The Locals Record Release at Double Door THIS Friday

Chi, IL Live Shows on our radar:

Double Door Welcomes

The Locals (Record Release!!!)

Hemmingbirds, The Sweeps, Lights Alive

Friday, August 30, 2013

Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 8:30 pm

$7.00 - $12.00

Chicago band The Locals will celebrate their ninth release, an EP entitled Stereostatic Funicular, at Double Door on August 30. The EP was produced by Steve Gillis and features background vocals by Bob Mould/Robert Pollard sideman Jason Narducy. 

Record release show (w/ Hemmingbirds as direct support) 

The Locals are an alt-rock, power pop three piece based in Chicago. Fans of The Pixies, The Whigs and Yeah Yeah Yeahs dig The Locals. They have been steadily gaining more fans with their latest release "SALT". Produced by Steven Gillis (Filter), The Locals' latest effort delivers guitar heavy sumptuous alt-pop through and through.

The Locals tour extensively in the midwest, and have played in clubs and festivals all over the US including: Schubas (Chicago, IL),Lincoln Hall (Chicago, il), House of Blues (Chicago, Il),Southgate House (Newport, KY), Halsted Market Days (Chicago, IL), EAT'em Music Conference (Las Vegas), Invasion of The Go Girls (SXSW) Austin TX, GOGO Festival (Kent, United Kingdom). The band did their first UK tour in 2011.

THE LOCALS ARE:

Yvonne Doll: Vocals, Songwriter, Guitar

Christy Nunes: Bass

Tommy Oerding: Drums

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE LOCALS:

• The Locals were the subject of years of public resentment from The Matches (formerly The Locals, Oakland California) who had to change their name because of a trademark conflict. They released their first record on Epitaph Records and named it "E.Von Dahl Killed The Locals".
• Yvonne was just featured in Guitar World Magazine as one of the top "10 Female Guitarists You Should Know".
• Yvonne is a photographer best known for her cell phone photo project, "SleepyUrbanite". (sleepyurbanite.com cell photos of people sleeping on the el train in Chicago) The project was featured on The Today Show, NBC News, Chicagoist, TimeOut, VoxPop magazine (France), Newstalk Radio (Ireland)
• Christy Nunes (co-founder, bass player) originally hails from San Diego. Christy began playing professionally at the age of 14. She once shoved a kid during a job as the Chuck E. Cheese mascot when he kept kicking her and pulling her tail.
• When hen he's not drumming for The Locals, Tommy Oedering makes custom drums at the custom drum shop "Chicago Custom Percussion".

PRESS:

What people are saying about "SALT": "Doll proves she has the alt-rock style of singers like Karen O, but also exhibits a unique blend of sultry sounds that definitely sets her apart and makes this track noteworthy. With a blend of old and new sounds and lyrics about letting go, the songs on "Salt" prove to be worthy contenders for Chicago indie anthems..." --Time Out 

"The chorus to 'Away From Here' is epic" MTV via Twitter

"Obvious skill occompanied by a punky attitude" -- Guitar Player Magazine "Top Female Musicians You Should Know" 

“The EP ‘SALT’ will have listeners craving more than four exceptionally crafted songs….” — Rock Wired Magazine 

"I feel that The Locals light up each track on 'Salt' with an energy that parallels that of early punk artists" ---- Nufutur.com

“I simply love the style The Locals provide on Salt because it seems to be music that pushes along consistently while never letting up..."----Skope Magazine

Chicago alt-pop, indie-rock trio The Locals will celebrate the release of their new EP, Stereostatic Funicular, with a hometown show at The Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave, on Friday, August 30th. 

Stereostatic Funicular, which was produced Steven Gillis at Chicago's Transient Sound and features guest musicians Jason Narducy (Verbow, Bob Mould's band), Vijay Tellis-Nayak (The Steak House Mints) and Joanna Vassilatos (Radio Vago), follows 2010's critically acclaimed SALT.

