Cupid Has A Heart On: A Musical Guide to Relationships are moving from the iO Theater to Stage 773
Brian Posen, artistic director of Stage 773 and The Cupid Players, is proud to announce The Cupid Players and their production Cupid Has A Heart On: A Musical Guide to Relationships are moving from the iO Theater to Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. The witty and irreverent musical sketch comedy troupe, which is now in its 10thyear of an open run, comes home to Stage 773, performing every Saturday beginning August 11at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 (student discounts available) and may be purchased at www.Stage773.com or by calling 773.327.5252.
“We are grateful to everyone at iO Theatre who made the last decade of Cupid Players a success, especially Charna Halpern (executive director of iO). Now that the construction is done and Stage 773 is up and running, it makes sense, as producers of The Cupid Players, to have them be a part of our Stage 733 family. We look forward to opening night and a long successful run in their new home,” said Brian Posen
Backed by a lively pianist, the comic musical performers of The Cupid Players perform songs and scenes developed by the cast under the direction of Posen. The production’s sketches combine sharp writing and catchy songs with a witty take on relationships, love and life. The result is a musical sketch show that is raunchy, sweet, cynical, touching, smart, inane and – above all – very, very funny.
Named “Best Sketch Comedy Group” by the Chicago Reader, The Cupid Players have been the longest running revue in iO history and have been making audiences laugh until it hurts for more than ten years. Cupid Has A Heart On: A Musical Guide to Relationships has been playing every Saturday at 10:30 p.m. at iO Theater and has been named a “must-see” by Time Out Chicago and feted as “full of wit and zest” by the Chicago Tribune.
About STAGE 773
Stage 773 celebrates off-Loop Chicago performing arts and artists, Stage 773 is a non-profit Chicago company that produces The Cupid Players, Bri-Ko, The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, Street Tempo Theatre and other programs, as well as offering subsidized theater rental space to the hundreds of Chicago’s itinerant off-Loop companies and performers. Stage 773 is located at 1225 W. Belmont . Stage 773’s four theaters are home to performances by some of Chicago’s most innovative, creative and passionate off-Loop performing artists.
Stage 773 recently completed a more than $1.5 million renovation, which features:
◦ Redesigned Belmont Avenue façade;
◦ Increased amount of light in the lobby and an opened lobby to street side viewing with the addition of floor to ceiling windows along Belmont Avenue;
◦ Transformed the West Theater into two new flexible spaces, which include “The Cab,” a cabaret (69 seats) and “The Box,” a blackbox theatre (80 seats). These spaces are ideal for smaller theater companies, dance companies, cabaret singers, magical shows, improv groups and more;
◦ Completely overhauled the South Theater, now called “The Pro” (148 Seats), including relocating the stage and seating to allow for easier load-in, better sound proofing, and convenient audience access. In addition, the South Theatre is ideal for dance companies;
◦ Modernized and doubled the number of lavatories;
◦ New box office/concierge desk
◦ New administration offices, and
◦ New lobby and bar area.
The building continues to be a venue for some of Chicago’s most respected theater and dance companies as well as a place for budding new talent. Other Stage 773 productions that will perform at the new space include The Cupid Players, The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, The Chicago Women’s Funny Festival, the newly created Street Tempo Theatre, Liminality Theatre and Bri-Ko.
Stage 773 presents The Cupid Players in Cupid Has A Heart On: A Musical Guide to Relationships in an open run Saturday evenings at 10:30 p.m. beginning Saturday, August 11. The press opening for the production in its new home is Saturday, August 25 at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 (student discounts available) and may be purchased online atwww.Stage773.com or by calling 773.327.5252. Stage 773 is located at 1225 W. Belmont Ave. For more information on the renovation or a list of current events at Stage 773 visit Stage773.com or call 773.929.7367.