Category Archives: Theater in Chicago
About Face Theatre THE PRIDE June 6-July 13th
this post is sponsored by:
Chicago Gay Play Weekend – May 17 to 19!
GAY PLAY WEEKEND!
You may know that both At The Flash and Under A Rainbow Flag were finalists in last year’s Great Gay Play Contest, and showcased
as Enhanced Staged Readings in the Center On Halsted’s Hoover-Leppen
Theater last spring.
year, we have five exciting new works in development, and we need your
feedback. Come see the presentation of these very exciting and vastly
different scripts recommended by our contest readers from around the
country. Who knows – one of them may be presented as a full production
new year!
Tickets for each performance are $10, and can be purchased through www.brownpapertickets.com.
always an exciting and inspiring part of the Pride Films and Plays
season. For us an ensemble, we have the opportunity to discuss and
collaborate on works that could potentially be part of our future
seasons. For our audience, it’s an opportunity to hear the best of new
LGBTQ plays, to share their feedback with us, and to meet many
playwrights from around the world. It is a hopeful reminder that there
are stories are out there that need to be told, shared and instilled in
our community and beyond.”
- A blues-infused work about an esteemed James Baldwin-esque African American and his meeting with a young black writer in The Red Train.
- Forbidden Glass, a new drama about illicit love and intrigue among gay Iranians.
Forbidden Glass - Dancing in the Mirror
is a fusion of dance and theater, as a Broadway dancer returns to his
hometown to teach in the dance school in which he was brought up, and to
confront the memory of the teacher who abused him. - Sand Man
is a drama about a Chicago reporter whose work on bullying and the
suicide of a gay teen has left him emotionally and physically battered - And Directions For Restoring The Apparently Dead, in which past and present collide when a straight man and gay man are reunited after life-shattering experiences.
- Red Train by B. V. Marshall, directed by Kyra Morris, Friday May 17 at 7:00
- Dancing in the Mirror by Perry Ojeda, directed by Jay Andrew Espana, Saturday, May 18, 4:00 pm.
- Directions for Restoring The Apparently Dead by Martin Casella, directed by Chuck Berglund, Saturday, Mary 18 7:00 pm
- Forbidden Glass by Kirt Shineman, directed by Alexander St. John, Sunday May 19 1:00 PM
- Sand Man by G William Zorn, directed by Derek Bertelsen, Sunday May 19 4:00 pm.
blocking, costuming, dance, and design elements. Tickets for each
performance are $10, and can be purchased through www.brownpapertickets.com.
Spain’s culture is showcased with Ensemble Español’s 37th American Spanish Dance & Music Festival, June 12 through June 23.
Chicago’s unique contribution to the elegance and passion of Spain’s dance, music and culture is showcased as never before in Ensemble Español’s 37th American Spanish Dance & Music Festival, Wednesday, June 12 through Sunday, June 23.
Following the screening there will be a Q & A with Carmela Greco, Dame Libby Komaiko and dancers of the Ensemble Español and a Spanish Tapas & Wine reception by Emilios Tapas Restaurant. Tickets are $15 (general admission), $12 (students and seniors) and $10 (IC and ILCC Members).
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About Face Theatres WHATS THE T
About Face Theatre is pleased to present a remount of its wildly popular Youth Ensemble world premiere WHAT’S THE T? by Sara Kerastas and The About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble, directed by Artistic Associate Eric Hoff, playing May 19 – June 2, 2013 at the Prince Charitable Trusts Upstairs Loft at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., in Chicago. The production features members of the About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble. Tickets are available at www.aboutfacetheatre.com or at the door.
Internet
personality/trans activist/fierce community leader Ms. Ma uses her
YouTube page to create community, serve glamour and spread the good word
about queer safe spaces in Chicago. WHAT’S THE T? tells the
story of Ms. Ma’s tangled web of connections, her struggle to stay
positive and what happens to her community when she disappears. Inspired
by issues of race, gender, age and class in Chicago’s “Boystown,” WHAT’S THE T? is based on true stories and interviews from LGBTQA youth and adults in and around Chicago.
WHAT’S THE T? began
with the theme of trans identity, but after year-one, the youth
ensemble chose to take it a step further by using this theme to address
the significant tensions arising in the queer community. As such, the
play examines issues of race, gender, class and age in the queer
community, with trans characters at the heart of the story. For 13
years, the Youth Theatre has sought changes within the larger community
through innovative thought, dialogue, and performance. AFYT hopes to
move their ensemble from positions of marginalization into positions of
inclusion and power.
