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Theatre at the Center’s ‘What a Glorious Feeling’

Mon, 20 May 2013 06:08:55 -0500

Gene Kelly once said as a young man he got started dancing because “I knew it was one way to meet girls.” Well, it certainly worked for the legendary hoofer. He met his first two wives — Betsy Blair (1941-57) and Jeanne Coyne (1960-73) — while working on dance movies. Kelly’s off-camera life was almost as interesting as his 25 movie musicals. So perhaps it was inevitable that a stage show would peek behind the scenes at Kelly in “Singin’ in the Rain,” the most critically acclaimed musical film of all time. Jay Berkow an award-winning Western Michigan University playwright, …

Crowd Pleasers for May 24, 2013

Thu, 23 May 2013 02:20:12 -0500

Here is a look at some crowd pleasers. Events include the Smiley Tillmond Band in Back to the Delta: A Blues Showcase at the Beverly Arts Center in Chicago.

‘Miss Neo Pageant’ explores what it means to be feminine, successful

Fri, 10 May 2013 02:23:12 -0500

Women studies scholars will tell you that there are three feminist movements. The first began with the suffragettes and the right to vote; the second, of course, was the women’s liberation movement of the ’60s and ’70s and the third rallied the young women of the ’90s via the Girl Power phenomenon. Megan Mercier came of age during feminism’s third chapter with strong female role models in her life. But despite all this, now at 29, she looks around and feels she’s “ended up in this weird limbo.” “It feels like being a teenager never stopped in some ways,” Mercier …

‘Kinky Boots’ gets a leading 13 Tony Award nods

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:00:01 -0500

NEW YORK — The Cyndi Lauper-scored “Kinky Boots” has earned a leading 13 Tony Award nominations, with the British import “Matilda: The Musical” close behind with 12. “Kinky Boots” is based on the 2005 British movie about a real-life shoe factory that struggles until it finds new life in fetish footwear. Lauper’s songs and a story by Harvey Fierstein have made it a crowd-pleaser. “Matilda: The Musical” is a witty musical adaptation of the novel by Roald Dahl and is true to his bleak vision of childhood as a savage battleground. The nominations were announced Tuesday in a televised event …

A day of ‘Beauty’ at Marian Catholic

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:00:00 -0500

It was Fine Arts Day on Tuesday at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, and the school’s theater department put on a performance of the Disney classic “Beauty and the Beast” for local elementary school students. The effort proved quite a hit, as audience members lined up afterward to shake hands with Kyle Fitzgerald, a senior, who portrayed the Beast. Staff reports …

Redmoon, Chicago Children’s Theatre unite for ‘Whale’ of a tale

Mon, 06 May 2013 06:10:04 -0500

It’s an epic adventure of giant proportions told in miniature — in a big way. “The Elephant & The Whale,” the first collaboration between Chicago Children’s Theatre and Redmoon, is the story of friendship between the world’s two largest animals. The play is inspired by mythology, tall tales and some real history that seems fantastical, like boxcars filled with salt water transported via train from Florida to Chicago for the Shedd Aquarium. It’s a kids show but don’t expect anything, from the story to the spectacle, to be overly simplified for a younger audience. “I celebrate the lack of distinction …

Crowd Pleasers for May 17, 2013

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:22:45 -0500

Here is a look at some crowd pleasers. Events include Gaelic Park Players hosting the 20th annual Acting Irish International Theatre Festival in Oak Forest, Grande Prairie Singers' concert in Park Forest, and Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra’s concert in Orland Park.

Estefan life story to become Broadway musical

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:27:42 -0500

Gloria and Emilio Estefan have partnered with the Nederlander Organization to create a Broadway musical inspired by their music and life story. The show, still in the early stages of development, will center on the Estefans’ journey from Cuba to the top of the world’s music charts. The creative team (director, choreographer, musical director, librettist and lyricist) will be announced at a later date. “I am thrilled to collaborate with Gloria and Emilio to see their amazing story come to fruition on the Broadway stage,” said Jimmy Nederlander, president of the Nederlander Organization, in a statement. “The Estefans’ journey of …

