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Monday, November 26, 2012

ACT OUT OPENING: FAILURE: A LOVE STORY AT VICTORY GARDENS



Victory Gardens presents 
the World Premiere of

FAILURE: A LOVE STORY

By Ensemble Playwright Philip Dawkins
Directed by Seth Bockley

Featuring Baize Buzan, Emjoy Gavino,
Mildred Marie Langford, Michael Salinas,
Matt Fletcher, Guy Massey, and Janet Ulrich Brooks

Richard Christiansen Theater at Victory Gardens
2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago

ChiIL Live shows will be there to check out opening night tonight.   Check back with us like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often for our full review.


Victory Gardens continues its 2012-13 season with the World Premiere of Failure: A Love Story, written by VG Ensemble Playwright Philip Dawkins and directed by Seth Bockley. The production runs November 16 – December 30, 2012 in the Richard Christiansen Theater at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Park. The Press Opening is Monday, November 26, 2012 at 7:30 pm.

1928 was the last year of each of the Fail Sisters’ lives. Nelly was the first to die, followed soon after by sisters, Jenny June and Gerty. As with many unforeseen circumstances in life—blunt objects, disappearances and consumption—they never saw death coming. Written by Chicago playwright Philip Dawkins, Failure: A Love Story is a magical, musical fable about the triumphs and aspirations of three sisters living in the rickety two-story building by the Chicago River which was the Fail family home and clock shop. This profoundly funny and moving holiday offering reminds us that in the end, all that remains is love.

Notes of Interest:
  • Victory Garden’s World Premiere of Failure: A Love Story will be Philip Dawkins’ first play produced at Victory Gardens Theater as a member of the new Victory Gardens Playwrights Ensemble.  Dawkins was inducted into the VG Playwright’s Ensemble this year along with Marcus Gardley, Samuel D. Hunter, and Tanya Saracho.
  • This marks Seth Bockley’s directing debut for Victory Gardens, having previously helmed productions at Sideshow, Collaboraction and Redmoon, to name a few.  Also a playwright, Bockley won the 2008 Jeff Citation for Best New Adaptation for Jon, from a story by George Saunders.  He is also a recipient of Theater Communications Group’s New Generations Grant. 
  • Failure: A Love Story will include popular songs of the era such as “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” and “How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down On the Farm,” as well as original tunes by Philip Dawkins titled “I Don't Need Anyone (Now I Have You)” and “An Ode To Johnny Weissmuller.”
  • This production is family friendly just in time for the holiday season.


“I'm extremely proud to present the world premiere of Failure: A Love Story by our new ensemble playwright Philip Dawkins,” says Victory Gardens Artistic Director Chay Yew. “With exuberant wit and sumptuous theatricality, Philip has written a wise, whimsical fable about finding success in what others deem as failure, living outside society's margins, and embracing life's unpredictable journey and pursuing what you love. I'm also proud to have one of the most innovative and fearless off-Loop directors, Seth Bockley, a Victory Gardens Associate, direct this production. A valentine to our great city of Chicago, I can’t think of a more perfect play for the holidays.”

This World Premiere production will feature popular songs from the time period as well as original compositions by Philip Dawkins.  The cast will accompany themselves on a variety of instruments including piano, oboe, accordion, and percussion. Elements of puppetry and object theater will also be woven into the show.

The cast of Failure: A Love Story includes Baize Buzan (Nelly Fail), Emjoy Gavino (Jenny June Fail), Mildred Marie Langford (Gertrude Fail), Michael Salinas (John N. Fail), Matt Fletcher (Mortimer Mortimer),Guy Massey (The Chorus), and Janet Ulrich Brooks (The Chorus).

The designers are Scott Davis (Set Designer), Mac Vaughey (Lighting Designer), Emily Tarleton (Costume Designer) and Charles Kim (Sound Designer). Will Bishop is the Assistant Director, Helen Lattyak is the Stage Manager.


(Estrogen Fest; Estrogenius Festival, NY; 16th Street Theatre, Berwyn; Painted Filly, Ireland.).  His plays for young folks have been performed all over the world and are published through Playscripts, Inc.  A graduate of Loyola University, Chicago, Philip is an Artistic Associate of About Face Theatre, an Ensemble Playwright at Victory Gardens, and a founding member, with artistic partner Eric C. Reda, of Chicago Opera Vanguard.  Philip teaches playwriting at Northwestern University and through the Victory Gardens ACCESS Program for writers with disabilities. 

