Jonny was in New York recently where he ran into About Face Theatre co-founder Kyle Hall one morning. Hall sported a two-day beard, baggy jeans and a non-descript jacket all of which made him look like an Eighth Avenue hustler returning home after a long night's work. Jonny knows what you're thinking, dear readers: how does Jonny know what an Eighth Avenue hustler looks like? Well.
Hall told Jonny that he was eager to return to Chicago to perform with About Face in the regional premiere of Take Me Out, Richard Greenburg's Tony Award-winning play about a gay baseball star. No, Hall doesn't play the young star slugger, but a wise old veteran who helps narrate the play. The other central roles are taken by Christian Castro as the gay champ and Tom Aulino as his business manager, who provides the play's real driving force. Take Me Out begins previews March 24 at the Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre, opens April 2 and runs through May 1.
Meanwhile, the amazing actor who originated the role of the business manager on Broadway, Denis O'Hare, will be returning to Chicago in Sweet Charity, co-starring with Christina Applegate. O'Hare, who is proudly out, won a 2003 Tony Award for his work in Take Me Out. A Northwestern University graduate, O'Hare spent a decade in Chicago honing his craft in such plays as Hauptmann, Never the Sinner and Music from a Locked Room, all written by his friend ( and fellow NU graduate ) John Logan, himself Oscar nominated for the Aviator screenplay. The Broadway-bound revival of Sweet Charity will be at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, Feb. 23-March 13.
Jonny's early warning system has detected a visit by erstwhile Chicagoan Paula Poundstone, who will return to her one-time stomping grounds for a one-night appearance at the Beverly Arts Center of Chicago, Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m. The stop is part of Poundstone's Unauthorized Autobiography national tour. Tickets are $25; ( 773 ) 445-3838. The Beverly Arts Center is at 2407 W. 111th Street.
Here's an idea Jonny likes: a festival combining music, story and wine. It's Serendipity Theatre Company's 2nd Story Festival, March 14-20 at Webster's Wine Bar , 1480 W. Webster, a venue that's a longtime friend of the theater community. Here's the deal: in the livingroom-like setting of Webster's second floor, Serendipity acts out four short stories intermingled with wine tastings and DJ stylings by White Russian and Leif Krinkle. You get it all—stories, wine and music—for $15; ( 773 ) 296-0163. All shows begin at 7 p.m. The 2nd Story Festival is the brainchild of Serendipity artistic director Adam Belcuore.
Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism will host a discussion with the provocative title of Feminist or Feminazi? Coverage of the Women's Movement, next Monday, Feb. 28, 4 p.m. on the Evanston campus. The panel about media coverage of the women's movement from the 1960s to the present will feature award-winning journalists Laura Washington and Georgie Anne Geyer, Daily Northwestern editor Elaine Helm and attorney Karen DeCrow. The talk will be held at the McCormick Tribune Center Forum, 1870 Campus Drive. Jonny would like to think it'll be a real cat fight, but suspects that won't be the case.
Jonny is well aware that International Women's Day will be upon us very soon. One performer who's sure to celebrate the occasion is Chicago comedienne Patti Vasquez who returns to her Pilsen roots on March 12 for two shows at the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum. The Irish-Mexican writer/performer will offer Mamacita: Tales of a Diaper Diva at 5-7 p.m. The second show includes pre-show cocktails and appetizers; $26/advance, $30/door; ( 312 ) 388-6188.
Jonny doesn't know why, but painters are having a big theater season. Bailiwick Repertory no sooner closes Steven Dietz's play Inventing Van Gogh than they open one by Jose Rivera called References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot ( March 7-April 10 ) . As if that weren't enough, there will be nearly overlapping productions of another Van Gogh play, Vincent in Brixton, currently on view at Apple Tree Theatre ( through March 13 ) and also scheduled for an entirely separate production by The Journeymen, opening March 19 at the Storefront Theatre in The Loop. Jonny can't wait for a play about those elephants who paint.