ON SALE: 3/1/16 BROADWAY IN CHICAGO ANNOUNCES NEXT SEASON INCLUDING BROADWAY MUSICAL HAMILTON and DISNEY’S ALADDIN

BROADWAY IN CHICAGO ANNOUNCES 

NEXT SEASON TO FEATURE

THE BROADWAY MUSICAL HAMILTON

and

THE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR PREMIERE OF DISNEY’S ALADDIN

**On Sale to the Public March 1**

SEASON WILL ALSO INCLUDE

2014 TONY AWARD®-WINNING HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH,

2015 TONY AWARD®-WINNING THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME AND THE BODYGUARD

Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, we adore Broadway In Chicago's fabulous offerings and the newly announced 2016/17 season looks to be spectacular. We're particularly excited to see HAMILTON! Book your tickets as early as possible for the best selection. 

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce its next season line-up: the Broadway musical HAMILTON, the North American tour premiere of Disney’s ALADDIN, 2014 Tony Award®-Winning Best Revival of a Musical HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, the 2015 Tony Award®-Winning Best Play THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME and THE BODYGUARD.  

The upcoming Season will go on sale to the public March 1, 2016. To renew or purchase a new subscription, please visit BroadwayInChicago.com or call 312-977-1717. Subscriber benefits include savings of up to 50% off ticket prices, discounts on both parking and suite service, invitations to Broadway In Chicago exclusive events, free exchange privileges and more.  The Broadway In Chicago season line-up, including performance dates and venues, is as follows:

HAMILTON

Performances Begin September 27, 2016

The PrivateBank Theatre (18 W. Randolph)

With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical direction and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.  HAMILTON is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON is the story of America then, as told by America now.

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

December 6 – 24, 2016

Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph)

Hailed as "One of the most fully immersive works ever to wallop Broadway" by The New York Times, this "dazzling" (Associated Press) adaptation is the Tony Award®-winning new play by Simon Stephens, adapted from Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel and directed by Tony winner Marianne Elliott. Fifteen-year old Christopher has an extraordinary brain; he is exceptionally intelligent but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor’s dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an earth-shattering discovery and a journey that will change his life forever. 

THE BODYGUARD

January 31 – February 12, 2017

Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph)

The award-winning musical based on the smash hit film, starring Grammy® Award-nominee and R&B superstar DEBORAH COX!  Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker.  Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love.  A breathtakingly romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and one of the biggest selling songs of all time – I Will Always Love You.  Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s Oscar-nominated Warner Bros. film, which starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, and adapted by Academy Award-winner (Birdman) Alexander Dinelaris, The Bodyguard had its world premiere in London’s West End where it was nominated for four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and won Best New Musical at the Whatsonstage Awards.  

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

March 7 – 19, 2017

Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph)

Brilliantly innovative, heartbreaking, and wickedly funny, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH is the landmark American musical by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask that is “groundbreaking and undoubtedly ahead of its time” (Entertainment Weekly).  This genre-bending, fourth-wall-smashing musical sensation, with a pulsing score and electrifying performances, tells the story of one of the most unique characters to ever hit the stage. Directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening) and winner of four 2014 Tony Awards® including Best Musical Revival, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH played to record-breaking sell-out crowds on Broadway and promises to take Chicago  by storm with what Time Magazine proclaims is “the most exciting rock score written for the theatre since, oh, ever!”

Disney’s ALADDIN

April 11 – July 2, 2017

Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph)

Discover a whole new world at ALADDIN, the hit Broadway musical.  From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle.  It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.  Hailed by USA Today as “Pure Genie-Us,” ALADDIN on Broadway features all your favorite songs from the film as well as new music written by Tony® and Academy Award® winner Alan Menken (Newsies) with lyrics penned by the legendary Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast), Tony Award winner Tim Rice (The Lion King, Aida), and book writer Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer). Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten!), this “Fabulous” and “Extravagant” (The New York Times) new musical boasts an incomparable design team, with sets, costumes and lighting from Tony Award winners Bob Crowley (Mary Poppins), Gregg Barnes (Kinky Boots), and Natasha Katz (An American in Paris).  See why audiences and critics agree, ALADDIN is “Exactly What You Wished For!" (NBC-TV).

