TONIGHT: Million Dollar Quartet Rocks Letterman For Elvis Week Feb. 4-8 #LateShow

ChiIL Mama, Du-Jay & Sagezilla ChiILin' out back stage with cast members from Million Dollar Quartet yesterday.   These talented actors & musicians are truly legends come to life.  Check back later this week for our full show review, cast bios, the sweet swag bag scoop and more!

CBS’ “LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN” CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE WITH “ELVIS WEEK,” AS THE BROADCAST PRESENTS A WEEK OF PERFORMANCES FROM ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTISTS,MONDAY, FEB. 4 THROUGH FRIDAY, FEB. 8

ChiIL Mama, Du-Jay & Sagezilla just saw Million Dollar Quartet yesterday as part of the kids' continuing rock-ucation, and loved it!   See members of the Chicago MDQ cast on Late Show with David Letteman this Mon-Wed.   Then ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama this week as we bring you our post show cast photos, show review, and casual, impromptu group interview.

** THIS MONDAY-WEDNESDAY ON LATE SHOW Lance Lipinsky who plays Jerry Lee Lewis in the Chicago production of Million Dollar Quartet, will appear with his band “Lance Lipinsky and the Lovers” (along with an Elvis performer each day) this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (Feb 4-6).  , (11:35 PM-12:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

**Cody Ray Slaughter, who plays Elvis Presley in the tour of Million Dollar Quartet, will appear tonight, Monday, Feb 4.

**Brandon Bennett, who plays Elvis Presley in Chicago’s production, will perform on Tuesday, Feb 5.

  

Also Visiting the LATE SHOW Week of Feb. 4 Are Mariah Carey, Pauley Perrette from “NCIS,” Eric Stonestreet, Joel McHale and Academy Award Nominee Sally Field

           

It’s going to be a “Roustabout” at the Ed Sullivan Theater when the LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN presents “Elvis Week” on the broadcast, with performances from some of the best known Elvis Presley tribute artists.

“The King of Rock and Roll,” who would have turned 78 on Jan. 8, will be honored by five entertainers who were selected as “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artists” by Elvis Presley Enterprises.  

On Monday, Feb. 4, Cody Ray Slaughter, who is currently in the touring production of “The Million Dollar Quartet,” and is the youngest person ever to be named an “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist,” will perform.

Brandon Bennett, who stars in the Chicago cast of the hit musical “The Million Dollar Quartet” and who also starred in the hit Canadian show “The Elvis Story,” will rock the Ed Sullivan Theater Tuesday, Feb. 5.  

On Wednesday, Feb. 6, Justin Shandor, who currently portrays Elvis in the touring show “Rock ‘n Roll Legends,” performs on the broadcast.  Ben Portsmouth, current star of the European “Tribute to Elvis” tour, performs Thursday, Feb. 7, while Shawn Klush, named BBC Television’s “World’s Greatest Elvis” and who will recreate Elvis’s famed Hilton performances at the Las Vegas Elvis Fest, rounds out the week on Friday, Feb. 8. 

Lance Lipinsky, who plays Jerry Lee Lewis in the Chicago production of “Million Dollar Quartet,” will appear with his band, “Lance Lipinsky and The Lovers” on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, as the accompanying band for each Elvis performance.

Also visiting the LATE SHOW next week are GRAMMY® Award-winning superstar Mariah Carey (Monday, Feb. 4); actor Eric Stonestreet and actress Pauley Perrette from the hit CBS drama series “NCIS” (Tuesday, Feb. 5); actor Joel McHale and dog trainer and reality television star Kenny Licklider (Wednesday, Feb. 6); two-time Academy Award winner Sally Field, who is again nominated for the prestigious honor for her role in the film “Lincoln” (Thursday, Feb. 7); and comedian Jake Johannsen (Friday, Feb. 8).

The LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN is a production of Worldwide Pants Incorporated.  Barbara Gaines, Matt Roberts, Jude Brennan, Maria Pope, Eric Stangel, Justin Stangel and Rob Burnett are the executive producers.

RATING: TV-PG (Rating may change on day of broadcast due to specific subject matter.)

  

Strap on your “Blue Suede Shoes” when #LateShow presents “Elvis Week” Feb. 4-8, 11:35 pm ET/PT!

