptations of Shakespeare's works that are age appropriate for a wide range of kids. This prep can be particularly helpful with younger theatre goers or older kids who have little experience with the language, so they'll know the basic plot going in and be less confused or intimidated if they can't easily grasp the unfamiliar words. Our absolute favorite children's book version is by author Bruce Coville, who also has a sweet version of The Tempest. The story and illustrations are amazing. There's also a fun, early chapter book in the Magic Tree House series that my kids enjoyed in early elementary school. Here's a link with loads of great suggestions for introducing Shakespeare to Children, including an audio version including both A Midsummer Night's Dream and Taming of The Shrew.
That said, Chicago Shakespeare does a fabulous job with the playbills for their short Shakespeare. If you don't have time to check out a book or movie version before hand, go early and read the program together. There's a short form of the story, cool bits of trivia, fun bios, and games, all presented in a colorful, funky, visual way.
My kids' first live Shakespeare show was Midsummer Night's Dream, performed by Rosebriar Shakespeare Company of Columbus, OH, back in 2009. A close, family friend was in the outdoor production, Puck was a puppet, and the kids were enamored. Check out our Midsummer 2009 coverage here.
Midsummer is a great introduction to the bard, as it's colorful, amusing and fast paced. Chicago Shakespeare Theatre has a much slicker, high budget production, that's truly something to see. I've seen this play done numerous times over the years and this one was by far the funniest version I've ever had the pleasure of attending! The audience was laughing enthusiastically throughout the show. I won't spoil Puck's fabulous reveal, but it was a creative twist, worthy of the bard. Oberon was so smolderingly sexy that it was easy to believe he bewitched and commanded everyone. Between the charismatic actors, the gorgeous costumes and sets and the consummate acting, this show makes for a memorable, Shakespeare experience for a first timer or a seasoned aficionado. Both are highly recommended.
ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama celebrate Chicago's amazing, world class theatre scene year round, with original video interviews, photo filled features, show reviews and ticket give aways. We cover adult shows and family friendly offerings and a range from elaborate Broadway in Chicago touring productions to free, quirky store front offerings. So check in with ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.
We have an exclusive interview with Tom Arvetis, Adventure Stage's Producing Artistic Director, and his infant daughter, Vivian. Check out our video above for insights into balancing creative work and parenting, life after birth with 3 girls under 6, Walk Two Moons, and The Giver. Walk Two Moons was adapted by Tom, who also expounds on "adapting" to fatherhood & life in theatre. We continue our series on "How Creatives Parents and How Parents Create".
The House Theatre--Death and Harry Houdini--Original Video Interview with Dennis Watkins, star of Death and Harry Houdini and Magic Parlour.
Also click the links to check out our recent Houdini Box video interviews at Chicago Children's Theatre with:
New Album Carved Into Stone In Stores April 24th on Long Branch Records
Chicago--Save the date and come out to see them live on 4/20 at Cobra Lounge! ChiIL Live Shows will have an exclusive video interview with the band and we'll be shooting stills at the show.
PRONG are set to release their new album Carved Into Stone April 24th on Long Branch Records. Today the band is premiering a track from the album exclusively on Metal Insider. Get a first listen to the song "Eternal Heat" today and be sure to check out an exclusive interview with Tommy Victor HERE. PRONG will be hitting the road tomorrow for a string of headlining dates with support coming from Black Tusk. This leg runs through March 26th in Fullerton, CA. Following those shows PRONG will be hitting the road with Crowbar and Witchburn. All dates are listed below PRONG has completed work on their Long Branch Records debut with producer Steve Evetts. PRONG (whose lineup includes bassist Tony Campos and drummer Alexei Rodriguez) has taken a major step forward in their constantly evolving brand of sonic schematics. Carved into Stone is quintessentially PRONG. It stretches into the band's earliest and dirtiest foundations on which the band was founded on New York's Lower East Side to the present as a staple of today's post-metal and rock scenes. PRONG recently unveiled the tracklisting and the album art for Carved Into Stone. The artwork was created by Vance Kelly (Down, The Sword) Carved Into Stone Tracklisting 1) Eternal Heat 2) Keep on Living in Pain 3) Ammunition 4) Revenge ... Best Served Cold 5) State of Rebellion 6) Put Myself to Sleep 7) List of Grievances 8) Carved Into Stone 9) Subtract 10) Path of Least Resistance 11) Reinvestigate See PRONG Live: 3/21: San Diego (Hillcrest) @ Ruby Room 3/22: Los Angeles, CA @ The Viper Room 3/23: Las Vegas, NV @ LVCS 3/24: Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse 3/25: Fresno, CA @ Starline 3/26: Fullerton, CA @ Slidebar With Crowbar and Witchburn: 4/5: Dallas, TX @ Trees 4/6: Houston, TX @ Scout Bar 4/7: San Antonio, TX @ Green Room 4/8: El Paso, TX @ House of Rock 4/11: Hollywood, CA @ The Whisky 4/12: Flagstaff, AZ @ Orpheum Theater 4/13: Gallup, NM @ Slopshot Billiards 4/14: Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater 4/16: St. Louis, MO @ Fubar 4/17: St. Paul, MN @ Station 4 4/18: Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's 4/19: Louisville, KY @ Phoenix Hill Tavern 4/20: Chicago, IL @ Cobra Lounge 4/21: Detroit, MI @ Harpo's 4/22: Nashville, TN @ Exit/In 4/23: Little Rock, AR @ Downtown Music Hall 4/24: Shreveport, LA @ Riverside Warehouse For more info visit: http://www.prongmusic.com http://www.spv.de http://www.longbranchrecords.com
Check out our HD show video from the beginning of Toys Take Over, CircEsteem's Team Circus Show 2012. This show was entirely created, produced, directed, choreographed and publicized by the kids themselves.