Stereostatic Funicular is described by The Locals as a "transitional album," as it was recorded with longtime drummer Kirk Snedeker, who moved to Northern California before the EP was finished. The EP's title was inspired by a trip to Spain, specifically by the "stereostatic" chain models that Anton Gaudi created to calculate the height/width of each column of the Sagrada Famila and "Funiculars," trams that whisk riders up to the tops of high mountains.

Stereostatic Funicular's songs include "Inventio," the story of a love triangle between the Ocean, the Moon and the Sun, and "Running Toward the Sound," which is about trying to harness the unbridled instinct of hearing a sound and running full-on toward it.

Fronted by Yvonne Doll, who was featured in Guitar World Magazine as one of the top "10 Female Guitarists You Should Know," the Locals boast a killer rhythm section comprised of bassist Christy Nunes, who began playing professionally at the age of 14, and new drummer Tommy Oedering, who also makes drums for Chicago Custom Percussion. The Locals have been a part of the Chicago music scene for the last decade. They have played extensively in the Midwest and completed their first UK tour in 2011.

North Coast Music Festival Discount Tickets #NCMF

ChiIL Live Shows will be there... will YOU?!

Play hooky from work and start the holiday weekend early!

Type in promo code "Hooky" upon check-out for 15% off

the Friday August 30th single-day ticket!

Limited quantity available HERE.

ACT OUT: Tickets Now On Sale For NOAH HAIDLE’S SMOKEFALL at Goodman Theatre

SMOKEFALL DIRECTED BY ANNE KAUFFMAN, KICKING OFF THE 2013/2014 LINE-UP IN THE OWEN THEATRE (OCTOBER 5 – NOVEMBER 3) ***CHICAGO LEGEND MIKE NUSSBAUM JOINS GOODMAN NEWCOMERS CATHERINE COMBS, KATHERINE KEBERLEIN, GUY MASSEY AND ERIC SLATER*** Acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Noah Haidle returns to Chicago with his newest work, Smokefall, which examines life’s big questions through the prism of an ordinary family. Hailed by The New Yorker as “formidably talented, with a sort of freewheeling intuitive daring,” the Michigan native playwright most recently wrote the 2012 film Stand Up Guys (starring Alan Arkin, Christopher Walken and Al Pacino) and previously authored Mr. Marmalade, Vigils (at the Goodman in 2006) and Persephone for the stage. Director Anne Kauffman, in her Goodman debut, assembles an ensemble cast for the Goodman production, including legendary Chicago actor Mike Nussbaum (Henry VIII at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre) as the Colonel; Catherine Combs (The Delling Shore at Actors Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival) in the roles of Beauty and Blessing; Katherine Keberlein (Boeing, Boeing at Drury Lane Oakbrook) as Violet; Guy Massey (Failure:  A Love Story at Victory Gardens Theater) as Footnote and Fetus Two; and Eric Slater (Gloryana at New York City’s Public Theater) as Daniel and Fetus One.   A world-premiere co-production with South Coast Repertory, Smokefall runs October 5 – November 3 in the Owen Theatre (opening night is Monday, October 14). Tickets ($10-$40; subject to change) are on sale now at GoodmanTheatre.org/Smokefall, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). Bank of America is the 2013/2014 Owen Season Sponsor. “The Goodman has collaborated on Smokefall since 2011, so to be able to open the Owen season with this highly theatrical, unique production is a great joy,” said Artistic Director Robert Falls. “Noah has a singular, theatrical voice, and his plays shine in a highly original, imaginative world. Smokefall is thought-provoking and entertaining at the same time, and I am thrilled to welcome him back to our home.”

