Aug. 7, 2002
All publications Front Page Nightspots Blacklines En La Vida Out! Resource Guide Current WCT Issue	Beautiful Thing Revival A Beautiful Thing
	Beautiful Thing, at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, through Aug. 11. BY RICK REED When Jonathan Harvey's play, Beautiful Thing, took the stage back in May 1998 at the Theater Building, Famous Door Theater Company probably knew it had a hit on its hands. All the right ingredients were there: a knockout ensemble, a sympathetic and sure-handed director, and a script that explored the often circuitous routes all of us have taken to find love, acceptance, and family. Who could argue with such universality? Who could argue with such a marriage of talent and commitment? The story concerning two working-class London boys living in a housing project who fall in love and the effect that their first fumbling steps at romance and togetherness has on the people around them is full of heart, casting a realistic light on what it means to find someone special, and to forge a bond with one's family and friends transcended its label of a "gay play." These themes were common to everyone, straight and gay alike. The fact that acceptance also played a major role in Beautiful Thing made it only that much more compelling. What Famous Door might not have been aware of back in 1998 was what a hit it had on its hands. The show, which ran here for seven months, managed to make it all the way to off-Broadway, where it ran at the Cherry Lane Theatre for over four months, in a production even The New York Times referred to as "terrific." Now, thanks to the commitment of a cast and crew who couldn't forget Beautiful Thing, and the inspired vision of Theater on the Lake and the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, audiences are being offered a second chance to witness one of Chicago's happiest success stories. The original cast, including Susan Bennett, Michael Moran, Matt Stinton, Kelly Van Kirk, and Kirsten Sahs, has been reassembled to bring the story to life, under Gary Griffin's direction. Famous Door's managing director, Amanda LaFollette says, "The timing just felt right. The actors have been hoping for a reunion for awhile now, and we found out that they were all available this summer just as an opportunity at Theatre on the Lake came up, and then CCPA was available, and the rest is history, as they say. Everything just came together perfectly." LaFollette added, "Everyone in the company seems to have a real soft spot in their hearts for the show. It means a lot to the company, on many different levels." The cast's fond memories of the show and its reception obviously fueled their desire to revive it after four years. Audiences seem to agree; the show played to full houses at Theater on the Lake and the buzz and enthusiasm seem to be continuing in its run at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, where Beautiful Thing will run until Aug. 11. The fact that the venue for the show has changed from what some might consider a "gay" neighborhood (West Belmont Avenue) to a "straighter" area (Chicago Center for the Performing Arts is located in the 700 north block of Green Street) seems to make little difference in the kind of reception the show is getting in its second go-round. LaFollette says, "There's always a risk when producing&emdash;but we like them to be calculated. CCPA is a beautiful space, everyone there has been great to work with, and we have a beautiful and touching artistic product that I think has wide appeal. It's worth traveling to a new neighborhood." Marc Grapey, artistic director for the company, remembers why Famous Door chose Beautiful Thing in its original run: "It's a great love story, it's just a terrific play. We pursued the rights with a vengeance, we knew we were the company to present it." He says that the only change to this production is that, "(As a company) we're just a bit older and a bit wiser, hopefully what we bring to this now is whatever more we may have learned as artists over the last four years." And he adds that Famous Door is uniquely qualified to present Beautiful Thing because, "We do this working-class meaty kind of acting intensive work as well as anybody in the city." LaFollette agrees because, "We pride ourselves at Famous Door on creating theater with heart and soul. Beautiful Thing is a story all about tenderness, vulnerability, and true honesty. That's what we do best. It's been a perfect fit from the beginning." Whether you've seen the excellent film, or saw the play in its original run, or are just experiencing it for the first time, LaFollette thinks there is something here for you. "With everything happening in the world, we could all use something this honest, touching, and just plain fun. It's a unique and wonderful experience every time you see this show. Also, the actors and the creative team have all really grown artistically over the past four years. This is the best production yet." Tickets for the return engagement of Beautiful Thing are now on sale at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts box office or by calling (312) 327-2000. The performance schedule is as follows: Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 6 and 9 p.m.; and Sundays at 5 p.m. Tickets are priced at $35 for all performances Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and $39 for both Saturday performances. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (312) 327-2000. For more information on Beautiful Thing or the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, please call (312) 327-2000 or visit www.theaterland.com.	Michael Moran and Matt Stinton in Beautiful Thing.
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