THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

THEATER

Sep 9: The Bad Seed, The Musical- Cornservatory's critically acclaimed musical about your favorite child psychopath. Corn Productions, the fabulous 'Bad Seedlings' and Tiff and Mom ( that dysfunctional mother/daughter duo from Berwyn are back as Rhoda and Christine Penmark ) . Jeff-Recommended. Thru Sep 9. Bailiwick Studio Thtr ( 773 ) 883-1090

Sep 9: Short Eyes- Written and developed during his incarceration in Sing Sing, Miguel Piñero's unflinching portrait of men trapped in a legal-system limbo.Brutal, wrenching account of the abuse suffered by a child molester ( "short eyes" in prison slang ) who is ostracized by white, Latino, and black inmates. Claustrophobic, emotionally raw study of hopelessness, reveals depths of anguish, danger, and cruelty through Pinero's intelligent, rough and crackling dialogue. Thru Oct 15. Blindfaith Thtr Co, Storefront Thtr ( 312 ) 742-8497

Sep 10: The Party's [ not ] Over: A 100-Year Celebration- Musical tribute to one of Broadway's greatest composers, Jule Styne, stars some of Chicago's greatest cabaret performers such as Audrey Morris, Nan Mason, KT McCammond, Kat' Taylor, Suzanne Petri, and music from some of Styne's greatest scores including Gypsy, Funny Girl, Bells Are Ringing, Sugar and more.One date, 1 and 3 p.m. in the Claudia Cassidy Thtr Free, reservations required. ( 312 ) 742-1079.

Sep 12: The Bar- Staged reading of a new show by Don Bapst and New Town Writers . ( 773 ) 883-1090 www.bailiwick.org

Sep 12: Northlight Theatre Theatre on the Fly- Esteemed actors and renowned playwrights come together for an evening of never-before-seen short works. Enjoy live music, on-the-fly theater, and take a chance in the casting pool. This is a one-night only event of performances that aren't afraid of taking risks. 7:30pm Randolph Café Free. Info ( 847 ) 679-9501, ext. 3705.

Sep 13: Cats- Magic, mystery, and memory: the longest running show in Broadway's history. Winner of seven Tony® Awards including Best Musical, features 20 of Andrew Lloyd Webber's timeless melodies, including the hit song Memory. Thru Sept 25 Auditorium Thtr ( 312 ) 902-1400

Sep 14: Death Takes a Holiday and A Good and Faithful Servant- The AFTRA/SAG Radio Players perform classic radio scripts in the Claudia Cassidy Thtr ( 312 ) 573-8081

*** Sep 16: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner- by acclaimed gay playwright Luis Alfaro, directed by Sandra Marguez Teatro Vista Thtr, at the Chopin Thtr. ( 312 ) 494-5767 www.teatrovista.com

Sep 16: Galileo- by Bertolt Brecht. Debate evolution vs. Intelligent Design, intersection of science vs religion, timelier than ever. The Side Project, ( 773 ) 973-2150

Sep 17: Purlie- In this revival of hit Broadway musical, Purlie Victorious has pursued many careers in his short life, and now he feels he's received the call to be a preacher. All he needs is a church and a Georgia plantation owner ( and former slaveholder ) with a good bit of cash. Thru Oct. 23 Goodman Thtr ( 312 ) 443-3800

Sep 19: Puppy Love: A Stripper's Tail one night, part of Single file Festival, Breadline Ctr for the Performing Arts ( 312 ) 498-3369

Theater Now Showing

David Kodeski's True Life Tales: And Some Can Remember something of some Such Thing- Thrift store archaeologist's guide3ed tour through family albums and faulty memories. extended thru Sep 17. Fillet of Solo Festival 2005 Live Bait Thtr ( 773 ) 871-1212

**** Drapes- The play—Produced by Vicki Quade ( Late Nite Catechism ) . Two grandmotherly lesbians help a young, newly out, gay man, escape parenting his alcoholic single mother. Victory Gardens Thtr ( 773 ) 871-3000

Is there anything going on upstairs?- Denise La Grassa one-woman performance with new music and characters, a theatrical jazz-jam story and song about multi-ethnic characters in a high rise and the homeless street poet6t and singer, the only one who really knows what's going on. CD sales benefit Doborah' [ s Place overnight shelter. Open run. Kitty Moon 6237 N Clark ( 773 ) 856-6667

**** A Kiss from Alexander- Rehearsals are not going well for the new off-Broadway musical that sends up the life of another gay icon from history, Alexander The Great. Will it be the smash hit that author/director Nikos Matthews needs to save his career? Will leading man Brad Berenson and the six chorus boys trample on or do justice to his legend? Or will a mysterious stranger arrive to play the leading man? Extended thru Sep 25. Bailiwick ( 773 ) 883-1090

**** 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.Fri & Sat 8p.m., Sun 3pm Royal George ( 312 ) 988-9000

Menopause, the Musical- Riotous celebration of women and the change! Open run. Apollo Thtr ( 847 ) 673-0150

Trilogy, Iphigenia at Aulis, Elektra, Orestes- thru Aug 28. Rogue Thtr, Athenaeum Thtr ( 773 ) 935-6860

