OPENING: Dual ENGLISH-RUSSIAN Productions of THREE HOTELS at Athenaeum Theatre, Studio Two

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

DUAL ENGLISH-RUSSIAN PRODUCTIONS OF 

THREE HOTELS 

TO FILL BLUEBIRD ARTS SUMMER/FALL CALENDAR

Bluebird Arts – Chicago's only English-Russian Theatre Company – proudly announces dual productions of Three Hotels by Jon Robin Baitz to continue its cross-cultural mission this summer and fall. Artistic Director Luda Lopatina Solomon will direct both productions.

Three Hotels (English Production)

By Jon Robin Baitz

Directed by Artistic Director Luda Lopatina Solomon

Previews begin August 9, 2016

August 12 – September 17, 2016

Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm

Athenaeum Theatre, Studio Two, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago

Set in three different hotel rooms a husband and wife tell their story, separate and alone. Kenneth Hoyle, an American businessman, sells defective baby formula in third world markets. And his wife, Barbara, talks about him, their marriage, and the incident that made this story their reality. In a play that progresses from intellectual cynicism to heartbreaking honesty, Baitz reveals the emotional and physical wounds we all encounter in the face of adversity and heartbreak. Bluebird Arts’ production will feature Dave Belden (Kenneth Hoyle) and Jaimelyn Gray (Barbara Hoyle). The Production Team includes Ioana Manuela Rentea (Assistant Director), Carl Ulaszek (Lighting Design and Technical Direction), Brandon Reed (Sound Design), Bisa Peyankov (Costume Design), Meghan Principe (Hair and Makeup), and Rick Frederick (Set Design).

Three Hotels (Russian Production)

By Jon Robin Baitz

Translat ion by TBA

Directed by Artistic Director Luda Lopatina Solomon

Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16, 2016

Location TBA

The Russian production of Three Hotels will be identical to the English production, save a Russian-speaking cast. More information regarding this production will be released as it becomes available.

Founded in 2014, Bluebird Arts is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to enrich, educate and entertain our community by sharing intimate stories of the human condition, focusing on the genuine problems of real people. Bluebird Arts showcases Chicago's talent by promoting cross cultural exchange, taking Chicago theatre and artists to Europe and bringing European theatre, to the Chicago community. They serve both the English and Russian speaking populations by producing plays in both English and Russian and translating English language plays into Russian and Russian language plays into English.

Bluebird Arts will continue to collaborate with Russian arts organizations such as Theatre Volhonka in Ekatirenburg, Russia. 

For more information about Bluebird Arts call 773.526.3628 or visit their website at www.bluebirdarts.org.

OPENING: “SQUEEZE MY CANS” Continues Solo Celebration at Greenhouse Theater

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

GREENHOUSE THEATER CENTER'S SOLO CELEBRATION PRESENTS  LIMITED ENGAGEMENT RUN OF 

“SQUEEZE MY CANS,” 

JULY 14 – JULY 24

Cathy Schenkelberg Takes Audiences Through the No-Holds-Barred Tale of Surviving Scientology

Tonight we'll be ChiILin' out at Greenhouse Theater for the 3rd show in their Solo Celebration series. Tickets are affordable and the talent is terrific. “Squeeze My Cans,” is a short 10 show run, so don't miss this. Check back early and often for the scoop on the coolest theatre, arts and entertainment and more in Chi, IL and beyond.

The Greenhouse Theater’s “Solo Celebration!” continues with “Squeeze My Cans,” a limited engagement autobiographical solo-play written and performed by Cathy Schenkelberg and directed by Shirley Anderson. Making its Chicago premiere, Schenkelberg shares a glimpse behind the velvet curtain of Scientology in this strangely hilarious and unbelievable story of resilience, loss, and extraterrestrials. “Squeeze My Cans” runs July 14 – July 24 at The Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 N Lincoln Avenue); the press performance is July 14 at 7:30 p.m.