Tickets for the Chicago production are currently on sale through April 28.  Also: The touring production is going strong and the Las Vegas production starts performances this week.  

INCOMING: Graveyard at Lincoln Hall THIS TUESDAY #metal

Graveyard

The Shrine

Buy on iTunes

$15.00

Tuesday, February 05 2013

8:00 PM | 21+

We dig Swedish metal and although we haven't caught them live before, Graveyard sounds like our kind of people!   Can't wait to check 'em out live tomorrow night.   I've been to Orebro, Sweden and still have a friend from there I've known almost all my life and consider family.   

Here's what Lincoln Hall's site says about the band:  From the combination of being a great live act and having the ability to write and record great songs the future is looking really bright for Graveyard. The band is standing on a solid foundation of classic rock but Graveyard is more than just your average rockband. The band's open mind towards adapting and bringing in different musical influences - from everything in between hard rock, rock, blues, folk and jazz – makes the band stand out in the crowd. And the good thing for a band like Graveyard is that ……. you don’t have to put a label on being great.

Here's what Graveyard says:

   

Background…..

Graveyard was formed in Gothenburg 2007. Joakim and Rikard played together in a band called Norrsken nack in Örebro. First Joakim moved to Gothenburg, then Axel and then Rikard. Joakim, Axel and a bunch of other guys started a band called Albatros, which Rikard soon joined. On guitar! 

After a while they decided that they wanted to take a different direction musically, and play more straight forward rock, so they started Graveyard. With that said it didn’t take long before things started to happen for Graveyard and before we knew it we were about to record and release our first album. (released on Transubstans in Europe and Tee Pee in North America). During the recording of the first album guitarist Truls Mörck left the band and was replaced by Jonatan. 

After the release of the first album we did what most ordinary rockband do to promote ourselves and our albums – extensive touring in crappy vans all across Europe and the US. And now that we have got our second album Hisingen blues out (Nuclear Blast  and Universal in Sweden) we are believe it or not excited to bring the new songs out to the public. By doing this we will hopefully get to see some of our favorite places again and also visit other countries and continents to which the first album didn’t take us – cos no matter how much fun it is to write and record albums it’s is in the live environment that we feel totally at home as a band.

The musical plan and an important piece of the puzzle …..

When we started the band we did so without a plan ever to come this far – but with that said we started Graveyard with the ambition and intention to take it as far as we could. Graveyard as a band wasn’t gonna be about mocking around in the rehearsal room, cos we knew what we wanted to do and that we also had the musical skills and the dedication to write and record great songs that could and would take us places. 

All ready from the start we knew what kind of music we wanted to play and how we wanted it to sound.  About our sound it’s one thing to write and rehearse songs but it’s a totally different thing to go into a studio and get the right production to back them up. In this area we really struck gold when we met Don Alsterberg. Don has produced both our albums and has done an amazing job. The thing with Don was that he right from the start really understood us as individuals and as a band, and managed to take our creative vision and put it into a production that really brings out the best of both Graveyard as a band and our songs. The production sometimes goes even beyond what we had it sounding like in our minds and it doesn’t get much better than that. But don’t think that we are happy with Hisingen and that’s it, in this department both Graveyard and Don are ready and can’t wait to get started on the next album. We just need to get a “little” bit of touring done before we get started – so as far as the bands “one year plan” goes there will be no rest for the wicked.

Summary and no future? ….

To sum it up and end the story of Graveyard this far we would like to once again inform the reader that we don’t really have a plan except to keep on doing what we do in the best way that we can. And on this note we would like to be a little bit non-Swedish and add that we’re really proud of what we have done as a band this far. Without a grand plan there are still a couple of things that we can say and guarantee about the future, and that is that we will probably be around for as long as we feel that we have the musical creativity and the drive to keep on pushing ourselves in our songwriting, in the studio and live. So with that said all you fans of Graveyard can just keep your fingers crossed, buy our albums and come to our shows and time will tell how long this circus will continue. Cos we don’t know, can’t tell and don’t care too much about the future – we’re just here to entertain and provide the world with some great music according to our book.

