Local Guide to Chicago

Lookingglass Theatre Announces Second Extension of “The Arabian Nights” Due to record-breaking box office demand, Lookingglass Theatre Company extends The Arabian Nights for a second time. The smash hit production must close August 30, 2009. Tony Award-winning Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman returns to the Water Tower Water Works with her Lookingglass Original adaptation of one of the world’s most enduring works of literature. When he discovers his wife in the arms of another man, King Shahryar vows to ruthlessly murder every virgin in the kingdom. His brutality is interrupted only when he encounters the clever maiden Scheherezade, whose captivating stories may just save her ... Read Full Story

Fred Anzevino , co-founder and artistic director, who directed the company’s previous plays, is working on a new adaptation of Jean Paul Sartre’s "No Exit," transforming it into a light opera.  He will co-direct it with Beverle Bloch.  Two new directors with Theo Ubique will direct the first two plays of the 2009-10 season.   Nick Minas , a Shakespeare scholar formerly with the Shakespeare Festival of Minnesota and artistic director of Blindfaith Theatre Co., is directing "The Taming of the Shrew."   Ethan Deppe is music director and writing original music, although the production is not a musical.   It previews August 28 and 29 and ... Read Full Story

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre presents: Man of La Mancha Book by Dale Wasserman Music by Mitch Leigh Lyrics by Joe Darion Directed by David Heimann Music Directed by Ethan Deppe Thru November 22nd ( buy tickets ) reviewed by Katy Walsh With a plunger for a sword and a bowl for a helmet, Cervantes proclaims he is the knight, Don Quixote. Sounds crazy? Set in a mental institution, the asylum’s newest inmate, Cervantes, must convince a jury of his peers that he is not crazy. Man of La Mancha , then, is a play within a play. Don Quixote tells his tale of slaying ... Read Full Story

Experience a new vision and gender-bender version with original music of Shakespeare’s “ The Taming of the Shrew ” by Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre at the intimate setting of No Exit Café , 6970 N. Glenwood (Rogers Park by Morse el stop on  Red Line).  Director:  Nick Minas Original Music:  Ethan Eppe Cast:  Jenny Lamb, Katherina (Kate); Jeremy van Meter, Petruchio; Ryan Jarosch, Grumio; Cheryl Roy, Baptista Minola; Steve Gensler, Lucentio; Mike Oleon, Tranio; Benjamin Mason, Hortensio; J. Preddie Predmore, Gremio; Matthew Sherbach, Bianca; and Mickey Vines, many supporting roles. The Taming of the Shrew Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre When:  August 28-October 4 Location: ... Read Full Story

At the 41st Annual Jeff Equity Awards TimeLine Theatre’s much-extended production of “The History Boys” took top honors in the midsize theatre Play category and walked off with 5 statues, the most of any production honored at the festive ceremony held at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. “Ruined,” a searing cry against the systematic violation of women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s 2000 civil war, presented by the Goodman Theatre in a co-production with Manhattan Theatre Club, in a rare tie, shared top honors for Production-Play in the large theatre category, along with Steppenwolf Theatre’s  charming  rendering ... Read Full Story