Avoid Valentines Day With The Anti-Valentine’s Day Cabaret Show

I love to hate love. For me, love is like going to an abandoned carnival, it looks like it used to be a lot of fun, but all of the attractions are rusted and there are far too many raccoons. There’s only one place I know that a V-Day Scrooge like me can go to avoid getting my heart stabbed in its pulsing bloody back: an anti-Valentine’s Day cabaret! Letters/X is a performance pieced together by real letters, emails, text messages, Facebook posts and other publicly written submissions that are presented as monologues and original songs.  The cabaret was produced in 2004 with Groundup Theatre and has been going strong for nine years. The show has fresh material and is guaranteed to be a savvy way to not celebrate a certain senseless societal holiday. The show runs in the Apollo Theater from February 2^nd through March 10^th and starts at 8pm. You can grab your tickets at the Apollo box office, or  through Ticketmaster.com, but hurry, nearly all performances of the anti-Valentine cabaret sold out last year.

Among the Letters/X ensemble and crew are Jessica Jane Childs, a 7 year veteran whose credits include Steep, Halcyon, Dream Theatre and The Lakewood Manor players, Stephanie Clark who has worked on several Tennessee Rep Theatre productions includingSweeney Todd, Rabbit Hole and Darwin in Malibu, and Anthony Roberts, Chicago’s resident playwright, composer, singer, guitarist and actor who has been involved in productions at American Blues Theater, Chicago Dramatists, Groundup, Serendipity, and American Theatre Company.

The affair is sure to be an absolute solute to all things love, and will allow you to reminisce on true love, lost love, and shady yet necessary affairs. Don’t be left home alone this Valentine’s day. Make sure you hop, skip, and jump over to the Apollo Theater to catch Letters/X soon!

Wanjiku K </3

Tags: Anti-Valtentines Day, Apollo Theatre, Cabaret, chicago, Comedy, Latters/X, Love, Real, songs, theatre, Valentines Day

The Gift Theatre Company Celebrates 10 Years With 10 Performances

The Gift Theatre Company, one of the smallest equity troupe’s in the Chicago, is celebrating their anniversary of ten successful years and are inviting all to experience it with them. The theatre’s newest performance, appropriately titled “Ten” is a quick sampler of short ten minute plays written by, ten playwright phenoms, David Rabe, Eric Bogosian, JT Rogers, Craig Wright, Caitlin Montayne Parrish, Andrew Hinderaker, William Nedved, Jenny Connell, & Maggie Andersen.

The ten performances run for a total of ten days. Ensemble member Jenny Connells, Guy Massey, David Rabe, and Craig Wright’s pieces have all already received great reviews and the shows complimenting them help to make the entire production a perfect, well you get the idea… ten! This performance truly is a Gift, that’s right, it’s free! Respect, right? I’m sold.

The show opened January 5th and runs until the 15th with times Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 4:00 and 7:30 pm, and again on Sundays at 2:30 pm. So if you’re looking for a nice afternoon or evening out at a show for the fabulous cost of free, reserve your seat by calling 773 283 7071 and enjoy the celebration with the Gift Theatre Company (4802 N Milwaukee Avenue). Man, that was a lot of tens… For more information visit http://bit.ly/zPvBls

-Cheers,
Bryan Neubauer

Tags: Anniversary, Celebrate, Gift Theatre Company, Performance, Plays, Ten, The Gift Theatre, theatre

Relive An Infamous Chicago Snow Storm This Winter With Blizzard ’67

It’s January 26^th, 1967 in Chicago and snow has been falling for five hours. Four inches of snow had been predicted, but it’s clearly risen above that calculation. You’re caught in a carpool in the middle of the blizzard with three work rivals. The good news is if they freeze to death before you do then that sweet promotion you’ve been waiting for is right at your fingertips! This is the melodrama that follows created by Chicago veteran Jon Steinhagen and directed by Russ Tutterow the Artistic Director of the Chicago Dramatists. Blizzard ’67 is sure to keep you warm and cozy as you enjoy the mind games played by four businessmen inside of a car during the blinding Windy City blizzard of 1967. Watch these strong men crumble under the pressure of the devastating blizzard and enjoy the psychological changes they go through during the storm.

