Chicago Stage Review

Infamous Commonwealth Theatre presents the 5TH ANNUAL 24-HOUR PROJECT

5TH ANNUAL 24-HOUR PROJECT

Playwrights: Nancy Friedrich*, Bill Gaines, Cade Wenthe*, James Whitiington

Directors: Andy Baldeschwiler, James Dunn*, Chris Mathews, Robb Rabito

Featuring: Joe Ciresi*, Robyn Coffin, Bryan Dawidowicz, Stephen Dunn*, Whitney Hayes*, Jen Hines Hall, Annie Slivinski*, Genevieve Thompson*, Edwin Unger, Tom Weber

Musicians: The Real Jane Martin, Jessica Robbins, Jacob Sypniewski and Matt Lombardi, Trevor Patrick Watkin

Production Managers: Joseph Alaimo*, Abbie Colton*, Sarah Luse*, Chris Maher*, Steph Smith*, Rachel M. Sypniewski*

*ICT member

ICT presents the fifth annual ICT 24 Hour Project, a collection of four short plays written, rehearsed and performed within a strict 24 hour timeframe.

The project begins promptly on Friday, January 15, at 8pm. Four playwrights will each be shown a specific definition of the word REDEMPTION - ICT’s 2010 season topic. Each of the four playwrights have until 8am the following morning to write a short play inspired by the definition they are given. In the remaining 12 hours, four musicians compose a short piece of original music to precede each play while directors and actors rehearse the play they are assigned.

The project culminates in a one-time-only, must-see performance of world premiere plays before a live audience.

Saturday, January 16, 8PM

@ Vittum Theater
1012 N. Noble Street, Chicago

Tickets are $20 (student discount available).
Call 312-458-9780

Infamous Commonwealth Theatre

Innervation Dance Cooperative Presents

A Remount of the Previously Sold-Out Classic Rock Ballet

All-Female EVERYMAN, with Led Zeppelin Music

Running June 18–21, 2009, at Chicago’s Vittum Theater

Innervation Dance Cooperative (IDC), a Chicago non-profit, hits the stage again with Everyman, the classic rock ballet based on the medieval morality play, set to music by Led Zeppelin, running June 18–21 at Chicago’s Vittum Theater. Enter into Everyman’s world of debauchery just before she receives a visit from Death. Audiences will crack up, tear up, and rock out as our heroine desperately seeks a companion for her inevitable journey. IDC’s collaborative creative process yields an athletic and eclectic, yet cohesive, movement quality that is the IDC signature. There is nary a dull moment (or movement) in this 90-minute, evening-length show.  The choreography of Everyman was created collaboratively by ensemble members Molly Beck, Elisa Carlson, Gwendolynn Gonwa, Amy Russell, Michael Sherman, and Amy Williams.

Music lovers will note the perfect marriage of the lyrics and themes of Led Zeppelin’s songs to Everyman’s plot and message. The meticulously chosen songs tell the story of a journey to death via denial, elation, and depression.  Zeppelin’s music enhances and amplifies the choreography and emotion of the Everyman ballet, and in the context of the performance, IDC’s dancing does the same for the music.

The original staging of Everyman (in April 2008 at Hamlin Park Fieldhouse Theater) was so successful that IDC wanted to take another crack at it and expose the work to a wider audience. This remount boasts newly honed choreography, with new talent and casting, coming together to create an even more crowd-pleasing show.

Performances at the Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble, Chicago, IL, 60622

Runs June 18, 19, and 20, 2009, at 8:00 p.m., and June 21, 2009, at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets at 773-342-4141 and 

www.adventurestage.org/pages/guest_presentations/64.php

Innervation Dance Cooperative

By Robert Andersen

Children’s Theatre may take many forms, and in Chicago the options are almost endless. The gamut may take you from the parent’s guild in a church basement, to a high school/college workshop, to a full on stage production. It is important, however, to maintain the distinction between “Children’s Theatre” and “Theatre for Young Adults.” Adventure Stage Chicago’s latest production, Katrina: The Girl Who Wanted Her Name Back, is definitely in the latter category. The story involves life choices, conflict resolution, alliances and self-awareness.

The action takes place in New Orleans before and during the landfall of hurricane Katrina. Our heroine, Katrina, is upset to share her name with the storm destined to bring widespread destruction. On the orders of her father, Katrina sets off on her own to help her Aunt Beulah and cantankerous neighbor Mr. Thibeaux get to the safety of a church. Lost and whipped by the storm, the threesome seeks refuge in Perseverance Hall, an old music venue long since closed but haunted by ghosts and the spirits of New Orleans. Through the course of the storm which separates them, Katrina and her father, “Big Daddy”, are aided in their turmoil by unlikely companions.

