Chicago Theatre Week Tickets On Sale 1/9 #ChiILpicks

In December, Chicago's theatre community got an ego bruise when New York Magazine had the audacity to call us their "farm team".  Of course, ChiIL Live Shows knows better.   We review hundreds of shows for our readers and we just listened to famous Brit, Miriam Margolyes, rave about her love for Chicago's audiences and theatre scene when she was in town in December doing her fabulous one woman show, Dickens' Women, at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

We even filmed celebs like Cyndi Lauper, Harvey Fierstein and the cast and creatives behind Kinky Boots, professing their adoration for Chicago, when they opened their rockin' new musical here.   Check out ChiIL Live Shows' video of Kinky Boots Producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig at the pre-show Press Conference.

Farm Team....says NYC, the punching bag of hurricanes and heretics?!  The City of Big Shoulders is not one to take a challenge lightly.   Chicago has world class productions from Broadway in Chicago extravaganzas to our vibrant, thriving store front scene.   

Our city's got major talent and our shows are affordable.   And it just gets better for 2013...    

League of Chicago Theatres, with Choose Chicago, is spearheading a major new initiative, Chicago Theatre Week, because this Second City is second to none when it comes to theatre lovers!    

The tickets go on sale this Wednesday, January 9^th at 10am.  We expect a number of other participating theatres to be added soon.  There are some unbelievable ticket deals for some hot shows—and we expect many of them to sell out quickly!

Over 75 productions will be participating in special events and ticket deals (tickets available at $15 and $30) for the week of Feb 12!

Many many of ChiIL Live Shows' favorites are on board:

Participating Theatres

(**ChiIL Live Shows' favorites, where we've reviewed shows, are in red.  Come ChiIL out with ChiIL Live Shows in 2013 for more theatre news, original reviews, ticket giveaways, video interviews, original content, photo & video filled features.)

A Red Orchid Theatre American Theater Company The Arc Theatre Bailiwick Chicago Barrel of Monkeys Blue Man Group Broadway In Chicago Buzz22 Chicago Chemically Imbalanced Comedy Chicago Children's Theatre Chicago Dramatists Chicago Shakespeare Theater Chicago Symphony Orchestra Citadel Theatre Company Collaboraction ComedySportz Dog & Pony Theatre Co. Emerald City Theatre First Folio Theatre Goodman Theatre Greenhouse Theater Center Griffin Theatre Company Harris Theater for Music and Dance             The House Theatre of Chicago Joffrey Ballet Laugh Factory Lifeline Theatre Lookingglass Theatre Company

MCA Stage Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Million Dollar Quartet The Neo-Futurists Northlight Theatre Nuns4Fun Oracle Productions The pH Comedy Theater Porchlight Music Theatre Pride Films and Plays Profiles Theatre Raven Theatre Red Tape Theatre Rivendell Theatre Ensemble Saint Sebastian Players The Second CityShattered Globe Theatre Steep Theatre Company Steppenwolf Theatre Company Storefront Theater Theatre & Interpretation Center at Northwestern University The Theatre School at DePaul University Theatre Seven of Chicago TimeLine Theatre Company UP Comedy Club Victory Gardens Theater Writers' Theatre

 

LEAGUE OF CHICAGO THEATRES PARTNERS

WITH CHOOSE CHICAGO FOR

FIRST-EVER CHICAGO THEATRE WEEK

FEBRUARY 12-17, 2013

The League of Chicago Theatres, in partnership with Choose Chicago, announces the first annual Chicago Theatre Week, celebrating the rich tradition of theatre-going in Chicago and encouraging residents and visitors alike to attend a live show. Chicago Theatre Week will be held February 12-17, 2013 and will include discounted tickets and added incentives.

Over 100 shows are expected to participate during Chicago Theatre Week. Each theatre will offer $15 or $30 tickets for the week of February 12 and tickets will be available at a centralized website, www.chicagotheatreweek.com, starting January 9, 2013.

During the course of the week, there will be special events at participating theatres, including enrichment activities such as talk backs with artists and added value activities such as drink specials, as well as hotel and restaurant discounts.

