OPENING: The Christmas Schooner at Mercury Theater

Tonight ChiIL Mama and Sage will be reviewing at opening night of The Christmas Schooner at Mercury Theater. We like our holiday sugar and spice with a dash of the macabre, so we're very much looking forward to this tale of ship wrecks and evergreens. Check back for our full review shortly. The Christmas Schooner has been delighting audiences for hundreds of productions including a twelve year run at Chicago's Bailiwick Repertory Theatre but this will be our first time to see it!

LIVELY NEW CAST OF THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER sets sail at Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Avenue. 

A new cast of award-winning actors are set to bring new life to Chicago’s beloved holiday musical THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, running November 26 through December 28, 2014. Jeff Award winner Stef Tovar takes the helm as the Schooner’s new captain, alongside Brianna Borger as the Captain’s wife Alma Stossel. 

The whole family will enjoy this heart-warming musical story of the first Christmas tree ship and the family who risked their lives to fill Chicago with the Christmas spirit. Hailed as "A sacred part of a Chicago Christmas!" by the Chicago Tribune, the production features a powerful, moving story, an exquisite score of original music and traditional holiday favorites, and a company of 25 actors and musicians. The production is helmed by the Jeff-award winning team of L. Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene

Dizon (Musical Director) and Brenda Didier (Choreographer).

The shipwreck of the Rouse Simmons, known as 'The Christmas Tree Ship,' served as inspiration for THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER. Her captain and crew risked the notoriously violent winter lake to bring Christmas trees from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Chicago's German immigrants. Each year, Captain Herman Schuenemann would sell trees right off of the ship at the Clark Street Docks, and was known to give free trees to the needy. On November 23, 1912, the ship was swept up in a terrible storm. It was not until 59 years later that she was discovered, lying in 170 feet of water. Today the Rouse Simmons and her cargo of 5,500 well stacked trees remain preserved in the cold, fresh waters of Lake Michigan and her legend has grown to mythical proportions. The Blaine Nickelodeon - the silent film theater that now houses the Mercury - opened that very same year.

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER has entertained audiences in hundreds of productions including a twelve year run at Chicago's Bailiwick Repertory Theatre. A timely and uplifting tale of love, THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER is a poignant ode to the rich legacy of Chicago and a reminder of our responsibility to celebrate the living while honoring our heritage. In 2011, Mercury Theater Chicago revived THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER with a full orchestra and an all-star cast, garnering a "Best Production" nomination for the 2012 Jeff Awards. The production has been called "A grand family tradition!" by the Chicago Tribune and "An inheritance to be treasured...Highly recommended!" by the Chicago Sun-Times. Time Out Chicago Kids says that "A slice of Chicago history and an emotion-packed, Christmas-themed tale of redemption give the Mercury Theater Chicago's production of THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER all the trappings of a family holiday tradition in the making!"

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER is written by John Reeger (book) and Julie Shannon (music and lyrics) and will be brought new life by cast members Jeff Award winner Stef Tovar as Peter Stossel, Brianna Borger as Alma Stossel, and James Wilson Sherman as Gustav Stossel. Rounding out the crew on this year's schooner voyage are William Anderson, Brian Bohr, Kelly Anne Clark, Jaclyn Dougherty, Elizabeth Lanza, Leah Morrow, Michael Pacas, Eric Parker, Jim Rank and Daniel Smeriglio. The scenic design is by Jacqueline and Richard Penrod, with costume design by Carol J. Blanchard and lighting design by Jason Epperson.

The beautifully renovated Mercury Theater Chicago is an intimate jewel box of a theater in the heart of the Southport Corridor, a sophisticated neighborhood of restaurants and boutiques just steps from Wrigley Field. A delightful theater destination, Mercury Theater Chicago takes care of its guests from the moment they arrive with valet service, dining at its adjoining restaurant, Deleece, and post-show libations at Cullen’s Bar & Grill. Under the leadership of Executive Director L. Walter Stearns, Mercury Theater Chicago will follow THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER with the devilishly delightful THE ADDAMS FAMILY– THE MUSICAL (...which we also can NOT wait to see here at ChiIL Mama/ ChiIL Live Shows!!).

The performance schedule for THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER is Wednesdays at 7:30pm, Thursdays at 3:00pm and 7:30pm, Fridays at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 3:00pm and 8:00pm and Sundays at 3:00pm and 7:30pm.

