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THEATER Global, Grindr-based 'Borders' to run Feb. 25-27
Dirty Laundry Theatre's virtual experience Borders, directed by Chicago resident Michael R. Piazza, will feature three live shows on Feb. 25-27. Written by Nimrod Danishman and directed by Piazza, Borders tells the story of two gay ...
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'You For Me For You' benefit on Feb. 28
Sideshow Theatre Company will launch its 2021 season with a one-night-only benefit screening of its 2018 hit You For Me For You, written by Mia Chung and directed by ensemble member Elly Green. The archival recording ...
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Court Theatre announces 2021 Southside Youth Fest, platform for teens
--From a press release
Chicago, IL - Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre, announces Court's 2021 Southside Youth Fest, inviting South Side teens to submit original digi ...
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Court Theatre premieres spotlight podcast highlighting Black writers
--From a press release
Chicago, IL - Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre, announces the online premiere of its Spotlight Podcast. A key component of Court's community ...
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Next 'OUTspoken' event March 2
The next session of OUTspoken—a monthly storytelling event that centers on tales of fun and fortune from local LGBTQ+ men and women and their close friends—will take place Tuesday, March 2, at 7 p.m. on Zoom. ...
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Stage Left Theatre announces new Literary Manager
--From a press release
Stage Left Theatre is delighted to announce Bobbi Masters as our new Literary Manager. She is an artist/educator with a passion for new work who has been involved in various phases of new play development throughout ...
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Where Did We Sit on the Bus? online streaming production starts Feb. 22
--From a press release
Chicago, IL— Victory Gardens Theater and Geva Theatre Center announce the online streaming production of Brian Quijada's music-infused production of Where Did We Sit on the Bus?, written and performed by Brian Quijada and directed by ...
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Actors Gym opens another venue, will hold in-person classes
Actors Gym announced the opening of a third studio in Evanston's Noyes Cultural Arts Center and a new, expanded class curriculum. The facility will be primarily dedicated to the nine month Professional Training Program's new Clown ...
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Actor, writer Lena Waithe to headline screenwriting conference at DePaul U
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Emmy Award-winning writer, creator, producer and actor Lena Waithe of "Twenties," "The Chi" and "Queen & Slim" will headline DePaul University's Courier 12 Screenwriting Conference Feb. 5-6. DePaul's School of Cinematic Arts will pr ...
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African American Arts Alliance, Black Ensemble Theater Martin Luther King Day
--From a press release
The African American Arts Alliance of Chicago and Black Ensemble Theater present the 10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, January 18, 2021 at 6:00pm. The jubilant, online event is free will be ...
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THEATER A Red Orchid Theatre running magical 'Missed Connections' Feb. 2-28
A Red Orchid Theatre is presenting Missed Connections—a live, interactive play with magic, conceived for virtual experience, co-written by Jon Tai and Alex Gruhin, performed by magician Jon Tai and produced by Alex Gruhin—on Feb. 2-28. ...
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Virtual OUTspoken storytelling event Feb. 2
The next virtual OUTspoken Storytelling Night will take place Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. The speakers will be as follows: —Donald Bell is a third-generation Chicagoan, South Sider and White Sox fan who is a retired ...
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'Dixie's Happy Hour' streaming Jan. 26-31
On the heels of Dixie's Tupperware Party and Dixie's: Never Wear a Tube Top While Riding a Mechanical Bull (and 16 other things I learned while I was drinking last Thursday), drag personality Dixie Longate is ...
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Hell in a Handbag Productions to present
Out, Darn Spot!
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Jan. 15, 2021) — Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to present the campy comedyOut, Darn Spot!, written by and starring ensemble member Tyler Anthony Smith* and directed, filmed and edited by Stephanie Shaw. ...
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Artemisia Theatre announces entirely virtual 2021 season
--From a press release
CHICAGO - In order to continue its strong feminist story-telling tradition, Artemisia Theatre announces an entirely virtual 2021 season. The new season includes two World Premiere theater productions and eight audio performances airing on its podcast ...