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 16 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country.  A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining well up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres.  Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including its newly named The PrivateBank Theatre, the Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.

ChiIL Out in Chi, IL With ChiIL Mama, ChiIL Live Shows and Chicago Theatre Week

Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, every week is theatre week. We adore the Chicago scene, and review lots of shows year round. In fact, we're reviewing 6 this week. Chicago Theatre Week is your turn to attend shows like a critic without breaking the bank! Check back with ChiIL Mama (fam friendly) & ChiIL Live Shows (adult) frequently for our top picks, original reviews, and Chicago theatre news. Then get out and see a show... or two, or more.

Chicago Theatre Week is an annual celebration of the rich tradition of theatre-going in Chicago, will take place February 11 – 21, 2016, spanning a week and two full weekends. Now in its fourth year, Chicago Theatre Week is a program of the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago. Tickets are $30, $15, or less and are on sale now. Advance tickets highly recommended as many productions sell out at these smokin' deals! A list of participating theatres is on ChicagoTheatreWeek.com.

Over 100 participating shows and offer details are listed on the website, ChicagoTheatreWeek.com. Follow @ChicagoPlays on Twitter for CTW announcements.

In February 2015, 116 productions offered value-priced tickets for performances during Chicago Theatre Week. Almost 10,000 Chicago residents and visitors spanning 40 states attended a show during Chicago Theatre Week. This coming February, visitors and residents will again have the opportunity to sample the extraordinary range of theatrical offerings throughout Chicagoland.

“Last year, Chicago Theatre Week was expanded to 11 days and it was the most successful one yet.  Theatre Week, with tickets on sale for comedies, dramas, musicals, and the entire range of Chicago productions throughout our city offers the perfect opportunity for people to visit their favorite theatres, or to check out a new company,” comments Deb Clapp, Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres. “We are so thrilled to be able to share the amazing work this theatre community produces with Chicago audiences and visitors.”

“Cultural tourism is a critical component to achieving Mayor Emanuel’s goal of increasing annual visitation to 55 million by 2020,” said Melissa Cherry, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Cultural Tourism for Choose Chicago.  “Chicago Theatre Week remains instrumental in bringing visibility to Chicago’s acclaimed theatre scene. Heading into the fourth annual event is exciting as it shows real consumer interest in the rich array of Chicago theatrical productions including touring and pre-Broadway productions, world premieres, intimate shows in small theatres, new musicals, and old favorites.”

Kate Lipuma, Executive Director of Writers Theatre and Chair of the League of Chicago Theatres Board adds, “Last season’s Theatre Week was a huge success as it offered Chicagoans and visitors even more opportunities to visit their favorite theatres and explore new companies all across the city and suburbs.  This season promises to be stronger than ever as we celebrate the tradition and quality of theatre in Chicago.”

Chicago Theatre Week is presented by the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago along with support from Exelon. The lead hotel sponsor for 2016 is Sheraton Chicago – CTW hotel packages will be available both at the Sheraton Chicago and the dana hotel & spa.

 

About Chicago theatre

Chicago theatre is a leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theatres throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theatres in the country, including 5 that have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago’s theatres serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. In the 2014-2015 season, Chicago theatre companies produced more than 100 world premiere productions and adaptations. Each year, Chicago theatres send new work to resident theatres across the country, to Broadway, and around the world.

About the League of Chicago Theatres

The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theatres which leverages its collective strength to promote, support, and advocate for Chicago's theatre industry locally, nationally, and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the art of theatre in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theatres and theatre professionals.

For a comprehensive list of Chicago productions, visit the League of Chicago Theatres website, www.chicagoplays.com.  Half-price tickets are available year-round at www.hottix.org.  Additional information about Chicago Theatre Week is available at www.chicagotheatreweek.com.

