CAST MEMBERS FROM DISNEY’S ALADDIN NORTH AMERICAN TOUR PRESENT
CLUB AGRABAH: A CABARET EVENT
MONDAY, JULY 31, 7PM – 9PM
AT SIDETRACK
ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS
Cast members from Disney’s Aladdin will present CLUB AGRABAH: A CABARET EVENT, a live cabaret-style concert, on Monday, July 31, 2017 from 7-9PM at Sidetrack Video Bar (3349 N. Halsted St., Chicago).
Aladdin cast members will perform a selection of their favorite songs, and the concert will be followed by Sidetrack’s signature ‘Musical Monday’ which features show-tune videos that play throughout the bar until 2AM.
There is a $20 suggested donation at the door for CLUB AGRABAH: A CABARET EVENT. To learn more about Sidetrack Video Bar, visit www.sidetrackchicago.com.
All donations and money raised go to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community since 1988, BC/EFA has raised more than $225 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States. To learn more, visit www.broadwaycares.org.
Disney’s ALADDIN is currently playing Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre through September 10, 2017.
ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 17 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 The PrivateBank Theatre, Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.
For more information, visit www.broadwayinchicago.com.
COME FLY WITH PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE AS IT LAUNCHES ITS 23rd SEASON WITH
CHICAGO SINGS:
SINATRA AND THE RAT PACK,
MONDAY, AUG. 28 AT UP COMEDY CLUB
The Annual Benefit Concert, this Year Devised and Directed by Artistic Director Michael Weber and Keely Vasquez with Music Director David Fiorello, Features Top Theatre Talents from Sinatra’s ‘Kind of Town” Performing the Hits of Ol’ Blue Eyes and the Rat Pack
Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the 12th Annual Chicago Sings concert; Chicago Sings: Sinatra and the Rat Pack, Monday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m., at Second City’s UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave, devised and directed by Artistic Director Michael Weber and Keely Vasquez and music directed by David Fiorello. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the annual benefit concert that includes performances, a paddle raiser and table side food and drink service at an additional charge.
Chicago Sings: Sinatra and the Rat Pack from Porchlight Music Theatre on Vimeo. General admission tickets are $75 and are on sale now at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling 773.777.9884. Sales from this one-night-only performance benefit Porchlight Music Theatre’s youth education programming.
Luck is your lady at Chicago Sings, a one-night-only fund raising celebration kicking off Porchlight’s 2017 – 2018 season. For more than ten years, Chicago Sings honors artists and organizations that have made music that changed the world and this year’s Chicago Sings Sinatra and the Rat Pack pays homage to the coolest guys and gals from Broadway to Hollywood to the nightclub stages of Las Vegas, Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack. The venue also has ties to the Rat Pack, as UP Comedy Club houses Sinatra’s original Booth Number One from the historic Pump Room where a few lucky Chicago Sings guests may enjoy the performance with the first round of drinks included (see inset below.) The iconic booth was the place to be seen and to watch the crowds at the legendary nightclub for more than five decades. Diners of Booth One included Paul Newman, Humphrey Bogart, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joan Crawford, Audrey Hepburn, Liza Minnelli, John Belushi, Mick Jagger and, many more, most notably, “The Chairman of the Board,” himself.
Audiences will have the world on a string and fly to the moon at the jazziest swingest party in this toddlin’ town. The music of Frank, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., is reimagined for one night only in Sinatra’s “kind of town” at Chicago Sings Sinatra and the Rat Pack.
More than a dozen leading Chicago talents perform new and traditional versions of the Rat Pack’s hits, performers currently include Stephen Allen, Lucy Godinez, Mark David Kaplan, Heidi Kettenring, Eric Lewis, Rob Lindley, Yando Lopez, Christine Mild, Hollis Resnik, Peggy Roeder and Stephen Schellhardt with others to be announced.*
WIN SEATS IN BOOTH ONE AND PARTY LIKE THE RAT PACK Chicago Sings guests when purchasing tickets at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org may additionally order raffle tickets for $25 per ticket to win a chance for them, and up to five friends, to sit in the world famous BOOTH ONE for Chicago Sings: Sinatra and the Rat Pack with the first round of drinks picked up by Porchlight Music Theatre! Seating limited to six people, all of whom must have purchased general admission tickets to the event.
Porchlight will announce the winner on its page via Facebook LIVE Monday, Aug, 28 at 11 a.m. - Facebook.com/PorchlightMusicTheatre/.
