The Lakeshore Theatre, after several years of experimentation with live theater, has initiated a new stand-up comedy policy. Since 2002, the Lakeshore has presented multi-week theatrical attractions such as Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Defending the Caveman, Puppetry of the Penis and The Water Coolers. Now, the Lakeshore will present weekend runs of the likes of Doug Benson ( April 6-7 ) , Julia Sweeney ( April 13-14 ) and Doug Stanhope ( April 20-21 ) .
Lakeshore's theatrical policy has had decidedly mixed results. The mis-produced and mis-promoted Hedwig, for example, was a disaster and Puppetry of the Penis was not as successful as expected ( although it drew a surprisingly large lesbian audience for reasons Stage Door Jonny doesn't understand ) .
Jonny believes one reason for the Lakeshore Theatre's inconsistent success is that, for the most part, it's ignored the large LGBT constituency in the Lakeview/Belmont Harbor neighborhood. A few attractions may have lured our communities—such as Judy at Carnegie: A Live Concert Event—but not enough to make the Lakeshore a priority LGBT entertainment stop as Bailiwick and About Face theaters have become.
The new comedy policy is the same, although the Lakeshore will present out actor, playwright and comic Scott Capurro on June 29-30. The audiences for stand-up and theater are substantially different, so only time will tell if the Lakeshore has hit on a winning policy. Ticket prices for most events are moderate—$15-$25.
As if to say it ain't so, the Lakeshore Theater offers a tres gay event this Saturday ( March 24 ) as Hydrate Productions presents Miss Richfield 1981. The well-known beauty queen from Richfield, Minn., has brought her combination of Dame Edna and Garrison Keillor to Provincetown and Atlantis Cruises prior to Chicago. Tickets: $20 at the Lakeshore Theatre box office or at Hydrate, GayMart, Kafka Wine or RJ's Video.
March is National Cabaret Month—what, you didn't know? Catch Joan Curto ( and musical director Beckie Menzie ) in Brassy Sassy & Classy, the songs of Ethel Merman and Mary Martin, at Davenport's, March 23-24 and 30-31. Or check out the intimate and gaudy Mary's Attic ( above Hamburger Mary's in Andersonville ) where The Weird Sisters perform Sunday nights and Roxy Bellows performs Thursdays ( 8 p.m. ) , followed by the gypsy-jazz band LePercolateur ( 10 p.m. ) . Mary's Attic has food, too.
Back at Davenport's, vocalist Ray Kasman ( Dan Stetzel, musical director ) offers songs of wit and wisdom by lyricists and composers ranging from George M. Cohan to John Bucchino. Kasman performs the cocktail hour show, 5 p.m., April 1 and 22.
The Poetry Center of Chicago cuts into cabaret territory with its monthly Lip series of readings by emerging writers and performers at The Spot on Broadway. The next program, Thursday, April 5, offers monologists Sharon Greene ( of the Neo-Futurists ) and Ian Belknap; $5, food and drink available.
Stage Door Jonny's friends in New York have come up with a new idea to raise money: Mr. Broadway 2007, an all-male Broadway beauty pageant. The April 30 event will feature male cast members who represent Broadway shows competing for the Mr. Broadway title through talent, interview and swimsuit competitions. There will be celebrity judges but, ultimately, the final decision will be made by the audience. Mr. Broadway 2007 will benefit the Ali Forney Center—which is dedicated to promoting awareness of the plight of homeless LGBT youth, and offering them safe shelter and a nurturing environment.
Could we have Mr. Broadway in Chicago, or Mr. Off-Loop or Mr. CAT ( Chicago Area Theater ) to raise money for Season of Concern or Chicago House?
Speaking of Season of Concern, its March 4 concert staging of Working, starring Liz Callaway and Malcolm Gets, has been postponed until Sept. 10 at the Harris Theater. Tickets already purchased will be good in September for Season of Concern's first joint benefit with the Actors Fund, a national theater-related charity.
Finally, the Magic Chicago series brings the best of local sleight-of-hand to audiences at the intimate City Lit Theatre in Edgewater. Performances are 7:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month. April 4 features Taylor Martin as Andrea Merlyn, the Queen of Magic, and Walter King Jr.: The Spellbinder, plus Jim Maddex from The Rail Bar & Grill; 773-334-4192, ext. 3; $15. Magic Chicago presents a free show at 12:15 p.m on April 12 at the Chicago Cultural Center, featuring Robert Charles, Benjamin Barnes, Jeanette Andrews, Sean Masterson, Joe Diamond and Magic Sam.
Now—hocus pocus!—Stage Door Jonny disappears for two weeks.