‘Zarkana’ delivers homage to classic circus arts

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:21:18 -0500

LAS VEGAS — For nearly 30 years, Cirque du Soleil’s colorful, vibrant, cutting-edge, mind-boggling, surrealist extravaganzas have shaken the circus arts to the core, resulting in some of the most breathtaking productions — technologically, physically and artistically. From the playfulness of “Saltimbanco” and darkness of “Alegria,” to the watery wonder of “O” and the moodiness of “Mystere,” to the technical impossibilities of “Ka” and the mesmerizing soundtrack of “Love,” how we have marveled at the impish characters, glorious costumes, world-beat soundtracks and sensual athleticism. The unintelligible Cirque sing/speak, not so much. Now there is “Zarkana,” fresh from its engagements in …

The shows to see in 2013

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:51:59 -0500

From hot new artists to classic plays, the next six months are going to be a lot of fun for area theater fans. Established and up-and-coming performers are coming to Aurora, Elgin, Joliet and Naperville for the remainder of the theater season. Here’s an overview of what to expect. Hopefully, you left a little room on the Visa — you’re going to want it. NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE Madden Theatre, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville Wentz Concert Hall,171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville (630) 637-7469 Northcentral.edu/showtix First, crooner …

Chicago Community Trust renews ‘One More Night’ grant at GSU

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 07:14:54 -0500

For the second straight year, the Chicago Community Trust has awarded a $50,000 grant to Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts. The grant will be used to support GSU’s “One More Night” series. Under the terms of the grant, the center will introduce its audiences to Chicago-based theater, dance and musical ensemble companies and develop new audiences through collaboration with diverse arts organizations, school officials said in a news release. Officials also said “One More Night” is designed to increase attendance from underserved communities, increase theater participation by minority populations, and increase the number of first-time attendees. “We are …

New theater group forms in Park Forest

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 06:17:03 -0500

It was a big loss for the Park Forest community when Illinois Theatre Center closed its doors in May. But a few months later, the Artists Walk Theatre was formed with the idea of producing professional theater in ITC’s vacant space, at 371 Artists Walk. “This was my brainchild,” said David Boettcher, actor, director and former member of ITC’s board. “I thought that we needed to keep professional theater from disappearing from the south suburbs. “When I discussed the possibility of creating a new theater group with my fellow board members, they agreed that we absolutely should do it,” said …

Chicago theater season brings out the big names

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:02:58 -0500

The Mormons are coming. It’s finally here: the long-awaited Chicago debut of the Tony-award winning play, “The Book of Mormon.” It opens at the Bank of America Theatre Dec. 11 and runs through June 2, 2013. It’s the hottest ticket in town and sure to sell out night after night. If you can’t get tickets to “The Book of Mormon,” (or you simply aren’t interested) there are plenty of other theater options to keep you entertained in the next few months. Bank of America Theatre 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago (312) 977-1700 Broadwayinchicago.com Winner of nine 2011 Tony Awards …

Elaborating on Entertainment: Beverly Theatre Guild’s 50th anniversary

Sun, 19 May 2013 11:50:32 -0500

The Beverly Theatre Guild is the oldest community theater group in Chicago and marking that milestore with “Fabulous @ Fifty.” More about the theater troupe can be found on Elaborating on Entertainment at blogs.southtownstar.com/entertainment.

McMahon puts spin on Drama Group’s ‘The Wiz’

Fri, 03 May 2013 02:19:21 -0500

The theater bug bit Tyler McMahon at age 9 and he’s spent his 17 years since then involved both on and off the stage. McMahon, of Kankakee, is directing the Drama Group’s “The Wiz,” which will run May 3-5 in Chicago Heights. “It’s been my absolute all-time favorite musical for years,” he said while on the way to show rehearsal. “The movie is what I first was introduced to and I really liked it. As I got older, I got introduced to the stage version and loved that even more. “That show has always been my No. 1. I’m thrilled …

Beverly Theatre Guild celebrates with ‘Fabulous @ Fifty’

Sun, 19 May 2013 10:38:01 -0500

Southland theater fans are spoiled — in a good way. Not only can they travel to downtown Chicago for a number of Broadway shows, but they also have a bevy of close-by community theater. Case in point is the Beverly Theatre Guild, which is billed as the oldest community theater group in Chicago. “We truly love the theater in every aspect and we want to support our mission to constantly put up quality productions and embrace the community,” said Barbara Moore, a Tinley Park resident who is the guild’s publicity director. “There’s a love of the theater. There’s just something …