OPENING: CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER'S WORLD STAGE PRESENTS U.S. DEBUT FROM PARIS THÉÂTRE DE LA VILLE'S IONESCO SUITE

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Chi, IL Live Shows on stage and on our radar.

CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER'S WORLD STAGE PRESENTS

U.S. DEBUT FROM PARIS

THÉÂTRE DE LA VILLE'S

IONESCO SUITE

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, we've enjoyed Ionesco's quirky take on life since we first encountered his works in college in the late 80's. After studying Rhinoceros, I could never quite look at theatre the same way again. So many of Ionesco's quotes are brilliant. Whether you are a newbie to his works or a long time admirer, come see Ionesco Suite by THÉÂTRE DE LA VILLE in French with fabulous accents and English subtitles! Check it out. 

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) continues the dynamic World’s Stage Series with the U.S. debut of Théâtre de la Ville’s Ionesco Suite from Paris, France. Directed by Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota, this absurdist masterpiece celebrates the work of maverick avant-garde playwright Eugène Ionesco with a whirlwind montage encapsulating seven of his plays, brimming with wicked humor and hard-hitting themes. In its only United States engagement, Ionesco Suite will be performed in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, October 15–October 19, 2014.

The cast of Théâtre de la Ville’s IONESCO SUITE, a World’s Stage presentation from Paris. Left to right: Jauris Casanova, Céline Carrère, Stéphane Krähenbühl, Sandra Faure, Olivier Le Borgne, and Charles Roger Bour. Photo by Agathe Pouoponey. 

Stéphane Krähenbühl and Gérard Maillet in Théâtre de la Ville’s IONESCO SUITE, a World’s Stage presentation from Paris. Photo by Agathe Pouoponey. 

Conceived and directed by celebrated Théâtre de la Ville Artistic Director Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota, the scene for Ionesco Suite is set in a seemingly ordinary dinner party attended by five characters. The gathering descends into an absurdist nightmare, making for a lively rampage against social conventions and a scathing parody of human behavior.

Blouin Art info proclaims the production, “both terribly funny and deliciously scary.” France’s TouteLaCulture calls Ionesco Suite “extravagant, chilling…Quintessential Ionesco, exactly as it should be.”

Sandra Faure and Jauris Casanova in Théâtre de la Ville’s IONESCO SUITE, a World’s Stage presentation from Paris. Photo by Agathe Pouoponey.

French-Romanian dramatist Eugène Ionesco pioneered the Theater of the Absurd along with such visionaries as Samuel Beckett, Tom Stoppard and Harold Pinter, creating works that challenged notions of life’s meaning and order.  The piece combines excerpts from seven of the avant-garde playwright’s wildly innovative plays—from the well-known The Bald Soprano and The Lesson to the more rarely performed Jack, or The Submission and Two for Delirium. When Director Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota staged Ionesco’s Rhinoceros ten years ago, he developed a fascination for the playwright’s humor and his obsessions with cohabitation and solitude—inspiring him to create Ionesco Suite so that contemporary audiences could discover the work anew.

The illustrious Théâtre de la Ville produces over 100 different shows annually across the vast spectrum of genres, including theater and performance art, contemporary dance, and classical and world music. They have developed new audiences at home and abroad, forming partnerships with theaters in Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Greece, England and the United States.

In January, CST hosts two contributions to the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival (January 14–25, 2015): The Table from the UK’s Blind Summit and FREEZE! from Belgium-based artist Nick Steur. CST presents the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and National Theatre of Scotland collaboration, Dunsinane, which imagines the aftermath of Shakespeare’s Macbeth (February 26–March 22, 2015). The season began with the Shakespeare’s Globe production of Hamlet from London and an inventive Australian walkabout theatrical journey, Since I Suppose. Over the past decade, CST has imported more than 700 international artists to Chicago.

Jauris Casanova (center) surrounded by the cast of Théâtre de la Ville’s IONESCO SUITE, a World’s Stage presentation from Paris, which will be presented in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, October 15–19, 2014. Back left to right: Charles Roger Bour, Céline Carrère, Stéphane Krähenbühl, Sandra Faure, Gérard Maillet, and Olivier Le Borgne. Photo by Agathe Pouoponey. 

Ionesco Suite will be presented October 15–19 in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s presentation of Ionesco Suite is performed in French with projected English translation. Tickets are on sale now for $45–$55 with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more, as well as CST for $20 tickets available for patrons under 35. All patrons receive a 40% discount on guaranteed parking in Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets or a season subscription, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater’s website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) is a leading international theater company and the recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, CST is dedicated to producing extraordinary production of classics, new works and family fare; to unlocking Shakespeare’s work for educators and students; and to serving as Chicago’s cultural ambassador through its World’s Stage Series. Through a year-round season encompassing more than 600 performances, CST attracts 200,000 audience members annually. One in four of its audience members is under eighteen years old, and today its education programs have impacted the learning of over one million students. CST is proud to take an active role in empowering the next generation of literate, engaged cultural champions and creative minds. Visit www.chicagoshakes.com.

