**** Gay/les/bi/queer/trans content or interest . BB = Black interest. V = Latino/a.
BBBB Jun 26: Killing Me Softly Romance, jealousy and political intrigue are suspect in the murder of a prominent leader. Thru Aug 10. eta Creative Arts Foundation 7558 S. South Chicago Ave ( 773 ) 752-3955
**** Jul 6: Slap and Tickle Comedy inspired by a series of casual interviews about sexual experiences with gay men whose ages range from 19 to 52. From first kisses underwater to a men's room assault; from high school gyms to public parks, the stories veer beyond sex to explore interrelated issues of promiscuity, intimacy and homophobia. Ostensibly set in a contemporary New York City bathhouse, the play features a towel-clad cast of 4 "Robs" who assume an array of roles, a doorman who serves as narrator and a Lady Di impersonator who becomes a living slang glossary. These characters re-examine their sexual behavior and attitudes 30 years after Gay Liberation, 20 years into the AIDS epidemic and 10 years after political correctness. A world premiere by David Parr, directed by Jason Palmer. Part of P.ride Season, Out All Year, Bailiwick Repertory, 1229 W. Belmont ( 773 ) 883-1090
**** Jul 7: 15 Annual Chicago Directors Festival at Bailiwick Repertory features 15 GLBT Briefs. Fourteen directors represent a strong cross-section of young artists at Off-Loop theaters. Works include William Inge and Edward Albee, an exciting new slant on Moliere, new works by Linda Eisenstein and Ron Nyswaner. First week includes The Time Closet, Just Thinking, Marigold, A Rustle of Wings. Weeks two thru four have new lineups.Bailiwick Repertory, 1229 W. Belmont ( 773 ) 883-1090 www.bailiwick.org
**** Jul 18: Precious Stones a play by Jamil Khoury, examines the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the turbulent terrain of American Diaspora. Set in Chicago in 1989, as the first Palestinian intifadah rages in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Two women, one Jewish, the other Palestinian, join to form an Arab-Jewish dialogue group, fall in love and discover the disputed territories of sexuality and class. Thru Jul 27. Chicago Temple, First United Methodist Church, 77 W. Washington St. Tix: www.ticketweb.com or toll free ( 866 ) 468-3401. Info/group sales ( 312 ) 236-6881.
**** Jul 31: About Face Youth Theatre: The Fifth Anniversary Production A world premiere created and performed by the About Face Youth Thtr Ensemble , presented in association with the Goodman Thtr in the Owen Studio. Thru Aug 17. Goodman Thtr 170 N. Dearborn ( 312 ) 443-3800 www.goodman-theatre.org
Theater Ongoing
BBBB Blue Hues of Hughes A tribute to the work of Langston Hughes. Featuring his poetry and short stories interwoven with dance and music. Thru Aug. 1. eta Creative Arts Foundation 7558 S. South Chicago Ave ( 773 ) 752-3955
BBBB Howlin' at the Moon currentproduction of Blues musician Howlin' Wolf, starring Rick Stone in the title role continues in an open- run. Black Ensemble Thtr 4520 N. Beacon. 773/769-4451
BBBB Killing Me Softly Romance, jealousy and political intrigue are suspect in the murder of a prominent leader. Thru Aug 10. eta Creative Arts Foundation 7558 S. South Chicago Ave ( 773 ) 752 - 3955
BBBB Playwrights Speak eta Readers Theater: The Sisters From Belzoni New plays by novice and veteran playwrights are read before an audience, followed by group discussion between playwright, cast and audience members. Many Mainstage productions have been introduced in this format. Theater goers have a voice in what may become tomorrow's hot new show! Thru Aug. 1, eta Creative Arts Foundation 7558 S. South Chicago Ave. ( 773 ) 752-3955
BBBB Race: How Blacks and Whites Think and Feel about the American Obsession a stage adaptation of Studs Terkel's book thru Aug. 10. Inauguration of Lookingglass Thtr Co's new theater in Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. ( 312 ) 337-0665.
BBBB Suit, The the story of a young married couple living in apartheid-era Sophiatown. When he discovers she has been unfaithful, he exacts an unusual revenge—he forces her to treat her lover's abandoned suit as an honored guest. Following the June world premiere here, the production will continue to the Edinburgh Festival and the Young Vic in London's West End. Featuring Chicago actors Karen Aldridge and Tarell McCraney, joined by distinguished film director and actor Melvin Van Peebles.Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare. Thru Jul 6. Chicago Shakespeare Thtr on Navy Pier ( 312 ) 595-5633 www.chicagoshakes.com/suit.html
BBBB Whatever Happened To... This production highlights the music and history of the girl groups of the 50s and 60s, thru Aug 31. Black Ensemble Thtr, 4520 N. Beacon, 773 769-4451
Art/Photo
BBBB Block Museum of Art Northwestern University The White House Collection of American Crafts Main Gallery Jul 18 - Aug 24. Coming Oct. 3, The Darker Muse: Black Chicago and Creative Suggestion a series of lectures and conversations on the arts.40 Arts Circle Dr. Evanston
BBBB DuSable Museum: The Hale Woodruff Amistad Murals, by one of the most acclaimed African-American artists of the Depression era. Full scale reproductions of his famous murals commemorate the Amistad Mutiny. Thru October. Will include in the DuSable Sunken Garden an outdoor bronze sculpture of the Amistad children by Chicago artist, the late Renee Townsend. Also on exhibit: Runaway Slave: Drapetomania ( means diseases and physical peculiarities of the Negro race, based on Greek words meaning runaway and mad ) The Quest for Freedom using photos, prints and decorative art objects. Also, calling fine arts, crafts, and demonstrating artists for 29th Annual DuSable Arts and Crafts Festival Jul 12 and 13. 740 E. 56th Place. ( 773 ) 947-0600 x272
BBBB Field Museum Eternal Egypt Magnificent treasures from 3,500 years of ancient Egypt. Colossal stone sculptures, golden mummy masks and delicate papyrus scrolls. From the world's most important collection of Egyptian art outside of Cairo, epic exhibition reveals secrets of one of the world's most-enduring civilizations. Call for many specific events. Thru Aug 10. Coming November 2003: Steppin' Up: Journeys from the Soul from Bethel New Life Cultural Arts, a multimedia exhibition with life stories and shoes of national and local leaders of civil rights, free speech, women's movements, business, labor, education, the arts and other arenas. Based the art form of the Criot Circle, the West African oral tradition of community storytelling that passes knowledge down through the generations. at the Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. ( 312 ) 922-9410 www.fieldmuseum.org
BBBB Nicole Gallery Haitian Artists: Old Masters and Contemporary Masters Shona sculpture thru Jul 12. 230 W. Huron ( 312 ) 787-7716 www.nicolegallery.com
