Photo Filled Recap CircEsteem Circus Soiree 2013 #OriginalPhotos #CircEsteem

It was my pleasure to attend the 2nd annual CircEsteem Circus Soiree 2013. Although my kids are on hiatus from circus to settle into an intense selective enrollment gifted jr high and rigorously train for competitive gymnastics, CircEsteem holds a special place in our hearts.   That's why I was happy to donate my time and gear to shoot stills and video that evening.   We're in the process of editing and will have the whole fabulous show from that evening on line for you next month.

In the mean time, check out our sneak peek behind the scenes as this talented troupe of kids prepared to perform & a mini montage from the event itself.   Recognize WXRT's own celeb, Terri Hemmert as MC/ringmaster?

ChiIL Mama's full set of Soiree Shots:

Photo credit Bonnie Kenaz-Mara for ChiILMama.com

Want more?   Click here to check out our full photo feature from Circus Soiree last year when both of my kids were in the show and my husband ran video, freeing me to shoot the whole show/event.   Enjoy!

Here are a few of our favorite shots from that night:


Wheelin' n dealin' Circus Siblings...

Hair!

Colorful Decor...

 Tasty eats & Jo Snow Cones (though sadly not boozy this year)

Awesome auction goodies ranging from affordable (where did you get those cool Chi-town flag coffee mugs?!) to amazing--think Cirque du Soleil Dream Weekend in Vegas package...

Benefactors braving up to try circus arts...

Hot Salsa Dancing...

"Photo Booth" Dress Up Fun... 

There was even a Mark Messing sighting! (of Mucca Pazza fame and numerous theatrical endeavors)  Click here for our 2 prior video interviews with Mark & our photo filled Mucca Pazza features & CD review.

Flaming crepes capped off the evening with panache.



Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.   We'll have a full video of the Circus Soiree Shows, including the private VIP show, in the very near future. To donate to CircEsteem or enquire about winter classes for kids and/or adults, click here.

ACT OUT HOLIDAY THEATRE: The Hypocrites Mikado at Steppenwolf - ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List #ChiILPicksList

The Hypocrites is proud to announce the return production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado adapted and directed by Founding Artistic Director Sean Graney. The Mikado will be remounted at the Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St) this coming winter.

Here at ChiIL Live Shows we dig Sean Graney's vision and have long enjoyed and respected his direction.   With Graney and Halena Kays at the helm, they've steered The Hypocrites right, and this troupe has become a top favorite of ours... and of the Jeff committee too.

The Mikado will open on November 17, 2013 at 4pm. Previews will take place on November 14, 15 & 16 at 8pm. There are 40 performances scheduled with evening performances at 8pm and matinees at 4pm. The Mikado will close on December 29, 2013. Ticket prices are $36 and can be purchased by visiting steppenwolf.org or by calling 312-335-1650. Running 80 minutes with no intermission, The Mikado is appropriate for audiences of all ages.

It is that time of year again for the return of The Hypocrites’ critically acclaimed Gilbert and Sullivan canon. After performing Pirates of Penzance for enthusiastic audiences both at the American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.) in Boston the past two summers and at the Chopin Theatre for three years straight, The Hypocrites are excited to bring back Mikado, a beloved re-imagining of Gilbert & Sullivan’s famous operetta this winter. In January 2014, Pirates of Penzance will go on to perform at Actors Theatre of Louisville, home of the Humana Festival.

The Mikado features a talented cast of ten who act as their own orchestra. This production will feature unfathomable amounts of operetta hits and is intended to provide a summer-like secular experience for fun-loving Yule time ticket buyers.

The Hypocrites’ Mikado remount stars company members Robert McLean, Matt Kahler, Christine Stulik and Zeke Sulikes. They are joined by returning Mikado cast members: Shawn Pfautsch, Emily Casey, Erik Schroeder and Dana Omar as well as newcomers Jim DeSelm and Kate Carson-Groner. Matt Holzfeind and Lauren Vogel will be understudying multiple parts for this production.

