| Abigail's Party |
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A Red Orchid Theatre |
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| A domestic cocktail party goes hilariously and horrifically awry exposing the obsessions, prejudices and petty competitiveness of the party-goers. A sort of suburban comedy of manners, and satire on the aspirations and tastes of the new middle class that emerged in Britain in the 1970s and ring so true today. The play, developed through lengthy improvisations in which Mike Leigh explored characters in all their beautiful flawed glory, provides a tremendous opportunity for the entire creative team. |
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| Adore |
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XIII Pocket at
Steppenwolf Theatre |
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| Armin is a cannibal. It's a secret he's kept ever since he was a child -- to find another person that would never leave him. He never thought it would be possible, until Bernd stepped into his life. A willing victim was the only missing piece and now he has it.
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| The Analytical Engine |
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Circle Theatre |
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| In 1850 Connecticut, Hippolyta Powell has actually built the world's first computer, an analytical engine. Rather than use the machine to solve complex mathematical equations, she has used it to find her "perfect match," much to the consternation of her family, the chosen suitor, Lord Byron's daughter, and the man who truly loves her. Multiple Jeff Award winner Jon Steinhagen penned this period-perfect World Premiere with a wink to Match.com and eHarmony. |
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| Aunt Nancy and Doggie Tales |
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Cornservatory |
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| Eccentric, storytelling Aunt Nancy is back with more stories more friends and more fun. “Aunt Nancy and Doggie Tales” is the 2nd in the series of Aunt Nancy plays written and directed by the Thompson family, for Corn Productions. In the tradition of the “Ananse the Spider Man” folk tales of West Africa, the “Aunt Nancy” plays use storytelling to entertain children and teach important life lessons. This time Aunt Nancy teams up with her niece and nephew (Meenah and Shelby) and the neighborhood dogs, to solve the mystery of "The Mysterious Stranger". |
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| Beautiful City |
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Theater Mir at
Storefront Theater |
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| “This is the future” begins this darkly comic fable about urban developers, criminals, law enforcement, and even a witch, all fighting for the soul and vision of a city. Set in an urban landscape ripe for redevelopment, the parable blends off-kilter characters, fast-paced storytelling, and stinging social satire in a tale of greed, corruption, and civic responsibility. Theatre Mir’s production marks the Chicago professional premiere of this work by George F. Walker, one of Canada’s most prolific and celebrated playwrights. |
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| Best Of Second City |
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Second City |
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| The Second City Touring Company presents best scenes and songs from the company's 45-year history, plus improv, with a different show each week. |
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| Blue Man Group |
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Briar Street Theatre |
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| Blue Man Group is best known for its award-winning theatrical productions which critics have described as "ground-breaking," "hilarious," "visually stunning" and "musically powerful." These performances feature three enigmatic bald and blue characters who take the audience through a multi-sensory experience that combines theatre, percussive music, art, science and vaudeville into a form of entertainment that is like nothing else. |
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Watch a video preview of Blue Man Group
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| The Brother/Sister Plays |
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Steppenwolf Theatre |
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| On the banks of a steamy bayou, the tiny community of San Pere, Louisiana springs to life with stories of love, sexuality and coming-of-age. Influenced by lively Afro-Caribbean folklore, The Brother/Sister Plays explore the struggles that arise when the quest for self identity is at odds with community values. |
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| Chess |
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Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre at
No Exit Cafe |
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| Chess is a Cold War musical, first premiering in the 1980s, with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by former ABBA members, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. Among the notable hit songs from the cult musical are One Night in Bangkok and I Know Him So Well. |
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| ComedySportz |
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Comedy Sportz |
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| ComedySportz shows offer a unique blend of fast and funny improvisational comedy that is appropriate fun for all ages. The Red and Blue teams battle it out in front of a referee in games that the audience selects, and points are awarded based on how quickly and effectively the performers complete the games. The eternal battle of Red vs. Blue is improvised 5 times weekly, and the show is never the same twice! |
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| Confessions of a Tramp Stamp |
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Annoyance Theatre |
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| In his new solo show, Confessions of a Tramp Stamp, Ryan Heywood presents a night when everyone can revel in their foibles. We all make mistakes. Heywood just thinks they're funny. |
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| The Damnation of Faust |
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Lyric Opera |
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| Awesome. Profound. And wildly ahead of its time. Faust's pact with the devil has inspired scores of compositions, but none match the grandeur and scope of this berlioz extravaganza! Like a film, it moves at lightning speed from scene to scene — from enchanted forests to Heaven to Hell. Like a dream, it's filled with wondrous beings, from angels to creatures that would scare Satan himself. |
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| Dancing at Lughnasa |
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SeanachaiTheatre Company at
Irish American Heritage Center |
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| Dancing at Lughnasa is Brian Friel's joyous memory piece recounting the yearnings and sublimation of love by the five Mundy sisters. Living out a mundane existence in the rural village of Ballybeg in 1936, the family’s reputation is precariously balanced between the shame of the youngest sister’s illegitimate son, Michael, and their pride for the eldest brother, Father Jack. |
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| Dearly Beloved |
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Albright Theatre Company |
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| Dearly Beloved takes us to the small town of Fayro, Texas, for an over-the-top, “Gone with the Wind”-themed wedding. This laugh-out-loud romp down the aisle is fueled by love, sisterhood, three hundred pounds of Texas barbeque and a missing bride. |
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| The DNA Trail |
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Silk Road Theatre Project at
Chicago Temple |
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| Theatre meets science as a diverse group of playwrights each agree to take a genealogical DNA test in this identity-defying collection of short plays. For this adventurous project, Silk Road commissioned seven playwrights, each rooted in distinct immigrant narratives and cross-cultural experiences, to revisit their assumptions about identity politics and the perennial "who am I" question. Self, family, community, ethnicity, race, history, geography--it's all up for grabs! Come see where the DNA Trail leads to. |
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| 11:11 |
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The New Colony at
Victory Gardens Theater - Biograph |
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| 11:11 tells the story of the first day at Camp Methuselah Pines and the team of young Christian camp counselors who unknowingly drug themselves. As the evening unravels, secrets are shared, temptations explored, and a group of friends realize they don't have the same understanding of the same God. Inspired by the experiences of the playwrights and ensemble, '11:11' asks an age-old question of a new generation: why are we willing to fight for something we cannot see or define? |
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Watch a video preview of 11:11
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| The Emperor's New Clothes |
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Steel Beam Theatre |
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| There's lots of fun in store when Peter, the mischievous tailor, comes up with his sure-fire get-rich- quick scheme: embarrass the vain Emperor and make off with a basket of gold! |
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