OPENING: The Hypocrites Present Gilbert & Sullivan Rep #FamilyFriendly #Theatre

The Hypocrites are truly a treat. Highly recommended. Consider gifting your loved ones with tickets to this triple play. Last year we had the pleasure of seeing Mikado and it was one of our top favorites of the year. The Hypocrites worked the promenade style exceedingly well, and pulled the audience right into the show. This year we plan on checking out the acclaimed H.M.S. Pinafore and Pirates of Penzance as well.

ChiIL Mama & the kids ChiILin' at The Hypocrites' Mikado 

Gilbert & Sullivan Rep

Directed by Sean Graney and Thrisa Hodits

Music Direction by Andra Velis Simon

featuring the world premiere adaptation of

H.M.S. Pinafore

Adaption by Sean Graney, Matt Kahler & Andra Velis Simon

along with the highly anticipated return of BOTH

Pirates of Penzance 

Adaption by Sean Graney & Kevin O'Donnell

and

Mikado

Adaption by Sean Graney

Looking for something fun to do with the family

this Thanksgiving holiday week?

Join The Hypocrites for the first week of

H.M.S. Pinafore:

Wed 11/26/2014 8:00 PM

Fri 11/28/2014 8:00 PM

Sat 11/29/2014 8:00 PM

Sun 11/30/2014 3:00 PM

Mon 12/1/2014 8:00 PM

H.M.S. Pinafore: Nov 26th-Feb 7th

Mikado: Dec 11th-Feb 7th

Pirates: Dec 18th-Feb 7th

The Hypocrites are one of our top local favorites, and the Jeff Committee seems to agree with us. We're elated to see The Mikado will return December 2014-February 2015 along with the whole Gilbert & Sullivan Rep. 

Mash Note to Mikado:

Dear Hypocrites Mikado-- We were so elated to see you last December. You lit up the darkest, coldest of times with flash and panache. We told everyone we knew about you and couldn't wait to introduce them to you. Of course you charmed anyone who came within reach of your siren's song!

You didn't just break down the 4th wall, you ran rings around it! We were so impressed with your acting, costumes, and the whole interactive, participatory vibe. You were a colorful, riotous explosion of song, dance and fun and a blast to spend an evening with.

We can't wait to see you again!

ChiIL Mama & the kids

The intimate tent like setting full of tiny bulbs was a welcoming beacon of warmth and celebration of light at the darkest time of the year. The rag tag band of circus sorts doing a hybrid of the traditional Mikado score with an utterly unique and playful spin was a compelling mix. We adore the improv elements The Hypocrites employ and the way they truly engaged the crowd and played off of them and WITH them.

Promenade staging (or shows where the audience stands and mingles in the performance space and follows the action, moving as needed) was used to great effect for The Hypocrites runaway hit, The Mikado. We've honestly never seen the 3rd wall so effectively broken down. The Mikado was playful, fun, interactive and highly effective as a promenade style piece.  

This past year, The House Theatre's acclaimed Dorian production was promenade style, as was a Midsummer Night's Dream at Strange Loop Theatre among others. Red Moon Theatre's Bellboys, Bears and Baggage, was billed as a promenade style spectacle, too. Yet we've never seen the style pulled off as well as The Mikado does.

Reviews from Mikado and Pirates:

★★★★ (out of ★★★★)   

"The Hypocrites apply their winning formula of hip deconstruction and dark comedy to the cherished operetta"

Chicago Tribune

"Spirited, affectionate, and nearly irresistible"

Boston Globe

"Terrific...The Hypocrites' musicianship has never sounded better."

TimeOut Chicago

For the full schedule of the rep, click here.

All Our Tragic Returns June-August 2015

Missed All Our Tragic this time around?

Saw it but wanted to come back or tell your friends?

Well now you have a second chance

Buy your tickets for next summer now

The Hypocrites at

Den Theatre Mainstage 

1329 N Milwaukee  

The Blind Shake New LP Breakfast of Failures Out On Goner Now

The Blind Shake On Fall Tour Now Listen to "Parachutes" on  Brooklyn Vegan New LP Breakfast of Failures Out On Goner Now Remaining Fall Tour Dates 11.19 - Subterranean Chicago IL 11.20 - Donovans Detroit MI 11.21 - Silver Dollar Toronto ON 11.22 - The National Montreal QC 11.23 - Great Scott Boston MA 11.25 - Cake Shop Brooklyn NY 11.26 - Baby's All Right Brooklyn NY 11.28 - Underground Arts Philadelphia PA 11.29 - Kings Raleigh NC 12.01 - Hi Tone Memphis TN 12.03 - The Earl Atlanta GA 12.04 - Siberia New Orleans LA 12.05 - Good Vibrations Festival at Hotel Vegas Austin TX Tracklist 01. Old Lake 02. Parachute 03. Dots In The Fog 04. Breakfast of Failures 05. Go Lie 06. Young Carnival Waste 07. Pollen 08. In A Trance 09. Mildew 10. Nobody Else Listen to "Parachute" on Brooklyn Vegan Dense, massive locomotive music from this Minneapolis three-piece. Powerful sounds with the ability to careen through one cinematic, post-apocalyptic chase scene after another.  Breakfast Of Failures comes clanging and crashing through these confused times. "The Blind Shake is at once spacey, primitive futuristic, and brutal: a kind of backyard extraterrestrial minimal surf-punk party. One guitar, one baritone guitar, a fuckload of reverb, and a drummer who deserves an Olympic medal." --SF Weekly Fronted by brothers Jim and Mike Blaha, with friend Dave Roper on drums, the trio have been tunneling through the underground since before telephones could talk. Having six full length albums to their credit, several singles, three collaborations with psych legend Michael Yonkers and another with downstroke warrior John Reis, the band continues to push the sliding scale between catchy punk songs and pitch red noise. Breakfast Of Failures was recorded by Chris Woodhouse at The Dock in Sacramento, CA. Listen to "Old Lake" on Noisey Links Website Facebook Twitter Goner Records

