The epic continues...
The character Jean Valjean continues his quest to do the right thing in the hit musical "Les Miserables," now on stage at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., and continuing through April 24.
It's based on Victor Hugo's story of the man who stole a loaf of break to feed his family, served 19 years in prison for the crime, and spent the rest of his life running from his nemesis, Inspector Javert, and it is one great story. The music makes it even better.
Hugo's classic tale of the poor, unfortunate people of France was brought to the Broadway stage in 1987 by Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, produced by Cameron Mackintosh. The story traces Valjean, the fugitive #24601, as he tries to start a new life after prison. It was a tough existence for Valjean as he had to continually look over his shoulder to avoid the relentless persistence of Inspector Javert who made a life-career looking for Valjean, the parole breaker.
Starring Randal Keith as Valjean and Robert Hunt as Inspector Javert and with a cast of 36, this road show — even with its scaled down scenery — packs a wallop. The orchestra is incredible and the actors are exceptional with excellent voices. It's highly entertaining, quite sad and, even though I've seen the show (eight times), it always brings tears to my eyes.
For additional information or to purchase a ticket ($27-$80), stop by any Broadway in Chicago box office: 151 W. Randolph St., 22 W. Monroe St., or 24 W. Randolph St. Call the Chicago Ticket Line at (312) 902-1400, or visit broadwayinchicago.com.
Tom Stoppard's "Travesties"...
Court Theatre on the University of Chicago Campus continues its 50th anniversary season with Tom Stoppard's "Travesties," opening in previews on Thursday, March 24. Opening night will be Saturday, April 2, at 8 p.m.
Directed by Court's Artistic Director Charles Newell, the story of "Travesties" takes place in Zurich, in 1917 during World War I, and explores the personalities of author James Joyce; communist revolutionary Lenin; and Dadaist founder Tristan Tzara; who lived in Zurich during the same period as remembered by a minor official of the British government, Henry Carr.
The story describes Carr's interactions with the three men. As he reminisces, he becomes confused. Instead of historical biography, the figures are interpreted through the maze of his mind.
Stoppard uses this play as a framework to explore art, the war and revolution with puns, limericks and contradiction.
The show is presented in Court Theatre's intimate 251-seat Abelson Auditorium at 5535 S. Ellis Ave. on the U. of C. campus (a 15-20 minute ride from the downtown area). Parking is conveniently located next to the theater in a free lot. To purchase a ticket, call the Court Theater box office at (773) 753-4472, stop by the box office at 5535 S. Ellis Ave. or go to courttheatre.org/home/index.shtml. A ticket ranges in price $26-$30 for a preview performance and $35-$50 starting opening night. Discounted tickets are available for students and seniors through Court Theatre. Other lower priced tickets can sometimes be found at Hot Tix locations: 78 W. Randolph St. (east of Clark St.), at WaterWorks Visitor Center, 163 E. Pearson St. (at Michigan Ave.), or at hottix.org.
At Victory Gardens...
Jeffrey Sweet’s world premiere of “Berlin ‘45” is now in previews at Victory Gardens Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., and has its opening night on Monday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m.
Starring Tandy Cronyn and Roderick Peeples, the cast also features Chris Cantelmi, Melissa Carlson, Deborah Leydig and Gary Houston. The story takes place in 1945 in the ruins of Berlin, Germany, and involves a former dancer who had been hiding in a bomb shelter. After she emerges, she finds that her apartment no longer exists. She finds shelter in the remnants of a house occupied by a housekeeper and a dancer. She meets a Russian officer who becomes her protector. Both are shocked to discover they have much in common.
Directed by Calvin MacLean, “Berlin ‘45” may be yet another home-run for Victory Gardens, which won a 2001 Tony Award for Best Regional Theatre and is well-known for its many world premiere productions.
Previews continue through March 27. A preview ticket ranges in price $24-$28 and starting with the March 28 opening night a ticket will cost $33-$40.
For additional information or to purchase a ticket, call the box office at (773) 871-3000 or visit ticketweb.com.
Discounted parking is available by showing your ticket stub at Children’s Memorial Hospital parking lot, except for matinees, and at Lincoln Park Hospital on Webster St. (one block south) at all times.
On Friday, April 15, at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, April 24, at 3 p.m. the play will be performed with audio descriptions for patrons who are blind or have impaired vision.
Audio descriptions for patrons who are blind or have low vision will be performed on Friday, April 15, at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, April 24, at 3 p.m. Word for word captioning performances will be held on Wednesday, April 13, at 2 p.m., Friday, April 22, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, April 23, at 5 p.m. On Friday, April 22, at 8 p.m. the show will be signed.
After the March 28 opening, post-show discussions with members of the cast will be on Wednesdays immediately following the show.
Chicago premiere...