Where else can you currently see 8 actors take on upwards of 50 characters in two interrelated shows?!
Redtwist Theatre is one of our local favorites, with a long string of Jeff recommended productions, and an intimate performance space. They've got a new entry way into their black box space, off the front lobby now, and a thought provoking show that provides a new entry way into the hot button issue of how hate impacts society. We've been promoting The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later since February, on our Facebook and Twitter streams, but if you still haven't seen it yet, you just have until April 7th to check it out.
We were blown away by Red Twist's current and incredibly timely offering, The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later. The choice of simple costume pieces ...glasses here, a tie there, and the presentation of the show on a bare bones set, only serve to accentuate the immensity of the content. Thirteen years after the horrific beating death of Matthew Shepard, hate crime protection has finally been enacted on the federal level by President Obama, after his two predecessors failed, yet hate crimes, harassment and bullying are still increasing. As Matthew's mother so eloquently states, "These plays are not about being gay. They are about being hurt for being different, or perceived to be different, whatever that difference may be." As the right wing amps up the hate rhetoric to the point where gay teen suicides are in the news frequently and bullies feel sanctified in their violence against others, this production's message is as urgent as ever.
I was saddened though not surprised by the townspeople's collective amnesia, and eagerness to spin history to support a more palpable view of themselves. A mere ten years later, people who once saw irrefutable court room proof of a heinous, lethal gay bashing, bandied about victim blaming falsehoods about a drug deal gone bad. Who wants to openly identify with a homicidal homophobic town where peaceful college students are killed for pocket change and partner preferences? It seems a robbery co-opted into a hate crime by liberals, to advance their politics, is an easier lie to believe.
On a parallel note, my husband's presently on a TV shoot
with someone who was a student at Columbine during the shootings, and
she recently met with similar resistance and hostility when she wanted
to make a 10 year documentary. Even as an insider, many of her
classmates refused to talk to her and were adamantly against the
project. People wanted to forget and not dredge up the past, and gave her so much resistance that the project may not advance.
Still, for all the haters and amnesiacs, there is an encouragingly dogged group in Laramie and beyond, still making sure Matthew's death meant something, and will make a difference for future generations. The scene of the gay marriage political debate and vote gave me hope, as well. Even with our current two steps forward, one step back, politics in 2012, there are still leaders who will cross conservative and liberal lines and party views to vote with wisdom and compassion. This courageous and vital set of shows spread the message to that many more people. Suggested for adults audiences and mature teens. Highly recommended.
Interrogation
L-R: Jan Ellen Graves, Gene Cordon, Eleanor Katz, Matt Babbs, Matthew Klingler,Lisa Herceg, Kurt Brocker, Devon Candura, Photo: Kimberly Loughlin
The Laramie
Project: Ten Years Later
By
Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg
Pierotti, Andy Paris, and Stephen
Belber
Directed by three-time Jeff Award-winner, Greg
Kolack
The ten-year epilogue is a companion piece to
the iconic, The
Laramie Project,
one of the most-produced plays in the U.S. and
around the world.
HISTORICAL FACTS OF THE STORY
On October 6, 1998, a gay University of Wyoming
student, Matthew Shepard, left the Fireside Bar in
Laramie, Wyoming, with Aaron McKinney and Russell
Henderson. The following day he was discovered at
the edge of town. He was tied to a fence, brutally
beaten, and close to death.