About the Artists
Philip Dawkins’ (Playwright) critically-acclaimed play The Homosexuals received a Joseph Jefferson Nomination for New Work after its world premiere with About Face Theatre in the summer of 2011, under the direction of Bonnie Metzgar.  Further productions are planned for the 2012/13 seasons of The Ringwald Theater in Detroit and ManBites Dog Theater in North Carolina.  After premiering at Victory Gardens, Failure: A Love Story will be performed in Philadelphia at Azuka Theatre in summer 2013.  His new play, Stutter, was commissioned by the Goodman Theater and will receive a staged reading in December 2012.  Last fall, his play Miss Marxor The Involuntary Side Effect of Living received a staged reading as part of Steppenwolf’s First Look Series.  Other credits include Dead Letter Office (Dog and Pony Theatre); Yes to Everything! (Chicago, NY,CA, DC); Perfect (The Side Project); Ugly Baby (Chicago Opera Vanguard/Strawdog Theatre Company); A Still Life in Color (T.U.T.A. Company); and Saguaro
(Estrogen Fest; Estrogenius Festival, NY; 16th Street Theatre, Berwyn; Painted Filly, Ireland.).  His plays for young folks have been performed all over the world and are published through Playscripts, Inc.  A graduate of Loyola University, Chicago, Philip is an Artistic Associate of About Face Theatre, an Ensemble Playwright at Victory Gardens, and a founding member, with artistic partner Eric C. Reda, of Chicago Opera Vanguard.  Philip teaches playwriting at Northwestern University and through the Victory Gardens ACCESS Program for writers with disabilities. 


Seth Bockley (Director) is a Chicago-based director, playwright and performer. His directing credits include The Ugly One by Marius von Mayenburg (Sideshow Theater); Civilization (all you can eat) by Jason Grote (Clubbed Thumb, NYC); 1001 by Jason Grote; Jon, winner of the 2008 Jeff Citation for Best New Adaptation (Collaboraction); Winter Pageant 2010, Laika’s Coffin (Redmoon); and Guerra: A Clown Play (created with Mexico City’s La Piara). Writing credits include Elephant and the Whale (April 2013, Redmoon at Chicago Childrens’ Theatre); February House (with lyricist/composer Gabriel Kahane – Public Theater, NYC); Ask Aunt Susan (Goodman’s New Stages Amplified series in November 2011);The Twins Would Like To Say (Dog & Pony); Laika’s Coffin, and Boneyard Prayer (Redmoon). He has also penned adaptations of Jon andCommComm (from short stories by George Saunders). Bockley was a recipient of Theater Communications Group’s New Generations Grant, and is currently a playwright in residence at the Goodman Theater.
 
Baize Buzan (Nelly Fail) is performing at Victory Gardens for the first time with Failure: A Love Story. Chicago credits include Cripple of Inishmaan (Redtwist), The Sea (Theatre Mir), Walk Two Moons (Adventure Stage), Far Away (winterfall chicago), The Chicago Landmark Project (Theatre Seven) and Woyzeck (Oracle.) TV credits include Chicago Fire. Baize is a graduate of Vassar College and The School at Steppenwolf, and has also studied at the Moscow Art Theatre School. 

Emjoy Gavino (Jenny June Fail) has been seen in Seascape (Remy Bumppo), Wait Until Dark (Court Theatre), Working (Broadway Playhouse), Arabian Nights (Lookingglass Theatre), Next Stop (Route 66), Hair(Paramount Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre), Wilson Wants it All (House Theatre), Cooperstown (Theatre Seven), A Very Neo-Futurist Christmas Carol (Neofuturists) and That’s Weird Grandma (Barrel of Monkeys). Regional credits include The Violet Hour, Into the Woods and the world premiere of The Joy Luck Club (Repertory Actor’s Theatre), Miss Saigon (5th Avenue Theatre/Bass Hall), Searching 4 Y (Village Theatre), Sadako (Book-it Repertory) and A Christmas Carol (ACT Theatre).

Mildred Marie Langford (Gertrude Fail) is making her Victory Gardens debut in Failure: A Love Story. Other Chicago credits include Freshly Fallen Snow at Chicago Dramatists, where she is a newly named Associate Artist; My Kind of Town and In Darfur at Timeline Theatre, where she serves as a new company member; An Actor Prepares (U of C Logan Center for the Arts); The Ghost is Here (Vitalist Theatre);13Clocks (Lifeline Theatre); Venus, The Twins Would Like To Say and The Crucible (Steppenwolf Theatre); Sinbad: The Untold Tale, The Ghost of Treasure Island and The Blue House (Adventure Stage); A Civil War Christmas (Northlight Theatre); Zulu Fits (MPAACT); War With The Newts and The Overwhelming (Next Theatre); and 12 Ophelias (Trap Door Theatre). Mildred is a graduate of George Mason University and The School at Steppenwolf. She also works as a teaching artist in the city and as a mentor for Adventure Stage Chicago's Mentorship Program.