“There’s
a whole storyline in the play that takes place on the Internet – with
two people documenting their lives through YouTube videos, and
ultimately building a relationship in that digital elusive space,”
comments playwright Sara Kerastas. “This play is so right now. The story speaks to how we communicate right now. How we build, how we own, and how we use space right now.”
The production team for WHAT’S THE T? includes: John Holt (set design/technical director), Mieka van der Ploeg (costume design), Jeff Glass (lighting design/production manager), Erik Roldan (sound design), Liviu Pasare (projections design), Nic K (choreography), Rupert Priniski (production coordinator) and John Rooney (stage manager).
Title:
Playwright: Sar
Director: A
Featuring: Ab
Location: Pr
Dates:
Curtain Times: Fridays at Saturdays at 7 pm; Sundays at 3 pm. Note: there will an added 3 pm performance on Saturday, June 1.
Tickets: $15. $5 youth tickets; $25 AFYT Support Ticket.
Tickets for WHAT’S THE T? are available at www.aboutfacetheatre.com or at the door.
Next Fall April 25-May 25th at BoHo Theatre
NEXT FALL.
the ups and downs of this unlikely couple’s five-year relationship with
sharp humor and unflinching honesty. And when an accident changes
everything, Adam must turn to Luke’s family and friends for support… and
answers. NEXT FALL paints a touching and witty portrait of modern romance, asking the hard questions about commitment, love and faith.
Curtain Times: Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays at 2 pm
Tickets: $20 ($10 previews). $15 students & seniors.
Chicago Cabaret Project May 3rd
When the sun sets and you need a place where you can escape—
come to the cabaret!
A place where fantasy, music and comedy collide; life in the cabaret is something you have to experience!
Provocative
and beautiful, the Project strives to revitalize the art of cabaret by
attracting and captivating audiences with stellar voices, handsome
presentations and raw sexual appeal!
stimulating audiences at various venues throughout the city of Chicago.
In each of the company’s first two years they produced only one show
each year. In 2009 the company expanded to extended, regular runs, and
produced nine shows from June to December of that year. This momentum
marked a significant presence for the ensemble among the theatre and
entertainment professionals of Chicago, garnering praise and admiration
for their beautiful vocal styling and provocative, sexy presentations.
In 2012, The Chicago Cabaret Project was granted not-for-profit status
and was reincorporated as The Cabaret Project.
About Face Theatre Wonka Ball April 26, 2013
WHERE WILL YOU BE ON APRIL 26th, 2013??
About Face Theatre Celebrates Its 17th Year at
WONKA BALL 2013: CIRCUS MAXIMUS
Friday, April 26 at Architectural Artifacts
About Face Theatre celebrates its 17th year with a three-ring party of colossal entertainment and excessive elegance at WONKA BALL 2013: CIRCUS MAXIMUS on Friday, April 26, 2013 at 8 pm (Ringmaster’s VIP Cocktail Party at 7 pm). AFT’s premier fundraiser combines the surprising delights of the big top with the inspired grandeur of this year’s venue, Chicago’s Architectural Artifacts, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Hosted by About Face board members, Benjamin Sprunger and Billy Lullo, WONKA BALL 2013: CIRCUS MAXIMUS offers
a night of dazzling performances, decadent revelry and dancing,
sumptuous dining and drink and tempting silent auction prizes. The
annual gala also includes the presentation of the prestigious 2013
Leppen Leadership Awards and the About Face Youth Theatre MVP Award. This year’s guests will be among the first to meet About Face’s new, soon-to-be-announced Artistic Director. Tickets are currently available at www.aboutfacetheatre.com or 773-784-8565.
About Face Theatre’s VIP supporters will be special guests at the exclusive Ringmaster’s VIP Cocktail Party beginning
at 7 pm and hosted by AFT board members Drew Kent and Rob Abernathy.
VIP guests will enjoy early access to the venue with an exclusive
cocktail party, sumptuous culinary treats, special “sideshow”
entertainments, the opportunity for early bidding at the silent auction
and intimate access to the About Face leadership
and artists. VIP supporters will also enjoy prime viewing of
center-ring performances from the lavish Ringmaster’s Lounge exclusively
reserved from 7 – 9 pm.