                                                                 

“The goals of Theatre Week are to celebrate Chicago theatre by offering patrons special incentives, expanding the reach throughout all Chicago neighborhoods.  We hope that the initiative inspires a renewed and heightened appreciation throughout Chicago and the Midwest for our rich theatre industry,” comments Deb Clapp, Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres.  “The League is delighted to partner with Choose Chicago on this project and we are excited to work with Melissa Cherry in her role as Vice President for culture and neighborhoods – nothing could fit her new role better than a project that encompasses theatre in so many of our neighborhoods.”

Eileen LaCario, Vice President of Broadway In Chicago and Chair of the League of Chicago Theatres adds, “We are looking forward to a spectacular week, filled with amazing theatrical experiences including a kick-off party, special events and specially priced tickets that will make theatre accessible to a wider audience – family and friends alike should get together in February to see great theatre in Chicago.  Additionally, the promotional support for Theatre Week will benefit all participating theatres. We applaud the City of Chicago and Choose Chicago for embracing this new initiative as part of the new Chicago Cultural Plan.”

“Theatre Week will expand the visibility of theatre as a vital industry in Chicago.  Theatre is an important part of what attracts regional visitors and residents to this city and Choose Chicago is honored to participate in the development and promotion of the week-long event. The participants will be located throughout downtown and in Chicago’s great neighborhoods and suburbs.  It’s a testament to the quantity and quality of the artistry and business acumen throughout the industry in Chicago,” says Melissa Cherry, Choose Chicago's Vice President for Cultural Tourism and Neighborhoods.

About Chicago theatre

Chicago theatre is the leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theatres throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theatres in the country, including 5 that have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago’s theatres serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. In 2009-10 alone, Chicago theatre companies produced more than 130 world premiere productions and adaptations. Each year, Chicago theatres send new work to resident theatres across the country, to Broadway, and around the world. 

About the League of Chicago Theatres

The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theatres which leverages its collective strength to promote, support, and advocate for Chicago's theatre industry locally, nationally, and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the art of theatre in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theatres and theatre professionals.

For a comprehensive list of Chicago productions, visit the League of Chicago Theatres website, www.chicagoplays.com.  Discounted tickets are available at www.hottix.org.  Additional information about Theatre Week is available at www.chicagotheatreweek.com.

Got Littles? Loads of Chi-Town Tickets & American Girl Doll #Giveaways

       ChiIL New Year 2013      Photo Credit:  Dugan Kenaz-Mara (11)

Happy New Year!   Come ChiIL out with ChiIL Live Shows & ChiIL Mama in 2013.  We try not to duplicate content much, with our sister site, but these local fam friendly ticket giveaways are too good to keep quiet about!   

Winning Wednesdays are back, where we sum up loads of our great giveaways in one place.  We have a bunch of sweet Chicago area tickets for live music and theatre and our CDs, books, toys, etc. giveaways are open to anyone 18+ anywhere in the USA.  Enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.  Good luck and enjoy!


**ChiIL Mama's your source for great urban-funky-fun-alternative family friendly original content, photo and video filled features, rockin' giveaways, news, and reviews.**

**ChiIL Live Shows is your source for theatre and music reviews, original band interviews, pit photos, live show footage, free downloads and tour news for the big kids--AKA:  adults--in a variety of genres.   

Don't let the ChiIL name fool you.   We cover the rock, punk, alternative and metal scene, cover large music fests like Lollapalooza-Riot Fest-Summer Camp Music Fest & North Coast Music Fest, and shoot and interview touring bands that play Chi, IL.**

Current Chicago Ticket Giveaways:

Click the links to enter

• Win 4 Free Tickets to every Beat Kitchen Concerts for Kids Show (Shows are geared toward birth-age 8 with parents, every Sunday at noon)  New winners weekly.  

  *This week we also have a Deep Fried Pickle Project 5 song EP for our 4 ticket winner! 

Enter through Thursday midnight every week.   We'll have a review of 

Deep Fried Pickle Project's

 new full length CD, Green and Bumpy, along with 2 more 5 song EP CDs to give away soon, nationwide.   We'll also be video interviewing the band, and shooting their Beat Kitchen set this Sunday. 

