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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

PHOTO RECAP: Redmoon Theatre's Skelebration and 25% Off Winter Pageant & NYE Revolution

We had an absolute BLAST at Redmoon's Family Friendly Skelebration.   Fingers crossed it becomes an annual event.   Their new space is seriously spacious and they know how to rock a theme.  This Autumn/Day of the Dead/Halloween event was fantastic fun for adults & kids of all ages.   We particularly dug the mini roller rink, skeleton s'mores, motorcycle spin ride and shooting marshmallows at the bear!















In case you're feeling a bit "Nightmare Before Christmas" with our delightfully macabre recap, Redmoon's Winter Pageant is in the works and it's suitably wintery, festive and multicultural!   Check out the details below our Skelebration slide show.


**TODAY TILL MIDNIGHT 12/3--25% OFF tickets for Winter Pageant and/or New Years Eve Revolution with the code cyber.**







Check out ChiIL Mama's Full Photo Recap in the Slideshow here and our favorite pixs below, at the bottom of this post.






Next up:
What can you expect from our friends over at the crimson orb... AKA: Redmoon?   So glad you asked.  We will be reviewing for ChiIL Mama/ChiIL Live Shows, and we have a photo filled rehearsal sneak peek in the works as well.  In the mean time, get your tickets ASAP for best choice of dates.   Don't wait, just to hear the words SOLD OUT!














ChiIL Mama's Favorite Original Skelebration Shots:






































Happy Holidays - Babes Style! Last FREE Reading This Sunday at 1pm and MORE


Here's the latest news from our friends over at Babes With Blades

Like Hunger Games and women as protagonists who don't just lay around like the Disney coma princesses, waiting to be rescued?   Come check out some real life women who kick booty with sword fights & stage combat.  

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, Babes With Blades have been favorites of ours for years.   Their shows are aimed at adults, but my tweens adore them, too!


  
There's just one more reading left... 
in 2013!

Please join us for the final "Fighting Words" reading of the *winner* of our 2013-2014 Joining Sword and Pen Competition:

Witch Slap
by Jeff Goode

Sunday, December 8th, 1pm
Profiles Alley Stage
4147 N. Broadway, Chicago
  
Admission is FREE!

And Congratulations to our 2014 Fighting Words Selections!

An Eye for an Eye
by Rachel Teagle
Boudica by Jeffrey Fiske
Mercury by Anna Fitz
Boudica by J. Christopher Harris
  
(Yes, you read that correctly: two riffs on the story of Boudica!)

Dates & locations will be posted asap! 

Want to know more about Fighting Words?  Go here.  *ChiIL Live Shows' friend, David Woolley, of The Swordsmen fame (Ren Faire Royalty/Columbia Professor) is involved with Sword & Pen every year.)


And Announcing the Spring 2014 World Premiere of L'Imbecile 
By Aaron Adair
 
A decadent, gender-twisted take on Giuseppe Verdi's opera Rigoletto.
  
SHOW DATES: 4/5 - 5/10/14
Tickets on sale in 2014!
 
At the Rivendell Theatre
5779 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago
 
Director: Wm Bullion
Violence Design: Alison Dornheggen*
 
CAST: Elyse Dawson (Courtier 2), Amy E. Harmon* (Priestess/Gypsy), Kimberly Logan* (Courtier 1), Elizabeth MacDougald* (Courtier 3), Luke Meierdiercks (Son), Sarah Razmann (Fool), Maureen Yasko* (Queen), Josh Zagoren (Husband/Brother)
 
STAFF: Christy Arington (Assistant Director), Leigh Barrett* (Lighting Designer), Sharon Cruz (Stage Manager), Sid Feldman (Style Consultant),  Rose Freeman (Dramaturg), Stefanie Johnsen (Costume Designer), Sarah Scanlon (Sound Designer), Nicci Schumacher (Scenic Designer), Kelsey Shipley (Props Designer), Dustin Spence (Production Manager)

*denotes BWBTC ensemble member

Want more information?  Click here!


Welcome Aboard to Allison Reinke! 

