THEATRE
**** = Gay/les/bi/queer/trans content or interest
VVV = Latino/a interest
Previews and Opening Nights
**** Sep 25: Cabaret red-hot, sexually charged musical set in 1931 pre-war Berlin, holds a legendary place in American theater, the glamorous and decadent Kit Kat Club, where Life is a Cabaret, old chum...Come to the Cabaret! A live, 7-person band accompanies the cast on stage, performing a sizzling score including such favorites as Money, Money, If You Could See Her, and of course Cabaret. Thru Nov 2. Metropolis Performing Arts Ctr, 111 W. Campbell St. in Arlington Heights
**** Oct 1: Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind One of the longest-running shows in Chicago, it's a one-hour blitz of 30 extremely brief plays.Presented by: The Neo-Futurists Metropolis Performing Arts Ctr111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Hts (847) 577-2121.
VVV Oct 3: The Maria Chronicles the third new play written and developed by the all female ensemble. Illustrates that truth is stranger than fiction, especially when you're a Latina trying to make a living as an actress in Chicago. Based on the real-life experiences of nine Latina actresses, offers a cheeky look at the entertainment industry from a Latina point-of-view. thru Nov 23 Teatro Luna 556 W. 18th St (312) 829-7552
**** Oct 3: Tales From Mom's Crypt 7, thru Oct 31 Corn Productions at the Cornservatory, 4210 N. Lincoln (312) 409-6435
Oct 3: Three Tales Three-part video opera examining unchecked progress in technology and its impact on human life: "Hindenburg", about the famous zeppelin crash of 1937; "Bikini", about the atom bomb testing at Bikini Atoll from 1946 to 1952; and "Dolly", about the sheep cloned in 1997.Steve Reich and Beryl Korot are known for redefining the operatic form, vesting it with renewed relevance through their use of contemporary music, timely subject matter, and advanced video technology. Only thru Oct 4. Athenaeum Thtr 2936 North Southport (773) 722-5463
VVV Oct 10: Mexican Wrestling MacBeth Homage to Mexican Monster Cinema from the 50s and 60s. A film director of monster movies attempts to direct the very first Mexican Shakespearean cinema, he can only get financial backing by casting Mexican Wrestlers in all the roles. Arch rivals of the ring battle it out for top billing in the movie, the Lady Mexican Wrestlers send folding chairs flying through the air and practice Ancient Aztec black Magic Blood Sacrifices in their attempts to secure the most coveted role of first Mexican Lady MacBeth 11pm. Thru Nov 1. Bailiwick Arts Ctr 1229 W. Belmont (773) 883-1090 www.bailiwick.org
VVV **** Oct 11: Veracruz Cirque de Salsation all new sketch comedy revue by Chicago's original Latino comedy ensemble. Honors the spectacle of Cirque du Soleil's Varekai and Mexico's oldest and grandest port, Veracruz with a dash of the surrealism of Dali. Thru Nov 22 Teatro Luna 556 W. 18th St. (312) 670-8496
**** Oct 20: Edward Albee Festival Program One: The Zoo Story and The Death of Bessie Smith Oct 21, 26 and Nov 1. Program Two: Box, The Sandbox, Finding the Sun Oct 23, 26 and Nov 1. Program Three: Marriage Play Oct 25, 29 and Nov 2. Mr Albee will discuss his life and work Oct 13 at 7pm. Mel Gusso, author of Edward Albee: A Singular Journey: A Biography will moderate a panel entitled 'Acting Albee' featuring a number of well known actors distinguished for performances in Mr. Albee's plays. Goodman Thtr, 170 N Dearborn (312) 443-3800 www.goodman-theatre.org
**** Oct 20: Lesbian Arts Festival four weeks Bailiwick Arts Ctr 1229 W. Belmont (773) 883-1090 www.bailiwick.org
Oct 24: Women's Performance Art Festival 4th annual thru Oct 26 Links Hall 3435 N. Sheffield (773) 575-5942
**** Oct 25: Dreams of Desire, world premiere adaptations of stories by Gabriel Marquez, Virginia Wolfe and Shirley Jackson, thru Nov 23 greasy joan & company, Live Bait Thtr 3914 N. Clark (773) 871-1212
Theater Ongoing
VVV **** Anna in the Tropics the first Chicago production by acclaimed Cuban-American playwright Nilo Cruz is a lush romantic drama about Cuban-American cigar factory workers in 1920's Florida. Features Charin Alvarez (Conchita), Sandra Delgado (Marela), Ricardo Gutierrez (Cheche), Sandra Marquez (Ofelia), Dale Rivera (Juan Julian), Gustavo Mellado (Santiago) and Edie Torres (Palomo).Awarded the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Thru Oct 26. Victory Gardens Thtr 2257 N Lincoln (773) 871-3000
**** Late Nite Catechism Sister, the wise-cracking, lovable nun created by Chicagoans Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan, rules over a traditional 1960s catechism classroom, tickling not only those who went thru parochial school but anyone ever taught by an authoritative figure. Tenth year running for this international hit. Open run. Royal George Thtr 1641 N. Halsted (312) 988-9000
DANCE
