LOOKING FORWARD: Chicago Shows We're Excited to See
Continuing our support of productions that embrace inclusion for artists and audiences, below are shows that you can buy tickets to THIS WEEK that we feel are moving our community in the right direction. Let your wallet do the talking. Buy tickets to shows that celebrate inclusion. Then write to producers and tell them you want to see more of it. Decision makers are led by numbers and this is one way we can all make a difference.
The Yard at Theatre on the Lake presents I & YOU
Written by Laura Gunderson
Directed by Dana Murphy
Playing through June 26 at Berger Park Cultural Center
6205 N Sheridan Rd Chicago, IL
One afternoon, Anthony arrives unexpectedly at classmate Caroline's door bearing a beat-up copy of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass and an urgent assignment from their English teacher. Homebound due to illness, Caroline hasn't been to school in months, but she is as quick and sardonic as Anthony is athletic, sensitive, and popular. As these two let down their guards and share their secrets, this seemingly mundane poetry project unlocks a much deeper mystery that has brought them together. I & You is an ode to youth, life, love, and the strange beauty of human connectedness.
Ticket Price: $10 Buy tickets HERE
The show features Olivia Shine and Tavion Lanier
The Gift Theatre presents The Grapes of Wrath
Directed by Ensemble Member Erica Weiss
Adapted by Frank Galati
Playing through August 14 at The Gift Theatre
4802 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL
The Gift Theatre, Chicago’s most intimate Equity theater, presents John Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize-winning tale, The Grapes of Wrath, centering on an American family forced off of their land during the Great Depression and their epic journey west to California. “Now, more than ever, this classic tale of the Joad family desperately trying to hold together in a dangerous America feels so urgent. Like many folks, Steinbeck’s novel had a profoundly moving effect on me and I’m overjoyed our ensemble member Erica Weiss is directing our production—simultaneously modern and timeless—on an epic journey in our intimate space,” shared Artistic Director Michael Patrick Thornton.
Ticket Prices: $25-35 Buy tickets HERE
The Grapes of Wrath cast includes Gift ensemble members Alexandra Main (Good for Otto), Jay Worthington (Richard III), Kyle Zornes (Richard III) and Paul D’Addario (Good for Otto) with guest artists Amaris Sanchez, Art Fox, Casey Morris, Charlie Strater, Chris Mathews, Diego Colon,Emily Marso, Jerre Dye, Jose Nateras, Kona Burks, Lane Flores, Mesiyah Oduro, Michael Turrentine, Namir Smallwood and Tim Martin
Pride Films and Plays presents The Boys Upstairs
Directed by Executive Director, David Zak
Written by Jason Mitchell
Playing through July 2 at Mary's Attic
5400 N Clark Ave, Chicago
The Boys Upstairs welcomes you into the living room of Josh and Seth, awaiting the arrival of Ashley, the third of our gay musketeers. In a series of short scenes, we see the personal and professional thrills and disappointments, tops and bottoms that Hell’s Kitchen has to offer. Just when the men settle into their usual rhythm of celebrating life and then analyzing it the next morning, they are all thrown for a loop when a new neighbor moves in below. The “is he or isn’t he” question is just one of many that these city boys ponder with style, scandal, and specialty cocktails!
Ticket Prices: $25-30 Buy tickets HERE
PFP Artistic Associate Nelson Rodriguez leads a cast including Gary Henderson as Seth, Tristien Winffree as Eric, Shaun Baer as Ashley, and PFP Company Member Luke Meierdiercks playing a variety of different roles.
First Floor Theatre presents World Builders
Directed by Company member, Jesse Roth
Written by Johnna Adams
Playing through July 2 at Collboraction Studios - The Vault
1579 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL
A new drug has been developed to suppress the complex internal worlds of those with schizoid personality disorder. Max and Whitney are two participants in a clinical trial, and as the drug begins to take effect, they must choose which dream to pursue: their disparate fantasies or a future together. Johnna Adams, playwright of the 2014 Chicago hit, Gidion’s Knot, presents a funny, intimate, and beautifully observed love story about what it really means to be “cured.”
Ticket Prices: $10-20 Buy tickets HERE
World Builders features Carmen Molina and Andrew Cutler
Lifeline Theatre presents Northanger Abbey
Directed by Elise Kauzlaric
Adapted by Robert Kauzlaric
Playing through July 17 at Lifeline Theatre
6912 N Glenwood, Chicago, IL
Catherine Morland leaves her quiet country home for the splendors of Bath, armed only with an innocent heart and the examples of her favorite literary heroines. Immersed in a new world of parties, balls, and high society, Catherine soon finds herself caught in a web of social scheming far above her skill to master. False friends, greedy lovers, and a wealth of misunderstandings lead to the revelation that bruises of the heart can be far more painful than the imagined terrors of Gothic novels. Take a turn through the ballrooms of Bath and unravel the mysteries of Northanger Abbey in a world premiere musical based on the satirical 1817 comedy of manners by Jane Austen.
Ticket Prices: $20-40 Buy tickets HERE
Northanger Abbey features Chris Ballou, Shelby Lynn Bias, Andres Enriquez, Javier Ferreira, Peter Greenberg, Lydia Hiller, Stephanie Stockstill and Frederick Tilney
Jackalope Theatre presents Prowess
Directed by Marti Lyons
Written by Ike Holter
Playing through July 2 at Broadway Armory Park
5917 N Broadway, Chicago, IL
Summer in Chicago: Temperatures flare, shootings spike and the city is stuck in status quo. Enter a mixed bag of underdogs ready to save whatever’s left of the day. Completely powerless but sky-high on passion, they join forces. But as broken bones multiply and alliances splinter, the team is forced to draw the line between well meaning heroism and vigilante justice.
Ticket Prices: $30 Buy tickets HERE
Prowess features Donovan Diaz, Julian Parker, Sydney Charles and Andrew Goetten (going on for Andrew Swanson).
