Weekly news from the GLBT world http://www.windycitytimes.com/windycitytimes.html 2013-05-18T14:39:37-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://www.windycitytimes.com/images/publications/wct/2013-05-15/current.jpg text/html 2013-05-15T20:08:22-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/And-The-Winner-Wasnt-III-benefit-June-4/42832.html Broadway musicals take center stage at Pride Films and Plays' 2013 spirited benefit And The Winner Wasn't III on Tuesday, June 4, at Sidetrack, 3349 North Halsted. text/html 2013-05-15T12:11:50-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Looking-at-Whats-the-T-and-BALL-/42813.html In the coming weeks, the upstairs venues at the Victory Gardens Theatre will soon be a hive of activity for LGBTQ shows. About Face Theatre is reviving its acclaimed Youth Theatre production of What's the T? and it also presents the Chicago premiere of British playwright Alexi Kaye Campbell's 2008 Olivier Award-winning drama The Pride about two gay love stories set 50 years apart. text/html 2013-05-15T12:10:03-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/By-The-Way-Meet-Vera-Stark/42812.html Playwright: Lynn Nottage. At: Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Tickets: 312-443-3800; www.goodmantheatre.org; $25-$81. Runs through: June 2 text/html 2013-05-15T12:08:12-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Henry-VIII/42810.html Playwright: William Shakespeare. At: Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave. Tickets: 312-595-5600; www.chicagoshakes.com; $58-$78. Runs through: June 16 text/html 2013-05-15T12:07:18-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Seek-and-Ye-Shall-Find/42809.html Playwright: Sentell Harper. At: Mortar Theatre Company at Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: 773-935-6100 or www.mortartheatrecompany.org; $15 $10 for students. Runs through: June 8 text/html 2013-05-15T12:05:42-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Jillian-Erickson-at-Prop-Thtr-in-June/42808.html Performance artist, monologist, poet and writer Jillian Erickson will bring his show, 3:00 a.m., to Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston Ave., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m June 7-29. text/html 2013-05-15T12:04:07-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Spotlight/42807.html American Theater Company postponed its planned revival of the musical Hair this season when its acclaimed production of the revised columbinus was extended. So in place of Hair, a remounting of Stephen Karam's comic drama Speech & Debate was combed into the season. American Theater Company previously staged a Jeff Award-winning production in 2008. So if you previously missed this acclaimed play about three teenage misfits who have damaging suspicions about the drama teacher, now is your chance to see it. Speech & Debate continues through Sunday, June 23, at American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St. Performances are 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $38-$43; call 773-409-4125 or visit www.atcweb.org. Photo courtesy of American Theater Company text/html 2013-05-15T12:03:15-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jonathan Abarbanel, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Blood-and-Gifts/42806.html Playwright: J. T. Rogers. At: TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave. Tickets: 1-773-281-8463; www.timelinetheatre.com; $32-$42. Runs through: July 28 text/html 2013-05-15T12:01:33-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/About-Face-presenting-The-Pride-June-6/42805.html About Face Theatre will kick off LGBTQ Pride Month with the Chicago premiere of the Olivier Award-winning drama The Pride by Alexi Kaye Campbell June 6-July 13 at Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. text/html 2013-05-15T12:01:14-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Silk-Roads-Invasion-starts-July-30/42804.html Silk Road Rising co-founders, Artistic Director Jamil Khoury and Executive Director Malik Gillani, will present the Midwest premiere of Jonas Hassen Khemiri's Invasion! July 30-Sept. 3. text/html 2013-05-15T12:00:27-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Howlin-Wolf-show-at-Black-Ensemble/42802.html Black Ensemble Theater announces Ain't No Crying the Blues In the Memory of Howlin Wolf, written by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor, directed by Associate Director Rueben Echoles and starring Rick Stone, one of the stars of the classic movie Cooley High. text/html 2013-05-15T11:55:10-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Carol-Leifer-featured-in-May-19-event/42799.html Lesbian comedian/producer Carol Leifer will headline a May 19 event at Glencoe's North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 Sheridan Rd., at 5 p.m. text/html 2013-05-13T03:26:47-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Seek-and-Ye-Shall-Find/42753.html Playwright: Sentell Harper text/html 2013-05-13T01:32:37-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/If-You-Split-a-Second-Just-Another-Love-Story-Romeo-and-Juliet/42752.html If You Split a Second text/html 2013-05-11T12:15:27-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Homos-A-Go-Go-at-Laugh-Factory/42749.html CHICAGO, IL - May 9, 2013 - Homos A-Go-Go is Laugh Factory Chicago's