*Songs performed and artists may change without notice. ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE Porchlight Music Theatre, now in its 23rd season, is nationally recognized for developing innovative new works, reimagining classic productions and showcasing musical theatre’s noted veterans and rising stars. Porchlight elevates the genre in Chicago by providing intimate and powerful theatrical experiences for its growing and diverse audiences. With the vision of Artistic Director Michael Weber, Porchlight builds on its role as Chicago’s only Equity not-for-profit company exclusively specializing in music theatre. Porchlight’s rich history includes the staging of more than 60 productions with 15 Chicago premieres and five world premieres. Through Porchlight’s “Off the Porch” new works program, the musicals of the next generation are developed and given a first audience. The School at Porchlight is Chicago’s center for music theatre training in the areas of performance, writing and appreciation for adults and youth. The company’s many accolades include 17 Black Theatre Alliance nominations and three awards, as well as a total of 126 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations resulting in 39 Jeff Awards including four consecutive Best Production awards for Dreamgirls (2016), Sondheim on Sondheim (2015), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (2014) and A Class Act (2013).
Porchlight Music Theatre is partially supported by generous contributions from the Actors’ Equity Foundation, the Arts Work Fund at the Chicago Community Trust, the Bloomberg Philanthropies, Chapman | Spingola, Attorneys at Law, the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, , the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, James P. and Brenda S. Grusecki Family Foundation, the MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Prince Foundation, The Saints, Service Club of Chicago, and the Topfer Family Foundation. The season program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency and by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.
The Cast of “Becky Shaw” Includes Theo Allyn, Michael Doonan, Suzanne Petri, Amy Rubenstein and Joseph Sultani
Windy City Playhouse (3014 W. Irving Park Road) announces the complete casting for Gina Gionfriddo’s “Becky Shaw,” the dark, “ferociously funny” (The New York Times) comedy. Jeff Award winner Scott Weinstein directs the final production in Windy City Playhouse’s third season, starring Theo Allyn (“The Matchmaker” at Goodman Theatre) in the title role as Becky Shaw. Together with Allyn, “Becky Shaw” features an ensemble of Chicago-based talent including Michael Doonan (“Long Day’s Journey Into Night” at Court Theatre), Suzanne Petri (“Waiting for Lefty” at American Blues Theatre), Artistic Director Amy Rubenstein (“This” at Windy City Playhouse) and Joseph Sultani (“Hamlet” at Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington D.C.). Previews for “Becky Shaw” begin September 21 and the production runs through November 12. Press Night is Thursday, September 28 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets ($15-$55) can be purchased at the Windy City Playhouse Box Office online or by calling the Box Office at (773) 891-8985. “I am thrilled to dive into my first production with Windy City Playhouse,” said director Scott Weinstein. “Gionfriddo has written a piece exploring the reality of finding love while navigating the often rocky-road of getting to know someone new, and we’ve put together a talented cast of actors who will undoubtedly rise to the challenge of bringing these nuanced characters, penned expertly by Gionfriddo, to life each night.” “Becky Shaw” is an explosive tale following Suzanna, a woman who has set up her best friend with her husband’s co-worker, thinking she’s helping them find love; however, what she doesn’t anticipate is the chaos that ensues from bringing together a brutally honest businessman and an emotionally-fragile college dropout. “Becky Shaw” received its world premiere at the Humana Festival for New Plays in 2008 and went on to have its off-Broadway premiere at Second Stage Theatre. Hailed as a “savvy and smart—and defiantly unsentimental” (Chicago Tribune) play, “Becky Shaw” “exerts a hypnotic pull, thanks in large part to the wonderfully witty dialogue and complex characterizations” (New York Post). The creative team for “Becky Shaw” includes Jeff Kmiec (Scenic Design), Rachel Sypniewski (Costume Design), Eric Backus (Sound Design), Brandon Wardell (Lighting Design) and Jamie Karas (Properties Design). The performance schedule for “Becky Shaw” is as follows: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. For a detailed performance schedule visit WindyCityPlayhouse.com/Becky-Shaw. About the Artists of “Becky Shaw” Scott Weinstein (Director) is a Jeff Award winning director currently based in Chicago. Notable directing credits include “Rent” (Theo Ubique, Jeff Award – Best Director, Best Musical), “Titanic” (Jeff Nominated – Best Director, Best Musical), “Bat Boy” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (Griffin Theatre), “She Kills Monsters” (Steppenwolf Theatre), “Seussical” (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), “Princess & the Pea” and the world premiere of “Cinderella…After the Ball” (Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre), “Charlotte’s Web” (Drury Lane Theatre), the world premieres of “Baristas” (New York International Fringe Festival), and “Ampersand” (Bloomington Playwrights Project), as well as the first full productions of “Murder for Two” (Adirondack Theatre Festival, Hangar Theatre, 42nd Street Moon). Weinstein is the recipient of a Berkshire Theatre Festival Directing Fellowship and a Stage Directors and Choreographers Observership. He is the Associate Director for the National Tour, Las Vegas, Chicago and Norwegian Cruise Line productions of “Million Dollar Quartet” and directed the first regional production currently running at the Lawrence Welk Theatre. He has assistant or associate directed at Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, Cleveland Playhouse and many more. Weinstein is a proud graduate of Northwestern University. Gina Gionfriddo (Playwright) has received the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the Helen Merill Award for Emerging Playwrights, a Lucille Lortel Fellowship and a Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Fellowship. Her work includes “After Ashley” (published by U.S. Dramatists Play Service Inc.) “Safe,” “Trepidation Nation,” U.S. Drag” (published by U.S. Dramatists Play Service Inc.; published in “Women Playwrights: the Best Playhouse of 2002”) and “Guinevere.” Theo Allyn (Becky Shaw) is an actor, writer and improviser. In Chicago, her work has been seen most recently at Second City and Goodman Theatre. Regionally, Allyn has worked with City Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical, Pittsburgh Civic Lights Opera and Bricolage. As a teaching artist-in-residence at the University of Pittsburgh, she toured with “Lovers and Fighters” (Shakespeare in the Schools). Recent film credits include “Progression,” written and directed by Sam Turich and Gab Cody. Recent television appearances include “Chicago Fire.”
Michael Doonan (Max Garrett) is an actor whose Off-Broadway credits include “Music Hall” (59E59) and “On the Rocks” (Symphony Space). Regional credits include “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” (Court Theatre), “Cyrano de Bergerac” (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), “Celebration” (A Red Orchid Theatre), “Metamorphoses” and “36 Views”(Alys Stephens Center), “Macbeth” (Fugitive Kind Theatre), the world premiere of Charles Mee’s “Café Le Monde” (ARK Theatre, LA), “Heralds” (world premiere at Theatre Tribe, LA), “The Arsonists” (Eisenring) and the U.S. premiere of “The Unveiling/Dozens of Cousins” (Trap Door Theatre, Chicago). Film and television credits include “1000 ways to Die,” “Screwed,” “Help Is On The Way,” “Brighter Palette,” “Mammon,” “Sirk,” “Catch-22,” “Same Same V.C.,” “Falling Girl,” “Yellow,” “The Takedown,” “Lab Rats” and “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.” He has attended the Stanislavski School at Harvard University (A.R.T./ MXAT, 2006), and participated in Atelier at The Grotowski Institute (Poland, 2008). He holds a Master's Degree in Fine Arts from the University of California at Irvine in acting (2009). He has taught acting and movement at The University of California, Irvine and The University of Illinois, Chicago.
Suzanne Petri (Susan Slater) is a Jeff nominated actor who has performed, produced and directed on dozens of Chicago stages including Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Apple Tree Theatre, Chicago Dramatists, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Next, Northlight, The Poetry Foundation and the Chicago Humanities Festival. She is a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater (ABT) since 1998. She recently played the Stenographer in the acclaimed production of “Waiting for Lefty,” played Grandma in the Jeff-nominated “Tobacco Road” with ABT at Victory Gardens Theater, Aunt Rose in “American Blues” by Tennessee Williams. She was seen as Aunt Eller in the highly acclaimed “Oklahoma!”, in the Midwest premiere of “Kid-Simple” as well as “Zorba,” “Twelfth Night,” “Book of Mercy,” “Follies,” “The Hairy Ape,” “Two Rooms,” “A Lie of the Mind,” “The Threepenny Opera,” “The People’s Temple” and has appeared in many Bernie Sahlins productions for the Poetry Foundation including “Lysistrata” as Lysistrata, “Meet Mr. Yeats,” “The Cure at Troy,” “The Waste Land,” and “Under Milkwood.” Her film and television work includes “Wednesday’s Child,” “Lac du Flambeau,” “Just Visiting” with Jean Reano, “Milwaukee, Minnesota” with Bruce Dern and Randy Quaid, “Early Edition” and “Evil Has A Face” with Sean Young.
