Jonny was surprised and disappointed to learn that his friend of many years, the gifted and always audacious Andre De Shields, had dropped out of the Goodman Theatre production of Proof, in which he was to play the father, a brilliant University of Chicago mathematician. Jonny has learned that there is a happy reason for the change in plans: Andre has returned to Broadway in the new Mark Medoff drama, Prymate, which began performances two weeks ago.
Andre began his career with the original Organic Theater here in Chicago, assaying such roles as The Raven in Poe, and Xander the Unconquerable in the WARP! trilogy. Moving on to Broadway, Andre was the original Wiz in The Wiz and also appeared in Ain't Misbehavin, Play On and The Full Monty. He's returned to Chicago frequently to act and direct at the Victory Gardens and Goodman theaters.
Andre was replaced by the under-rated Chicago actor Phillip Edward VanLear. The production, directed by Chuck Smith, is a success and has been extended through next Sunday.
Chicago drama queens have their choice of dueling Judy Garland events (marking the 25th anniversary of her Carnegie Hall concert, the Mother of All Comebacks). See Alexandra Billings interview this issue for her shows; and A Live Concert with Judy is at Lakeshore April 22-25, (773) 472-3492.
You can also choose up sides in the Battle of the Girl Bands, as portrayed historically sociologically in separate theatrical productions. Lookingglass Theatre Company is offering The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World, now through June 13, the story of the 1960's schlock-rock girl group that has achieved cult status. Meanwhile, the hit-starved Lakeshore Theatre offers a May 6-June 20 run of Betty Rules, the Off-Broadway hit about the 18-year career of Betty, the New York-based girl band. If you prefer The Shaggs, call (312) 337-0665 for info. Be forewarned: tickets cost up to $57, rather pricey for an Off-Loop show. On the other hand, if Betty churns yer butter, call (773) 472-3492. Tickets from $20-$39.90.
A dazzling cabaret artist, Andrea Marcovicci, returns to Chicago for one concert this Friday night (April 30), singing the brilliant songs of major gay icon, Cole Porter, under the title, How's Your Romance. Marcovicci spent several early-career years in Chicago performing in musical theater. This too-brief return will be at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, (846) 673-6300; $45. FYI: Marcovicci has a new Cole Porter CD out, certain to be available for purchase at the concert.
The Urban Bush Women return to the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago this weekend (April 29-May 1) to perform the world premiere of Walking With Pearl, plus Girlfriends and Batty Moves. These performances mark the close of the Dance Center's 30th anniversary season, and also celebrate the 20th anniversary of Urban Bush Women. (312) 344-8300; $20-$24.
Meanwhile the Ruth Page Center will bounce to the treads of the Chicago Ballet (not to be confused with Ballet Chicago), concluding its inaugural season with four works performed to the music of Mozart, Mendelssohn, the Beatles and contemporary Latvian composer Peteris Vasks. Performances are April 30-May 9. The Chicago Ballet is the expanded version of The Moose Project, which moved to Chicago five years ago from Pittsburgh. If you liked Moose, you'll probably like the Chicago Ballet. (312) 337-6543; $18-$25. On Mother's Day, the troupe offers a Champagne High Tea at 4 p.m. prior to the 6 p.m. performance. Tickets for the Tea Dance are $50. Do take Mom, or dress up like her and take yourself.
'You can't go wrong betting against the Cubs after the Fourth of July,' said the nasty gambler in the original production of Bleacher Bums 25 years ago, as he collected his winning from the die-hard Cubs suckers in the $2 seats out in center field. Conceived by the then-unknown Joe Mantegna for the Organic Theater, Bleacher Bums was an astounding local hit and, surprisingly, a huge hit in venues across the country as well, detailing the always-crumbling fortunes and mid-season fade of our perpetual lovable losers.
Well, a helluva lot has changed since then. For one thing, you can't buy or beg a bleacher seat for two bucks anymore. More astoundingly, the Cubs now appear to be even money to have a winning season and maybe make the playoffs. How will that change Bleacher Bums? A new, re-written 25th anniversary edition now is playing at the Royal George Theatre. Check it out for yourself: (312) 998-9000; $36/50-$44.50. If any of you have a thing for Gary Sandy, he's the star of the this new version of the 'comedy in nine innings.'