Theatre with a side of life
Chef Rick Bayless and Windy City Playhouse present the World Premiere of A RECIPE FOR DISASTER. Chef Bayless brings his extensive knowledge of restaurant catastrophes to the stage. Bayless conceived the story and wrote it with the support of WCP Amy Rubenstein and Carl Menninger. They have created another Windy City Playhouse immersion experience. This one ...
Goodman Theatre, in conjunction with Dallas Theater Center, presents AMERICAN MARIACHI. The mere mention of the word ‘Mariachi’ cues up a familiar, upbeat tune in my head. It conjures up images of strolling musicians bringing colorful tradition to otherwise indistinguishable Mexican restaurants. The performers, however momentarily at a table, become the focal point of the evening’s ...
Goodman Theatre presents SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY. Playwright Joselyn Bioh’s story is a tribute to the best and worst parts of being a girl in high school. The ladies bond and giggle over boys, clothes and makeover parties. They also confront the clique pressures of trying to fit in, being cool and ...
Derek Evans presents his one man show, TEDDY ROOSEVELT: THE MAN IN THE ARENA. Much like the 26th President of the United States, Derek Evans’ personality fills the theatre. With a big booming voice and jovial presence, he greets the audience while gluing on a mustache and donning the familiar spectacles. The physical transformation is almost ...
Idle Muse Theatre presents IN THE NEXT ROOM (OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY). Playwright Sarah Ruhl explores the sexual repression of 19th century women. She sets her story in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Givings. While the Mrs. (Kristen Alesia)struggles with postpartum depression, her hubby (Joel Thompson) is treating women for hysteria in his operating theatre ...
The Factory Theater presents the World Premiere of LAST NIGHT IN KARAOKE TOWN. Upon arrival, stepping into the theatre is like stepping into a dive bar. The look is legit! The paneled walls covered with signs. The rows and rows of beer cans on display. The bar littered with bottles of liquor and framed by two ...
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 ...