Amy Rubenstein (Suzanna Slater) is originally from Chicago and graduated from Brandeis University’s Department of Theater, Magna Cum Laude. Upon graduation, she worked as an actress in Chicago, Los Angeles, and regional markets, earning her Actors Equity Association membership at the Human Race Theater Company in Dayton, Ohio. She has been working in real estate for the past thirteen years specializing in development, adaptive reuse and financial and legal structuring of assets. Rubenstein was thrilled to have the opportunity to combine her business and artistic skills together to form Windy City Playhouse, which has produced nine shows prior to Becky Shaw, six of which were Jeff Recommended.
Joseph Sultani (Andrew Porter) was born and raised in Northern Virginia. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BFA in Performance. While in school, Sultani performed in “Titus Andronica,” “La Bete” and “Dracula.” He also performed in Richmond Shakespeare Festival at Agecroft Hall in “Henry V” and also the Richmond's main stage production of “Amadeus.” His favorite role so far was performing as "Hamlet" at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in D.C. Sultaini was selected and given a scholarship for the American Theatre Wing's Springboard NYC program and had the privilege of learning from John Rando, David Capparelliotis, Randy Lutterman, Peter Francis James, Neil Patrick Harris, Martha Plimpton and Leah Gardiner. Sultani moved to Chicago along with a group of his fellow graduates and started a theatre group called the ALLUVIUM GROUP.
About Windy City Playhouse Windy City Playhouse, Chicago's most sophisticated not-for-profit Equity Theater, aims to expand beyond the traditional theatergoing experience by offering audience members a night of high-quality entertainment with a full-service bar, in a lounge-like atmosphere. Windy City Playhouse premiered in March of 2015, with the inaugural production End Days. Lauded by audiences and critics alike, Windy City Playhouse promises to rock Chicago's theater scene. For more information, visit WindyCityPlayhouse.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
STRAWDOG THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF
BARBECUE
BY ROBERT O’HARA,
AUGUST 17 – SEPTEMBER 30, DIRECTED BY DAMON KIELY
A LOOKOUT VISITING COMPANY PRESENTED AT STEPPENWOLF’S 1700 THEATRE
What better way to bring summer to a close than with an emotional bomb shell of a BBQ/family intervention?! We're elated that one of our favorite storefront companies, Strawdog Theatre Company, will be playing one of our fav new cabaret spaces, Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s 1700 Theatre. Not to mention, the author is the acclaimed and multi award winning Robert O’Hara. We adored his hilarious play, BootyCandy, that just ran for months at Windy City Playhouse. This one's sure to be hot! The intimate 1700 space fills fast so don't miss out.
Strawdog Theatre Company and Artistic Directors Michael Dailey, Heath Hays and Anderson Lawfer are proud to announce the first production in their 2017 – 2018 season, Barbecue by Robert O’Hara, August 17 – September 30, with direction by Damon Kiely at Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s 1700 Theatre, 1700 N. Halsted Street as a LookOut Visiting Company. Opening night performance is Monday Aug. 28 at 8 p.m. Previews are Thursday, Aug. 17 and Aug. 24, Friday, Aug. 18 and Aug. 25, Saturday, Aug. 19 and Aug. 26 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, August 27 at 3:30 p.m. Regular run performances are Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3:30 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. Preview tickets are $35, regular run tickets are $45. Strawdog subscribers enjoy 25% off all ticket prices. This production is also available to Steppenwolf’s Red and Black Card holders. Group, senior, student, industry, and rush discounts are also available. To purchase subscriptions to Strawdog’s 2017-18 Season, visit www.strawdog.org. To purchase single tickets to Barbecue, please visit HERE.
