Chicago 1979 - Articles Page 8

When the original production of Do Patent Leather Shows Really Reflect Up opened in Chicago in 1979, the show kicked off a 4½-year run at the Forum Theater, the longest in the city's history. The show featured Megan Mullally, Anthony Crivello and Chloe Webb. 'Shoes' broke house records during its two runs in Philadelphia. And now it's Jacksonville's turn as Do Patent Leather Shows Really Reflect Up opens at the iconic Alhambra Theatre & Dining on September 12 for a four-week run.

Judi Dench and Gillian Anderson are part of the all-star cast that came together at the Theatre Royal in London to celebrate the master musical composer Richard Rodgers (192-1979). This remarkable production, Some Enchanted Evening: Richard Rodgers Tribute Gala, will be screened at the River Street Theatre in downtown Jaffrey on Saturday, September 1 at 7pm and again on Wednesday, September 5 at 2pm.

Ivan Reitman, who directed and produced some of the most iconic films of the past four decades, including the mega-hits Ghostbusters, Animal House, Stripes, and Dave, will make his first Wizard World appearance in special sessions on Saturday, August 25 at Wizard World Comic Con Chicago at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Reitman, whose dozens of blockbuster credits also include National Lampoon's Animal House, Stripes, Kindergarten Cop, Space Jam, Heavy Metal, Old School, Road Trip, Disturbia, Up in the Air and many others, will sign free autographs for fans during his Wizard World Comic Con Chicago visit, pose for photo ops and conduct an interactive Q&A with Ghostbusters star Ernie Hudson.

On my knees I beg you to turn away from the paths of violence and return to the ways of peace". Spoken by the late John Paul II, September 29, 1979, at Drogheda, Ireland in front of a quarter million people, these words changed the course of history and effectively propelled the Irish forward on their path toward peace. This is the compelling claim at the heart of a new feature-length documentary, John Paul II in Ireland: A Plea for Peace, that premieres this summer on public television across the United States.

Over eight million people have lived to tell the tale of one of the most successful - and terrifying - theatre events ever staged, and it's coming to shock audiences in Chicago this fall. The Woman in Black - London's long-running West End play -  will open at Chicago's Royal George Theatre in November with all the stage thrills that have led audiences in London to shriek in fear for 30 years.

Goodman Theatre announces a line-up of free staged readings written by members of its Playwrights Unit-a year-long residency for Chicago-based writers to develop their plays-in-progress with the Goodman's artistic team, in partnership with Chicago Dramatists. Members of the 2017/2018 Playwrights Unit include Sam Collier, Ricardo Gamboa, Isaac Gomez, Kristin Idaszak and Nigel O'Hearn. Free, one-time-only readings take place July 14-18 at Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn); to make a reservation call 312.443.3800 or visit GoodmanTheatre.org/PlaywrightsUnit. Availability is extremely limited.

Goodman Theatre announces a line-up of free staged readings written by members of its Playwrights Unit-a year-long residency for Chicago-based writers to develop their plays-in-progress with the Goodman's artistic team, in partnership with Chicago Dramatists.

In support of their debut, self-titled LP (Captured Tracks and Flying Nun Records), Auckland, New Zealand's Wax Chattels have confirmed a U.S tour that kicks off June 30at Brooklyn, NY's Rough Trade.  The tour takes them to, among other markets, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle and Oakland.  The full tour is listed below.  

GRAMMY® Award-winning, acclaimed alternative rock pioneers, The Smashing Pumpkins today announced a national sweepstakes for a 1979 House Party. Inspired by their iconic '1979' music video the band will perform an intimate show at a secret residential location in Los Angeles, CA on June 28, 2018 ahead of their upcoming Shiny And Oh So Bright Tour, kicking off on July 12, 2018.

Melissa Young's tour of the LGBTQ movement through song and comedy returns with a little help from Chicago's best Cabaret stars at the Pride Arts Center. 

Grammy Award winning producer CID and Gossip Records' Greg Bahary deliver their infectious rendition of The Flying Lizards 1979 hit single, 'Money'.

Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, concludes its 2017/18 season with the Asolo Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, Pasadena Playhouse production of The Originalist by John Strand, directed by Molly Smith with Associate Director Seema Sueko, and featuring Edward Gero as Antonin Scalia. The Originalist runs May 10 - June 10, 2018 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 8:00pm.