new premier queer comedy showcase, featuring the best gay and gay-friendly comics in the city and around the world. Produced and hosted by the Chicago's favorite actor and comedian Scott Duff, the monthly comedy extravaganza will kick off with the hilarious Jessica Halem featuring May 27th at 8pm! text/html 2013-05-10T21:52:30-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Ross Forman, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/New-gay-screenplay-dates-back-to-Great-Depression/42748.html Martha Meyer and Rick Kinnebrew were in Spring Green, Wisc., for their honeymoon, which ultimately and surprisingly led to a gay screenplay. text/html 2013-05-10T20:59:14-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/An-Evening-of-Beckett/42746.html Beckett-philes as well as the novice of Beckett will experience a deeper understanding of his "Theatre of the Absurd" with this excellent production currently presented by the ensemble of Shattered Globe Theatre at Stage 773 through May 12. It is titled An Evening of Beckett: Krapp's Last tape and Sam and Rick. text/html 2013-05-10T14:49:47-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Glamorama-talent-announced/42744.html Macy's Passport Presents Glamorama 2013 will feature nine-time Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow and performance group Cirque du Soleil at this year's event, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 9, at the Harris Theater at Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St. text/html 2013-05-09T13:20:51-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jonathan Abarbanel, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Oklahoma/42733.html Playwrights: Richard Rodgers music, Oscar Hammerstein II book and lyrics. At: Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 North Wacker Dr. Tickets: 1-312-332-2244; ext. 5600; www.lyricopera.org; $7-$153. Runs through: May 19 text/html 2013-05-09T12:24:58-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Tea-with-Edie-and-Fitz/42727.html Playwright: Adam Pasen. At: Dead Writers Collective at the Greenhouse, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: 773-404-7336; www.greenhousetheater.org; $30. Runs through: June 9 text/html 2013-05-08T02:13:48-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Camping-it-up-on-Broadway-/42699.html The Tony Award nominations honoring the best of Broadway theater in New York were announced on Tuesday, April 30. And since the theater world has historically been very welcoming to the LGBTQ community, it should come as no surprise that a number of the nominated shows feature out creative talents and characters who sometimes don a certain amount of drag. text/html 2013-05-08T02:12:07-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jonathan Abarbanel, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Next-Fall/42698.html Playwright: Geoffrey Nauffts. At: AstonRep sic Theatre at BoHo Theatre, 7016 N. Glenwood Ave. Tickets: 1-773-828-9129; www.astonrep.com; $20. Runs through: May 25 text/html 2013-05-08T02:11:11-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/CRITICS-PICKS/42697.html Comrades Mine, City Lit Theater at Edgewater Presbyterian Church, through May 19. Maureen Gallagher's bio-drama recounts the little-known story of the Civil War spy whom nobody suspected was a woman until she asked to be recognized by the government for her service. MSB text/html 2013-05-08T02:10:39-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Incident-on-Run-1217/42696.html Playwright: Manny Tamayo. At: Factory Theatre at Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston Ave. Tickets: 866-811-4111; www.thefactorytheatre.com; $20. Runs through: June 1 text/html 2013-05-08T02:08:30-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/The-Lake-Effect/42695.html Playwright: Rajiv Joseph. At: Silk Road Rising, Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington St. Tickets: 312-857-1234 ext. 201 or www.silkroadrising.org; $35. Runs through: May 26 text/html 2013-05-08T02:05:12-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Spotlight-Smokey-Joes-Cafe-The-Songs-of-Leiber-and-Stoller/42694.html One of Broadway's longest-running musical revues, Smokey Joe's Café—The Songs of Leiber and Stoller, shows its strength yet again in Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's acclaimed 2012 production which recently transferred to the Royal George Cabaret Theatre for an independent run. Not only has the production received five non-Equity Jeff Award nominations Revue, Ensemble, Director for a Musical or Revue, choreography and music direction, but the show's run has been extended through to Sunday, June 30. So now there's even more time to revel in such early rock 'n' roll songs like "Hound Dog," "Love Potion #9," "Yakety Yak" and more. Smokey Joe's Café continues at 1641 N. Halsted St. The upcoming performance schedule is 2 p.m. