Steadstyle Chicago
	Chicago Theatre News and Events January 4, 2010
	'Jeeves' Blooms at First Folio First Folio Theatre’s Season of Invention will continue this coming January and February with P.G. Wodehouse’s "Jeeves in Bloom," adapted for the stage by Margaret Raether.  This sequel to First Folio’s hit production of "Jeeves Intervenes" features the return of the lovably loopy Bertie Wooster and his unflappable butler Jeeves.  When Bertie gets himself into another scrape, Jeeves must resign his service, leaving Bertie in the lurch.  "Jeeves Intervenes" played to sold-out houses throughout its run in 2008, and this production promises the same level of popularity.  All performances take place on the grounds of the Mayslake Peabody Estate, which is owned and operated by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.   Indoor shows are presented in Mayslake Hall, a 30-room Tudor Revival style mansion originally built by coal baron Francis S. Peabody.  Completed in 1922, the mansion is on the National Registry of Historic Places.  Located at 31st St. and Rt. 83 in Oak Brook, First Folio is easy to get to from either the East-West Tollway (I-88) or the Stevenson Expressway (I-55). Directed by Alison C. Vesely, the production marks the return of Christian Gray as the sweet but scatterbrained Bertie and Jim McCance as the incomparable Jeeves, the same roles they played to critical praise in 2008’s production of "Jeeves Intervenes".  Christian has appeared in numerous First Folio productions over the past 12 years, including the role of James Tyrone in First Folio’s Jeff-Nominated production of "A Moon for the Misbegotten".  He is also a company member of ShawChicago, where he has appeared in over a dozen productions.   Jim McCance has been a regular on the Chicago scene for more than 25 years, having begun his career with the famous Body Politic Theater.  Recent Chicago appearances include "Barefoot in the Park" at Drury Lane, "Making History" at Irish Repertory, and "Man and Superman" with Remy Bumppo. The cast will also include the return to First Folio’s stage of two of its most popular Artistic Associates, Kevin McKillip and Melanie Keller.  Kevin McKillip will be playing the role of the newt-loving Gussie Fink-Nottle.  Kevin has appeared in more than a dozen First Folio productions, including three Jeff nominated roles: Eustace Bassington-Bassington in "Jeeves Intervenes", the title role in "Richard III", and Puck in "A Midsummer Night’s Dream".  He returns to the Chicago stage following four months at Door County’s Peninsula Players, where his roles included Phileas Fogg in "Around the World in 80 Days" and the painter Francois Millet in "Is He Dead?"  Melanie Keller was last seen on the First Folio stage as Gilda in "Design for Living", and has previously appeared in "Angel Street," "Private Lives" and "The Importance of Being Earnest". This coming spring, she will appear in Northlight Theater’s production of "A Life".  Kevin and Melanie are both veterans of the Stratford Festival in Canada. Rounding out the cast will be James Leaming and Jeannie Affelder.  James Leaming, one of the founding members of American Blues Theater, has been a regular in the Chicago theater scene for almost three decades, and his comic brilliance and facility with accents will be put to good use in the dual role of Uncle Tom and Anatole the French chef.  Jeannie Affelder, who last appeared with First Folio as Miss Hodge and Grace Harrington in "Design for Living" will be taking on the role of Bertie’s long-suffering Aunt Dahlia.  She comes to First Folio following her appearance in Timeline Theater’s "When She Danced".   'Noises Off' is On Stage at Wheaton Drama Wheaton Drama, Inc. is presenting its third show of the 2009-2010 season, "Noises Off" by Michael Frayn.  Performances of "Noises Off" are January 29 through February 21, 2010.  Shows are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $16 each, except Thursdays, which have a special price of $13 each.  Remaining shows in Wheaton Drama's 2009-2010 season include "To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday" and "Chicago".  For tickets and information, please visit www.wheatondrama.org, or call 630-260-1820. Described by the New York Post as "The funniest farce ever written", "Noises Off" is a play-within-a-play which features the comical mishaps of a theatrical company trying to stage their show, "Nothing's On". Fast-paced and hilarious, "Noises Off" is a favorite with audiences and actors.  The cast is Annie Walker-Bright (Dotty Otley), Dennis Brown (Selsdon Mowbray), Susan Carr (Belinda Blair), Geoffrey Maher (Lloyd Dallas), Patrick Naugle (Tim Allgood), Douglas Orlyk (Frederick Fellowes), Elizabeth Owsley (Poppy Norton-Taylor), Leah Rae (Brooke Ashton), and Christopher Williams (Garry Lejeune).  Jim Liesz is directing, assisted by Dee Hicks.   Village Theatre Guild Offers Pulitzer Prize Winner The Village Theatre Guild will ring in 2010 with the Pulitzer Prize winning play "Rabbit Hole" by David Lindsay- Abaire.  The show runs from Jamuary 15 through February 6, 2010.  Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 p.m.  Matinees are on Sunday, January 24 and 31 at 3:00 pm.  Tickets are $18.  The Village Theatre Guild is located near the northwest corner of Park Blvd. and Butterfield Rd. in Glen Ellyn.  