Category Archives: Theater in Chicago
Gay Chicago Performance Artist Zander Mander 30th Anniversary Party and Tour
July 2010
marks the 30th anniversary of Chicago’s iconic club kid Zander Mander. Dubbed the iconic club kid due to his longevity of being a part of the Chicago and national nightlife scene in one “form” or another for 30 years.
As a performer and host, he has entertained thousands over the years at clubs. Some clubs are now gone, but he is still here today at clubs that are thriving along with him. He has recently returned to the stages in preperation for his upcoming anniversary tour “GUITARS, GLAMOUR & GLITTER”. A tour that will take him across the country celebrating his tenure as a nightlife personality.
As an activist, Zander Mander has contributed most of his time supporting the Anti-Violence projects in hopes of unity between all.
Zander Mander will be appearing all over Chicago and surrounding cities during the month of July for different shows and parties. However the main event is being hosted by SPIN Nightclub (800 W. Belmont-Chicago)on July 16th. SPIN will be throwing the official 30th anniversary celebration.
Join in and celebrate one of Chicago’s true originals and make sure to bring your cameras!
ZANDER MANDER 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION MAIN EVENT
Friday July 16, 2010 SPIN NIGHTCLUB
Doors open: 9:30pm / Hosted bar: 10:00pm – 11:00pm / Rock Show: 11:30pm
The rock show will feature excerpts from the upcoming GUITARS, GLAMOUR & GLITTER tour.
The Big Gay Gayco Fun Comedy Show in Uptown July 15th
Remember when summer was fun,
back when “BP” stood for “Brad Pitt” and not a greasy gulf? You can keep your Pride buzz going in July when GayCo Productions presents The Big GayCo Fun Show – a variety show of hot twink talent, babydyke standups, and new twists on old camp classics.
For one night only, GayCo takes over the Annoyance Theatre (4830 N. Broadway, Chicago) to entertain audiences with a cavalcade of entertainment from the talented comedians in the GayCo family. From the fractious to the fabulous, GayCo’s brand of humor wraps vicious wit in glamorous glitter to charm while it goes for the throat.
Performances include:
Your favorite GayCo characters
Standup comedians Stace Crowley and Bradley Baloff
Members of Quixotic Sketch Comedy
Contestants from “Impress These Apes”
Comedian Tim Paul “The Homosexualist”
New short films from GayCo
A full cash bar, raffle prizes, and musical surprises make the evening a steal for the $15 ticket price. And you can feel good about your ticket purchase – GayCo doesn’t just exploit gay stereotypes for cash like network television: proceeds from this event benefit GayCo’s upcoming fall sketch comedy show.
Thursday July 15th, 8PM Tickets $15 at the Door
Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640
About GayCo Productions
GayCo Productions is the home for gay comedy. Born at the famed Second City in 1996, GayCo advances the gay agenda through hilarious, intelligent sketch comedy where gay is the given not the punch line. GayCo is based in Chicago and also sends the comedy to the people with a touring ensemble which has performed nationally, as well as in Canada and Amsterdam. For more information, visit GayCo.com .
Joe DiPietro in Chicago for his Play F**KING MEN
TONY AWARD winner Joe DiPietro will be in Chicago this weekend for his show F**KING MEN.
His latest play observes the sex lives of the modern urban gay American male. Conceived as a noir-riff on Arthur Schnitzler’s 19th century play, LA RONDE, the play examines ten men from all walks of life as they negotiate the before and after of lust, love, betrayal and the pursuit of sex and emotional connection. Funny, poignant, sometimes dramatic, always provocative and sexy, the show has been a runaway success in Los Angeles and London. The Los Angeles Times said, “Pungent insight infiltrates F**KING MEN.” The Times (London) called it “genuinely provocative.” It’s outrageous comedy of gay sexual manners!
Joe DiPietro is the author of I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! and ALL SHOOK UP. His most recent musical, MEMPHIS, was nominated for eight Tony awards, won three, and also received the Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.
Preview performances for this Chicago premiere begin June 18 at the Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont, and Opening Night is scheduled at 8pm on Saturday June 26 during Chicago Pride weekend. Mr. DiPietro and director Tom Mullen will participate in audience talk-back sessions after both the June 18 and June 20 performances.
General admission tickets are $25. Special Reserved seating is available for $30. All general admission tickets ordered before June 25 are $20 using the discount code PRESALE.
Student and Industry rush tickets will be available at the door for $15 at every Sunday performance. Group (6+) tickets are $20.00. To purchase tickets, call the Theater Building Chicago / Stage 773 box office at 773-327-5252, or TicketMaster .
The show is being presented by Bailiwick Chicago and they have launched a dedicated web site for the production with photos, videos, and additional information about the show at F Men Chicago .
Fuerza Bruta Look Up – Takes Chicago By Storm!
THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE
OF ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY
Is a gorgeous historic landmark.
But get this; when you go see the newest theatre sensation FUERZA BRUTA: Look Up , which is already taking Chicago by storm, you won’t be sitting in the seats!
Let me explain. When you first walk into the lounge area of the theatre, before the show starts, you know you are in for something special! Pumping beats and club music fills the beautiful mosaic tiled halls, the ceiling is dimly lit, accented by colored lights, bartenders are mixing up drinks and the smell of delicious empanadas (by 5411, the BEST empanadas in Chicago ) wafts thru the air.
There is a buzz in the air! This is NOT your normal theatre lobby experience. As showtime approaches, the nearly 900 theatre-goers are escorted into the theatre, past the seats, and up onto the stage. For the next 75 minutes, you experience an alternate universe, filled with flying performers, engaging dream sequences, and a multidimensional slip-n-slide swimming pool raises and lowers over your head.
