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Stage 773 Presents Cupid Players

Posted on 02 September 2010 by Alissa Norby

Chicago’s witty and irreverent musical sketch comedy troupe The Cupid Players presents Cupid: Plugged for six performances at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont from September 17 – October 2, 2010. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. Backed by a rock band, the comic musical performers of The Cupid Players will perform new songs and scenes developed by the cast under the direction of Stage 773 Artistic Director Brian Posen. The all-new material in Cupid: Plugged differs from the material in The Cupid Players’ long-running revue Cupid Has A Heart On: A Musical Guide to Relationships, which is in an open run at iO Theater, 3541 N. Clark Street Saturday nights at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available at 773.327.5252 or stage773.com. The set list includes ”Half Gay,” “I Thought We Were Dating,” “I Lied” and “Baby-Making Sex (Sex for a Purpose).” Tickets are $20 and are available by phone at 773.327.5252 or online at www.stage773.com. Director Brian Posen is joined by Carisa Barreca, Ashley Bush, Andrew Graves, Sam Lewis, Israel Pederson, Tim Soszko, Ranjit Souri, Billy Sullivan, Jill Valentine and Amanda Whitenack. The band includes Sam Lewis and David Hymen.

About The Cupid Players
Named “Best Sketch Comedy Group” in Chicago by the Chicago Reader, The Cupid Players have been making audiences laugh until it hurts for 10 years. Their revue Cupid Has A Heart On: A Musical Guide to Relationships has been playing every Saturday night at iO Theater for seven years and been named a “must-see” by Time Out Chicago and feted as “full of wit and zest” by the Chicago Tribune.

About STAGE 773
Formerly known as Lukaba Productions, STAGE 773 is a non-profit Chicago company that produces The Cupid Players, Briko, The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival and other programs. STAGE 773 is located at 1225 W. Belmont (the former Theatre Building Chicago); STAGE 773’s three theaters are home to performances by some of Chicago’s most innovative, creative and passionate off-Loop performing artists.

Stage 733 acts to embody the vibrant spirit of Chicago off-loop theater.

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Final Weeks of Smash Hit ‘LOOKINGGLASS ALICE’

Posted on 02 September 2010 by Alissa Norby

The limited run of Lookingglass Theatre Company’s Lookingglass Alice, which was extended by an additional two weeks, must close September 12, 2010, at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago’s historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave.

Lookingglass Alice is playing to full houses at Water Tower Water Works and has average around 90% capacity for its fourth Chicago run. Including performances at Lookingglass and around the country, cast member Anthony Fleming III (Cheshire Cat and others) recently celebrated his 400^th performance of Lookingglass Alice; Lauren Hirte (Alice) has marked her 300^th and Samuel Taylor (White Knight and others) just celebrated 100 performances with the production.

Lookingglass Theatre Company’s hit Lookingglass Alice, which inspired the founding of the Theatre more than 20 years ago, tumbles its way down the rabbit-hole for its fourth smash-hit run at Chicago’s historic Water Tower Water Works. When it premiered in February 2005, Lookingglass Alice became an instant hit, played to sold-out audiences, and enjoyed two extensions. When the production returned home to Chicago in summer 2007 following a successful East Coast tour, it again played to sold-out houses and was twice extended. This year, the production traveled to The Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Syracuse Stage and the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta; the 2010 Chicago production marks the tenth time Lookingglass Alice has been produced since 2005.

Adapted by Ensemble Member and Artistic Director David Catlin from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, Lookingglass Alice is a muscular, acrobatic, and dizzyingly playful show for all ages. This Alice falls, floats, flies, defies gravity and the rules of logic during her wonderland journey through the looking glass to become a queen. With a juggling Mad Hatter, a precariously balancing Humpty Dumpty, and a bumbling Knight who invents his way into Alice’s heart, Lookingglass Alice revisits the stories that inspired the founding of Lookingglass Theatre Company twenty years ago. Lookingglass Alice is produced in association with The Actors Gymnasium.

Lookingglass Alice features Artistic Associate Lauren Hirte as Alice, Molly Brennan as the Red Queen and other roles, Artistic Associate Kevin Douglas as the Mad Hatter and other roles, Artistic Associate Anthony Fleming III as various characters, including the Cheshire Cat, and Samuel Taylor as White Knight and other roles. The understudies are Ensemble Member Thomas J. Cox, Lindsey Noel-Whiting, Adeoye and Isaac Schoepp.

Lookingglass Alice

Adapted & Directed by: Ensemble Member David Catlin

Dates: now through September 12, 2010

Times:

Wednesdays: 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays: 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Fridays: 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays: 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sundays: 3:00 p.m.

Location: Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago’s historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. Parking: $10 Discounted parking is available for Lookingglass patrons at The John Hancock Center Self Park as well as The Olympia Centre Self Park at 161 E. Chicago Ave

Prices: $28-$64 regular run

Target Saturday Matinees offer a limited number of buy one, get one free tickets which are available to all 3:00 p.m. Saturday matinees. This program is made possible with the generous support of Target, working with Lookingglass to make the arts accessible to all.

A limited number of student tickets are available the day of the show for $20 with valid student ID.

A limited number of $20 child tickets (for children under 12) are available only to Lookingglass subscribers. Limit four per subscriber.

Box Office: Buy online at www.lookingglasstheatre.org or by phone at (312) 337-0665.

The Lookingglass box office is located at Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave.

Lookingglass Alice is recommended to everyone ages 5 and up.

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Equity Jeff Award Nominees Announced

Posted on 31 August 2010 by Alissa Norby

The Jeff Awards announced 162 nominations in 31 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions which opened between August 1, 2009, and July 31, 2010. The 42nd Annual Jeff Awards ceremony honoring excellence in professional theatre produced within the immediate Chicago area will be held on Monday, October 25, at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. A pre-show Appetizer Buffet will run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and the Awards Ceremony, directed by Michael Weber, will begin at 7:30 p.m., with a Reception immediately following. Musical numbers featuring cast members from nominated musicals and video segments from nominated plays will be included in the Jeff Awards ceremony, emceed by luminary actors Deanna Dunagan and Felicia P. Fields. The evening is black tie optional and the public is cordially invited to attend.

Advance purchase tickets, which include the ceremony and the pre-show buffet, are available through the link on our website: $75 (or $55 for members of Actors’ Equity Association, United Scenic Artists, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, and The Dramatists Guild of America) plus a $2 online purchase handling charge.

