Theatre with a side of life
Lifeline Theatre presents MIDDLE PASSAGE. In 1830s New Orleans, a young black man is running from debt and an arranged marriage. He escapes by boat only to find out he is now a stow away on a slave ship. Ilesa Duncan and David Barr III adapted Dr. Charles Johnson’s riveting tale of a man challenged with ...
Windy City Playhouse presents THE BOYS IN THE BAND. On the heels of its Southern Gothic immersion success, WCP gives us another cultural virtual reality. This experience is set in a high-rise in the Upper East Side of Manhattan in 1968 for a birthday party. Audience members, in groups of 5-6, are directed by the house ...
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents EMMA a new musical. Jane Austen’s beloved tale of a young woman of privilege and her questionable matchmaking skills gets a musical makeover. Paul Gordon (book, music, lyrics) deftly adapts the classic. Gordon serving as playwright and composer aids the ongoing seamless transitions. Characters’ musings go from spoken to sung with a breath ...
Shattered Globe Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of SHEEPDOG. Playwright Kevin Artigue dissects an interracial relationship of cops turned lovers. Artigue's story starts with Leslie Ann Sheppard (Amina) coming home to confront Drew Schad (Ryan). Schad playfully announces the dinner he cooked isn't the greatest. A somber Sheppard utters the wince-worthy words, 'we need to talk.' This pivotal moment is supported by a ...
The House Theatre of Chicago presents the World Premiere of Verböten. I’m always curious to the inspiration behind a play. What’s the story behind the story? Well, after watching HBO’s “Sonic Highway” Chicago Playwright Brett Neveu was motivated to tell this story of Verböten. Foo Fighter’s David Grohl spotlighted the band in the HBO documentary. His ...
Porchlight Music Theatre presents DUKE ELLINGTON’S SOPHISTICATED LADIES. Step into Porchlight Music Theatre, step into a different era. The design team (Angela Weber Miller - scenic and Denise Karczewski - lighting) have transformed the stage into a swank nightclub. Soft pink lighting illuminates art deco-style cut-outs. In between columns, long sweeping curtains line the backdrop. The ...
Remy Bumppo Theatre presents TOP GIRLS. Playwright Caryl Churchill pens a quirky yet thought-provoking tale of girl power. Churchill tells her story in three acts. In the first act, Marlene (played by Linda Gillum) celebrates her recent promotion at a dinner party. The fantasy feast brings together women throughout history. They are drinking in each other’s ...
Jim Kierstead, Linda Karn and William Fernandez present the World Premiere of THE ADULT IN THE ROOM, about the life of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Playwright Bill McMahon has penned a personal look at the polished and tough Speaker of the House. Set in 2019, Nancy (played by a remarkable Orlagh Cassidy) is ...
Lifeline Theatre’s KidSeries presents BUNNY’S BOOK CLUB, based on the children’s book by Annie Silvestro; illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss. Adapter Aly Renee Amidei skillfully translates Silvestro’s learn-to-love-reading story. A bunny (played by u/s LaRose Washington at my performance) is encouraged by her woodland creature friends to find a hobby. They (Tyra Bullock -Mole, Jose M. Cervantes - Porcupine, & Matt Patrick -Bear) nudge ...
January 1st Today, I didn’t just celebrate the start of a new year and a new decade. I geeked out over new insurance kicking in…. employer-paid insurance! It is one of the many perks in my newly employed state. Because of the job, I also benefitted from holiday pay on days I didn’t actually work ...