Maripat Donovan, co-author of Late Nite Catechism and its original star, will return to Chicago ( she's now a Angeleno ) Aug. 20 to receive the Grigsby Award for Excellence in Solo Performance from Live Bait Theatre. The connection is that Late Nite Catechism had its world premiere at Live Bait in 1990. Since then, this little engine that could has been performed over 38,000 times in 156 cities around the world.
Regrettably, Ms. Donovan and her longtime producing partner, Chicago-based Vicki Quade, have parted company and each now has produced a rival nun's show—although audiences may end up as beneficiaries if both shows are as entertaining as the original. Ms. Donovan has written Late Nite Catechism 2, which she will perform as part of the awards ceremonies here in Chicago ( the show is running in Los Angeles ) . Ms. Quade has created Put the Nuns in Charge, now playing at the Royal George Theatre.
Live Bait, meantime, is midway through its annual Fillet of Solo Festival featuring such queer community favorites as Edward Thomas-Herrera, Brigid Murphy ( Milly's Orchid Show ) and David Kodeski. Indeed, Mr. Kodeski's new piece, entitled And Some Can Remember Something of Some Such Thing, has been declared a hit and extended to Sept. 17.
Saloon singer Carla Gordon is recreating The Last of the Red Hot Mamas—Sophie Tucker—in all her bawdy splendor ( ? ) in two cabaret shows at Davenport's Aug. 14 and 28. Expect Gordon to sing 'I Don't Want To Get Thin' and 'I'm The Last of the Red Hot Mamas,' among other tunes in her tribute show. Those who only know Tucker through her appearances as an aging star on Ed Sullivan, or through the Bette Midler/Bruce Vilanch Sophie jokes, don't know half of what Miss Tucker was in her prime. Never svelte, the huge-voiced Tucker began her career in the early 1900s as a Yiddish songstress, and moved on to comedy, jazz and blues ( liberally lifted from Black singers and musicians in that more segregated era ) , Broadway, radio and movies. For example, in the 1930s she starred in Cole Porter's Leave It to Me on Broadway, introducing the still-popular 'Most Gentlemen Don't Like Love ( They Just Like to Kick It Around ) '. Call Davenport's for more info, ( 773 ) 278-1830.
There's a whopping benefit coming up Monday, Aug. 22, and since it benefits just about everyone, Jonny has decided to mention it. It's at Sidetracks at 6:30 p.m. and offers a great show with cast members from The Lion King, plus stand-up comedian Jessica Halem as host and performer. Halem also is executive director of the Lesbian Cancer Community Project, which just happens to be one of the evening's beneficiaries—surprise! But the evening of music, dance and entertainment also will benefit Broadway Cares: Equity Fights AIDS, Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, Chicago House, Season of Concern and Test Positive Aware Network. Let's see, after they tip out the Sidetracks staff, that should leave $11.47 for each charity ... just kidding. Tickets are $25 and include a raffle ticket, an Absolut Vodka drink, a mix-and-mingle with the hunky animals from The Lion King and the show. Tickets: ( 312 ) 332-0518 or at door.
The life and career of the first Asian sex star of the American silver screen, Anna May Wong, will be the subject of a play reading by Silk Road Theatre Project this Sunday ( Aug. 14 ) , 12:30 p.m. at the Chicago Temple ( Dixon Chapel, 2nd floor ) , 77 W. Washington. It's free. The play, China Doll, by Elizabeth Wong, tells of Anna May Wong's rise from Los Angeles' China Town through the studio system, from silents to talkies, and to stardom alongside Marlene Dietrich. Some of Jonny's favorite performers are in the reading, among them Cheryl Hamada and Lisa Tejero, and queer favorite Jay Paul Skelton is the director. The playwright will be present.
A Kiss From Alexander—the world premiere musical at Bailiwick Arts Center that says we all have a chance to fall in love with a sexy, reincarnated world conqueror with thick, curly hair who can sing and dance—has been extended for six weeks, through Sept. 25. While Jonny feels the show can't quite decide whether it's a campy delight or a ghost story/romance, it does have songs both lovely and clever ( generally not at the same time ) and a lively group of chorines ( which is showbiz talk for chorus boys ) , all of them in thigh-high chitons ( which is costume talk for a Greek tunic and lots of leg ) . Unlike the recent movie with Colin Farrell, A Kiss From Alexander knows that the real Alexander the Great was GAY, and could swing a sword, too.
