1-30-09
Good News Amid Signs of Distress
A big, hearty CONGRATULATIONS to Chicago’s Michael Shannon for his Oscar nomination! A Red Orchid ensemble member Shannon is nominated for his turn as a truth-telling mental patient in Revolutionary Road. Shannon is the only actor from the film nominated. Chicago’s theatre community has to be pretty proud right now.
The new administration’s economic stimulus package came too late to help two musicals. Rob Roy: The Musical, David Warrack’s tuner about the Scottish hero, was supposed to open its Chicago run at the Arie Crown on Feb. 3, under the direction of the original Sweeney Todd, Len Cariou, but the producers decided to pull the plug for undisclosed reasons. The show is now supposed to bow at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre in March. And Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune reported in his blog, “The Theater Loop” on Jan. 21 that the run of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has also been cancelled. It was slated to run at the Chicago Theatre Feb. 11-15.
Meantime, local print media continue to bleed personnel. The Chicago Reader, whose parent company, Creative Loafing, declared bankruptcy in September, slashed its editorial staff, primarily those who put together the arts and entertainment listings. For theatres, that means that the exceptionally hardworking Pat Daily will no longer be on the job keeping your listings up to date, so send your information to the even-more-hardworking-now arts editor Tony Adler. In a letter to readers in the Jan. 15 issue, editor Alison True noted, “We’re no longer printing every review of every show for as long as it runs. Instead we’re including, in addition to the week’s new reviews, only shows that are in previews or opening. Stand-up comedy, improv and sketch, and dance have been merged into our Theater & Performance section. Readers will find reviews and schedules for all those ongoing productions in our extensive online listings system.” Soon, the paper hopes to unveil a new system that will allow event presenters to enter information directly into the Reader database. But don’t get your hopes up—we have no information indicating that event presenters will get to review their own shows!
And the Tribune, in addition to tinkering with its redesign from this past fall, unveiled a new tabloid “To-Go” version during the week as a way to boost newsstand sales for those who want heftier content than Red Eye, but prefer the commuting ease of the tabloid format. We also have received disturbing news of deep cuts in the arts coverage at Pioneer Press, which closed 12 papers in the chain. Among those laid off are Michael Bonesteel (also the author of a celebrated book on outsider artist Henry Darger) and Sara Burrows.
Redmoon Theatre announces changes at the top. After 17 years as artistic director, Jim Lasko is stepping down. Frank Maugeri takes over as A.D., and Rebecca Hunter is now executive producer. Lasko will continue his association with the theatre as resident artist, and Maugeri and Hunter seem determined to move Redmoon’s mission into the direction of creating more performances in public spaces, as with their annual “Spectacles,” rather than indoor work at Redmoon Central.
Some sad changes as well for the first month of the year. In addition to the passing of Eileen Boevers (see Jan. 16 issue of PerformInk), we received word that First Folio artistic associate Dan Allar, a native son of Peoria, passed away on Jan. 10 after a four-year battle with cancer. Our sympathies to his family, especially his wife Gwendolyn and children Garrett and Isabella and his many friends in Chicago theatre. In addition to many credits with First Folio, Allar’s long resume also included appearances at the Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare and Porchlight. Memorial donations may be made to The Children of Daniel Allar, c/o CEFCU, P.O. Box 1715, Peoria, IL 61656.
Meantime, Will Schutz, vet of many shows with City Lit (including his memorable recent turns as Dr. Watson), as well as the Hypocrites, Signal Ensemble, Side Project and Defiant, is fighting pancreatic cancer, with bills piling up. (Healthcare reform now, please!) A benefit performance of The Game Show Show and Stuff takes place Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lakeshore Theatre, 3175 N. Broadway. Tickets are $15-$20 in advance and $20-$25 at the door, with half the proceeds going directly to Schutz. Call 773/472-3492. Friends of Will have also set up an online donation service. It’s http://willschutzpancan.chipin.com. We send our warmest wishes to him during this difficult time.
But there is happy news, too. Coya Paz, co-artistic director and co-founder of Teatro Luna, and her partner, Nina Xoomsai, welcomed a baby daughter a month ago, Ida Rocket. We’re betting that the doting “Tias” in the company will make sure that Ida gets spoiled properly.
The theatrical rejuvenation of Rogers Park continues. On the heels of the spiffy renovation of the Morse Theatre, 49th Ward alderman Joe Moore announced that the recently shuttered Village North Theatre, a longtime discount movie house, will be fully rehabbed by new owner Anthony Fox of CDF Capital, who plans to expand the venue’s programming to include occasional art films and live performance events (comedy, poetry readings, kids’ shows). Fox hopes to unveil the new Village North in late spring. Questions? Call Moore at 773/338-5796.
Fringe artists get a chance to work the room with CFANN: Chicago Fringe Artists Networking Night, on Jan. 31, 8 p.m. -midnight at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 621 W. Belmont. For $20, you get drinks, snacks, and an array of visual art and entertainment, including host company Red Tape Theatre. Attendees are encouraged to bring marketing materials. CFANN is also on Facebook, and you can pimp your upcoming shows there as well. Or e-mail chicagofringe@ymail.com for more information.
Know awesome artists (yourself, perhaps)? Of course you do! Want to see you, er, them get some recognition for their contributions to the community? Of course you do! Americans for the Arts is now accepting nominations for their annual awards, which include the Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award, named in honor of the former executive director of the Illinois Arts Alliance. You can nominate yourself or a colleague at www.AmericansForTheArts.org/Awards. Deadline is Feb. 27, and you must be a member of Americans for the Arts to nominate.
Finally, though we don’t know yet if Barack Obama will really be another Lincoln, City Lit celebrates the Great Emancipator’s 200th birthday with a special concert reading on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m., of Robert Sherwood’s Pulitzer-winning Abe Lincoln in Illinois. Tickets are a reasonable $5.01—the combined total face value of U.S. currency bearing Abe’s memorable visage. Call 773/293-3682 for information and reservations.
Ask not what Behind the Curtain can do for you—ask what you can do for Behind the Curtain at kerryreid@comcast.net.