“Cathy’s brave journey through Scientology is at once humorous and shocking, detailing her nearly 20-year experience with America’s foremost intergalactic faith. Through Cathy’s lens, audiences are offered a rare glimpse into this secretive religion, re-living her account of coming into and getting out of the Church of Scientology,” said Artistic Director of the Greenhouse Theater Center, Jacob Harvey. “Together with Shirley and their entire team, Cathy has crafted an intimate story of survival and the power of perseverance, refusing to stay silent.”

“Squeeze My Cans” asks audiences: What do you do if the “carrot of spiritual freedom” was dangled in front of you, waiting to be seized? In this cautionary tale, we learn what chasing the “carrot” got Cathy Shenkelberg, and how after studying and searching to become “more herself,” she could be found blowing alien life forms off her body farther than ever from the person who she had hoped to be.

”Squeeze My Cans” received its first developmental workshop production at Lifeline’s Filet of Solo Festival.

Performance Schedule: 

Thursday, July 14 at 7 p.m.; Friday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 16 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, July 21 and Friday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 23 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, July 24 at 2 p.m. For tickets and additional information, click here.

Flex passes to the Solo Celebration! series, which offers admissions to three plays for $99 or five plays for $164, are now on sale.  Single tickets, which range in price from $34 – 48 are also on sale.  Flex passes and tickets can be purchased by contacting the box office at 773-404-7336 or by visiting greenhousetheater.org.

Cathy Schenkelberg (Performer/Playwright) is a Nebraska native and Chicago/LA-based actress, singer, and voiceover talent. Early on in Chicago, she has been seen in productions such as "Jacque Brel," "Working," "Little Shop of Horrors,” "Noises Off" and "Moms the Word." Schenkelberg also played Chrissy in the National tour of “Hair” and Pepper the Clown on WGN’s “Bozo Show.” She has worked as a dancer/singer at clubs and cruise ships - even impersonating Dolly Parton, Madonna and Marilyn Monroe (all at the same time). In her recent return to the stage, she had the good fortune to play Madame Thenardier in “Les Misérables,” Violet, Zuzu and Ma Hatch in “It’s A Wonderful Life,” and Sue Ellen in “Honky Tonk Angels” at Sierra Repertory Theatre in Sonora CA, as well as Veronica in “God of Carnage” at American Stage in St. Petersberg, Fl. But it has been her work in spoken-word at such venues as Write Club LA, Spark off Rose, and Louder than a Mom where “Squeeze My Cans” was conceived.

Shirley Anderson (Director) is a Northwestern alum who spent the 90s in Chicago, adapting, producing and performing a solo adaptation of Dorothy Parker’s short story “Big Blonde,” at the Red Lion Pub, then in jazz clubs, colleges and theaters in Chicago, Edinburgh and Los Angeles.  Anderson has written and performed as a solo performer ever since in Chicago and Los Angeles.  In 1993, Anderson collaborated with Molly McNett on “Sculpture in Vitro: Growing Up Female in the Age of Liposuction” at Live Bait Theater after premiering the work in cooperation with Lookingglass Theatre and before touring the show to high schools and colleges. She has collaborated with Lookingglass Theatre Company, Plasticene and Studio 108 in Chicago and Sacred Fools, Theater Movement Bazaar, Zoo District, Son of Semele and Theater of NOTE in Los Angeles, where she currently lives and directs business operations for Blum & Poe art gallery. 

About Solo Celebration!

“Squeeze My Cans” is one of 12 plays featured in Greenhouse’s “Solo Celebration!,” which will include ten full productions and two limited engagements running June 2016 through February 2017. Among the other directors connected to solo series are Goodman Theatre Producer and Artistic Collective Member Steve Scott, Writer’s Theatre Resident Director Kimberly Senior, Directors Lab Chicago Artistic Director Elizabeth Margolius and Remy Bumppo Artistic Associate Linda Gillum. Some of the performers confirmed to star in solo works include Jeff Award-winner Kate Buddeke, acclaimed British actor Simon Slater, Karen Rodriguez and Carin Silkaitis.  Most productions will be produced in their entirety by Greenhouse, while other plays will be stated with co-producers including Sideshow Theatre Company and The Other Theatre Company.  Greenhouse’s “Solo Celebration!” is co-produced by Forum Productions and underwritten by the Wendy and William Spatz Charitable Foundation.

