Theatre & Performing Arts News January 16, 2012
Dreaming of Neverland
Dream
Theatre Company presents the first play of its season-long trilogy,
"Peter Pan's Shadow Part One: Neverland," the world
premiere of a new show by Jeremy Menekseoglu. Peter Pan, Tinker
Bell, and Peter's younger sister set out on a harrowing adventure
that will result in the birth of Neverland, the accidental creation
of Peter's shadow, and the appearance of a fearsome new enemy on the
horizon: Captain James Hook.
"Peter Pan's Shadow Part One: Neverland" runs from February 2 to March 4. Performances take place Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 7pm at Dream Theatre Company, located at 556 West 18th Street, Chicago, IL 60616. General admission is $18, industry and student tickets are $15. Group sales and subscription packages available. For more information, call 773-552-8616 or email annainthedarkness@gmail.com.
Telling a "Peter Pan" story very different from those we have known, Dream Theatre probes the darker corners of Neverland and the selfish boy who forced it into being. This is the new adventure of Peter Pan and the younger sister who believed him to be dead for her entire life; after meeting him and Tinker Bell, it might have been better if that had been the case. Following the success of "The Grisly/Glorious Adventure of Winnie-The-Pooh, Christopher Robin, and Billy Moon" and "The Devilish Children and the Civilizing Process," this dark and engaging trilogy is a fairy tale as only Dream Theatre could imagine it. Featuring Anna W Menekseoglu, Mishelle Apalategui, Annelise Lawson, Jeremy Menekseoglu, Chad Sheveland, Rachel Martindale, Lana Smithner, Avery Ferguson, and Annie Hoeg.
Since 1998 Dream Theatre has performed all original productions that include: Audience Annihilated: Women Only Train; A Very Terrible Father; Three Women Driven Insane; The Grisly/Glorious Adventure of Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh and Billy Moon; Downward Facing; The Devilish Children and the Civilizing Process; The Agon Trilogy (Agamemnon, Electra & Orestes); Aelita & Shiny Boxes; The Black Duckling; Somewhere in Texas; Sequestered; Cold; The Samaritan Syndrome; Baby Killers; SlowAnna; Anna, in the Darkness; Medea; Antigone; Ismene and Sister 121. Now entering its tenth season, Dream Theatre continues to strive to deliver the highest art in its most raw, unflinching and entertaining form. More information can be found at www.dreamtheatrecompany.com, dreamtheatreco.blogspot.com, and www.facebook.com/DreamTheatreCompany.
Moliere Goes Steampunk
BoHo Theatre brings laughs and style to the stage this January with Ranjit Bolt’s contemporary translation of Molière’s "Tartuffe," the classic tale of sex, money, and the power of persuasion. "Tartuffe" currently runs through February 12, 2012, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Avenue, and is directed by BoHo’s Associate Artistic Director Peter Robel. By using the anachronistic mashup genre called steampunk, director Robel seeks to highlight the machinations of the wicked Tartuffe as he uses one man’s fear of change to his advantage, a fear all too familiar today. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $20-25. For tickets, call the Theater Wit Box Office at 773-975-8150 or visit www.BoHoTheatre.com.
In the midst of societal upheaval, when the lines between church and state are being drawn between those for whom religion is the bedrock of society and a younger generation eager to accept change, comes the charlatan Tartuffe. Masquerading as a man of God, Tartuffe worms his way into the life of pious family patriarch Orgon and is soon trying to make off with the man’s wealth, his daughter, and even his wife! Though the rest of the family goes to hilarious lengths to show Orgon the error of his ways and expel Tartuffe from their home, the con man always seems to be one step ahead of them.