Individual tickets range from $25-$65, and are available online at www.MercuryTheaterChicago.com, over the phone at 773.325.1700, or in person at 3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago.

OPENING: Burning Bluebeard is Back at Theater Wit For 2014 #ChiILPicksList

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

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

Ode to Burning Bluebeard: How do we love thee... let me count the ways. How can a show about the most deadly single building fire in HISTORY be a family friendly holiday show?! How can we return year after year, like a moth to the flame, strangely drawn to this crispy cast of castaways, to look into their soot smudged faces and hear their stories? 

**Click here & scroll down to check out 5+ of our past Burning Bluebeard features.** 

There are many of our all time favs returning for the 2014 holiday season. Burning Bluebeard tops our list of must see remounts. It's too good to just see once, or even once a season. Highly recommended! ChiIL Live Shows/ChiILMama's ChiIL Picks List for best holiday theatre.

Burning Bluebeard won't break the bank and is an amazing dark comedy, with thought provoking dialogue and amusing physical play. We thoroughly enjoyed it the past two years, I took both kids the first year, at The Futurarium, because Anthony Courser (Bluebeard) had been their circus instructor for a while and they love to see their instructors in creative projects. But there's one intense scene (blackout/audio only recap of the fire) sensitive kids may have a tough time with. 

We'd give it a PG13/mature tweens and up rating, because of the macabre subject matter (600 people-primarily women & children trampled, burned & dying in a theatre fire!), though handled tastefully. Of course, every kid is different, and since mine are fairly theatre savvy and unflappable, they were 9 & 11 when we first saw it. If in doubt, do your research. 

Burning Bluebeard is based on a true slice of history that should be seen and remembered, especially if you frequently see shows at The Oriental Theatre. 110+ years after this tragedy, Burning Bluebeard depicts this horrific event many are completely unaware even happened, in a poignant and creative way. It's a moving tribute.  

 

With Chi-town favs Jay Torrence, as writer, and Halena Kays directing, this is an absolute must see. Much of the original cast is back again as well, and a true joy to watch in action. They all do a stellar job with the grim subject matter, evoking not only empathy and emotion but laughs as well. They had to drop the fire escape rap (one of our fav parts of the first show-though specific to the TMLMTBGB space they began in). Please please put it on YouTube for me or let us run it here on the blogs for posterity! Otherwise, we imagine the remount this year will be quite similar and every bit as effective for the 2nd time around at Theater Wit.

BURNING BLUEBEARD 2014 will also add Pam Chermansky to the cast, another of our friends and favorites here at ChiIL Mama/ ChiIL Live Shows. My kids studied circus arts with both Pam and Anthony for several years. We also adore Molly Plunk, Jay Torrence, Leah Urzendowski Courser and Ryan Walters and have enjoyed their work in many places around town including 500 Clown, The Hypocrites, Actors Gym, Barrel of Monkeys and more.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

"Burning Bluebeard"

Written by Jay Torrence

and Directed by Halena Kays 

Returns for Three Weeks Only

Tickets on sale NOW!

December 13, 2014 through January 04, 2015

Burning Bluebeard

Theater Wit/Theater Three

The Ruffians

Visiting Company

The critically acclaimed holiday hit BURNING BLUEBEARD returns for its third Chicago production. Don't miss your chance to see this limited engagement three week run of this audience favorite show that has the entire city reliving a piece of Chicago history. 

Inspired by the true story of Chicago's 1903 Iroquois Theatre Fire, BURNING BLUEBEARD is the story of six singed clown performers who emerge from the burnt remains of history attempting to perform their spectacular 1903 Christmas Pantomime once and for all. But this time they hope to finally reach the true happy ending of their second act and avoid the fateful fire that killed 600 of its audience members. Don't miss your chance to see the whimsical delight, the poignant drama and stunning visual beauty that is BURNING BLUEBEARD.

"The entire show is gripping in its originality, intensity and boundary-crossing audacity."

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune.

"Outstanding."

4 STARS - Kris Vire, Time Out Chicago

"Whip smart and feverishly emotional."

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun Times

"Hilarious, Horrific and Holy."

-Chicago Reader

Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes with no intermission

There is no late seating available for this production.

