Weekly news from the GLBT world http://www.windycitytimes.com/windycitytimes.html 2012-05-22T21:07:46-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://www.windycitytimes.com/images/publications/wct/2012-05-16/current.jpg text/html 2012-05-18T21:00:27-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/8-staged-reading-May-22/37746.html By Dustin Lance Black, directed by Spencer Neiman, Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 8 p.m. Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. text/html 2012-05-18T13:34:34-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Broadcast-of-8-with-George-Clooney-Brad-Pitt-in-Chicago-June-9/37743.html L.A. Theatre Works LATW has recorded "8," a dramatization of the legal fight against California's Proposition 8 written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and American Foundation for Equal Rights AFER founding board member Dustin Lance Black, for release on audiobook and for broadcast on LATW's nationally syndicated radio theater series. Directed by Rob Reiner and featuring an all-star cast that includes Kevin Bacon, George Clooney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Christine Lahti, Jane Lynch, Brad Pitt, Martin Sheen and John C. Reilly, "8" will air on public radio stations across the U.S. during the week of June 9. The broadcast, which also includes conversations with Black, Reiner, George Clooney and other members of the cast, as well as interviews with lawyers David Boies and Ted Olson who led the charge against Prop 8, will be heard in Chicago on Saturday, June 9 from 10 pm - midnight on 91.5 FM WBEZ and will also be available for streaming on demand at www.latw.org. The audiobook will be available on CD and for digital download on June 1 through all major retailers, including iTunes and Amazon. Review copies are available on request. text/html 2012-05-16T14:26:03-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Spotlight/37736.html Merri Biechler's world premiere of Bombs, Babes and Bingo promises to be a different play at every performance since a bingo game supposedly determines an outcome from up to 3,628,800 possibilities. See how Mortar Theatre Company handles this ever-changing dark comedy involving a forgetful bomb maker, a mother in clown college and an all-important bingo game of chance. Bombs, Babes and Bingo plays at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays with 3 p.m. Sunday matinees from Sunday, May 20, through Sunday, June 17, at Luna Central formerly Live Bait Theater , 3914 N. Clark St. Preview tickets through May 23 are $15 and $20 for the regular run. Call 773-819-5862 or visit www.mortartheatrecompany.org. Photo of Cruz Gonzalez and Stephanie Stroud in Bombs, Babes and Bingo by Morgan Anderson text/html 2012-05-16T14:20:54-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/My-Asian-Mom-at-Stage-773-through-May-26/37734.html A-Squared Theatre Workshop, Chicago's only pan-Asian dramatic theater company, presents My Asian Mom, an evening of eight 10-minute, one-act plays. text/html 2012-05-16T14:19:53-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/A-Little-Night-Music-/37733.html Book: Hugh Wheeler; Score: Stephen Sondheim. At: Writers' Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct., Glencoe text/html 2012-05-16T14:18:24-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Kin/37732.html Playwright: Bathsheba Doran. At: Griffin Theatre at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets: 773-975-8150; www.theaterwit.org; $35. Runs through: June 10 text/html 2012-05-16T14:17:24-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Conquest-thru-May-19/37731.html Ludicrous Theatre will present Conquest of the Universe or When Queen's Collide—an '80s version of Charles Ludlam's Conquest—May 11-19 at BoHo Theatre at the Heartland, 7016 N. Glenwood Ave. text/html 2012-05-16T14:16:46-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/CRITICS-PICKS/37730.html After the Revolution, Next Theatre, through May 19. Amy Herzog's intelligent play is less the political tale it seems and more a family "dramedy" of how we react when our idols turn out to have feet-of-clay. There's a top-notch cast with a delicious steely turn by veteran Mary Ann Thebus. JA text/html 2012-05-16T14:15:46-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jonathan Abarbanel, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Her-Naked-Skin/37729.html Playwright: Rebecca Lenkiewicz. At: Shattered Globe Theatre at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets: 773-327-5252; www.shatteredglobe.org; $18-$34. Runs through June 3 text/html 2012-05-16T14:13:49-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Rent/37728.html Playwright: book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson. At: American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St. Tickets: 773-409-4125; www.atcweb.org; $45-$50. Runs through: June 17 text/html 2012-05-16T10:56:11-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Broadways-leading-ladies/37711.html It's time again for theater fans everywhere to prognosticate about performers and productions vying for the Tony