Sean Graney has directed over 30 productions for The Hypocrites since 1997. He was a participant in the NEA/TCG Career Development Program for Directors. He has won three Joseph Jefferson Citation awards for the Direction of Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses, Equus and Machinal. He has directed Edward II (Chicago Shakespeare), The Hairy Ape (Eugene O’Neill Festival at Goodman Theatre), The Comedy of Errors, The Mystery of Irma Vep and What the Butler Saw (Court Theatre),Yankee Tavern (Milwaukee Rep), The Elephant Man (Steppenwolf for Young Audiences) and is currently on fellowship at Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University

The creative team also includes Scenic Designer Michael Smallwood*, Properties Designer Maria DeFabo*, Lighting Designer Heather Gilbert, Choreographer Katie Spelman, Costume Designer Alison Siple* and Music Director Andra Velis Simon.

Founding Artistic Director Sean Graney* created The Hypocrites in 1997 and is currently run by Artistic Director Halena Kays* and Managing Director Megan Wildebour*. The Hypocrites are recognized as groundbreakers that defy the audience’s expectations. The company has grown significantly in the past few years, receiving acclaim for productions at Steppenwolf Garage (ThreePenny Opera and 4:48 Psychosis), Goodman Theatre, Museum of Contemporary Art, DCA Storefront and Chopin Theater. The company’s smash-hit production of Our Town, directed by David Cromer, transferred in 2009 to Off-Broadway, Los Angeles and Boston. 

Pirates of Penzance has appeared at American Repertory Theatre twice and will enjoy another run at Actors Theatre of Louisville in 2014. American Theatre Wing, best known as the creator of the Tony Awards, presented The Hypocrites with one of the 2013 National Theatre Company awards this year. Upcoming shows in the 17th season include The Tennessee Williams Project at Chopin Theatre and Into the Woods, a co-production at Mercury Theater Chicago.

The Steppenwolf Garage is dedicated to new plays, emerging artists and millennial audiences for the American theater. It offers artists the opportunity to present their work with the scale, space and resources it merits. For audiences, it provides opportunities to engage in multigenerational conversation about the new, provocative work emerging from Chicago’s diverse and vibrant theater scene.

The Hypocrites’ 17th season is supported in part by American Theater Wing, The Alphawood Foundation, The Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The Illinois Arts Council, The Jordan & Jean Nerenberg Fund for the Future, Peoples Gas and a grant from the WPB, the Special Service Area for the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods.

*=denotes company member

ACT OUT: Lord of the Flies Steppenwolf for Young Adults Now Playing (age 12+/7th grade & up)

This show is high on our must see list.   Steppenwolf does a stellar job of bringing theatre to the schools and to the public and engaging tweens & teens.  And we've long admired director Halena Kays' work!  Lord of the Flies is one of those books/plays/movies that everyone should know. Come see it done well.

All production photos via Steppenwolf

A plane wreck strands a group of English boys on a deserted island during wartime. As they slowly explore their new-found freedom, what starts out as fun and games turns into a vicious battle for power when the boys split into two opposing tribes: one that strives for civility and another that delights in savage violence. The competition escalates into a dangerous, frightening climax, as this thrilling classic looks into the darker parts of human nature where it’s civilization vs. savagery and the mob vs. morality.

Please join us for Steppenwolf for Young Adult's 2013/14 season: Two plays, one new and one classic, where young people navigate tricky moral landscapes—and must confront personal accountability for their choices—in games both virtual and real.

Lord of the Flies

Adapted for the stage by Nigel Williams
Directed by Halena Kays

Now through November 15, 2013 in the Upstairs Theatre

Public Performances
For tickets to our public performances, please click the "buy tickets" link  or call Audience Services at 312-335-1650.