VVVV Ballet Gran Folklorico De Mexico traditional dance thtr reflects the history of Mexico from ancient rituals to modern dances. Oct 18, Uptown Thtr and Ctr for the Arts at St. Scholastica Academy, 7416 N Ridge Blvd (773) 561-5700
DanceAfricaChicago Freedom Poet Stacyann Chin is a featured artist at this year's event and preview events leading up to the mainstage performance. Oct 17 thru 19 Chicago Thtr 174 N State St. www.danceafricachicago.com Ticktmstr (312) 902-1500
VVVV Ensemble Español - Spanish Dance Thtr Oct. 25. Internationally acclaimed full company of 40 dancers, singers and musicians with guest artists from Spain and the United States. Auditorium Thtr 50 E Congress Parkway Tktmstr (312) 902-1500
VVVV Flamenco Passion multi-media dance drama El Amor Brujo, Ravel's Bolero, and the sensual Ritmos Del Flamenco with full company of 40 dancers, singers, musicians and guest artists from Spain and the Americas. Two performances Oct 25. Auditorium Thtr, 50 E Congress Parkway (312) 902-1500 www.tcketmaster.com
VVVV Mexican Fine Arts Ctr Museum Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles The nation's first all-female mariachi group. This band is comprised of versatile, uniquely creative young women who, within a short time, have dazzled thousands and made appearances everywhere from the Hollywood Bowl to the New Mexico State Fair. Nov 10 Harris Thtr for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph in Millennium Park. (312) 629-8696 .
VVVV Tango Metropolis International Latino Cultural Ctr presents an extravaganza of music and dance from different periods of history. Music from tango's greatest composers, Gardel and Piazzola, up to the contemporary period, performed by a master of the bandoneon, Daniel Binelli, and the critically acclaimed Polly Ferman at the piano. Claudio Hoffman and Pilar Alvarez of the Argentinean dance ensemble Tango Express choreograph the dance performed by ten characters emerging from the depths of the night driven by a desire to assert themselves in a hostile city. Oct 10 thru 12 at Merle Reskin Thtr, 60 E Balbo. (312) 431-1330 www.latinoculturalcenter.org
VVVV Tango Passion Exhilarating Argentinian dance, born in Buenos Aires: the dance of love and seduction. Paramount Arts Ctr 23 E Galena Blvd Aurora (630) 896-666
Art/Photo
VVVV **** Aldo Castillo Gallery Art of Uribe, by renowned Colombian artist, Luis Fernando Uribe Sep 10 thru Oct 11. 233 W Huron St. (312) 337-2536 www.artaldo.com/
****Art Encounter Tour a private collection of thought provoking twentieth century and contemporary art including mixed media work by out gay artist David Hockney and work by Marcel Duchamps; sculpture, photos and prints by Man Ray; a major photo by Sugimoto; painting by contemporary artists Peter Haley, Edward Ruscha, and Robert Moskowitz. Sep 24, location given when signing up at (847) 328-9222
VVVV ***Chicago Cultural Ctr Sebastiao Salgado's Migrations: Humanity in Transition and the Children. Over 300 photos at two venues document mass migration thru Sep 28. Chicago Cultural Ctr, 78 E. Washington St, and the Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Ctr, 400 S. State St. Free. Also, next year: Out lesbian Riva Lerrer: Circle Stories two exhibits, galleries to be announced Apr 3 thru May 30, 2004 (312) 744-6630
**** Gerber/ Hart Library, Chicago's LGBT lit and culture historians, present "Picture This..." with art, food, and C.C. Carter with award winning back up group, Lakeside Pride Clarinet Choir, silent auction and community support. Oct 4, High Risk Gallery 1113 W. Belmont,(773) 381-8030 www.gerberhart.org
VVVV Havana Gallery The gallery features art by contemporary artists living in Cuba, a variety of styles, including portraiture, abstraction, Surrealism and landscape. Havana Gallery is able to promote Cuban art in the United States thanks to a recent Supreme Court decision that allows cultural exchange between the U.S. and Cuba and allowing generation of much-needed funds for artists on the island 1139 W Webster Ave. (773) 549-2492
VVVV Mexican Fine Arts Ctr Museum El Ojo Fina (The Exquisite eye) features the works of nine prominent women photographers of Mexico: Lola Alvarez Bravo, Kati Horna, Mariana Yampolsky, Graiela Iturbide, Flor Garduno, Yoplanda Andrade Alifia Ahumada Salaiz, Angeles Torrejon and Maya Goded, artists from three generations who have reached across the 20th century to confront us with the essential stuff of life. Thru Oct 5. 1852 W 19th St.,(312) 738-1503.