All for now and keep supporting good music!
Joakim, Rikard, Axel and Jonatan – aka GRAVEYARD

INCOMING: Young Empires Play Schubas THIS TUES 2/5 21+

YOUNG EMPIRES Photo Credit: David Waldman The tale of self-proclaimed Haute rockers Young Empires is quite unconventional. The band formed in Toronto in 2009 with a little help from Craigslist, originally as a trio of Matthew Vlahovich (lead vocals/synth,) Jake Palahnuk on bass and Aaron Ellingson on guitar & synth - a trio who just wanted to play music. As Ellingson explains, "Everything with this band is about synchronicity. We didn’t have any preconceptions. We just wanted to get in a room and make noise.” Booking their first show within two weeks of forming, the band isolated themselves in a motel room in early 2010 to self-produce and record four demos that hit the charts on Hype Machine and led to two years of international touring. The band hit Bogota, London, Los Angeles, Paris, Stockholm, New York, Miami, SXSW, CMJ and Brighton's Great Escape, performing alongside Jamiroquai, Foster The People, Chromeo, Tanlines, Japandroids, Vampire Weekend, Bag Raiders, Dragonette and Sleigh Bells. Between tours, Young Empires gained Taylor Hill on drums and they wrote, recorded and mixed their debut EP, Wake All My Youth. Having no engineering or production background didn't stop them, as the group did everything but the final mastering, leading to its distinctive, glittering, electro-tinged indie rock sound. Released via Pirates Blend/Sony Canada in February 2012 with two singles from the EP, “White Doves”, and “We Don’t Sleep Tonight,” the band gained international recognition from NYLON, NME, Interview Magazine and more, with multiple syncs on MTV, CTV, ABC and USA networks. With significant success in Canada, the band is set to re-release a new version of Wake All My Youth this spring on Votiv/Atlantic Records, while currently writing an anticipated full-length debut album. As bassist Palahnuk says, “At the end of the day we just want to have a positive impact on as many people as we can. We want our music to be the thing that people connect to and feel good about.” It's clear from this band's early rising success that they have done just that, connecting more and more people as they go along. North American 2013 Tour Dates / 02.04.13 - 7th Street Entry - Minneapolis, MN * 02.05.13 - Schubas Tavern - Chicago, IL * (8pm/ $12 21+) 02.06.13 - The Frequency - Madison,  WI * 02.08.13 - The Town Ballroom - Buffalo, NY * 02.09.13 - Niagara Center For The Arts - Niagara Falls, ON  * with Royal Teeth  Previous Press / “Young Empires’ glossy production and funked up rhythms, reminds us of the Rapture’s dance-ready grooves…They’re too good.” NYLON "The mathmania of Battles, the gloss 'n' grandeur of The Killers, and the calamitous quiver of Arcade Fire...Young Empires have consummately summated this generation's achievements in Rock. Not that they're total re-tread merchants; no, they're master weavers of our disparate indie threads, forging a fine tapestry of future disco." NME   "Mapping some new sonic territory somewhere between Vampire Weekend and The Killers, they combine syncopation and melodrama to excellent effect…they’re known for winning over cold audiences with their live act."  MTV Iggy "Defined by swirling synthesizer tones, soulful bass grooves, and funky guitar rhythms, Young Empires deliver dance tracks full of swagger, sexuality, and a little angst." RCRD LBL Links / Young Empires Official Site Young Empires Twitter Young Empires Facebook Young Empires Soundcloud

INCOMING: Uli Jon Roth & Elliot Rubinson 2/17 Reggie's Rock Club

Dean Guitars and Ddrum CEO Elliot Rubinson to Play Bass on First Half of Uli Jon Roth North American Tour

As the 40^th Anniversary of his joining the Scorpions North American tour rolls on, ULI JON ROTH has confirmed that Dean Guitars and Ddrum CEO Elliot Rubinson will be playing bass in ULI's band for the first half of the tour. Rubinson recently toured North America as a part of Michael Schenker's band. Elliot started on January 26^th in Santa Ana, CA and will continue on the tour through February 12^th in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. In addition ULI will be joined by various Dean Artists throughout the tour.