By the following day, Matthew's attack and the town
of Laramie had become the focus of an international
news story. On October 12, 1998, Matthew Shepard
died at Poudre Valley Hospital in Ft. Collins,
Colorado.
On November 14, 1998, the members of Tectonic
Theater Project traveled to Laramie, Wyoming, and
conducted interviews with the people of the town.
During the next year, Tectonic would return to
Laramie several times and conduct over two hundred
interviews. The play that resulted is edited from
those interviews, as well as from journal entries by
members of the company and other found texts.
PRODUCTION HISTORY OF BOTH PLAYS
The Laramie Project premiered at The Ricketson
Theatre, performed by the Denver Center Theatre
Company in February, 2000. It was then performed at
the Union Square Theater in New York City, before a
November, 2002, performance in Laramie, Wyoming. The
play has also been performed by high schools,
colleges, and community theaters across the country,
as well as professional playhouses around the world.
In addition, the HBO film directed by Moisés
Kaufman, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in
March, 2002.
The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later is the
epilogue to the original. Ten years after Shepard's
murder, members of the Tectonic Theater Project
returned to Laramie to conduct follow-up interviews
with residents featured in the original play. Those
interviews were turned into this companion piece. The play debuted as a simultaneous reading at nearly
150 theatres across the US and internationally on
October 12, 2009 - the 11th anniversary of Matthew
Shepard’s death. Most of the theaters were linked by
webcam to New York City where Judy Shepard and the
play's producers and writers gave an opening speech
to begin this unique memorial and evening of
theater.
DIRECTOR Greg Kolack, former Artistic Director of Circle
Theatre, has won three Jeff Awards as Best Director,
most recently for columbinus,
at Raven Theatre. Greg has been interested in
directing these two projects together since the
nationwide reading in 2009. Several years ago, he
visited Laramie to gather research for the project.
On January 6, 2012, Greg made his second trip to
Laramie on the cusp of the rehearsal period, to meet
with various real-life characters depicted in The Laramie Project.
His travelogue, reported via email to the cast each
evening was filled with first-person reports shared
by the locals who lived through the experience, and
who shared with Greg their unique insights and
poignant reflections on the events over thirteen
years ago that catalyzed tectonic change in our
society. Greg’s diligent research and his eye for
detail as an award-winning director, will surely
inform and enliven this production with a unique
theatrical style.
REDTWIST PRODUCTION Both shows will be performed by only eight actors,
who portray dozens of roles in our signature,
intimate space. The actors and director have
personally talked with the real characters in the
play, and also with members of the Tectonic Theater
Project. A number of post-show discussions are
scheduled for groups and upon special request.
CAST Matt Babbs, Kurt Brocker, Devon Candura, Gene
Cordon, Lisa Herceg, Jan Ellen Graves, Eleanor Katz,
Matthew Klingler
STAFF
Greg Kolack (Director), Allison Queen (Stage
Manager), Amanda Lautermilch (Assistant Stage
Manager), Justin Castellano (Tech Director), Andrei
Onegin (Set Designer), Rachel Spear (Sound
Designer), Christopher Burpee (Lighting Designer), kClare Kemock (Costume Designer), Mary Reynard
Liss (Vocal Coach) Jan Ellen Graves (Graphic
Designer), Charles Bonilla (Box Office Manager),
Johnny Garcia (Associate Producer), Michael Colucci
& Jan Ellen Graves (Producers)
REMAINING DATES:
The Laramie Project(the
original)
Saturdays Mar 17, 24, 31, Apr 7, at 3pm
Running time: approx.
2:30 incl. 2 intermissions
Tickets: $15
The Laramie
Project: Ten Years Later (Epilogue)
Performs: Thu, Fri, Sat at 7:30pm
& Sun at 3pm, Also April 1 at 7:30pm
Group Rates: Special discounts for groups
of 10 or more, and groups of 25 or more
THE DETAILS
Call:
773-728-7529
Email:
reserve@redtwist.org
Website/Tickets: www.redtwist.org
Redtwist is located at 1044 W Bryn Mawr, 2 blks W of
LSD, 2 blks E of the Red Line El station. Street
parking (paybox/meters until 9pm) is available on
Bryn Mawr, side streets, and Broadway. Please
reserve 48 hours in advance. Credit cards accepted
by phone and via Paypal to guarantee seating.
Check out the next gen of up and coming CircEsteem performers with Pre-team's juggling pre-show! ChiIL Mama's own Du-Jay and Sagezilla love learning from their mentors on team and were excited to be asked to open the Team Circus show yesterday. For upcoming show dates, class info and more, check out CircEsteem's main site right here.