Proceeds from the WONKA BALL support About Face Theatre programming including its groundbreaking Youth Theatre, which creates critically acclaimed new work by and about LGBTQA youth and their allies. The
Youth Theatre has performed on major stages across the country, and,
through its outreach tour, changes the lives of thousands of young
people each year. AFT also boasts its annual, award-winning main stage season and the ambitious XYZ Festival of New Works.
Named for About Face Youth Theatre supporter Michael Leppen, the annual Leppen Leadership Awards recognize
those whose efforts on behalf of About Face Theatre and the LGBTQA
community empower youth leaders to take action and encourage LGBTQA
adults and youth to create intergenerational dialogue and understanding. The About Face Youth Theatre MVP Award is
given to an outstanding youth theatre ensemble member for exceptional
service to the company and to the greater LGBTQ community. The recipient
has proven herself or himself to be exceptionally dedicated to the
mission of our work and has gone beyond her or his duties as an ensemble
member to better the experience of other Youth Theatre participants.
Event: WONKA BALL 2013: CIRCUS MAXIMUS
Date: Friday, April 26 at 8 pm – 11 pm; Ringmaster’s VIP Cocktail Party at 7 pm
Location: Architectural Artifacts, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave. in Chicago
Details: Featuring a silent auction, open bar, delicious food, music, dancing and performances.
Tickets: $135 general admission. Ringmaster’s VIP Cocktail Party: $135 event ticket + $100 tax deductible donation.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. For tickets, visit www.aboutfacetheatre.com
About Face Theatre Spring and Summer Shows
Designed to give audiences access to innovative work at all stages of
development, the XYZ Festival of New Works fosters creative
collaboration between Chicago-based artists and groundbreaking artists
from across the US. The XYZ Series provides an unique experience for
audiences who enjoy watching the artistic process unfold and who want to
be exposed to new voices in the American theatre that are exploring
sexuality and gender.
Here’s what you’ll see at this year’s festival:
WHEN:
April 9th 7:30pm
Jordan Seavey’s TRUTH WILL OUT, directed by Artistic Associate Ben Sprunger
April 10th 7:30pm
David Myer’s THE ARVESTO PARASITE and Artistic Associate Philip Dawkins’s CAST OF CHARACTERS, directed by Stephen Cone
(more show details online)
WHERE:
Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre, Richard Christensen Theatre
COST: FREE!
About Face Theatre Presents the Chicago Premiere of THE PRIDE
By Alexi Kaye Campbell
Directed by Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar
June 6 – July 13, 2013
About Face Theatre is pleased to kick-off LGBTQ Pride Month with the Chicago premiere of the Oliver Award-winning drama THE PRIDE by Alexi Kaye Campbell, directed by Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar, playing June 6 – July 13, 2013 at Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.
Two story lines, fifty years apart. Set in London, Alexi Kaye Campbell’s time-shifting play THE PRIDE maps the progression of the gay rights movement from the repression of the fifties to the freedom of today through the fate of two twisted love triangles. In 1958, Philip is married to Sylvia but in love with Oliver. In 2008, Oliver is addicted to public sex with strangers, so Philip leaves him. Sylvia has to pick up the pieces. THE PRIDE is a sharp, witty portrait of urban gay couples and the punishing consequences of liberation.
| Show Times: | Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 5 pm & 9 pm; Sundays at 5 pm. |
| Tickets: | Previews: $20 |
| Regular run: $30. $15 students. Group rates available. |
MORE DETAILS ONLINE!
Must See Theatre! Under a Rainbow Flag
UNDER A RAINBOW FLAG
5 PINK CROWNS!
story, vivid account of his gay soldier friends in World War II. And remember, this was a time when everyone had to hide in the closet. Leo has put together an amazing story with music and lyrics, that could play on Broadway or Off Broadway today!
Running till April
21, 2013 at 4139 N. Broadway. Which is great little theater in Buena Park!
Tickets are just $20-25. And so well worth it. Your support of this fine show goes to the actors, musicians,
and other artists crafting this beautiful and exciting project.
Pride Films and Plays, the
producer, is a new organization developing new LGBT works for the stage
and screen. This is our first large musical project, and we need your
support to fully achieve our dreams.
Ultimately, we hope Under A Rainbow Flag will
have a long life at regional theaters everywhere. Your support now is
the first step to making that happen as we use our rehearsal time to
hone every aspect of the production.