Elliot commented about being a part of ULI's band on the upcoming tour:

"I have been fortunate to be able to have played with ULI everywhere from cruise ship tours to European trade shows. He is clearly one of the greatest guitarists ever with a sense of harmonies few possess. Since we grew up on the same music we share a passion for greats like Jimi Hendrix. I am very excited about being a part of the filming and recording taking place on this tour"

ULI is equally excited to be playing with Rubinson:

"It is always a real pleasure to share the stage with Elliott Rubinson. Not only is he an excellent bass player, who delivers the goods at every show, but he also connects with the audience in a great way. Together we're rocking the house!"

As one of the founding members of THE SCORPIONS, ULI wrote much of the material on the bands first five albums ("Fly to the Rainbow", "In Trance", "Virgin Killer", "Taken by Force" and the critically acclaimed live release "Tokyo Tapes"). These albums helped shape what is now considered the classic SCORPIONS sound.

Breaking major ground with his music, ULI is regarded as a significant influence by many notable guitar players of yesterday and today including but not limited to Slash, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Eddie Van Halen. Having collaborated and shared the stage with the likes of Jack Bruce, UFO, Brian May, and others, ULI continues to inspire and pave the way for musicians and fans alike.Widely recognized as perhaps the single most important protagonist of Neo-classical guitar playing, ULI is seen by many as a trend-setter who has often been considerably ahead of his time.

In addition to his breathtaking 40^th Anniversary shows, ULI will also be offering his world renowned Sky Academy Seminars while he is on the road in North America. The aim of Sky Academy is to provide knowledge and inspiration to those who take guitar playing seriously and to help them reach a new plateau. The seminars are designed to open musicians' eyes to new possibilities and to trigger an awakening of the student's full potential and talent. Special emphasis is given to inspirational concepts rather than technical means. While the academy is also discussing matters of technique, purely practical aspects of guitar playing are not at the forefront of the teaching. This means that exercises play only a minor role in the seminar, which aims to impart ways of HOW to get better in a short time, rather than prescribing exercises as a means to get better, or as some sort of musical 'medicine'. Exercises are undoubtedly an important part of any musician's development, but there are already numerous facilities to learn about these things, and Sky Academy is designed to teach particularly those things which are not normally touched upon in music teaching, but which provide a true gateway to mastery.

Live and Sky Academy Seminars

2/5: Chantilly, VA @ Sully's

2/6: New York, NY @ Stage 48 *SA

2/7: White Marsh, MD @ House of Rock *SA

2/8: Montreal, QC @ Le National

2/9: Toronto, ON @ The Rock Pile *SA

2/10: Toronto, ON @ The Rock Pile

2/12: Ottawa, ON @ The Brass Monkey *SA

2/13: Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater *SA

2/15: Kenosha, WI @ Hatrix

2/16: Savage, MN @ Neisen's Sports Bar & Grill *SA

2/17: Chicago, IL @ Reggie's Rock Club *SA

2/21: Tempe, AZ @ Club Red

2/22: Las Vegas, NV @ Vamp'd

2/23: Corona, CA @ Marquee 15

2/24: Santa Rosa, CA @ The Last Day Saloon

2/26: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon *SA

2/27: Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater *SA

3/1: Concord, CA @ Vinnies

Are YOU Game For Boobs & Goombas at Gorilla Tango? #Review

Photo by K Leo, www.mirthandbeauty.com

"Mario and Luigi on the run in Level 2."

ChiIL Live Shows came out to play with the Gorilla girls last night at midnight, for opening night of the return of Boobs and Goombas, 

A Super Mario Bros Burlesque, and we can honestly say the show was a hoot.

Once you play their version of Mario Brothers, you'll never look at those mustachioed characters quite the same way again.   This is the production that started it all for Gorilla Tango.   So like the video games that sparked this colorful, fun burlesque show, these characters are going back to the beginning and enjoying a new life.   All GT burlesque shows are 18+, $35, and many do sell out, so advanced tickets are strongly suggested.   

It's worth the ticket price to see the creative, custom pasties!   These girls know how to rock a theme.  The costumes are hilarious and add a playfully fun touch to this super show.  There are some talented dancers in the cast and the choreography, creative plot and character acting elevate this show above the average bump n grind.   Just be forewarned...you may have Mario tunes on the brain for a while after the show.

If you're a newbie to burlesque, or considering going to Gorilla Tango for the first time...you might be pleasantly surprised the audience isn't just drooling guys.   Loads of couples, girls night out groups, and a wide range of ages and types people each audience.   Gorilla Tango is the reigning queen of nerdy burlesque, and great for lighthearted, late night fun.