Chicago Theatre Week Listing of FREE Events

League of Chicago Theatres to host FREE series of engagement events at Theatre Week Central, February 11 – 21, 2016  

It's here people! Get out and see a show and/or explore these FREE special events. Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows we adore the Chicago Theatre scene and see copious numbers of shows year round. In fact we're reviewing 6 shows this week alone. The next 11 days are YOUR turn to do a full on Chicago theatre immersion, like a critic, without breaking the bank! Check back with ChiIL Live Shows (adult) and ChiIL Mama (fam friendly) like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often. We feature full reviews, theatre news, and lots of original content.

Value-priced tickets for over 115 Theatre Week productions now on sale!

Chicago Theatre Week, an annual celebration of the rich tradition of theatre-going in Chicago, will take place February 11 – 21, 2016, spanning a week and two full weekends. Now in its fourth year, Chicago Theatre Week is a program of the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago. In addition to offering tickets at $30, $15, or less to over 115 productions across the city the League will also host a series of FREE audience engagement events at Theatre Week Central, located in the historic Water Works Building, 163 East Pearson in Chicago. 

The League of Chicago Theatres will be hosting a series of FREE special events as part of Theatre Week to help audiences further engage with Chicago's extraordinary range of theatrical offerings.  Events include lunchtime Showcases featuring short performances, artist chats, and more; a Staged Reading of Stage Left Theatre’s The Body of An American by Dan O’Brien, directed by Jason A. Fleece; and Playwrights at Work, which allows audiences to watch the creation of the next great Chicago play in real time.  All events are free, open to the public, and will take place at Theatre Week Central (163 E. Pearson, along the Magnificent Mile).

The Theatre Week Central event schedule is as follows:

SHOWCASES

Fridays, February 12 and 19 at 12 pm

Lunchtime showcase events featuring short performances, artist chats, and more. Audiences are encouraged to arrive early and bring a lunch. These events will be no longer than 45 minutes.

Friday, February 12, 2016 at 12 pm

Hosted by Benno Nelson from The Common Room

Barrel of Monkeys – That’s Weird, Grandma

American Blues Theater – Looking Over the President’s Shoulder

Rivendell Theatre and Waltzing Mechanics – Body/Courage

Friday, February 19, 2016 at 12 pm

Featuring songs from 3 musicals

BoHo Theatre – Fugitive Songs 

Filament Theatre – Pinocchio: A Folk Musical

Porchlight Music Theatre – Far From Heaven

STAGED READING

Stage Left Theatre’s production of

The Body of an American

Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 2 pm

Stage Left Theatre will present a free staged reading of The Body of an American by Dan O'Brien. Directed by Jason A. Fleece, the cast includes Don Bender and Ryan Hallahan.

In 1993, Canadian photojournalist Paul Watson took a Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of a dead American soldier being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu. In 2007, writer Dan O’Brien was struggling to finish his play about ghosts. A chance encounter over the airwaves sparks an extraordinary friendship that sees the two men journey from some of the most dangerous places on earth to the depths of the human soul. Flying from Kabul to the Canadian Arctic, The Body of an American sees two actors play more than thirty roles in an exhilarating new form of documentary drama.

PLAYWRIGHTS AT WORK

February 11 – 21, 2016

Tuesdays-Saturdays from 10am to 6pm, and Sundays from 11am to 4pm

Following the success of the Storefront Playwright Project in 2013-2015, the League of Chicago Theatres is again supporting and providing space for nearly 20 emerging and established playwrights to work on a current writing project in view of the public.  From a large screen facing outward, visitors will be able to read what the playwright is writing and watch the creation of the next great Chicago play in real time. The aim of the project is to raise the visibility of playwrights in Chicago and encourage audiences to engage more deeply with Chicago theatre and the creative process of writing a new play for the theatre. Participating Playwrights at Work include: Randall Colburn, Philip Dawkins, Ike Holter, Evan Linder, Jessy Lauren Smith, Laura Stratford, Regina Taylor, Calamity West, and more.

The League will also present a variety of public tours of the Belmont Theater District, the Auditorium Theatre, Broadway in Chicago, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Please note that the Theatre Tours will take place on location, not at Theatre Week Central.