Molissa Fenley and Company, in collaboration with percussionist Frank Cassara and violist Ralph Farris, will present an evening of dance and live music, with scores by four contemporary composers. The program features four dances from Fenley's Water Table, three of which are New York premieres. The program also includes a new configuration of Fenley's 1979 work Mix. Performances are June 21–23 (Thursday–Saturday) at 8pm, at Danspace Project, 131 East 10th Street, New York, NY 10003.

John Bruce Yeh, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's long-serving assistant principal clarinet and solo E-flat clarinet, takes center stage on Liquid Melancholy: Clarinet Works of James M Stephenson, a new album of clarinet showpieces for orchestra, chamber ensemble, and clarinet-piano duo by the prolific, award-winning American composer (Cedille Records CDR 90000 176).

Larry Blank is a prolific composer, conductor and orchestrator. He's worked on shows on Broadway and across the States, including Sugar Babies, Phantom of the Opera, A Chorus Line and A Little Night Music, as well as contributing to orchestrations on films like The Producers and Chicago.

Celebrating Chicago's rich cultural history, the Chicago Philharmonic Society is proud to announce its first-ever international classical music exchange will occur in 2018. The exchange of music, musicians, and culture will take place in Poland this April. Later this year, a five-day festival of Polish music in Chicago, the Chicago Philharmonic Festival: Poland 2018, will join in the worldwide celebration of Poland's 100-year National Independence Day, which commemorates the restoration of the country's sovereignty in 1918. The two-part project launches on April 8 2018, when ten Chicago Philharmonic musicians and Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Scott Speck will begin a week-long trip to the Polish cultural capital Krakow.

Unicorn Theatre's Producing Artistic Director Cynthia Levin will be honored with the Kathryn V. Lamkey Award from the Actor's Equity Association, the union for professional actors and stage managers. Equity's Spirit, A Celebration of Diversity event, is held March 12th, in Chicago at the Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier. It is presented annually by the National Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Committee. The Lamkey Award, or the "Kathy", is named after longtime Equity Central Regional Director, Kathryn V. Lamkey and honors theatre companies, individuals, producers, and organizations that provide ongoing opportunities for underrepresented members in the Central Region. The award will also be given to The Black Repertory of Kansas City's Artistic Director Damron Russel Armstrong, showing that Kansas City is a growing town of diverse unique talent.

Seattle Repertory Theatre today announced the full ensemble cast of its world premiere production of playwright David Grimm's clever comedy, Ibsen in Chicago. Under the direction of Artistic Director Braden Abraham, Ibsen In Chicago follows an unlikely ensemble of Scandinavian immigrants as they work to rehearse a controversial new play written by their fellow countryman Henrik Ibsen.

The Chicago Gargoyle Brass and Organ Ensemble, with guest artists The Oriana Singers and City Voices, will present the world premiere of British-born composer Peter Meechan's 'Love Songs (Shakespeare)' at a holiday-themed concert titled 'Shakespeare Valentines' at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2018, at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake St., Oak Park, Ill.

Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers announced today their co-headline North American 2018 summer tour kicking off May 10 in Charlotte, NC and wrapping July 14 in Bethel, NY. Promoted by Live Nation, the legendary bands will travel to 30+ cities across the U.S. and Canada including Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Nashville, and Toronto.

Cherry Orchard Festival , a leading presenter of international artists, theater companies and orchestras, presents the Chicago premiere of the critically-acclaimed play 'Brodsky / Baryshnikov,' conceived and directed by Alvis Hermanis, Feb. 2-4, 2018 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Dr. This limited Chicago engagement caps the three-city North American tour of the production co-produced by The New Riga Theatre and Baryshnikov Productions. Additional tour stops include Boston's Cutler Majestic Theatre (Jan. 17-21) and Toronto's Wintergarden Theatre (Jan. 24-27).

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces influential British band The English Beat, comic Heather McDonald, singer/songwriter Case ( Touch Me, Tease Me ) and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, December 21 at noon at citywinery.com/chicago.

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces award-winning R&B artist Melanie Fiona, two evenings with top-selling rock group Candlebox ( Far Behind, You ), groundbreaking hip-hop band Flobots and more.

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) presents 'The Consul,' a Pulitzer Prize-winning opera by Gian Carlo Menotti. 'The Consul' is a modern opera whose subject matter has proven to have lasting relevance since its premiere in 1950.

Broadway In Chicago and Producers Scott Rudin and Barry Diller today announced the cast and itinerary for the national tour of the most acclaimed American play in recent memory: The Humans. The Humans plays Broadway In Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre for a limited two-week engagement Jan. 30 Feb. 11, 2018.