TIPS:   

Street parking is pretty easy to find.   

There's a small bar in the lobby and you can bring beer & wine back to your seats that you purchase there .   

Bring a pocket full of singles & fives.   There's no stuffing G-strings here, but if you kick em a few extra bucks in the mystery box, you'll unlock new levels and alternate endings.

Gamers, geeks and girlie burlesque lovers 18+.   Oh-a-YES! After voyaging far and wide (including an ongoing stint in New Orleans!) Gorilla Tango Theatre is proud to announce that the show that started it all - BOOBS AND GOOMBAS: A SUPER MARIO BURLESQUE – is back at its Bucktown venue! 

BOOBS AND GOOMBAS: A SUPER MARIO BURLESQUE will perform Saturdays at 11:59pm, beginning February 2, 2013 at Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave.  Tickets are $35; group rates (8 or more) available – see website for details. To purchase tickets call 773-598-4549 or visit www.gorillatango.com. Ages 18 and over.

Click here to check out our prior, photo filled coverage and full show details.

Shows On Our Radar: Enslaved, Pallbearer, Royal Thunder, Ancient VVisdom at Reggies 2/3/13 #metal

Spend your sabbath in a Winter Rite with some serious metal

ENSLAVED

Enslaved was formed in 1991 by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson, and did their first demo “Yggdrasill” in the summer of 1992. Enslaved released the legendary mini album “Hordanes Land” in 1993 (this was released also as a split-CD with Emperor’s s/t MLP). Enslaved’s debut album came during the spring of 1994, while the historically successful second album “Frost” was released already late 1994.

“Eld” in many ways marked the opening of a horizon-widening era for the band in 1997 – the following year saw the release of “Blodhemn”; perhaps surprising some with its fury and blacker edges. “Mardraum (Beyond the Within)” was released in 2000; this aural nightmare of an album sent shock waves through the Extreme Metal scene with its experimental, innovative approach. The band followed up with “Monumension” in 2001; and again the band was shocked to see the positive response to their “no rules” approach to Extreme Metal.

Many see an important, if not the important milestone being “Below the...[read more]

PALLBEARER

Pallbearer is a metal band from Central Arkansas, formed in 2008 after spending time playing in various bands around the Little Rock underground metal scene. Paying homage to doom metal of old while still looking wholly forward, the band built upon the underground success of their initial demo offering in 2010 and their debut full length “Sorrow and Extinction” was released in February, 2012 to virtually universal critical acclaim. Now the band slowly marches onward to deliver its progressively-tinged beautiful gloom on a global scale.

ROYAL THUNDER

Royal Thunder is an Atlanta based, four-piece, progressive rock/metal, alternative band founded by lead guitarist Josh Weaver in 2006. After going through some lineup changes, Mlny Parsonz (bass/vocals) joined the group in 2007. Together, the two added drummer Lee Smith whom Weaver and Parsonz had played with in a previous band, and then last but not least Josh Coleman (rhythm guitar) was added to the fold.

Royal Thunder self-recorded and released a seven song EP in late 2009 before signing with renowned independent label, Relapse Records, who re-issued the EP in 2010. The band quickly gained critical praise, being described as “Led Zeppelin astride a psychedelic unicorn” by NPR.org and “Black Math Horseman or Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde, fronting Black Sabbath.” by Brooklyn Vegan.

Royal Thunder is set to release their proper full-length debut entitled ‘CVI’ via Relapse Records in the spring of 2011. ‘CVI’ is a sultry, southern, hard rock thinker of an album that is an... [read more]

ANCIENT VVISDOM

A dark, enlightening foresight into the future of humankind dictated by singer/songwriter Nathan Opposition.

Ancient VVisdom was founded in Austin, TX in late 2009 with the order consisting of Nathan Opposition , writer and vocalist, Justin “Ribs” Mason on acoustic guitar, and Nathan’s brother, Michael on electric guitar.

In 2010, they recorded and released a split 12” EP with Charles Manson entitled “Inner Earth Inferno” (Withdrawal Records), which garnished praise from critics and cultists alike.