About Face Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of “Take Me Out,” opening on Thursday, March 24, at Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.
Richard Greenberg’s 2003 Tony-Award winning play, directed by Eric Rosen, is about a baseball superstar who announces that he is gay. Things change drastically afterwards.
The Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre is an intimate, comfortable 200-seat theater shaped like a wide letter “U.” The audience is placed on three sides of the stage and are no more than seven rows back. To get to the Upstairs Theatre (on the third floor), take the elevators in the Steppenwolf Theatre lobby on the left or south end.
To purchase a ticket ($25-$40) or get additional information, call Steppenwolf Audiences Services at (312) 335-1650. The show continues through May 1.
Steppenwolf’s world premiere...
Steppenwolf Theatre presents the world premiere of Stephen Jeffrey's “Lost Land,” opening on Thursday, March 31, in the Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.
It's directed by Terry Johnson and features ensemble members Martha Lavey, Yasen Peyankov and John Malkovich--oh yeah!
“Lost Land” takes place near the end of World War I in a remote castle in the wine-growing region of northern Hungary. A delegate (Peyankov) arrives at the castle to persuade a retired politician (Malkovich) to leave the castle and take over the reins of power. The castle is tended by his sister (Lavey). The story faces the ideas of statehood, duty and obligation with intrigue and sharp wit.
Notes about the cast: John Malkovich, an ensemble member since 1976, has performed in 30 Steppenwolf productions. He won an Obie Award for “True West” in 1983. He appeared on Broadway with Dustin Hoffman in the Broadway revival of “Death of a Salesman.” The play was later made as a TV-movie and Malkovich won an Emmy Award for his role as “Biff” in 1985. He received Oscar nominations for “Places in the Heart” and “In the Line of Fire.” Some of his other films include “Being John Malkovich,” “The Killing Fields,” “Dangerous Liaisons,” and “Of Mice and Men.”
Martha Lavey has been an ensemble member with Steppenwolf since 1993 and artistic director since 1995. She has been in 21 productions with the theater company and has appeared in the 1989 movie “Cold Justice.” She holds a doctorate in Performance Studies from Northwestern University.
Yasen Peyankov has been a Steppenwolf ensemble member since 2002, but has been with the company since 1997. Peyankov won a Jeff Award for the 1998 Steppenwolf production of “Morning Star,” and has been in nine productions with the company. He appears as Sigmund Freud in “Hitchcock Blonde,” directed by John Malkovich.
Also featured in the cast of "Lost Land" are Katie R. Foster, Christopher LaBove, Max Grilly and Isabel Guzmán-Barrón.
For ticket information, contact audience services at (312) 335-1650, stop by audience services at 1650 N. Halsted St. or visit steppenwolf.org.
The Wednesday, May 4, performance will be sign language interpreted and the Thursday, May 5, show will be audio-described. “Lost Land" continues through June 5.
If interested in seeing the show, don’t wait too long. Tickets are selling fast.
On Saturday, April 9, Steppenwolf presents its Annual Gala. More on one of the city's best galas of the year in the next “Inside Talk” on Wednesday, March 30.
Superstar season...
It’s time to take out the date book and decide what night or nights to see the spectacular Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. It opens its Spring “2005 Superstar Season” on Wednesday, March 30, at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St. The company will dance for three weeks through Sunday, April 17.
So many choices: Five company premieres, three different dance programs, many special events, plus the 2005 gala, “The Magic of Romance.”
The 2005 Season for Hubbard Street begins Wednesday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m. with Program A “Cosmic Rhythms,” which continues through Sunday, April 3, and includes the following dances.
The world premiere of Nacho Duato’s “Ggnawa” features the spirituality and rhythms of the Mediterranean; the Chicago premiere of Lucas Crandall’s “Gimme” presents two lovers as they playfully tease, taunt and dance to the rustic score of the Norwegian Group Blå Bergens Borduner; Christopher Bruce’s “Rooster” is danced to eight songs by the Rolling Stones and is a sexy celebration of the '60s; Diphthong, by Brian Enos, is performed to the powerful, syncopated beat of Zap Mama.
Program B “Starry Nights” runs from Wednesday, April 6, to Sunday, April 10. Program C “Infinite Encounters” begins Wednesday, April 13, and continues through Sunday, April 17. There’s much more to talk about and little room to write. Read “Inside Talk” on March 30 for the full story about all three programs, the 2005 Black-Tie Spring Gala “The Magic of Romance” on Friday, April 8, dances by Hubbard Street 2, special programs, and the March 30 Professional Women’s
Event at the Harris Theater.
If you have questions about the three-week performance schedule, need more information or want to buy a ticket, please call (800) 882-4275, stop by the Harris Theater box office at 205 E. Randolph St., or visit hubbardstreetdance.com.
For more on Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s current season, catch “Inside Talk” on March 30. |