Wicked- What happened to the Wicked Witch and Glinda before Dorothy dropped into Oz. The Chicago company stars Saturday Night Live and Northwestern University alum Ana Gasteyer as Elphaba and Western Michigan native Kate Reinders as Glinda. Chicago's very own leading actors have also been cast in major roles, with Rondi Reed as Madame Morrible, Gene Weygandt as The Wizard and Heidi Kettenring as Nessarose. Open run. Ford Ctr for the Performing Arts, Oriental Thtr ( 312 ) 902-1400

Call venue for showtime. Comments or suggestions regarding this listing to webbie@windycitymediagroup.com

ART/PHOTO

**** Aldo Castillo Gallery- Aldo Castillo is an openly gay Nicaraguan is gallery director, curator, art dealer, artist and human rights activist. In his struggle for recognition in the United States, he discovered a general lack of knowledge, appreciation and understanding of the integrity and importance of Latin American art and culture and in 1993 founded the gallery, which has become an important part of the Chicago and International art scene. 233 W Huron St ( 312 ) 337-2536 www.artaldo.com

DuSable Museum- Creativity and Resistance: Maroon Cultures in the Americas. Traveling Smithsonian exhibition brings to light a little-known chapter in the history of the African Diaspora. The panel exhibition features historical drawings and maps, timeline, contemporary photographs, and a selection of ceremonial and daily objects. Learn more about those determined to escape slavery and create their own communities. Thru August. Permanent exhibits 'DuSable Treasures: Selections from the Permanent Collection of Art, Harold Washington in Office, Fight To Fly: Blacks in Aviation, Africa Speaks.' 740 E 56th Place. ( 773 ) 947-0600 x272 www.dusablemuseum.org/

Field Museum- Permanent Exhibition: Africa, cultural, geographical, political and social diversity. Dakar, Senegal, the Savanna, the Sahara. 1400 S Lake Shore Dr. ( 312 ) 922-9410 www.fieldmuseum.org

MUSIC

Wednesdays @ 7:30pm HOMOLATTE: QUEER WORDS & MUSIC. Marrakech Expresso 4747 N DamenFree admission. Hosted by Scott Free ( 773 ) 271-4541. www.homolatte.com .

Sep 17: Vickie Shaw, Mountain Moving Coffeehouse

Sep 21 thru 24: Estrojam 2005 at various venues. ( 800 ) 594- 8499

Oct 20: BETTY in Concert at Park West: Band featured on Showtime's The L Word perform at Windy City Times' 20th anniversary Show plus Stewed Tomatoes, Gary Blakely with Joey London, and Kerri Grant, Windy City Gay Idol. Buy tix on this site or call ( 773 ) 871-7610

Oct 22: Lucie Blue Tremblay, Mountain Moving Coffeehouse

Nov 5: Tret Fure, Mountain Moving Coffeehouse

Dec 10: Deidre McCalla, Mountain Moving Coffeehouse

DANCE

27th annual Chicago Jazz Festival Special tribute to jazz legends and a ticketed concert at the Symphony Ctr, opening night. Sept 1-4 ( 312 ) 294-3000 www.sco.org

Clinard Dance Thtr, Las Guitarras de Espana, Unraveling Rhythms, with Siri Sonty and guest artists from India, Spain and the Americas. Fusion with Afro-Cuban percussion.Sept 3 thru Oct 29. Many venus. 866 ) 468-3401 www.ticketweb.com

Dance Center of Columbia College- LatinoContempo Festival, Bebe Millier Co. Oct 6-8, Merce Cunningham Dance Co Oct 28-29, Quasar Dance Co from Brazil, Chicago's Luna Negra Dance Thtr and Mexico Antares Danze Contemporanca. 1306 S Michigan ( 312 ) 344-8300

Hubbard St Dance hometown engagement Harris Thtr in Millennium Park Sep 28-Oct 2.1 ( 800 ) 882-4275

Jay-Son Dance Co- A new repertory on the life story of a Vietnamese orphan, his biological parents, his adopted parents, the racial tension of growing up in Wisconsin, growing up with his adopted father's mental illness, identity crisis of being Asian-American and the sacrifice of his loving adopted mother for her children, Oct 6 thru Oct 8, Ruth Page Ctr for the Arts, 1016 N Dearborn Parkway, www.jaysondancecompany.com

Luna Negra Dance Thtr- Fall Concert Sponsored by the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, At The Joan W. and Irving B Harris Thtr for Music and Dance Oct 8 ( 312 ) 337-6882

Millennium Parkwill host "spontaneous" public performances and events throughout the summer, including Mariachi groups, Chinese Lion Dancers, Bluegrass bands,Punjabi Sabu drummers, stilt-walkers and more.Saturday and Sunday afternoons thru Sept 18

Paramount Thtr- Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, dance troupe from Arora in the best of Mexican tradition, Sep 17. Also BLAST!, imaginative and eciting Tony and Emmy Award winning show with brass, percussion, and visual performers, Sep 23-25. 23 E Galena Blvd Aurora, ( 630 ) 896-6666-

Call venu for showtime. Comments or suggestions regarding this listing to webbie@windycitymediagroup.com