Complete list of nominees:

PRODUCTION – PLAY – LARGE

“The Brother/Sister Plays” – Steppenwolf Theatre Company

“The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” – Victory Gardens Theater i/a/w Teatro Vista…Theatre With a View

“The Illusion” – Court Theatre

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” – Court Theatre

“The Mystery of Irma Vep” – Court Theatre

“A Streetcar Named Desire” – Writers’ Theatre

PRODUCTION – PLAY – MIDSIZE

“Abigail’s Party” – A Red Orchid Theatre

“All My Sons” – TimeLine Theatre Company

“The Farnsworth Invention” – TimeLine Theatre Company

“‘Master Harold’…And The Boys” – TimeLine Theatre Company

“Tobacco Road” – American Blues Theater
PRODUCTION – MUSICAL – LARGE

“Animal Crackers” – Goodman Theatre

“Cabaret” – Drury Lane Productions

“The Drowsy Chaperone” – Marriott Theatre

“Hairspray” – Marriott Theatre

“Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions

“Thoroughly Modern Millie” – Drury Lane Productions

PRODUCTION – REVUE

“The Absolute Best Friggin’ Time of Your Life” – The Second City e.t.c.

“Low Down Dirty Blues” – Northlight Theatre

“Oh Coward!” – Writers’ Theatre
ENSEMBLE

“Abigail’s Party” – A Red Orchid Theatre

“Animal Crackers” – Goodman Theatre

“The Brother/Sister Plays” – Steppenwolf Theatre Company

“The Farnsworth Invention” – TimeLine Theatre Company

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” – Court Theatre

“Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions

“The Wedding” – TUTA Theatre Chicago
NEW WORK – PLAY

Kristoffer Diaz – “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” – Victory Gardens Theater i/a/w Teatro Vista…Theatre With a View

Michael Golamco – “Year Zero” – Victory Gardens Theater

Andrew Hinderaker – “Suicide, Incorporated” – The Gift Theatre

Jim Lynch – “The Tallest Man” – The Artistic Home

Bruce Norris – “A Parallelogram” – Steppenwolf Theatre Company

David Schwimmer and Andy Bellin – “Trust” – Lookingglass Theatre Company

Craig Wright – “Mistakes Were Made” – A Red Orchid Theatre
DIRECTOR – PLAY

Nick Bowling – “The Farnsworth Invention” – TimeLine Theatre Company

David Cromer – “A Streetcar Named Desire” – Writers’ Theatre

Sean Graney – “The Mystery of Irma Vep” – Court Theatre

Tina Landau – “The Brother/Sister Plays” – Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Shade Murray – “Abigail’s Party” – A Red Orchid Theatre

Charles Newell – “The Illusion” – Court Theatre

Kimberly Senior – “All My Sons” – TimeLine Theatre Company

Edward Torres – “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” – Victory Gardens Theater i/a/w Teatro Vista…Theatre With a View
DIRECTOR – MUSICAL or REVUE

Jim Corti – “Cabaret” – Drury Lane Productions

Jim Corti – “Oh Coward!” – Writers’ Theatre

William Osetek – “Thoroughly Modern Millie” – Drury Lane Productions

Marc Robin – “The Drowsy Chaperone” – Marriott Theatre

Marc Robin – “Hairspray” – Marriott Theatre

Rachel Rockwell – “Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions

Henry Wishcamper – “Animal Crackers” – Goodman Theatre

ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY

Desmin Borges – “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” – Victory Gardens Theater i/a/w Teatro Vista…Theatre With a View

Brian Dennehy – “Hughie/Krapp’s Last Tape” – Goodman Theatre

Rob Fagin – “The Farnsworth Invention” – TimeLine Theatre Company

Erik Hellman – “The Mystery of Irma Vep” – Court Theatre

Tracy Letts – “American Buffalo” – Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Nick Sandys – “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” – Remy Bumppo Theatre Company

Michael Shannon – “Mistakes Were Made” – A Red Orchid Theatre

Chris Sullivan – “The Mystery of Irma Vep” – Court Theatre
ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL

Quentin Earl Darrington – “Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions

James Harms – “The Drowsy Chaperone” – Marriott Theatre

Max Quinlan – “Jesus Christ Superstar” – Theatre at the Center

Alan Schmuckler – “Sugar” – Drury Lane Productions

Joey Slotnick – “Animal Crackers” – Goodman Theatre
ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY

Tracy Michelle Arnold – “Private Lives” – Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Cassandra Bissell – “Mary’s Wedding” – Rivendell Theatre Ensemble

Janet Ulrich Brooks – “All My Sons” – TimeLine Theatre Company

Kirsten Fitzgerald – “Abigail’s Party” – A Red Orchid Theatre

Natasha Lowe – “A Streetcar Named Desire” – Writers’ Theatre

Lia Mortensen – “The Hiding Place” – Provision Theater

Allison Torem – “Trust” – Lookingglass Theatre Company

ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – MUSICAL

Holly Ann Butler – “Thoroughly Modern Millie” – Drury Lane Productions

Cory Goodrich – “Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions

Heidi Kettenring – “I Do! I Do!” – Theatre at the Center

Marissa Perry – “Hairspray” – Marriott Theatre
SOLO PERFORMANCE

Mary Beth Fisher – “The Year of Magical Thinking” – Court Theatre

Dael Orlandersmith – “Stoop Stories” – Goodman Theatre

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY

Allen Gilmore – “Sizwe Banzi is Dead” – Court Theatre

Francis Guinan – “A Guide for the Perplexed” – Victory Gardens Theater

Tom Irwin – “A Parallelogram” – Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Timothy Edward Kane – “The Illusion” – Court Theatre

Nick Sandys – “Twelfth Night” – First Folio Theatre

Lindsay Smiling – “Blue Door” – Victory Gardens Theater

Michael Patrick Thornton – “Suicide, Incorporated” – The Gift Theatre

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL

Mark David Kaplan – “Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions

Peter Kevoian – “The Christmas Schooner” – Theatre at the Center

David Lively – “Cabaret” – Drury Lane Productions

Adam Pelty – “The Drowsy Chaperone” – Marriott Theatre

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – PLAY

Janet Ulrich Brooks – “When She Danced” – TimeLine Theatre Company

Cindy Gold – “Awake and Sing!” – Northlight Theatre

Rebecca Spence – “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” – Remy Bumppo Theatre Company

Stacy Stoltz – “A Streetcar Named Desire” – Writers’ Theatre

Wandachristine – “The Old Settler” – Writers’ Theatre

Natalie West – “Abigail’s Party” – A Red Orchid Theatre

Jacqueline Williams – “The Brother/Sister Plays” – Steppenwolf Theatre Company
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – MUSICAL

Rebecca Finnegan – “Cabaret” – Drury Lane Productions

Heidi Kettenring – “Hairspray” – Marriott Theatre

Valisia LeKae – “Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions

Barbara Robertson – “Yeast Nation (the triumph of life)” – American Theater Company

Paula Scrofano – “Thoroughly Modern Millie” – Drury Lane Productions

ACTOR IN A REVUE

Mississippi Charles Bevel – “Low Down Dirty Blues” – Northlight Theatre

Rob Lindley – “Oh Coward!” – Writers’ Theatre

Gregory Porter – “Low Down Dirty Blues” – Northlight Theatre

Sam Richardson – “Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies” – The Second City
ACTRESS IN A REVUE

Christina Anthony – “The Absolute Best Friggin’ Time of Your Life” – The Second City e.t.c.

