It may be freezing outside, but Chicago's live theater scene is boiling over with hot new shows in January and February. Fanning the flames will be Theater Thursdays — Chicago's traveling theater sampler party, sponsored by the League of Chicago Theatres. Theater Thursdays adds fun, style, value and convenience to the Chicago theater-going experience by dropping in at a different theater every Thursday, and serving up pre- or post-show food and drinks, a casual cocktail party atmosphere, and the chance to mingle with Chicago theater artists.
Meet up with friends at one of nine new Theater Thursday events announced for January and February. Tickets are available at the League of Chicago Theatres' three Hot Tix locations: 72 E. Randolph St., in the Chicago Tourism Center; 163 E. Pearson St., inside the Water Works Visitor Center; and the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd. Tickets to Theater Thursdays also are sold through participating theater box offices. Theater Thursdays do sell out, so reservations are recommended.
Remember: In addition to at least one "main event" every week, anybody can take advantage of special Theater Thursdays discounts, offers and promotions at League-member theaters all over Chicago, only on Thursday nights. Find that list at www.chicagoplays.com where you can also check for updates, additions and changes to this Theater Thursdays line-up.
Jan. 5—Chicago Sketchfest—Theatre Building Chicago—1225 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago is the sketch comedy capital of the world! So what better way to kick off 2006 than joining Theater Thursday-goers at the opening night of the 5th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival? Top local, national and international sketch comedy groups will take the stage; their mission - to make you laugh. You'll see two troupes performing witty scenes guaranteed to warm up the coldest winter night.
Before the show, warm up across the street at Joey's Brickhouse where guests will enjoy light appetizers, wine, and beer. The reception will also feature appearances by Festival performers, writers and directors.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at Joey's Brickhouse, 1258 W. Belmont Ave. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 at Hot Tix, or call (773) 327-5252 and mention Theater Thursdays.
Jan. 12—'Pericles'—Goodman Theatre—170 N. Dearborn St.
Theater Thursdays celebrates its one year anniversary at the Goodman with a pre-show cocktail reception with appetizers in the Goodman Theatre's Club Mezz. A member of the artistic staff will speak about the production. Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman delivers elegance and emotion in this production of Shakespeare's epic tale "Pericles." Pericles, Prince of Tyre, solves a riddle that exposes the incestuous relationship between the Princess he loves and her own father, the King of Antiochus. Fleeing before the King can kill him, Pericles embarks on a journey throughout the ancient world. This is merely the beginning of a lush tale filled with pirates, jousts, brothels, sorceresses, goddesses, miracles and more. The event begins at 6 p.m. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 at Hot Tix, or call (312) 443-3800 and mention Theater Thursdays.
Jan. 19—'The Coast of Chicago'—Walkabout Theatre at Lookingglass Theatre—821 N. Michigan Ave.
Theater Thursday participants will receive a multi-media tour of the history and tradition of Chicago neighborhoods Pilsen and Little Village. Refreshments from Chicago neighborhood restaurants will be served, and author Stuart Dybek will lead a discussion along with the cast and crew.
The gritty realities of everyday life in a blighted Chicago neighborhood give way to the possibility of magical urban moments and the power of dreams in this lyrical adaptation of three of Dybek's remarkable stories: "Nighthawks," "Chopin in Winter," and "Hot Ice."
The show begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 at Hot Tix, or call (312) 337-0665 and mention Theater Thursdays.
Jan. 26—'The Well Appointed Room' by Richard Greenberg—Steppenwolf Theatre—1650 N. Halsted St.
Before the show, enjoy drinks and New York deli-style catering in the balcony gallery of Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre to set the mood for a well-appointed evening. Linger over scale models of past set designs as well as production and ensemble photos documenting 30 years of Steppenwolf. Learn how the design artists create a show that is uniquely Steppenwolf. After the performance, stick around for a post show discussion.
In New York City, a famous playwright's modern ideas crumble around him, and a year later, a young urban wife's eerie designs for the future quickly become history. Two different couples. One well-appointed room.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35, which includes appetizers, two drinks, show, and reception, at Hot Tix, or call (312) 335-1650 and mention Theater Thursdays.
ALSO Jan. 26—Blue Man Group—Briar Street Theatre—3133 N. Halsted St.
Theater Thursday starts at 7 p.m. with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at Jack's American Bistro. At 8 p.m., Blue Man Group will start to rock the Briar Street Theatre. After the show, Theater Thursday-goers will get to meet and discuss the performance with Blue Man performers and members of the band.
The event begins at 7 p.m. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $59 at Hot Tix, or call (773) 348-4000 and mention Theater Thursdays.
Feb. 2—'Immaculate Deception'—Second City etc—1608 N. Wells St.
Meet up at 6 p.m. in The Second City etc's lobby to join a behind the scenes glimpse of The Second City, a reception at Adobo Grill (margaritas and Mexican food), and a performance of The Second City etc's 28th Revue, guaranteed to knock your socks off (assuming you wear socks). Directed by Jim Carlson, The Second City etc's 28th Revue is two hours of sketch comedy and improvisation.
The event begins at 6 p.m. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 at Hot Tix, or call (312) 337-3992 and mention Theater Thursdays.
Feb. 9—'Soft Corn Porn'—Corn Productions—4210 N. Lincoln Ave.
Before the show all Theater Thursday attendees will get a name tag with their "porn" star name. Stay after for a post show reception with food, drinks and discussion with the cast and crew.
In the tradition of "Drunk and Drunker" and "Dazed and Corn-fused," Corn returns to its sketchy roots with their take on relationships, sex, lies and videotape (or DVDs, if you will). Written by the Corn ensemble, this show promises to live up to Corn's motto...Brash! Bawdy!
The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 ($15 per person for groups of six or more) at Hot Tix, or call (312) 409-6435 and mention Theater Thursdays.
Feb. 16—'Bus Stop' by William Inge—Writers' Theatre—325 Tudor Court, Glencoe
Enjoy a performance of "Bus Stop," a Metra train ride to and from the theater, cocktails on Metra and a post-show discussion and reception with the cast and crew. Dreams, desperation, love and lawlessness all intersect at a small roadside diner where a busload of travelers is forced to wait out a winter storm. "Bus Stop" realistically captures the hopes and ambitions of the Midwest heartland.
A reception on the train will include cocktails with other Thursday Theater-goers and Writers' Theatre staff. After the 8 p.m. show, a discussion and reception will be held with the cast and crew, followed by a Metra train ride back to the city.
Theater Thursday Train leaves Ogilvy station at 6:35 p.m. Board the special Writers' Theatre car on the Metra/Union Pacific North line. Look for the Writers' Theatre sign at each stop along the way. For stops and schedules go to metrarail.com.
The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 at Hot Tix, or call (847) 242-6000 and mention Theater Thursdays.
Feb. 23—'Hizzoner'—Prop Thtr—3502 N. Elston Ave.
Hizzoner is a personal portrait of Richard J. Daley, the former longtime mayor of Chicago whose life was entwined with this city in an inextricable way. It features a visual installation by the Video Production Company "We're So Screwed."
Arrive early for a reception with food, drinks and a pre-show Chicago video history. Stay afterwards for a panel and meet and greet with author and star Neil Giuntoli.
The event begins at 7 p.m. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 at Hot Tix, or call (773) 539-7838 and mention Theater Thursdays.
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