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SHOWBIZ Laverne Cox, lesbian coach, Jim Parsons, 'Brokeback,' theater items
Laverne Cox is teaming with Meryl Streep and Rashida Jones to executive-produce a new documentary exploring one of the most critical issues at the intersection of race, feminism, and power: the sex industry, out.com noted. Sell/Buy/Date ...
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African American Arts Alliance, Black Ensemble to present MLK event Jan. 18
The African American Arts Alliance of Chicago and Black Ensemble Theater will present the 10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. The online event will be free. This ...
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Rip Nelson Holiday Quarantine Special extended through Jan. 17
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Jan. 4, 2021) — Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to announce one additional week of performances of its streaming holiday hit The Rip Nelson Holiday Quarantine Special, now playing through Jan. 17, 2021. ...
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Hell in a Handbag announces annual benefit, "The Morning After"
CHICAGO (Dec. 17, 2020) — Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to announce its annual benefit "The Morning After," featuring the streaming world premiere of the smash hit musical that started it all for them, ...
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PrideArts to screen one-night-only live virtual readings
--From a press release
PrideArts series of one-night-only live virtual readings resumes with TWELFTH NIGHT on the Twelfth of January Peter Vamvakas to direct a cast of seven Click here for a Word doc version of this release CHICAGO — ...
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Bechdel Fest 8 to highlight femme, female-identifying, non-binary, trans, queer actors
Broken Nose Theatre (BNT) will present Bechdel Fest 8: Realign—the company’s annual festival of new short plays featuring an ensemble of femme, female-identifying, non-binary, trans and queer actors talking about things other than men.
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OUTSpoken: LGBTQ storytelling event Jan. 5 on Zoom
Another OUTspoken Storytelling Night will offer the perspective of four Chicagoans telling life stories from their LGBTQ+ viewpoint or that of their close friends and relatives, Tuesday, Jan. 5, starting at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The ...
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Pegasus holding Young Playwrights Festival Jan. 7-31
On Jan. 7-31, Pegasus Theatre Chicago is presenting the 34th Young Playwrights Festival (YPF), which selects winning high school-age scribes to apprentice with theater professionals to workshop and produce their ...
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THEATER About Face airing festival with Black LGBTQ+ artists
About Face Theatre is launching its 25th season with Kickback—an online festival of 10 newly commissioned short plays and performances by Black LGBTQ+ artists, inspired by the Rebuild Foundation's collections at the Stony Island Arts Bank. ...
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Black Ensemble Theater's 'Holiday' event Dec. 18-25
The Black Ensemble Theater is celebrating the 2020 holiday season with The Black Ensemble Virtual Holiday Extravaganza, written and directed by Producing Managing Director Daryl D. Brooks. Filmed from the performers' homes and the theater, the ...
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Billy Masters
"Will you issue pardons before leaving office? Will you be issuing a pardon for yourself?"—A reporter asked El Presidente this question after the traditional pardoning of the Thanksgiving turkeys. And by turkey, we don't mean anyone ...
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'The Prom' out Dec. 11 on Netflix
The Prom—a musical-comedy film directed by Ryan Murphy and adapted by Chad Beguelin and Bob Martin (from their and Matthew Sklar's 2018 Broadway musical of the same name)—will be out on Netflix on Dec. 11. The ...
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THEATER Harry Lennix to direct Dec. 13 reading of 'Mercy'
Northlight Theatre will present an Interplay New Play Development Program reading of Mercy, written by Felicia Oduh and directed by Harry Lennix (known for his acting roles on TV shows such as The Blacklist and Billions ...
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Play development series seeks new plays authored by artists of color
--From a press release
(Chicago, IL) Calling all bold, imaginative new plays authored by artists of color for Future Labs—Goodman Theatre's newest artistic program to develop works authored and directed by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, AAPI and other artists of co ...
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About Face Theatre starts 25th season with Kickback online short play fest
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Nov 9, 2020) — About Face Theatre kicks off its landmark 25th season with KICKBACK, an online festival of newly commissioned short plays and performances by Black LGBTQ+ artists, inspired by the Rebuild Foundation's collections ...
