For a good cause, call …
I've been warned about including too many fundraisers in this space. One theater columnist told me that once you start, soon every cash-strapped company will pull out their begging bowls and demand a mention.
But this week, I'll risk the repercussions and note some people and public institutions that could really use your philanthropy.
Wonka, Wonka
After a few months of dire news stories about About Face Theatre's struggle to remain afloat, the company is still only about halfway in its "Face the Future" fundraising campaign to raise $300,000. To lose this dynamic theater company would be a black eye on Chicago's arts scene—and to its LGBT community since it has become world famous for championing works dealing with gender and sexuality.
So I'm sure hopes are high with About Face's Wonka Ball 2009 to help put them onto a stronger path to solvency. It kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7, with a VIP dinner reception at $250 per person, right before the main party that runs 7-11 p.m. ( Tickets to this portion are $125 per person. ) It all shakes down at Salvage One, 1840 W. Hubbard.
On tap are an open bar ( very important ) , a silent auction ( always lots of fun ) and loads of entertainment. Guests include the duo of Gay Agenda, drag performer Dida Ritz and the cast of American Theater Company's Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Call 773-784-8565, ext. 109, or visit www.aboutfacetheatre.com for tickets.
For whose benefit?
About Face's 2009 Wonka Ball is also significant for its presentation of the 9th Annual Leppen Leadership Award. This year it goes to Tracy Baim, publisher and executive editor of Windy City Media Group ( which publishes Windy City Times, among other items ) .
The award marks Baim's 25th anniversary year in Chicago LGBT journalism. But more importantly, Baim has opted to eschew doing her own anniversary party by launching a "25 for 25" fundraising drive for local LGBT organizations and HIV/AIDS charities. ( See the official news item on page 9 for more details. )
Of course, this makes fiscal sense for Baim to piggyback her own anniversary celebration onto About Face's dressy fundraising do which is already honoring her. And in these tough fiscal times, I'm sure non-profit charities could use any extra cash brought in by Baim's "25 for 25" drive.
Baim didn't put out a limit of specific LGBT organization you can contribute to, but there were some suggestions. Among them: Equality Illinois, BEHIV: Better Existence with HIV and ( how reflexive is this? ) About Face Theatre.
Help!
This month, two theater companies have benefit performances for Will Schutz, a Chicago actor who is battling pancreatic cancer without insurance.
On Saturday, May 9, all house proceeds of Signal Ensemble Theatre's production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie go to benefit Schutz, while on Friday, May 29, half the house tallies of Babes With Blades' Macbeth will be donated.
People can also make donations online by going to willschutzpancan.chipin.com .
Tag, you're it!
Producing theater on a shoestring is hard enough, but opera is a whole other matter!
Nonetheless, Chicago Opera Vanguard ( COV ) has forged ahead by producing chamber works in unconventional theater spaces. COV recently produced the Chicago premiere of Orpheus and Eurydice by out composer Ricky Ian Gordon ( which famously featured costumes by Project Runway contestant Steven Rosengard ) .
Up next in June is the Chicago premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage's Greek, a 1980s updating of the Oedipus myth with lots of swearing, racial violence and mass unemployment to criticize the former Thatcher government.
To help raise funds, COV is offering contributors the chance to do a graffiti tag on an online wall at their Web site. ( The digital images will then be incorporated into the production. )
COV is also up for a $12,000 grant, but it must be matched by the company. In these tough economic times, COV artistic director Eric Reda figures it wouldn't be too extravagant to ask for donations of just $12, albeit from 1,000 people.
Can they do it? Do the folks at COV have enough "six degrees of separation" contacts to collect the cash? Find out by visiting www.chicagovanguard.org .
Chi to NY and NY to Chi
By now the 2009 Tony Award nominations will be out. It will be interesting to see if the Goodman Theatre's controversial staging of Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms was loved by nominators on Broadway, or if Shrek The Musical is in among the four Best Musical nominees.
I mention Shrek because this first theatrical venture by Dreamworks recently picked Chicago to launch its upcoming national tour ( expect it in June 2010 ) .
And in another case of a show testing itself on Chicagoans before braving New York, Cirque du Soleil is teaming with Madison Square Garden Entertainment on the spectacular Vaudeville. It's playing the Chicago Theatre this holiday season before aiming for an extended run at New York's Beacon Theatre.
E-mail scottishplayscott@yahoo.com .