About the Greenhouse Theater Center

The Greenhouse Theater Center is a nonprofit performance venue located at 2257 N Lincoln Ave, in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Our complex offers two newly remodeled 190-seat main stage spaces, two 60-seat studio theaters, an in-house rehearsal room, and Chicago’s only dedicated used theatre book store.

Our mission at the Greenhouse is first and foremost to grow local theatre. We strive to cultivate a fertile environment for local artists, from individual renters to our bevy of resident companies, to develop and produce their work. In 2014 alone, The Greenhouse Theater Center provided space for almost 1,000 ticketed performances, serving more than 54,000 patrons. Among these events, were at least 30 productions by our resident companies, including the celebrated American Blues Theater and Remy Bumpo Theatre Company. Through our Trellis Program, we offer the community affordable access to our work by housing Chicago’s only dedicated used theatre bookstore, located on the second floor of our complex, as well as offering a free reading series each Tuesday night where local artists workshop their latest scripts. Additionally, we also continue to play an active role in cultivating and nurturing our community through continued partnerships with the League of Chicago Theaters and local Chambers of Commerce.

As of 2016, the Greenhouse Theater Center embraced the true spirit of growth and launched its producing entity. With the announcement of our 8 month long Solo Celebration Series, helmed by Artistic Director Jacob Harvey, we will produce 10 solo plays from June 2016 to February 2017. Through this inaugural effort, we hope to expand the solo play cannon while also cultivating a larger conversation about the possibilities of the one-person play.

With new ideas always incubating, the Greenhouse Theater Center is flourishing. Come grow with us!

Additional A-List Talent Announced for Greenhouse Theater’s Solo Celebration!

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

STELLAR LIST OF CHICAGO ACTORS 

COMPLETE CASTING IN 

GREENHOUSE THEATER CENTER’S 

“SOLO CELEBRATION!” 

