Those of Jonny's regulars who also peruse The Other GLBT Paper may know that several profound readers of that publication have voiced their disgust that anyone over 30 years old would dare to appear at Halsted Street bars and clubs. Of course, Jonny has taken these opinions to heart since Jonny is—ahem—39. You can imagine, dear reader, that it would take something of great value to move Jonny to offend delicate young sensibilities by returning to Halsted Street. Why, it would have to be something as important as, oh ... a drag show at Spin!
Entitled Profanity, it's not any old drag show, but a work of theatrical cabaret combining drag, hip-hop, spoken word and electronica in an ever-changing kaleidoscope. The mucilage holding Profanity together is host Lola Profane, who welcomes different guests and acts every other Sunday at 10:30 p.m. The next episode of Profanity is this Sunday ( Nov. 6 ) at Spin. The dark genius behind Ms. Profane and Profanity is John Zajac, artistic director of the Dream Engine Theater Company. Push the young'uns aside and tell them Jonny sent you.
The Wizard of A.I.D.S. is retiring. Jonny doesn't mean that The Wiz is shy, but that he's hanging up his dancing shoes. After 18 years HealthWorks Theatre is mothballing its signature musical show, as the educational touring theater reinvents itself under new leadership. A farewell performance will be presented Monday, Nov. 7 as part of the company's annual fundraising gala.
It does seem odd to Jonny that the gala is billed as The Crystal Ball, given the connotations of crystal these days and the current anti-meth campaign before the public, and the mandate of HealthWorks itself. But Jonny will let it pass as an unfortunate but innocent congruity.
HealthWorks was founded in 1988, seeing a major opportunity to provide AIDS awareness information to school kids and their parents in an entertaining and non-threatening way. Since then, the company repertory has taken on additional mandates such as violence prevention and general character development. The Chicago-based professional theater company also has expanded its touring programs across the country.
The HealthWorks board recently appointed Daren Leonard as the troupe's artistic director and Melody Lundin as managing director. Leonard, who had been HealthWorks production manager, succeeds cabaret and theater artist Stephen Rader, who now heads up Season of Concern, the AIDS-related charity of Actors Equity Association.
Leonard and Lundin began work over the summer, and have lofty ambitions to rejuvenate the company. 'This organization has been a vital part of the Chicago community for over 18 years and continues to be significant today,' says Leonard. 'It's time we elevate our work to the next level, HealthWorks deserves more attention and recognition for the education and services we provide to our children.'
The Crystal Ball gala takes place at Petterino's Restaurant, located next to the Goodman Theatre in The Loop. Cabaret performers Joan Curto and Colleen McHugh will perform, Ald. Tom Tunney will be honored, and patrons will see a sneak preview of the newest HealthWorks show. Tickets are $100; ( 773 ) 929-4260.
Two hit shows ( as declared by our own Windy City Times theater critics ) have been extended for one week. It's last call for Gypsy, the Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago hit, extended through this Sunday ( Nov. 6 ) at Theatre Building Chicago. Also, Tennessee Williams' Orpheus Descending, in a sizzling production featuring Carmen Roman and Steve Keys, has been extended at American Theatre Company through Nov. 13.
This weekend will find popular cabaret artist ( and theater critic for The Reader ) Justin Hayford gigging at one of his regular out-of-town stops, The Acorn in Three Oaks, Mich. ( just around the tip of the lake on the way to Saugatuck ) . Hayford's Nov. 5 tribute to Old Blue Eyes is a bit different. In Too Romantic: Frank Sinatra, Boy Crooner, Hayford sings through Sinatra's early years as an amateur singer on the radio, billed as 'The Romancer.' This isn't the swinging 'Chairman of the Board' Sinatra became in the 1960s, but the sweet, gentle, supremely romantic Sinatra of the late 1930s and 1940s. If you're unfamiliar with early Sinatra tunes such as 'A Sinner Kissed an Angel,' 'Poor You' and 'I Haven't Time to Be a Millionaire,' then Hayford might be your ticket. Question is: when will Justin bring the show to Davenport's?
The Poetry Foundation will present a theatrical reading, 10 Brecht Poems, at Theatre Building Chicago, Nov. 10-13 as part of its new Poetry on Stage series. 10 Brecht Poems is a two-woman theatrical piece featuring New York-based Tannis Kowalchuk and Leese Walker. Bertolt Brecht, the renowned German playwright and socialist, is best known for such plays as Mother Courage, The Threepenny Opera ( with composer Kurt Weill ) and The Caucasian Chalk Circle. He wrote the lyrics for numerous songs, among them Mac the Knife, Surabaya Johnny and The Bilbao Song. For ticket info: ( 773 ) 327-5252.