Michael Salinas (John N. Fail) is making his Victory Gardens debut. As an ensemble member of Steep Theatre his credits include Festen, Under the Blue Sky, Pornography, A Brief History of Helen of TroyThe Hollow Lands, and In Arabia, We’d All Be Kings (Jeff Award-Best Ensemble). Also at Steep, he recently co-produced and performed in an off-night solo piece, The Gog/Magog Project. Other Chicago credits includeNight Over Erzinga (Silk Road Rising); Girl You Know It’s True (Pavement Group); Fedra: Queen of Haiti (Lookingglass); Mimesophobia (Theatre Seven); As Told by the Vivian Girls (Dog & Pony); and Hatfield & McCoy (The House). He has also worked with Collaboraction, The Gift, Steppenwolf, and The Goodman. Regional credits include Laura Eason’s The Vast In-Between (Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival in Steamboat Springs, CO); Spinning Into Butter (Southern Repertory Theatre in New Orleans); and Romeo & Juliet (The Shakespeare Festival at Tulane). Film credits include Freshman Orientation (Sundance Premiere).

Matt Fletcher (Mortimer Mortimer) is making his Victory Gardens debut. Matt serves as Producing Artistic Director with Sideshow Theatre Company, where he was most recently seen in Idomeneus at the DCASE Storefront Theatre; other Sideshow work includes HeddatronStrangerland, Theories of the SunEverything Freezes: another winter's tale, and Dante Dies!! (and then things get weird). Other performance credits include As Told by the Vivian Girls with Dog and Pony Theatre Company, two seasons with The Lost Colony, as well as a staged reading of Third with Jane Alexander at Hollins University. Matt is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where he received his BA in Drama.
 
Guy Massey (The Chorus) has performed in plays with The Steppenwolf Theater, The Gift Theater, Shaw Chicago, A Red Orchid Theater, Theater Wit, Rivendell Theater, The Curious Theatre Branch, Theater Oobleck, Eclipse Theater, Greasy Joan & Co., Prop Thtr, Teatro Vista, Next Theater, and Wisdom Bridge, among others.  Most recently, he has worked with The Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and here in Chicago, just finished a production of Tigers Be Still with Theater Wit, as well as playing “The Creature” in the Neo-Futurists’ smash up of Pinocchio/Frankenstein.  With Theater Oobleck, he played “George W Bush” in The Strangerer both Off-Broadway at the Barrow Street Theater in Manhattan and in Chicago at the Chopin Theater.  His earliest film credits include the 1980’s cult classic Three O’Clock High and the latest are At Any PriceThe PromotionStranger Than FictionContagion, and Fred Claus.  Television credits include BossShameless and the Pilot Episodes of The Mob DoctorThe BeastThe Line, and The Chicago Code.
 
Janet Ulrich Brooks (The Chorus) was last seen at Victory Gardens in Jacob & Jack. She is a TimeLine Company Member and has appeared 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 FoolsConvictionPolish BarI Heart Shakey, and One Small Hitch, and her television credits include BossUnderemployedThe Chicago Code and The Playboy Club.

Full performance schedule
Regular performances run through December 30, 2012: Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 4 pm; Sunday at 3 pm.  Regular performances are $35-$50.

There will be additional performances on Wednesday, December 19 at 2:00 pm and Wednesday, December 26 at 7:30 pm.

Performances are in the Richard Christiansen Theater at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, in the heart of Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.  For tickets and information, call the Victory Gardens Box Office, 773.871.3000 (TTY: 773.871.0682)

email tickets@victorygardens.org, or visit www.victorygardens.org.  Ask the Box Office about student tickets ($15), senior, Access, 20 for $20, and rush discounts.  For group discounts, call 773.328.2136.
 
A full and updated schedule of special events, post show discussions and presentations centered around performances of Failure: A Love Story is available at www.victorygardens.org.
 
ACCESS PERFORMANCES
Audio description and touch tours for patrons who are blind or have low vision

Friday, December 14     Touch Tour        6:00pm             Performance 7:30pm
Sunday, December 23  Touch Tour        1:30pm             Performance 3:00pm                                                                 
Call 773.871.3000 for reservations.

Word for word captioning for patrons who are hearing impaired
Wednesday, December 19 at 2:00pm                           
Friday, December 21 at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 22 at 4:00pm
Sign language interpretation for patrons who are deaf or hearing impaired
Friday, December 21 at 7:30pm

Victory Gardens is the winner, Best Accessible Theater, Deaf Illinois Awards 2009.  See www.victorygardens.org and click on “Enhance Your Visit” for information on other Access services including large print and Braille programs, assisted listening devices, and artist development workshops as well as a full schedule of special events, post-show discussions and presentations.
 