PRODUCTIONS

Gene Weygandt, Linda Reiter and Will Allan Join Previously Announced “Solo Celebration!” Actors, Including Simon Slater, Carin Silkaitis, Philip Dawkins and Kate Buddeke  Casting is now complete for the Greenhouse Theater’s Solo Celebration!, as Artistic Director Jacob Harvey announced the remaining performers to be featured in solo works being presented now through February 2017. The A-list group of Chicago performers joining the Solo Celebration include: Linda Reiter as Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy in “Rose,” directed by Steve Scott and running August 19 – September 25; Gene Weygandt as Matty in “Uncle Phillip’s Coat,” directed by Elizabeth Margolius and running November 27 – December 31; and Will Allan as Chester in “Circumference of a Squirrel,” directed by Jacob Harvey and running January 13 – February 12, 2017.  “I am thrilled to complete the lineup of performers for Solo Celebration series with such a diverse and celebrated group of Chicago actors. Linda, Gene, and Will join a phenomenal group of collaboartors working to bring audiences innovative and challenging new solo plays,” said Artistic Director Jacob Harvey. “One of the greatest joys of curating this series has been the opportunity to bring artists from different companies and parts of the city together to create on our stages.” Starring in the Chicago premiere of the off-Broadway hit “Rose” in August, Linda Reiter portrays the stalwart Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy in the hours following the tragedy at Chappaquiddick. Reiter debuted in her first solo performance in “The Testament of Mary” at Victory Gardens Theater, for which she received a Jeff nomination for Best Solo Performance. Reiter is an ensemble member of Shattered Globe Theatre, where she has performed in 41 productions in their 25 years, last appearing as Bessie in “Marvin's Room.”  Reiter has garnered Jeff Awards in the non-equity category for the roles of Eleanor Iselin in “The Manchurian Candidate,” Martha in “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” Kate in “All My Sons,” Mme. De Merteuil in “Les Liaisons Dangereuses,” Dee Dee in “Invitation to a March” and Sarah in “Bondagers.” Gene Weygandt (a favorite of ours here at ChiIL Mama & ChiIL Live Shows!) stars as Matty in the Chicago premiere of “Uncle Phillip’s Coat,” this November, in a time traveling journey of self-discovery. Weygandt is best known as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in “Wicked” in Chicago, and on Broadway. More recently, he starred as Jean Shepherd in “A Christmas Story, The Musical.” Also on Broadway, Weygandt originated the role of Paul in “Big: The Musical.” He is a three-time Jeff Award recipient for “A Day in Hollywood/A Night in The Ukraine,” and “Me and My Girl” at The Marriott Theatre, and for “Little Shop of Horrors.” He received an After Dark Award for his role as Max in the long-running hit, “Lend Me a Tenor” at The Royal George Theatre. Other credits include “Inspecting Carol” at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, “The Taming of the Shrew” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and principal roles in “Old Jews Telling Jokes,” “The Miser,” “Arthur: the Musical,” “The Light In The Piazza,” “Hairspray,” “The Music Man,” Don’t Dress for Dinner,” “Little Me,” and “The Man Who Came To Dinner.” Weygandt’s TV and film credits include “The Birdcage,” “The Babe,” and “The Pager,” “Chicago Fire,” “Betrayal,” “Boss,” “Mind Games,” “The Beast,” “Home Improvement,” “Cybill,” “Murphy Brown,” “Drew Carey,” and more. In January, Will Allan stars as Chester in “Circumference of a Squirrel,” a savagely comic story of growing up with a father who developed a rabid hatred for squirrels that eventually infected every aspect of his life. Allan was last seen in Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s production of Annie Baker's ”The Flick.” Previous Chicago credits include “Good People,” “The March,” “Animal Farm,” and “A Separate Peace” (Steppenwolf); “The Seagull” and “Dartmoor Prison”(Goodman); “The History Boys” (TimeLine Theatre); “The Whale” (Victory Gardens); “The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?” (Remy Bumppo); “Speech and Debate” and “It's a Wonderful Life” (American Theater Company); “Romeo and Juliet” and “Much Ado About Nothing” (First Folio); and “Red Noses” and “Good Soul of Szechuan” (Strawdog). Regional credits include The “Mousetrap” (Milwaukee Rep) and “Red” (Human Race Theatre Co.). Other actors appearing in Solo Celebration include Cathy Schenkelberg in “Squeeze My Cans,” July 14 -24, Cameron Pfiffner in “The Portrait,” July 15 – Aug. 4, Melinda Buckley in “Mother (and Me),” Aug. 4 – 14, Simon Slater in “Bloodshot,” August 10 – Sept. 10, Carin Silkaitis in “I Do Today,” Sept. 2 – Oct. 9, Phillip Dawkins in “The Happiest Place on Earth,” Sept. 17 – Oct. 23 and Kate Buddeke in “Miss America,” Jan. 6 – Feb. 12. About “Solo Celebration!” The Greenhouse Theater Center presents “Solo Celebration!,” includes ten full productions, two limited engagements and other special events running June 2016 through February 2017. Most productions will be produced in their entirety by Greenhouse, while other plays will be staged with co-producers including Sideshow Theatre Company and The Other Theatre Company. Greenhouse’s “Solo Celebration!” is co-produced by Forum Productions and underwritten by the Wendy and William Spatz Charitable Foundation. More information and the full lineup, click here.    About the Greenhouse Theater Center The Greenhouse Theater Center is a nonprofit performance venue located at 2257 N Lincoln Ave, in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Our complex offers two newly remodeled 190-seat main stage spaces, two 60-seat studio theaters, an in-house rehearsal room, and Chicago’s only dedicated used theatre book store. Our mission at the Greenhouse is first and foremost to grow local theatre. We strive to cultivate a fertile environment for local artists, from individual renters to our bevy of resident companies, to develop and produce their work. In 2014 alone, The Greenhouse Theater Center provided space for almost 1,000 ticketed performances, serving more than 54,000 patrons. At least 30 productions by our resident companies were produced, including works by the celebrated American Blues Theater and Remy Bumpo Theatre Company. Through our Trellis Program, we offer the community affordable access to our work by housing Chicago’s only dedicated used theatre bookstore, located on the second floor of our complex, as well as offering a free reading series each Tuesday night where local artists workshop their latest scripts. Additionally, we also continue to play an active role in cultivating and nurturing our community through continued partnerships with the League of Chicago Theaters and local Chambers of Commerce. As of 2016, the Greenhouse Theater Center embraced the true spirit of growth and launched its producing entity. With the announcement of our 8 month long Solo Celebration Series, helmed by Artistic Director Jacob Harvey, we will produce 10 solo plays from June 2016 to February 2017. Through this inaugural effort, we hope to expand the solo play cannon while also cultivating a larger conversation about the possibilities of the one-person play. With new ideas always incubating, the Greenhouse Theater Center is flourishing.  Come grow with us!