This is like NOTHING you have ever seen or experienced! You are part of the show. Right on the stage, interacting with performers and other people at the show. This is a non-stop collision of dynamic music, visceral emotion and kinetic aerial imagery that resembles nothing less than a fantastic mash-up between aerial theatre and a late-night dance party rave.
No matter how short or how tall you are, everyone has a good viewing spot of the action and will quite possibly experience something different. A loud speaker’s broadcast tells us to be attentive to the directions of how to move, where and when.
Then the black t-shirted STAFF begins. They direct us like a commercial jet on an airport runway. With their elbows bent and stiff fingered palms in the air, they signal us to fit inside the white line of tape on the floor. As each individual moves closer to the next, breaking down the barrier of personal space – you can choose where you wish to stand and by whom. You can choose to be right in the thick of things or stand back further and observe. You decide how you wish to experience the show.
Huge scaffolding with performers on it create performance art while the infectious music plays and you feel the audience all getting into the beats. As the scaffolding moves thru the crowd you are directed to move this way and that.
All of a sudden, the performers start tearing apart their stage piece by piece and jump down into the crowd to mingle, dance and play.
Next we look up! There is a clear pool dangling 35 feet overhead filled with performers sliding thru the water. The pool eventually drops to eye level and touches your head. You can actually “touch” the performers thru the clear material. It is mind-blowing. The guy next to me is shooting pictures with his phone and tweeting them and posting them to Facebook. CAMERAS ARE ALLOWED, and encouraged, just no flash photography.
For a little over an hour, the performance drags us back and forth between the earth and the sky. All the while, the pace of the show continues to increase. The characters on earth gain courage from the joy taking place in the sky and they dance and dance and dance until the lead character nearly breaks free from his tie. Then the performers climb from the moving walkway up a staircase and through a door that reveals nothing, also known as a place to leap into.
Fuerza Bruta combines the dramatic theatrical experience of classical theater while at the same time challenges the limits of communication by using sound and movement to tell a loosely thematic story to the audience. We explore the possibility of expressing deep and thoughtful ideas in new ways. And by freeing the ways in which we can communicate, we are able to speak to extremely diverse groups of people.
“After amazing success with Fuerza Bruta in London, Buenos Aires, New York (where the show is entering it’s third year) and Taipei, we are thrilled to bring this very special show to Chicago!” says Fernando Moya, one of the Argentine producers of the show.
“We have been trying to get this show here for over 5 years, since we first saw De La Guarda , the first sensational piece created by Diqui James. Broadway in Chicago is extremely happy to finally bring this awesome show to the glorious theatre,” explained Lou Raizin, President of Broadway in Chicago.
Breaking free from the confines of spoken language and theatrical convention, Fuerza Bruta: Look Up is an event where worlds collide and reality takes a back seat. It’s theatre; it’s art; and you are part of it!
This is one of those, you have to see it to believe it shows. AMAZING!
FYI – in New York City, Fuerza Bruta hosts a monthly Boys Night , where the show is taken over by an all male cast! Broadway in Chicago has hinted, something similar will be offered in Chicago, as well.
See more Fuerza Bruta online at YouTube, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR FUERZA BRUTA CHICAGO
Fuerza Bruta Look Up – Takes Chicago By Storm!
THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE
OF ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY
Is a gorgeous historic landmark.
But get this; when you go see the newest theatre sensation FUERZA BRUTA: Look Up , which is already taking Chicago by storm, you won’t be sitting in the seats!
Let me explain. When you first walk into the lounge area of the theatre, before the show starts, you know you are in for something special! Pumping beats and club music fills the beautiful mosaic tiled halls, the ceiling is dimly lit, accented by colored lights, bartenders are mixing up drinks and the smell of delicious empanadas (by 5411, the BEST empanadas in Chicago ) wafts thru the air.
There is a buzz in the air! This is NOT your normal theatre lobby experience. As showtime approaches, the nearly 900 theatre-goers are escorted into the theatre, past the seats, and up onto the stage. For the next 75 minutes, you experience an alternate universe, filled with flying performers, engaging dream sequences, and a multidimensional slip-n-slide swimming pool raises and lowers over your head.
This is like NOTHING you have ever seen or experienced! You are part of the show. Right on the stage, interacting with performers and other people at the show. This is a non-stop collision of dynamic music, visceral emotion and kinetic aerial imagery that resembles nothing less than a fantastic mash-up between aerial theatre and a late-night dance party rave.
No matter how short or how tall you are, everyone has a good viewing spot of the action and will quite possibly experience something different. A loud speaker’s broadcast tells us to be attentive to the directions of how to move, where and when.
Then the black t-shirted STAFF begins. They direct us like a commercial jet on an airport runway. With their elbows bent and stiff fingered palms in the air, they signal us to fit inside the white line of tape on the floor. As each individual moves closer to the next, breaking down the barrier of personal space – you can choose where you wish to stand and by whom. You can choose to be right in the thick of things or stand back further and observe. You decide how you wish to experience the show.
Huge scaffolding with performers on it create performance art while the infectious music plays and you feel the audience all getting into the beats. As the scaffolding moves thru the crowd you are directed to move this way and that.
All of a sudden, the performers start tearing apart their stage piece by piece and jump down into the crowd to mingle, dance and play.
Next we look up! There is a clear pool dangling 35 feet overhead filled with performers sliding thru the water. The pool eventually drops to eye level and touches your head. You can actually “touch” the performers thru the clear material. It is mind-blowing. The guy next to me is shooting pictures with his phone and tweeting them and posting them to Facebook. CAMERAS ARE ALLOWED, and encouraged, just no flash photography.
For a little over an hour, the performance drags us back and forth between the earth and the sky. All the while, the pace of the show continues to increase. The characters on earth gain courage from the joy taking place in the sky and they dance and dance and dance until the lead character nearly breaks free from his tie. Then the performers climb from the moving walkway up a staircase and through a door that reveals nothing, also known as a place to leap into.