ACT OUT OPENING: The Crownless King at The House Theatre 8/30

THE HOUSE THEATRE PRESENTS 'THE CROWNLESS KING' A CONTINUATION OF THEIR EPIC TRILOGY The Crownless King is one of the shows we're most looking forward to this fall here at ChiIL Live Shows/ ChiIL Mama.   This original trilogy is not children's theatre, but it's fine for savvy tweens & teens.   Last fall our whole family caught opening night and the kids (9 & 11 at the time) were enthralled and caught up in the myth, magic and puppetry. We can't wait to see what part 2 brings! Click here to check out our prior Iron Stag King review. The House Theatre's Shows are always high on our must see list and they do not disappoint.   We'll have a full review for our readers after we check it out, but here's the scoop.   Catch a preview for a bargain and/or book your tickets NOW.   House Theatre shows sell out! **If in doubt... Check it out: Learn more about bringing kids to the show with House Theatre's PARENT’S GUIDE.** Brenda Barrie and Blake Montgomery join 7 returning cast members for second installment The House Theatre of Chicago launches its 12th Season with a fantasy action-adventure on the high seas. This second installment of the trilogy began last fall with The Iron Stag King and comes from Artistic Director Nathan Allen and collaborator and Company Member Chris Mathews. The Crownless King begins performances August 30, 2013 at The Chopin Theatre (1543 W Division St.) THE CROWNLESS KING By Chris Mathews and Nathan Allen Directed by Nathan Allen Original Music by Kevin O’Donnell August 30- October 20, 2013 SHOWTIMES: Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 7:00pm The performance will run approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes with an intermission. LOCATION: The Chopin Theatre, Upstairs Theatre (1543 W. Division St., Chicago, IL) TICKETS: Previews (Aug 30 - Sept 7) are $15. Regular run (Sept 8 - Oct 20) $20-$40 On sale now at www.thehousetheatre.com or by phone at 773.769.3832, $10 Student and Industry Same-Day tickets available at all performances if seats are available. Tickets are on sale now. ABOUT THE PLAY Artistic Director Nathan Allen and frequent collaborator and Company Member Chris Mathews embark on the darkest chapter of their three-play journey in the continuing saga of Casper Kent and the kingdom he builds. Inspired by the legend of King Arthur, hero myths, and the rich tapestry of early American history, the trilogy explores themes of American identity, including the nature of leadership, governance, and the struggle to balance personal liberty with sacrifice for a greater good. In the first installment last fall (The Iron Stag King), young Casper Kent (Brandon Ruiter) discovers he is heir to a magical hammer. Once lifted, the Hammer proves him King and unites the Land. But in achieving this destiny he learns he is ruler of all but his own story. In this second installment, the Golden Age of the Iron Stag King has taken root. Yet King Casper soon finds himself buffeted by forces on all sides. Grappling for control, the exiled black dragon, Irek Obsidian (voiced once again by Pulitzer Prize and Tony winner Tracy Letts,) cunningly lures Casper away from the throne. Our band of heroes ventures to the sea where the hooded pirate Davy Boone (Blake Montgomery) commands a fleet of Crownless rebels. All the while, Hap the Golden (as reprised by company member Cliff Chamberlain) fights to maintain his hold over the royal tale. As storytellers Hap the Golden and Irek Obsidian each seek to impose their versions of the story, who will step forth to rule as the Crownless King? This trilogy marks The House's first foray into the genre of High Fantasy. Most defined by Tolkien, Dungeons & Dragons gaming, and lately revived by the work of R.R. Martin, these tales are often set in a mythic, medieval world of European influence. But Allen and Mathews have aligned their story with our own evolving nation at the turn of the nineteenth century. Writers and ensemble alike have created a rich world with its own unique, deep history. Replete with magic, dragons, quests, and team-building, The Crownless King continues The House's work exploring the hero's journey through original, engaging myth. The Plot Thickens An orphan boy learns he is the rightful heir to the