Logistics and Amenities
Parking
$11 valet parking is available for all performances except weekday matinees. Metered and street parking is available, but mind the neighborhood parking restrictions.
 
Public transit
By CTA train, take the Red, Purple or Brown lines to the Fullerton stop.  Walk east on Fullerton to Lincoln, then north 1/2 block to the theater.   The #8 Halsted, #11 Lincoln,  #37 Sedgwick/Ogden, and #74 Fullerton CTA buses all stop at the corner of Fullerton and Halsted, 1/2 block south of the theater.  See transitchicago.com for times and routes.

Pre- and post-show dining
See www.victorygardens.org for a list of Victory Gardens’ neighborhood dining partners.  Each is within walking distance of the Biograph, and all offer a special discount to patrons who present a Victory Gardens ticket stub.

About Victory Gardens Theater
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Chay Yew and Executive Director Jan Kallish, Victory Gardens is dedicated to artistic excellence while creating a vital, contemporary American Theater that is accessible and relevant to all people through productions of challenging new plays and musicals. Victory Gardens Theater is a leader in developing and producing new theatre work and cultivating an inclusive theater community. Victory Gardens’ core strengths are nurturing and producing dynamic and inspiring new plays, reflecting the diversity of our city’s and nation’s culture through engaging diverse communities, and in partnership with Chicago Public Schools,  bringing art and culture to our city’s active student population.  

Since its founding in 1974, the company has produced more world premieres than any other Chicago theater, a commitment recognized nationally when Victory Gardens received the 2001 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Our commitment to developing, supporting and producing new theatre work makes Victory Gardens an American Center for New Plays.

In 2006, Victory Gardens successfully completed an $11.8 million renovation of Chicago’s famed Biograph Theater, and moved two blocks north from its longtime venue at 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue, to its beautiful new home in one of Chicago’s most celebrated historic landmarks.  Renamed Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, the new venue is a state-of-the-art 299-seat mainstage which has greatly expanded the company’s artistic flexibility.

In 2009, Victory Gardens completed the second phase of renovation at the Biograph, building an intimate, new, 109-seat studio theater on the second floor.  On March 1, 2010, at a special launch event for Victory Gardens $1 million Campaign for Growth, the theater’s new studio was officially named the Richard Christiansen Theater, in honor of the Chicago Tribune chief critic emeritus and longtime champion of Chicago’s live theater scene.  Visit www.victorygardens.org for more details.

Victory Gardens Theater receives major funding from Alphawood Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The Chicago Community Trust, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Allstate Insurance, The Boeing Company, Crown Family Philanthropies, Leo S. Guthman Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, Polk Bros. Foundation, and REAM Foundation. Additional funding is provided by: Illinois Arts Council (a state agency), The Edgerton Foundation, The James S. Kemper Foundation, Charles & M.R. Shapiro Foundation, Sara Lee Foundation, Venturous Theater Fund, McVay Foundation, The Seabury Foundation, Wrightwood Neighbors Conservation Association, The Charles H. and Bertha L. Boothroyd Foundation, John R. Halligan Charitable Fund, Illinois Tool Works, Motorola Mobility Foundation, Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, a City Arts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, The Irving Harris Foundation, PNC Foundation, and The Saints.



Friday, November 23, 2012

Hitchcock Opens TODAY #Review




Looking for a little escape from or with the adults in your family this holiday weekend?   Hitchcock opens today.   We had a chance to catch Hitchcock at an early press preview on Tuesday and highly recommend it.   



Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock in Sacha Gervasi's HITCHCOCK


HITCHCOCK is a love story about one of the most influential filmmakers of the last century, Alfred (Anthony Hopkins) Hitchcock and his wife and partner Alma Reville (Helen Mirren). The film takes place during the making of Hitchcock's 
seminal movie PSYCHO.


Helen Mirren and Anthony Hopkins in Sacha Gervasi's HITCHCOCK


The casting for Hitchcock is spot on, and it was a pleasure to see the strong, smart, creative woman behind the genius finally get her due.   This film is more of a relationship flick than horror film, although Hitchcock's lecherous voyeurism, leading lady crushes and obsessions are a bit horrifying.   It's cool to get a glimpse into the Hollywood machine of yesteryear, when morality and censorship resulted in suggestions of sex and violence much scarier still than some of today's show all, tell all bloodbaths.