Celebrate the chilling 45^th anniversary of the blizzard that covered Chicago streets in 23 inches of snow and shut down activity for nearly 4 days in January. Bundle up and head out to see Blizzard ’67 in the Chicago Dramatists Theatre at 1105 West Chicago Ave. The play takes place inside one of the 50,000 abandoned cars in the city on that unforgettable day. Blizzard ’67 opens on Jan. 5^th and runs through Feb. 12^th playing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm. For more information visit http://bit.ly/w6WSLH.

Stay warm!

Wanjiku Kairu

Tags: 1967, Blizzard, chicago, Chicago Dramatists Theatre, January, Jon Steinhagen, Russ Tutterow, Snow

Movie Classics and Carols at the 28th Annual Music Box Christmas Show

Take a night out of the week to go out with your family and friends to see this special Christmas tradition! This holiday season is the 28^th anniversary with the Music Box!  It all started in 1983, when an operator in Chicago shows two old holiday movies in Christmas Eve. People came out to watch these vintage movies and sing Christmas carols during their intermissions.

By this being able to keep going 27 years later you know many people have made this their favorite family holiday tradition! If you haven’t ever experienced it you should definitely make it a priority this year. When you enter the Music Box Theatre you’re greeted with a jolly hello from Santa Claus.  He even leads you in Christmas carols to classic Christmas songs. If you happen to not know the words to the carols being sung, no worries, lyrics are projected on the theatre’s screen.

The movies that are being played are White Christmas and It’s A Wonderful Life. You can see either one or stay for both! You can check out the single and double feature prices here http://bit.ly/rycwjC. Reserve your tickets today- you don’t want to miss out on this holiday event!

-Rhea Drougas

Tags: Carols, chicago, Chicago Christmas Events, christmas, It's A Wonderful Life, movies, music box theatre, Santa Claus, White Christmas

Happy Holly-Daze A Drinking Game Performance

Grab your holiday sweaters, candy canes and…party cups? Corn Productions, the producers of one-act plays, music monologues, and comedy sketches would like to wish you a Happy Holly-daze by inviting you to a drinking game performance. From December 8th-30th they will be “sharing all of their favorite holiday stories, songs, and beverages with you.” Each sketch is a drinking game, giving you the chance to celebrate the season in style. It is BYOB so you can bring anything from eggnog to bottled beer – whatever gets you into the holiday spirit(s).

Happy Holly-daze – A Drinking Game Performance runs Thursdays through Saturdays, December 8th – December 30^th (no show December 24^th) 8pm at Cornservatory, 4210 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago. Ticket price is $6 on Thursdays and $12 on Fridays and Saturdays and can be purchased online at www.cornservatory.org or reservations can be made at 773.650.1331.

- Evan Jones

Tags: adult events, BYOB chicago, chicago, Corn Productions, drinking games, holiday events, holiday party, Holly Daze, sketch party

25 seats, 35 minutes: An Interrogation Primer is Intimate, Intense Chicago Theater

An Interrogation Primer has its world premiere this week at the Side Project. It’s a short, intense one-actor play based on the writings of a former US military interrogator. The writer, Mike Nowacki, is from Chicago, an Iraq War veteran, and currently a member of the Chicago Police Department. He originally wrote An Interrogation Primer for Warrior Writers, a not-for-profit writing program that works with US military veterans. Actor Sean Bolger has performed at Lookingglass, Goodman Theater, and elsewhere. Don’t miss this harrowing account reminiscent of the raw early writings from the Vietnam War.

The Side Project, with only 25 seats, combines the elements that makes Chicago theater world-famous: intimate, gripping, intense, smart. The theater is located in Rogers Park, steps from the Jarvis red line station, and there are some great options for a bite or a drink before or after the show: Italian (Gruppo di Amici); Indian (the mom-and-pop Luzzat); Coffeehouse casual (Charmers Cafe); and Irish pub (Poitin Stil).

If you see An Interrogation Primer, we would love to hear your thoughts–tweet me at @ericzieg, or leave a comment on the show’s Facebook page.