   

• Win 4 Free Tickets to Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After in Chicago (all ages)

• Win 4 Free Tickets to Bud Not Buddy at Chicago Children's Theatre 

   (ideal for ages 8+)

• Win 4 Free Tickets to Chicago Shakespeare Leave it to Ludwig--family show in conjunction with 

  Chicago Chamber Musicians (ideal for ages 4+)

Current Giveaways Open to Anyone 18+ living in the USA:

• American Girl Doll-Girl of the year, Saige, doll & book set ($110 value).  Enter through midnight 1/31/13.

12th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival Teen Shows 4 Ticket #Giveaway

STAGE 773 ANNOUNCES THE 12^th ANNUAL

CHICAGO SKETCH COMEDY FESTIVAL, JANUARY 3 – 13, 2013

Stage 773 Artistic Director Brian Posen proudly announces the dates for the 12^th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, an annual event that celebrates the best in local, national and international sketch comedy, runs January 3 - 13, 2013. All performances take place at Stage 773,1225 W. Belmont. 

Several teen sketch comedy groups from the Elmhurst and Wilmette areas will be performing among over 130 other groups at Stage 773’s 12^th Annual Sketch Comedy Festival, January 3 - 20. The teen troupes are named ATC Teen Comedy Troupe, Department of Homeland Obscurity, Just Bust a Move, Mocktail, Code Red Vines, and S-Cubed.

Teen Groups 2pm Sunday 1-6:

• Just Busta a Move

Lizzy, Michelina, and Kirsten are back in this energetic tribute to the crazy moments in everyone's lives. This fast-paced show will leave you laughing in the aisles, and pondering your own insane experiences. Join Just Bust a Move as they dance their way through competition, embarrassment, and misunderstandings.

Department of Homeland Obscurity

The Department of Homeland Security (D.O.H.O) is made up of 4 extremely talented and attractive boys from Elmhurst Illinois.Together, they hope to bring everyone closer with their inspiring sketches and funny jokes. Just kidding! They're here to make you laugh! Or Cry (out of joy).

ChiIL Out With 4 free tickets to one of the family shows at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 13^th.   


Your choice of S-Cubed, ATC Teen Comedy Troupe, Play On's Code Red Vines or Mocktail.   Click here for full show/troupe descriptions.

Enter below through midnight 1/8/13 for your chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer:  Thanks to Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival for giving us 4 tickets for our readers.

In the two weekends from January 3 – 13, 2013, more than 800 artists from 130 sketch comedy troupes will perform more than 170 shows for the largest ever Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival – and the largest sketch comedy festival America has ever seen. 

The festival’s performance dates and times are: Thursdays at 8, 9 and 10 p.m., Fridays at 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 p.m., Saturdays at 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 p.m., and Sundays at 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 8 and 9 p.m. 

Tickets are $14 each Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and $15 each on Saturdays. Tickets are on sale now at www.Stage773.com, by phone at 773.327.5252, and in person at Stage 773 box office. 

The complete schedule for the 12^th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival can be viewed here.   

About Stage 773

Stage 773 celebrates off-Loop Chicago performing arts and artists.  Formerly known as Lukaba Productions, Stage 773 is a non-profit Chicago company that produces The Cupid Players, Bri-Ko, The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, The Chicago Women’s Funny Festival and other programs, as well as offering subsidized theater rental space to the hundreds of itinerant off-Loop companies and performers.  Stage 773 is located at 1225 W. Belmont; Stage 773’s four theaters are home to performances by some of Chicago’s most innovative, creative and passionate off-Loop performing artists.  For more information on Stage 773 and a list of current events at Stage 773 visit Stage773.com or call 773.929.7367 ext. 112. 

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING: MUSIC BOX ROCKS #ChiILpicks

Tis the season for fabulous films and music and Music Box Theatre makes our ChiILpicks List as one of the city's best.   We adore the vintage decor, and their excellent lineup.   The Music Box is brimming with fam friendly sing alongs, Oscar winning classics, and new release international, indie and art films.  