Fuerza Bruta combines the dramatic theatrical experience of classical theater while at the same time challenges the limits of communication by using sound and movement to tell a loosely thematic story to the audience. We explore the possibility of expressing deep and thoughtful ideas in new ways. And by freeing the ways in which we can communicate, we are able to speak to extremely diverse groups of people.
“After amazing success with Fuerza Bruta in London, Buenos Aires, New York (where the show is entering it’s third year) and Taipei, we are thrilled to bring this very special show to Chicago!” says Fernando Moya, one of the Argentine producers of the show.
“We have been trying to get this show here for over 5 years, since we first saw De La Guarda , the first sensational piece created by Diqui James. Broadway in Chicago is extremely happy to finally bring this awesome show to the glorious theatre,” explained Lou Raizin, President of Broadway in Chicago.
Breaking free from the confines of spoken language and theatrical convention, Fuerza Bruta: Look Up is an event where worlds collide and reality takes a back seat. It’s theatre; it’s art; and you are part of it!
This is one of those, you have to see it to believe it shows. AMAZING!
FYI – in New York City, Fuerza Bruta hosts a monthly Boys Night , where the show is taken over by an all male cast! Broadway in Chicago has hinted, something similar will be offered in Chicago, as well.
See more Fuerza Bruta online at YouTube, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR FUERZA BRUTA CHICAGO
Steven Brinberg IS Barbra Streisand – Chicago’s
“When you first hear Steven’s Simply Barbra CD, for the first brief moment, you almost think, ‘My God! Is that really her?’ [Streisand] It’s so captivating! Not only does he have a wonderful take on her — not at all mean-spirited — and this ability to imitate her, he also captures a lot of moments and nuances that are terrific. It was very impressive.” – Marvin Hamlisch
Me too! When I first heard Steven sing Barbra, I was quite impressed. He was just in Chicago and I had the chance to see and hear him perform live.
LAKESHORE SALON SERIES , an intimate event held in private homes in Chicago, which just finished their second annual season and going into it’s third.
Co-founded in 2008 by Thomas Hensel, Andrew Delicata and Kristopher McDowell , Kmp Artists , – they have presented quality entertainers in some of Chicago and Evanston’s most elegant homes. Food and champagne is provided along with stimulating conversation and live entertainment.
The salon series produces an event once per month (usually on Sundays) from Fall to Spring each year. For more information on the next season, please visit…..
Back to Babs! Steven Brinberg is the premier Barbra Streisand impressionist, performing his incredible show, Simply Barbra, to international acclaim both on stage and television (and performing twice with none other than Marvin Hamlisch!) as he pays homage to all that is Streisand!
Steven does not lip-sync his performances but accurately portrays Streisand with his own voice! With over a decade of performing experience, his amazing show has Steven in demand literally worldwide!
We chatted briefly in Chicago, then Steven was headed off to Ireland. His career started quite by accident as he tells DEEP DISH …”I was performing cabaret shows as myself, and I would sing snippets of other voices – Cher, Katharine Hepburn, Billie Holiday – but my Barbra was the most popular. One day a friend suggested that I do an entire Barbra show, but I was like “I don’t even look like her and I don’t know anything about makeup.” But I finally booked a couple of weeks to perform as Barbra in New York – and the show just took off.”
Singing Streisand is a rarity. “Other than the veteran performer Jim Bailey, I am the only other male Barbra (that I know of) who sings live. Hers is such a unique voice that it is very hard to do properly. I was inspired when in an interview Barbra was asked what she thought of all the men who do her and she said “I wish they’d do me better!” and I thought I am going to be the first one to do her justice and NOT cross my eyes and be mean…I wanted to be flattering to her because I am such a fan…..I have never met Barbra…..but she knows me. Her manager hired me to sing at Donna Karan’s birthday party – and through her stage director, she told me what to say at the party. We almost met when she was at the same play I was – but I lost my nerve to go over to her. She later learned that I was there and said, “Why didn’t he say hello?” But I just wasn’t ready to meet her…”
Steven has been able to see Babs perform on several occassions – giving him an opportunity to study her up close.
He tells Barbra news …
“I had a friend in Los Angeles who knew someone who knew someone who could get tickets for the 1986 ONE VOICE concert. There were only 500 seats and it wasn’t easy. When he said yes, then I had to convince my parents to give me the money… a lot for a kid to spend! Even then, people were saying this might be her last concert. It was well worth it. We were served dinner on her tennis court. I saw Bette, Whoopi, Goldie,Walter Matthau (they must have made up from DOLLY) everyone seemed to be famous except my party. It was amazing to hear her sing live for the first time and think “This is not a record!”.
More recently, I was in Australia while she was there also, and Marvin got my pianist and I great seats up close (the concert in the rain in Sydney). It was wild. I did my show one night, saw her show the next night, did my show the next night, and people in the audience waved the flashlights they got at her show! I did a lot of TV while I was there and am told that she saw me on one of the shows! I hope it was the one where the lighting was so beautiful (The Bert Show) cause that’s important to me, and to Barbra. The brief scene I have in the new movie CAMP (after the very end credits) is also lit beautifully. I think she’ll be pleased at how I look as her.”
What’s next for Steven Brinberg?
“Continuing to tour all over the place – and I’m hoping to perform again as myself. My real voice and look are so different than Barbra – but I’m not giving up Barbra. I would just like to be a boy also. I’d love to be a CSI killer and have people go, “Guess what else he does.” “
Steven will perform Milwaukee PRIDE FEST June 11-13 –
Check their site for details or the Simply Barbra Facebook page, as the date gets closer.
follow Simply Barbra on Facebook
Steven Brinberg IS Barbra Streisand – Chicago’s
“When you first hear Steven’s Simply Barbra CD, for the first brief moment, you almost think, ‘My God! Is that really her?’ [Streisand] It’s so captivating! Not only does he have a wonderful take on her — not at all mean-spirited — and this ability to imitate her, he also captures a lot of moments and nuances that are terrific. It was very impressive.” – Marvin Hamlisch
Me too! When I first heard Steven sing Barbra, I was quite impressed. He was just in Chicago and I had the chance to see and hear him perform live.
