Gentle Readers: as you know, Jonny is a fastidious and refined individual, who never lets a course remark pass his lips, nor an unclean thought enter his mind. When spread-eagled in a sling, Jonny never, ever says things such as, 'Slam it into my whore hole.'So, you can imagine Jonny's shock to receive a press release from the Second City promoting 'talent and sodomy' with a pair of new shows entitled Growing Up Butch and POKED. Now, Jonny wouldn't touch those titles with a 10-inch pole were it not for his desire to fully service—that is, serve—his readers. Growing Up Butch is written and performed by Butch Jerinic, and is described as 'a little Croatian, a little gay and it's got a whole bunch of judgment,' as an American family is seen through the eyes of its only straight child. POKED is the work of old friends, GayCo, and is directed by the celebrated improvisiteur Jim Zulevic. Both shows are performed on Wednesday nights, 8:30 p.m., through Sept. 24 at Second City e.t.c., as part of the Second City Unhinged series. Tickets are just $5.00. The Aug. 27 performance will be a benefit for Season of Concern.
As if that weren't enough, Walkabout Theater is presenting a play in a men's public restroom. That's right, in a men's john! The play, Downsize, by Christopher Welzenbach, runs 30 minutes. It's being performed Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the men's room of the Cubby Bear Lounge at Clark and Addison, kitty corner from Wrigley Field (don't go if there's been a Cubs game that day). Tickets are free, but a donation is suggested, and the Cubby Bear probably would like you to buy a beer. Performances run through Aug. 30 (no Aug. 16 shows).
As if that weren't enough, you can get into the act with Alexandra Billings and become part of her new CD as she records before a live audience, Aug. 28 and 29 at Theatre Building Chicago. Friends, fans and the rest of you are invited to be immortalized applauding, laughing, cheering and hissing La Billings on. She'll appear with a six-piece band, two back-up singers and a lot of new material along with a few staples from her nightclub act. Among the 16 numbers to be recorded are: 'Come Rain or Come Shine,' 'The Music That Makes Me Dance,' 'Rose's Turn' and the title song, 'The Story Goes On.' Musical direction is by Russ Long, with staging by Stephen Rader. The Story Goes On is a follow-up to Billings' debut CD, Being Alive, which was in the Amazon.com Top 20 for nine months. The new disc will be released Dec. 1, thus making a perfect Hanukah/Xmas gift. Tickets for The Story Goes on are $20; (773) 327-5252.
The Ravinia Festival's semi-staged production of Stephen Sondheim's Passion is sure to be a sell-out Aug. 22 and 23, so book tickets now or expect to sit on the lawn. The cast features Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald and sexy Michael Cerveris (Tommy and Hedwig and the Angry Inch). Ravinia also has snagged long-time Sondheim Broadway musical director, Paul Gemignani, to conduct the performances. Gemignani has conducted the world premieres of 10 Sondheim musicals, from Anyone Can Whistle to Passion. He is not, however, conducting the world premiere of Sondheim's latest, Bounce, now in its final week at the Goodman Theatre. Street talk is that he wanted to conduct Bounce at the Goodman, and is very disappointed not to be conducting it, but that Goodman didn't want to pay the high price demanded by the Tony Award winner. As for Passion at Ravinia, call (847) 266-5100 for tickets.
Very good friends of our community practically have taken over the Big House, the Clybourn Corridor eatery and jazz club. Marna, the Last Lady of Song, and her excellent trio are holding court nearly on a weekly basis, and Darryl Nitz who swings both ways—he does both comedy and serious stuff—also will be a repeat performer this month. Marna is booked for Aug. 21 and 28 (with the evergreen Sharon Carlson as her special guest), while Darryl will hold sway this Friday night (Aug. 15).
The Eclipse Theatre production of Neil Simon's best play, Lost in Yonkers, has been extended through Sept. 21 upstairs at Victory Gardens Theater. WCT theater critic Rick Reed gave the show very high marks and put it on his recommended list. Who is Jonny to argue?
