Gold Hugo Award to...
Oscar Winner Shirley MacLaine, actress extraordinaire, will be honored on Saturday, July 13, at the Sheraton Hotel, 301 E. North Water St., by The Governing Board of the 41st Chicago International Film Festival.
Shirley MacLaine Beatty (she just uses the first two names for acting) will receive The Gold Hugo Career Achievement Award because of her long, successful career. As Film Festival Founder Michael Klutz puts it, "A beloved actress of great distinction and dignity, Shirley MacLaine has secured her place as a screen legend during her career of almost 50 films..."
Besides her incredible, memorable, diversified films (Best Actress Oscar for "Terms of Endearment"), the older sister of Warren Beatty has authored nine best-selling books, and done many Broadway stage performances and television appearances. And the Special Gala given by the Film Festival will be just another one of those special nights for her.
Guests will arrive at the gala benefit which is hosted by Bill Kurtis at 6 p.m. for a cocktail reception, silent auction, lavish dinner, live auction, award ceremony (including a film retrospective chronicling MacLaine’s career), and dancing to the R&B music of Terisa Griffin.
MacLaine, 71, began her stage career at 19 years old as an understudy and then finally replacing actress Carol Haney in "The Pajama Game" on Broadway. Her film roles have been quite diverse and include starring in the original film "Sweet Charity," directed by the late-great Chicagoan Bob Fosse, "The Apartment," "Irma La Douce," "Steel Magnolias," the part of "Endora" in the current hit-movie "Bewitched" with Nicole Kidman, plus the upcoming films "In Her Shoes," and "Rumor Has It."
Co-chaired by Joe Ahern, President and GM of WBBM-TV CBS Channel 2; and Terry Schwartz, Partner of Schwartz Brothers Insurance, the evening will benefit outreach programs sponsored and developed by Cinema/Chicago, the organization that also presents the annual Chicago International Film Festival.
Sounds like a great night, doesn’t it! If you’re interested in attending the gala, call Cinema/Chicago at (312) 683-0121, ext. 103, or (312) 902-1500. A individual Gala ticket is $350.
The Career Achievement Award Gala is held annually prior to the opening of the Chicago International Film Festival. This year’s 41st Annual Festival which brings 100 of the world’s best new films will run from Thursday, Oct. 6, through Thursday, Oct. 20.
Short Shakespeare...
Was William Shakespeare short? Who knows? But the title of Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, "Short Shakespeare!: The Comedy of Errors," is a short, condensed version of the play running only 75 minutes. It begins on Saturday, July 13, in the Courtyard Theater, 800 E. Grand Ave. in Chicago.
Presented by the LaSalle Bank Family Festival of Plays, the story of "Comedy of Errors" is about Antipholus and his servant Dromio who land in Ephesus (now Turkey) looking for their long-lost twin brothers. But the joke was on them because wherever they went, strangers were insistent that they knew the two travelers.
This is one of Shakespeare’s great comedies and its abridged version is a great way to introduce children to Shakespeare. In fact most of the "Short Shakespeare" presentations by Chicago Shakespeare Theater are perfect for those not familiar with the "Bard."
"Comedy of Errors" continues through Saturday, Aug. 13. In addition, at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Court Theater through Sunday, Aug. 14, is "The Princess and the Pea," based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, which also runs 75 minutes.
"The Second City’s Romeo and Juliet Musical: The People vs. Friar Lawrence, The Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet," continues now through Sunday, Sept. 4. and is a delicious two-hour comedic spoof of Shakespeare's tragic tale. This show is absolutely hilarious, slapstick silly and a delightful way to spend the evening — laughing!
For additional information about show dates and times, or to purchase a ticket, call the box office at (312) 595-5600, or visit www.chicagoshakes.com. Prices vary for each show.
Ravinia Gala with Van Cliburn...
Guests attending the Gala Benefit "A Legendary Evening" at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park will be treated to the performance by pianist Van Cliburn in his first appearance at Ravinia in more than 30 years. Cliburn performs Grieg’s Piano Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ravinia’s new music director James Conlon.
Guests will be in full-dress because it’s a Black-Tie gala. Sponsored by the Ravinia Women’s Board, the evening starts at 7 p.m. with the performance, followed by dinner in the Gala Marquee. If interested, call Jennifer Beightley to make a reservation at (847) 266-5045, as tickets may still be available.
Drury Lane presents...
TV, film and stage veteran Katherine Helmond will take center stage at the new Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place starring in the play "Morning’s At Seven," by Paul Osborn, with previews starting Wednesday, July 20, and opening on Thursday, July 28, at 175 E. Chestnut St.
The cast also includes Robert Breuler, Mary Ann Thebus, Roslyn Alexander, Brigid Duffy and others.
Katherine Helmond starred in many a TV show. She played Jessica on the show "Soap" for five seasons, costarred in "Coach" for three seasons, and costarred in "Who’s the Boss" for eight seasons. She has won many awards for her diversified roles.
The play is the story of a Midwestern family in 1939 (four sisters, husbands, children, dreams and passions).
For additional information about show times, dinner theater packages, or to purchase a ticket ($36-$45 for preview performances and $40-$48 for those July 28 and later), please phone (312) 642-2000, stop by the box office at 175 E. Chestnut St. or visit
www.drurylanewatertower.com. |