The band spent the rest of the year sharpening their blackened craft, using acoustic guitars to give the music an organic connection to the nefarious rites they beget. Writing well over an albums-worth of material, they chose the most appropriate songs for their debut LP ” a godlike inferno” to record at The Bubble, a local, vvorld renowned studio in Austin, TX. For the recording , they... [read more]

Click here for Reggies main site for tickets, video clip, songs, band links and more.

Personal Is Political With Minsk Mates at Chicago Shakespeare #Review

Timeless, traditional Belarus folk songs stand in stark contrast, next to violent vignettes.  And Minsk 2011:   A Reply to Kathy Acker is all the more potent for it's risk.  The playwright left the country for what was supposed to be a few week trip and was banned from his homeland, and has been in exile in London, missing his wife and aging mother back in Belarus.  Members of the company have been blacklisted, beaten, fined, lost their jobs, and have been imprisoned.   Working with Belarus Free Theatre gives "taking risks" on stage a whole new depth of meaning. 

ChiIL Live Shows caught opening night last night and this show is highly recommend, for those who care about human rights and multicultural storytelling.   Tickets are only $20 for this short run, 6 show, limited engagement in the intimate upstairs space at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre at Navy Pier, so it's quite affordable and accessible.  Do note, there is nudity, violent subject matter, and monologue heavy subtitles, so this is one for mature audiences only.

Minsk 2011:   A Reply to Kathy Acker is a welcome wake up call and a compelling, unflinching look at modern day Minsk.  It's easy to get compassion fatigue and tune out the tough situations people face here at home and particularly half way around the world.  Theatre is a fantastic medium for the message.  If visual and visceral stories are the lifeblood of a city and a society, then Minsk 2011:   A Reply to Kathy Acker is akin to a blood transfusion.   You WILL leave the theatre with these tales firmly imbedded in your brain and in your heart.   

I'm still reeling from the imagery of spilled blood and sugar, of scars from heavy handed jackboot thugs coexisting next to average accidents, and the words "step on a body just to hear the crunch".   Some shows leave a mark.  Amid current police raids on underground performance spaces in the Belarus capital of Minsk last month, this brave band of actors still pushes the boundaries.   The heat and pressure isn't deterring them, instead it seems to be making diamonds...gems of truth about the uncrushable, independent human spirit, in the guise of theatre arts.    

In the Face of Police Raids Last Month in Minsk

Belarus Free Theatre Brings Newest Political Piece

Minsk, 2011: A Reply to Kathy Acker

To Chicago Shakespeare Theater 

January 30–February 3, 2013 

All Tickets $20 to Foster Dialogue and Encourage Participation

Belarus Free Theatre has made its way to the United States, despite several police raids last month at underground performance spaces in the capital of Minsk. The raids came on the eve of the company bringing its newest political piece, Minsk, 2011: A Reply to Kathy Acker, to Chicago Shakespeare Theater for performances now through February 3, 2013 in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. To foster dialogue and encourage participation, all tickets for this six-performance limited engagement are $20. The piece, which explores the sexual brutality and oppression by the totalitarian regime in Belarus, is one of many award-winning productions by the company, celebrated for creating art based upon the unjustly persecuted people of Belarus.

Belarus Free Theatre was formed in 2005 by Natalia Koliada and Nikolai Khalezin to provide an opportunity for commentary on conditions in their country—one of the last totalitarian governments in Europe. Enduring constant police interference, arrests, and violence under the authoritarian rule of President Lukashenko, the company must produce their work in Belarus in secret. Members of the company have lost their jobs, been imprisoned, blacklisted, and in some cases, exiled from their home. Yet Belarus Free Theatre continues to develop internationally acclaimed work with the support of artists and theater companies around the world.

Artists from London to Los Angeles have raised their voices in support of Belarus Free Theatre. In response to last month’s raids, several prominent English actors, including Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Joanna Lumley, Mark Rylance and Simon Callow, appealed to British Prime Minister David Cameron, urging him to use his political power to help free Belarusian political prisoners. The effort was organized through the Free Belarus Now project, a global campaign for the human rights of the Belarusian people. British playwright Tom Stoppard recently told The Guardian that “democracies ought to be trying to make democracy contagious,” noting his admiration for the campaigners. “They are trying to remind the world at large that the Belarus problem hasn’t gone away—it’s gotten worse.”