The Chicago Theatre Week Tour Schedule is as follows:

Belmont Theater District - Open House Tour 2016

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Celebrate Chicago Theatre Week with the Belmont Theater District at our 2016 Open House Tour on Saturday, February 13. It's cold outside, but it's warm in our Belmont Theater District theaters, where throughout the day you will experience behind-the-scenes access to theaters, show excerpts, and complimentary drinks, snacks and goodies from BTD Partner restaurants, bars, cafes and businesses. Reserve your place for the Belmont Theater District Open House Tour by registering your information here. And stay tuned to BTDChicago.com for up-to-the-minute information on event timings, directions and enticing event details!

Auditorium Theatre Tours

Thursdays, February 11 and 18, 2016 at noon

Monday, February 15 at 10:30am

Tickets: $12

Go behind the scenes of this National Historic Landmark, built by Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan, and view it as few do. Enjoy the radiant 24-karat gold-leafed ceiling arches, hundreds of Sullivan’s beautifully restored intricate stencil patterns, ornate gilded and bas-relief designs, and the endless floor and wall mosaics and murals by Charles Holloway and Albert Fleury. February 11, 15 and 18. For reservations and more information visit www.auditoriumtheatre.org.

Broadway In Chicago Historic Theatre Tours

Saturdays, February 13 at 20 at 11am

Tickets: $12

Each public tour visits two of the three Broadway in Chicago theatres: the Oriental Theatre, the Cadillac Palace and The PrivateBank Theatre. The tour showcases the glittering vintage décor inspired by the foremost theatre designers of our time, who created through their designs in the French Renaissance styling. Visitors will also learn about the cutting edge technology that makes each theatre the home to today’s most complex theatrical productions and the recent restorations that brought beauty and elegance back to these century-old theatres. For reservations and more information visit www.broadwayinchicago.com.

Glenwood Avenue Arts District

Saturday, February 20 at 2pm

Explore the burgeoning Glenwood Avenue Arts District during Chicago Theatre Week and take a special walking tour of the theatres on Saturday, February 20 at 2 pm. The tour will begin at Lifeline Theatre (6912 N Glenwood Ave) before heading north on Glenwood Ave to Theo Ubique and finishing up at BoHo Theatre. Tour each of the theatre's unique spaces and learn more about their programming and how they use their spaces. Approximately 60 minutes. Click here to register for the FREE tour. 

Lyric Opera of Chicago Backstage Tours

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Tours depart within half hour time slots between 11am and 2pm

Tickets: $45

Journey into the heart of opera at one of Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Backstage Tours. This 2 hour and 30 minute 10-stop walking tour will be guided by professional staff and trained volunteers, peppered with interesting discussions and demonstrations by experts in various staging areas. For reservations and more information visit www.lyricopera.org.

The Chicago Theatre

February 11-21, 2015 at noon

Tickets: $13

Experience one of the country's last remaining movie palaces. Stand on our world famous stage, view the autographed backstage wall and explore the beautiful Baroque interiors. Tours are available year-round. Tour Schedule: 12pm. Tours Daily February 11 through 21. Use code THWEEK for discounted $13 tickets. Tour Duration: 1 hour. For reservations and more information click here. 

In February 2015, 116 productions offered value-priced tickets for performances during Chicago Theatre Week. Almost 10,000 Chicago residents and visitors spanning 40 states attended a show during Chicago Theatre Week. This coming February, visitors and residents will again have the opportunity to sample the extraordinary range of theatrical offerings throughout Chicagoland.  Over 100 participating Theatre Week shows and offer details are currently listed on the website, ChicagoTheatreWeek.com, with tickets on sale now. It is recommended to follow @ChicagoPlays on Twitter for CTW announcements.

Chicago Theatre Week is presented by the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago. The lead hotel sponsor for 2016 is Sheraton Grand Chicago – Special CTW hotel rates are available at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, dana hotel & spa, and Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel.

For more information about Chicago Theatre Week or Theatre Week Central, please visit ChicagoTheatreWeek.com.

About Chicago theatre

Chicago theatre is a leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theatres throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theatres in the country, including 5 that have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago’s theatres serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. In the 2014-2015 season, Chicago theatre companies produced more than 100 world premiere productions and adaptations. Each year, Chicago theatres send new work to resident theatres across the country, to Broadway, and around the world.

