Chicago Culture, Celebrity, Arts & Entertainment
Chicago culture, arts & entertainment with Billy Dec

Browsing all posts tagged with play.

09/26/11

Lookingglass’ Theatre Presents The Great Fire Coinciding with the 140th Anniversary of the Chicago Fire

chicago, Theater

Everyone from Chicago knows the story: In October of 1871, a huge fire blazed through the city of Chicago, destroying everything in its path. It was probably caused by infamous O’Leary cow. But whatever the reason, from out of the ashes, Chicago arose a new, bigger and better than ever. Now, coinciding with the 140th anniversary of  the Chicago Fire, the Lookingglass Theatre is inviting Chicagoans to take a deeper look inside this infamous event with the play The Great Fire.

Directed by theatre ensemble member John Musial, who originally put on the play in 1999, The Great Fire shows a time when ordinary people faced extraordinary circumstances. The play attempts to get into the emotion behind the fire and the decisions made because of it. The new production of the play has even more meaning behind it as the Lookingglass’ home is in the Waterworks Pumping Station, one of the only buildings to survive the historical fire.

The Great Fire is playing now until November 20th at The Lookingglass Theatre. For more information & to buy tickets go to: http://www.lookingglasstheatre.org/content/box_office/the_great_fire.

-Dave Lauer, intern

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03/15/10

"TRUST" at Lookingglass Theatre, Directed by David Schwimmer & Heidi Stillman

Art, chicago, Theater
As you might know, I have been a huge fan and supporter of art and theatre in chicago, all my life.  If ever asked me what my favorite play was, I would have told you it was hands down “race. How blacks and whites feel about the American obsession.”  Now, it may have tied with a new play I saw last night, called “trust.”
To be forthcoming, both were adapted/written for stage and directed by my best friend david schwimmer, but know that is not why I liked them.  In fact, after 15yrs of friendship, I can tell you that we have thoroughly established that our artistic tastes are very different, if not sometimes opposite, so trust me, these works stand absolutely on their own. What I like about them most is that they deal with very current issues, that have a meaningful, impactful and necessary message, that cause viewers to reflect, acknowledge and consider changing immediately for the better,  in one way or another.
As a child of a mixed race family growing up in america, the issue of racism in the first of the two plays, really made me feel relieved, as if someone was finally acknowledging my pain, to some other side that I felt existed. Yet, it opened my eyes, as it did with everyone else, that I too was guilty of so much that I was conditioned to think and act upon that was equally wrong, and from that experience, I walked away a better person, and hopefully helped others to be as well by sharing the message.
In “trust,” they intertwine all the technology, social media, emails, iphones, im’s, facebook, myspace,… used by kids these days and expose the issue of internet predators and rape, and the reality, exposure, and relevancy that the issue applies to all of us right now, in one way or another.  I have known schwimmer to be heavily supportive and involved with the national rape foundation for the last ten years of our friendship, and have watched him write out this story for the last three, and what I saw last night at the opening of the play, was real, and something I will never forget.
I hate when people review plays and tell the whole story, so not going to do that.  But will share a quick story.  I walked out with david yesterday completely numb and effected not knowing how something could move me so much to the point that I actually cried and was visibly freaked out.  as people were thanking him for sharing the message, I guess the dazzed look on my face caused someone even more visually effected turn to me and say, “and you don’t even have kids, imagine what that is like.”
I began to ask this person what it was like having had kids, as I hope to have some one day, and I wanted to know what they were going to do now. they explained how everything must change for them in the house now, as that was all too scary, and all too real. I suggested that they maybe bring the kids to the play, they asked if thought it was age appropriate.  I asked if they thought it was any less appropriate than what they are already getting on the internet in his own home, and it immediately became absurdly a big no.  in fact, he acknowledged that the stuff out there on the internet that he knew his kids were exposed to fast and free was 1000 times worse, and that this story was about what could happen if don’t reflect, acknowledge and change immediately, in one way or another, so was more of a huge help to all if anything.
I think this is a small example of not only theatre that really invoked reaction, being relevant, worthy and well done, but it spreads a message that helps fight real not talked about or even “hidden” harm where it doesn’t belong, in effort to make things better for all of us, which is something we can all use more of.  Tickets I know will sell out very very fast because message aside, it’s a killer play w/killer acting & production, and killer suspense,… and I would be really bummed if you missed it… so please don’t wait and go to www.lookingglasstheatre.org .. and please let me know what you think about it…

Trust-Reshoot-Final.preview

As you might know, I have been a huge fan and supporter of art and theatre in chicago, all my life.  If ever asked me what my favorite play was, I would have told you it was hands down “race. How blacks and whites feel about the American obsession.”  Now, it may have tied with a new play I saw last night, called “trust.”

To be forthcoming, both were adapted/written for stage and directed by my best friend david schwimmer, but know that is not why I liked them.  In fact, after 15yrs of friendship, I can tell you that we have thoroughly established that our artistic tastes are very different, if not sometimes opposite, so trust me, these works stand absolutely on their own. What I like about them most is that they deal with very current issues, that have a meaningful, impactful and necessary message, that cause viewers to reflect, acknowledge and consider changing immediately for the better,  in one way or another.

(more…)

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02/24/10

Dynamic chicago theatre mix must see

Art, chicago, General, Theater

 

2Wallenda7ssm

 

If you follow me on twitter, you know I serve on the board of directors of the lookingglass theatre as I tweeted from our quarterly meeting yesterday about exciting new developments and collaborations to come… one artistic collaboration that I think is super cool with lookingglass is with their upcoming launch of hephaestus: a greek mythology tale combing elements of circus, theatre, live music, and dance… w/ silver guy entertainment @ the Goodman theatre.
 
the cast includes not only dear friends, but the world’s most elite circus performers- veterans from the wallenda family, ringling bros, and cirque de soleil, led by creator and artistic associate tony hernandez, & heidi stillman. They have been rehearsing & training for the past few months in sarasota, florida with the famous wallenda family, once only able to do a three person pyramid, but now with the space at the goodman theatre, coupled with the trust, traning & balance of their teammates, they are able to do a seven person pyramid(see pic above) for this show!

As for the storyline, it follows the tale of hephaestus, who was born weak, disfigured and crippled, and was cast down from the heavens to earth by his mother, hera.  on earth, he became an extraordinary artist, turning metal into beautiful works of art.  he creates men out of steel, encounters sea nymphs, and ultimately falls in love w/ the most beautiful goddess of all.

I have seen earlier productions of this play- it is an absolute must see- trust me. the show runs from april 7-may 23, and will probably sell out. Get tix now by calling goodman theatre box office at 312-443-3800 or website www.goodmantheatre.org!

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