Jessican Biel as Vera Miles, Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh and James D'Arcy as 
Anthony Perkins in Sacha Gervasi's HITCHCOCK


I'm also a sucker for films about projects that were dinged and turned down repeatedly and then ended up being huge success stories.   I love the message of determination, believing in yourself, and gambling all on an idea that everyone said couldn't be done.


Hitchcock's film have changed our society, stood the test of time, and inspired countless creatives in the horror genre.   Whether you're a fan or merely curious, this film is well worth the time to check out.   I'm completely enamored with Alma (Helen Mirren), the Hitchcock who used to be Alfred's boss, and who gets the job done with competency, creativity and brilliant insight.   She stands behind and beside her famous husband even when he was difficult to live with and put their home and all their savings on the line to make a questionable investment in Psycho.   She is every bit as much of a true Hitchcock genius as her husband ever was.   


Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh in Sacha Gervasi's HITCHCOCK


Despite a PG13 rating, we'd recommend saving this one for the adults--not because it's particularly violent, but because of the complex adult relational themes.   The acting is excellent, and the subject matter is compelling.   So go already.


Click here for advanced tickets, more info and show times/locations near you.

ACT OUT: Free Ticket #Giveaway SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody


Drew Moerlein as Hugh Hanson in "SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody"

We can't wait to check out SPANK! on opening night, November 30th!   We've also got 2 free opening night tickets for one of our lucky readers.   Enter right here for your chance to win.   Open through midnight November 26th.

SPANK! is written and directed by Jim Millan (Kids In The Hall, Marijuanalogues with Tommy Chong, etc.)  The show is not associated with, nor authorized by, author E.L. James or Vintage Press.


Drew Moerlein as Hugh Hanson, Michelle Vezilj as Tasha Woode and Amanda Barker as EB Janet in "SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody"

*Wait for Rafflecopter to load up right here (if you've gone through RSS feed or are scrolling down the blog and don't see it, click on the actual page title or "a Rafflecopter giveaway link" and it should pop right up).   Enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



The hilarious and naughty parody of Fifty Shades of Grey
will dominate audiences at Chicago’s Royal George Theatre
for three weeks only, starting Wednesday, November 28.
Tickets on sale now.


SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody, the hilarious and naughty new parody of Fifty Shades of Grey, will dominate willing audiences at the Royal George Theatre Main Stage, 1641 N. Halsted, in a limited three-week engagement starting Wednesday evening, November 28. The production, which premiered in Springfield, MA earlier this month, is produced by Mills Entertainment, and  is being presented in Chicago  by the Just For Laughs Group.

SPANK! is a high energy parody of Fifty Shades of Grey, the risqué novel which recently surpassed Harry Potter to become the fastest selling paperback of all time.  SPANK! was written and directed by Jim Millan, whose credits include The Kids in the Hall, Larry King Standing Up, Marijuanalogues with Tommy Chong, and Mythbusters Live. For all the dirty details on SPANK! visit spankshow.com.

Michael Mills, the producer of SPANK!, says audience members can expect “a laugh-filled evening that captures all the escapist fun and absurdity of the novel. TheFifty Shades characters are brought to life with sexy and fun musical numbers – think part SNL, part Chippendale’s - and even those who haven’t read the book will get it!”

SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody will be staged at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted, for a limited three-week engagement, starting Wednesday, Nov. 28. The performance schedule is as follows: Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7:30pm; Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 5 and 8pm; and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets, priced at $52.50 and $42.50, are now on sale online at Ticketmaster.com; by calling  (800) 982.2787 or (312) 988-9000; or visiting the Royal George box office. A limited number of VIP tickets, offering premium seating, a cast meet & greet, and beverage, are priced at $75 and available for each performance.  The perfect Girls Night Out or a sassy book group outing, discounted tickets are available for groups of ten or more.  For reservations, call GroupTix at 773/327-3778 or visitwww.Grouptix.net.

This show is not associated with, nor authorized by, author E.L. James or Vintage Press.
Founded in 1983, the Just For Laughs Group’s growth is concentrated on four major focal points: Festivals (in Montreal, Toronto and Chicago); television production (most notably Gags seen in 135 countries and on 95 airlines); live shows (Canadian tour dates for Jerry Seinfeld, Jeremy Hotz, John Pinette, Louis C.K., the Capital One Just For Laughs Comedy Tour, North American dates for Family Guy Live!); and talent management. The Group has offices in Montreal, Paris, Los Angeles, Toronto, London, and in a dark alley at the end of the street.
Mills Entertainment is a leading producer and promoter of branded live entertainment. Mills collaborates with top brands and personalities to develop, market and produce live theatrical events throughout the U.S. and worldwide. Current projects include The Cake Boss: Bakin’ with the Boss Tour, An Evening with Cesar Millan: Dog Whisperer, Clifford the Big Red Dog Live!, Theresa Caputo Live, and Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild Live. www.millsentertainment.com






Drew Moerlein as Hugh Hanson in "SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody"

SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody
Royal George Theatre Main Stage
Limited Run November 28 – December 16


SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody is the hilarious new musical that brings all the naughty fun of the best-selling book to life in a parody that captures the escapist fun and absurdity of the novel in one laugh-filled, high-energy show. A bit SNL, a bit Chippendales, SPANK! delivers non-stop laughs, sexy fun, and lots of surprises. Don't miss the show that has Chicago all a buzz!