A modern American family uses a summer barbecue as a pretext to ambush sister Barbara with an intervention. If you think “all families are crazy” is just a cliché, you’ve not spent time under the influence of the O'Mallerys. An afternoon in the park with these raucous siblings and you'll be challenging your own assumptions about family, race, and reality. The Chicago premiere of Barbecue by Obie and Helen Hayes Award winner Robert O’Hara will have you laughing out loud and questioning how it’s true that in America, you sometimes taze the ones you love. Since its world premiere, Barbecue has received critically acclaim. The Los Angeles Times said, “Ferociously funny! Barbecue raucously sends up the sociological pantomime — life as an award-seeking existential burlesque,” and “Wickedly delightful!” by TheaterMania.com. Variety’s review included, “Barbecue, shrewdly turns the formula for the American domestic comedy on its head.” The Barbecue cast includes Strawdog Ensemble Members John Henry Roberts and Kamille Dawkins with guest artists Kristin Collins, Celeste Cooper, Anita Deely, Barbara Figgins, Deanna Reed Foster, Abby Pierce, Terence Simms and Ginneh Thomas.
The Barbecue design team includes Strawdog Ensemble Members Costume Designer Aly Greaves Amidei and Sound Designer Heath Hayes with guest artists: Director Damon Kiely, Assistant Director Michael Burke, Set Designer Joanna Iwanicka, Lighting Designer Jared Gooding, Props Designer Leah Hummel and Dramaturg Taylor Barfield.
ABOUT DAMON KIELY, DIRECTOR Damon Kiely is chair of Performance at DePaul’s Theatre School and the author of the book How to Read a Play (Routledge) and the plays Thieves Like Us and The Revel. His production of Hank Williams: Lost Highway won the Jeff Award for Best Musical Midsized. He has directed for American Theatre Company, TimeLine, Route 66, A Red Orchid and many others. He lives in Edgewater with his wife Jennifer and their children, Bella and Finn.
ABOUT ROBERT O’HARA. PLAYWRIGHT Robert O’Hara has received the NAACP Best Director Award, the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding New Play, two OBIEs and the Oppenheimer Award. He directed the world premieres of Nikkole Salter and Dania Guiria’s In the Continuum, Tarell McCraney’s The Brother/Sister Plays (Part 2), Colman Domingo’s Wild with Happy as well as his own plays, BootyCandy and Insurrection: Holding History. His new plays Zombie: The American and Barbecue, world premiered at Woolly Mammoth Theater and New York Shakespeare Festival, respectively. He is currently directing a new musical, Uni/son inspired from the poetry of August Wilson at Oregon Shakespeare Festival and a new musical, Bella by Kirsten Childs at Playwrights Horizons. He will direct the world premiere of his play, Mankind, at Playwrights Horizons this fall.
ABOUT STRAWDOG THEATRE COMPANY Since its founding in 1988, Strawdog Theatre Company has offered Chicagoland the premiere storefront theatre experience and garnered numerous Non-Equity Jeff Awards with its commitment to ensemble acting and an immersive design approach. The celebrated Company develops new work, re-imagines the classics, melds music with theatre, asks provocative questions and delivers their audience the unexpected.
Strawdog Theatre Company is supported in part by The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Alphawood Foundation, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, and the annual support of businesses and individuals.
GEORGE WENDT, JASON SUDEIKIS, BOB ODENKIRK, BETTY THOMAS,
DAVID KOECHNER AND MORE TEAM UP FOR GILDA’S CLUB CHICAGO
AND THE SECOND CITY ALUMNI FUND
The Second City & Gilda’s Club Chicago Present:
"I Can’t Believe They Wendt There:
The Roast of George Wendt"
With Roastmaster Jason Sudeikis
The Second City is excited to announce “I Can’t Believe They Wendt There: The Roast of George Wendt” a night guaranteed to destroy one of the world’s most beloved comedy legends, George Wendt--all in the name of charity.
Roastmaster Jason Sudeikis, along with Roasters Bob Odenkirk, Betty Thomas, David Koechner, and a growing list of the biggest and brightest names in comedy will gather for this once-in-a-lifetime evening of comedy and camaraderie to benefit Gilda’s Club Chicago and The Second City Alumni Fund, hosted at Chicago’s iconic Mainstage at The Second City.
The one-night-only performance will take place on Saturday, September 9th, 2017 in the Second City Mainstage Theater (1616 N. Wells, Chicago, IL 60614) The show will begin at 7:00pm.
“The Second City has been a phenomenal friend of Gilda’s Club Chicago since we opened in 1998, and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with them on this exciting event,” stated LauraJane Hyde, CEO of Gilda’s Club Chicago. “Support like this helps us continue to ensure that anyone impacted by cancer is empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community.”