Speaking in Tongues at the WIT thru March 24th
SPEAKING IN TONGUES.
SPEAKING IN TONGUES is
a masterfully written polyphony about the mistakes we make, the
emotional scars we inflict on those we pretend to love and the
consequences of actions with which we’re left to grapple. Four actors
portray nine characters caught in a destructive web of coincidence,
betrayal, desire and obsession. Skeletons are exhumed, lonely marriages
are unveiled, a wife goes missing, contracts are broken by intimates and
tenuous bonds are formed between strangers. The haunting SPEAKING IN TONGUES will have you piecing together exactly what happened long after you leave the theatre.
SPEAKING IN TONGUES has
toured the world to great acclaim since it was first produced at
Sydney’s Griffin Theatre Company in 1996. It made its U.S. premiere in
2001 at the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York, where it was hailed
as “Clever, Provocative and Resonant!” by The New York Times, “Evocative and Hypnotic!” by USA Today and, “A play of shimmering, iridescent beauty,” by the Financial Times.
Curtain Times: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays at 3 pm
Tickets: $25
Wonka Ball April 26th, GRAB EARLY BIRD TICKETS NOW
About Face Theatre celebrates its 17th year with a three-ring party of colossal entertainment and excessive elegance at WONKA BALL 2013: CIRCUS MAXIMUS on Friday, April 26, 2013 at 8 pm (Ringmaster’s VIP Cocktail Party at 7 pm). AFT’s premier fundraiser combines the surprising delights of the big top with the inspired grandeur of this year’s venue, Chicago’s Architectural Artifacts, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave.
WONKA BALL 2013: CIRCUS MAXIMUS offers
a night of dazzling performances, decadent revelry and dancing, and
sumptuous dining and drink. The annual gala includes a tempting silent
auction, the presentation of the prestigious 2013 Leppen Leadership
Awards and the About Face Youth Theatre MVP Award. Tickets are currently available at www.aboutfacetheatre.com or 773-784-8565.
About Face Theatre’s VIP supporters will be special guests at the exclusive Ringmaster’s VIP Cocktail Party beginning
at 7 pm and hosted by AFT board members Drew Kent and Rob Abernathy.
VIP guests will enjoy early access to the venue with an exclusive
cocktail party, sumptuous culinary treats, special “sideshow”
entertainments, the opportunity for early bidding at the silent auction
and intimate access to the About Face leadership
and artists. VIP supporters will also enjoy prime viewing of
center-ring performances from the lavish Ringmaster’s Lounge exclusively
reserved from 7 – 9 pm.
Proceeds from the WONKA BALL support About Face Theatre programming including its groundbreaking Youth Theatre, which creates critically acclaimed new work by and about LGBTQA youth and their allies. The
Youth Theatre has performed on major stages across the country, and,
through its outreach tour, changes the lives of thousands of young
people each year. AFT also boasts its annual, award-winning main stage season and the ambitious XYZ Festival of New Works.
Named for About Face Youth Theatre supporter Michael Leppen, the annual Leppen Leadership Awards recognize
those whose efforts on behalf of About Face Theatre and the LGBTQA
community empower youth leaders to take action and encourage LGBTQA
adults and youth to create intergenerational dialogue and understanding.
Event: WONKA BALL 2013: CIRCUS MAXIMUS
Date: Friday, April 26 at 8 pm; Ringmaster’s VIP Cocktail Party at 7 pm
Location: Architectural Artifacts, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave. in Chicago
Details: Featuring a silent auction, open bar, delicious food, music, dancing and performances.
Tickets: $135 general admission. Ringmaster’s VIP Cocktail Party: $135 event ticket + $100 tax deductible donation. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. For tickets, visit www.aboutfacetheatre.com
EARLY BIRD PRICING EXPIRE THIS WEEKEND!
This post is sponsored by:
Deborah Cox LIVE at ROSCOES!! March 22nd, 2013
THIS IS GOING TO BE OFF THE HOOK!
Deborah Cox will be starring in the re-staging of JEKYLL & HYDE and will play the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 West Randolph St.) for two weeks only, March 12 – 24, 2013.
SuperStar Deborah Cox will make a special appearance at Roscoes on March 22nd!
Performing her awesome dance hit songs LIVE!
Roscoes 3356 Halsted st.