Student Performances
For school group tickets to weekday 10am matinee performances, contact Steppenwolf for Young Adults’ Education and Community Programs Coordinator Lauren Sivak at 312.654.5643 or by email at lsivak@steppenwolf.org.

Target 2-for-1 Sunday Matinees
Tickets for Sunday matinees are 2-for-1

American Sign Language-Interpreted
Saturday, November 2 at 3pm

Open Captioning
Saturday, November 9 at 3pm

THE ARTISTS

• Adapted by: Nigel Williams
• Directed by: Halena Kays
• Scenic Design: Lizzie Bracken
• Costume Design: Alison Siple
• Lighting Design: J.R. Lederle
• Sound and Projection Design: Mike Tutaj
  
  Dramaturg: Frances Limoncelli
  
  Fight Coordinator: Ryan Bourque
  
  Movement: Leah Urzendowski
  
  Dialect: Eva Breneman
  
  Understudies: Brendan Meyer, Christopher Borek, Rashaad Hall, Kevin Matthew Reyes, Eric Staves and Theo Tougne

THE CAST

• William Burke
• Spencer Curnutt
• Lane Flores
• Rudy Galvan
• Ryan Heindl
• Cale Manning
• Brendan Meyer
• Lance Newton
• Ty Olwin
• Kevin Quinn
• Adam Shalzi
• Dan Smeriglio

Save the Dates: 

Leveling Up

By Deborah Zoe Laufer
Directed by Hallie Gordon
February 26 – March 15, 2014 in the Downstairs Theatre

Three twenty-something roommates are glued to their video games. They are masters of the virtual worlds behind the computer screens in their Las Vegas basement. Unwilling to face the real world, one of them uses his gaming skills to land a job with the National Security Agency launching actual drones and missiles, and online battles begin to have real consequences. Leveling Up is a fresh, contemporary look at how we navigate the blurry line between worlds both virtual and real and what it means to grow up./p>

ACT OUT OPENING: Hypocrites Smash Hit Mikado Back at Steppenwolf's Garage Theater

THE MIKADO  IS BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND-- this time at Steppenwolf's  awesome Garage theater There's too much flirting going on in the town of Titipu- and it's against the law! So the Mikado (emperor of all) decrees that heads must roll. But what can you do when love is in the air? The Hypocrites' smash hit Mikado is back. This re-imagination of beloved Gilbert and Sullivan will feature unfathomable amounts of operetta hits and is intended to provide a summer-like secular experience for fun-loving Yule time ticket buyers of all ages. "★★★★" Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune Don't wait. Book your tickets now and come join us!  Nov 14th-Dec 29th   Matinees at 4pm Evenings at 8pm   Running time is 80min, no intermission Buy your tickets here Select performance discounts: Book your night with us at Mikado for a performance between November 14-22nd and you'll only pay $15 for the ticket. Use this linkhere or enter promo code 15013. You can also call 312-335-1650 to do it over the phone. Hurry. Limited quantities for a limited time. Reviews from 2012's first production of  our "Supremely joyous" Mikado: CBS 2 review   ABC 7 review "★★★★"(out of four stars)  "glorious...outrageously enjoyable"  Chicago Tribune  "One of the most enjoyable, creative pieces of theater I've seen all year! People: go see The Mikado!!!!"  Rick Bayless (via Twitter), Top Chef Masters winner "joyously daft...bright and evocative" TimeOut Chicago  "Sean Graney and Kevin O'Donnell made it much shorter and they also made the songs more funny. It was funny to begin with, but they made it even more funny, which is the best of all things you can do with a play."  Ada Grey, Age 9 "intoxicating, exhilarating, unexpected production that is sure to be on my list of the ten best productions of the year (yep, it's that good). " Francis Sadac, From the Ledge

We make theatre. You help. Donate today! Please consider a donation to The Hypocrites to further support our productions.    Donate today and we will promptly send you a tax letter for your records.  Prefer to know where your money is going? Consider picking out something from our Amazon wishlist  here Thank you. Your support means a lot to us!