Drew Moerlein as Hugh Hanson in "SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody"



Click here for Royal George Theatre's official site for advanced tickets and more information.








Michelle Vezilj as Tasha Woode and Drew Moerlein as Hugh Hanson in "SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody"

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

ACT OUT EXTENDED: The Opponent at Red Orchid




DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, A RED ORCHID THEATRE EXTENDS THE OPPONENT NOW THRU DECEMBER 15 

A Red Orchid Theatre proudly announces new performance dates for the world premiere production of Ensemble Member Brett Neveu’s The Opponent, directed by fellow Ensemble Member Karen Kessler. Due to high ticket demand, the production is now extended through Saturday, December 15, 2012 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells. Tickets for the two-week extension are now on sale through the box office, (312) 943-8722 and www.aredorchidtheatre.org.

“We are thrilled that the first show of our 20th Anniversary Season warrants extending,” says Artistic Director Kirsten Fitzgerald.  “This is particularly rewarding as a world premiere work from Ensemble Member Brett Neveu, featuring our Founding Artistic Director and Ensemble Member Guy VanSwearingen.”

Accomplished playwright and Ensemble Member Brett Neveu takes a look at the hard world of boxing from the perspective of small time gym owner Tre and the young up-and-comer Donell. They come from different worlds, they barely understand each other, but in the ring anything is possible. Questions of loyalty and life’s dreams are put to the test in this explosive world premiere that promises to pull some punches and fearlessly land the others. The Opponent was originally developed through Center Theatre Group's Writers' Workshop.

The Opponent features A Red Orchid’s Founding Artistic Director and Ensemble Member Guy Van Swearingen with Kamal Angelo Bolden.
The creative team includes Joey Wade (Set Designer), Myron Elliott (Costume Designer), Mike Durst (Lighting Designer), Joe Court (Sound Designer), Toni Kendrick (Prop Designer), John Tovar (Fight Director), Al Ortiz (Boxing Trainer), Kate DeVore (Dialect Coach), Christa Van Baale (Stage Manager), Chelsea Mead Jackson (Assistant Director), and Rick Julien (Technical Director).

Title:                The Opponent
Written by:                    Brett Neveu
Directed by:      Karen Kessler
Dates:                Regular Run:              October 25 – December 2, 2012 (No performance November 22)

Extension:                    Through Saturday, December 15, 2012            

Schedule:         Thursdays:                   8:00 p.m.
                        Fridays:                        8:00 p.m.
                        Saturdays:                    8:00 p.m.         
Sundays:                      3:00 p.m.
Location:          A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells Ave.
Tickets:             $15 previews, $25-$30 regular run.  ($25 Thurs, $30 Fri-Sun)
Box Office:       Located at 1531 N. Wells Ave, Chicago, (312) 943-8722; or online www.aredorchidtheatre.org

About The Artists:

BRETT NEVEU (Playwright) is an Ensemble Member at A Red Orchid where his play Megacosm had its world premiere just last year. Other recent productions include4 Murders with SkyPilot Theatre and twentyone with The Side Project. Past work includes productions with The Royal Court Theatre, Writers’ Theatre, The House Theatre, The Inconvenience, The Goodman Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, TimeLine Theatre Company, A Red Orchid Theatre and American Theatre Company. Brett is a 2012 Sundance Institute Ucross Fellow and the recipient of the Ofner Prize for New Work, the Emerging Artist Award from The League of Chicago Theatres, an After Dark Award for Outstanding Musical (Old Town with Strawdog Theatre Company) and has developed plays with companies including The New Group, The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Victory Gardens and Chicago Dramatists. Brett is a member of The Playwrights’ Union and an alumni member of the Center Theatre Group’s Playwrights’ Workshop as well as Chicago Dramatists. Brett has been commissioned by The Royal Court Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, The Goodman Theatre, TimeLine Theatre Company, Writers’ Theatre, Strawdog Theatre and has several of his plays published through Broadway Play Publishing, Dramatic Publishing and Nick Hern Books. Brett has taught at DePaul University, Second City Training Center and currently teaches at Northwestern University. His movie, Christmas Bytes, will begin production in 2013.