By using steampunk (a scifi subgenre that mixes Victorian history and aesthetic with futuristic steam-powered technology) as a backdrop, BoHo’s production mirrors the tumultuous societal landscape of 17th century France as a world that at once seems both familiar and alien, when old and new exist side by side. Without losing any of Molière’s wit, BoHo’s "Tartuffe" makes it obvious why a man would desperately believe the lies of a swindler over the word of his own family. Continuing a season-long exploration of the Bohemian pillars of truth, beauty, freedom, and love, "Tartuffe" explores the pillar of truth through the eyes of a liar. Featuring Christa Buck, Chris Ballou, Luke Daigle, Daria Harper, Andrew Marikis, Michael Mercier, Saren Nofs-Snyder, Devan O’Mailia, Sean Thomas, and Jeremy Trager.
Houdini Out of the Box
Chicago Children’s Theatre presents "The Houdini Box" January 24-March 4, 2012 at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago. "The Houdini Box" is a world premiere musical adventure based on Brian Selznick’s popular first novel about a mischievous boy who receives a special box that just might contain the secrets of Harry Houdini’s success. Press opening is Friday, January 27 at 7 pm. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 10:15 am, Friday at alternate times, Saturday and Sunday at 11 am and 2 pm. Tickets are $26 for children; $36 for adults.
Ten days after the Mercury run, performances continue at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie, March 14-25. Performance times are Tuesday through Friday at 10:15 am; Saturday and Sunday 11 am and 2 pm. Tickets are $26 for children; $36 for adults. The North Shore Center boasts free, plentiful parking. For tickets and information, go to chicagochildrenstheatre.org. Call the Mercury Theater box office at 773.325.1700 or call the North Shore Center box office at 847.673.6300. For discounted school, scout and group rates, contact GroupTix at (773) 327-3778 or visit GroupTix.net.
As
famed escape artist Harry Houdini circles the globe performing one
incredible stunt after another, Victor, a young devotee goes through
his own rigorous magician’s training – locking himself in
closets, holding his breath under water and walking into walls.
After a chance encounter with his hero, Victor receives a special box
that just might contain the secrets of Houdini’s great
success. Master puppeteer Blair Thomas will direct and create
puppetry for CCT's "The Houdini Box," already a recipient
of two prestigious development grants from the National Endowment for
the Arts. Book and lyrics are by Hannah Kohl, with original
music by Mark Messing. The cast for "The Houdini Box"
features Alex Weisman as Victor, Sara Sevigny as Mother and Derek
Hasenstab as Barker.
Chicago Children’s Theatre focuses on the production of first-rate children’s theatre in Chicago, with top writing, performing and directorial talent and high-quality design and production expertise. Chicago Children’s Theatre aspires to enrich our community through diverse and significant theatrical and educational programming that engages and inspires the child in all of us. Launched in 2005, Chicago Children’s Theatre strives to provide affordable and accessible theatre for families and area school children. To enhance the impact of any given production’s themes, Chicago Children’s Theatre offers educational materials and programs for families and educators.
'Swim Club' Convenes at Beef & Boards
A
poignant comedy kicks off the 39th Season at Beef & Boards
Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis, Indiana as it presents "The
Dixie Swim Club". The first of four new shows to the Beef
& Boards stage in 2012, "The Dixie Swim Club" is
hilarious and heartfelt. On stage through February 12, "The
Dixie Swim Club" has 36 performances scheduled in the intimate
space of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Tickets range from
$37 to $60 and include Chef Odell Ward's dinner buffet, coffee and
tea. Parking is free. For reservations, call the Beef
& Boards Box Office at 317.872.9664. For more information,
including show schedule, visit www.beefandboards.com.
Five Southern women, whose friendships began many years ago on their college swim team, set aside a long weekend every year to recharge those relationships. Free from husbands, kids and jobs, they meet at the same beach cottage to catch up, laugh and meddle in each other's lives. Angela Plank stars as Sheree, the spunky team captain, who desperately tries to maintain her organized and perfect life, and continues to be the group's leader. Dinah, played by Rita Thomas, is the wisecracking overachiever, a career dynamo. But her victories in the courtroom are in stark contrast to the frustrations of her personal life. Lexie, played by Jill Kelly, is pampered and outspoken. Determined to hold on to her looks and youth as long as possible, she enjoys being married...over and over again.