“We’re looking forward to an incredibly special evening that brings back the long-lost art of the Dean Martin-era celebrity roast. It’s been a few years since George has returned to his old stomping grounds here at Second City, and he’s saint of a guy for letting us put him in the hot seat for two incredible causes. We are thrilled to be able to partner with Gilda’s Club Chicago again for this tremendous opportunity to impact the lives of those who are battling cancer, their support circles, and also the members of our own Second City family who are up against the most challenging of circumstances.” Andrew Alexander, CEO/Executive Producer of The Second City.
Tax-deductible tickets for the “I Can’t Believe They Wendt There: The Roast of George Wendt” are on sale now and are organized into three ticketing tiers.
Top-Shelf VIP Tickets ($3,000 each) include a pre-show VIP reception inside Second City’s historic complex at 1959 Kitchen & Bar. Includes a photo opportunity with George & Jason. Appetizers and top shelf open bar service provided.
The 1959 Package ($1,959 each) features a backstage experience led by Second City’s Behind the Bentwood tour guides including special surprise guests. Open bar & dinner in Mainstage Theater provided by the best of Chicago's classic cuisine is also included.
General Admission is also available ($1,000 each) and includes open bar & dinner in Mainstage Theater provided by the best of Chicago's classic cuisine.
Tickets are tax-deductible and can be purchased online at www.secondcity.com or by phone at 312-664-4032.
About Gilda’s Club Gilda’s Club Chicago supports anyone living with cancer – men, women, teens and children – along with their families and friends, as well as those who have lost someone to cancer. Their innovative program, including more than 300 free activities each month, is an essential complement to medical care and offers support groups, educational lectures, healthy lifestyle workshops, resource referrals, and social opportunities. Their mission is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community. Visit www.gildasclubchicago.org or call (312) 464-9900 to learn how to join, volunteer or donate.
About The Second City Alumni Fund Originally established by Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Joe Flaherty, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara and Andrew Alexander, The Second City Alumni Fund is a resource for performers, technicians, support staff, and other members of the creative and production teams associated with The Second City theaters and SCTV. The Fund has raised over $500,000 and counting to provide financial assistance to alums with critical health and financial challenges.
THE BREATHTAKING TONY AWARD-WINNING BROADWAY MUSICAL
Terry James, Executive Producer
Andy Hite, Lead Artistic Director
Aaron Thielen, Artistic Director
REVIEW:
Marriott Theatre has done it again, with world class casting, ingenious set design, and stellar storytelling. We were particularly impressed by the complex set which rises into the sizable skeleton of a covered bridge, and compacts into a rural home, complete with a full bed that rises from the floor. As always, they've risen to the challenges of designing for and blocking in their unique theatre in the round space. Creative use of screen projections behind the audience open the space out and add a sense of place.
All Production Images Courtesy of Marriott Theatre
Jeff Award Winner Kathy Voytko steals the showas “Francesca”, bringing the audience along for the ride with her soaring vocals. The chemistry is palpable and intoxicating, with Jeff Award Winner Nathaniel Stampley as “Robert”.Wydetta Carter is another absolute stand out as nosey neighbor, “Marge”. We love her powerful solo that cleverly doubles as a radio backdrop for illicit romance.
The tale of The Bridges of Madison County is passionate and heartbreaking, as love of family and longing for romance, travel and excitement clash. This is a classic tale of what ifs and roads not chosen. We were also left musing about what a different outcome would have likely resulted if the busybody neighbors had been more self righteous and vindictive, or if Francesca spilled her secrets.
This is a delightfully entertaining and thought provoking musical with unexpected depth. This exciting exploration of human nature pits the irresistible tug of intense attractions versus the bond of parenthood. Obsession, destiny, decisions, morality, secrets, and lies make for a memorable storyline and a must see production this summer. Highly recommended.
“GORGEOUS, POWERFUL & RAPTUROUS! ‘BRIDGES’ is one of the few recent Broadway musicals to take up the challenges laid down by the great works of Rodgers and Hammerstein – to tell important stories and somehow make them sing.”
–New York Magazine
From the picturesque covered bridges of 1965 Winterset, Iowa, comes the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, continuing Marriott Theatre’s spectacular 2017 Season, running June 21 through August 13, 2017 with a press opening on Wednesday, June 28 at 8 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Featuring one of Broadway’s most accomplished creative teams with music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown and book by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Marsha Norman, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTYfirst captured the nation’s heart as a best-selling novel by Robert James Waller and remains one of the most romantic stories ever written. Seven-time Jeff Award Winner Nick Bowling (Man of La Mancha, The King and I)returns to The Marriott Theatre to direct, with musical direction by Jeff Award Winner Ryan T. Nelson.