KAREN KESSLER (Director) is a member of the ensemble of A Red Orchid Theatre who just directed the critically acclaimed remount of Wrens by Anne McGravie for Rivendell Theatre Ensemble. Most recently for Red Orchid, Karen directed the Midwest premiere of Louis Slotin Sonata and previously directed the Midwest premiere of Pumpgirl by Irish playwright Abbie Spallen, the Chicago premiere of Sarah Kane’s Blasted; the US premiere of Gagarin’s Way by Gregory Burke (a play that won an After Dark award for Outstanding Ensemble) and the Midwest premiere of Mr. Kolpert by David Gieselmann. Other Chicago credits include: Collaboraction’s Sketchbook 2009 –Who Put the Dead Bird in My Mailbox? by Sarah Hammond; the US Premiere of Roddy Doyle’s War for Seanachai Theatre; A Going Concern, This Lime Tree Bower, Remembrance, A Mislaid Heaven, and the award winning Early and Often for Famous Door; the Midwest premiere of Sam Shepard’s The God of Hellat the Next Theatre; The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek, Hamlet and Cyrano de Bergerac for Rivendell Theatre; and the Midwest premiere of Steve Martin’s The Underpants for Noble Fool Productions. Credits outside of Chicago include: Glengarry Glen Ross for the Northern Stage Ensemble in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England;Macbeth for the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival; Measure for Measure for Connecticut Repertory Theatre; the world premiere of a new adaptation of The Three Musketeers, Scapin, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Taming of the Shrew, and All’s Well That Ends Well at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival; and The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Complete History of American (Abridged)for Idaho Repertory Theatre. Karen is an Associate Professor of Directing and Shakespeare at Ball State University in Indiana.

GUY VAN SWEARINGEN (Tre) is a founding Ensemble Member and former Artistic Director at A Red Orchid Theatre.  He was last seen at A Red Orchid in The New Electric Ballroom.  Other credits include The Time of Your Life (Steppenwolf, Seattle Rep, A.C.T.), Taking Care (Steppenwolf), Eleven Rooms of Proust (Lookingglass),Come Like Shadows (Plasticene), Cleansed (Defiant Theatre) and Beyond Mozambique (Mary-Arrchie).  Other A Red Orchid appearances include Blasted, The Seahorse, Bug, Gagarin Way, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, The Cut, Tis’ Pity She’s a Whore, The Questioning of Nick³, Victims of Duty, The Killer, Cops, The Removalists and The Connection.   Television credits include episodes of Chicago Fire, Underemployed, Detroit 1-8-7, The Beast, Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, Early Edition and TURKS.   Film work includes: The Dilemma, Take Shelter, Janie Jones, Public Enemies, The Merry Gentleman, Mad Dog & Glory, The Negotiator, Ali, The Weatherman and Adam Rapp’s independent film Blackbird.

KAMAL ANGELO BOLDEN (Donell) makes his A Red Orchid Theatre debut with The Opponent.  Most recently he was seen at Court Theatre as Youngblood in August Wilson's Jitney, at the Goodman Theatre as Tony in Paul Oakley Stovall's Immediate Family, and as Black Man/Actor 2 in the world premiere of We Are Proud to Present... at Victory Gardens Theater.  Since leaving Nashville for Chicago three years ago, Kamal has originated the roles of Jackie Robinson in the Chicago Children's Theatre's world premiere of Jackie and Me, and Chad Deity in Victory Gardens Theatre's world premiere of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity. He has also worked with Actors Theatre of Louisville (The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity) and won a Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best Leading Actor for his work in Athol Fugard’s The Island at Remy Bumppo Theatre.  Kamal has appeared in many independent films and national commercials, and has made guest appearances onBOSS, Lights Out, and The Row.  He holds a B.S. in Business Administration-Entrepreneurship from Bradley University and is a proud Artistic Associate of Erasing the Distance.

About A Red Orchid
Since 1993 A Red Orchid Theatre has been an artistic mainstay of the Chicago theatre community; known and praised for its powerful ensemble, creative design and its gripping, intimate productions.  The resident Ensemble maintains the conviction that passionately committed theatre will draw passionately committed audiences, and the 2012-2013 subscription season promises to bring Ensemble and audience even closer together.

A Red Orchid Theatre is: Lance Baker, Dado, Jennifer Engstrom, Kirsten Fitzgerald, Joseph Fosco, Steve Haggard, Mierka Girten, Larry Grimm, Karen Kawa, Karen Kessler, Danny McCarthy, Brett Neveu, Michael Shannon, Guy Van Swearingen, Doug Vickers, Natalie West and Craig Wright.