Awards, those exclusive silver medallions that honor excellence in New York Broadway shows. text/html 2012-05-16T10:54:36-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jerry Nunn, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Star-Wars-actor-Ian-McDiarmid-stars-in-Timon/37710.html Actor Ian McDiarmid is bringing a rare Shakespeare show to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier. Timon of Athens tells the story of fortune and how the world of wealth can change in an instant. text/html 2012-05-16T10:52:25-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jerry Nunn, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Sexy-Baby/37709.html Playwright: David Cerda At: Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. Tickets: 800-838-3006; www.handbagproductions.org; $15-$22. Runs through: June 16 text/html 2012-05-16T08:28:06-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Goodman-gala-brings-fun-Laura-Benanti/37689.html The Goodman Theatre brought its annual black-tie gala to The Fairmont Chicago this past weekend. It was a cabaret-styled affair with dancing girls and boas on the red lamp-topped tables. Tony Award-winning Laura Benanti brought the Broadway to the night with songs from her past shows, including Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and Into the Woods. She also sang selections from The Sound of Music and stated that she feels like a gay man is trapped inside her body from loving musicals since a child. text/html 2012-05-09T17:12:56-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/SPOTLIGHT/37644.html Fans of the late composer/lyricist Jonathan Larson are sure to get their fix now in Chicago. The About Face Theatre and American Theater Company's production of Larson's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Rent is up and running, as is Porchlight Music Theatre's production of tick, tick… BOOM!, a much more personal and semi-autobiographical musical exploring an artist's concerns and fears as he approaches his 30th birthday. text/html 2012-05-09T17:10:20-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/The-Iceman-Cometh/37643.html Playwright: Eugene O'Neill . At: Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Tickets: 312-443-3800; www.goodmantheatre.org; $61-$133. Runs through: June 17 text/html 2012-05-09T17:03:13-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Marvin-Gaye-Story-starts-May-11/37642.html Black Ensemble Theater has announced the world premiere of The Marvin Gaye Story Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend, written, produced and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor. text/html 2012-05-09T17:02:21-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jonathan Abarbanel, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/When-the-Rain-Stops-Falling/37640.html Playwright: Andrew Bovell. At: Circle Theatre, 1010 W. Madison St., Oak Park. Tickets: 708-660-9540; www.circle-theatre.org; $24-$28. Runs through: June 17 text/html 2012-05-09T17:00:40-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Pride-and-Prejudice/37639.html Playwright: adapted by Christina Calvit from the novel by Jane Austen. At: Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. Tickets: 773-761-4477; www.lifelinetheatre.com; $32-$35. Runs through: June 10 text/html 2012-05-09T16:58:51-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Timon-of-Athens/37638.html Playwright: William Shakespeare At: Chicago Shakespeare Theatre at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave. Tickets: 312-595-5600; www.chicagoshakes.com; $44-$75. Runs through: June 10 text/html 2012-05-09T13:51:42-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/-Emerging-Theater-nominees-announced/37613.html The League of Chicago Theatres has announced the five finalists for the 2012 Broadway In Chicago Emerging Theater Award. text/html 2012-05-09T05:07:02-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Northlight-Theatre-announces-The-Odd-Couple/37601.html Production featuring Chicago's own Tim Kazurinksy and George Wendt to headline the 2012-13 season text/html 2012-05-08T23:13:54-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Steppenwolfs-fun-gala/37577.html Friends of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company were treated to the company's annual gala over the weekend. First stopping off at the theater located at 1650 N. Halsted St., attendees watched scenes from the current hit production The March. Afterwards, guests took the trolley to Blackhawk on Halsted to finish the evening with a gourmet dinner, cocktails and music provided by actor Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. text/html 2012-05-02T15:47:32-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/SPOTLIGHT/37549.html T.S. Eliot's poetry collection Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats hit the big time when composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and director Trevor Nunn transformed it in the early 1980s into the mega-musical Cats. A national tour of Cats is still mewing around, so if you don't have any Memory of the show, now's your chance to see it. Cats continues at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., through Sunday, May 6. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. May 2-4; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 5; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 6. Tickets are $25-$75; call 800-775-2000 or visit www.broadwayinchicago.com. Photo by Joan Marcus text/html 2012-05-02T15:46:27-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Rise-of-the-Numberless-Sixty-Miles-to-Silver-Lake/37548.html Rise of the Numberless text/html 2012-05-02T15:43:52-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/CRITICS-PICKS/37547.html After the Revolution, Next Theatre, through May 19. Amy Herzog's intelligent play is less the political tale it seems and more a family "dramedy" of how we react when our idols turn out to have feet-of-clay. It's a top-notch cast with a delicious steely turn by veteran Mary Ann Thebus. JA text/html 2012-05-02T15:43:29-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/My-Asian-Mom-at-Stage-773-May-4/37546.html A-Squared Theatre Workshop, Chicago's only pan-Asian dramatic theater company, presents My Asian Mom, an evening of eight 10-minute, one-act plays. text/html 2012-05-02T15:43:04-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jonathan Abarbanel, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Who-Do-We-Think-We-Are/37545.html Playwright: The Company. At: The Second City, 1616 N. Wells St. Tickets: 312-337-3992; www.secondcity.com; $23-$28. Runs through: Open run text/html 2012-05-02T15:41:07-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/In-a-Forest-Dark-And-Deep/37544.html Playwright: Neil LaBute. At: Profiles Theatre at the Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway. fka National Pastime's Old Speakeasy Tickets: 773-549-1815; www.profilestheatre.org; $35-$40. Runs through: June 3 text/html 2012-05-02T15:37:59-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/The-Duchess-of-Malfi/37543.html Playwright: John Webster. At: Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway. Tickets: 866-811-4111; www.strawdog.org; $28. Runs through: May 26 text/html 2012-05-02T14:00:20-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott Schoettes http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Two-to-tango-Gay-couples-works-showing-in-Chicagoland/37519.html When partners of a longtime gay couple both have similar careers in the arts, their relationship can benefit since they both can understand the distinct stresses and demands of each other's work. Yet both have to be careful that they don't step on each others' toes. text/html 2012-04-25T18:47:49-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Victory-Gardens-new-playwrights/37468.html Artistic Director Chay Yew and Executive Director Jan Kallish announce the appointment of the new Victory Gardens VG Ensemble Playwrights: Philip Dawkins, Marcus Gardley, Samuel D. Hunter and Tanya Saracho. text/html 2012-04-25T18:46:27-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Fish-Men/37467.html Playwright: Candido Tirado. At: Teatro Vista at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Tickets: 312-443-3800; www.goodmantheatre.org; $12-$42. Runs through: May 6 text/html 2012-04-25T18:40:56-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Spotlight/37466.html Before it heads off to Ireland for the 2012 International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, see a benefit farewell performance of Tim Paul's hit 2011 solo show No Fats, No Femmes in its hometown of Chicago. In addition to Paul's full show recounting his own personal stories of online dating and dalliances, there are also solo performances by Abby McEnany, Kate Duffy, Wes Perry, Jet Eveleth and more. The benefit for No Fats, No Femmes plays for one performance only at 8 p.m. Monday, April 30, at the Annoyance Theater, 4830 N. Broadway. Tickets are $20; visit www.chicagoimprovfestival.org for tickets and more information. text/html 2012-04-25T18:39:22-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Jonathan Abarbanel, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Angels-in-America/37465.html Playwright: Tony Kushner. At: Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. Tickets: 773-753-4472; www.CourtTheatre.org; $45-$65. Runs through: June 3 text/html 2012-04-25T18:37:46-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Hairspray/37464.html Book: Mark O'Donnell & Thomas Meehan; Score: Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman. At: Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Tickets: 630-530-0111 or www.drurylaneoakbrook.com; $35-$46. Runs through: June 17 text/html 2012-04-25T18:36:41-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Show-on-Turing-at-Vittum-May-2/37463.html "The Encyclopedia Show—Series 4, Volume 10: Alan Turing!" will run Wed., May 2, at Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St., at 7:30 p.m. text/html 2012-04-25T18:36:08-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Joffrey-Ballets-Spring-Desire-April-25-May-6/37462.html The Joffrey Ballet's season will conclude with 10 performances of the program "Spring