ACT OUT OPENING: CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA October 28 – December 2, 2013

We can't wait to monkey around tonight with some of Chi-town's Best and Brightest Performing Arts Companies & Artists and our long time favs, Barrel of Monkeys!   As in "more fun than..."

Chicago's Weird Grandma... and proud of it!   

Come on out and see just how weird and wonderful it is when the unbridled creativity of kids' stories is given a voice, costumes, and a platform!   These guys are some of our favs and it's been too long since we've made it out on a Monday to give them props (...of the word variety... not actual props.   Those they have a treasure trove of).   We'll be there tonight and have a full review up shortly.

All New CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA

October 28 – December 2, 2013

The Hypocrites, Manual Cinema, Bailiwick Chicago, The Neo-Futurists and others Transform Stories by Chicago Public School Students 

It's easy to get complacent about long running shows, and Barrel of Monkeys has been at it for over 12 years with their popular Monday night pastime, That's Weird Grandma.  Don't!  If you haven't been or haven't been lately, go already!

Check 'em out LIVE the next 6 weeks, for their annual Chicagocentric version.  Then check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.  We have an original video interview with Barrel of Monkeys coming soon.

The complete schedule of guest artists and companies for CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA:

Monday, October 28 – Manual Cinema

Monday, November 4 – Jessica Hudson

Monday, November 11 – The Neo-Futurists and Bailiwick Chicago Theater

Monday, November 18 – Jyldo

Monday, November 25 – The Hypocrites

Monday, December 2 – About Face Theatre and Noah Ginex Puppet Company

Heck yeah... that's really reasonable:

WHEN: Mondays at 8pm

WHERE: The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland (directions)
TICKETS: $5 for kids, $10 for adults

Just when you thought Monday nights couldn’t get any better, Barrel of Monkeys is partnering with some of Chicago’s best performing arts companies and artists for the second iteration of CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA, directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan, playing Mondays at 8 pm from October 28 – December 2, 2013 at the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago.  Each guest artist or company will bring their unique talents to transform stories written by Chicago Public School students into entertaining sketches incorporating puppetry, sketch comedy, clowning, music, dance and other disciplines. 

This year’s guest line-up includes: About Face Theatre, Bailiwick Chicago Theater, Jessica Hudson, The Hypocrites, Jyldo, Manual Cinema, The Neo-Futurists and Noah Ginex Puppet Company.  Each guest artist or company will choose from original stories from Barrel of Monkeys’ in-school residencies and adapt them into unique performances. Barrel of Monkeys ensemble members will round out each performance with a rotating line-up of sketches from their long-running revue, THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA. The weekly collection of short sketches is equally entertaining for both adults and children. The line-up changes each week by audience vote – so no two shows are ever the same.  

For tickets, reservations and information visit www.barrelofmonkeys.org  or call (312) 409-1954.

*Too late for the littles?!   Don't despair.  After the Chicago shows & holiday special, fam friendly Sunday matinees return Jan 26th -March 30th!

Kids Write It. We Do It. World Saved!

Barrel of Monkeys Warms Up Winter With

THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA

Sunday Matinees Return January 26 – March 30, 2014

Monday Night Performances Resume March 2 – 31, 2014

The 8pm start time on a school night was cooked up for the industry peeps, because most shows run through the weekends and many actors have Monday nights off to go see That's Weird Grandma and laugh their booties off.   This winter, though, even the school kids and 9-5ers can sleep in on Sundays and still make it to the matinees.   Be there.

“Every story that you see was written by a child (uh huh). And every child was taught by the Barrel of Monkeys (well well). First we take the stories and perform them in the schools. Afterwards we share them with the world (you are the world).”