Monday, November 19, 2012

ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT They Might Be Giants' BRAND NEW HOLIDAY BUNDLE


Less than 500 orders left!
Ships by December 3 in plenty of time for the holidays!

http://theymightbegiants.com/holiday2012/ 
Give it all as a generous gift--break it up--or just TREAT YOURSELF! 

We have made it our mission to make this year's Holiday Bundle the most awesome ever. Everything is brand new and only available here! From from a brand new TMBG DVD to a bundle exclusive NEVER to be repeated all available at for real FIFTY PERCENT SAVINGS this is a truly a special offer. That's right--it's easily $90 worth of new stuff bundled together at the insane price of $45 plus shipping. 

This is also the perfect gift--it looks extravagant and will arrive in time for Christmas with no fancy rush shipping. Treat yourself, or treat a friend, but TONIGHT IS IT. DON'T MISS OUT!



EVERY BRAND NEW HOLIDAY BUNDLE INCLUDES....

This pre-release exclusive--the brand new DVD compilation 

THEM AIN'T BIG EYE ANTS

This disc won't be available anywhere else online until December. The disc spotlights TMBG videos from 2001-2012. Award winning animations and future classic TMBG rock videos, including clips from Home Movies and Homestar Runner, and TUBTHUMPING!

Includes: When Will You Die?, The Mesopotamians, Tubthumping, Bastard Wants to Hit Me, Can't Keep Johnny Down (Fan Version), With the Dark, Electronic Istanbul, Alphabet of Nations, Damn Good Times, Anaheim, We Live In A Dump, Spoiler Alert, Cloisonné, I'm Impressed,
You Probably Get That a Lot, Experimental Film, Can't Keep Johnny Down, Shadow Government, Taste the Fame (from Home Movies), Asbury Park, Los Angeles, I'm All You Can Think About, Read a Book, 200 Sbemails.
Regular price: $20



EVERY BRAND NEW HOLIDAY BUNDLE INCLUDES....

For any TMBG fan, design fan, sci-fi fan or card player,
this custom deck of playing cards is a special event…

They Might Be Giants new 

PARANORMAL, MYTH, HOAX and LEGEND PLAYING CARDS

It's not exactly a secret They Might Be Giants LOVES playing cards. We have been thinking about a custom deck of card for YEARS and finally The Offices of Paul Sahre and illustrator Merman have made all our dreams come true. This deck of playing card is far beyond a generic deck with the words They Might Be Giants in Ariel plastered across the back. This deck is totally custom--and revolves around four brand new sets of face cards-- Paranormal, Myth, Hoax and Legend.



EVERY BRAND NEW HOLIDAY BUNDLE INCLUDES....

THE DRINKY CROW NEW YEAR'S T-SHIRT!

Everybody loves Drinky Crow. And everybody loves black t-shirts. Join Drinky in his race to his personal rock bottom! Available in S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL and women's S, M, L and XL



EVERY BRAND NEW HOLIDAY BUNDLE INCLUDES....

The brand new They Might Be Giants
STAINLESS TRAVEL MUG

We surveyed Facebook and Twitter followers and, by overwhelming demand, the idea of a proper travel mug came to be. This mug is ready for work, play and TRAVEL! It is deluxe stainless-steel with a stainless liner that will keep your coffee, tea or Isish coffee hot hot hot. It's simple but elegant swirling TMBG logo is a happy relief from it's uber-corporate coffee business alternatives.

 
 

EVERY BRAND NEW HOLIDAY BUNDLE INCLUDES.... THIS EXCLUSIVE
Reprints of 1980s TMBG SHOW FLIERS 
and first publicity photo from the mid-80s

These fifteen black and white 8 1/2" x 11" fly posters span the early performance years of the band from '85 to '90 when TMBG routinely bombed lower Manhattan's street lights with these scrappy pieces of folk art. Direct from Flansburgh's archives. The posters are enclosed in a manilla envelope designed by The Offices of Paul Sahre with a cardboard stiffener to safely make the trip via USPS. These reprints are a bundle exclusive, and while some remainders might be sold off at live shows, do not expect to see these again.

Also included is 8 x 10 glossy black and white photo reproduction of the bands very first promotion photo! Haunting!
THIS ITEM IS A BUNDLE EXCLUSIVE AND WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AGAIN.

The BRAND NEW HOLIDAY BUNDLE ends tonight 
or when we reach 2500 orders (less than five hundred orders left!)
http://theymightbegiants.com/holiday2012/


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