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THEATER
Lookingglass to present 'Her Honor Jane Byrne' on Nov. 26, 28
Lookingglass Theatre Company, in collaboration with WBEZ 91.5 Chicago, will present a world-premiere audio play of Her Honor Jane Byrne, written and directed by Ensemble Member and Mellon Playwright in Residence J. Nicole Brooks. Her Honor ...
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MUSICALS 1997 version of Anyone Can Whistle out Dec. 4
On Sunday, Dec. 4, Jay Records will release a 1997 recording of the musical Anyone Can Whistle, which originally had music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim as well as a book by Arthur Laurents. The production ...
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Hell in a Handbag to present Rip Nelson Holiday Quarantine Special
CHICAGO (November 12, 2020) — Hell in a Handbag Productions celebrates the holidays with the return of America's favorite funnyman, Rip Nelson (Ed Jones*), in the star-studded world premiere of ...
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THEATER Pride Arts artistic director resigns; PFP keeps Zak
Two controversial developments have occurred at Pride Arts (in which Pride Films & Plays, PFP, is the main tenant). According to a letter from PrideArts President Cheri Tatar that Windy City Times obtained, PFP Artistic Director ...
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THEATER Andre De Shields to help celebrate youth Dec. 9
Andre De Shields—a Grammy-, Emmy- and Tony-winning actor, director and educator, and the 2019 "Triple Crown" winner for his portrayal of Hermes in Hadestown—will be the keynote speaker of the Victory Gardens Theater event "Voices of ...
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Theater community to offer online plays, musicals, dance, comedy for holidays
--From a press release
Chicago, IL (November 10, 2020)— The Chicago theater community will produce a wide variety of online festive plays, musicals, dance and comedy offerings this Holiday season. Theatre venues in Chicago and across the world remain closed ...
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A Red Orchid Theatre appoints Travis Knight, Sadieh Rifai to new positions
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL—A Red Orchid Theatre announces the appointments of Ensemble Member Travis Knight as Associate Artistic Director and Ensemble Member Sadieh Rifai as Artistic Development Coordinator. Ensemble member Shade Murray ...
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Theater excellence honored with 52nd annual Equity Awards
--From a press release
Nov. 9, 2020 — CHICAGO — In its 52nd annual celebration of theater excellence, the Jeff Awards has recognized 39 recipients for the 2020 awards, selected from among 142 theater artist nominees across 30 artistic and ...
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The African American Arts Alliance announces 2020 Black Excellence Awards
--From a press release
Chicago, IL—The African American Arts Alliance (AAAA) will host the 20th annual Black Excellence Awards, an evening celebrating Black artists, Black voices, and Black stories across artistic disciplines, on November 10, 2020 at 7pm. The 2020 ...
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OUTspoken Storytelling to host tales from LGBTQ perspectives Nov. 10
--From a press release
Another exciting OUTspoken Storytelling Night will offer the perspective of four Chicagoans telling life's stories from their LGBTQ+ viewpoint or that of their close friends and relatives, Tuesday, Nov. 10, starting at 7 p.m. on Zoom. ...
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American Blues Theater to present 19th production of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL — American Blues Theater will produce its 199h Annual Production of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! from Frank Capra's film and directed by Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside with musical direction by Michael Mahler ...
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THEATER REVIEW Being Earnest
Playwright book and lyrics by Paul Gordon, music by Paul Gordon and Jay Gruska At Skylight Music Theatre online at SkylightMusicTheatre.org. Tickets: $25. Runs through Dec. 31, 2020. Two things to remember when proposing to transform a ...
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Every Waiting Heart to be produced as streaming audio drama
--From a press release
CHICAGO — EVERY WAITING HEART, the full-length play by Lauren Ferebee that was planned pre-COVID for a fully staged production in June 2020, will be produced as an audio drama streaming for an open-ended run and ...
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Michelle Lauto to host Jeff Awards Nov. 9
--From a Jeff Awards press release
Oct. 28, 2020 — Chicago — Award-winning actress and singer Michelle Lauto is host of this year's Jeff Awards celebrating Equity theater in a virtual program scheduled to stream Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. With theater stages ...