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $25-$46.50; call 312-423-6612 or visit www.smokeyjoescafechicago.com. Photo courtesy of Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre and Royal George Cabaret Theatre text/html 2013-05-04T17:39:18-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Up-Comedy-club-LGBTQ-show-June-9/42664.html On Sunday, June 9, R.E.A.C.H., Risky, Eclectic Artists Comedy Hour, returns for its summer monthly show celebrating LGBTQ awareness hosted by local stand-up and WBEZ's Vocalo Radio Brian Babylon. text/html 2013-05-01T04:53:55-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Vicki Crain http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/The-journey-of-Wilfredo-Rivera-/42613.html "It's been a great journey so far," said Wilfredo Rivera, artistic director of Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre CRDT. Rivera, who lives in Little Village with his partner of more than two decades, grew up in Honduras in an artistic family. "My parents are musicians," he said. "They sing, dance. My grandfather was a poetry writer and photographer and painter. I always felt like I was going to be in the performing arts, I just didn't know what it would be." He began doing folkloric dance locally, but didn't start officially studying dance until after his family moved to the States. text/html 2013-05-01T04:52:24-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Still-Alice/42612.html Playwright: Christine Mary Dunford after the novel by Lisa Genova. At: Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Ave. Tickets: 312-337-0665 or www.lookingglasstheatre.org; $36-$70. Runs through: May 19 text/html 2013-05-01T04:51:14-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/CRITICS-PICKS/42611.html L'imitation of Life, Hell in a Handbag Productions at Mary's Attic, through May 10. A hilariously campy drag send up of the "serious" 1959 Douglas Sirk film starring Lana Turner involving an ambitious actress, her devoted African-American maid and their troubled daughters. SCM text/html 2013-05-01T04:50:03-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Death-Takes-a-Holiday/42610.html Playwright: music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, book by Peter Stone and Thomas Meehan. At: Circle Theatre at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets: 773-327-5252; www.circle-theatre.org; $30-$32. Runs through: May 26 text/html 2013-05-01T04:45:53-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Spotlight-Trumbo--Red-White-and-Blacklisted/42609.html Dalton Trumbo, a writer behind such famous films like Spartacus, Roman Holiday and Exodus, stood by his convictions and refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee in the late 1940s. Find out how Trumbo bravely weathered being blacklisted in the play Trumbo—Red, White and Blacklisted. Penned by Trumbo's son, Christopher, the drama is based upon the celebrated screenwriter's correspondence to family, friends and more. Buffalo Theatre Ensemble's production of Trumbo—Red, White and Blacklisted plays now through Sunday, May 19, at College of DuPage's Building K Theatre, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Performance times are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays with 2 p.m. matinees Sundays. Tickets are $25-$33 with discounts available for students and seniors; call 630-942-4000 or visit www.atthemac.org. Image by GIFT Photo text/html 2013-05-01T03:42:39-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jonathan Abarbanel, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Pal-Joey/42593.html Playwright: John O'Hara book, Richard Rodgers music, Lorenz Hart lyrics. At: Porchlight Music Theatre at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets: 1-773-327-5252; www.stage773.com; $39. Runs through: May 26 text/html 2013-05-01T03:40:46-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jerry Nunn, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Andrew-Lippa-Big-Fish-in-local-theater-pond/42592.html Big Fish is now a new musical based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the film by Tim Burton. This version was directed by five-time Tony winner Susan Stroman and written by John August, who also wrote the big-screen version. text/html 2013-05-01T03:37:49-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Biggest-Loser-casting-call-May-4-in-Chicago/42591.html A casting call for individuals for season 15 of the NBC show The Biggest Loser will take place Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at Planet Fitness, 3120 N. Pulaski Rd. text/html 2013-04-26T18:52:07-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/The-Happiest-Song-Plays-Last/42543.html Playwright: Quiara Alegra Hudes. At: Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Tickets: 312-443-3800; www.goodmantheatre.org; $14-$45. Runs through: May 12 text/html 2013-04-25T20:52:36-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-Dorian-among-works-at-House-Theatre-next-season/42540.html Chicago, IL — The House Theatre of Chicago announces its 12th Season creating Amazing Feats of Storytelling. The five programs in the 2013-14 Season are all written and helmed by Company Members of The House, investing in the rich and diverse talents of the ensemble. text/html 2013-04-25T19:39:49-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Acorn-Theater-to-celebrate-ten-years-with-three-acts-cake/42536.html In celebration of their 10-year Anniversary on Memorial Day Weekend, The Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, Michigan presents an amazing hat-trick of music: favorite rock n' roller Cathy Richardson Friday, May 24; James' brother folk musician Livingston Taylor Saturday, May 25; and the amazing Rickie Lee Jones, Up-Close and Personal Sunday, May 26. Oh, and in case these names make