LAKESHORE SALON SERIES , an intimate event held in private homes in Chicago, which just finished their second annual season and going into it’s third.
Co-founded in 2008 by Thomas Hensel, Andrew Delicata and Kristopher McDowell , Kmp Artists , – they have presented quality entertainers in some of Chicago and Evanston’s most elegant homes. Food and champagne is provided along with stimulating conversation and live entertainment.
The salon series produces an event once per month (usually on Sundays) from Fall to Spring each year. For more information on the next season, please visit…..
Back to Babs! Steven Brinberg is the premier Barbra Streisand impressionist, performing his incredible show, Simply Barbra, to international acclaim both on stage and television (and performing twice with none other than Marvin Hamlisch!) as he pays homage to all that is Streisand!
Steven does not lip-sync his performances but accurately portrays Streisand with his own voice! With over a decade of performing experience, his amazing show has Steven in demand literally worldwide!
We chatted briefly in Chicago, then Steven was headed off to Ireland. His career started quite by accident as he tells DEEP DISH …”I was performing cabaret shows as myself, and I would sing snippets of other voices – Cher, Katharine Hepburn, Billie Holiday – but my Barbra was the most popular. One day a friend suggested that I do an entire Barbra show, but I was like “I don’t even look like her and I don’t know anything about makeup.” But I finally booked a couple of weeks to perform as Barbra in New York – and the show just took off.”
Singing Streisand is a rarity. “Other than the veteran performer Jim Bailey, I am the only other male Barbra (that I know of) who sings live. Hers is such a unique voice that it is very hard to do properly. I was inspired when in an interview Barbra was asked what she thought of all the men who do her and she said “I wish they’d do me better!” and I thought I am going to be the first one to do her justice and NOT cross my eyes and be mean…I wanted to be flattering to her because I am such a fan…..I have never met Barbra…..but she knows me. Her manager hired me to sing at Donna Karan’s birthday party – and through her stage director, she told me what to say at the party. We almost met when she was at the same play I was – but I lost my nerve to go over to her. She later learned that I was there and said, “Why didn’t he say hello?” But I just wasn’t ready to meet her…”
Steven has been able to see Babs perform on several occassions – giving him an opportunity to study her up close.
He tells Barbra news …
“I had a friend in Los Angeles who knew someone who knew someone who could get tickets for the 1986 ONE VOICE concert. There were only 500 seats and it wasn’t easy. When he said yes, then I had to convince my parents to give me the money… a lot for a kid to spend! Even then, people were saying this might be her last concert. It was well worth it. We were served dinner on her tennis court. I saw Bette, Whoopi, Goldie,Walter Matthau (they must have made up from DOLLY) everyone seemed to be famous except my party. It was amazing to hear her sing live for the first time and think “This is not a record!”.
More recently, I was in Australia while she was there also, and Marvin got my pianist and I great seats up close (the concert in the rain in Sydney). It was wild. I did my show one night, saw her show the next night, did my show the next night, and people in the audience waved the flashlights they got at her show! I did a lot of TV while I was there and am told that she saw me on one of the shows! I hope it was the one where the lighting was so beautiful (The Bert Show) cause that’s important to me, and to Barbra. The brief scene I have in the new movie CAMP (after the very end credits) is also lit beautifully. I think she’ll be pleased at how I look as her.”
What’s next for Steven Brinberg?
“Continuing to tour all over the place – and I’m hoping to perform again as myself. My real voice and look are so different than Barbra – but I’m not giving up Barbra. I would just like to be a boy also. I’d love to be a CSI killer and have people go, “Guess what else he does.” “
Steven will perform Milwaukee PRIDE FEST June 11-13 –
Check their site for details or the Simply Barbra Facebook page, as the date gets closer.
follow Simply Barbra on Facebook
The Hippest Hottest Ticket on Broadway – Comes to Chicago FUERZA BRUTA … LOOK UP!
FUERZA BRUTA: LOOK UP
is a non-stop collision of dynamic music, visceral emotion, and kinetic aerial imagery. Featuring mind-blowing visual effects that must be seen to be believed, FUERZA BRUTA: LOOK UP is a theatrical experience that floods the senses. Experience a 360 degree heart-pounding theatrical event, filled with flying dancers, pumping beats, engaging dream sequences and a multidimensional swimming pool above the heads of an audience who is standing on stage in the middle of the action.
This show is eye-popping and jaw-dropping! It has played nearly three years in New York , London, Buenos Aires and Taipei! Now comes to CHICAGO.
THIS IS A MUST SEE! Mind-blowing visual effects that must be seen to be believed – a man running full throttle through a series of moving walls, women frolicking in a watery world suspended just inches above the audience – FUERZABRUTA is a theatrical experience that floods the senses.
The Village Voice likens it to “AN ARGENTINE NIGHTCLUB ON ACID!”
“HOT, WET, HARD, AND FAST”
exclaims HX Magazine.
“It’s Unbelievable!”
says actor Ashton Kutcher.
“A sexy, heart-pounding Fantasy!”
says NY Daily News
And Towleroad.com writes “IT’S AS CLOSE AS YOU’LL EVER GET TO RAVE IN IBIZA WITHOUT PAYING FOR A ROUNDTRIP TICKET.”
It’s a short show – just over an hour – and you will have to stand for the entire performance.