My 10-year-old daughter pegged the show as “Fantastic, a little sad and a little scary all at the same time!”

The role of Katrina is wonderfully performed by Shakira Lavonne Carter. (so much so that in the after show discussion a question on everyone’s mind was what her real age might be) The ensemble as a whole does an excellent job of bringing the story and the feel of the event across to the audience. My daughter had no problem following the action or character connections.

Director Tom Arvetis assembles an exceptional cast, many born and raised in Chicago, and a combination of accomplished musicians who also play integral parts in the story adding to the wonderful atmosphere and mystique. There is no better way to express the feeling of New Orleans, during a parade or a storm, than with the sound that is unmistakable to this musical location. Colby Beserra, Music Director/Composer, and Co-Music Director Mikhail Eiksel create a score that, as one audience member put it, “reminds you that music can speak as easily as words.”

Being an old stage hand, I cannot fail to mention the functionally simplistic set design of Courtney O’Neil. Her use of multiple levels and depths make excellent use of the stage and keep your attention drawn to the entire picture. The talent of Lighting Designer Jesse Klug is also well displayed. The storm sequence and the appearances of the apparition gave both my daughter and me chills!

This is a story with real world relativity that older adults will enjoy as much as younger adults. It encompasses so much more than the moniker of “Children’s Theatre” normally covers. The unique combination of acting with musicianship demonstrates the unlimited experiences allowed in the world of theatre. This is not only a show to shared as a family but I would highly recommend it to school groups from 5th grade and up.

Adventure Stage Chicago’s world premiere of Katrina: The Girl Who Wanted Her Name Back is an entertaining triumph. This is the perfect show to expose young people to the collaborative world that is theatre.

4 STARS

(”Katrina: The Girl Who Wanted Her Name Back” runs through May 21 at Vittum Theater, 1012 North Noble Street. 773-342-4141.)

Adventure Stage Chicago

ADVENTURE STAGE CHICAGO PRESENTS

WORLD PREMIERE OF JASON TREMBLAY’S 

KATRINA: THE GIRL WHO WANTED HER NAME BACK

*

 
CHICAGO - Adventure Stage Chicago (ASC) proudly announces the final production in its 2008-2009 season: the world premiere of Jason Tremblay’s award-winning play KATRINA: THE GIRL WHO WANTED HER NAME BACK, directed by Tom Arvetis (ASC Producing Artistic Director).
 
This exuberant new work featuring a live, six-piece jazz band follows Katrina, a young girl from New Orleans forced to face the powerful hurricane that shares her name. Separated from her beloved father during the storm, Katrina must journey to safety with only ghosts, sweet N’awlins music and her own bravery as companions. Despite enormous obstacles, Katrina is determined to reclaim her name and recover the magic and fire that lie within the city and herself. With musicians serving as both bystanders to catastrophe and heralds of hope, KATRINA: THE GIRL WHO WANTED HER NAME BACK celebrates the indomitable spirit of one of America’s most historical cities. 
 
KATRINA: THE GIRL WHO WANTED HER NAME BACK has already received three major honors. It was one of only seven plays from around the world selected as part of the 2008 New Visions/New Voices festival at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Mr. Tremblay also received the 2008 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Playwriting for Young Audiences Award. Lastly, KATRINA: THE GIRL WHO WANTED HER NAME BACK received an Access to Artistic Excellence grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
 
KATRINA: THE GIRL WHO WANTED HER NAME BACK is recommended for ages 8 and up (4th thru 8th grades), and all performances include a brief post-show Curtain Conversation with the cast.
 
KATRINA PERFORMANCE TIMES:
Previews: 10:30am April 3 & 2:00pm April 4.
Weekends: 2:00pm April 5, 11, 18, 19, 25*, 26 & May 2, 3, 9.
Weekdays: 10:30am April 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30 & May 1, 5, 7, 12, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21. 
(Weekday shows are primarily performed for school groups, but public tickets are also available for purchase.)
Special Evening Performance: Friday, April 10, 7:00pm.
 
*The Saturday, April 25 showing of KATRINA: THE GIRL WHO WANTED HER NAME BACK is part of an ASC benefit entitled Spring Fling: A Celebration of New Orleans. The performance is followed by food from Dixie Kitchen; live music by Jazz Links, the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s youth performers; a silent auction; and numerous kids’ activities. Tickets for this benefit are $50 adults, $25 kids 14 and under.
 
KATRINA: THE GIRL WHO WANTED HER NAME BACK tickets are $17.00 for adults, $12.00 for children aged 14 and under, $10.00 for previews and $8.00 for school groups. Other group discounts, including birthday party packages, are also available. For tickets or more information, call (773) 342-4141 or visit www.adventurestage.org.

Adventure Stage Chicago