Chicago Stage Review

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Wiggerlover [whiteboy+blackdad=greyareas] - TONIGHT!

July 30 - 11:00pm

Read the review here: Wiggerlover [white boy + black dad = grey areas] – REVIEW - Chicago Stage Review

@ Strawdog Theatre

3829 N. Broadway, Chicago

WIGGERLOVER

INTERNATIONAL SMASH HIT
“THE MERCHANTS OF BOLLYWOOD”
MAKES NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE AT CHICAGO’S AUDITORIUM THEATRE
FOR TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY OCTOBER 1 - 2, 2010

*Tickets Go On Sale Friday, July 30 at 10 a.m. CT

CHICAGO – After its triumph in Asia and Europe, including 16 sold-out performances in London, the international smash hit, “The Merchants of Bollywood” is set to mesmerize North America with its premiere performances at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University (50 E Congress Pkwy) this October, for two performances only Friday, Oct. 1 and Saturday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.  Tickets go on sale Friday, July 30 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased by calling 800-982-2787 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

An international musical dance spectacular, “The Merchants of Bollywood” charts the enchanting history of the world’s largest and most prolific film industry and a dynasty of stars that have lit the industry’s path over generations. The dancers’ energy, with bangles, beads and swirling colorful costumes, is electrifying in a frenetic flow of onstage activity to excite the senses with lavish, bold musical production numbers that feature all the smash hit songs from the biggest Bollywood blockbusters throughout its cinematic history. “The Merchants of Bollywood” will reveal to North American audiences how cinema resides in the heart and soul of Indian society in an extraordinary evening of music and dance at the heart of which lies a heartfelt story of a young girl, her grandfather and their love of dance.

Written and directed by Toby Gough, “The Merchants of Bollywood” is loosely based on the real-life story of the Merchant family dynasty, whose members have been prominent choreographers and filmmakers since the beginning of the Hindi film industry in the 1920s.The production features choreography by the internationally renowned Vaibhavi Merchant, who is regarded as Bollywood’s top choreographer today, and is set to music by Salim-Sulaiman.

“The Merchants of Bollywood” has been seen by more than two million people worldwide. This original production was developed in Mumbai, India, with 50 performers, 500 lavish costumes and 3,000 pieces of glittering jewelry. During its recent sold out-run in London, The Times wrote: “Their energy is
electrifying…it’s high-octane pleasure!” The London Metro raved that “’The Merchants of Bollywood’ has dazzle, shimmer and sparkle…it’s slick and sexy.”

Tickets to the North American premiere of the theatrical dance spectacular “The Merchants of Bollywood” go on-sale Friday, July 30 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office, located at 50 E Congress Pkwy, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-982-2787.  Tickets are $47 - $77, with special VIP Box Seating available for $87 - $100.

“The Merchants of Bollywood” is presented by Four Quarters Entertainment and World Media Group. For more information, visit www.bollywoodtickets.us/chicago.

The Merchants of Bollywood | Coming to a U.S.A. City Near You!

The Strange Tree Group had pulled off the most brilliant Shakespeare parody in the history of Shakespeare parodies and delivers a hysterically spellbinding evening in the process. They have also pulled off a remarkably successful run of this truly outstanding show. You only have TWO CHANCES LEFT to see this unbelievably incomparable production!

Fri, Jul 30: 8:00pm & Sat, Jul 31: 8:00pm

Shakespeare’s King Phycus deserves a long run at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Their subscribers would LOVE it and it would draw a fresh crowd to the works of William Shakespeare, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and the incredible talent of The Strange tree Group. But for now you can only see Shakespeare’s King Phycus at The Building Stage and time is running out!

“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing.”

Shakespeare’s King Phycus is a tale told by geniuses, full of sound and fury, signifying theatrical magic and a great time. But its hour on the stage is almost over so see it before it is heard no more!

Read the review here: Shakespeare’s King Phycus – REVIEW - Chicago Stage Review

(“Shakespeare’s King Phycus” presented by The Strange Tree Group and The Lord Chamberlain’s Men runs through July 31 at The Building Stage, 412 N. Carpenter Street, Chicago. (312)491-1369)

The Strange Tree Group | A Wickedly Whimsical, Delightfully Devious Chicago Theatre Company

King Phycus image by Venus Zarris.

Photo Essay by Venus Zarris

Just before the show began, a man excused himself and his son as they exited our row. “I don’t think that you’ll have to worry about us coming back” he said. His little son was already terrified. Perhaps his little son was smarter than we knew as Walking with Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular proved to be frightening nightmare. It was also proved to be a dream come true for both young and old.

Anyone of any age that has ever been fascinated by the giant beasts that once roamed the earth has imagined what it would be like to stand face to face with these prehistoric wonders. Walking with Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular takes that notion and makes it a reality.

We travel back over 200 million years to a kingdom of hatchlings, where life was teaming and death was just around the corner.

I saw the show with a “Who’s Who in American Educators” science teaching specialist and  12-year-old junior high school student. Both were equally tough audience members and both were equally delighted, dazzled and amazed. Jack Stone, playing paleontologist Huxley, brilliantly guides us through time. Part ringmaster to the Jurassic giants and part prehistoric narrator of their epic struggles, Stone strikes the perfect balance between information and sensation by bringing life to the stories of the long since dead.

But it is the magnificent realizations of these awe inspiring creatures that makes Walking with Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular a chance of a lifetime. Where dinos roam, drama unfolds.

Dinosaurs ruled the planet for over 200 million years.

Sadly, they’ll be leaving Chicago soon!

Running through August 1st, Walking with Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular is a show NOT TO BE MISSED! You must see it to believe it. Get your tickets now, or else!

(“Walking with Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular” runs through August 1 at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. 800-745-3000.)

Buy Tickets - www.dinosaurlive.com The official Walking with Dinosaurs, Arena Spectacular website. Touring the UK, USA and Europe NOW!

* Read the 4 STAR review here: Walking with Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular – REVIEW - Chicago Stage Review

Walking with Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular images by Venus Zarris.