Felicia P. Fields – “Low Down Dirty Blues” – Northlight Theatre

Kate Fry – “Oh Coward!” – Writers’ Theatre

Sandra Reaves-Phillips – “Low Down Dirty Blues” – Northlight Theatre
SCENIC DESIGN – LARGE

Jeffrey Bauer – “A Guide for the Perplexed” – Victory Gardens Theater

John Culbert – “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” – Court Theatre

Kevin Depinet – “Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions

Kevin Depinet – “Thoroughly Modern Millie” – Drury Lane Productions

Collette Pollard – “The Illusion” – Court Theatre

Todd Rosenthal – “A Parallelogram” – Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Walt Spangler – “A True History of the Johnstown Flood” – Goodman Theatre
SCENIC DESIGN – MIDSIZE

Aimee Hanyzewski – “Of Mice and Men” – Oak Park Festival Theatre

James Leaming – “Tobacco Road” – American Blues Theater

Timothy Mann – “‘Master Harold’…And The Boys” – TimeLine Theatre Company

Angela Miller – “Jeeves in Bloom” – First Folio Theatre

Inseung Park – “The Hiding Place” – Provision Theatre
COSTUME DESIGN – LARGE

Jacqueline Firkins – “The Illusion”- Court Theatre

Nancy Missimi – “The Drowsy Chaperone” – Marriott Theatre

Tatjana Radisic – “Cabaret” – Drury Lane Productions

Alison Siple – “The Mystery of Irma Vep” – Court Theatre

COSTUME DESIGN – MIDSIZE

William J. Morey – “Into the Woods” – Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago

Sarah E. Ross & Kristin DeiTos – “Tobacco Road” – American Blues Theater

Emily Waecker – “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” – Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
SOUND DESIGN – LARGE

Mikhail Fiksel – “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” – Victory Gardens Theater i/a/w Teatro Vista…Theatre With a View

Joshua Horvath and Nick Keenan – “The Illusion”- Court Theatre

Joshua Horvath and Ray Nardelli – “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”- Court Theatre

Ray Nardelli – “Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale” – Lookingglass Theatre Company and Silverguy Entertainment
SOUND DESIGN – MIDSIZE

Victoria Delorio – “Mary’s Wedding” – Rivendell Theatre Ensemble

Mikhail Fiksel – “War With the Newts” – Next Theatre Company

Nick Keenan – “End Days” – Next Theatre Company

Miles Polaski – “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”- The Gift Theatre
LIGHTING DESIGN – LARGE

Brian Sidney Bembridge – “Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale” – Lookingglass Theatre Company and Silverguy Entertainment

John Culbert – “The Illusion”- Court Theatre

Jesse Klug – “Cabaret” – Drury Lane Productions

Jesse Klug – “Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions

Jesse Klug – “Thoroughly Modern Millie” – Drury Lane Productions

LIGHTING DESIGN – MIDSIZE

Lee Fiskness – “End Days” – Next Theatre Company

Jesse Klug – “Yeast Nation (the triumph of life)” – American Theater Company

Keith Parham – “The Farnsworth Invention” – TimeLine Theatre Company

Jaymi Lee Smith – “Mary’s Wedding” – Rivendell Theatre Ensemble

CHOREOGRAPHY

John Carrafa – “Animal Crackers” – Goodman Theatre

Tammy Mader – “Thoroughly Modern Millie” – Drury Lane Productions

Marc Robin – “The Drowsy Chaperone” – Marriott Theatre

Marc Robin – “Hairspray” – Marriott Theatre
ORIGINAL INCIDENTAL MUSIC

Alaric Jans – “The Hiding Place” – Provision Theater

Lindsay Jones – “Richard III” – Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Henry Marsh – “Twelfth Night” – First Folio Theatre

Ray Nardelli and Joshua Horvath – “The Long Red Road” – Goodman Theatre

Ray Nardelli, Andre Pluess and Josh Horvath – “Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale” – Lookingglass Theatre Company and Silverguy Entertainment

Jesse Terrill – “The Wedding” – TUTA Theatre Chicago
MUSIC DIRECTION

Roberta Duchak – “Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions

Doug Peck – “Animal Crackers” – Goodman Theatre

Doug Peck – “Cabaret” – Drury Lane Productions

Doug Peck – “Oh Coward!” – Writers’ Theatre

Robert Reddrick – “Nothing But the Blues” – Black Ensemble Theater
ARTISTIC SPECIALIZATION

Bridges Media – Multimedia Design – “Trust” – Lookingglass Theatre Company

Sage Marie Carter – Projections Design – “Ragtime” – Drury Lane Productions

Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi – Circus Choreography and Movement Direction – “Icarus” – Lookingglass Theatre Company

Nick Sandys – Fight Choreography – “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” – Remy Bumppo Theatre Company

David Woolley – Fight Choreography – “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” – Victory Gardens Theater i/a/w Teatro Vista…Theatre With a View

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The Gift’s ‘SUICIDE, INCORPORATED’ Extends Through October 10

Posted on 27 August 2010 by Alissa Norby

The Gift Theatre’s hit production, Andrew Hinderaker’s “Suicide, Incorporated” announces its final extension through October 10, 2010.

It’s been a tough week at work. Profits are down, lawsuits are up, and you totally forgot to bring something to the staff potluck. But none of that is even a minor concern compared to this: your boss is onto you. He’s begun to suspect the truth, that you’re trying to ruin the company by keeping its clients alive. Nominated for the New Voices in American Playwriting Award and following successful staged readings at Steppenwolf and Victory Gardens Theaters, SUICIDE, INCORPORATED is receiving its Jeff Recommended world premiere at the Gift and has been sold out since Opening Night.

Show times are Fridays at 7:30, Saturdays at 4:00 PM and 7:30pm;
Sunday matinees at 2:30.

For tickets: (773) 283-7071 or buy online @ www.thegifttheatre.org

The Gift Theatre

4802 N. Milwaukee
The Gift Theatre is conveniently located at 4802 N. Milwaukee in Chicago’s Jefferson Park neighborhood—two storefronts north of Lawrence, on the west side of Milwaukee—and is easily accessible by the Kennedy Expressway, the Lawrence and Milwaukee buses, and the CTA Blue Line.

Regular run prices are $30 (Friday nights, Saturday matinee and evening) and $25 (Sundays). Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more by calling the Box Office. $20 tickets are available at all Sunday performances for students, seniors, and industry with proper identification.