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Arts + Public Life announces 2020/2021 resident theatre company
--From a press release
(Chicago, IL Arts + Public Life (APL), an initiative of UChicago Arts, and Definition Theatre Company (DTC) announce Definition as the resident theatre company for Fall 2020/Winter 2021 at the Green Line Performing Arts Center, 329 ...
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THEATER A War of the Worlds
Playwright: Adapted by Mack Gordon and Corey Bradberry from the novel by H.G. Wells At: Theatre In the Dark online at TheatreInTheDark.com . Tickets: Suggested donation of $20-$25 Runs through: Nov. 21 Nothing makes an imperialist ...
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Writers Theatre plans expanded season with digital programming, changes to live programming
--From a press release
Glencoe, IL—Writers Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce changes to the company's 2020/21 Season, to include additional digital programming and updates to previously announced ...
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About Face Theatre announces 25th season of new work, digital performances
--From a press release
CHICAGO — About Face Theatre is excited to announce plans for its landmark 25th anniversary season. Featuring new and original works, the company will focus on using digital streaming and online tools for most of the ...
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Virtual reading of Boys Don't Wear Lipstick Nov. 9
--From a press release
Emerging Artist Theatre and Red Spear Productions will present a virtual reading of the award-winning Boy's Don't Wear Lipstick on Monday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. celebrating its 20th anniversary. The play is written by Brian ...
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'Jagged Little Pill,' 'Moulin Rouge!' lead Tony nods
The nominations for the 2020 Tony Awards were revealed Oct. 15. The Alanis Morissette musical Jagged Little Pill led with 15 nominations, earning at least one nomination in every eligible category (including six for the show's ...
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'Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol' running Dec. 3-20
Tickets are now on sale for the world premiere of Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol, a live streaming adaption of Charles Dickens's holiday classic created specifically for the 2020 holiday season. ...
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Goodman Theatre offers A Christmas Carol, an audio play, free
(Chicago, IL) This holiday season, as indoor performances remain suspended due to COVID-19, Goodman Theatre produces A Christmas Carol as an audio play directed by Jessica Thebus. Offered free for all audiences, the 43rd annual production ...
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Black Lives, Black Words holding virtual events in October, November
Black Lives, Black Words—an international initiative that provides local Black creatives with an artistic platform—is bringing its "Plays for the People" virtual series to a close with two more plays in October and November. On Oct. ...
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'Twisted Tales of Poe' Oct. 26-31
Just in time for Halloween, AstonRep Theatre Company launches its 2020-21 season with a free streaming radio broadcast of Twisted Tales of Poe, based on Tales of Edgar Allan Poe, adapted by Philip Grecian and directed ...
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Interrobang launching season with 'The Spin'
Interrobang Theatre Project (ITP) is launching its 11th season with The Spin, a virtual dark comedy ripped from the headlines, written and directed by Spenser Davis and commissioned by ITP. The plot is described as follows: ...
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Hell in a Handbag to celebrate Halloween by streaming
Airport 1970something
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Oct. 9, 2020) — Hell in a Handbag Productions once again takes on the classic 1970s disaster film genre with a totally ridiculous twist! Airport 1970SOMETHING is a parody that celebrates the popular '70s Airport ...
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Victory Gardens Theater announces StudentsFirst Virtual Showcase
--From a press release
Chicago, IL—Victory Gardens Theater announces the Voices of Tomorrow: Their World on Stagefundraising event on Dec. 9, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. The virtual event will showcase powerful and moving spoken word and artistic works created by ...
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THEATER Run the Beast Down
Playwright: Titas Halder At: Strawdog Theatre online at Strawdog.org . Tickets: Free with donation . Runs through: Oct. 25 Tottenham was once a quiet semi-rural suburb north of London where Charlie's parents lived in a bungalow ...
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'Women of Broadway' series starts Oct. 24
Northlight Theatre is one of a select group of nonprofit arts organizations participating in the three-part virtual concert series "Live from the West Side: Women of Broadway." The series will feature two-time Tony Award winner Patti ...
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Black Ensemble's 'BE Gala' Oct. 16
The Black Ensemble Theater, led by Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor, will celebrate 44 years of musical theater with its BE Gala, with the theme "The Legacy Continues: Together We Are the Change, A Musical Celebration ...