Desire" April 25-May 6 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Pkwy. text/html 2012-04-25T18:34:06-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Mary Shen Barnidge http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/The-March/37461.html Playwright: adapted by Frank Galati from the novel by E.L. Doctorow. At: Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tickets: 312-335-1650; www.steppenwolf.org; $20-$78. Runs through: June 10 text/html 2012-04-25T18:20:29-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Girl-You-Know-Its-True-Liberal-Arts-The-Musical/37460.html Girl You Know It's True text/html 2012-04-25T18:18:23-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Phylicia-Rashad-to-direct-Family/37459.html Paul Boskind, Ruth Hendel and Stephen Hendel—by special arrangement with the Goodman Theatre, and in association with About Face Theatre—announce Immediate Family, a new American play by Paul Oakley Stovall. Two-time Emmy nominee and Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad The Cosby Show will direct. text/html 2012-04-25T18:18:02-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Marvin-Gaye-Story-at-Black-Ensemble-May-11/37458.html Black Ensemble Theater has announced the world premiere of The Marvin Gaye Story Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend, written, produced and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor. text/html 2012-04-25T18:17:24-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/All-Girl-Moby-Dick-at-Zoo-Studios/37457.html The Chicago Mammals are presenting All Girl Moby Dick, an adaptation of Herman Melville's classic performed with an ensemble composed entirely of Chicago actresses. text/html 2012-04-25T18:17:02-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/My-Asian-Mom-at-Stage-773-May-4/37456.html A-Squared Theatre Workshop, Chicago's only pan-Asian dramatic theater company, presents My Asian Mom, an evening of eight 10-minute, one-act plays. text/html 2012-04-25T13:02:43-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Bailiwick-and-New-Colony-add-up-Numberless/37418.html \Rise of the Numberless is a world-premiere musical co-produced by The New Colony and Bailiwick Chicago with an artistic collaborative process that stretches back more than two years. text/html 2012-04-25T01:40:59-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Steppenwolf-holds-Red-or-White-Ball/37393.html Steppenwolf's annual Red or White Ball was held at Architectural Artifacts for the first time April 13. A special VIP reception was held before the main event with announcements from honorary chairs Kathryn Erbe, ensemble member and star of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, as well as Lily Mojekwu and Robert Schleifer, who starred in recent Steppenwolf productions. text/html 2012-04-24T14:25:14-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Neo-Futurists-plan-24th-season-of-original-work/37387.html CHICAGO — The Neo-Futurists announce their 24th season to include 44 Plays for 44 Presidents, part of a nation-wide festival curated by Andy Bayiates, Analog by Kurt Chiang, and The Miss Neo-Futurist Pageant by Megan Mercier. Also on the books is another great year of the smash hit, Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind. text/html 2012-04-20T19:23:42-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Chicago-Dramatists-announces-2012-2013-season/37373.html CHICAGO—Chicago Dramatists, known for producing innovative and award-winning new work, is proud to announce its 34th season featuring three world premiere productions by its Resident Playwrights. Chicago Dramatists continues to nurture the city's most promising playwrights and to push the envelope with the newest plays, helping to advance Chicago's reputation as a leader in American theatre new play development. The season begins with Freshly Fallen Snow, September 20 - October 28, by Resident Playwright M.E.H. Lewis and directed by Associate Artistic Director Meghan Beals McCarthy. The first show of 2013 is Southbridge, January 24 - March 13, by Resident Playwright Reginald Edmund and directed by Artistic Director Russ Tutterow. The Chicago Dramatists' season concludes with Homecoming 1972, May 16 - June 23, by Resident Playwright Robert Koon and directed by Associate Artist Kimberly Senior. Tickets for the 2012-2013 season go on sale July 1, 2012. Chicago Dramatists is located at 1105 W. Chicago Avenue, performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. individual ticket prices are $32, and student tickets are $15 for all Thursday performances. For more information or reservations visit www.chicagodramatists.org or call 312.633.0630. text/html 2012-04-20T18:45:08-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/The-Encyclopedia-Show-Vol-10-Alan-Turing/37370.html Date of Event: Wednesday, May 2 text/html 2012-04-30T03:10:40-00:00 http://www.windycitytimes.com http://windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Alex-in-Wonderland/37486.html Playwright: Tony Lewis and Michael Elm. At: Hydrate Nightclub, 3458 N. Halsted. Phone: 773-835-0420; www.tix.com; $10. Runs through: May 26