The Ruffians are an artistic collective of theater makers (clowns, daredevils, acrobats, dancers, writers, performers, designers, directors). The Ruffians have all honed their craft working over a decade in Chicago’s various and thriving experimental, clown and storefront theater communities. A Ruffians objective is to make beautiful things with rough edges. A Ruffians motto: Breathe. Dare. Live.

TONIGHT: The Singles at LiveWire Lounge Chicago 11/25/14 (21+)

Chi, IL Live Shows on Our Radar

US Tour  Look How Fast A Heart Can Break LP Out Now Photo Credit: Don Lupo

The Singles are Vince Frederick (guitar/lead vocals) and Nicky Veltman (drums/back-up vocals). Both originally from Detroit, the two joined forces in LA in 2012 to restart Vince's project The Singles. Their sound combines elements of garage rock, power pop, glam, blues, and punk. The band is now touring in support of their album Look How Fast A Heart Can Break, produced by Rick Parker (who has worked with bands including Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Von Bondies, and Lord Huron). You can watch the new video for "We Don't Talk Anymore" on Brooklyn Vegan.

Tour Dates 11.05 - Ace of Cups - Columbus, OH 11.06 - Beachland Tavern - Cleveland, OH 11.07 - Cattivo - Pittsburgh, PA 11.08 - Bug Jar - Rochester, NY 11.09 - Silver Line Tap Room - Trumansburg, NY 11.10 - TT The Bear's - Cambridge, MA 11.11 - AS220 - Providence, RI 11.12 - BAR - New Haven, CT 11.13 - Pianos - New York, NY 11.15 - The Fire - Philadelphia, PA 11.16 - Galaxy Hut - Arlington, VA 11.17 - Pour House - Raleigh, NC 11.18 - Green Room - Athens, GA 11.19 - Mammal Gallery - Atlanta, GA 11.20 - The Basement - Nashville, TN 11.21 - Bar DKDC - Memphis, TN 11.22 - Heavy Anchor - St. Louis, MO 11.23 - New Vintage - Louisville, KY 11.24 - The Drinkery - Cincinnati, OH 11.25 - LiveWire Lounge - Chicago, IL 11.28 - The Magic Stick - Detroit, M Links Website Facebook Twitter Instagram SoundCloud THE SINGLES are Vince Frederick (guitar/lead vocals) and Nicky Veltman (drums/back-up vocals). Garage rock, power pop, glam, blues, and punk all find their way into the band’s sound. Both originally from Detroit, the two joined forces in LA in 2012 to restart The Singles — a moniker Vince had used in the past to release his songs. With friend’s stepping in on bass, the band began playing locally as a 3-piece, bringing their raw, frenetic live show to the LA music scene. Things got serious once they met producer Rick Parker. Having worked with countless rock n’ roll bands (including Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Von Bondies, and Lord Huron), he had the right energy and ideas to work with the duo. Together they went into the studio to record a full-length album. The Singles released "Look How Fast A Heart Can Break" on April 1st, 2014 to critical acclaim in both the US and Europe. Neil Hussy at Shindig Magazine UK, said the album was filled with “perfectly formed pop jewels.” Popmatters said, “The Singles excel in American power pop, all crunchy chords, catchy melodies and killer harmonies.” And USA Today said, “If you need a rock ’n’ roll release… I think I have the perfect song” referring to lead off single ‘Inamorata’. The album, and songs from it, have broken into the top 20 on national indie radio charts. Since the release, the band has toured the US extensively. Gigs have included Southern California festivals, and support for national touring acts Brody Dalle, Holly Golightly, and The Weeks. The Singles will play over 100 shows this year with plans to tour internationally in 2015. Press Quotes "If you need a rock ‘n’ roll release… I think I have the perfect song. The Singles’ ‘Inamorata’ hooked me instantly. The duo, which formed in Detroit, pulls from some of my favorite bands to create a glam garage sound all its own."   -USA TODAY  "Throughout 13 tracks, you’ll find sundry, buzzed love (Inamorata), sorrow-fueled twang (It’s So Hard To Get Over You) and the misleadingly optimistic (We Don’t Talk Anymore)."  -CMJ "The Singles do karaoke, pay homage to T. Rex in new video." -AV CLUB "…perfectly formed pop jewels crammed full of catchy hooks. A lovely, feelgood gem of a record." -NEIL HUSSEY, SHINDIG MAGAZINE UK "Los Angeles via Detroit rockers The Singles excel in ’70s/’80s style American power pop, all crunchy chords, catchy melodies and killer harmonies." -POPMATTERS

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