throne, and after a hard-fought battle, young Casper Kent takes his place as the ruler of the Folk. Yet King Casper soon finds himself buffeted by forces on all sides. Seizing for control, the exiled black dragon, Irek Obsidian (voiced by Pulitzer Prize and Tony winner Tracy Letts,) cunningly lures Casper away from the throne. Our band of heroes ventures to the sea where the hooded pirate Davy Boone commands a fleet of Crownless rebels. All the while, Hap the Golden wrests to maintain his hold over the royal tale. As storytellers Hap the Golden and Irek Obsidian each seek to impose their versions of the story, who will step forth to rule as the Crownless King? Join in on Twitter or Facebook for updates. And follow the production process on Tumblr SPECIAL EVENTS Staged Readings of last season’s The Iron Stag King September 14 at 4pm September 15 at 3pm  Audiences can immerse themselves in the world of The Folk, The Land, and the Hammer at these complete events! First, a re-visit of The Iron Stag King, followed by dinner with the cast, and finally the evening performance of The Crownless King! Two epic events for this epic tale! Saturday 9/14 - This VIP package includes tickets to the 4pm staged reading and the 8pm production as well as a delicious buffet dinner at Frontier Restaurant, featuring signature cocktails and whole-animal service. The cast and artists will join guests in the private dining room between 6 and 7pm for more exclusive sneak-peeks into the world of the trilogy. Tickets for this complete evening are $125 per person inclusive, and space is limited to 50 guests. Sunday 9/15 – This package includes tickets to the 3pm staged reading and the 7pm production. In between, guests are invited to bring a picnic dinner or order an advanced boxed meal to enjoy on stage or in the various nooks and parlors in the Chopin Theatre. The authors and artists will be on hand to answer questions about the extensive and imaginative back-stories woven into the trilogy. Tickets for this evening are $45. Pre- and Post-Play Discussions Audiences can connect with the artistic team and learn more about the development of the trilogy. Friday 9/20 - Post-Play Talkback with the actors immediately follows the 8pm performance. FREE Sunday 9/22 - Insider Intro: A pre-show conversation with writers Nathan Allen and Chris Mathews. Lots of references to Star Wars, Back to the Future, and Lord of the Rings are guaranteed! Talk begins at 6:15 before the 7pm performance. FREE ABOUT THE ARTISTS Company Member Cliff Chamberlain (The Sparrow, The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz, Hatfield and McCoy) returns to the trilogy as Hap the Golden, a powerful storyteller that shapes our young hero’s journey. Also returning from The Iron Stag King are guest artists Brandon Ruiter (Rose and the Rime, All the Fame of Lofty Deeds) as the unassuming hero, Casper Kent, Paige Collins (The Nutcracker, 2012) as Rienne, Casper’s soon-to-be Queen, John Henry Roberts (Wilson Wants It All) as the stoic, secretive Hollow Thom, Kay Kron as Irek’s right hand girl, July of the Seven Foxes, and Ben Hertel now in the ensemble. Also returning to The House are guest artists Brenda Barrie (The Nutcracker, 2012) as long-lost survivor, Lady Olympia of The Grass, and Blake Montgomery (The Nutcracker, 2010) as the masked pirate Davy Boone. Guest artists Christopher Walsh (Lifeline Theatre), Morgan Maher (Griffin Theatre), and Kara Davidson round out the cast. Tony Award-winning actor Tracy Letts returns, lending his voice as the dragon Irek Obsidian. Company Member Collette Pollard returns us to her immersive in-the-round set on the Chopin Mainstage, inviting the audience into a night around the campfire. Company Member Lee Keenan swiftly transports us through the varied landscapes of the Land as Lighting Designer. Jeff Award-winning composer and Company Member Kevin O’Donnell once again creates a rich, epic score to frame our heroes’ shifting world. Company Member Tommy Rapley returns as the Movement Director. Guest artist Melissa Torchia returns as Costume Designer, and is joined by Rachel Watson (Puppets) and Josh Horvath (Sound). Kelly A. Claussen is stage manager. Join The House for the fantasy action-adventure of The Crownless King, playing August 30 through October 20, 2013.