The self-deprecating and acerbic Vernadette, played by Beef & Boards favorite Sarah Hund, is acutely aware of the dark cloud that hovers over her life, has decided to just give in and embrace the chaos. And sweet, eager-to-please Jeri Neal, played by Laurie Walton, experiences a late entry into motherhood that takes them all by surprise. As their lives unfold and 33 years pass, these women increasingly rely on one another to get through the many challenges that life flings at them.
'Girl in the Yellow Dress' Makes Her U.S. Debut
Next Theatre Company is proud to present the United States premiere of Craig Higginson’s "The Girl in the Yellow Dress," directed by Joanie Schultz, January 19–February 26, 2012, at The Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street in Evanston. Previews are January 19–22 and the opening/press night is Monday, January 23 at 7 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There are 4 p.m. Saturday performances February 4, 11, 18 and 25. Tickets are $25-$40 with subscriber and student discounts available. Tickets may be purchased at nexttheatre.org or by calling 847-475-1875 x2.
South African Playwright Craig Higginson’s "The Girl in the Yellow Dress" is set in contemporary Paris where an Englishwoman named Celia (Carrie Coon) has left her well appointed home in London to start a new life teaching English. When she takes on a French-Congolese student (Austin Talley), a relationship begins to develop that reveals dark truths from Celia’s past. Raising issues that prove the modern world is not as advanced as one may believe, "The Girl in the Yellow Dress" explores the ways in which class, race, identity and language continue to divide us.
The Mary Kay Letourneau Players Present...
The
Mary Kay Letourneau Players, a Chicago-based comedy duo, have
announced the premiere of their new sketch comedy revue opening
January 22 at iO Chicago, “The Mary Kay Letourneau Players
Present...” Written and performed by Katie Rich and Kate
Duffy, directed by Irene Marquette, “The Mary Kay Letourneau
Players Present...” plays Sundays at 10:30pm, January
22-March 11, 2012 at iO Chicago, The Del Close Theater, 3541 N
Clark St (Addison & Clark), Chicago. $5 tickets are
available at Chicago.iOImprov.com
or 773.880.0199. For more information, visit MKLPlayers.com.
Katie Rich (The Second City Mainstage) and Kate Duffy (Deep Schwa, The Playboys) are the Mary Kay Letourneau Players, a duo critics have called comedy “Kobe beef”. The two seasoned performers began writing together while traveling the country for The Second City's National Touring Company and debuted their material at the 2011 Chicago Sketchfest to rave reviews. Directed by the immensely talented Irene Marquette (40 Whacks), the show dives deeply into characters, exposing their complex inner worlds. From elderly ladies yakking at a wedding, to working-class girls recovering from a weeknight bender, to the fallout from a facially-disfiguring monkey attack.
The Mary Kay Letourneau Players tackle tabloid sensationalism and everyday life with an equally frank, head-on approach. After all, we are all only one of two bad decisions away from being a headline. Mary Kay Letourneau is an American schoolteacher who was imprisoned from 1997 to 2004 for having sexual intercourse with her 13-year-old student, Vili Fualaau. She gave birth to two of Fualaau's children while incarcerated. After her release from prison in 2004, Letourneau married Fualaau and took his name. She has not yet endorsed this production.
Founded in 1981, iO (Formerly ImprovOlympic) is the world famous flashpoint of comic creativity that spawned an entire generation of America’s best and brightest entertainers. Over 5,000 people have trained and performed at iO’s Chicago and Los Angeles theaters, including some of the most recognizable names in show business. Today the stars of tomorrow are learning the secrets of the Harold in the iO Training Center, while the sharpest minds in comedy are onstage pushing the envelope, continually experimenting and delighting audiences seven nights a week. For more, visit Chicago.iOImprov.com.