So sings the opening song of “That’s Weird, Grandma”—our Monday night public performance where we showcase the amazing talents of our student authors and our company of performers. After teaching creative writing residencies at Chicago Public Schools and working with students to generate literally thousands of creative stories, we have a gigantic repertoire of material to share with you!

Barrel of Monkeys, a Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble now in its 16th season, conducts creative writing workshops with 3rd through 5th grade students in underserved Chicago Public Schools. The ensemble of actor-educators then turns their stories and words into professionally-performed theater, presented both in-school and for the general public through its revues. Barrel of Monkeys annually performs more than 300 student-written stories for the students in their schools and 175 stories on the stage for the general public.

ACT OUT OPENING: We Will Rock You at Cadillac Palace #BroadwayInChicago

We Will Rock You Features Greatest Hits of Queen

by British comedian Ben Elton (The Young Ones)

Both of my tweens have been obsessed with Queen since they were toddlers, had Bohemian Rhapsody memorized in preschool, and still count Queen as their #1 favorite band.   Sadly, they'll never see Freddie Mercury, and there's no replacing his inimitable charisma, character & vocal range.  But his songs live on, and we're betting this Broadway in Chicago extravaganza will be a fun evening for sure!   We've been promoting this show for months and eagerly anticipating it.  Now we're super excited to check it out on opening night, TONIGHT.   We'll have a full review up shortly.  

We're also big fans of The Young Ones and Ben Elton, who wrote this musical!   I'm afraid my kids grew up on Brit humor, 80's cult classics, animated episodes of The Tick and Pee Wee's Playhouse, when other kids were watching Barney and The Wiggles.   In spite of (or maybe because of) our family TV taste, they've morphed into some of the funniest, most delightful kids I know.   

For Young Ones fans out there, my punk rock girl is Vyvyan all over and my long haired boy is Neil.   They do some hilarious scenes from the show together, but won't let me video tape 'em.   Lentils... need I say more.   My husband calls me "the people's poet" which I'll reluctantly accept, tho I hope I'm not half as pretentious.

Did you know there's an international young ones day?!   Click here to check out our past post.

 

We Will Rock You

Theatre : Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago Illinois

Dates : October 22, 2013 - October 27, 2013

Running time: 2 hours and 40 minutes with one intermission

From London's West End, the worldwide smash hit musical by Queen and Ben Elton comes to Chicago for a limited engagement! WE WILL ROCK YOU features the greatest hits of the legendary British rock group, Queen. Now in its 11th year in London and seen by a staggering 15 million people worldwide, this hilarious, multi-award-winning and record-breaking phenomenon boasts a fantastic score of killer Queen tunes that you just can't resist singing along to.  It's the world champion of musicals and the show that rocks harder than any other, so don't miss the party — book your tickets now! 

We Will Rock You is recommended for ages 13+.

Ticket prices are $18 to $85. 

Groups of 10+ are now on sale by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at 312-977-1710.

Featuring the greatest hits of the legendary rock group Queen. Sing along to "Another One Bites The Dust," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," "We Are The Champions," "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Will Rock You." The story takes you on a trip to the future as a group of rebel Bohemians struggle to bring the power of rock back to the people.

Photo Recap: Midnight Circus at Commercial Park10/13 #MCITP #OriginalPhotos

ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama and enjoy Midnight Circus vicariously through our photo filled recap.   Then go see them live already.  Only one weekend left, till you have to wait for next year!  We caught them last Sunday at Commercial Park and as usual, they ROCKED!  3 generations of our family saw the show together and everyone from the grandparents down to the kidlets loved it.  

 



LAST CALL:

	Welles Park 2333 W Sunnyside Avenue Friday, October 25th 7:00pm Saturday, October 26th 2:00pm & 5:00pm Sunday, October 27th 1:00pm & 4:00pm

Click here for our past Midnight Circus coverage.
Here are some of our favorite shots:

We also have some video clips coming soon so check back with ChiIL Live Shows like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.

 Show 'em some social media love...