The Set Designer is Dan Stratton. The Lighting Designer is Sarah Hughey. Costume Designer is Emily McConnell and the Sound Designer is Matt Chapman.

ANDREW HINDERAKER is a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists and a nominee for the 2010 New Voices in American Playwriting Award. Additional recognitions include Finalist/Semi-Finalist status at Sundance, PlayLabs, The Princess Grace Award, the Heideman Award, and the Austin Film Festival. His plays have been produced or developed in New York, Los Angeles, and throughout his hometown of Chicago, at such theaters as Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, American Theater Company, Stage Left, the side project, and many others. His play, Suicide, Incorporated was selected for development at the 2008 Seven Devils Playwrights Conference and will premiere at Chicago’s Gift Theatre in June 2010. Excerpts from the play are available in the Best Mens’ Stage Monologues & Scenes (Smith & Kraus).

The Gift Theatre is dedicated to telling great stories on stage with honesty and simplicity. Since its 2002 debut, The Gift has consistently established itself as an actors’ theatre, consistently eschewing directorial cleverness for honest, powerful connections between the actors and the audience. With the conception of The Lab—an ensemble-only forum dedicated to artistic growth and exploration—The Gift continues to deepen its commitment to the idea of ‘ensemble’ by training together on an ongoing basis. Previous and future instructors in The Lab include Sheldon Patinkin, Jeff Perry, and Dr. Eric Forsythe.

Previous productions include One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Almost, Maine, Santa’s Great American Depression Holiday Show! America 2: Son of Santa’s Great American Depression Holiday Show! America, Summer People, The Ruby Sunrise, Talk Radio, Stop/Kiss, Santa’s Great American Depression Holiday Show! America, Natural Gas, Streamers, W;t, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, White People, Three Sisters, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Blithe Spirit, 365 Days/365 Plays, The Halloween Show, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, The Glass Menagerie (Remount—Theatre on the Lake), The Good Thief, The Clearing, Hurlyburly, The Glass Menagerie, The Pavilion, A Young Man In Pieces, Language of Angels, 6, County Fair, The Countess, Alcatraz (Abbie Hoffman Festival), Orestes 2.0, Boys’ Life, and Sexual Perversity in Chicago (giftSYDNEY).

The educational program of The Gift Theatre Company, giftED., continues its work at The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) by combining theatre and speech therapy to combat pediatric oral aversion in addition to its work through Chicago Public Schools, staging extant productions such as Pecos Bill as well as creating new pieces for the theatre, such as HOME / ROOM. The Gift is also beginning to secure equipment for its first feature-length project under its film component, giftFILM.

The Gift Theatre is the only professional theatre company in the working class neighborhood of Jefferson Park and Chicago’s only Equity theatre with a 40 seat house. As one of Chicago’s most exciting theatre companies, The Gift is marked by acting of the highest caliber with continual training in The Lab, the important educational work being done at RIC through giftED., and sold-out houses on the northwest side of Chicago. Recent generous support has been provided by the Donnelley Foundation and Driehaus Foundation as well as The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Illinois Arts Council

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Tags: Candide, Chicago Theatre, Chicago Theatre News, Goodman Theatre, Leonard Bernstein, Mary Zimmerman, Voltaire

Zimmerman Helms ‘CANDIDE’ For Goodman Theatre Season Opener

Posted on 25 August 2010 by Alissa Norby

Goodman Theatre celebrates its 10th season in Chicago’s North Loop Theatre District with a fresh take on an enduring masterpiece—Candide, Voltaire’s effervescent, picaresque adventure, newly adapted and directed by Chicago’s own Mary Zimmerman, the Goodman’s Manilow Resident Director. A cast of 19 and an orchestra of 12, under the direction of Music Director Doug Peck, bring to life nearly 30 songs in Leonard Bernstein’s glorious score, and recreate Voltaire’s satirical story of Candide (Geoff Packard)—a young optimist shipwrecked, soldiered, swindled and separated (repeatedly) from his true love, Cunegonde (Lauren Molina). For this major revival, Zimmerman has tapped her signature design team—Daniel Ostling (Set), Mara Blumenfeld (Costumes), T.J. Gerkens (Lighting) and Richard Woodbury (Sound). Danny Pelzig choreographs the cataclysmic events that ensue. Candide runs September 17 – October 24 in the Albert Theatre; tickets are $25 – $85. JP Morgan Chase & Co. is the Major Corporate Sponsor; ComEd is the Official Lighting Sponsor; Abbott and Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP are the Corporate Sponsor Partners. Chicago Tribune and WBEZ 91.5 FM are Media Sponsors. A September 26 Season Opening Benefit takes place at the Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern Wing—the location of the theater’s former home of 75 years—followed by a performance of Candide. Honored will be those who paved the way for the Goodman’s new home, making possible its myriad artistic, economic and community engagement achievements. Tickets are $1,000; call 312.443.5564.

“Mary Zimmerman’s reinvention of Candide represents, to borrow a phrase, ‘the best of all possible worlds’!” said Goodman Artistic Director Robert Falls. “Her singular insight and vivid imagination—as we’ve seen in The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, Journey to the West, The Odyssey, Pericles and three highly successful productions for New York’s Metropolitan Opera, among many others—distinguish Mary as a leading contemporary adapter of classic texts. I am thrilled that she is now bringing her unique artistry to this funny, insightful and irresistibly theatrical work—a glorious way to launch our 10th anniversary on Dearborn Street.”

As previously announced, the cast of Goodman Theatre’s production of Candide features Geoff Packard in the title role; Lauren Molina as his princess love, Cunegonde; Larry Yando as Candide’s mentor, Pangloss; Hollis Resnik as the Old Lady; Jonathan Weir as the Governor; Erik Lochtefeld as Maximillian; Margo Seibert as Paquette; Jesse J. Perez as Cacambo and Tom Aulino as Martin. Ensemble members include Spencer Curnutt, Rebecca Finnegan, Govind Kumar, Rob Lindley, Tracy Lynn Olivera, Emma Rosenthal, Thomas Adrian Simpson, Joey Stone, Tempe Thomas and Joseph Tokarz. Visit the Goodman Theatre Press Room for photos and bios.

“Candide is exquisite entertainment, a blend of opera, comedy, travel adventure and romance,” said Adaptor and Director Mary Zimmerman, whose major revival for the Goodman will be made using her signature style of collaboration with her company and creative team. “Its gorgeous music and lyrical wit act as proof of the very best potential of human beings and the beauty of this life—while at the same instant, the story is revealing some of the worst and most difficult aspects of that life.”