$5 cover after 11pm.
Priscilla benefit Night with After Party March 19th
AIDS Legal Council of
Chicago (“ALCC”) and Equality Illinois (“EQIL”) have teamed up to host a
theater night fundraiser for the Chicago premiere of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on Tuesday, March 19th.
private, post-show VIP reception with special surprises at Downtown
Bar. All proceeds equally benefit both organizations. ALCC and EQIL
have hosted recent successful theater night fundraisers through Broadway
in Chicago, including a pre-Broadway performance of Kinky Boots and reception with Cyndi Lauper for ALCC, and the first night of Book of Mormon and reception for EQIL.
Ann
Fisher, ALCC Executive Director, is pleased to grow the relationship
between the two organizations. “We have a wonderful, longstanding
relationship with Equality Illinois, and this event serves to strengthen
that bond. It’s a way for us to have fun together while raising
much-needed funds to succeed in our missions.” EQIL CEO Bernard
Cherkasov echoed a similar tone saying, “Equality Illinois and ALCC are
great partners, pleased to offer our supporters an opportunity to not
only see the Chicago opening of Priscilla but to give something back to two organizations that advocate for all of us.”
Because of the popularity of the show, the initial block of tickets
reserved for ALCC and Equality Illinois have sold out.
A limited number
of additional seats were added, but very few remain. They are
available at www.priscillachicago.
Under a Rainbow Flag opens in Chicago March 23-April
Leo
Schwartz’s musical
Has its
world premiere of Saturday, March 23 at Main Stage
with
direction by David Zak, and musical direction by Robert Ollis
Please join us for opening
night March 23 at 7:30. RSVP here.
Based on the real-life story of a
WWII naval corpsman Jon Philips (who lives in
A Rainbow Flag is an high-energy work about a group of soldiers who meet on
a transport train heading west from
and about the choices they make during and after the war.
Phillips (Sam Button-Harrison) meets Gibbs
(Nicholas Stockwell), Russell (James Nedrud), and Stefano (Jordan Phelps) on
the train. Stefano is an army surgeon headed to the Pacific theater, while
Russell is an auto mechanic stationed stateside. Phillips loses his heart to
Gibbs. But Gibbs has met a woman (Kyrie Anderson) who has plans of her own. Schwartz’
script, full of humor and surprise, explores all types of love – with its
satisfactions and heartbreak.
FIND OUT MORE and please support the important works of Pride Films and Plays!
Location Main
Stage, 4139 North Broadway,
Previews March
21 and 22 at 7:30
Curtain Times Thursday,
Friday, and Saturday at 7:30. Sunday 2:30.
Also
Wednesday 7:30 on April 3, 10, and 17.
Prices $15
for previews, $20 for Wednesday and Thursday, $25 for Friday, Saturday and
Sunday
Tickets BrownPaperTickets.com
of 1 800 838 3006
Discounts
For veterans, students, and
seniors.
Chicago Takes Off March 2nd 2013 NEO NOIR
Chicago Takes Off
Is an AMAZING burlesque “style” show that features professional dancers in
energetic, choreographed performances engaging audiences in a
celebration of life—all in support of TPAN’s HIV/AIDS programs
and services which benefit more than 25,000 individuals through our
prevention, outreach, and direct care services and programs.
2 Great Shows Coming to Chicago
I LOVE to see shows in small theatres. Most of our theaters downtown are WAY TOO BIG for stage shows. If you are not in the first 12 rows, you miss out on so much. The theatre at Moraine Valley Community College is the perfect size. No bad seats. And they bring in some awesome shows!
Thodos Dance Chicago
Saturday, Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m. in the Dorothy Menker Theater and only $20-$25!
Embracing Chicago’s rich history via contemporary
dance like never before, The White City: Chicago’s Columbian Exposition
of 1893 is an ambitious one-act piece complete with period costumes and
video projections by Chicago filmmaker Chris Olsen.
Legendary Tony Award-winning Broadway choreographer Ann Reinking and
Artistic Director Melissa Thodos set the piece to Bruce Wolosoff’s
Songs Without Words.
All 12 ensemble dancers will perform to tell the
story of the legendary 1893 World’s Fair through dance.
Characters range from Mayor Carter Harrison Sr.; Harrison’s assassin,
Patrick Prendergast; John Root, one of the key architects of the Chicago
World’s Fair; and Dr. H.H. Holmes, the cunning serial killer who used
the fair to lure his victims to their death in his elaborately
constructed Murder Castle.