Click here to see more.

OPENING: Women at War at Rivendell 11/5-12/6

Act Out:  Chicago Theatre openings, closings, reviews, giveaways, ticket sale dates and more. 

Chi, IL Live Shows on stage and on our radar.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble

announces the World Premiere of

WOMEN AT WAR

based on true stories of women in combat

November 5-December 6, 2014

It's a big year for notable anniversary seasons and Rivendell hits the big TWO OH. Here at ChiIL Live Shows we're all about their mission statement & claim to fame as "Chicago’s only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core."  Carry on!

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago’s only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, announces the first production of their twentieth anniversary season, the world premiere of WOMEN AT WAR, written by RTE member Megan Carney and directed by Artistic Director Tara Mallen. The production runs November 5-December 6, 2014 at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago.

As a debate rages over whether females should serve on the frontlines, more women are being sent into active combat zones than ever before. Woven from first-person interviews with women who have laid their lives on the front lines, WOMEN AT WAR is the result of four years of intensive research and development. Working closely with veterans and organizations, Megan Carney explores the multifaceted world of female soldiers—from enlistment to deployment to the often complicated return home.

“Today's American military is nearly 15% female and there are over 1.8 million female U.S. veterans. At the same time, a male perspective has dominated the images and tales of war shared in books, movies, theater, and elsewhere. Thanks to a generous grant from the Chicago Community Trust, Rivendell had the resources to begin to share the perspective of the women who serve in the American Military,” comments Tara Mallen. “Along with our community partners at VetCAT (Veterans Creative Arts Therapy) we have been able to forge relationships with veteran service organizations across the state, and connect with more than 70 female veterans to create a moving theatrical piece crafted from diverse and complex stories of women during and following military service. The time is now to make the hidden contributions of these women finally visible and their silence resound.

The cast of WOMEN AT WAR includes: RTE member Mary Cross, Navy Veteran Cynthia Hines, with Rengin Altay, Danielle Davis, Brittani Green, Krystel McNeil, Paula Ramirez, Charli Williams and Susan Gaspar.

The core design team includes: RTE members Diane Fairchild (lighting), Toy Deiorio (sound), Janice Pytel (costumes and lobby installation) and Shera Street (lobby installation).  

The WOMEN AT WAR Production Sponsors are The Chicago Community Trust and The Reva and David Logan Foundation

Title:                            WOMEN AT WAR
Written by:                   RTE member Megan Carney
Directed by:                  RTE Artistic Director Tara Mallen

Featuring:                    RTE member Mary Cross, Rengin Altay, Danielle Davis, Brittani Green, Cynthia Hines, Paula Ramirez, and Susan Gaspar

Previews:                     November 5-November 7, 2014

Gala opening: Sunday, November 9, 2014 at 6:00pm

Regular run:                 through December 6, 2014
                                    No shows November 26 or 27

Schedule:                     Wednesdays-Saturdays at 8:00pm

Saturdays at 4:00pm

Location:                      Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago
Tickets:                        General Admission

Previews: $25

Pre-sale: $32

Walk-up: $35

                                    Student, Senior, Active Military, Veteran
                                                Preview: $15
                                                Pre-sale: $22
                                                Walk-up: $25

Pay What You Can: Five seats (10% of the house) are available for each performance. Reservations are made on a first come first serve basis.

Flex Pass: $110 ($80 for Student/ Senior/ Active Military/ Veteran)

Includes four tickets to use in any combination for the season.

Box Office:                   (773) 334-7728 or www.RivendellTheatre.org

Parking and transportation: Free parking is available in the Senn High School parking lot (located a block and a half from the theatre behind the school off Thorndale Avenue). There is limited paid and free street parking in the area and the theatre is easily accessible via the Clark (#22) or Broadway (#36) bus and a short walk from the Bryn Mawr Red Line El station.

Notes of Interest:

• Today's American military is nearly 15% female, ranging from 7% of Marines to 19% of the Air Force and Reserves. In addition, there are over 1.8 million female U.S. veterans.

• RTE has developed relationships with veteran service organizations, including the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs, Student Veteran’s Centers at UIC and Kennedy-King College, Illinois Health and Disability Advocates, Pritzker Military Library, the National Veterans Art Museum, and VetCAT (Veterans Creative Arts Therapy).

• RTE connected with more than 70 female veterans and collected 28 personal interviews. The result of this work is Women at War, a devised theatrical piece crafted from diverse, rich, and complex stories of women during and following military service.

• A key element in this project has been to use the play as a catalyst to create a dialogue between civilian and veteran communities. Hence a major element of the programming at WOMEN AT WAR will be “Town Hall Saturdays.” Following each Saturday matinee performance, audiences are invited to participate to dive a little deeper through  moderated post-show conversations sparked by themes running through WOMEN AT WAR.  Town Hall Saturdays will be held November 15, 22, 29 and December 6, 2014.