OPENING: The Mousetrap at Northlight Theatre

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

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

Here at ChiIL Live Shows we adore a good mystery and The Mousetrap is the world's longest running play (now at 62 years on London’s West End), written by one of the finest masters of the craft, renowned mystery writer Agatha Christie.

We'll be there for opening night tonight, so check back for our full review shortly. Northlight is a long running favorite of ours for stellar production values and excellent casting choices. Book your tickets before they disappear like the guests of Monkswell Manor!

On a snowy night at Monkswell Manor, newlyweds Mollie and Giles welcome a group of strangers to their guest house, only to discover news of a murderer in their midst! A police investigation reveals the sordid details of each guest’s mysterious past, but not soon enough to stop the killer from striking again. Agatha Christie’s masterful whodunit weaves an intricate plot filled with nerve-rattling suspense, all leading up to the ultimate final twist!

The Mousetrap

PHOTO CREDIT: MICHAEL BROSILOW

The cast of The Mousetrap includes Greg Matthew Anderson (Det. Sgt. Trotter), Patrick Clear (Major Metcalf), Joey deBettencourt (Christopher Wren), Joe Dempsey (Mr. Paravincini), Laura T. Fisher (Mrs. Boyle), Keith Neagle (Giles Ralston), Lindsey Pearlman (Miss Casewell) and Cora Vander Broek (Mollie Ralston).

Title:  The Mousetrap

Written by: Agatha Christie

Directed by: Jonathan Berry

         

Featuring:                 Greg Matthew Anderson, Patrick Clear, Joey deBettencourt, Joe Dempsey, Laura T. Fisher, Keith Neagle, Lindsey Pearlman and Cora Vander Broek.

         

                         

            

           Dates:  Regular run: November 15 – December 14, 2014

          Schedule:  Tuesdays: 7:30pm (except Nov. 18 and Dec. 2)

                           Wednesdays: 1:00pm (except Dec. 10) and 7:30pm (except Nov. 26)

                           Thursdays: 7:30pm (except Nov. 27)

                           Fridays: 8:00pm (except Opening on Nov. 14 at 7:30pm)

                           Saturdays: 2:30pm (except Nov. 8) and 8:00pm

                           Sundays: 2:30pm and 7:00pm (except Nov. 16 and 23 and Dec. 14)

Open Captioned   Sunday, December 7 at 7:00pm

Performance:

Location:  Northlight Theatre is located at the North Shore

                             Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd,

                             Skokie

Tickets:                   

                              Regular run: $25-$78

                             Student tickets are $15, any performance

(subject to availability)

Box Office:              The Box Office is located at 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie.

                                    847.673.6300; northlight.org

INCOMING: Quinn Tsan Debut EP Release at Constellation 11/14 (18+)

Chicago singer-songwriter Quinn Tsan will celebrate the release of her debut EP, Good Winter, with a show at Constellation on Friday, Nov. 14. Passerines and Kelsey Wild will be on hand to open the show.

Quinn Tsan

Passerines

Kelsey Wild

FRI, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

9:30 PM

$10.00

QUINN TSAN

Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, singer/songwriter Quinn Tsan began playing music in 2008 when she relocated to Chicago, IL to sing back-up for Joe Pug. Classically trained in dance though always having an affinity for music, Tsan quickly immersed herself in the local scene, going on to sing with Sarah Holtschlag, Rachele Eve, Johnny Lewis, and Sima Cunningham, among others. This performance will celebrate the release of her debut EP, Good Winter. 

"precise and sweetly comforting, deliberate while staying endearing, all while showing off a knack for mood-building that most young acts don't develop so quickly."

PASSERINES

Passerines is a Chicago based music group that weaves together aspects of chamber music, indie folk, and r&b.

KELSEY WIL

Born: 1990 in Honolulu USA
Piano lessons: 1996-2002
Writing music since 2004

I have a cat, a dog, a goldfish named Nancy Kerrigan. I like to roller skate, I have a scar on my left index finger from a box-cutter, I love coffee, I hate licorice, and I don't like to dance except when the music's good and I'm with friends who are also bad at dancing. 
I love to play and write music, but not all the time. It's a relationship with highs and lows, plagued by doubt and frustration but always good enough to keep going. I read an essay by Ray Bradbury once about how art is created because of the artist's ego, and I think that's true. I try to find other reasons so I don't feel so guilty.