Tickets $50-$80
MORE INFORMATION and PURCHASE TICKETS NOW !
WATCH THE VIDEO TRAILER !
Fuerza Bruta MAIN SITE (does not always load properly in English…)
Also check the New York site Fuerza Bruta .
The Hippest Hottest Ticket on Broadway – Comes to Chicago FUERZA BRUTA … LOOK UP!
FUERZA BRUTA: LOOK UP
is a non-stop collision of dynamic music, visceral emotion, and kinetic aerial imagery. Featuring mind-blowing visual effects that must be seen to be believed, FUERZA BRUTA: LOOK UP is a theatrical experience that floods the senses. Experience a 360 degree heart-pounding theatrical event, filled with flying dancers, pumping beats, engaging dream sequences and a multidimensional swimming pool above the heads of an audience who is standing on stage in the middle of the action.
This show is eye-popping and jaw-dropping! It has played nearly three years in New York , London, Buenos Aires and Taipei! Now comes to CHICAGO.
THIS IS A MUST SEE! Mind-blowing visual effects that must be seen to be believed – a man running full throttle through a series of moving walls, women frolicking in a watery world suspended just inches above the audience – FUERZABRUTA is a theatrical experience that floods the senses.
The Village Voice likens it to “AN ARGENTINE NIGHTCLUB ON ACID!”
“HOT, WET, HARD, AND FAST”
exclaims HX Magazine.
“It’s Unbelievable!”
says actor Ashton Kutcher.
“A sexy, heart-pounding Fantasy!”
says NY Daily News
And Towleroad.com writes “IT’S AS CLOSE AS YOU’LL EVER GET TO RAVE IN IBIZA WITHOUT PAYING FOR A ROUNDTRIP TICKET.”
It’s a short show – just over an hour – and you will have to stand for the entire performance.
Tickets $50-$80
MORE INFORMATION and PURCHASE TICKETS NOW !
WATCH THE VIDEO TRAILER !
Fuerza Bruta MAIN SITE (does not always load properly in English…)
Also check the New York site Fuerza Bruta .
Pride Films and Plays Announces Staged Readings and Screenplays Contest
Pride Films and Plays , a new not-for-profit, is proud to announce its inaugural activities as an organization. The first two events scheduled are Five Decades of Great Gay Theater, May 9 – June 13, a series of staged reading of great gay plays, Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 West Belmont, and the Great Gay Screenplay Contest, held in conjunction with Chicago Filmmakers.
The contest seeks new screenplays dealing with gay history, characters or themes and relevant to the world. The semifinalists will be read this fall during Reeling: The Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival.
All tickets for the Five Decades of Great Gay Theatre and the readings of the Great Gay Screenplay Contest Semi-Finalists are $10, and may be reserved by calling 773.250.3112 or 1.800.838.3006.
Tickets may also be purchased at Brown Paper Tickets
David Zak, executive director, says “Pride Films and Plays will educate the writers and the public on the great body of work that already exists in gay theatre and film and inspire the writers to contribute to the next generation of great gay writing.” Pride Films and Plays presents a brief summary of this history in Five Decades of Great Gay Plays as staged readings to play this May and June at the Theatre Building Chicago.
The series includes from the 1960’s Mart Crowley’s The Boys In the Band, Sunday, May 9 at 7 p.m., directed by Michael Lasswell and hosted by Dean Richards of WGN TV and radio; from the 1970’s Lanford Wilson’s The Fifth of July, Sunday, May 16 at 7 p.m., directed by Patrick Walsh and hosted by Misha Davenport of the Chicago Sun-Times; from the 1980’s William M. Hoffman’s As Is, Sunday, May 23 at 7 p.m., directed by Steve Scott and hosted by Alexandra Silets of WTTW Television; from the 1990’s Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing, Sunday, June 6, directed by John Nasca and hosted by Tom Chiola, retired judge and from the first decade of the 21st century, Take Me Out by Richard Greenberg, Sunday, June 23 at 7 p.m., directed by David Zak.
Barbra Streisand In Chicago – Up Close and Personal Concert with Steven Brinberg
HOW COOL IS THIS EVENT?!
On Barbra Streisand’s birthday weekend…
celebrate with us at the home of one of Chicago’s popular gay couples, Bill Buchman and Lee Lichamer, both of the Chicago Symphony Orchetsra on Sunday, April 25th. 4-6pm.
This once-in-a-lifetime event will leave you awed and amazed as Steven Brinberg looks and sounds like the legendary Barbra herself. No lip-sync here!
Lakeshore Salon Events are held in private homes with a limited number of guests, who can expect to enjoy food and drinks, including champagne and non-alcoholic beverages.
Meet new friends and enjoy scintillating unplugged entertainment. Proceeds from this event benefit charities such as the Trevor Project, Cabaret Foundation, Open Door Clinic and others.
Steven Brinberg has performed at many high-profile gatherings, including performances for Barbra Streisand herself. Other notable appearances include Steven Sondheim’s birthday concert at the Library of Congress, Carnegie Hall, The West End in London, and the Mohegan Sun Casino. He tours annually in Australia and the United Kingdom and has appeared on television in the Rosie O’Donnell Show, Jerry Springer, Sally Jessy Raphael and Fox News.
Tickets available ONLINE NOW -OR- Call 773-327-1919.
NOTE: No one under 21 years old will be admitted.
Barbra Streisand In Chicago – Up Close and Personal Concert with Steven Brinberg
HOW COOL IS THIS EVENT?!
On Barbra Streisand’s birthday weekend…
celebrate with us at the home of one of Chicago’s popular gay couples, Bill Buchman and Lee Lichamer, both of the Chicago Symphony Orchetsra on Sunday, April 25th. 4-6pm.