Details:

An Interrogation Primer
written by Mike Nowacki
adapted for the stage and directed by Eric Ziegenhagen
performed by Sean Bolger

At The Side Project, 1439 W. Jarvis
Performances:
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays, 4 p.m.
Special Veterans Day performance this Friday at 10:30 p.m.

Running time: 35 minutes

Tickets: $10-$15
Advance tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/206173

-Eric Ziegenhagen

Tags: chicago police department, chicago theatre, Eric Ziegenhagen, Interrogation primer, iraq, Mike Nowacki, The Side Project, war

Lookingglass’ Theatre Presents The Great Fire Coinciding with the 140th Anniversary of the Chicago Fire

Everyone from Chicago knows the story: In October of 1871, a huge fire blazed through the city of Chicago, destroying everything in its path. It was probably caused by infamous O’Leary cow. But whatever the reason, from out of the ashes, Chicago arose a new, bigger and better than ever. Now, coinciding with the 140th anniversary of  the Chicago Fire, the Lookingglass Theatre is inviting Chicagoans to take a deeper look inside this infamous event with the play The Great Fire.

Directed by theatre ensemble member John Musial, who originally put on the play in 1999, The Great Fire shows a time when ordinary people faced extraordinary circumstances. The play attempts to get into the emotion behind the fire and the decisions made because of it. The new production of the play has even more meaning behind it as the Lookingglass’ home is in the Waterworks Pumping Station, one of the only buildings to survive the historical fire.

The Great Fire is playing now until November 20th at The Lookingglass Theatre. For more information & to buy tickets go to: http://www.lookingglasstheatre.org/content/box_office/the_great_fire.

-Dave Lauer, intern

Tags: 140th Anniversary, billy dec, chicago, Dave Lauer, lookingglass, lookingglass theatre, O'Leary Cow, play, The Great Chicago Fire, Waterworks Pumping Station

Improvised Musical Showcase at Chicago’s iO this Friday!

Pick a topic – any topic. Now, with a group of your friends, create a comedy sketch and a song to go with it. You have 1 minute. GO. Not the easiest task. It takes a special person with talent to accomplish such a goal… and have it be funny. Living in the city of Chicago, we have our pick of comedy troupes and clubs. We even have entire organizations dedicated to the craft, such as Second City and iO. With such a great pool of individuals out there willing to share their passion with audiences, don’t you think we deserve to laugh at them and with them?

I recently attended a show featuring Stacked, an all female Musical Improv group. They delivered a “four-part harmony through a wide range of characters and clever play.” The energy on stage was infectious, causing all in attendance to be engaged in the action. Its this dedication that is taking them all the way to the Toronto Improv Festival in about a month. Scenes from recent shows are up on their website. If you need a laugh – or two – take a look!

Catch the ladies of Stacked, Leotard Foundation and Slow Clap! on Friday, September 23 at Midnight in the Del Close Theater. Tickets are $5 or FREE for iO students. Interested in becoming a student? Check it out here.

- Evan Jones
@ewjonesy

Tags: chicago, chicago weekend events, del close theatre, evan jones, free student events, improv, improv olympic, leotard foundation, musical improv group, second city, slow clap!, stacked, toronto improv festival

The Savoy Ballroom – Chicago

Hey aChicagoThing.com readers…Caitlin Presberg here, Summer Intern for Rockit Ranch Productions. Walking down the streets of Chicago everyday can become a bit of a routine, when you travel down there everyday for work.  Your mind seems focused and pre set on the movements that you make day after day.  However, every now and again something changes your focus and diverts you, allowing yourself to be taken in by your surroundings.

While waiting for an approaching Red Line train my ears were filled with the sound of a saxophone, accompanied by the beautiful notes played on a piano.  They were performing “Sweet Home”, a trademark of our Windy City.  The song brought a smile to my face asI thought of how Chicago, unlike others, can take such a simple place, and breathe life into it.  Everyone listening could be seen smiling, even shyly so.  We as Chicagoans can take such an original idea such as music, and form it into our own individual trademark of originality.  The Blues originated in the south, during the Civil War, however it was in Chicago where it really found its rhythm, and started the nationwide focus on performing.  Jazz as well as other music, found itself being transformed and revered in our city.