Candide chronicles, in lightning-fast progression, the story of a young man banished from his home, drafted into the Bulgarian army and forced to endure relentless disaster. Voltaire’s satiric genius is found in Candide’s earnest attempts to trivialize the tragedy and uphold the contention of his mentor, Dr. Pangloss, that all things happen for the best in this ‘best of all possible worlds’. Although Candide’s journey is described with humor, Voltaire raises serious questions: How can mankind deal with disaster without surrendering to despair? Can optimism prevail in a world that frequently seems randomly cruel? How is survival itself possible in an environment that often gleefully refutes Pangloss’s hopeful axiom?

About Mary Zimmerman’s Adaptation

Few modern musicals have enjoyed the extensive exploration and reexamination that Candide has in the years following its 1956 Broadway debut. Mary Zimmerman, “a specialist in literary spectacle (from whom) theatrical fireworks are expected” (The New York Times), has opted to create a new book for this production by returning afresh to Voltaire’s original 1759 Candide, Or Optimism. She has ordered the sequence of events in Candide’s adventure—many of which had been altered for previous productions—to align more closely with the novella’s original structure.

Music Director Doug Peck has tailored Bernstein’s score for the cast of 19 and orchestra of 12, “wrapping the music around Mary’s adaptation, blending Bernstein and Voltaire in a way that emphasizes them both.” Audiences will be treated to such popular songs as “Candide Overture,” “The Best of All Possible Worlds,” “It Must Be So,” “I Am Easily Assimilated,” “We Are Women,” “My Love,” “Quiet,” and the heartfelt finale, “Make Our Garden Grow.” Bernstein’s score reflects a variety of classical influences, including Mozart and Verti (“Auto-da-fé”), Gilbert and Sullivan (“Bon Voyage”), Gounod’s Faust (“Glitter and Be Gay”) and even Schoenberg (“Quiet”).

“With Candide, Bernstein composed something wholly unusual; the singing style is more complex and challenging than most musicals,” said Peck, who bases his orchestrations on those used in the Royal National Theatre’s production, and uses underscoring for scenes that Zimmerman selected from the novella but that were never set to music.

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Tags: Chicago Theater, Chicago Theatre, Chicago Theatre News, Harris Theater, River North Dance Company

Harris Theater Welcomes Back River North Dance Company, Giordano Jazz Dance

Posted on 25 August 2010 by Alissa Norby

The Harris Theater for Music and Dance is pleased to announce the return of two of its most successful programs. A fourth program has been added to expand the acclaimed Eat to the Beat lunchtime series, which now includes performances by Harris resident companies River North Chicago Dance Company and Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. By popular demand, the highly celebrated Family Series returns for a fourth season, offering families the opportunity to enjoy exceptional programming for children of all ages.

2010-2011 Eat to the Beat Lunchtime Series
“The Harris Theater is honored to take a leadership position in providing accessible and affordable arts programming to the community,” said Michael Tiknis, President and Managing Director of the Harris Theater. “With the overwhelming success of the Eat to the Beat series last season, we introduced thousands of new people to live dance through a unique opportunity in the middle of their work day. This season, we are pleased to expand this energizing programming through collaboration with more of our renowned resident companies and arts education partners.”
In 2009-2010, the Harris launched the wildly popular Eat to the Beat series featuring DanceWorks Chicago. The crowd-pleasing lunchtime series returns for a second season with an expanded lineup of four performances, to include celebrated Harris Theater resident companies River North Dance Company and Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, performers from the Chicago High School for the Arts and the Chicago premiere of the exciting Chicago Academy for the Arts Repertory Dance Company.

Geared towards those who live, work, attend school, or find themselves in the vicinity of the Harris during the workday lunch hour, this series features four unique dance programs, each one hour in length. Audience members are encouraged to enjoy their brown bag or purchased lunches while watching these spectacular performances. (Park Grill box lunches are available for advance purchase.) A trademark of this acclaimed program is accessibility; with individual tickets priced at only $5 each or $10 for a subscription to all four performances, anyone can experience live dance and break up the monotony of a work day.

Program information for the Harris Theater’s 2010 – 2011 Eat to the Beat Series is as follows:
Eat to the Beat: River North Chicago Dance Company

Friday, November 12, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Tickets are $5.

With an eclectic repertoire which spans “from ballroom to ballet….this is a company that can do it all.” (Chicago Sun-Times) Come experience for yourself the great variety of this renowned jazz-based company with this artistically diverse performance—including a sneak preview of a world premiere work by emerging choreographer Sidra Bell, and highlights from works to be performed on their upcoming November and February programs at the Harris Theater.

Eat to the Beat: Chicago High School for the Arts
Friday, January 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Tickets are $5.

With an incredible interdisciplinary tour-de-force, the brilliant young students from the renowned Chicago High School for the Arts will showcase their extraordinary talents in a performance featuring each of the school’s artistic areas of concentration. From the stage of the Harris Theater, ChiArts students of dance, theatre, choral and jazz music will exhibit their exceptional skill, while an installation by the school’s visual artists will be displayed in the lobby.

Eat to the Beat: Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago
Friday, March 25, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Tickets are $5.

Experience the high-energy high-impact performance and the enthralling art that defines one of Chicago’s most ethnically diverse dance companies. Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago captivates audiences with “technical mastery and stamina that had [the] packed house audibly gasping.” (Chicago Sun-Times) From traditional jazz dance to the contemporary works of today, their incredible canon of repertoire spans nearly 50 years.

Eat to the Beat: Chicago Academy for the Arts

Friday, May 13, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Tickets are $5.

Witness the future of dance when Chicago’s most thrilling young talent from the area’s most acclaimed performing arts academy take the stage of the Harris Theater. Don’t miss the stars of tomorrow in the debut of the Chicago Academy for the Arts Repertory Dance Company, performing works by Randy Duncan, Joseph Holmes, Eddy Ocampo, and other renowned choreographers.

Subscription packages for the Harris Theater Eat to the Beat lunchtime series are $10 for four performances and individual tickets are $5 each. Tickets are available at the Harris Theater box office located in Millennium Park at 205 E. Randolph Dr., by calling 312-334-7777 or by visiting www.harristheaterchicago.org.

The Chauncey & Marion D. McCormick Family Foundation is the Lead Foundation Sponsor of the Eat to the Beat Lunchtime Series.

2010-2011 Family Series
“Children and families are at the heart of The Harris Theater’s commitment to arts education,” said Michael Tiknis, President and Managing Director of the Harris Theater. “Our Family Series provides inventive programming to cultivate Chicago’s next generation of arts lovers. We understand that kids are a discerning audience, and deserve the same quality performances as adults. Through our Family Series, our goal is to create a family experience that is interactive and educational for all ages.”

