'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for June 1st, 2011
By: Paul W. Thompson Jun. 01, 2011
THE LATEST IN UNAUTHORIZED GOSSIP AND BUZZ
FROM THE HEART OF CHICAGO'S SHOWTUNE VIDEO BARS,
AND MUSICAL THEATER NEWS FROM CHICAGO TO BROADWAY
by Paul W. Thompson
Overheard last weekend under the showtune
video screens at Sidetrack and The Call:
The Jeff Awards are upon us! The non-Equity wing of Chicago's theater industry awards organization will hand out its awards next Monday night, June 6, 2011, at the Park West. There are 23 categories this year, and yet there are only a select few musical productions nominated. And, as most of these have a half-dozen or so nominations apiece, predicting the winners is tricky! Are voters going to honor the same show over and over, or will they spread the wealth? "Big River" from the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, "Boojum!" from the Chicago DCA Theater, Caffeine Theatre and Chicago Opera Vanguard, "Cabaret" and "The Pirates of Penzance" by The Hypocrites, and "Cats" and "Some Enchanted Evening" from Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre (in association with Michael James) are the six major nominees, with just a handful going elsewhere. Who will win? I won't even chance a prediction! All these productions received positive reviews. Their leading performers work on a regular basis, as do their designers and directors and choreographers. They will all work more with a Jeff on their resume. But will they show up at Sidetrack after the awards show? The suspense is killing me!
2011 Non-Equity Jeff Award Nominees
One of the Jeff nominees, Bethany Thomas ( for "Sweet And Hot" at Theo Ubique) is a standout among many superlative performers in the "Porgy And Bess" at Court Theatre in Hyde Park. Have you read the ecstatic rave reviews and seen all that publicity? It wouldn't surprise me if this production ran even longer than its current extension (to July 3). Is this the perfect match of show, concept and theater? Such excitement!
The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess - Court Theatre
Another production that looks good on paper is opening this weekend, for two weekends only. It's "Brigadoon" at Light Opera Works in Evanston. Artistic director Rudy Hogenmiller directs the show, at Cahn Auditorium June 4-12 only. I think "it's almost like being in love." Actually, it was my first summer stock experience (more on that later). You always remember your first time, I guess....
Light Opera Works - Brigadoon
Another company with the word "opera" in the title is bringing a Golden Age musical to us this summer, Chamber Opera Chicago. A production of "The Sound Of Music" plays just two performances, June 11-12, at the Athenaeum Theatre in Lakeview. Artistic director Barbara Landis will be Maria, with Nick Sandys as Captain Von Trapp. The same two actors will star in the world premiere of Landis's adaptation of Jane Austen's "Persuasion," with dancers from the Trinity Irish Dance Company and an orchestra playing traditional music and dance from Austen's time. That show will play four performances, September 10-18.
Speaking of large cast shows with period costumes, the Tony-winner "1776" is on the boards now at Wheaton Drama, the community theater in Dupage County. Directed by Charles A. Berglund and starring Sean Ogren as John Adams and Kimberly Baker as Martha Jefferson, the show runs May 27-June 19.
From the past to the future, you never know what living in the Mosh Pit will do to your time traveling abilities. Next up in "Alien Queen," that mash-up of Sigourney Weaver science fiction films and the music of Freddie Mercury that is now on its third life! After a theatrical run at Circuit nightclub and a single-night concert performance at the Metro, an encore concert performance has been booked, for June 10, at the Metro with special guests. Jeff Award winner Ryan Lanning stars are Ridley. Tickets, as they say, are now on sale.
Two new musicals announced Chicago commercial runs recently. The first to hit town will be "The Mommies," at the Royal George Theatre beginning July 28 (for an apparent open run). Written by Jeanie Linders (remember "Menopause: The Musical"? No? It ran for years.), and directed by Kathryn Conte, this show is planning to fan out nation-wide, with Chicago as a key part of its business plan, I think. I'll bet it knows its target demographic VERY well.
The Official Site of The Mommies: A Musical Blog
Second of all, and even better known, and (probably) with even bigger dreams in its sights, will be "A Christmas Story: The Musical!", based on the now-legendary 1983 holiday film about Ralphie, that gun and the leg lamp. With original film star Peter Billingsley on board as a producer, and directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle (Broadway's revival of "Finian's Rainbow") this show will tour to four other cities this fall before plopping down at the Chicago Theatre December 14-30, joining an already impressively crowded Loop theater scene for the 2011 holidays. I believe the company will rehearse here before heading out, and that the show has been mounted in Kansas City and Seattle the last two years. This one might prove to be quite a holiday staple, folks.
A Christmas Story, The Musical!
Changing gears a little, I wanted to mention the well-attended event I was privileged to attend last week, on behalf of Chicago Lost And Found, the non-profit that takes discarded materials and turns them into works of art, all for the benefit of arts education in schools. There is (as you know) a great interplay between the performing arts and the visual arts, and we all need to raise the next generation of artists and audiences, so there you go! Connection made and seconded. If you have items to donate, or want to get involved in yet another worthy cause, check it out. There are good people (and many of YOU) involved in this, headed up by founder Mitch Pennell. We are all connected, and nothing and no one around here is garbage.
And lastly, another word about summer stock, that perennial institution that exists in resort towns coast to coast, providing a training ground and valuable income for young actors, designers and directors. In the last couple of weeks, many of Chicago's finest young theater artists have departed for the wilds of Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana or even (gasp) downstate Illinois. Heck, we've got people headed to Colorado and Massachusetts, and probably even further. One such summer stock company, the Timber Lake Playhouse in Mount Carroll, Illinois, is opening its season this weekend with "Sunset Boulevard," starring Chicago's Katherine L. Condit. I wish I could be there!
Godspeed, all you hardworking, weatherproof troupers. Chicago's theater community will miss you, and will welcome you back when you return. Until then, keep in contact with what's going on via the Showtune Mosh Pit! And when you get back (or if you sneak back into town on your day off, if you have one), I'll see you under the video screens.....-PWT
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