• In 2012, RTE secured a $25,000 grant from the Chicago Community Trust in collaboration with their Community Partners at VetCAT (Veterans Creative Arts Thearapy). With this funding, RTE led an examination of the roles of American women in the shifting landscape of the military and WOMEN AT WAR was born. On November 21, 2013, RTE premiered a staged reading of WOMEN AT WAR at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Ensuing brief workshop performances were held at the National Association of Schools for Theatre annual conference in April of 2014 and then again at Union League Club in May of 2014.

• Cast member and Army Veteran Cynthia Hines makes her theatrical debut in WOMEN AT WAR while also serving as one of the project’s several military consultants. A native of Milwaukee, she joined the U.S. Army in 1994 as a paralegal specialist, where she served 11 years and spent another eight years as a civilian in the Middle East, most notably Iraq and Afghanistan.  During her time on active duty, she was deployed to Germany, Korea, Macedonia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. A graduate of the University of Maryland, she is pursuing a career in theatrical and voiceover acting as well as playwriting. 

RTE@20: You Are Here

This year Rivendell Theatre Ensemble turns twenty years old. When it came to planning the 20th season, we found ourselves at a crossroads, reflecting back on the journey so far...and looking ahead to the future. So in honor of this milestone anniversary, we've mapped out three exciting new plays as well as a remount of last season's Jeff-nominated world premiere. Each work explores the tricky topography of personal choice--and the often uncharted biases that drive how--and why--we make our most life-changing decisions.

The season includes WOMEN AT WAR (October 30-December 6, 2014) written by RTE ensemble member Megan Carney, directed by Artistic Director Tara Mallen; the world premiere of Look We Are Breathing (April 2-May 16, 2015) written by Laura Jacqmin, directed by Megan Schuchman; a remount of Rasheeda Speaking (May 30-June 28, 2015) written by Joel Drake Johnson, directed by Sandy Shinner, to be performed in the Steppenwolf Garage; and How the World Began (September 3-October 17, 2015) by Catherine Trieschmann, featuring RTE member Rebecca Spence.

About Rivendell Theatre Ensemble
Founded in 1994, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble advances women’s lives through the power of theatre. Rivendell cultivates the talents of women artists -- writers, actors, directors, designers and technicians – by seeking out innovative plays that explore unique female experiences and producing them in intimate, salon environments. 

Rivendell fills an important role in the Chicago region as the only Equity theatre dedicated to producing artistically challenging and original plays created by and about women. After years of being an itinerant company, we moved into our own theater space in 2010 in Edgewater. As new members of the community, we are focused on becoming an integral community partner and serving as a catalyst to engage our audiences in a discussion of local social issues. 

For more information about Rivendell Theater Ensemble, http://rivendelltheatre.org.  Follow RTE on Facebook at Facebook.com/rivendelltheatre and on Twitter @RivendellThtr



Rivendell Theatre Ensemble is supported by generous grants from The Alphawood Foundation; The Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development; The Chicago Community Trust; The Chicago Foundation for Women; The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; The Reva and David Logan Foundation; The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust; A CityArts Program 1 Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; and the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Rivendell is also grateful for the support of 100 Women Who Care.

REDMOON’S 5TH ANNUAL BONESHAKER TOPS HALLOWEEN SOCIAL CALENDAR (21+) #discount

BONESHAKER'S BACK!!

(earlybird discount pricing through Oct 24th)

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, we've caught a number of the Boneshaker bashes over the years. The 2014 rendition has the added bonus of actually falling on HALLOWEEN NIGHT (FRIDAY THE 31ST) this year! If you're legal age, check out this must see extravaganza. They promise there'll be plenty of fire. Boneshaker is one night only, so get your tickets before they sell out! Want to bring the little punk kin out to play in addition or instead? Check out Skelebration below--Redmoon style Fam Friendly Fun for 2 weekends this year!  

PHOTO FILLED RECAPS:

CLICK HERE FOR ChiIL Live Shows past Redmoon coverage behind the scenes 2013 build shots from Boneshaker & Skelebration

CLICK HERE FOR ChiIL Mama's coverage of the inaugural Skelebration last year

CLICK HERE FOR more than 25 Redmoon featuresChiIL Mama's done over the years 

BONESHAKER 2014 (21+):

 

Outdoor Fire Garden, Mezcal Salon, Demonic Comedy Club, Devilish Cooking Class, Aerial Performers, Creative Food & Cocktails plus Redmoon’s Haunted Attic Maze “The Nest,” all part of an interactive seasonal extravaganza

At Redmoon’s Pilsen home, October 31

 This Halloween, Redmoon’s wildly popular costume party Boneshaker returns for its fifth annual spectacular installment.  For one night only, Redmoon transforms its massive Pilsen headquarters (2120 S. Jefferson Street) into an otherworldly playground for 1,000 revelers with interactive experiences, inventive machines, creative food and cocktails, and dancing to beats from DJs on three different dance floors.  Boneshaker takes place Friday, October 31 (Halloween night) beginning at 9 pm.

Boneshaker is coordinated and produced by the 18-member Young Engineers of Spectacle (Y.E.S.) Committee, Redmoon’s young professionals’ board.  This year, the event is directed by Kasey Foster, with Will Bishop and Alex Balestrieri under the conceptual direction of Redmoon Producing Artistic Director Frank Maugeri.