Check out Music Box Theatre's full Winter Calendar here.

Music Box & The Stage

In 2012 we caught a number of The National Theatre of Great Britain's excellent live theatre productions, filmed and shown around the world, like Frankenstein staring dual Sherlocks (Benedict Cumberbatch from the BBC revival and Jonny Lee Miller from Elementary).   Check out our review here.  And more of our past coverage here.

Live theatre on film is an acquired taste, and many film critics dislike the genre, but theatre people are flocking to the shows.   Folks dress up for the films, more like a night out at a Broadway in Chicago show, and applaud like a live performance.   We think they're a hoot, and relish the opportunity to see world renowned stars on stage without a pricy flight across the ocean!   We hit up press previews of most of Music Box's National Theatre offerings.   The Last of The Haussmans, and Timon of Athens which we had just seen live at Chicago Shakespeare, were some of our favs pf 2012.   Keep an eye out for more in 2013.   Highly recommended.

The Last of the Haussmans

A FILM BY HOWARD DAVIES STARRING JULIE WALTERS, RORY KINNEAR, AND HELEN MCCRORY

Presented by National Theatre Live



Julie Walters plays Judy Haussman with Rory Kinnear and Helen McCrory as her children in this eagerly-anticipated new play: a funny, touching and sometimes savage portrait of a family that’s losing its grip.

Anarchic, feisty but growing old, high society drop-out Judy Haussman remains in spirit with the Ashrams of the 1960s while holding court in her dilapidated Art Deco house on the Devon coast. After an operation, she’s joined by wayward offspring Nick and Libby, sharp-eyed granddaughter Summer, local doctor Peter, and Daniel, a troubled teenager who makes use of the family’s crumbling swimming pool. Together they share a few sweltering months in this chaotic world of all-day drinking, infatuations, long-held resentments, free love and failure.

One of Britain’s best-loved and most versatile actors, Julie Walters has wonBAFTA, Golden Globe and Olivier Awards for her work. Her screen credits range from Educating Rita to celebrated work with Victoria Wood, from lead roles in the movies of Mamma Mia! and Harry Potter to portraying Mo Mowlam for Channel 4.

Rory Kinnear recently won the Evening Standard Award for Best Actor for his performance as Hamlet at the National Theatre. Helen McCrory’s acclaimed work includes the films The Queen and, recently, Hugo.

Timon of Athens A FILM BY NICHOLAS HYTNER STARRING SIMON RUSSELL BEALE, PAUL DODDS, AND NICK SAMPSON Simon Russell Beale takes the title role in Shakespeare’s strange fable of consumption, debt and ruin, written in collaboration with Thomas Middleton. “A perfect parable for our times in Nicholas Hytner’s exhilarating production featuring a compelling central performance by Simon Russell Beale.” –The Guardian The National Theatre’s acclaimed contemporary staging of Shakespeare’s strange fable, set against a backdrop of modern-day London where money is power, has enjoyed a sell-out run at the theatre. Wealthy friend to the rich and powerful, patron of the arts and ostentatious host, Timon of Athens suddenly finds his coffers empty. When he calls for upon his friends for help, they hang him out to dry. So begins Shakespeare’s strange fable of conspicuous consumption, debt and ruin. Simon Russell Beale, who has been described by the Independent as ‘the greatest stage actor of his generation,’ takes the title role in Nicholas Hytner’s (Hamlet, One Man, Two Guvnors) bold production, which makes Timon of Athens more relevant and compelling than ever before.

Check out more of ChiIL Live Shows past Music Box coverage here.   We'll be bringing you even more film news, original reviews, and sneak peeks in the coming year.

HOLLYWOOD LEGEND CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER DELIVERS AN OSCAR-WORTHY PERFORMANCE AS HOLLYWOOD LEGEND JOHN BARRYMORE IN THE CAPTURED-LIVE STAGE PRODUCTION BARRYMORE

One showing, Thursday, December 27, 7:30pm at Music Box Theatre

We had the great pleasure of catching a press preview and were blown away by Christopher Plummer's Barrymore.   We've been giving you the heads up on this one on our FB and Twitter feeds since the first week of December.   Check back January 10th to see if rumors of Oscar nominations for this film come true and absolutely catch it if you can.