BWBTC is proud to welcome our newest Ensemble member, Artistic Associate Allison Reinke! Ally has been working hard on Chicago stages (Roundhouse Productions' all-female RESERVOIR DOGS, Wayward Productions' "biker" RICHARD III) and on our Board of Directors this past year. We're excited to announce that in 2014, she will also be transitioning into her new role as BWBTC's Managing Director, as Amy E. Harmon moves into doing more artistic roles with the company. Welcome aboard, Ally!

Check Out These Babes

Dawn Alden and Kathrynne Wolf can be seen on the new web series, "Dark Age" - http://www.darkage.tv.
  
Brooke Elliot is starring in Lifetime's Drop Dead Diva as Jane/Deb. Check it out! 

Amy E. Harmon's very tall turn in All Girl Frankenstein is extended through 12/14!  For more info &/or tix: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/371618

Starting January 25th, Kimberly Logan can be seen in Promethean Theatre Ensemble's production of The Lark: http://www.prometheantheatre.org/.
Also in the show is Aila Peck, who you may remember from BWBTC's production of Julius Caesar earlier this year!

Jennifer L. Mickelson's new play Rites and Sacrifices will be opening in 2014 with Idle Muse Theatre.  Please consider contributing to the Indiegogo campaign for the production.  Please check out this page for venue, dates and how to donate: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/give-the-dead-their-due 

Calling all active & emeritus Babes: please keep us up-to-date on your activities! Email notgonnalie@babeswithblades.org about a listing in the Babes With Blades BroadSheet!

Fabulous Women (and Friends) At Work  

Is your organization providing opportunities for women in theatre or film? Want the Babes to promote your work? Email postal@BabesWithBlades.org about a listing in the Babes With Blades BroadSheet!  

ACT OUT HOLIDAY: Once Upon A People OPENING at Black Ensemble Theatre

ChiIL Live Shows will be there tonight and we'll have a full review up shortly.   



Just in time for the holiday season
Black Ensemble Theater announces
THE WORLD PREMIERE OF
ONCE UPON A PEOPLE: A DANCESICAL
Written and directed by Rueben D. Echoles
Sponsored by
The Chicago Community Trust
Working in conjunction with
Studio One

November 30-December 30
running in repertory with The Curtis Mayfield Story

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor invites audiences to share in the magic of the holiday season with the world-premiere production of Once Upon A People: A Dancesical, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles and made possible through a generous grant from Chicago Community Trust. During a limited run, Once Upon A People will enchant audiences of all ages at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago.  The show will run November 30 - December 30, 2013 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Sundays (with an added preview performance on Saturday, November 30) in repertory with The Curtis Mayfield Story.  

Once Upon A People is an original African Fairytale that exemplifies the true power of love told through spoken word, beautiful music and exhilarating dance. It's a touching and warm adventure that is perfect for the holiday season. We will journey to the mystical land of Mirah where Prince Oba and Princess Erin take us on a fascinating mystical experience that teaches us to embrace the joy of living. 

The cast features Alexis J. Rogers (Queen Imani), Donald Craig Manuel (King Babatunde), Eric Lewis (Prince Oba), Jazzelle Morriss (Princess Erin) and Claudia Cunningham (Zahara).  Cast members playing various roles include: Camille Robinson, A’rese Emokpae, Trequon Tate, Mark J.P. Hood, LaRaia Gribble, La Dreauna Johnson, Kudzaishe Jeti, Kyle Smith and Aramie C. Payton.

The book and lyrics for Once Upon A People are written by Rueben D. Echoles, with vocal and musical arrangements by Rueben D. Echoles, Alexis J. Rogers and Kelvin Roston, Jr.. As with all Black Ensemble productions, the production features outstanding musicians.  The Musical Director is Kelvin Roston, Jr.  and the band leader is Robert Reddrick. The production features students from Studio One, a Southside organization dedicated to providing professional dance classes for children for over 25 years. 