you salivate —-Free Anniversary Cake each night for all!! And enjoy the cake in The Acorn's new front lounge. text/html 2013-04-24T14:02:28-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Local-theater-About-Face-Fall-and-more-/42518.html "Theatre is so gay!" That's an advertising slogan once used by About Face Theatre, Chicago's preeminent company devoted to LGBTQ theater. It not only played on the politically incorrect put-down used by so many teenagers, but accurately touched on the fact that there is a large lavender contingent of people working in the theater community. This week's column focuses on the plethora of LGBTQ news and productions around town: text/html 2013-04-24T13:59:09-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/SPOTLIGHT-I-Can-Get-it-for-You-Wholesale/42517.html Barbra Streisand became a star in 1964 when she wowed Broadway as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl. But Streisand actually made her Broadway debut two years earlier as the secretary Miss Marmelstein in the musical comedy I Can Get it for You Wholesale. If you've only heard I Can Get it for You Wholesale via its cast album, then see the Jerome Weidman/Harold Rome musical live when the new Lost Note Theater Company presents it in a concert reading for its inaugural season of forgotten and lesser-known shows. I Can Get it for You Wholesale plays 3 p.m. Saturday, April 27, 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 and Wed., May 1, at Strawdog Theatre Company's Hugen Hall, 3829 N. Broadway. Tickets are $20; visit www.brownpapertickets.com or www.paulgmiller.wix.com/lostnotetheatrecompany. Photo by Austin D. Oie text/html 2013-04-24T13:58:15-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Big-Fish/42516.html Score: Andrew Lippa; Book: John August, based upon Daniel Wallace's novel. At: Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St. Tickets: 800-775-2000 or www.broadwayinchicago.com; $33-$100. Runs through: May 5 text/html 2013-04-24T13:56:51-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jonathan Abarbanel, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Head-of-Passes/42515.html Playwright: Tarell Alvin McCraney. At: Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tickets: 1-312-335-1650; www.steppenwolf.org; $20-$78. Runs through: June 9 text/html 2013-04-24T13:55:53-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/CRITICS-PICKS/42514.html Dream of the Burning Boy, Profiles Theatre at the Alley Stage, through April 28. A teenage boy dies of natural causes, but that doesn't make his sudden absence any less unsettling to his family and peers in this sensitive—and strikingly candid—exploration of individual trauma and likewise individual healing. MSB text/html 2013-04-24T13:55:03-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/The-Whale/42513.html Playwright: Samuel D. Hunter. At: Victory Gardens Theater at the Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: 773-871-3000; www.victorygardens.org; $35-$50. Runs through: May 5 text/html 2013-04-24T13:52:48-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Comrades-Mine/42512.html Playwright: Maureen Gallagher. At: City Lit Theater at Edgewater Presbyterian Church, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Tickets: 773-293-3682; www.citylit.org; $28.50. Runs through: May 19 text/html 2013-04-24T13:48:40-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Anything-Goes-for-out-actor-Shane/42511.html The quintessential Broadway musical of the 1930s is unquestionably Anything Goes. The frothy 1934 screwball comedy set aboard a luxury ocean liners is a barrel of laughs a credit to the original book writers P.G. Wodehouse, Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. text/html 2013-04-24T13:47:39-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Mormon-cast-heads-cabaret-fundraiser/42510.html Select members of the Chicago cast of Book of Mormon will perform in a one-night-only cabaret fundraiser, Monday April 29, at 7:30 p.m., at The Laugh Factory, 3175 North Broadway. text/html 2013-04-24T13:18:44-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Andrew Davis, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/DiCaprio-gives-61K-to-GLAAD-Van-Sants-Fifty-Shades-effort/42502.html Actor Leonardo DiCaprio donated a total of $61,000 at the GLAAD Media Awards April 20, GossipCenter.com reported. The Great Gatsby and Django Unchained star first forked over $25,000 in the pledge drive conducted by Wilson Cruz before shelling out for a few auctions, winning a photo of Marilyn Monroe and a $22,000 African safari. DiCaprio is planning his own "11th Hour Auction" May 13 to benefit the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which aims to protect Earth's natural resources. text/html 2013-04-23T18:32:09-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Non-Equity-Jeff-Awards-nominated-posted/42484.html The Jeff Awards Committee has announced 120 nominations in 25 categories of Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2013. text/html 2013-04-21T21:40:55-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Under-A-Rainbow-Flag-ends-run/42469.html The world premiere run of the gay World War II musical ended its successful run April 21. Pictured is Jon Phillips with members of the cast and crew, including Phillips with Sam Button-Harrison, who plays him in the show.