This once-in-a-lifetime event will leave you awed and amazed as Steven Brinberg looks and sounds like the legendary Barbra herself. No lip-sync here!
Lakeshore Salon Events are held in private homes with a limited number of guests, who can expect to enjoy food and drinks, including champagne and non-alcoholic beverages.
Meet new friends and enjoy scintillating unplugged entertainment. Proceeds from this event benefit charities such as the Trevor Project, Cabaret Foundation, Open Door Clinic and others.
Steven Brinberg has performed at many high-profile gatherings, including performances for Barbra Streisand herself. Other notable appearances include Steven Sondheim’s birthday concert at the Library of Congress, Carnegie Hall, The West End in London, and the Mohegan Sun Casino. He tours annually in Australia and the United Kingdom and has appeared on television in the Rosie O’Donnell Show, Jerry Springer, Sally Jessy Raphael and Fox News.
Tickets available ONLINE NOW -OR- Call 773-327-1919.
NOTE: No one under 21 years old will be admitted.
Gay Co Chicago Presents BREAST IN SHOW Lesbian Sketch Comedy
The women of GayCo
are out front in this
new original sketch revue.
Lesbian couples cope with the only thing worse than a relationship gone horribly awry – a relationship gone horribly aright. Dora the Explorer copes with a tell-tale haircut as she struggles to save healthcare; wymyn who love wymyn get defensive in Self-Defense class; and GayCo boldly embraces lesbian stereotype in their most epic Softball scene ever.
Six talented comediennes take charge in GayCo’s second Women’s show in 15 years, GayCo doesn’t just shatter the glass ceiling – they polish it up to a high glamour so that women can see through.
Runs Saturdays in May 10:30 PM
de Maat Theater at Second City 1616 N. Wells St., Chicago
TICKETS – $15 Available at the Door Or Call 312-337-3992
Read more about GayCo and their previous hits!
From Acrobatic Cats to Barbra Streisand, Skokie Theatre Entertains
AND UNIQUE THIS WEEKEND?
HOW ABOUT ACROBATIC CATS?!
Samantha Martin and The Amazing Acro-Cats and the Rock-Cats come to Skokie Theatre, Saturday March 20th at 12:00 and 2:00pm.
See the Amazing Acro-Cats Live and in Purr-son perform over 30 tricks and feats of agility. Audiences are astounded as they watch these fantastic felines push carts, ride skateboards, roll barrels, ring bells, turn on lights, walk tight ropes, jump through hoops and much more!
The Amazing Acro-Cats are part of Amazing Animals by Samantha, a private educational zoo owned and operated by Samantha Martin, a Chicago-based animal trainer and feline specialist. Her animal troupe have appeared on numerous national television shows, including TMZ, The Tonight Show and Animal Planet, as well as films, commercials and print advertising campaigns.
Ok, so you missed One Night Only: Barbra Streisand & Quartet at VILLAGE VANGUARD in New York City. The dvd will be out in a few weeks. Until then, there is BAB FAB!
Celebrate the birthday of the legendary Barbra Streisand with the third annual “Bab Fab: The Barbra Streisand Birthday Celebration”. THREE NIGHTS!
It kicks off on April 23rd with a Streisand connoisseur Matt Howe, and then continues with two great performances of Streisand’s work on April 24th and 25th. All performances can be found at the Skokie Theatre Music Foundation.
Spend an evening with Barbra Streisand activist Matt Howe on April 23rd, 2010 at 8pm. Matt’s passion for the life and career of Barbra Streisand has not only inspired him to create one of the most thorough informational websites on Barbra but has gained the respect and admiration of several of Barbra’s creative associates and top people in the entertainment industry.
“Bab Fab” will continue on April 24th at 8pm and April 25th at 2pm with A Barbra Streisand Musical Celebration. This performance will cover Streisand’s fantastic musical career, from her early days in Greenwich Village to her incredible rise to super stardom. Rob Dorn escorts audiences through a Streisand musical timeline assisted by some of Chicago’s leading cabaret and musical theater talent, including Amy Cole, Elizabeth Dowling, Hilary Ann Feldman, Laura Freeman, Scott Gryder, Beckie Menzie, Tom Michael, Marianne Murphy Orland, Jason Paul Smith and more!
Skokie Theatre Music Foundation, 7924 N. Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, Illinois 60077.
order tickets by calling 847-677-7761 or onlie at Skokie Theatre.
Best of Gay Chicago
From Acrobatic Cats to Barbra Streisand, Skokie Theatre Entertains
AND UNIQUE THIS WEEKEND?
HOW ABOUT ACROBATIC CATS?!
Samantha Martin and The Amazing Acro-Cats and the Rock-Cats come to Skokie Theatre, Saturday March 20th at 12:00 and 2:00pm.
See the Amazing Acro-Cats Live and in Purr-son perform over 30 tricks and feats of agility. Audiences are astounded as they watch these fantastic felines push carts, ride skateboards, roll barrels, ring bells, turn on lights, walk tight ropes, jump through hoops and much more!
The Amazing Acro-Cats are part of Amazing Animals by Samantha, a private educational zoo owned and operated by Samantha Martin, a Chicago-based animal trainer and feline specialist. Her animal troupe have appeared on numerous national television shows, including TMZ, The Tonight Show and Animal Planet, as well as films, commercials and print advertising campaigns.
Ok, so you missed One Night Only: Barbra Streisand & Quartet at VILLAGE VANGUARD in New York City. The dvd will be out in a few weeks. Until then, there is BAB FAB!
Celebrate the birthday of the legendary Barbra Streisand with the third annual “Bab Fab: The Barbra Streisand Birthday Celebration”. THREE NIGHTS!
It kicks off on April 23rd with a Streisand connoisseur Matt Howe, and then continues with two great performances of Streisand’s work on April 24th and 25th. All performances can be found at the Skokie Theatre Music Foundation.