Title:                             Once Upon A People: A Dancesical
Written &
Directed by:                  Rueben D. Echoles
Vocal and Musical
Arrangements by:          Alexis J. RogersRueben D. Echoles and Kelvin Roston Jr.
Musical Director:           Kelvin Roston Jr.
Band Leader:                Robert Reddrick

Schedule:                     Monday:   Dec. 9, 16, 23 and 30 at 7:30pm
                                    Tuesday:  Dec. 10, 17, 24 at 7:30pm
Sunday:                      Dec.  8, 15, 22 and 29 at 7:30pm

Location:                      Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street.
                                    Valet parking is available.
Ticket prices:                $45.00 for adults and $30.00 for children under 12

Box Office:                   Buy online at www.ticketmaster.com or call (773) 769-4451


The Black Ensemble Theater 
Founded in 1976, by the phenomenal producer, playwright and actress Jackie Taylor, Black Ensemble Theater is the only African American theater located in the culturally, racially and ethnically diverse north side Uptown community. Through its Five Play Season of Excellence, The Black Ensemble Theater dazzles audiences locally, nationally and internationally with outstanding original musicals that are entertaining, educational and uplifting. The Black Ensemble Theater has produced more than 100 productions and employed over 5,000 artists.

On November 18, 2011, The Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center opened and is able to accommodate larger-scale productions, bigger audiences and a wider range of educational programming. The new facility includes amenities such as a 299-seat main stage theater (double the capacity of the original venue); 14 offices, classroom space; rehearsal hall, dance studio, scene shop, costume shop, and wardrobe rooms; seven dressing rooms; rehearsal room for musicians; front lobby space with concession areas; and an indoor parking garage.  

The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater Company is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects upon society through the theater arts.  For more information on the Black Ensemble Theater Company, please visit www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org or call 773-769-4451.





Act Out Extended: 


Written by Jackie Taylor
Directed by Jackie Taylor and Daryl Brooks
Black Ensemble’s tribute to Chicago’s own music legend Curtis Mayfield is the story of a musical giant who is equally celebrated as a master singer, song writer and record producer.  Mayfield’s timeless music is known and celebrated all over the world, and he is the winner of the Grammy Legend Award (1994), the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1995) and a double inductee into both The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1991, 1999) and the Grammy Hall of Fame. From the music of The Impressions like “Gypsy Woman,” “I’m So Proud,” “Choice of Colors” to movie hits like “Super Fly,” The Curtis Mayfield Story will bring to vibrant, theatrical life the rare musical genius that was Curtis Mayfield. 

ChiIL Live Shows caught THE STORY OF CURTIS MAYFIELD: IT’S ALL-RIGHT TO HAVE A GOOD TIME, back on opening night and we highly recommend it.   This is a must see.   Click here for tickets and more info.




Tuesday, November 26, 2013

ACT OUT HOLIDAY: “A KLINGON CHRISTMAS CAROL” at The Raven 11/30-12/29 & ECC 12/7 Only

COMMEDIA BEAUREGARD’S
“A KLINGON CHRISTMAS CAROL”
COMES TO THE ECC ARTS CENTER
FOR ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY,
DEC. 7 AT 7:30 P.M.

Want a truly unique holiday treat?   How about dinner and a Klingon Christmas Carol?!



Commedia Beauegard brings their new production of “A Klingon Christmas Carol” written by Christopher Kidder-Mostrom and Sasha Walloch and translated into Klingon by Laura Thurston, Bill Hedrick, Chris Lipscombe, and Christopher Kidder-Mostrom, to the ECC Arts Center, on the Elgin Community College Campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, for one performance only, Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. For more information visit tickets.elgin.edu.  In addition to this special performance at the ECC Arts Center, “A Klingon Christmas Carol” runs Nov. 30-Dec.29 at The Raven Theatre. For more information visit cbtheatre.org.