“When I first came across this piece, I was immediately drawn to the spectacular score. It’s the kind of music you fall in love with the first time you hear it, which can’t be said for all musicals,” says Director Nick Bowling. “I feel a strong personal connection to the story having grown up in a small town in Iowa similar to Winterset. Seeing my mother face the same challenges Francesca is going through in terms of navigating a world that is foreign to her, my focus is to keep the story as true to Iowa as can be. Every detail from the set design to the costumes will be inspired by Madison County’s beauty to capture the true essence of the story’s setting.”
A true sweeping romance,THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY is the heartbreaking and touching story of two people caught between duty and desire. A beautiful Italian war-bride who longs for the dreams of travel and excitement she once had as a girl, Francesca Johnson is a dedicated Iowa housewife living a simple, yet dispassionate life. When her family goes on a trip to the 1965 State Fair and leaves her behind to take care of the house, Francesca’s world is shattered as a ruggedly handsome National Geographic photographer, Robert Kincaid, pulls into her driveway seeking directions. A quick ride to photograph one of the famed covered bridges of Madison County sparks a soul-stirring, passionate affair for the couple, whose lives are forever altered by this chance encounter. Audiences will be swept away by Jason Robert Brown’s soulful score, drawing upon the rich textures of Americana and folk.
THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY stars Jeff Award Winner Kathy Voytko as “Francesca” (The Marriott Theatre: Les Misérables; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre: Passion; Broadway: Oklahoma!, Nine, The Frogs, The Pirate Queen and Next to Normal); Jeff Award Winner Nathaniel Stampley as “Robert” (The Marriott Theatre: Man of La Mancha; Broadway/National Tour: The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess; Broadway: The Color Purple and The Lion King; London: The Lion King; Apple Tree Theatre: Big River; Milwaukee Rep: Dreamgirls and Man of La Mancha); Bart Shatto as “Bud” (Broadway: Les Misérables, The Civil War, Dracula, Hands on a Hardbody; National Tours: Cats, The Civil War, Les Misérables); Wydetta Carter as “Marge” (The Marriott Theatre: Little Shop of Horrors); Terry Hamilton as “Charlie” (The Marriott Theatre: She Loves Me, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, October Sky); Tanner Hake as “Michael”; Brooke MacDougal as “Carolyn”; and Emily Berman as “Marian” (World Premiere: Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Northlight Theatre; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre: Sense and Sensibility). Also starring in THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTYare Shea Coffman, Nick Cosgrove, Phoebe González, Allyson Graves, Johanna McKenzie Miller, Danni Smith and Brandon Springman.
The production will feature set design by Jeff Kmiec, costume design by Sally Dolembo, lighting design by Jesse Klug, sound design by Bob Gilmartin, projections design by Anthony Churchill, properties design by Sally Weiss, and musical supervision and orchestra conducted by Patti Garwood.
The performance schedule for THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY is Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., with select Thursday 1:00 p.m. shows. Ticket prices range from $50 to $60, including tax and handling fees.
Call for student, senior and military discounts. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings there are a limited number of FREE dinners available with the purchase of a full-priced theatre ticket, which can only be purchased through the Marriott Theatre Box Office. To make a restaurant reservation, please call 847.634.0100. Free parking is available at all performances.
AND TONY AWARD-WINNING PLAYWRIGHT DAVID RABE FOR 2018 SEASON
PLUS ADDITION OF FIVE NEW ENSEMBLE MEMBERS
Artistic director and co-founder Michael Patrick Thornton proudly announces The Gift Theatre's 2018 season will include: Stacy Amma Osei-Kuffour’s world premiere of Hang Man, directed by ensemble member Erica Weiss (February 9–April 8); Shakespeare’s Hamlet, directed by Monty Cole (June 1–July 29); and the Midwest premiere of Tony Award-winning playwright and ensemble member David Rabe’s Cosmologies, directed by Thornton (October 12–December 9).
The Gift Theatre also announces the addition of five artists to their ensemble: Evan Michael Lee, Chika Ike, Martel Manning, Gregory Fenner, and Hannah Toriumi. The ensemble is composed of actors, directors, writers and improvisers. For 16 years, The Gift Theatre has earned and deepened its reputation as an ensemble dedicated to acting of the highest caliber and a welcome home for new plays.