PRESALE: Reprise at Vittum Theater

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

REPRISE

An old man returns a violin to Northwestern Settlement. Ms. Harriet Vittum lent it to him 80 years earlier, with the promise that he bring it back when he was done. With original music and lyrics inspired by Chicago's cultural traditions, Reprise follows an immigrant story as we discover what he did with the instrument all those years, how he knew he was finished, and what it meant to keep his promise. The only North American company commissioned to participate in the National Theatre of Scotland's Home Away Festival, ASC will tell the story of this decades-long community connection during a limited 3-show engagement.

Friday, Sept. 16 at 7pm

Saturday, Sept. 17 at 4pm 

Use code PRESALE to unlock $12 tickets for youth and adults!

(Through July 31 only. Online, by phone, or at our box office.)

Tickets available now.

Solo Celebration Growing at Greenhouse Theater With Addition of Two More Special Events

GREENHOUSE THEATER CENTER ADDS TWO SPECIAL EVENTS TO “SOLO CELEBRATION!” LINEUP

“Greenhouse: LIVE” and “The Voice Bank” to be Presented This Summer

The Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 N. Lincoln Ave) announced two special events that have been added to the “Solo Celebration!” series. “Greenhouse: LIVE,” featuring the ensemble of The LIVINGroom in an evening of storytelling, will be presented for one-night-only on July 22 at 8 p.m. “The Voice Bank,” a new play written by and starring Andrea Caban, tells the story of a theatrical dialect coach who finds new meaning in her work when she is tasked with working with a woman who has been diagnosed with ALS to battle the loss of her voice to the disease.  “The Voice Bank” runs August 9 and 10 at 9 p.m.

“A key component of the Greenhouse’s mission is to support the development of new work and provide a platform that allows emerging artists to showcase their talents,” said Artistic Director Jacob Harvey.  “With this in mind, it was only fitting that we open our doors to allow the storytellers from The LIVINGroom and Andrea Caban of ‘The Voice Bank’ to utilize our theater to tell their compelling stories.”

“Greenhouse: LIVE,” produced by Greenhouse Theater Center's Artistic Apprentice, Nick Thornton and curated and directed by The LIVINGroom artistic director Laura Reitsma, is a night of highly theatrical Chicago stories, inspired by true events, and performed by Eileen Tull, Ian Randall, Anna Rose Wolfe, Ryan Howell, Carly Jo Geer, Reeny Hofrichter, Joel Reitsma and Rachel Copel.  The event will be recorded live on the “Your Chicago” podcast. “Greenhouse: LIVE” will be presented for one night only on Friday, July 22 at 8 p.m.