About the League of Chicago Theatres

The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theatres which leverages its collective strength to promote, support, and advocate for Chicago's theatre industry locally, nationally, and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the art of theatre in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theatres and theatre professionals.

For a comprehensive list of Chicago productions, visit the League of Chicago Theatres website, www.chicagoplays.com.  Half-price tickets are available year-round at www.hottix.org.  Additional information about Chicago Theatre Week is available at www.chicagotheatreweek.com.

  

OPENING: Marnie & Phil: A Circus Love Letter at The Actors Gymnasium With Chicago Theatre Week Discount Tickets

Actors Gymnasium joins the 100s of theatres participating in  Chicago Theatre Week

ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows are long time fans of the phenomenal classes and shows produced at The Actors Gymnasium (AG). In fact, we'll be there on Sunday to shoot stills and review their latest, Marnie & Phil: A Circus Love Letter. We adore the circus arts genre and can't wait to catch this year's winter offering from AG. Check back soon for our full review. 

We've also been on board with promoting Chicago Theatre Week since it's inception 4 years ago and highly recommend checking out as many shows as possible. We're all about celebrating the rich tradition of theatre-going in Chicago and these ticket specials are hard to beat. Chicago Theatre Week 2016 will be held February 11-21 and will include specially-priced tickets to more than 100 shows. 

Visitors and residents will again have the opportunity to sample the extraordinary range of theatrical offerings throughout Chicagoland. The CTW ticket offers are listed on a centralized website - www.ChicagoTheatreWeek.com. Book yours ASAP as many of these shows do sell out. Chicago Theatre Week is presented by the League of Chicago Theatres with support from Choose Chicago.

As part of the celebration of Chicago's theatre scene, The Actors Gymnasium will offer discounted tickets to the first two weekends of Marnie & Phil: A Circus Love Letter, the latest production in its winter circus series.

Marnie & Phil: A Circus Love Letter trailer - 

Actors Gym 2016 Winter Circus

Through the spectacular circus wizardry of The Actors Gymnasium, Marnie & Phil: A Circus Love Letter tells a time-spanning, multi-generational story that explores how our friendships stay with us over time, recede, and can come back to save us just when we need them to. Marnie and Phil met when they were just young circus students, and became instant friends.

But when the inevitable twists and turns of fate take them separate ways, they make a promise to always write to each other no matter where they are. As they each somersault through adventures of fame and heartache, and age begins to take its toll on their once nimble physiques, they seek each other out to perform one last show-their long-awaited debut! 

A new, original work of circus theatre, Marnie & Phil: A Circus Love Letter is written and directed by Chris Mathews (ensemble member of The House Theatre of Chicago), and features a cast of Actors Gymnasium and Lookingglass Theatre favorites including Lindsey Noel Whiting (Lookingglass Alice, Lost & Found, The Magical Exploding Boy and The Invisible Circus), David Catlin (founding ensemble member of Lookingglass), Samuel Taylor (Lookingglass Alice, Back Room Shakespeare Project), and AG Artistic Director Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi, as well as the premier students of the Actors Gymnasium Teen Ensemble. 

The show includes original songs by Lindsey Noel Whiting and music by award-winning Chicago composer Kevin O'Donnell (The House Theatre of Chicago, Andrew Bird), as well as lighting design from Maggie Fullilove-Nugent (The Hypocrites, The Ruffians). Jaw-dropping circus choreography will be led by Artistic Director Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi. 

Beat the rush - Get your tickets today at www.actorsgymnasium.org/shows 

February 13 - March 20, 2016 

Fridays at 7:30pm 

Saturdays 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm 

Sundays at 3:00 pm 

$25 for adult tickets! 

$15 for children, students and seniors! 

$25 At the Door

Location: 

The Actors Gymnasium is located at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street, Evanston, IL - just off of the Noyes purple line 'L' stop. The Noyes Cultural Arts Center is owned by the City of Evanston and home to over 20 artists and arts organizations offering music, theater, and visual arts programs and studios. The galleries exhibit local artists, with exhibitions changing every two months.