In the 20’s was when this all occurred, our culture and our pride was instilled in even the most desolate of places.  Places such as, the Savoy Ballroom, now known as the Harold Washington Cultural Center, where criminal activity was at a high, and extra curricular activities were scarce.  The Savoy Ballroom created an outlet for the people, in a place that was known as the Harlem of Chicago. Performers from all around came to perform at this Ballroom.  People such as, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington made it a point to perform there on a regular basis, along with others.

The Savoy Ballroom however, was still in need of money, which brought in other ideas for promotion, such as Semi-Pro Basketball games.  It was because of this that another idea was touched with our Chicago vibe of originality.  Games occurred here, but Savoy, founder of the Ballroom, decided to create a traveling team, called the “Savoy Five”.  It was these five players that later turned into the national phenomenon, known as the “Harlem Globetrotters”.  So many ideas have been transformed in ways that affect our culture in this city of Chicago, which makes me believe that the possibilities here are indeed endless.  So next time you are walking down the streets of Chicago, think about who might have walked them before you, and be ready for the possibilities that you yourself may be presented with, in this city of second chances, and endless possibilities.

Tags: blues music, chicago, globetrotters, harlem globtrotters, harold washington culture center, jazz music, savoy five, sweet home, the savory ballroom

Behind the Scenes with Billy Dec – 5 Radio Shows, a Live TV Show on ABC & a PSA all in 5 hours!

I woke up at 5am this morning for a BIG press day with Billy.  We had to do 5 radio shows, a live tv show & a PSA all in 5 hours when he literally just stepped off a plane from France, Hungary, and Austria 12 hours prior.  When he initially told me about how much press he wanted to do BEFORE he was live on Windy City Live- I thought it was absurd, but in all the time I have known him, I can say he pushes himself to work beyond what most people think is feasible.  The main purpose behind all this press was to talk about two events that are the very important to him to support art & theatre in Chicago & raise scholarships for kids -  The Madhatter’s Ball & The Piven Theatre Gala.

The schedule of the day went as follows:
6am – Picked up  Chicago Reader, heard BD won “Best Person to Follow on Twitter”                                                                                                                                          6:15am – Car Pickup

6:30am – Stop at Rockit to pick up Burgers
6:45am – Live on Kiss FM with Angi Taylor at Brother Fred
7:30am – J & Julian Show on B96
7:40am – Fresh with Scotty & Rebecca
7:50am – K-Hits with Eddie & Jobo
8:30am – Make-up & Producer’s Session for ABC’s Windy City Live
9-10am – Live on ABC’s Windy City Live
11am – Steve Dahl Show
11:30am – PSA Shoot for Chicago’s Go Do Good Campaign that Connects Art to Action
1-3pm – Work at Rockit Ranch Productions
3pm – Call in with Andy Giersher

I took my camera with me to show you guys what it’s like to be Behind the Scenes when you are live on radio & tv!!! It was a crazy, fun-filled day, and I was shocked to see that Billy was still even standing to make it out that night! (Billy attended a party for Factor Models and worked at Sunda later that night.  I, on the other hand, was asleep by 10pm)

By the way, for those who follow Billy on facebook & twitter – You may have seen the picture of the bird that he posted that seemed to be injured right outside his office on that day.  I’m very happy to report that by the end of the day, the bird was saved thanks to the help from the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors – we will post a video we took and share the whole story here tomorrow!

-Amy

Tags: abc, abc windy city live, Amy Shah, andy giersher, angi taylor, B96.3, billy dec, brotha fred, chicago, chicago bird collision monitors, chicago events, chicago reader, chicago reader best of 2011, eddie and jobo, facebook, fresh 105.9, fundraiser, j and julian, jeremy piven, k-hits, kiss fm, lookingglass theatre, madhatter's ball, piven theatre workshop, psa, Radio, rockit, rockit bar and grill, scotty and rebecca, steve dahl, theatre, twitter, windy city live