BARRYMORE, a captured-live stage production, stars Academy Award winner Christopher Plummer as American acting legend John Barrymore. In a career defining performance, Plummer (as Barrymore) reckons with the ravages of his life of excess while rehearsing a revival of his 1920 Broadway triumph in Richard III. 

Music Box is pleased to offer BARRYMORE, plus "making of" documentary BACKSTAGE WITH BARRYMORE featuring Helen Mirren, Julie Andrews and Zoe Caldwell, on Thursday, December 27, 7:30 p.m. at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. www.musicboxtheatre.com/events/barrymore-2012-12-27-730-pm

BARRYMORE, based on the 1997 Broadway production, is set in 1942, and follows acclaimed American actor John Barrymore, a member of one of Hollywood’s most well-known theatrical dynasties, as he rehearses the Shakespearean triumph that made him a household name, Richard III. The film finds Barrymore in his faded glory reckoning with the ravages of his life of excess, only months before his premature death. The film is directed and written by Érik Canuel, based on the play by William Luce.

Barrymore is played by Academy Award winner and master thespian Christopher Plummer, reprising his 1997 Tony Award-winning role. His nuanced performance has earned him rave reviews and, for a film that didn’t find a distributor after its World Premiere at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival, talk of a third Academy Award nomination, and more importantly, a nomination for Best Actor after three nominations and one win for Best Supporting Actor. Could this staged one-man play, where Plummer chews the scenery for the entirety of its running time, get him that nomination? 

“I’m all but convinced he has the Oscar in the bag,” Hollywood Elsewhere critic Jeff Wells exclaimed after seeing it. 

David Edelstein of New York Magazine says, “God, I love Plummer’s performance — the twiddling fingers, the tipsy sway of the head, the reverberating roar, as well as the pathos of a man who can’t stop acting long enough to hear the cry of his own soul.”

There is a precedent for plays on film getting Academy love.  A 1965 filmed version of Britain’s National Theatre presentation of Othello earned acting nominations for its cast. In 1975, James Whitmore was nominated in the Best Actor category for the production of his one-man show Give ’Em Hell, Harry!

The December 27 showing includes a ”making of” documentary, Backstage with Barrymore, featuring Helen Mirren, Julie Andrews, and Zoe Caldwell.  Total running time of the film (84m) plus the documentary (45m) is 129 minutes.

Barrymore

Starring Christopher Plummer, directed and written by Érik Canuel, based on the play by William Luce. In English, 129 minutes.

About the Music Box Theatre: 

For nearly 30 years the Music Box Theatre has been the premier venue in Chicago for independent and foreign films, festivals and some of the greatest cinematic events in Chicago. It currently has the largest cinema space operated full time in the city. The Music Box Theatre is independently owned and operated by the Southport Music Box Corporation. SMBC, through its Music Box Films division, also distributes foreign and independent films in the theatrical, DVD and television markets throughout the United States. For additional information please visit www.musicboxtheatre.com . 

Download the entire Music Box Theatre Winter Calendar here.

Dickens' Women #Review #ChicagoShakespeare @DickensWomen

Miriam Margolyes is a talented character actor and a colorful character in her own right.   Her mannerisms, facial expressions, and characterizations truly bring Dickens' women off the pages and into our imaginations in all their quirky glory.   She is a master at her craft and a true joy to see in action, as she shades and nuances Dickens' characters, who still live on 200 years after his birth.   We also adored her running commentary and backstory on the real life women who inspired Dickens fictional females.   From dwarf hairdressers to debutants and victorian cougars, Margolyes' characters and hilarious, heartfelt and entirely endearing.





Her final show is tonight, December 22, at 8pm and we highly recommend you catch it.   This is not just her final show in Chicago, but the last time she'll be performing this show for the foreseeable future.   If you just can't swing it, she has written the script in book form with extra goodies like photographs and characters she had to cut from the show.   Check it out here.