For tickets call 630-469-8230 or visit the VTG website at www.villagetheatreguild.org. The play invites us into the world of Becca and Howie Corbet, who have everything a family could want, until a life shattering accident turns their wolds upside down and leaves the couple dirifting apart.  "Rabbit Hole" charts their bittersweet search for comfort and for a path that will lead them back into the light of day.  "What I like about this play is the writing, and the writer David Lindsay-Abaire has an uncanny knack for mixing the ultra dramatic with the ultra comic, better than any other playwright I've read.  The situation this family finds itself in is heavy enough, but Abaire craftfully weaves the humor throughout the whole play," said director Bill Burghardt of Glen Ellyn. "It reminds me of one of the most revered moments in television."  Burghardt continued, "In the classic Mary Tyler Moore Show, Moore as Mary Richards is at the wake/funeral of Chuckles the Clown and just loses it and breaks into uncontrolable laughter.  Often times the only way we can deal with tragedy is by letting the comedic side come in.  There are many such unintentional moments like that in 'Rabbit Hole'.  The characters don't mean to be funny, they just are.  And this to me is theatre at its best.  Audiences should come to 'Rabbit Hole' to be amused -- and to be moved".  The cast features Paul Mapes, Scott Myers, Candace Snapp, Dianne Wawrzyniak and Anita Vigilante.  Maggie Fredricks is producer.   Peter Robel is 'My Own Wife' at Boho Bohemian Theatre Ensemble presents "I Am My Own Wife" by Doug Wright Directed by Stephen M. Genovese and Peter Marston Sullivan.  BoHo Theatre brings the much-loved, but not often done, play "I Am My Own Wife" to its cosy venue this winter with gripping intensity.  Charlotte von Mahlsdorf was a 60-something transvestite who had survived both the Nazis and Communists, two very conformist regimes.  At the time, she was living in a rural suburb, passing her senior years tending to an impressive hoard of 1890s collectibles, and leading tours through her stone mansion that doubled as a museum.  "I Am My Own Wife" tells of author Doug Wright's fascination with von Mahlsdorf. Born Lothar Berfelde, in 1928, Charlotte identified while still a teenager as a female spirit trapped in a male body, and openly cross-dressed most of her life.  The first night that he met Charlotte, he realized that her story merited a play.  Guest artist, Actor's Equity actor, and BoHo Company member Peter Robel portrays more than 30 characters in a work that explores the will to survive.  BoHo is thrilled to present this extraordinary work, and is excited for audiences to witness the splendid work of Peter Robel in a role unlike any other in modern theatre.  Both challenging and mesmerizing, the characters in "I Am My Own Wife" are ones to be remembered long after the stage lights fade.  Bohemian Theatre Ensemble presents "I Am My Own Wife" at 7016 N. Glenwood opening January 15 and closing February 13, 2010.  Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m.  Cost is $17-$20.  For tickets call the box office at 866-811-4111.    Piven Theatre Counts 'Number of People' Piven Theatre Workshop continues its 2009-10 season with the world premiere of "Number of People," written and directed by Emilie Beck.  The production will run March 6-April 11, 2010 at Piven Theatre Workshop, 927 Noyes Street.  Previews are March 6 & 7, 2010, Press opening is Monday, March 8, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. Regular run is March 11-April 11, 2010.  Schedule is Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Sundays 2:30 p.m.  Tickets are $15 preview performances; $25 regular run performances.  Call (773) 753-4472 or online www.piventheatre.org.  Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and grappling with the challenges of aging, a Holocaust survivor bears witness to his past in this beautiful exploration on the elusive nature of memory.  This moving one-man show is written and directed by Emilie Beck, who returns to Piven after her 2008 award-winning production, "Because They Have No Words".  The piece was written specifically for the playwright’s father, Piven Ensemble Member Bernard Beck.   Citadel Couple Takes Simon's 'Prisoner' Citadel Theatre's Artistic Director Scott Phelps and his wife Ellen Phelps will be co-starring in the theatre's production of "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" by Neil Simon.  Citadel's second show of the 2009/2010 season will open on January 15 and close on the last day of the month.  It will be the first time since they were married 25 years ago that Scott and Ellen, founders of Citadel Theatre, will perform together.  The show also features Tom Beck, Nancy Greco, Rita Simon, and Amy Ticho. Scott and Ellen met in the early 1980s at the Actors Theatre of Louisville.  They married, raised four children and managed careers while staying involved in the world of theatre.  After settling on the North Shore of Chicago they saw a need for quality theatre in the suburbs and, in 2002 they pursued their lifelong passion by starting the Citadel Theatre Company in Lake Forest.  Since then the theatre has produced 17 shows.  Scott directed five of those productions, one of which was the critically acclaimed "And Neither Have I Wings to Fly" by local playwright Ann Noble.  Ellen has performed in a number Citadel's shows, most notably in 2008 as Pat O'Niel in Scott McPherson's comedy "'Til the Fat Lady Sings".  