About The Actors Gymnasium:

The Actors Gymnasium is dedicated to bringing a new physicality to the American Theatre. Encouraging ground-breaking theatrical exploration, The Actors Gymnasium teaches circus arts, physical theatre and multi-disciplinary performance to children and adults; produces original, daring works of circus-theatre; and serves as a talent resource, providing performance opportunities to our students and innovative professional event entertainment for a wider audience. At The Actors Gymnasium, people Learn To Fly - physically, emotionally, and creatively. For more information, please visit www.actorsgymnasium.org

NOW PLAYING: Pop Waits at the Neo-Futurists Through March 12th

Pop Waits

FEBRUARY 4 - MARCH 12 2016 

THURSDAY/FRIDAY/SATURDAY AT 7:30PM

Price: $10 – $20 & Pay-What-You-Can-Thursdays

BUY TICKETS

or call us at

773-878-4557

Running Time: 90 minutes

Who are you? What are we? Do I repeat the chorus or hit the bridge?

POP WAITS IS AN ATHLETIC, PARTICIPATORY, CLOWN PROVOCATION TO WRITE A SONG.

Partners and performers Malic White and Molly Brennan both struggle with depression and rely on music to yank themselves out of despair. With the help of a live band and the audience (that’s YOU), White and Brennan summon the sacred powers of their heroes, Iggy Pop and Tom Waits, to write a song of their own.

Through monologues, movement pieces and performance of their rock heroes’ most influential songs, Brennan strips away her penchant for theatricality, while White discovers that building a larger-than-life persona might be the key to survival.

POP WAITS contains loud noises, haze, strobe effects and nudity…because it’s awesome. 
If you don’t like either of those things, just let us know. 

CREATED BY MALIC WHITE  AND MOLLY BRENNAN

DIRECTED BY HALENA KAYS

BAND/ASSORTED ROCKERS: SPENCER MEEKS, DAVID “BIG D” SMITH, ELISA CARLSON.

Want to rock on? Molly and Malic want to jam with you and are teaching a Two-Week Pop Waits Devising Workshop called WE COULD BE HEROES.

Molly Brennan

(Co-creator of POP WAITS) is an actor, singer and clown, playing the Red Queen in Lookingglass Theatre’s Lookingglass Alice, an Accessible Lesbian in The Second City’s American Mixtape and as Madam Barker in Red Tape’ Theatre’s The Life and Death of Madam Barker. Other credits include The Second City’s Guide to the Opera at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Peter Pan: A Play at Lookingglass Theatre, Animal Crackers at Goodman Theatre,Theatrical Essays at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and 500 Clown Macbeth and 500 Clown Frankenstein in multiple venues in Chicago and the United States. On the variety/cabaret/storytelling front, Molly has appeared at the Chicago Humanities Festival, MCA Chicago, Salonathon, Davenport’s, Followspot, The Paper Machete, and You’re Being Ridiculous. She has hosted The Moth Chicago and is a co-creator/curator of The Kinky Butch Witching Hour. Molly served as Artistic Director of Barrel of Monkeys for three years. Molly was named Chicago’s “Queen of Mischief and Make Believe” by American Theatre Magazine, February 2015. She’s also got a couple Jeff prizes for being an acting winner.

Malic White

Malic White joined the Neo-Futurist Theater Ensemble in October 2012. Malic assistant directed The Miss Neo Pageant and performs in Too Much Light. Malic’s storytelling, dance and performance work has been featured at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Pritzker Pavilion, the Logan Square Auditorium, Tour de Fat and Chances Dances. Malic’s writing has appeared in Bitch Magazine, Windy City Times and the Huffington Post, plus all over Twitter and Facebook.

INCOMING: Wolfmother At Metro Supporting Their Victorious Release Out On February 19th

Here at ChiIL Live Shows we've been fans of the Grammy Award-winning rock band WOLFMOTHER, since their first album in 2005, and we've caught them live in an iconic Chicago venue and at Lollapalooza as well. We highly recommend giving their new material a listen and catching them live if at all possible. Their Victorious Tour runs February 24th through April 1.