“The Voice Bank” tells the story of a woman who defies her ALS diagnosis to fight to keep speaking by working with a theatrical dialect coach.  Based on Caban’s experiences, the actress plays both herself and Terry, a woman with an indomitable spirit and a passion, as they work together to manage Terry’s progressing symptoms through voice and accent training. Written and starring Caban, and directed by Amanda McRaven, the play is based on more than 40 hours of actual transcriptions from voice and accent sessions between Caban and Terry, and real conversations between Terry and her doctors. “The Voice Bank” will be presented for two nights only, Tuesday, August 9 and Wednesday, August 10 at 9 p.m.  The Voice Bank is presented in partnership with terraNova Collective. In an effort to make this story as accessible as possible, two for one tickets are being made available to people and families affected by ALS.

Tickets for “Greenhouse: LIVE” are priced at $10.  Tickets for “The Voice Bank” are priced at $25. For tickets or Solo Celebration series flex passes, contact the box office at 773-404-7336 or visit greenhousetheater.org.

About The LIVINGroom

Some of the most intimate, truthful and exciting moments happen in living rooms. The LIVINGroom is an assembly of individual performances that blend true life with elements of theater to connect the performer’s experiences to the audience. The LIVINGroom shares living, breathing, highly theatrical stories about events that really happened.

About Your Chicago

Your Chicago is the podcast that gets to know the people who make Chicago go. Each month, Stefania (Sox fan) and Arden (Cubs fan) get to know the Chicagoans who bring the city legendary food, one-of-a-kind shows, unforgettable festivals, unique music and so much more.

About Andrea Caban

Caban is the Associate Director and designated Master Teacher of Knight-Thompson Speechwork™. She is Head of Voice & Speech at Cal State University, Long Beach, training mid-career actors in a unique Performance Pedagogy MFA program and serving an exciting and diverse undergraduate BA program. Prior to that, Caban was on the faculty at UC Irvine and CSU Fullerton, and has been an artist-in-residence at University of Cape Town, Penn State University, the MotherTongue Project-South Africa and SWEAT- South Africa (Sex-Workers Education and Task Force), among others. In 2016 she culminated a three-year documentary theatre collaboration with the Carpenter Center for Performing Arts in Long Beach, where she worked with CSULB Theatre Arts students and Long Beach high school students in created theatre pieces where they engaged their family, their communities and the world.

About “Solo Celebration!”

The Greenhouse Theater Center presents “Solo Celebration!,” which includes 12 full productions and other special events running through February 2017. Most productions will be produced in their entirety by Greenhouse, while other plays will be staged with co-producers including Sideshow Theatre Company and The Other Theatre Company. Greenhouse’s “Solo Celebration!” is co-produced by Forum Productions and underwritten by the Wendy and William Spatz Charitable Foundation. More information and the full lineup, click here.

About the Greenhouse Theater Center

The Greenhouse Theater Center is a nonprofit performance venue located at 2257 N Lincoln Ave, in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Our complex offers two newly remodeled 190-seat main stage spaces, two 60-seat studio theaters, an in-house rehearsal room, and Chicago’s only dedicated used theatre book store.

Our mission at the Greenhouse is first and foremost to grow local theatre. We strive to cultivate a fertile environment for local artists, from individual renters to our bevy of resident companies, to develop and produce their work. In 2014 alone, The Greenhouse Theater Center provided space for almost 1,000 ticketed performances, serving more than 54,000 patrons. Among these events, were at least 30 productions by our resident companies, including the celebrated American Blues Theater and Remy Bumpo Theatre Company.  Through our Trellis Program, we offer the community affordable access to our work by housing Chicago’s only dedicated used theatre bookstore, located on the second floor of our complex, as well as offering a free reading series each Tuesday night where local artists workshop their latest scripts. Additionally, we also continue to play an active role in cultivating and nurturing our community through continued partnerships with the League of Chicago Theaters and local Chambers of Commerce.