Scott and Ellen have been eager to perform together, but were waiting for the right opportunity to come along.  It did when their longtime friend Will Casey, an Equity actor and director who teaches theatre at Columbia College, persuaded the couple to star alongside each other in Neil Simon's "The Prisoner of Second Avenue".  "It's a different dynamic working with your spouse because you feel completely comfortable," said Ellen.  "Whether it's good or bad, we can be absolutely honest with each other while still having fun."  Casey will direct the classic comedy about a middle-aged couple, Mel and Edna Edison, who live in an apartment on the Upper East Side of New York City in the early 1970s.  The couple struggles with a series of escalating problems including a job layoff, loud neighbors, a burglary, an extreme summer heat wave, and a garbage strike.  Scott notes that many people will identify with the characters' feelings of being overwhelmed by daily issues.  "The play takes place in the early 1970s, but almost 40 years later we are dealing with a very similar economic situation," said Scott.  "Neil Simon has a knack for finding humor in our everyday difficulties while ultimately showing the resilience we, as humans, can uncover in the face of tremendous personal challenges." "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" opens January 15 and closes January 31, 2010.  Show dates are Thursday (except for opening weekend), Friday, Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 2pm.   All shows are at the Grotto of Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest.  Ticket prices are $25 for singles, $22 for students and seniors.  Citadel is offering a discounted two show season rate of $39 for tickets to "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" and "Independence" by Lee Blessing (May 2010).  Visit www.citadeltheatre.org or call 847.735.8554 to purchase tickets.  Citadel Theatre is a professional, non-Equity theatre company and 501(c)3 organization now celebrating its seventh season in the intimate, studio setting of the Grotto at the Gorton Center in Lake Forest.  Citadel Theatre produces comedies and dramas, both classic and contemporary, as well as cutting edge new works.   Newell Creates 'The Illusion' at Court Court Theatre continues its 55th season with Tony Kushner’s "The Illusion," directed by Charles Newell.  The production will run March 11-April 11, 2010 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue.  Previews are March 11, press opening is March 20, Regular run is March 21-April 11, 2010.  The schedule is Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Court Theatre is located at 5535 S. Ellis Ave.  Tickets are $32-$56.  Call (773) 753-4472 or online www.CourtTheatre.org.  Tony Kushner brings his sophisticated style and breathtaking language to the French Baroque's most powerful romance.  A father's attempt to find his estranged son raises the curtain on a world of theatrical magic, outrageous humor, and true, complicated love.  Adapted from Pierre Corneille’s "L’Illusion Comique," the play features Kevin Gudahl, Timothy Edward Kane, Elizabeth Ledo, John Reeger, Kareem Bandealy, Michael Mahler and Hillary Clemens.  Court Theatre is the professional theatre in residence at the University of Chicago continuing to discover the power of classic theatre. Court Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.      Chicago Casting announced for Brando Biopic "A Love Lost Life: The Unauthorized Story of Marlon Brando" comes to Theatre Building Chicago (1225 W. Belmont) February 2010 for a four week run.  "A Love Lost Life" tells of the bonds and barriers between fathers and sons manifesting in Brando’s own efforts to understand fatherhood.  The 90-minute biopic reveals his feelings towards his father and his confusion about being a father to his own children.  Brando’s final years inspired the author’s title and focus.  And although Marlon Brando was a famously private man, what is indisputably known about him is that he changed the way actors act. Christian Brando, Marlon’s oldest child, is a central character in actor/writer David Nathie Barnes’ play.  The Oscar-winning actor’s son and Barnes spoke over the telephone on more than one occasion.  Barnes, a native of Chicago, was pleased that Christian not only read, but approved of the script.  “He said that I had captured his anger and frustration, the futility of living up to the Brando name,” said Barnes.  “He was truly a lost soul.” Barnes will reprise his role as Christian Brando for the Chicago run along with highly touted lead actor Robert Ashkenas, who plays Brando at 80 years of age.  Also stepping into the skin of the younger Marlon characters are Jamie Asch and Michael Perez.  Film actress Claudia Di Biccari will sink her teeth into the meaty role of Brando’s schizophrenic daughter Cheyenne, while SIU Carbondale theatre graduate Beau Forbes will effectively twin the late James Dean in the performances.  Legendary Hollywood agent Jay Kanter will be played by Mike Tepeli, an Ill State theatre alum.  And the iconic Marilyn Monroe will be embodied by Audra Yokley as a Brando brief love interest.  Equally noteworthy are some of the crew working on "ALLL".  And handling the set design will be Shaun Renfro, a highly skilled intern for none other than Todd Rosenthal, Tony award winner and Steppenwolf Theatre Company staff member.  