Aimed at the young and young at heart, the Harris Theater’s Family Series provides families an opportunity to introduce and further the live performance experience with innovative and imaginative programming that inspires conversation well beyond the program. The celebrated multi-disciplinary series is back with a whole new season of engaging and family-friendly dance and music performances. As part of its Family Enrichment Initiative, the Harris Theater’s 2010 – 2011 exciting season line-up will feature Harris Theater resident company Midwest Young Artists, the internationally heralded Sphinx Chamber Orchestra, a new program by last season’s hit-maker Francesco Milioto and his New Millennium Orchestra, and the return of acclaimed tap dancer Derek Grant in this special program featuring the high-speed hoofer and his kids!

A hallmark of the Theater’s Family Series is affordability; with individual tickets just $10 each or a subscription to all four performances (including the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra add-on performance) for only $25, the whole family can attend and experience the benefits of music and dance to enrich their lives. Due to the unique, one-time only performances, tickets for these shows are in high demand!

Program information for the Harris Theater’s 2010 – 2011 Family Series is as follows:

Hip Hop-era!
New Millennium Orchestra
Francesco Milioto, Conductor
Bill McMurray, Baritone
Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are $10.
What do The Black Eyed Peas and Giuseppe Verdi have in common? Join the charismatic and clever conductor Francesco Milioto and his dynamic orchestra for an urban musical journey as they explore the intersection of popular music and classical opera in this fun musical program for kids and tweens. The creator of last season’s coolest kid’s concert, DJ Beethoven, Milioto will launch the Harris Theater Family Series with this awesome new program also featuring singer Bill McMurray and special guests—including a live DJ!

Green Eggs and Hamadeus
Rob Kapilow, conductor/composer
Musicians from Midwest Young Artists
Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Tickets are $10.
“I would not eat green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam-I-am.” It’s one of the most beloved and recognizable declarations from one of the most popular children’s books of all time—Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham.” Join musicians from Midwest Young Artists for a magical hour of interactive family fun as they perform composer and conductor Rob Kapilow’s musical setting of this Dr. Seuss classic—woven together with Mozart’s delightful A Little Night Music. Discover how music tells its own stories in this Chicago premiere of the Lincoln Center blockbuster series!

Once Upon a Tap
Derek Grant and the Grant Family Tappers
Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Tickets are $10.

It is not one, not two, but THREE GRANTS on stage this Harris Theater stage this time! Derek Grant, the creator and star of Imagine Tap! returns with his dazzling, virtuosic, high speed hoofing. But Dad’s not dancing by himself! Joining him centerstage are his kids Lulu and Kaleo and members of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, who will help him create a visual bedtime story through dance, bringing to life the action packed adventures of its characters in this foot stomping, tap-dancing extravaganza. Be prepared for a super fast, energy packed, electrifying hour of tap, that is sure to get your feet moving!

Special add-on performance for families:
Sphinx Chamber Orchestra
Harlem Quartet
Monday, October 18, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10.
The internationally heralded Sphinx Chamber Orchestra, a 25-musician ensemble comprised of alumni winners of the prestigious Sphinx Competition for emerging pre-professional African-American and Latino musicians returns for a special one-night only performance.
Inspired by Sphinx’s mission to increase participation of Blacks and Latinos in music schools; as professional musicians; and as classical music audiences; SCO works to advance diversity in classical music while engaging young and new audiences through performances of varied repertoire. The unique group’s highly acclaimed debut at Carnegie Hall was called “first-rate in every way” by The New York Times.
The program for their return to the Harris is:

Jean Sibelius Andante Festivo

Sergei Prokofiev Sonata for 2 Violins IV

Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson Sinfonietta No. 1: III. Rondo: Allegro Furioso

George Walker Lyric for Strings

Antonin Dvorak Serenade, Movement IV

Gabriella Lena Frank Coqueteos from Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout

Tillis Spiritual Fantasy “Wade in Water”

Joaquin Turina The Bullfighter’s Prayer

Robert and Joan Feitler are the Presenting Sponsors of the Harris Theater’s Presentation of the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra.

Target Corporation is the Lead Corporate Sponsor for the Harris Theater’s Presentation of the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra.

Subscription packages for the Harris Theater Family Series are $25 (including Sphinx Chamber Orchestra add-on performance) and individual tickets are $10 each. Tickets are available at the Harris Theater box office located in Millennium Park at 205 E. Randolph Dr., by calling 312-334-7777 or by visiting www.harristheaterchicago.org.

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Neo-Futurists Announce Neo-Obama Portrait Contest

Posted on 16 August 2010 by Alissa Norby

The Neo-Futurists announce the next step in the Hall of Presidents, a portrait of #44 himself, Barack Obama! Watch as one artist’s work is selected to hang on permanent display in the Hall of Presidents, the in-house gallery at the Neo-Futurarium.

CREATE! The call is open for artist submissions! Portraits can be literal, abstract, mixed-media, text based, sculptural, funny, serious, left, right, up, down… They don’t care! Visit www.neofuturists.org for more information, to see the portraits of presidents past and to submit your entry by 5:00 p.m. on September 24, 2010. A simple $10 entry fee buys you a shot winning $250 and living in Neo infamy!

VOTE! Submissions are narrowed down by a panel of illustrious judges, then the finalists will be voted on by Neo-Futurist audiences. Judges include Mary Ayling, Owner of Fill in the Blank Gallery; Sarah Chazin, Owner of Sacred Art; Pepper Coate, Director of Exhibitions at Chicago Artists Coalition; Andrew Huff, Editor of Gapers Block; Miss Mia, Host of “Chic-A-Go-Go”; Caitlin Stainken, Neo-Futurist Ensemble Member; and Oli Watt, Current Hall of Presidents Artist & SAIC Faculty Member. Voting takes place between October 1-24 in the lobby immediately before performances of The Neo-Futurists’ hit show, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (Fridays and Saturdays @ 11:30 p.m., Sundays @ 7:00 p.m.). Attend as many shows as possible to vote early and vote often!

REVEAL! The winning portrait is unveiled on October 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the Neo-Obama Portrait-O-Rama fundraiser with food, drinks, unique performances and the opportunity to own a piece of Neo history. All non-winning art is auctioned off with the proceeds benefiting the Neo-Futurists. If you would like to donate your piece, the entry fee is waived, the piece is excluded from juried competition and goes right on the auction block. Tickets go on sale in early September and are $25 in advance or $35 at the door. Visit www.neofuturists.org for details.

The Neo-Futurists

The Neo-Futurists, performers of Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind and over 60 other original, full-length productions, are a collective of wildly productive writer/director/performers who are committed to creating immediate, non-illusory, unreproducible events at headslappingly affordable prices. Too Much Light has been performed in Chicago for 21 continuous years, making it the longest-running show in the city.