February 19th is the release date for their highly anticipated new album, VICTORIOUS (Universal Music Enterprises) and they're coming our way, playing Metro in Chicago the 2nd night of their tour, February 25th. Fans around the world can already catch a sneak preview of the album since WOLFMOTHER premiered two tracks – "Victorious" and "City Lights" –which can be heard via Spotify HERE.

Fans can get "Victorious" and "City Lights" as instant downloads by clicking HERE to pre-order VICTORIOUS. The CD is also available for pre-order through Amazon HERE and pre-orders and exclusive merch bundles are also available at http://smarturl.it/wolfmotherstore.

Wolfmother will support VICTORIOUS with a headline tour of North America set to kick off February 24th at First Avenue in Minneapolis(see full itinerary below). On November 30th at 10am, fans that have signed up for Wolfmother email updates (at www.wolfmother.com) will receive a special code to purchase tickets before they are available to the general public. On December 4th, tickets go on sale to the general public. For more information, please visit www.wolfmother.com.

Wolfmother recently teamed with popular enhanced colouring book app Recolor to give fans the opportunity to create their own colorized version of the VICTORIOUS album art. Fan submissions can be viewed HERE.  Recolor was created by premium photo app developer Sumoing.

The follow-up to 2009's Cosmic Egg and 2014's New Crown, the much-anticipated VICTORIOUS is an electrifying testament to the range and depth of songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Andrew Stockdale's artistry. Recorded at Henson Studios in Los Angeles with 2X Grammy winning producer Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam, AC/DC, Chris Cornell, Bruce Springsteen), the songs are edgy, inventive and uncompromising and rank among the band's best ever.

Stockdale began working on the record this past January at his Byron Bay studio in New South Wales, writing on every instrument and embracing the same creative approach he used on the band's debut album a decade ago.

"Back in the early days, I'd play guitar, bass, and drums and then present the ideas to the band and we'd work on the arrangement together," he says. "I thought it would be cool to get back to demoing ideas by myself and playing everything. It's a good way to do things because it can make the style more cohesive."

In addition to vocals, Stockdale played guitar and bass and brought in Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails, Bruce Springsteen, A Perfect Circle) and Joey Waronker (Air, Beck, REM) to split drum duties. "We wanted to get back to that big sound," says Stockdale. "The album is a balance of garage-y energy and big production. It's wild, energetic and," he muses, "perfect for a festival main stage."

Wolfmother first made its mark in 2005 with an eponymous debut that was exactly what rock & roll needed: a meaty, beaty, big and bouncy genre resuscitator that not only broke through to the mainstream, but broke big. The album was certified Gold in the States, UK & Canada and 5x-Platinum in the band's Australian homeland. Lead single "Woman" hit top ten on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks Chart and won a Grammy for "Best Hard Rock Performance." Their songs became ubiquitous, appearing in films (Shrek, Jackass, Due Date,The Hangover I, II & III), video games (Need For Speed, MLB: The Show, Saints Row) and television commercials (Apple, Mitsubishi).Rolling Stone named it one of the best albums of the year, Q Magazine called it "immense fun," NME said it ticked "the requisite boxes for all great rock & roll" and called it "utterly, utterly thrilling" and Pitchfork praised the songs for striking "a balance between meaty vintage metal and crisp, stoner-rock melodies."

Led by Stockdale, Wolfmother have amassed a global fanbase, played to packed-house crowds around the world, delivered show-stealing sets at star-studded festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Isle of Wight, Rock am Ring and Reading and Leeds, and have been invited to share stages with rock icons Aerosmith and AC/DC. For their induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame, Led Zeppelin personally invited Wolfmother as their guests (the band showed their appreciation by delivering an electrifying cover of "Communication Breakdown").

Ten years after their arrival, Wolfmother have returned with what could arguably be called their best work to date. With VICTORIOUS, Stockdale once again arrives right on time: in an era dominated by single-song downloads, this is an album worthy of repeat listens from top to bottom.

