Dear readers, Stage Door Jonny and Chicago's Finest ( that's the police, not the strippers at Lucky Horseshoe ) and Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit need your help. It seems that a lavish and expensive costume was stolen from the Forbidden Broadway dressing room at the Royal George Theatre, and Jonny knows damn well that SOME FAT QUEEN took it!
Just consider, dear readers. First, the costume was stolen on Halloween. Second, the missing costume is the oversize dress used in a satire of Edna in Hair Spray. You know, Edna? The role played by Harvey Fierstein and Bruce Vilanch? You know, a man ( loosely defined ) !! Third, the perp did NOT steal the fat suit that the Forbidden Broadway actor must wear under the dress. The perp already was big enough to fill the dress. And fourth, the perp also stole a bottle of vodka from the Royal George bar! Hello? It doesn't take rocket science to figure this one out.
The producers of Forbidden Broadway are offering a reward: anyone supplying information that leads to recovery of the costume will receive four tickets to the show of his or her choice. Of course, that won't induce the perp to return the outfit. After all, she's already seen the show! FYI: the dress is made from the same material as the original Broadway costume, an enormous pink-and-purple paisley print with pink feathered cuffs and collar. Maybe you saw it strolling down Halsted late on Halloween.
There will be more than a stage full of fruits on display at the Dec. 7-8 concerts by Chicago Gay Men's Chorus. This year, the 150-voice ensemble will highlight a song called 'Fruit Cake,' the lyrics to which are, in fact, the recipe for making fruit cake. Even more, while the Chorus sings, the Hearty Boys ( of catering and Food Network fame ) will be there actually MAKING fruit cake. The product of their labors will be available for sampling at intermission, or for bludgeoning your favorite guy/gal into submission. FYI: Jonny LOVES fruitcake and feels this traditional holiday treat is much maligned. The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus sings at the Athenaeum Theatre; 773-296-0541.
Maripat Donovan, the original Sister from Late Night Catechism ( and the show's co-author ) , makes a rare return to the Chicago area on Dec. 1 when she performs her own piece, Sister's Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi's Gold, at the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University. The show also features an appearance by the local Marian Catholic High School Choir, who will help Sister Maripat solve the age old mystery of what happened to the Magi's coveted golden treasure. Performances are at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Center is in south suburban University Park; 708-235-2222; free parking.
WTTW-Channel 11 will broadcast a documentary profile of playwright and activist Tony Kushner, author of Angels in America, on Dec. 12 9-11p.m. Wrestling With Angels: Playwright Tony Kushner is a film by Oscar winner Frieda Lee Mock that features Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, Mike Nichols and Maurice Sendak as well as Kushner himself. In addition to his playwriting, Kushner is an outspoken social critic and gay progressive. The broadcast is part of PBS's P.O.V. series produced by American Documentary, Inc.
By all reports, a fellow named Ben Lerman a very funny gay musician, comedian, designer and videographer although the idea of a funny videographer is a non-starter in Jonny's jaundiced view. Nonetheless, the New York-based Lerman is taking his act on the road to 15 Midwest cities, of which Chicago is one. Lerman will perform Ukelear Winter 2007 ( a fusion of nuclear and ukulele ) Nov. 25 at Mary's Attic ( Hamburger Mary's ) and Dec. 18 at Homolatte at Big Chicks. Heaven knows where Lerner will travel between those dates and Jonny wishes him well if it's Peoria or Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Lerner is founder of the gay satiric rock band The Isotoners and plays ukulele because he's 'too lazy to schlep a keyboard.'
Jonny received a note: 'Hi! I am an openly gay singer/songwriter currently touring in The Phantom of the Opera--now at the Cadillac Palace.' Jonny thought is was a billet doux requesting a rendezvous, but it was not. 'I was born in Chicago and lived here in the ྌs doing theater and music. My sister, Claudia, lives here now and teaches at the Theatre School, DePaul University.' Brother and sister, D. C. and Claudia Anderson, are offering a holiday concert for one night only, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m., at Theatre Building Chicago. They will be joined by Hope Nunnery with Steve Tarshis. D.C. performs theater songs, his sister specializes in Celtic story songs while Nunnery and Tarshis sing 'rousing Baptist by way of the juke joint tunes.' Cash only; $15 at the door.
CORRECTION
The review of Machos which appeared in last week's paper was written by Scott Morgan, not Catey Sullivan. The Windy City Times regrets the error.