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A RED ORCHID THEATRE Presents the Chicago Premiere of ‘LOUIS SLOTIN SONATA’

Posted on 16 August 2010 by Alissa Norby

A Red Orchid Theatre opens its 2010-2011 season with Louis Slotin Sonata, written by Paul Mullin and directed by Ensemble Member Karen Kessler. The production will run September 10 – October 24, 2010 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells.

At 3:20 PM on Tuesday, May 21, 1946 Louis Slotin’s hand slipped—a small, practically insignificant blunder, except that Slotin was the chief bomb builder at Los Alamos, and at that fateful moment he held in his hands a plutonium bomb core named “Rufus”. With a structure inspired by classical music’s sonata allegro form – and dance numbers with President Truman and Albert Einstein – Louis Slotin Sonata traces the true story of a brilliant scientist’s last nine days, as his body and mind gradually succumb to the chaos wreaked by radiation.

“In this wonderful, sad, strange, hysterically funny, theatrical play we watch what happens when a brilliant man who can explain everything, struggles with the most basic of human questions,” says director Karen Kessler. “How does a man with a brilliant analytical mind wrap his head around a slip of the hand that will kill him and might kill others? How does this same man wrap his head around the lasting legacy of bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? How does he wrap his head around dying? It is the universality of these questions that makes me so excited to tackle this work at A Red Orchid.”

Playwright Paul Mullin adds, “What thrills me most about A Red Orchid’s Chicago Premiere of my play is that after all these decades, if only in my admittedly strange and somewhat sentimental imagination, Louie will finally arrive where he was heading: Chicago. Louis Slotin had immediate plans for his life beyond Los Alamos and the Manhattan Project. He intended to switch gears from physics and engineering to pursue his original area of study, life sciences, at the University of Chicago. His bags were already packed when the accident happened. Louis Slotin’s horrific fate is compelling because it is real; I can totally see myself doing what he did. In his story we recognize our own dilemma: will our innate curiosity and confidence kill us or lead us to greater awakenings?”

Louis Slotin Sonata features ensemble member Doug Vickers (Man 7), with Steve Schine (Man 1), William J. Norris (Man 4), Guy Massey (Man 5), Walter Briggs (Man 2), Duncan Riddell (Man 6), Christopher M. Walsh (Man 3) and Anita Deeley (Woman).

The creative team includes John C. Stark (scenic design), Joseph Fosco (sound design), Julie Mack (lighting design), Christy Zimmerman (choreographer), and Melissa Torchia (costume design). The Stage Manager is S.G. Heller. Josh Sobel is the Assistant Director and John Wilson is the Technical Director.

Karen Kessler (Director) is a proud member of the ensemble of A Red Orchid where she previously directed the Chicago premiere of Sarah Kane’s Blasted, as well as Pumpgirl, Gagarin Way (After Dark Award – Outstanding Ensemble), and the Midwest premiere of Mr. Kolpert. She just finished directing The Three Musketeers for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Other Chicago credits include: A Going Concern, This Lime Tree Bower, Remembrance, A Mislaid Heaven, and the award winning Early and Often for Famous Door; the Midwest premiere of Sam Shepard’s The God of Hell at the Next Theatre; The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek; Wrens, Hamlet and Cyrano de Bergerac for Rivendell Theatre Ensemble – a company which Karen co-founded; and the Midwest premier of Steve Martin’s The Underpants for Noble Fool Productions.

Walter Briggs (Man 2) is a founding member of The Inconvenience and a recent graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. He was recently seen in Of Mice and Men at Oak Park Festival Theatre and you may have seen him in years past inside the little box we call “office” up front.

Anita Deely (Woman) is an ensemble member of Strawdog Theatre Company and was last seen on stage in Aunt Dan and Lemon with BackStage Theatre at The Chopin. Deely is from Westchester and studied theatre at Illinois State University.

Guy Massey (Man 5) has been acting in Chicago since 1990. Principally, he has worked on original scripts with Curious Theatre and Theatre Oobleck, including The Strangerer by Mickle Maher. Guy appeared on the A Red Orchid Stage in The Grey Zone.

William J. Norris (Man 4) is a 39 year Chicago Theatre Veteran. Last seen in Oak Park Festival Theatre’s production of Of Mice and Men, he has worked at The Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, and Northlight, among many others.

Duncan Riddell (Man 6) made his Chicago acting debut at A Red Orchid in Brett Neveu’s Weapon of Mass Impact. He teaches theatre at Shimer College, where her recently directed Endgame and Uncle Vanya, among others. Duncan also serves as Literary Manager at A Red Orchid.

Steve Schine (Man 1) is a Chicago native and has appeared at A Red Orchid in Gagarin Way, Hunger and Thirst and The Earl. Other area credits include work with The Goodman, Piven, Famous Door, The Journeymen and Lakeside Shakespeare among others. Most recently he was seen in King Lear, directed by Robert Falls and featuring Stacy Keach.

Doug Vickers (Man 7) is a long time Ensemble Member of A Red Orchid Theatre and has appeared in more than 14 productions with the company. He has also worked with Remy Bumppo, Chicago Shakespeare, Next, and many other area theaters.

Christopher M. Walsh (Man 3) is an ensemble member at Lifeline Theatre where he most recently appeared in Neverwhere. Previous Chicago credits include Treasure Island and Busman’s Honeymoon (also at Lifeline), Journey’s End (with Griffin Theatre) and Bloody Bess (with BackStage). Chris grew up in Michigan and studied theatre and fiction writing at Columbia College.

Louis Slotin Sonata will run at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells, September 10 – October 24, 2010. Tickets are $15 for preview performances and $25-$30 for regular run performances. Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at (312) 943-8722 or online at www.aredorchidtheatre.org.

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Classical Mystery Tour Performs Beatles Tribute at ISO

Posted on 16 August 2010 by Alissa Norby

Back by popular demand, members of the cast of the Broadway hit show Beatlemania, who are now known as Classical Mystery Tour, will perform many hits by the legendary British rock ‘n’ roll band The Beatles in a tribute in Marsh Symphony on the Prairie Series concerts Friday and Saturday, August 27 and 28, at 8 p.m. at the Conner Prairie Amphitheater. The Indianapolis Symphony does not perform in these concerts.

Classical Mystery Tour is an authentic tribute to The Beatles that features 30 songs, from the early Beatles tunes to their respective solo careers that will be performed as they were written, including timeless classics such as “Hard Day’s Night,” “Twist and Shout,” “Imagine,” “Yesterday,” “Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Dah,” “Yellow Submarine” and “Here Comes The Sun,” among others. Since its creation in 1996, Classical Mystery Tour has performed sold-out shows as a stand-alone band and with renowned orchestras such as the Indianapolis Symphony, Boston Pops, the Philly Pops with Peter Nero, members of the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra, and the Dallas, Detroit, Oregon, St. Louis, Milwaukee and Utah symphony orchestras. The artists comprising Classical Mystery Tour are Jim Owen (John Lennon), Graham Alexander (Paul McCartney), Glenn McCallum (George Harrison), and Chris Camilleri (Ringo Starr).