The evening also includes several other thrilling pieces drawn from Thodos’ inventive and imaginative repertory.
“Best Dance Event in Chicago of 2011″
— Chicago Sun Times
GET TICKETS!
And this, is SO COOL!
A Lamb Chop Celebration featuring Mallory Lewis
Saturday, April 6, 2 p.m.
Tickets $10-$20
An entertaining hour of laughter and song. The beloved children’s icon Lamb Chop,
skillfully bought to life by Shari’s daughter, Mallory Lewis.
Fun for
all ages, kids will fall in love with Lamb Chop, teens and
20-somethings will remember
Lamb Chop from Lamb Chop’s Play Along,
and grown-ups will enjoy revisiting their youth as they laugh and sing along with Lamb Chop and Mally!
“Once you’ve seen one of Mallory’s shows,
you’ll walk away with a wonderful memory and also feeling like you have
just acquired a new best friend.”
— Tonya Cook, Iowa State Fair
GET TICKETS!
PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESSERT VIP Opening Night March 19
See below how to get your tickets for its debut night. This is a limited opportunity to join Equality Illinois and AIDS Legal
Council of Chicago for the Chicago premiere performance of Priscilla, on Tuesday, March 19, 2013,
all while supporting our work on marriage and equal LGBT rights for all
Illinoisans.
they will sell out; their Book of Mormon tickets were gone in a very
short period of time.
YOUR TICKETS: Tickets are now available for purchase to all Equality Illinois supporters. Please use
this linkto buy your tickets. This offer is open to tens of thousands of
Equality Illinois and AIDS Legal Council of Chicago supporters, so be
sure to get yours today to ensure you receive the best seats. The show
sells out very quickly internationally, and we expect its first night
in Chicago to sell out even quicker.
VIP RECEPTION: Your ticket includes access to a
special, post-show VIP reception. Location of the VIP reception will be
sent to ticket holders at least 3 weeks prior to the performance.
THE SHOW: This spectacular show tells the uplifting
story of a trio of friends on a road trip of a lifetime, who hop aboard a
battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the
Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have
dreamed.
tickets before the show. Purchases directly benefit Equality Illinois
Education Project and AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, 501(c)(3)
organizations, and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, and
are not appropriate for re-sale.
2 Plays to Open in Chicago before their New York Runs
WHAT AN EXCITING SEASON this is going to be in Chicago! Broadway in Chicago has an amazing line-up including 2 pre-Broadway shows!
The musical is based on the acclaimed novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, about a London doctor who accidentally unleashes his evil alternate personality in his quest to cure his father’s mental illness.
Beautiful Thing in Chicago Jan 17-Feb 17
A 20th Anniversary Production of Jonathan Harvey’s Acclaimed
Beautiful Thing
January 17 – February 17, 2013
at the Athenaeum Theatre
Beautiful Thing, is theheartwarming story of two teenaged boys coming to terms with their sexuality. Director John Nasca directs a cast that includes PFP Artistic Ensemble Members Michelle McKenzie-Voigt and Patrick Rybarczyk as Sandra and Tony, with Robert Hilliard as Jamie, Charlie Wein as Ste, and Kiah McKirnan as Leah.
Jamie,
a boy who skips school to avoid playing sports, is attracted to his
next-door neighbor Ste, an athletic teen who is regularly beaten by his
father and brothers. One night, Jamie’s mother Sandra offers Ste refuge
from his abusive family, setting off a chain of events that changes
their lives forever. Set in a working-class area of southeast London, Beautiful Thing illustrates the struggle of growing up in a world that can be cruel and unforgiving to anyone perceived as different.
Written in 1993, Beautiful Thing was
initially produced by The Bush Theatre, London, England. It received
its American premiere in 1998 by Famous Door Theatre Company in Chicago
and then transferred to New York in 1999 at the Cherry Lane Theatre. “As 2013 marks the 20th anniversary of Beautiful Thing and
with bullying issues still very much a part of today’s headlines, this
is the perfect time to revisit this play, which feels more relevant than
ever,” says director John Nasca.
Curtain Times Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m.,
Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Prices
$15 for Previews, $23 on Thursdays and Sundays, and
$25 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Tickets 773-935-6875 or www.athenaeumtheatre.org
Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago.