Don't miss your chance to catch Wolfmother live. Tour dates are as follows:

Feb 24 – Minneapolis, MN – First Ave
Feb 25 – Chicago, IL – Metro
Feb 26 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrews Hall
Feb 27 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
Feb 29 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
Mar 2 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Mar 3 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
Mar 4 – Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero Theatre
Mar 5 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
Mar 7 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage
Mar 8 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
Mar 9 – Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall
Mar 11 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
Mar 12 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
Mar 14 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
Mar 15 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
Mar 21 – El Paso, TX – Tricky Falls
Mar 22 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee
Mar 23 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
Mar 25 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory
Mar 26 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre
Mar 28 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
Mar 30 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
Mar 31 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
Apr 1 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom

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SOURCE Universal Music Enterprises

OPENING: Theatre at the Center Presents Alfred Hitchcock’s 39 Steps

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar: 

Alfred Hitchcock’s 39 Steps

Delightfully Dizzy, Indomitably Funny!  Ben Brantley, NY Times

A hit on Broadway and in London’s West End, the thrilling comedy, Alfred Hitchcock’s “The 39 Steps” kick starts Theatre at the Center’s 26th season beginning February 18 and continuing through March 20, 2016.  This comedic spoof offers non-stop action and features four actors playing more than 150 different characters.  The show is filled with an incredible series of lightning fast costume changes that make for a great deal of laughter and excitement. 

© Theatre at the Center, photo by Guy Rhodes

Pictured are Matt Mueller portraying Richard Hannay,  Linda Gillum as Annabella, Norm Boucher and Kevin McKillip as the mysterious men in Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps" which opens at Theatre at the Center in Munster on February 18.

Adapted from the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film and the 1915 novel by John Buchan, the story follows Englishman Richard Hannay, who inadvertently embarks on a chaotic adventure full of narrow escapes and mishaps after trying to help a female spy. When he wakes up to find her dead in his apartment, he flees from the police and an espionage organization, desperately trying to find the truth. 

This whirlwind story is directed by David Perkovich with Matt Mueller (“Shining Lives: A Musical” at Northlight Theatre) as Richard Hannay.  Linda Gillum (“A Christmas Story” and “The Fox on the Fairway” at Theatre at the Center) plays several roles including Hannay’s romantic interests.  And Norm Boucher (“Big Fish” and “On Golden Pond” at Theatre at the Center) and Kevin McKillip (“Making God Laugh” at Theatre at the Center) each play more than 30 characters ranging from men, women, children, heroes, villains and even the occasional object. 

“The 39 Steps” production team includes Ann Davis, scenic designer, Brenda Winstead, costume designer, Michael McNamara, lighting designer, Barry G. Funderburg, sound designer, and Brittney O’Keefe, props designer. Matt McMullen is the stage manager. Richard Friedman is general manager and Linda Fortunato is Theatre at the Center’s new artistic director. 

Linda Fortunato has been nominated for five Joseph Jefferson Awards for her work as a choreographer and director. She received both the Equity and Non-Equity Jeff Award for Outstanding Choreography in the 2013-2014 season, garnering Theatre at the Center their first award for her Choreography of 42nd Street.  In addition to her award-winning work on 42nd Street, Fortunato has been involved with over a dozen shows at Theatre at the Center, including choreographing Spamalot, Big Fish, A Christmas Carol, Guys and Dolls, Crazy for You, Fiddler on the Roof; performing in Lend Me a Tenor, The Diary of Anne Frank, and directing A Christmas Story. Fortunato settled in Chicago directly after college and now lives in Evanston with her husband, actor Sean Fortunato, and their seven year old son.

Founded in 1991, the 410-seat Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana.  Theatre at the Center is the only professional theater company in Northwest Indiana, offering downtown caliber performances in an accessible venue with plenty of free parking.  Theatre at the Center is located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago.

The 39 Steps is recommended for adults and children 11 years old and up. Performances are 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays; and select Thursday and Sunday evenings and Saturday matinees. Individual ticket prices range from $40 - $44. To purchase individual tickets call the Box Office at 219-836-3255 or Tickets.com at 800-511-1552. Group discounts are available for groups of 11 or more and gift certificates are also available. For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com