Spend an evening with Barbra Streisand activist Matt Howe on April 23rd, 2010 at 8pm. Matt’s passion for the life and career of Barbra Streisand has not only inspired him to create one of the most thorough informational websites on Barbra but has gained the respect and admiration of several of Barbra’s creative associates and top people in the entertainment industry.
“Bab Fab” will continue on April 24th at 8pm and April 25th at 2pm with A Barbra Streisand Musical Celebration. This performance will cover Streisand’s fantastic musical career, from her early days in Greenwich Village to her incredible rise to super stardom. Rob Dorn escorts audiences through a Streisand musical timeline assisted by some of Chicago’s leading cabaret and musical theater talent, including Amy Cole, Elizabeth Dowling, Hilary Ann Feldman, Laura Freeman, Scott Gryder, Beckie Menzie, Tom Michael, Marianne Murphy Orland, Jason Paul Smith and more!
Skokie Theatre Music Foundation, 7924 N. Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, Illinois 60077.
order tickets by calling 847-677-7761 or onlie at Skokie Theatre.
Best of Gay Chicago
Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo in Chicago January 27th
Since those beginnings, the TROCKS have established themselves as a major dance phenomenon throughout the world. They have participated in dance festivals in Bodrum (Turkey), Holland, San Luis Potosi, Madrid, Montreal, New York, Paris, Spoleto, Turin, and Vienna.
The original concept of LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO has not changed. It is a Company of professional male dancers performing the full range of the ballet and modern dance repertoire, including classical and original works in faithful renditions of the manners and conceits of those dance styles.
The comedy is achieved by incorporating and exaggerating the foibles, accidents, and underlying incongruities of serious dance. The fact that men dance all the parts–heavy bodies delicately balancing on toes as swans, sylphs, water sprites, romantic princesses, angst-ridden Victorian ladies–enhances rather than mocks the spirit of dance as an art form, delighting and amusing the most knowledgeable, as well as novices, in the audiences. For the future, there are plans for new works in the repertoire: new cities, states and countries to perform in; and for the continuation of the TROCKS’ original purpose: to bring the pleasure of dance to the widest possible audience. They will, as they have done for thirty four years, “Keep on Trockin’.”
The Best of Gay Chicago
Cabaret and Broadway Singer Gordon Michaels at Moraine Valley January 16th
Hit Songs from Black Broadway Shows
Featuring Gordon Michaels
Saturday, Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m.
$25 general public/$20 seniors
$15 students and MVCC staff
@Dorothy Menker Theater
Powerful baritone vocalist Gordon Michaels will return to Moraine Valley Community College to perform “Broadway Revue in Color: Hit Songs from Black Broadway Shows”. This musical revue features show-stopping numbers from most of the well-known traditional black musicals from Broadway, including selections from Dreamgirls, Five Guys Named Mo, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Porgy & Bess, The Wiz, The Lion King, and others. Gordon Michaels’ delivery seems almost effortless and his stylistic range is diverse.
A Boston cabaret artist, Michaels has performed with Patti Labelle, Aerosmith, Rod Stewart, and other legendary artists. He was awarded first place in the 2000 Encore Silver Note Sing Off and has been nominated twice for best male vocalist for Jazz and Gospel by the Boston Music Awards. He also is the creator of the popular Gospel Brunch at the original House of Blues in Harvard Square Cambridge, Massachusetts.
GET TICKETS for BROADWAY REVUE IN COLOR
Best New Years Eve in Chicago – Tony And Tina’s Wedding
is the longest running Off-Broadway show in history! It started in 1988 in New York City and has been playing in Chicago about 15 years.
It is a unique theatrical experience that has won over the hearts of thousands of people, in over 100 cities worldwide, including Japan, Australia and many European cities.
At Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, audience members actually play the roles of Tony n’ Tina’s family and/or friends. You a part of the show and experience. You become part of the Long Island Italian families festivities. And you don’t have to bring a gift!
It’s an interactive show with a crazy cast that features 2 Brooklyn families – the Nunzio’s and the Vitale’s. Big mouths and little class! Tacky, campy, kitschy and cheesy. It’s very spontaneous and you are never quite sure what you’ll you experience. The show is three-fourths improvised, with the actors depending more on “beats” of structure than dialogue. “The conga line goes exactly the same direction at exactly the same time every night,” explains the director. But you’re never quite sure what Mama Vitale will say TO YOU!
The extremely pregnant maid of honor drinks like a fish and smokes like a chimney. Tina’s ex-boyfriend, crashes the party in a last-ditch effort to win her back. Maddy a girl from Tony’s pop’s joint, does an impromptu musical number. Father Mark , the priest who officiated at the wedding ceremony, gets blitzed on scotch and is unable to stop himself from being brutally honest to anyone he speaks with. And then there is Tina’s gay older brother who is a hoot and more than willing to do the $1 dance with you!
Do not expect to simply be an observer at this show. You’re a part of the production – relax. Join the fun. Be spontaneous and go with the flow. There is food. An average Italian “Boo-Fay”. Some mostacolli, bad salad and bread, and some wedding cake. But you’re not going for the food – you are going for the show. Mama Nunzio apologized for the bad food. “Those damn cheap ass Vitale’s!”
So if you haven’t been part of the excitement then get a group together and come down and join in on the fun, because at Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding you’re not just a member of the audience, you’re a friend of the family!! The Chicago show is running thru the end of the year – and it is rumored, they will be taking a break and coming back with something new and different in 2010!
NEW YEARS EVE is a riot because the wedding goes on all night!
Join the family for a special performance on December 31! Dance the night away with music from DJ Monty, and sip champagne as you watch the ball drop from the comfort of Vinnie Black’s Coliseum! The party goes until 2am. Call the box office and mention this article…but hurry!