As of 2016, the Greenhouse Theater Center embraced the true spirit of growth and launched its producing entity. With the announcement of our 8 month long Solo Celebration Series, helmed by Artistic Director Jacob Harvey, we will produce 10 solo plays from June 2016 to February 2017. Through this inaugural effort, we hope to expand the solo play cannon while also cultivating a larger conversation about the possibilities of the one-person play.

With new ideas always incubating, the Greenhouse Theater Center is flourishing. Come grow with us!

64th Season of Theater on the Lake: The Chicago Summer Theater Festival

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Theater on the Lake: The Chicago Summer Theater Festival, may be "Theater off the Lake" for 2016, while the historic lakefront venue is being prepared for renovation. Still, they're off to a strong start with one show down and one currently running. Their whole summer lineup looks amazing! Prices vary but are generally quite reasonable, ranging from free to $10.

This summer, performances will hit the road again, featuring shows at Berger Park Cultural Center, Washington Park, and Smith Park.

Five encore presentations from artistically diverse Chicago theater companies will be staged across the city for eight weeks. Performances at Berger Park Cultural Center will be held Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Performances at Washington Park and Smith Park will be held Wednesdays through Fridays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 2:30 p.m.

Each production will have a two-week run. Performance locations help introduce the Festival to new neighborhoods citywide. In keeping with Theater on the Lake’s 63-year tradition of producing plays lakeside, the Festival will once again be anchored at Berger Park Cultural Center, 6205 N. Sheridan, in the Edgewater community.

Now Playing:

• Oracle Productions presents THE HAIRY APE 
• July 6-10 & July 13-17 
• Wednesdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. & Sundays at 2:30 p.m. 
• Berger Park Cultural Center, 6205 N. Sheridan Rd. 
• Admission is FREE [Advance reservations are strongly encouraged.] 
• Written by Eugene O’Neill and Directed by Monty Cole 

• Six African-American actors portray multiple roles in O’Neill’s harrowing critique of class stratification. Yank is the master of his world, shoveling coal on an ocean liner. But when a wealthy woman descends to see life on the lower decks, their encounter propels Yank onto the streets of New York City, where he seeks validation, belonging and revenge. Monty Cole’s charged staging captures the caged mind of a young black man yearning to belong. Oracle’s production of The Hairy Ape examines O’Neill’s work through the lens of America’s ugly legacy of racism and oppression.

The Complete Theater on the Lake 2016 Schedule can be found here

OPENING: GAME OF THRONES MUSICAL PARODY AT APOLLO THEATER IN CHICAGO

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

“THRONES! THE MUSICAL PARODY” ASCENDS THE WALL THIS SUMMER 

AT APOLLO THEATER IN CHICAGO

Created By the Team Behind “Baby Wants Candy” and “50 Shades! The Musical Parody,” “Thrones!” Makes its United States Debut July 21 – August 21

Suffering from GOT withdrawal? I didn't watch for the first few seasons, but once I started I was hooked. I binge watched everything up until the past two seasons, which we watched in real time. We've even had weekly Game of Thrones watching parties complete with drinks and appetizers. I felt a hollow emptiness when the season ended yet again and the long waiting game began. Now there's something to fill the void, “Thrones! The Musical Parody”. 

This Summer, Winter is coming. “Thrones! The Musical Parody” arrives at the Apollo Theater (2540 N. Lincoln Ave) in July with its United States and Chicago preview, running July 21 through August 21. Scripted by members of the “Baby Wants Candy” and “50 Shades! The Musical Parody” creative team, “Thrones! The Musical Parody” debuted to completely sold-out performances in August 2015 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, followed by a sold-out, limited run at London’s Leicester Square Theatre. Hailed as “darkly humorous and beautifully vulgar” (Edinburgh Festival Magazine) and “A resounding success!” (Sunday Times Scotland), the production features a Chicago-based cast and creative team in its run at the Apollo Theater.