 “A Klingon Christmas Carol,” directed by Kidder-Mostrom, adapts Dickens’ classic tale of ghosts and redemption into a story of Klingon SQuja' (pronounced SKHOO-jah) overcoming cowardice to reclaim his honor. Performed in Klingon with English supertitles and a Vulcan narrator, Trekkies and non-Trekkies alike will love this inspired take on a holiday classic. “Those of you who can’t wait for ComiCon to break out that red shirt costume or your forehead ridges will undoubtedly find this a most honorable way to get into the holiday spirit…3 Stars,” says Chicago Theater Beat.

Kidder-Mostrom and Walloch’s “A Klingon Christmas Carol” was first performed in  St. Paul, Minn. in 2007.  2013 marks the 8th time that Commedia Beauregard has produced the play (four times in St. Paul, Minn.; four times in Chicago; 2010 had shows in both cities).  The exciting new 2013 production features a new multi-level set, new costumes that blend Victorian England with Klingon aesthetics and a 15-person cast with Elizabeth Richards as Narrator, Clark Bender as SQuja’ (Scrooge), Colin Fewell as QachIt (Bob Cratchit). For a complete list of the cast and design team, visit cbtheatre.org.

The mission of Commedia Beauregard is “to translate the universal human experience to the stage: to expand our horizons and share knowledge of all cultures, translating between languages and between arts to create theater that is beautiful in expression.” Commedia Beauregard was founded 1999 in St. Paul, Minn., by Christopher Kidder-Mostrom (then, Christopher O. Kidder).Commedia Beauregard has been headquartered in Chicago since 2011 and recently became a resident company of the West Stage of the Raven Theatre Complex in Chicago.

Tickets for the ECC Arts Center Saturday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. performance of “A Klingon Christmas Carol” are $32. A three-course, pre-show dinner prepared by ECC’s award-winning Culinary Arts and Hospitality program can be purchased online for an additional $29. The menu includes a Mixed Green Salad with Pickled Red Beets (inspired by the Klingon dish Gagh), Sliced Beef with Horseradish Sauce accompanied by Roasted Shallot and Garlic Shipped Potatoes (inspired by the Klingon dish Heart of Targ), and Cranberry Panna Cotta (inspired by a favorite Klingon beverage, Bloodwine).  Dinners are served at 5:30 p.m. in the Spartan Terrace Restaurant, located in the lobby of the ECC Arts Center. Dinners must be ordered on or before Monday, Dec. 2.

Tickets for the ECC Arts Center performance and pre-show dinner can be purchased online at tickets.elgin.edu or at the ECC box office located in the Arts Center. Box office hours are noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. To purchase tickets by phone, call 847-622-0300. All major credit cards are accepted.

In addition to this special performance at the ECC Arts Center, “A Klingon Christmas Carol” also runs Nov. 30-Dec.29 at The Raven Theatre, 6157 N Clark St. For tickets and more information, visit cbtheatre.org or call 773-338-2177.

The ECC Arts Center, located in Building H on the Elgin Community College Campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, presents amazing artists in intimate theater settings. Delicious dinners prepared through a partnership with the ECC's award-winning culinary arts program often accompany events. Parking is plentiful and free.


For more information about the ECC Arts Center, visit tickets.elgin.edu or call 847-622-0300. The arts center also can be followed on Twitter at twitter.com/ECCArtsCenter. Become a fan of the arts center on Facebook at facebook.com/ECCArtsCenter.

INCOMING: King of Soul: Acoustic Otis Redding tribute at City Winery December 9th

King of Soul: Acoustic Otis Redding is a tribute that presents the Stax Records icon’s most memorable songs as performed by vocalist Gerald McClendon, guitarist Carlo Basile (Las Guitarras De Espana) and violinist Chihsuan Yang (Matt Santos’ band), alongside some of Chicago’s top players from the realms of soul and world music.   

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, City Winery is one of our favorite small, live music venues with plentiful seating and a stellar lineup crossing many genres of music.   Think date night, or a chance to meet new friends at the long, communal tables.


King of Soul - Acoustic Otis Redding AND Spanish Guitar Duo (featuring members of Las Guitarras de España) - 12/9
MONDAY, DECEMBER 09 2013 6:00 PM DOORS / 7:30 PM START





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