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African American Arts Alliance to hold auditions, workshop
Sponsored by the African American Arts Alliance (AAAA) and in celebration of Black Arts Month this October, several Black theaters of Chicago will partner for a united audition for Black theater artists. The free, three-day event ...
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STREAMING THEATER REVIEW We're Gonna Die
Playwright: Young Jean Lee At: Theatre Y, streaming online at Theatre-Y.com. Tickets: Free. Runs through: Oct. 25 "To be, or not to be" may have once been a dilemma to beguile wealthy Danish princes, but the ...
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STREAMING THEATER REVIEW Broadway by the Decade
Playwright: Various composer & lyricists At: Streaming on Vimeo. Tickets: PorchlightMusicTheatre.org; $15-$50. Runs through: Oct. 25 Most musical-theater fans will get a kick out of this well-produced and very well-sung ...
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The Most Important LGBTQ+ Plays
"A gay play?" playwright Robert Patrick wrote, "Is that a play that sleeps with other plays of the same sex?" We think a gay play reveals one of three things in a significant way: (1) how ...
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THEATER REVIEW Rastus and Hattie
Playwright: Lisa Langford At: 16th Street Theater online, at 16thStreetTheater.org. Tickets: Free, with donation . Runs through: Oct. 24 Content warning: Rastus and Hattie includes racist caricatures, racism and violence. ...
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League of Chicago Theatres highlights creative approaches to Fall 2020 Theatre
--From a press release
Chicago, IL — Theatre venues in Chicago and across the world remain closed due to the COVID 19 pandemic while the industry in Chicago has developed creative ways to connect with audiences. Chicago theatre artists and ...
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg films out Sept. 25
As a tribute of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's life and legacy, Focus Features and Magnolia Pictures will be re-releasing On the Basis of Sex and RBG—both films about Ginsburg—Friday, Sept. 25 in theaters, ...
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THEATER REVIEW We're Gonna Die
Playwright: Young Jean Lee At: Theatre Y, streaming online at Theatre-Y.com . Ticketsfree. Runs through: Oct. 4 "To be, or not to be" may have once been a dilemma to beguile wealthy Danish princes, but the ...
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'Under the Stars with Handbag' drive-in fest through Sept. 19
Hell in a Handbag Productions is hosting "Under the Stars with Handbag: A Drive-In Festival," which is running Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 19 at The Red Box Workshop, 4242 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., at 7:30 ...
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THEATER REVIEW Pride and Prejudice: A Virtual Play
Playwright: Adapted by Christina Calvit from the novel by Jane Austen At: Streaming online at LifelineTheatre.com . Tickets: Free with donation. Runs through: Oct. 4 For starters, what we've got are two wealthy young bachelors, two ...
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'Iconic: A Broadway Hits Cabaret' on Sept. 25, 27
Oil Lamp Theater has announced the first event in its Onstage and Outdoors: A Live Performance Series—" Iconic: A Broadway Hits Cabaret." The shows will take place Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. ...
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Jeff Awards to be online this fall
The 52nd annual Jeff Awards, recognizing theater excellence among Equity theater productions, will be presented this fall as an online program. In preparation for this program, the 2020 Equity nominations will be publicly announced Tuesday, Sept. ...
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Closet Play virtual benefit concert leads PrideArts virtual season
--From a press release
CHICAGO - PrideArts Artistic Director Donterrio Johnson today announced a four - show virtual fall season called REIGNITE! that will look to the 17th and 19th Centuries for inspiration. The season will open with a benefit ...
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STREAMING
THEATER REVIEW The Pursuit of Happiness: A BoHo Exploration of Freedom
Playwright: Scripted by the artists and curated by Sana Selemon At: Streaming online at BoHoTheatre.com Tickets: free with donation . Runs through: Open run The projected shuttering of theater facilities for the remainder of the year ...
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American Blues marking 35 years on Sept. 4 with 'Blue Bash'
American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announced the 2021 Blue Bash, a fundraiser celebrating 35 Years Strong. The interactive celebration with live performances by ...
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