“Chicago is the perfect place for the US premiere of ‘Thrones! The Musical Parody,’ where audiences are smart, funny and receptive,” said Executive Producer Emily Dorezas. “This parody combines everything you want in a great musical—with a hilarious story line and incredible music—and includes something for both the avid 'Game of Thrones' fan and musical theater fan alike.”

A send-up of HBO’s phenomenally successful “Game of Thrones,” “Thrones! The Musical Parody” asks audiences: Will Tyrion’s accent ever improve? Can Jon Snow possibly know more than nothing? Just how red can the Red Wedding get? With Game of Thrones plot twists through Season 6 (read: spoilers), audiences can expect dashing men battling White Walkers, ravishing women riding fire-breathing dragons, and the infamous Walk of Shame—all set to a catchy, original score. 

The performance schedule is as follows: Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. (excluding August 13; performance at 10 p.m. that day) and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets ($29 - $44) are on sale now, and can be purchased at the Apollo Theater Box Office by calling 773.935.6100 or visiting ApolloChicago.com. For ticket inquiries for groups of 10 or more, call Group Theater Tix at 312.423.6612.

Get Social

To learn more about “Thrones!” visit the website, and follow along on Facebook and Twitter. 

 “Thrones! The Musical Parody” is written by Chris Grace, Zach Reino, Al Samuels and Dan Wessels. The production is directed by Hannah Todd, choreographed by Tyler Sawyer Smith and produced by Emily Dorezas, Rob Kolson, and Al Samuels. The cast and creative team will be announced at a later date. 

About Baby Wants Candy

“Baby Wants Candy” has performed over 2,000 completely improvised musicals to thousands of fans from Chicago to New York to Singapore to Scotland. Currently, “Baby Wants Candy” runs in Chicago at the Apollo Theater, in Los Angeles at UCB Sunset and tours internationally.  A cutting edge theatrical experience, the performance features a revolving cast of A-list comedic performers and a full band.

 “Baby Wants Candy” begins with the cast asking the audience for a suggestion of a musical that has never been performed before. Accompanied by a full band, the first title that the group hears becomes the title and theme for that evening’s 60-minute show, featuring a roller coaster ride of spontaneously choreographed dance numbers, rhyming verses, and witty jaw-dropping comedy.  Each performance is its own opening and closing night, and by design every show is completely unique and a once–in a lifetime premiere.

 “Baby Wants Candy” has received rave reviews in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, The Onion, the Chicago Sun-Times, TimeOut New York and more and has received numerous awards and was the Winner of FringeNYC’s Outstanding Unique Theatrical Experience, Best Improv Ensemble by Chicago Magazine, the Best Visiting Comedy Ensemble by TimeOut New York, the recipient of the Ensemble of the Year Award at the Chicago Improv Festival, a rare Sixth Star Award Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

 “Baby Wants Candy” has included several notable performers including Peter Gwinn of Colbert Report, Rachel Dratch and Aidy Bryant of Saturday Night Live; Stephnie Weir of MadTV; Nicole Parker of MadTV and Elphaba in WICKED on Broadway; Jack McBrayer of 30 Rock; Al Samuels and Kevin Fleming of Sports Action Team; Thomas Middleditch of Silicon Valley; Garry W. Tallent of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band; Mark Pender of The Max Weinberg 7 and Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band; and Johnny Pisano of the Jesse Malin Band and The Marky Ramone Band. Members of Baby Wants Candy have recently written the hit Off Broadway show “50 Shades! The Musical Parody”

 

About Apollo Theater

The Apollo Theater, located in the heart of Chicago’s Lincoln Park since 1978, has been home to many of the city’s biggest hits including the recent Million Dollar Quartet, which holds the record for the longest-running Broadway musical in Chicago history. Resident companies of the Apollo Theater include Emerald City Theatre Company and Baby Wants Candy, and many up-and-coming companies can be seen nightly in the theater’s 50-seat downstairs studio. Recently renovated and fully accessible, the Apollo Theater’s intimate 435-seat mainstage continues to deliver world-class theater as one of the city’s premiere off-Loop houses.