Redmoon’s Boneshaker 2014 promises an all-new array of multisensory delights, including:

·        An outdoor Fire Garden featuring Fire Buoys, a sculptural arrangement of flaming devices that debut in the Great Chicago Fire Festival (October 4) on the Chicago River; The Fire Candelabras, two massive, 18-foot-tall candelabras with 10 wood-burning fire pots; and, The Sonic Boom DJ device with skyward-shooting flames.

·        Redmoon’s Celestial Swing, an eerie mausoleum on the outside with a peaceful, ethereal swing inside.

·        The UFO Carousel where guests climb inside one of three gigantic flying saucers and spin off into space alongside a DJ and snacks provided by Spin Spun.

·        A team of three wild DJs alongside Redmoon’s Signature DJ Devices keep the event moving all night long.

·        Two specially featured, interactive experiences include “The Devil’s Confessional,” an intimate, surreal writing room where guests can pour out their deepest secrets to a fiendish confessor, who then gives them a diabolic penance task to perform with the room at large, and Redmoon’s “Cartoon Adventure,” a mini movie theater where guests don headphones and enjoy five original short animated films by Laura Heit, Joseph Hodgson and Franck Aubrey, Hannes Vartianien and Pekka Veikkolainen, Selina Wagner and PES.

·        Graceful acrobats of Aerial Dance Chicago perform overhead and descend on silks to deliver sweet treats to the earth-bound revelers. 

·        Redmoon premieres its newest food service device The Pastry Wheel, which whimsically pairs the iconic image of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair Ferris Wheel with urban pedal power, serving cupcakes, brownies and other enticing sweets. 

·        Performers roam the space serving delightful treats and beverafes, including signature Redmoon mechanical marvels such as The Floating Trays, The Libation Machine, The Monkey Butlers and The Fish Bubble Man.

Guests can enter Redmoon’s haunted sideshow-like series of rooms known as “The Devil’s in the Details,” which hold eerie, humorous and sensual experiences including:

·        “The Chocolate Bar,” a delectable room of dip-able treats.

·        “The Bedroom Swat-a-Fly,” a larger-than-life human fly swatting game.

·        “The Cinematic Cemetery” film studio, where guests can be the star of their own scary movie.

·        “Satan’s Cackle Shack,” where Matt Demon, voted “Hell’s Most Humorous Devil” 1998, entertains the audience with his killer stand-up routine. 

By spinning a wheel to determine a nominal additional fee, which could range from $5 to $10 to a silly physical act, guests gain access to four other experiences:

·        A chance to play “Fired Up,” Redmoon’s newest carnival game where guests shoot a target and are rewarded with a spectacular surprise.

·        “Heck’s Kitchen,” a cooking class with the Devil where guests participate in making Deviled Eggs.

·        A specialty Cigar and Mezcal-Tasting Salon, where an expert cigar-roller creates unique take-aways to sample along with Métl Reserva Especial Mezcal in the outdoor Fire Garden.  

·        Visitors brave enough to enter “The Nest” will ascend into a frightening attic maze.  An adventure into a vampire nest inspired by Bram Stoker’s gothic tale of Dracula, “The Nest” creates an eerie, mystical and enigmatic world that’s chilling without resorting to horror or gore, instead playing on the sounds, shadows and corporeal experience of encountering the supernatural in everyday life.

Additional food and beverages throughout the evening provided by Lagunitas Brewing Company, Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, Spin-Spun All Natural Cotton Candy, Home Run Inn Pizza, Skinny Pop and Eli’s Cheesecake.

Multiple full bars serve an array of cocktails, craft beer and wine all night long.

Free shuttle service during Boneshaker is provided by Chicago Classic Coach.  For pick-up location and schedule visit www.redmoon.org.

Tickets

Early Bird tickets for Boneshaker are $75 and are available until October 24, which include snacks, desserts and open bar (excluding spin-the-wheel add-on experiences).  Tickets purchased October 25 or later are $100, including snacks, desserts and open bar (excluding spin-the-wheel add-on experiences).  Group tickets for 10 or more are available at a 10% discount. 

Tickets are available in advance online at redmoon.org/box-office or by calling 312-850-8440 ext. 123.  Tickets will also be available at the door, subject to availability.  Boneshaker is for patrons age 21 and up. 

One of three annual fundraisers in Redmoon’s “Indoors” season, Boneshaker is a key component to Redmoon’s core mission of bringing unique experiences to public spaces across the city. The money raised at Boneshaker directly funds Redmoon’s free outdoor performances that engage neighborhoods throughout Chicago. 

SKELEBRATION 2014:

For the whole family: Skelebration

The two weekends leading up to Boneshaker, many of the same components will be available in a family-friendly format at Redmoon’s second annual Skelebration at 2120 S. Jefferson Street, Saturdays and Sundays, October 18-19 and 25-26.  The UFO Carousel, Celestial Swing, “Fired Up” game, devilish cooking class, “Bedroom Swat-a-Fly” game, demonic “Comedy Club,” interactive movie set and “The Nest” attic maze all remain. 

