Chicago Jewish Theatre will present two concert musicals this summer. These are the first two in what is planned as an on-going series to run throughout the season.
Chicago Jewish Theatre will be following in the footsteps of the illustrious "Encores" series of concerts in New York as well as the "Ovations" series of concerts in Los Angeles. A similar series also called "Ovations" ran briefly in Chicago in 2002. "Concert" musicals means that there are no sets or lights and the actors usually sit or stand at lecterns while performing. However, the entire script and score is presented, along with direction and characterization. In practice, "concert" musicals are similar to staged readings of non-musical plays.
"These concerts are a way to bring to our stage more of what our audiences really want," says Chicago Jewish Theatre Artistic Director Elayne LeTraunik. "After the overwhelming success of the musical 'Meshuggah-Nuns' at Chicago Jewish Theatre last season, we knew we had to increase our musical theatre offerings. This is a way of doing it in an easy and cost efficient way and in a format that fits easily into our small space."
The first concert is "Kuni-Leml," book by Nahma Sandrow, Music by Raphael Crystal, lyrics by Richard Engquist, based on Avrom Goldfadn’s "The Two Kuni-Lemls." This is a tale of young lovers defying tradition, in this case the arranged marriage of the young heroine Carolina to the ultimate schlemiel. "Kuni-Leml" is a classic Yiddish farce. This is a funny family musical with universal appeal. So popular was the original Yiddish play (written in 1880) upon which the musical is based that the name "Kuni Leml," which the author invented for the lead character, entered the Yiddish language as a noun meaning "fool."
Following "Kuni-Leml" will be "Theda Bara and the Frontier Rabbi," book by Jeff Hochhauser, Music by Bob Johnston, lyrics by Johnston and Hochhauser. Back in the days before Madonna, Marilyn, even Jean Harlow, there was Theda Bara.
Instead of being an exotic import from Egypt, she was, in fact, none other than Theodosia Goodman, a nice Jewish girl from Cincinnati who wants nothing more than to settle down with a nice rabbi. When she meets Rabbi Isaac Birnbaum, the Jewish man of her dreams, the sparks really begin to fly.
Future shows under consideration for the concert series include "The Rothschilds," "Milk and Honey," "Minnie’s Boys" and "Rags."
The dates for "Kuni-Leml" are June 27, 28, 29, and July 5, 6. All performances are at 8 p.m. The dates for "Theda Bara and the Frontier Rabbi" are July 25, 26, 27, and Aug. 1, 2 and 3.
All tickets for the concert musicals are $20. There are no previews and no discounted tickets. For reservations or more information, call the Chicago Jewish Theatre box office at (773) 728-0599. Chicago Jewish Theatre is located at 5123 N. Clark St. |
