Theater On The Lake

The Chicago Park District's 57th annual Theater on the Lake season features reprisals of eight artistically diverse Chicago theater companies June 17 - Aug. 9, 2009. The season opens with Collaboraction Theater Company's production of Jon (June 17-21) and continues with popular productions by Redmoon Theater (June 24-28), Blindfaith Theatre Company (July 1-5), Theo Ubique Theater Company (July 8-12), Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (July 15-19), Barrel of Monkeys (July 22-26), The Artistic Home (July 29 – Aug. 2), and Eclipse Theatre Company (Aug. 5-9). Each production will be performed for five evenings only at the theater at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Michigan.

One of this year's new features includes three family friendly productions recommended for ages six and up: Once Upon a Time (or the Secret Language of Birds), Woody Guthrie's American Song and Fun O'Clock: A Very Special That's Weird Grandma.

Hallie Gordon, Artistic Director of Theater on the Lake, comments, "Theater on the Lake is a long-standing Chicago tradition, and we invite theater lovers to enjoy the best of the city's off-Loop theater ensembles along beautiful Lake Michigan."

Designed in 1913 and constructed in 1920, the Theater on the Lake building was originally built as a recuperation ward for babies suffering from tuberculosis and other diseases. During World War II, the structure was then used as a USO Center for soldiers and sailors. After the war, the Chicago Park District used the venue for then-popular barn dances. In 1952, it was converted into the Theater on the Lake performance venue and showcased productions staged by the Park District's many community theater organizations. In 1996, the programming evolved into its current format, and the Chicago Park District began inviting professional theater companies to remount their best works.

The 2009 Theater on the Lake season is as follows:

Collaboraction Theater Company
Jon by George Saunders
Directed by Seth Bockley
June 17 - 21

Jon is a futuristic allegory about teenage love and self-discovery in a corporate universe where television commercials replace life experiences. Collaboraction's Associate Artistic Director Seth Bockley adapts the story by MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship recipient George Saunders. The production explores the boundaries of video and theater in a surreal and strangely moving coming-of-age story. The Chicago Tribune highly recommended the world premiere production calling it "a sensorial spectacle."

Redmoon Theater
Once Upon a Time (or the Secret Language of Birds) by Joe Meno
Directed by Frank Magueri
June 24 - 28

Redmoon Theater brings audiences of all ages an urban fairytale tale of friendship, courage, dreams, and heroism that unfolds in an elaborately crafted toy theater. This intricate spectacle in puppet miniature with live video projection is set in a bleak 1920s American city. The story's heroine is a lonely young girl who understands the language of birds. She quickly develops a friendship with a neighbor who has retreated to a life of solitude after a fatal wrestling accident. When the birds of the city mysteriously disappear, the unlikely duo must save the city from the calamitous effects of a world without music.

Blindfaith Theatre Company
Woody Guthrie's American Song by Peter Glazer
Directed by Nicolas Minas
July 1-5

Salute Independence Day weekend with Woody Guthrie's American Song, an exuberant musical celebration of both America and the life of the rambling folk singer through his words and music. From the dust storms of Texas to the promised land of California to the streets of New York City, Guthrie spins the tale of the land that "was made for you and me." The play has the foot-stompin', roof-raisin', toe-tappin', heart-breakin', soul-soarin' musical journey of Woody Guthrie down highways, rail lines and back roads straight into the heart of America.

Theo Ubique Theatre Company
Jacques Brel's Lonesome Loser of the Night
Directed by Fred Anzevino
July 8-12

Theo Ubique Theatre Company presented the world premiere of this music revue to popular acclaim and played to sold out audiences for five months. Through the magical lyricism of Jacques Brel, this story of love, loss, and hope follows the trials of two sailors at port in a bar in Amsterdam and reveals how relationships bloom and wilt. The Chicago Sun-Times called it "sensational ... a genuine hit."

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble
These Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich
Directed by Rachel Walshe
July 15-19

These Shining Lives tells the real-life story of four women who worked for the Radium Dial Company in Ottawa, Illinois during the early 20th century and were exposed to toxic levels of radiation. The play chronicles how they suffered from debilitating joint pain, bone fractures, infections, tumors, anemia and eventually a painful death. With time running out, the women gather their remaining strength and bravely file a class action lawsuit to hold the company accountable for its negligence. Critics hailed the production as "radiant," "shining," and "heartbreaking."

Barrel of Monkeys
Fun O'Clock: A Very Special "That's Weird Grandma"
Directed by Luke Hatton
July 22-26

For the last eight years, Barrel of Monkeys has performed its highly acclaimed That's Weird, Grandma every Monday night in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. The stories are penned during the company's creative writing residencies in Chicago public elementary schools. The highly talented ensemble ("Some of the funniest non-famous people in the city" according to Chicago Reader) has adapted the children's writing into short sketches, plays and musical numbers. Fun O'Clock: A Very Special "That's Weird, Grandma" is sure to delight audiences of all ages.

The Artistic Home
Juno and the Paycock by Sean O'Casey
Directed by John Mossman
July 29-Aug. 2

This rich and moving story centers on the lives of the Boyle family eeking out a living in the tenements of 1920s Dublin. Juno supports her family, while roustabout husband Captain Boyle searches for ways to avoid work. Sometimes hilarious, and at other times tragic, this relevant play weaves a tale of war, hard times and family.

Eclipse Theatre Company
Plaza Suite by Neil Simon
Directed by Steve Scott
Aug. 5-9

One of Neil Simon's most popular and celebrated plays, Plaza Suite details the misadventures of three very different couples as they face crucial moments in their respective lives all in the same hotel room in the world famous Plaza Hotel. Plaza Suite showcases Simon at his best -- witty, clever and relentlessly funny. Goodman Theatre Associate Producer and long-time Eclipse ensemble member, Steve Scott, directs Simon's rip-roaring comedy.

The Chicago Park District's Theater on the Lake is located at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Shore Drive in a historic building that offers breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. The schedule for all performances June 17 - Aug. 9 is Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6:30 p.m.

Single tickets are $17.50 and a season subscription to all eight plays is available at a discounted price of $110. Subscriptions are available beginning May 15 via the brochure. All individual tickets go on sale June 9, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the Theater on the Lake box office at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Michigan or via phone at 312-742-7994.

For more information about the Chicago Park District, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.