Audiences can enter Skelebration at staggered entrance times as follows:  Saturdays at 1 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm, Sundays at 1 pm and 4 pm.  Adult tickets are $20 (age 18+), youth tickets are $12 (age 4-17) and children are free (age 3 and under).  Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.  Tickets are available in advance online at redmoon.org/box-office or by calling 312-850-8440 ext. 123.  Tickets will also be available at the door, subject to availability. 

About Redmoon

Redmoon's mission is to transform the experience of Chicago through free large-scale theatrical events that promote community, creativity and an empowered democracy.  Redmoon burst into Chicago’s cultural consciousness with its award-winning production of Moby Dick in 1995.  While the indoor productions continued to receive critical acclaim and popular support, Jim Lasko chose to focus the theater’s energy outdoors, where Redmoon sought to deploy spectacle to bridge difference and transform the ways that people see and understand public spaces.  Over the past 24 years, Redmoon has become a highly valued Chicago institution with its high-profile collaborations, vibrant outdoor performances and authentic community partnerships.  In 2009, Lasko joined forces with long-time collaborator Frank Maugeri to co-lead Redmoon as it garnered international attention for its unique productions, site-specific performances and participatory events.  Since 1991, Redmoon has performed for more than 250,000 people in 30 different neighborhoods in 116 public spaces. 

Redmoon partners with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Chicago Park District (CPD) to present the inaugural Great Chicago Fire Festival.  A new and totally free urban ritual celebrating Chicago’s grit, greatness and renewal following the devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871, as well as showcasing the rich diversity of neighborhoods that have arisen since, the Great Chicago Fire Festival culminates in a unique public River Bazaar and pyrotechnic Grand Spectacle on the main branch of the Chicago River, Saturday, October 4.

Generous funding for Redmoon’s 2014-15 programming has been provided by The 1111 Foundation; Alphawood Foundation; The Amgis Foundation: The Cookie Jar Fund; The Efroymson Family Fund, a CICF Fund; The John R. Halligan Charitable Fund; The Marshall Frankel Foundation; The Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; The Irving Harris Foundation; Lagunitas Brewing Company; Mardi Gras Fund; The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince; Sahara Enterprises, Inc. and The Thanksgiving Fund.

For more information on Redmoon and its programs, visit www.redmoon.org.

ACT OUT: Don't Miss Season on the Line, A Moby-Dick Adaptation at The House Theatre Through Oct 26th

THE HOUSE THEATRE OF CHICAGO PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE 

OF SEASON ON THE LINE, 

A MOBY-DICK ADAPTATION, 

WRITTEN BY VETERAN HOUSE COMPANY MEMBER SHAWN PFAUTSCH AND DIRECTED BY JESS MCLEOD THROUGH OCTOBER 26 

AT THE CHOPIN THEATRE

It's their lucky 13th year over at The House Theatre and they're kicking it off with a whale of a tale. Here at ChiIL Live Shows we're huge fans of the fabulous works The House Theatre presents and we make a point to try to catch all their productions. This one's high on our must see list, but don't wait around for us. Go already! It's Jeff Recommended, pulling in rave reviews, and geared toward adults and teens. 

PS They also have the coolest t-shirts & swag of any local company we've seen! Get 1... or 3. Click here to check out their store & support the arts.

They also have Monday night shows (which is generally a dark day in the theatre world) if your fall weekends have been as crazy busy as ours. If you're in the industry or a student, they'll even make you a smokin' deal on Sun/Mon tickets & day of tickets, seats permitting.

"4 STARS"
- TimeOut Chicago

"VERY FUN NEW SHOW... startlingly frank and expansive....[It] took considerable guts."
- Chicago Tribune (If you like meta, come read this!)

"READER RECOMMENDED! Its smart pleasures are open to everybody."
- Chicago Reader

Written by Shawn Pfautsch
Directed by Jess McLeod
Based on Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick

PRICES: $25 and 35 for Regular Run
TIMES: Performances are Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays and Mondays at 7:00pm.
RUN TIME: Three one-hour acts and 2 intermissions (Don't worry! As our Reader Recommended review says, "The 200-minute running time may sound long, but I can't imagine what I’d cut." )
PARENTS' GUIDE: Season on the Line is recommended for adults and teens, and you can read more in our Parents' Guide!

Buy Tickets
Save up to 40% right here!

Post by The House Theatre of Chicago.

Melville’s Pequod crew is transformed into the fictional Bad Settlement Theatre Company, beleaguered by a dilapidated building, strained finances, and an aging artistic director with a singular focus: the first-ever perfect production of Moby-Dick. Still reeling from a scathing review and badly failed production of his Moby-Dick 20 years prior, the director is hell-bent on mounting the perfect new vision to vindicate himself and save his company from ruin. A novice assistant stage manager joins the ranks at the top of the company’s make-or-break season, and is thrown quickly into the fray. Mirroring Melville’s unconventional forms, the play swings from soliloquy to encyclopedic investigation to action-adventure story.  Season on the Line is our young narrator’s look back at the industry he has grown to love, even as those around him pay the ultimate price in pursuit of their great white whale.