Tickets for Marsh Symphony on the Prairie concerts are priced at $21 in advance and $26 at the gate for adults, with children’s prices (ages 2-12) at $10 in advance and $12 at the gate. Tickets may be purchased at any Marsh or O’Malia’s supermarket location, in person at the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office, by calling (317) 639-4300, toll free at (800) 366-8457, or by visiting the ISO’s website at www.IndianapolisSymphony.org. Premium parking passes may be purchased for $20 each exclusively through the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office.

If rain is possible on concert days, the public can stay up-to-date via the ISO’s mSYMPHONY weather text message service by texting WEATHER [date of performance] (e.g. WEATHER AUGUST 27) to 24025. This service will be available on every concert date and will be updated by the ISO as conditions change.

Marsh Supermarkets is the Title Sponsor of the entire Marsh Symphony on the Prairie season and St.Vincent Health is the Premiere Sponsor for the summertime series. Associate Sponsors for this weekend are Crowe Horwath LLP, Huntington Bank, Ice Miller LLP, OneAmerica Financial Partners, Oxford Financial Group, LTD., Regions Bank and Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP.

Artist Biographies:
Jim Owen (John Lennon) was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California. He began studying piano at six and won honors in various piano performance competitions through his teenage years. He was eight years old when he first heard The Beatles and promptly decided to take up the study of the guitar. His first professional performance as a Beatle was at 16. Then, at age 18, he began touring internationally with various productions of Beatlemania, visiting Japan, Korea, China, Canada, Mexico and much of South America. In 1996, Owen began working on his idea for a new show with orchestra. Classical Mystery Tour is the result.

Born in Philadelphia, Graham Alexander (Paul McCartney) began playing music once he was introduced to The Beatles by his parents. Soon, Graham began writing and recording with his original group, signing his first recording and royalties contract at 15. Later, he auditioned and began touring with cast members of the hit Broadway musicals Beatlemania, and Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles all while penning the soundtrack to 10-time Emmy Award-winning director Ken Sheil’s film, Friends of Ken as, and continuing to write for his own projects. In 2008, Graham portrayed Paul McCartney in The Beatles: Rock Band.

Australia native Glenn McCallum (George Harrison) has been portraying George for the past 10 years and began the role while performing in a 1960s Musical Theatre production show from Down Under. Now residing in Las Vegas, Glenn performs with Blue Man Group, ‘B’ The Beatleshow Tribute, and several top Vegas bands that regularly enlist his guitar services.

Chris Camilleri (Ringo Starr) was born in Bethpage, New York. An early and extended affinity for the drums bore fruit at the end of his school years when he began to perform with various bands in the New York tri-state area. A founding member of the internationally renowned Beatle copy band Liverpool, he began performing at the Beatlefest national conventions in 1979 (an extended engagement which continues to this day). During this time, he has performed with many well-known artists such as Mickey Dolenz, Joe Walsh and Billy Squier.

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Get Ready to Rock: Full Cast of ‘ROCK OF AGES’ Tour Announced

Posted on 16 August 2010 by Alissa Norby

Broadway In Chicago and the producers of the five-time Tony Award® nominated smash-hit musical ROCK OF AGES have announced the cast that will rock the nation in the 60-city, first national tour kicking off at the Bank of America Theatre in Chicago on September 21, 2010. Tickets for this exclusive two week engagement are currently on sale.

Coming to you direct from Broadway is previously announced Tony Award® Nominee and “American Idol” finalist, Constantine Maroulis, who will reprise his acclaimed performance as Drew. Maroulis made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award® Nominated 2007 production of The Wedding Singer and co-starred in Off Broadway’s critically acclaimed production of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.

Other principals joining the party include MiG Ayesa as Stacee Jaxx (Broadway: Burn The Floor; International: We Will Rock You; PBS’s Handel’s Messiah Rocks; CBS-TV’s Rockstar INXS), Nick Cordero as Dennis (Off-Broadway: Toxic Avenger), Rebecca Faulkenberry as Sherrie (High School Musical 1 (original cast); High School Musical 2 (original London cast), Patrick Lewallen as Lonny (National Tour: Jesus Christ Superstar), Teresa Stanley as Justice (Broadway: Purlie, Dreamgirls),

Casey Tuma as Regina (Broadway/National Tour: Annie – 20th Anniversary), Bret Tuomi as Hertz (Regional: A Christmas Carol) and Travis Walker as Franz (Jeff Award-Winning production of Chess with Theo Ubique Cabaret). Rounding out the cast is Angela Brydon (Broadway: Wicked), Joey Calveri, Daniel Luis Domenech (National Tour: Rent), Lindsay Janisse (Broadway: Wicked), Sean Jenness (Tour: 25th Anniversary of HAIR), Holly Laurent (National tours: The Wedding Singer and Hairspray), Lauralynn McClelland (Broadway: West Side Story), Rashad Naylor (Broadway: Hairspray), Josh Sassanella (Las Vegas: Mamma Mia!) and Erika Shannon (National Tour: West Side Story).

The music that ignited a generation is heating up Broadway in the smash hit, ROCK OF AGES. The classic rock love story of the decade erupts into Broadway’s best party, all to the sounds of such feel-good, sing-out-loud songs as Every Rose Has Its Thorn, I Wanna Know What Love Is, Here I Go Again, Don’t Stop Believin’ and more. This hilarious five-time Tony Award® nominated musical is nothin’ but a good time.

As on Broadway, the touring production will be directed by Tony Award® Nominee Kristin Hanggi (Bare, Pussycat Dolls on the Sunset Strip) and choreographed by Kelly Devine (Jersey Boys – Associate Choreographer). The book is by Chris D’Arienzo (writer and director of the film Barry Munday), the Music Supervision, Arrangements & Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp (Tarzan; Europe: We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia) and the original arrangements are by David Gibbs (Counting Crows, Film: That Thing You Do).

Scenic design is by Beowulf Boritt (Spelling Bee, LoveMusik), costume design is by Tony Award® Nominee Gregory Gale (Cyrano, The Wedding Singer), lighting design is by Jason Lyons (The Threepenny Opera), sound design is by Tony Award® Nominee Peter Hylenski (Shrek The Musical), and projection design is by Zachary Borovay (A Catered Affair).

A New Line Cinema film of ROCK OF AGES will be directed by Adam Shankman (Hairspray), distributed by Warner Bros. is scheduled to be released in 2011.

Individual tickets to ROCK OF AGES are $18 – $85 and are currently on sale. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St. and 18 W. Monroe St.); the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000; all Ticketmaster retail locations (including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores); and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Groups of 15 or more should call (312) 977-1710.