TONY N TINA TICKETS
Pipers Alley, 230 West North Ave. Old Towne Chicago, IL 60610 312-664-8844
The Addams Family Pre-Broadway Run in Chicago – Thru January 10th with Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth
Tony Award® winners
Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth
put on a fresh new
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
on Broadway last night.
It was the official Pre-Broadway World Premiere last night in Chicago at the Ford Center Oriental Theatre. The show runs thru January 10th then heads to New York City at the Lunt-Fintanne Theatre in March.
It’s an Addams Family portrait slightly different than the television and movie versions. So at times, it is difficult to grasp the new Gomez and the new and changed Pugsley. John Astin was a brilliant Gomez! And Raul Julia was suave and romantic. Nathan Lane – is Nathan Lane – as Gomez. It’s not necessarily a bad thing – just different than what you would expect.
Gomez, is still all mad impetuosity, Bebe Neuwirth is a convincing Morticia, equal parts fire and ice, eye-popping Uncle Fester (Kevin Chamberlain), is entertaining, restless and romantic, the crazy Grandma (Jackie Hoffman) is brilliantly funny and underused, Pugsley the little brother is still Pugsley and Wednesday, who is now eighteen years old and finally feeling what it means to be a woman, really brings something different to the character and the story. It’s a family that’s quite shockingly, and endearingly dysfunctional, probably just like yours!
The last time Nathan Lane was similarly in Chicago – for the pre-broadway premiere of Mel Brooks’ The Producers – the show quickly turned into international gold, so hopes are high for The Addams Family.
It’s important to remember, that this original musical by Tony-nominated librettists Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (Jersey Boys) and Drama Desk Award winner Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party) is not based on past Addams Family properties, but uses characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams. The Addams illustrations inspired a TV sitcom, a TV cartoon series and two live-action feature film comedies.
I grew up with the TV show – and I adored Raul Julia, Angelica Houston, Christopher Lloyd and Christina Ricci in the film versions! Just go with an open mind, knowing it will be different. It’s the Addams Family – Meets Broadway.
I think in New York, the 1,400-seat Lint-Fintanne will be much better suited for the show and it’s wonderful stage – as oppposed to the much larger 2,400-seat Oriental Theatre here in Chicago.
I LOVE the Oriental Theatre! But the intimacy of being in the Addams house, is sometimes lost, especially for those further back from the stage. The staging and set itself is gorgeous and costumes and lighting are all great.
Ford Oriental Theatre
24 W. Randolph
Chicago 60601
Broadway In Chicago Ticketline
at (800) 775-2000.
2 Gay Holiday Shows! Sanatland Diaries and Delight Before Christmas
gay yuletide fun this season?
Two great shows at the Theatre Building Chicago are sure to help you get your holiday queer cheer on.
Theatre Wit presents The Santaland Diaries.
Running now thru January 2nd,
Thursdays thru Sundays, at Theatre Building Chicago.
Santaland diaries launched the career of writer and commentator David Sedaris. A true story, he recounts his days as a Christmas elf at Macy’s department store in New York City. The experience eventually made its way into the book Barrel Fever and has been made into a short play.
David Sedaris’ sardonic tale of his stint as an Elf in Santaland returns for its annual visit, starring Mitchell Fain who headed this sold-out run last year, praised by the Chicago Tribune as a “singular interpretation that feels fresh again” in a production with “just the right sensibility”. He is GREAT in the role he plays the audience well.
At first the job is simply humiliating, but once the thousands of visitors start pouring through Santa’s workshop, he becomes battle weary and bitter. Taking consolation in the fact that some of the other elves were television extras on One Life to Live, he grins and bears it, occasionally taking out his frustrations on the children and parents alike.
The piece ends with yet another Santa being ushered into the workshop, but this one is different from the lecherous or drunken ones with whom he has had to work. This Santa actually seems to care about and love the children who come to see him, startling our hero into an uncharacteristic moment of goodwill just before his employment runs out.
Showtimes and Prices for Santaland Diaries.
Something a little different –
Girlie-Q Productions, Chicago’s premiere LGBT alternative to mainstream burlesque, presents its first original, full-length production, Delight Before Christmas, a sexy, campy, comic burlesque journey to discover the meaning of Christmas.
Delight Before Christmas incorporates a stunning variety of classic burlesque, modern dance, variety acts, and performance art to tell the story of a hopeless Fox News intern who posts a sad message on Craigslist and then is led on a sexy, magical quest by the Fairy Craigster to find the true meaning of the season. Along the journey, they encounter a gender-bending gang of burlesque and variety performers who each express the meaning of the season in their own unique and titillating ways.
One part Baz Luhrmann and one part Dickens, with a dash of 1940’s & 1970?s holiday claymation and a heaping tablespoon of Bing Crosby & Howard Hawkes, combined in a cocktail shaker with several shots naked ladies, boylesque dancers, jugglers, drag and butoh performers, and all the ingredients for a flaming rum punch, Delight Before Christmas goes behind the glittery holiday facade, exploring the agony and ecstasy of the season, with an ending wrapped in a sparkling bow.
SPECIAL nightly guest performers include RTG Dance & Cruel Valentine (12/3), Siren Jinx & The Revelettes (12/4), Backdoor Aly & Scarlett D’Evil (12/5), The Lady Miss Vagina Jenkins & Bizarre Sally (12/10), The Lady Miss Vagina Jenkins & The Revelettes (12/11), The Lady Miss Vagina Jenkins & Holly Wouldn’t (12/12), Tribal Bellydancer Jolie & Siren Jinx (12/17), Tribal Bellydancer Jolie & Holly Wouldn’t (12/18), and Dizzy Lizzy Delicious (12/19).
Plays Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays ONLY thru December 19th!
Get a sneak peak at YouTube
The Best of Gay Chicago