Leonora Dickson is the Production Sponsor for Season on the Line. Development of Season on the Line has been supported in part by the Boeing Company and University of Chicago's Summer, Inc. residency.

Show Dates: through Oct 26 2014 

Location: Chopin Theatre

1543 W. Division St, Chicago

The House Theatre of Chicago presents Season on the Line, the first production of the company’s 13th season, at the Chopin Theatre Upstairs Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., through Sunday, Oct. 26. The play, a world premiere adaptation of Herman Melville’s Moby- Dick, is written by Company Member Shawn Pfautsch and directed by Jess McLeod, in her debut at The House.

Regular performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays and Mondays at 7pm. The running time is approximately 2 hours, 45 mintues. Regular run tickets range from $25 – 35. 

*$10 Student and Industry same-day discounted tickets are available for all dates, seats permitting. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.thehousetheatre.com or call 773.769.3832.

Pfautsch’s modern adaptation, Season on the Line, is a love letter to American theater featuring a 19 person cast. Melville’s story of the hunt for the white whale is transformed into the Bad Settlement Theatre Company, beleaguered by a dilapidated building, strained finances and a tyrannical artistic director with a singular focus: the first-ever perfect production of Moby-Dick. A novice assistant stage manager joins the ranks at the top of the company’s make-or-break season and is thrown quickly into the fray. Mirroring Melville’s unconventional form, Season on the Line is the young narrator’s look back at the industry he has grown to love, even as those around him pay the ultimate price in pursuit of their own great white whale.

The cast for Season on the Line features Equity guest artists Thomas J. Cox* as Artistic Director Ben Adonna, and Maggie Kettering* as his right-hand and stage manager, Day Starr. Guest artist Ty Olwin steps into the role of our narrator, mirroring the reflections of Melville’s Ishmael. House Company Member Marika Mashburn (last seen in Death & Harry Houdini) steps into the role of Elizabeth, a company director helming a wacky avant-garde production in the company’s season. House Company Member Abu Ansari (also last seen in Death & Harry Houdini) appears as a Ugandan actor and voice of reason. Returning guest artists Christopher M. Walsh and Mary Hollis Inboden both play designers stretched to their limits by the outrageous demands of the season. Guest artists Danny Bernardo, Tiffany Yvonne Cox, Shane Kenyon, Bob Kruse, Andy Lutz, Molly Lyons, Marvin Quijada, Jessica Dean Turner, and Rawson Vint fill the ensemble with actors, designers, and technicians. Sean Sinitski completes the ensemble as the primary object of obsession, the chief theater critic.

The production team features work from House company members Shawn Pfautsch (Playwright), Lee Keenan (Scenic and Lighting design), Kevin O’Donnell (Composer/Sound Designer); with guest artists Jess McLeod (Director), Izumi Inaba (Costume Designer).

ABOUT SHAWN PFAUTSCH
Pfautsch is a veteran company member with The House Theatre of Chicago having joined the company in 2000. Two of Pfautsch’s full-length plays have been produced at The House: Hatfield & McCoy and The Attempters. His short plays and one-acts have been produced in Chicago as well as Texas, Florida and Iowa.

With The House, he has worked or starred in Death & Harry Houdini (all incarnations), The Terrible Tragedy of Peter Pan, all three entries in the Valentine Trilogy, Cave With Man, The Boy Detective Fails, the first production of Dave DaVinci Saves the Universe, Thieves Like Us and Cyrano. He has also travelled with The House to the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami twice, taking the stage with The Sparrow and Death & Harry Houdini.

As a member of The Hypocrites avant garde Gilbert & Sullivan Rep, Pfautsch has been performing The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado to audiences in Chicago (at the Chopin Theatre and Steppenwolf Garage) and around the country (at American Repertory Theatre in Boston and Actors Theatre of Louisville) since 2010.

Elsewhere in Chicago and abroad, he has been on stage with: Steppenwolf Theatre (Theatrical Essays), Chicago Shakespeare (Julius Caesar), Chicago Childrens’ Theatre (A Year With Frog and Toad), Lakeside Shakespeare in Michigan (Henry V, Love’s Labors Lost, King Lear, As You Like It), Signal Ensemble (Old Wicked Songs) and the Dallas Theatre Center (South

Pacific). Pfautsch also had a role as the recurring character Alan Devlin on FOX’s “Mob Doctor.”