“Who are we? From the individual level to the national, we are in the midst of a vital articulation of Identity,” Thornton said. “We believe theatre can help orient and navigate people through a life which often contains multitudes of pain and struggle. And yet, the resolve to continue to struggle can define us; giving us, even, perhaps, in the act, a kind of grace. The 2018 Season lives under the aesthetical canopy of Absurdism, wherein characters who struggle to find meaning in life nevertheless continue to pursue meaning. Today, we are also deeply honored and excited to announce an enrichment of our ensemble. Evan, Chika, Martel, Gregory, and Hannah are artists of virtuosic talents with whom we have collaborated over the years in joy and awe. In short, we love them. They have each played a defining role in The Gift’s history and now, as ensemble members, our future.”
The now 37-member ensemble also includes: Danny Ahlfeld, Maggie Andersen, Cyd Blakewell, Brittany Burch, Hillary Clemens Harbor, John Kelly Connolly, Paul D’Addario, Jenny Connell Davis, Brendan Donaldson, Will Eno, James D. Farruggio, Ed Flynn, Gabriel Franken, John Gawlik, Andrew Hinderaker, Marti Lyons, Alexandra Main, Laura Marks, Kenny Mihlfried, Benjamin Montague, Darci Nalepa, Keith Neagle, William Nedved, Lynda Newton, Sheldon Patinkin (in loving memory), Maureen Payne-Hahner, David Rabe, Mary Ann Thebus, Michael Patrick Thornton, Erica Weiss, Jay Worthington and Kyle Zornes.
As usual, The Gift's year begins in January with TEN (January 5-14), the theater's annual celebration of world premiere ten-minute pieces by The Gift and guests, sponsored by Revolution Brewing.
THE GIFT THEATRE’S 2018 SEASON:
February 9–April 8, 2018 HANG MAN (world premiere) by Stacy Amma Osei-Kuffour, directed by ensemble member Erica Weiss The community of a backwoods Southern town grapples with the murder of a Black man who is found hanging in a tree. As events unfold, the hanging mystifies the people of the community, forcing them to confront their complicity in this man’s horrific demise. Osei-Kuffour’s darkly comical, heartbreaking play, which recently made the prestigious 2017 Kilroy’s List, uses absurdity to explore racism, sexuality, and the parts of American history we would all like to forget. June 1–July 29, 2018 HAMLET, by William Shakespeare, directed by Monty Cole After the death of his dad, a young black man named Hamlet returns home to grieve and seek revenge. Fighting against the injustice of his father's murder and the powers that want him out of the picture, Hamlet quickly loses power and sanity. Directed by guest artist Monty Cole, The Gift's retelling of Shakespeare's great tragedy will crack open the mind of one of western drama's most fascinating and entertaining characters.
October 12–December 9, 2018 COSMOLOGIES (Midwest premiere) by ensemble member David Rabe, directed by artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton Put the whimsical humor of the Keystone Cops and Bugs Bunny into a particle collider with the philosophy of Soren Kierkegaard and George Berkeley and you’re getting close to the style of this existential absurdist comedy from David Rabe. When a young man’s negotiation for a date goes very wrong, we are transported through kaleidoscopic worlds of possibilities, identities, and loves.
The Gift Theatre’s Annual Gala will take place on December 1, 2017 at The Copernicus Center; 4802, the new play development engine of The Gift, will present works in progress August 24, 25, and 26 of 2018.
About The Gift Theatre The Gift’s 16th season consists of three world premieres and kicked off in February with Mona Mansour’s war-torn drama Unseen, directed by ensemble member Maureen Payne-Hahner, followed by Claire Kiechel’s Pilgrims, co-directed by ensemble member Michael Patrick Thornton and guest artist Jessica Thebus (June 2-July 30). The season closes with Janine Nabers’ time-hopping love story A Swell in the Ground, directed by guest artist Chika Ike (October 13-December 10). Season subscriptions are available for as little as $75. The Gift subscribers ("Gifters") receive admission to three shows, free parking at Gale Street Inn, free admission to all Wednesday night “Natural Gas” improv shows and invitations to special subscriber-only special events. Subscribe at http://thegifttheatre.org/ or call 773-283-7071.