Directing "ALLL" is Loyola University theatre instructor Susan Felder, who most recently directed "The Quiet Man Tales" at The Chicago Theatre.   'Mamma Mia'...Here We Go Again! Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ "Mamma Mia!," the smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, returns to Chicagoland in 2010.  Performances begin on January 19 and run through January 24, 2010 at the Rosemont Theatre (5400 North River Road, Rosemont).  Tickets for performances are currently on sale and range in price from $30-$80.  Tickets are available at the Rosemont Theatre Box Office, through the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, at all Ticketmaster ticket centers (including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores) or online at ticketmaster.com.  Groups of 15 or more should call (312) 977-1710. Seen by over 40 million people around the world, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ global smash hit musical "Mamma Mia!" is celebrating 7 sold-out years at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway, and is currently playing a record-breaking engagement on its National Tour in the United States.  The original West End production has played more than 4,000 performances, an international tour has played in more than 40 foreign cities, and the blockbuster feature film adaptation, produced by Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman, is the most successful movie musical of all time grossing $600 million worldwide. An independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, Donna is about to let go of Sophie, the spirited daughter she’s raised alone.  For Sophie’s wedding, Donna has invited her two lifelong best girlfriends—practical and no-nonsense Rosie and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya - from her one-time backing band, Donna and the Dynamos.  But Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own.  On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from Donna’s past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier.  Over 24 chaotic, magical hours, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled on this lush island full of possibilities.  Inspired by the storytelling magic of ABBA’s songs from “Dancing Queen” and “S.O.S.” to “Money, Money, Money” and “Take a Chance on Me,” "Mamma Mia!" is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family found.   Chase Grant Paves Way for New Colony Production "This is a turning point for The New Colony," Associate Artistic Director Evan Linder told the company at a recent meeting.  "Not only can we pay for the rest of our season, but our design budgets can finally be fully funded."  Everything changed for The New Colony on Tuesday, December 16, when they received a call from Chase Bank. The New Colony had spent the last ten days competing in the social media grant program Chasegiving.  Campaigning for votes over Facebook, the top 100 charities with the most votes would be awarded $25,000 from Chase and entry into Round 2.  Just hours before the call came, Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood and Executive Director Gary Tiedemann had been making even further cuts to the company's budget.  "This couldn't have happened at a better time," said Hobgood.  "All of our production budgets have suffered from the financial constraints inherent in a company's start-up years.  Finally, our designers get to really show us what they can do.  And there's no better show for which we should amp up our production budgets than '11:11'." At the same time that the company was cutting budgets and running a campaign for Chasegiving, The New Colony was also in the final leg of talks to produce "11:11," written by Tara Sissom and "Frat"'s Evan Linder, at the new Victory Gardens Biograph Studio Theater .  "Victory Gardens is the Godfather of theatrical world premieres in Chicago," commented Hobgood.  "I had always hoped for a New Colony show to open at The Biograph, but to have this opportunity arrive in only our second season is mind-blowing." "11:11" tells the story of the first day at Camp Methuselah Pines and the team of young, Christian camp counselors who unknowingly drug themselves.  As the evening unravels, secrets are shared, temptations explored, and a group of friends realize they don't have the same understanding of the same God.  Inspired by the experiences of the playwrights and ensemble, "11:11" asks an age-old question of a new generation: why are we willing to fight for something we cannot see or define?  Eat s'mores, make 'God's Eyes' and feel the infectious joy of summer camp during February in Chicago. "Honestly, Chasegiving and '11:11' at the Biograph are the perfect way to end an already incredible year for The New Colony," Linder pointed out at the company meeting.  "11:11" is directed by Meg Johns, Written by Evan Linder and Tara Sissom, Produced by Samuel Snowden and Sponsored in part by Victory Gardens' Fresh Squeezed.  Featuring Caitlin Chuckta, Tim Cunningham, Sarah Gitenstein, Evan Linder, Wes Needham, Whit Nelson, Tara Sissom, Kevin Stangler and Maari Suorsa.  "11:11" premieres on Monday, February 8, 2010 with an additional Press Opening Thursday, February 11 at 8:00PM.  "11:11" will run Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00PM March 13 at The Victory Gardens Biograph Studio Theater.  For more information, visit the New Colony website at www.TheNewColony.org.