Although a theater's Monday night stages are traditionally dark, Stage 773 of Lakeview's Circle Theatre was lit by an ensemble gold mine of talent July 11.
The evening brought a capacity audience continually to their feet, while wiping away the tears of laughter and poignancy wrought by some of the city's most ethereal voices in often deeply personal choices of songs, each tied together in the defiant message "It's a Privilege to Pee. Owning your Identity and Other Basic Human Rights."
While the exceptional has become a hallmark of the 30-year-old organization under the helm of Artistic Director Nicholas Reinhart, Privilege to Pee was particularly unique as it formed a part of the Full Circle Series created after Chicago director Matthew Gunnels passed away from cancer in 2014 and a benefit performance of Gunnel's 2012 critical and box-office hit production of Reefer Madness was held with all proceeds donated to the nationwide nonprofit Fight Colorectal Cancer.
The Chicago-based nonprofit Chicago House and, in particular, the organization's TransLife Center, were the beneficiaries of those who lent the full weight of the joy they take in their art to Privilege to Pee.
Organized through the efforts of Reinhart and the evening's hosts, Landree Fleming and Bobby Arnold, just a few of the highlights included a beautifully funny performance of "Velociraptor" from Circle Theatre alum Michelle Lauto, an audacious rendition of "Beautiful" given by a magnificent Danielle Davis, a passionate and angelically delivered "The Life I Never Had" by renowned performer Dixie Lynn Cartwright, while an equally moving James Nedrud belted "I am What I Am," from La Cage Aux Folles.
Legendary artist Honey West and Dreamgirls star Donica Lynn provided the evening's denouement with exquisite performances of "Come In From the Rain" and "I'm Here," respectively.
"We are gathering together to celebrate who we are," Fleming said in a press release. "Not just the things that make us different from one another, but what unifies us: our humanity."
For more information about the Circle Theatre, visit: Circletheatrechicago.org . For more information about The Chicago House TransLife Center, visit ChicagoHouse.org/causes/translife-center .