Click here to check out ChiIL Live Shows' video interview with Dennis Watkins, who puts the MAGIC in Magic Parlour and who just finished another awe inspiring run of Death and Harry Houdini. 

Mark Your Calendars

SEASON 12

THE CROWNLESS KING

A fantasy action-adventure on the high seas

By Nathan Allen and Chris Mathews

Directed by Nathan Allen

August 30- October 20, 2013

ROSE AND THE RIME

A modern myth for the Middle West

By Chris Mathews, Jake Minton, and Nathan Allen

Directed by Nathan Allen

January 17 – March 9, 2014


DORIAN

A vivid fantasy of horror and beauty

By Ben Lobpries and Tommy Rapley

Based on the novel ‘A Picture of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde

Directed and Choreographed by Tommy Rapley

April 4 – May 18, 2014

ALSO

THE NUTCRACKER

Our magical story for Christmas

Book by Jake Minton and Phillip Klapperich

Music by Kevin O’Donnell, Lyrics by Jake Minton

Based on the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann

Directed and Choreographed by Tommy Rapley

November 8 – December 29, 2013


THE MAGIC PARLOUR

at The Palmer House Hilton Hotel

an intimate evening of classic magic with Dennis Watkins

every Friday night

GOODMANS' A CHRISTMAS CAROL YOUNG PERFORMER AUDITIONS 9/22

ACCLAIMED CHICAGO ACTOR LARRY YANDO RETURNS AS SCROOGE IN A CHRISTMAS CAROL, DIRECTED FOR THE FIRST TIME BY HENRY WISHCAMPER (NOVEMBER 16 – DECEMBER 28)  ***YOUNG PERFORMER AUDITIONS SET FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 10AM – 2PM*** A Christmas Carol at The Goodman is a beloved family holiday tradition here at ChiIL Mama.   Goodman's annual remount is a standout in a December packed with stellar live shows.   The kids and I adore it and consider it a high point of the winter.   The sets, costumes and storytelling are excellent and never get old. Got a young thespian who's great at singing?   Your kids could be part of the magic, on stage. Goodman Theatre marks its 36th production of A Christmas Carol, “the crown jewel of the holiday season” (Daily Herald), directed by Artistic Associate Henry Wishcamper. Larry Yando, who most recently appeared as Shere Khan in The Jungle Book, returns for his sixth year as Ebenezer Scrooge, a performance hailed as “rich, multilayered, wholly satisfying” (Chicago Reader) and “altogether irresistible” (Chicago Sun-Times).  The Goodman invites performers aged 5 to 17 of every ethnic background to audition for five roles including Tiny Tim and Martha Cratchit on Sunday, September 22 from 10am – 2pm (in-person registration takes place from 9:30 - 11:30am in the Goodman lobby; no phone calls, please). Performers should prepare a memorized poem or monologue (one minute or less in length); sing one verse of a song, preferably a traditional holiday song or Christmas carol, without musical accompaniment; and bring a photo and resume including age, height, weight, previous theatrical and related experience/training (although experience is not required), address and contact information. For 36 years, A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre, the “granddaddy of Chicago holiday entertainment” (Time Out Chicago), has hosted seven directors, eight Scrooges, 31 Tiny Tims, and nearly 20,000 “Bah, Humbug!”s. Based on Charles Dickens’ classic 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol is the unforgettable tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy business man with no family and a disdain for holiday cheer and the poor in Victorian London. One Christmas, Scrooge is visited by four ghosts who take him on an incredible journey that offers him a new perspective on everything from his dusty past to his dark future, and presents him with an opportunity to sympathize with his fellow man and rediscover life and love. A Christmas Carol runs November 16 – December 28 in the Goodman’s Albert Theatre (opening night is November 24). Tickets ($25 - $83) are on sale now at GoodmanTheatre.org/Joy, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). BMO Harris Bank is the Major Corporate Sponsor and Aon Corporation is the Corporate Sponsor Partner. Goodman subscriptions, including the WILD CARD, can be purchased at the box office (170 North Dearborn) or by phone at 312.443.3800.  Mezztix are half-price mezzanine tickets available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online (promo code MEZZTIX) day of performance; Mezztix are not available by telephone. 10Tix are $10 rear mezzanine tickets for students available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online on the day of performance; 10Tix are not available by telephone; a valid student I.D. must be presented when picking up the tickets; limit four per student with I.D. All tickets are subject to availability and handling fees apply. Discounted Group Tickets for 15 persons or more are available at 312.443.3820. Purchase Goodman Gift Certificates in any amount at GoodmanTheatre.org. The flexibility of Goodman Gift Certificates allows recipients to choose the production, date and time of their performance. Artists, dates and ticket prices are subject to change.