ABOUT JESS McLEOD
McLeod directs for the first time with The House Theatre of Chicago. She is an Associate Artist at The Music Theatre Company, where her credits include The Pajama Game, Fugitive Songs in Concert, and the Young Artist Program productions of Mill Girls, Zanna, Don't!
and YAPbook '11. Other Chicago: Funeral Wedding: The Alvin Play (Strange Tree Group), L-Vis Live! (Victory Gardens), Kin (Griffin Theatre), The Wedding Singer (Haven Theatre), and Venus at Steppenwolf, co-produced by Northwestern's M.F.A. directing program, through which McLeod also directed In Trousers and Mourning Becomes Electra and co-created "Master Clash," the M.F.A. Writer/Director short play festival. From 2005-08, McLeod served as Director
of Programming for The New York Musical Theatre Festival, where she oversaw all curating and directed pop/musical theatre fusion concerts including The Unauthorized Musicology of Ben Folds. She has also directed workshops of new plays and musicals for American Theater Company, The Music Theatre Company, The American Music Theatre Project and The House, and heads
Timber Lake Playhouse's Summer Playwrights Lab.

Leonora Dickson is the Production Sponsor for Season on the Line. Development of Season on the Line has been supported in part by the Boeing Company and University of Chicago's Summer, Inc. residency.

ABOUT THE HOUSE THEATRE OF CHICAGO

The House is Chicago's premier home for original works of physical and spectacle storytelling. Founded and led by Artistic Director Nathan Allen and driven by an interdisciplinary ensemble of Chicago’s next generation of great storytellers, The House aims to become a laboratory and platform for the evolution of the American theatre as an inclusive and popular artform.

The House was founded in 2001 by a group of friends to explore connections between Community and Storytelling through a unique theatrical experience. Since becoming eligible in 2004, The House has been nominated for 60 Joseph Jefferson Awards (19 wins) and became the first recipient of Broadway in Chicago’s Emerging Theater Award in 2007. Now in its 12th year of original work, The House continues its mission to unite Chicago in the spirit of Community through amazing feats of Storytelling.

ACT OUT: Jane Eyre at Lifeline Through October 26th

Jane Eyre is high on our must see list. The fall theatre season has been so full, we haven't had time to catch it yet, but we've been hearing great things. Also, our friend, Ada Grey (10), youngest critic in town, and her dad are both in it, so there's extra incentive to go. You may remember her as the creepy little girl in The House Theatre's The Iron Stag King, another show she was in with her dad. Many of the Jane Eyre performances, especially weekend shows, are sold out, so don't miss out. Get your tickets today.

Production photos by Jackie Jasperson

"★★★ Streamlines the complicated plot while providing compelling glimpses of the psychological demons and moral deformities haunting its lovers... stark but effective staging choices" -Chicago Tribune

"All the complexities of Jane's life and the atmosphere of the novel are translated into sights, sounds, and emotions in front of us." -Time Out Chicago

"Dorothy Milne's expressionistic direction moves the story along... every actor here is in top form" -Chicago Reader

Jane Eyre runs Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 4pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 4pm, through October 26.  Special Performances: After a troubled childhood, Jane Eyre searches for new purpose as a governess at Thornfield Hall. But a fragile peace gives way to turbulent passion when she meets Mr. Rochester, a man concealing a dark secret. Their unconventional relationship leads to a terrible revelation, and Jane must forge a new future from the ashes of her ravaged dreams. As she struggles to free herself from the ghosts of her past, Jane realizes that her only hope is to find love on her own terms. A highly theatrical exploration of one woman’s independent spirit in a beloved adaptation based on the classic 1847 novel by Charlotte Brontë. Based on the classic romance by Charlotte Brontë Adapted by Christina Calvit Directed by Dorothy Milne Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com) Audio Description and Touch Tour Saturday, October 25 - Touch tour: 2:30pm, Performance: 4:00pm Visit our Accessibility page for more information about these special shows. Many upcoming performances are already sold out - call the box office today at (773) 761-4477 or order online.

Chicago punks Dead On TV will celebrate the release of the EP Creeper with a show at Township on Saturday, Oct. 18

Chi, IL Live Shows on Our Radar

Dead on TV (Record Release)

(Aboriginal Rock)

mPshows.com Presents
Dead on TV (Record Release)
/ Crude Humor / Happy99 / Off Color
Saturday, Oct 18, 2014 6:00 PM CDT (6:00 PM Doors)
Township, Chicago, IL

ALL AGES!
Record release show for Dead On TV's new EP, CREEPER! 



DEAD ON TV
Shit Show New-Wave Garage Punk From Chicago, Dead on TV has stroked audiences all over the nation with their brand of explosive new-wave punk narcissism. This sound, coupled with the smash and grab disruption of lead singer Dan Evans, the brutal machine-like ineptness of drummer Vince Mcaley, the pounding low end of synth player Mike Bradberry and a complete and heinous disregard for the life of guitar player Corey Devlin has resulted in some of the most epically offensive shows ever removed from youtube for violation of community standards.

CRUDE HUMOR
Nik, Omar, and Bradley were born as siamese triplets. We found Luke later on. He was a prom night dumpster baby.

HAPPY99
Punk Rock/Alternative/Whatever you think we are band band from Chicago.


OFF COLOR

http://www.deadontv.org/

Second City Comedy 2nd To None

There's a reason Second City is a world renowned breeding ground for comedians. They're very good at what they do and have a gazillion famous alums. Still, if you live here in Chicago it's easy to forget the ongoing shows in the onslaught of stellar short runs. So we're going to give a little love to the reigning kings & queens of improv and sketch comedy. 