I like the ocean and I like to walk places.

https://www.facebook.com/quinntsanmusic

https://soundcloud.com/come-virgil-music/sets/good-winter

SAVE THE DATE: "Mearra - Selkie From the Sea” at Old Town School Sunday 12/7 (6+) #FamilyFriendly

Chicago singer-songwriter Linda Marie Smith will be presenting the multimedia show "Mearra - Selkie From the Sea” at the Old Town School on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 3PM.

This family-friendly performance features Smith's adaptation of a classic Celtic tale told with original songs and performed with a six piece orchestra playing along to projected animation. 

In this re-imagined story, Mearra, a mythical seal, makes use of her magical ability to transform into a human being, marries Ian, a lonely fisherman and eventually starts a family; knowing all the while she must inevitably return to the sea as a seal, or perish. The characters experience love, loss and transformation while emotionally charged music, beautiful stage lighting and evocative projected imagery all come together to make for an unforgettable multi-media concert experience.

This show comes to life on the heels of Smith's successful previous multi-media music production The Triumph of Artemisia. Smith's unique vocal style has a folk rock sensibility and her music has been described as romantic, soulful and earthy; her lyrics and melodies weave colorful stories of intriguing people and curious places. 

She received honorable mention in the Billboard Songwriting Contest, has co-produced and performed in two of the acclaimed Michael Smith's musical productions, teaches at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago and has been recognized by the Illinois Arts Council in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Arts.

Sunday, December 7, 2014  ♦  3:00 PM

Linda Marie Smith presents

Mearra - Selkie from the Sea

Recommended for Ages 6+

4544 N Lincoln Ave · Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall · 773.728.6000

• $18 General Public
• $16 Members

Click here to purchase tickets & for more details.

http://www.lindamsmith.com/mearra/

INCOMING: 10th Annual Barn Dance Apocalypse, featuring The Golden Horse Ranch Band (17+)

Chi, IL Live Shows on Our Radar

10th Annual Barn Dance Apocalypse, featuring The Golden Horse Ranch Band, at Thalia Hall on Saturday, Nov. 8.

What began as a gathering of friends at Open End/Av Aerie has grown into huge crowds at unique and undisclosed locations around Chicago. After taking a tour of the unfinished Thalia Hall in 2013, The Golden Horse Ranch Band knew this old dancehall would be the perfect location for the 10th annual Barn Dance Apocalypse.

Third generation square dance caller Annie Coleman summons her roots of calling dances at her grandparents dude ranch, after which the band is named. While the band plays street festivals, city-sponsored events, and weddings year-round, the real deal is the Barn Dance Apocalypse. It's loud, wild, and loaded with love, with a strong queer following. Friends and lovers have met and a beautiful community of friends has been built.

This is the band's first ever public Barn Dance. In the past, the underground spaces have filled to the brim quickly, and a big crowd is expected for this exciting event at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport in Chicago, on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 8PM CST.

http://www.goldenhorseranch.com/

FOO FIGHTERS CONFIRM ALL-CHICAGO ALL-STAR WRIGLEY FIELD LINE-UP CHEAP TRICK, NAKED RAYGUN & URGE OVERKILL TO SUPPORT ON SATURDAY AUGUST 29

TICKETS ON SALE 10am CT MONDAY, OCTOBER 27 Foofighters.com Pre-Sales Begin 10am CT October 24 Sonic Highways Out November 10 on Roswell/RCA

Fresh off the critically lauded, ratings smash Chicago-centric debut of their HBO series Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways and a packed to the gills premiere shindig at Wrigleyville’s Cubby Bear, Foo Fighters have confirmed the Windy City as the site of the band’s first ever U.S. stadium headline show: On August 29, 2015, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear will return to the same neighborhood where Grohl saw his first ever live show, this time to play the storied Wrigley Field.

And now it has been confirmed that Foo Fighters’ Wrigley extravaganza will feature a day-long multigenerational celebration of Chicago’s musical heritage: Kings of the Chicago underground Urge Overkill will open the festivities, followed by Naked Raygun a/k/a the band that played that same Cubby Bear gig that was teenage Dave Grohl’s first live show. In the penultimate spot will be the local and international multi-platinum legends Cheap Trick, whose Rick Nielsen both appears in the Sonic Highways series and contributes his unmistakable guitar tones to the album’s lead track and current Rolling Stone Playlist #1 “Something From Nothing."

Tickets for Foo Fighters’ historic Wrigley Field stand will be on sale to the public Monday, October 27 at 10am CT at cubs.com/foo, with fan club pre-sales beginning 10am CT Friday, October 24 and running through 5pm CT Sunday, October 26. A 4 ticket limit for the general admission floor, and 6 ticket limit for the reserved sections will be strictly enforced.

For further information stay tuned to foofighters.com