LOOKING FORWARD: 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. (**Low on funds? That's okay -- a few of these shows are completely free, making them even more accessible to audiences!) 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.
COR Theatre presents Good Person of Szechwan
Written by Bertolt Brecht and translated by Tony Kushner
Directed by Ernie Nolan
Through September 11
In The Good Person of Szechwan, three gods are on a journey to find out if there are any good people left on earth. Only Shen Te, a kind and generous prostitute, offers them shelter. With the money they give her she opens a tobacco shop. At once everyone needs her help. Her livelihood is in danger. Worse, she is falling in love with Sun, a pilot, who is robbing her blind. Her hard hearted cousin, Shui Ta, arrives to protect her. Who is heand how can good people stay good in a world of poverty and cruelty?
Cor’s epic production is set in a multicultural, urban environment on the brink of change, much like Chicago. Infused with hot hip hop beats, Cor’s new “Brecht meets Empire” take on Good Person will remind audiences that Brecht was not only one of the greatest theatrical thinkers of the last century, but entertainers as well.
The ensemble includes Will Von Vogt, Dawn Bliss, Chris Brickhouse, Niko Kourtis, Jeri Marshall, Lea Pascal, Narciso Lobo, Ben Chang, Jos N. Banks, Aida Delaz, Michael Buono, Isabella Karina Coelho
TICKETS $10-25
Reserve your tickets HERE
Victory Gardens Theatre presents Confessions of a PIMP
Directed by Samuel G Roberson and Dennis Zacek
Music direction by Doug Peck
Through August 28
From the heat of urban insurrection in Baltimore, Maryland to the incandescent glare of New York’s Great White Way, “Jelly Belly” has many stories to tell. Through song, dance, and spoken word, join Victory Gardens Theater’s Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellow André De Shields in this riveting solo-performance as we follow this adventure from inner city impoverishment to self-actualization.
The ensemble includes André De Shields, Kimberly Lawson and Donica Lynn
TICKETS $25
Reserve your tickets HERE
Oracle Theatre presents Good Friday
Written by Kristiana Rae Colón
Directed by Tara Branham
Through September 17
In academia's hallowed halls, five women debate millennial feminism when gunshots shatter the safety of their discourse. As tweets stream across the campus feed, the body count grows. And then the shooter enters the classroom. At the intersection of gun violence and slacktivism, in a #yesallwomen world, what is the real cost of revolution?
The all female cast features Oracle Company Member DeChantel Kosmatka, who is joined by Bella Bahhs, Melissa Duprey, Karen Rodriguez, Aurora Adachi-Winter, Isa Arciniegas, Heather Chrisler
TICKETS Admission is FREE in Public Access Theatre
Reserve your tickets HERE
Halcyon Theatre presents Fefu and Her Friends
Written by María Irene Fornés
Directed by Tony Adams
Through October 8, 2016
On a spring New England day in 1935, eight women gather to rehearse for a charity presentation. As audiences travel from room to room in Fefu's house, they witness the complicated relationships and clashing ideals that unearth as the women consider what it means to be a feminist in the mid-1930s.
The ensemble includes Ashley Agbay (Cindy), Mary Ann de la Cruz (Julia), Eleanor Katz (Fefu), Maren Rosenberg (Paula), Tamika Lecheé Morales (Cecilia, Fefu U/S), Sarah Rachel Schol (Christina), Laura Stephenson (Emma) and Allyce Torres (Sue)
TICKETS: There are two paths you can take to reach your seat. Through Halcyon's Radical Hospitality program, they hold a number of seats for first come, first serve, free entrance starting one hour before every show. Guaranteed advance reservations are available online for $20 per person.
Reserve your tickets HERE
The Inconvenience presents The Fly Honey Show
Created and Directed by Erin Kilmurray
Written by Mary Williamson
Through September 3
Part dance show, part concert, part variety event; The Fly Honey Show is a cabaret firmly rooted in female-empowerment and celebrating the skin you're in. This year The Inconvenience extends the sex and body positive event to three weekends of programming that is sure to promote your sense of self and provoke your desire.
The ensemble includes Adora Wilson-Eye, Adrianna Lombardo, Alyssa Gregory, Analisha Santini, Anna Normann, Tribble, Cassandra Porter, Daiva Bhandari, Darling Shear, Dayleen Marrero, Devan Cameron, Diana Raiselis, Emily Nikfar, Erika Farkvam, Erin Kilmurray, Erin Roche, Bindu Poroori, Jenifer L'amour Dorman, Jessica Romanowski, Jillian Endebrock, Julie Brannen, Jyssica Wicks, Karmen Wettlin, Kasey Alfonso, Katie Palmer, Leah Aboav, Lindsey Lee, Lydia Merrill, Maegan J, Maggie Jarecki- Dianovsky, Maia Lamport , Marie Mohrbacher, Marta Jean Evans, Mary Williamson, MaryBeth Stanton, McKenzie Gilliam, Megan Chaperon, Megan Miller, Melissa Koops, Melissa Pillarella, Mia Vivens, Morgan Mcnaught, Quinn Tsan, Rachel Marie LaPorte, Sara Jean Stevens, Sarah Davis, Sasha Smith, Sid Branca, Steph Krim, Stephanie Paul, Sydney Charles, Tia Monet Greer, Ginny Cook, Zoe Lubeck, Ryan Tang, Bear Bellinger, Max Lapine, Abe Elmourabit, Sawyer Smith, Graham Carlson, Parker Guidry, Royen Kent, Michael Gee, Brett Schneider, Bill Bullock, Chris Chemlik, Scott Merchant, Dan Riley, Chris Knowlton, Matthew Sherbach, Diego Colón, Lorne Jackson, John Wilson, Alex Grelle, Brandon Wayne Moorhead*, Jon Cohen, Andy Slavin, Roy Gonzalez, Alberto Mendoza, Eli Weatherby, Michael McDonald and Peter Danger Wilde
TICKETS: $22-80
Reserve your tickets HERE
Jackalope Theatre presents The 7th Annual Living Newspaper Festival
Written by Calamity West, Pat Whalen, Samantha Beach, Corinne Bass, Mara Stern, Aaron Loeb, Lavina Jadhwani and Ike Holter
Directed by Monty Cole, Tara Branham, Will Kiley, Cody Spellman and Shade Murray
Through August 29
An evening of 6 ten-minute plays inspired by newspaper articles from around the nation. Jackalope Theatre invites you to join us for the 7th year as we bring the news to life in The Frontier for a limited 5-performance engagement.
The ensemble includes Leea Ayers, Sasha Smith, Danielle Stack, and Sigrid Sutter, Bryan Bosque, Eric Gerard, Riley McIlveen, and Judy Steele, Bryce Gangel and Naïma Hebrail Kidjo, Adithi Chandrashekar, Ty Olwin, and Trey Wright, Martasia Jones and Jack Miggins, Patty Corcoran, Diego Colón, Charlotte Mae Ellison, Raul Santiago, and Brad Smith
TICKETS: $10
Reserve your tickets HERE