I was just there a few days ago for a press preview/World Premier of What's Happy Got to Do With It? with the fabulously funny and insightful Doctor G (Author, Deborah Gilboa) in Second City’s ETC Theatre. Thanks to Second City for wining and dining us and hosting this program geared towards parents. Deborah Gilboa has a down to earth persona and an uncanny ability to impart truly useful nuggets of parenting wisdom without coming across as a know it all. Thanks to our friends over at The Silverman Group for the heads up. 

I have a background in improv and theatre arts and actively acted throughout high school, college and a bit beyond, though I never did work for Second City. I can't tell you though how many of my college improv colleagues and Chicago theatre pals have passed through those hallowed halls! Many of them are STILL teaching there and/or can be seen on stage. 

Here's Second City's Up Comedy Club current lineup:


UP COMEDY CLUB
(of course live theatre doesn't technically have a rating system like films, but do note, these shows are self rated "R" and make a better parents' night out than a family foray.)



Click here for all the stand up going down.

Nick Thune

THE SECOND CITY'S DEEP CUTS

SECOND CITY'S NEWEST ARCHIVAL SHOW (ending 10/12)

Join the cast of The Second City's Deep Cuts as they navigate the daily apocalypse of the internet age, where the end of the world is simply fodder for top ten lists and worldwide politics are boiled down to philosophical T-Rex memes. Too busy googling your ex-boyfriend to make a new memory at prom? Too many Big Macs ruining your profile smile?  It's easy to go to the hit single, but the deep cuts are where it really gets rewarding.

CAST: Bente Engelstoft, Peter Kim, Kelsey Kinney, Adam Peacock, Dewayne Perkins, Rashawn Nadine Scott

DIRECTOR: Anthony LeBlanc

MUSICALDIRECTOR: Vinnie Pillarella

STAGE MANAGER: Meghan Teal

Follow along with #SCDeepCuts.

90 minutes with a brief intermission.

Suggested Rating: R

The Second City’s Incomplete Guide to Everything 
Open Run
Tuesdays at 8pm
Saturdays & Sundays at 4pm Location: UP Comedy Club, Piper’s Alley, 3^rd Floor, 230 W North Ave
Tickets: $24 - $29 
Box Office: 230 W North Ave; by phone at 312-662-4562; online at www.upcomedyclub.com 

From the great books to the worst presidents, The Second City has spent half a century laughing in the face of our past, present and future.  And now it’s all in one show…sort of.  UP Comedy Club presents The Second City’s Incomplete Guide to Everything, a hilarious collection of scenes and songs that skewers everything that you learned in college – or that you should have learned in college on the days you slept in.  

Incomplete Guide is directed by Ryan Bernier with Musical Direction by Vinne Pillarella.  The cast of The Second City’s Incomplete Guide to Everything includes Second City veterans Sayjal Joshi, Shad Kunkle, Beth Melewski, Tim Stoltenberg, Daniel Strauss and Niccole Thurman.

Suggested Rating: R
Run Time: 90 minutes; brief intermission

Second City’s Game Night
Open Run
Wednesdays at 8pm
Location: UP Comedy Club, Piper’s Alley, 3^rd Floor, 230 W North Ave
Tickets: $24 

Box Office: 230 W North Ave; by phone at 312-662-4562; online at www.upcomedyclub.com 

Everyone wins at Second City's Game Night! Get ready to join in the fun with Chicago's best improvisers for an evening of unscripted improvisational comedy. Join in the fun by earning points for your team and playing classic game shows. So raise your hand for a chance to get on stage and to win a prize!

Game Night features Joey Bland, Brendan Dowling, Paul Grondy, Megan Hovde, Tim Paul and Sue Salvi with musical direction by Matthew Cohen. Meghan Teal is the stage manager.

Run Time: 90 minutes; brief intermission

Second City Improv All Stars
Open Run
Mondays at 8pm
Location: UP Comedy Club, Piper’s Alley, 3^rd Floor, 230 W North Ave
Tickets: $17 
Box Office: 230 W North Ave; by phone at 312-662-4562; online at www.upcomedyclub.com 

See Chicago’s finest improvisers under the direction of the legendary Mick Napier in an evening of unscripted and unequaled improvisational comedy.  This show is highly interactive, hilarious and thoroughly original.

Suggested Rating: R
Run Time: 60 minutes

The Second City’s Holidazed and Confused Revue
November 16 – December 27, 2014
Thursdays at 8pm
Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays 8pm and 11pm
Sundays at 7pm
Location: UP Comedy Club, Piper’s Alley, 3^rd Floor, 230 W North Ave
Tickets: $24 
Box Office: 230 W North Ave; by phone at 312-662-4562; online at www.upcomedyclub.com 

UP Comedy Club presents the hilarious sketch comedy show Second City's Holidazed and Confused. Laugh this season with family and friends as Second City skewers all that is right and wrong about the holidays.

Suggested Rating: R
Run Time: 90 minutes; brief intermission.