ACT OUT OPENING: Tickets On Sale for Goodman Season Opener Pullman Porter Blues 9/14

“SWEET HOME CHICAGO!” CASTING SET FOR THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF PULLMAN PORTER BLUES BY CHERYL L. WEST, DIRECTED BY CHUCK SMITH (SEP 14 – OCT 20) ***LARRY MARSHALL, CLEAVANT DERRICKS, E. FAYE BUTLER, FRANCIS GUINAN AND TOSIN MOROHUNFOLA AMONG THE BROADWAY LEGENDS, CHICAGO FAVORITES AND NEWCOMERS ABOARD BLUES-INFUSED JOURNEY*** Tickets are selling fast for Goodman Theatre Resident Director Chuck Smith’s Chicago premiere production of Cheryl L. West’s Pullman Porter Blues—a 2013 Helen Hayes/Charles MacArthur Award nominee for Outstanding New Play/Musical. This blues-infused “glorious ride” (DCist) follows three generations of African American Pullman porters in the 1930s—an era that no longer enslaves them, but still exploits them—in an updated production especially for the city of Pullman’s origin.  Tony Award winner Cleavant Derricks (Broadway’s original James “Thunder” Early in Dreamgirls) portrays Sylvester Sykes, a second-generation railway porter, union organizer and father. Tony Award nominee Larry Marshall (Sportin’ Life in Broadway’s Porgy and Bess) portrays Monroe Sykes, the family patriarch grateful for the opportunities given to him by the Pullman company. Newcomer Tosin Morohunfola portrays Cephas, the youngest Sykes son and med-school hopeful with an itch for adventure. Chicago stage favorite E. Faye Butler portrays Sister Juba “with infectious spirit and adroit comedic timing” (Variety), Francis Guinan (August: Osage County) portrays Tex, the conniving white train conductor, and Claire Kander makes her Goodman Theatre debut in the role of Lutie, a stowaway. The musicians aboard the train include Jmichael Davis (Keys) on piano, Anderson Edwards (Shorty) on bass, Chic Street Man (Professor Slick) on guitar and Senuwell Smith (Twist) on drums.  Pullman Porter Blues runs September 14 – October 20 in the Albert Theatre (opening night is Tuesday, September 24). Tickets ($25 - $86; subject to change) go on sale to the general public Friday, August 9 and are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Pullman, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). Abbott Fund and Allstate are Corporate Sponsor Partners. ComEd is the Official Lighting Sponsor. “I remember being enamored with the smiling Pullman porters on my first train ride. Little did I know about the horrific working conditions they faced; and yet they persevered to become the first organized black labor union, a feat that cost many of them their jobs and their lives,” said playwright Cheryl L. West. “I have the incredible opportunity to bring this play to Chicago, my hometown, where so many Pullman porters lived. With the Sykes men as guides, audiences are invited to both explore the dark world behind the porters’ smiles and to recapture that initial fascination with a long train journey.” “In Chicago, the Blues and Pullman go hand-in-hand. Pullman Porters were the town criers of the African American community, spreading news all over the country. They were treated with respect by everyone in the black community,” said director Chuck Smith, who celebrates 20 years at the Goodman with this production. “Cheryl pairs a rich and sometimes tragic story with Blues music, which is arguably as legendary as the Pullman Porters themselves.” “The Blues help you say what you feel and feel what you can’t say.” It’s June of 1937, and the Panama Limited Pullman Train is speeding from Chicago to New Orleans on the night of the Joe Louis/James Braddock world heavyweight championship—a watershed moment. Three generations of African American train porters wrestle with ghosts of the past and dreams for the future as they eagerly await word of the Brown Bomber’s victory. Set to timeless Blues tunes performed by a live, on-stage band, and hot on the heels of runs at Seattle Repertory Theatre and Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage, Pullman Porter Blues is a spirited, music-infused ride audiences won’t soon forget.  The design team includes Robert Christen (lights), Riccardo Hernandez (sets), Josh Horvath and Ray Nardelli (sound), Mike Tutaj (projections) and Birgit Wise (costumes). Joseph Drummond is the production stage manager and Briana Fahey is the stage manager.