Belarus Free Theatre returns to Chicago for the first time since its American premiere of Being Harold Pinter at The Public Theater’s Under the Radar Festival in January 2011, which earned the company an Obie Award. Following the New York premiere, the company would have been forced to return to Belarus without a subsequent U.S. engagement, placing its members at great risk. In an unprecedented Chicago theater initiative, Chicago Shakespeare Theater joined Goodman Theatre, Northwestern University, and the League of Chicago Theatres to present performances of

Being Harold Pinter in Chicago January 27–February 20, 2011, allowing Belarus Free Theatre to stay in the country while company members sought asylum from persecution at home.

Minsk 2011: A Reply to Kathy Acker, devised, written and performed by Belarus Free Theatre, and conceived, directed and adapted by Vladimir Shcherban, combines the company’s distinctive mix of experimental theater with real-life testimony and biting satire. Revealing a sexually repressed society and lamenting for the city that has lost its way, the production and its artists pine for a beloved home that has turned ugly. Taking its inspiration from the late American postmodernist writer Kathy Acker, the work addresses Belarusian society through the prism of sexuality, telling the stories of a series of exploited individuals. Following the Fringe First Award-winning performances in Edinburgh in 2011, the production moved to a critically acclaimed run at London’s Young Vic in 2012, and made its U.S. premiere earlier this month in New York before continuing on to Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s limited six-performance World’s Stage presentation of Belarus Free Theatre’s Minsk, 2011: A Reply to Kathy Acker runs now through February 3, 2013 in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. Run time is 85 minutes with no intermission. Performed in Russian and Belarusian with projected English translations.

Committed to fostering dialogue on the important international issues explored in this production, Chicago Shakespeare is encouraging broad-based participation by offering all tickets for $20. All patrons receive a 40% discount on guaranteed parking in Navy Pier garages. Additionally, Navy Pier is offering $10 parking after 5 p.m. through March 17, 2013. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater’s website here.   For more information on the Free Belarus Now project click here.

Audience Notice: The production includes some mature content and depictions of violence and brief nudity.

Check out ChiIL Live Shows prior feature on The World's Stage Series 2013

Social and Political Issues Take Center Stage Chicago Shakespeare Theater Announces 2013 World’s Stage Presentations Stories from Belarus, South Africa, Nigeria and Italy Come to Chicago

ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER Chicago Shakespeare Theater is a leading international theater company, known for vibrant productions that reflect Shakespeare’s genius for intricate storytelling, musicality of language and depth of feeling for the human condition. Recipient of the 2008 Regional Theatre Tony Award, Chicago Shakespeare’s work has been recognized internationally with three of London’s prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards, and by the Chicago theater community with 70 Joseph Jefferson Awards for Artistic Excellence. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, CST is dedicated to producing extraordinary classic productions, new works and family fare; unlocking Shakespeare’s work for educators and students; and serving as Chicago’s cultural ambassador through its World’s Stage Series.

ABOUT THE WORLD’S STAGE SERIES

Chicago Shakespeare’s presentation of Minsk, 2011: A Reply to Kathy Acker is emblematic of the wide scope of work presented through the World’s Stage Series—a program that brings the world’s most exciting theatrical events to Chicago audiences and presents Chicago Shakespeare’s work abroad. Chicago Shakespeare has collaborated with more than 600 international artists representing 16 countries on five continents, engaging audiences in a dialogue with the world’s established and emerging theater artists. Strengthening its reputation as a leader in cultural diplomacy, CST partners regularly with respected international affairs organizations, including the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Chicago Consular Corps, Chicago Sister Cities and World Business Chicago.

Since the inception of the World’s Stage Series in 2000, Chicago Shakespeare has imported international productions ranging from pedestrian-based live art events (Australia’s one step at a time like this) to grand aerial and water spectacles (France’s Compagnie Transe Express and Ilotopie); to iconic theaters such as Shakespeare’s Globe (London), the Maly Drama Theatre (St. Petersburg) and La Comédie-Française (Paris). As a leading cultural ambassador, Chicago Shakespeare has presented its work at the Royal Shakespeare Company (Stratford-upon- Avon), The Donmar Warehouse (London), on tour in Germany and Australia, and this past spring, was among the 37 international companies that came together for an unprecedented 37-play “Globe to Globe” festival for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.