ACT OUT: Babes With Blades Theatre Company Presents the World Premiere of Bo Thomas and the Case of the Sky Pirates

“She's one mean cracker jack with a pointy surprise inside.”

A detective agency’s Girl Friday is the real brains behind the operation in a production directed by Leigh Barrett

Babes With Blades have been favs of ours for years and this World Premier is high on our must see list.

All photos by Steven Townshend BWB Photo 1: Megan Schemmel

In a world premiere production, Babes With Blades Theatre Company is proud to present Bo Thomas and the Case of the Sky Pirates, by Eric Simon, at Raven Theatre West Stage, 6157 N. Clark St.  The show will run Thursdays-Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 3:30PM from August 17-September 21.

Bo Thomas and the Case of the Sky Pirates is directed by BWBTC Artistic Director Leigh Barrett*, and the cast features Mark Lancaster, Jennifer L. Mickelson*, Megan Schemmel*, Kelly Yacono*, and Maureen Yasko*. The violence design is by JKChoreography (Kim Fukawa* and Jay Burkhardt).

 About the Play

Girl Friday Bo Thomas has been doing the bulk of the detecting for the Sam Lowell Detective Agency, squeaking by on nickel-and-dime petty theft jobs, waiting for that first big case. When reclusive heiress Lydia Day asks the agency to investigate a strange arson at an area orphanage, it seems like a shot at the big time, but things aren't always what they seem….

Bo Thomas and the Case of The Sky Pirates is a veteran of BWBTC’s Fighting Words program (2010). For more information about Fighting Words, please see BWBTC’s website here. 

Tickets:

$20 general admission

$12 students and seniors

Available at babeswithblades.org or 773-904-0391.

 The design and production team of Bo Thomas and the Case of the Sky Pirates includes Lauren Angel-Nichols (Scenic Design), Rachel Ellis (Assistant Stage Manager), Diane Fairchild (Lighting Design), Ticha Guillaud (Props Design), Kjerstine Humiston* (Assistant Director), Michael Kunc (Sound Design/Original Music), Kimberly Logan* (Production Manager), Lindsey Miller (Stage Manager), Kimberly Morris* (Costume Design), Megan Turnquist (Assistant to Lighting Designer), and Jon Woelfer (Technical Director).

 *denotes BWBTC ensemble member

About the company

Babes With Blades Theatre Company uses stage combat to place women and their stories center stage. Through performance, script development, training, and outreach, our ensemble creates theatre that explores the wide range of the human experience, and cultivates broader perspectives in the arts community and in society as a whole.

BWB Photo 2: Megan Schemmel,  Kelly Yacono 

WHAT: Babes With Blades Theatre Company presents Bo Thomas and the Case of the Sky Pirates by Eric Simon, directed by Leigh Barrett.

WHERE: Raven Theatre West Stage, 6157 N. Clark in Chicago

WHEN: 

RUN:  August 17-September 21

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8PM

Sundays at 3:30PM

TICKETS: babeswithblades.org or 773-904-0391

Tickets $20, Students/Seniors $12, Previews $8

Cast: Mark Lancaster, Jennifer L. Mickelson*, Megan Schemmel*, Kelly Yacono*, and  Maureen Yasko*

Production Team:

Director: Leigh Barrett*

Assistant Director: Kjerstine Humiston*

Production Manager: Kimberly Logan*

Violence Designer: JKChoreography (Kim Fukawa* and Jay Burkhardt).

Stage Manager: Lindsey Miller

Assistant Stage Manager: Rachel Ellis

Technical Director: Jon Woelfer

Costume Designer: Kimberly Morris*

Set Designer: Lauren Angel-Nichols  

Sound Designer: Michael Kunc

Lighting Designer: Diane Fairchild

Assistant Lightning Designer: Megan Turnquist 

Props Designer: Ticha Guillaud

 *Denotes BWBTC ensemble member

All photos by Steven Townshend.  

BWB Photo 3: Megan Schemmel, Kelly Tacono