WEEK’S BEST: Extraordinary Women Edition

KING LEAR has now officially closed in DC – and what a show it was – selling over a million dollars in single ticket sales, alone. Hats off to Mr. Keach and our whole happily bruised and battered bunch – and a special nod to DC and Shakespeare Theatre friends for making the trip a welcome one. So long – and thanks for all the fish.

Many folks have asked us whether the show will transfer to New York. And, all we can say is:  “You never know – we don’t know a damn thing, and they sure as hell ain’t telling us.”

Regardless, though, I doubt we have seen the last of the Great Falls Rumpus. It’s too good to lie down for long.

Back at the ranch, there’s a few shows have quite fairly taken the joint by storm: at the historic Biograph on Lincoln, Victory Garden’s blockbuster production of BLACKBIRD - directed by Dennis Zacek, starring Chicago stage legend (and well-earned of that moniker) Billy Peterson – and a new-to-us actor of uncommon power, it seems: Mattie Hawkinson. Good on them all, says we.

Your chances of actually seeing BLACKBIRD at this point are slim at best, however – unless the theatre moves it or extends beyond the one week they’ve added. Take heart, though – no one will know that you didn’t down at the pub.

Billy Peterson and Mattie Hawkinson in BLACKBIRD at Victory Gardens

Meanwhile, down the street at the Steppenwolf First Look Repertory, the three plays seem to be a causing a great deal more buzz than we’ve seen in previous years: FOSLT Eric Simonson’s HONEST, Laura Eason’s SEX WITH STRANGERS – directed by Jessica Thebus and featuring Amy J. Carle – and SKI DUBAI by Laura Jacqmin – directed by Lisa Portes.

Eric Simonson, Laura Jacqmin, and Laura Eason

SIDEBAR: look at the extraordinary female theatre artists at work now at the Steppenwolf – hell, all over Chicago- it wasn’t 20 years ago when all we talked about was the lack of female voices in our new plays – and in the Director’s chair.

Change takes a while – too long, most of the time – but it’s sweet when you really notice it.

‘Nuff said!

WEEKS BEST/SKEETER FEATURE – A Nose By Any Other Name Version: CYRANO at Oak Park

Shanghai Low Founding Member, Literary Manager, and Personal Hygiene Czar, Kevin Theis, opened his production of CYRANO DE BERGERAC last night down at the scrappy little outdoor Oak Park Theatre Festival (in, strangely enough, scenic Oak Park, IL) featuring AD Jack Hickey as The Gascon Nose, Katherine Keberline as Roxanne, and Wesley Scott as Christian.

Kevin Theis with Sara Nichols Theis, Miranda and Gwendolyn

There’s seemingly a cast of about a gazillion troupers whacking each other with epees and eclairs down there – including legendary Chicago character man, Ron Keaton as Raganeau – and that Snideliest of Whiplashes, Joe Wycoff as De Guiche. Ace Combat vet Geoff Coates has once again staged the fights this summer.

To get there, just throw the family, beer, blanket, dog, Facebook friends, and potato salad on the Green Line – take it all the way past Iowa – or until the Time Zone changes twice, then – absolutely true – you can hire one of Rickshaw Rick’s pedacabs to pick you and yours up and pedal you over to park.

More informal – and, therefore, fun, in our opinion – than most of the bigger Festivals, it’s always a great time with a gang of scantily-clad pals.

And, hey, if you show up early you can watch the Oldsters watch the Fight Call.

For more information, go to the Festival Website.

‘Nuff said!

SKEETER FEATURE Redux: MAC at First Folio (Maggie Edition)

Seriously – when Duncan says, “This castle hath a pleasant seat!”-  is he checking out Ross’ ass at the time? I mean, There doesn’t seem to be any MRS. Duncan around, does there? Oh – maybe she’s there – but really, really drunk.

Now there’s some subtext, you betcha.

Nathan Hosner, E.B. Smith, Michael Goldberg, Jazmin Corona - and the fab Maggie Kettering in First Folio's MACBETH.

Anyhoo – Holy Cow: stick the kids on a pike and throw some extra haggis in the Igloo, friends, the Thane of Doesn’t Play Well With Others is on the loose again in Nick Sandys outdoor production of MACBETH, opening tonight, down at First Folio – this time featuring Our Own Maggie Kettering as the spookiest of Witches, and Mrs. Not Very Bright Good Guy. (The one who runs off the London leaving his wife and kids at home with the Homicidal Maniac in charge of the country. Genius, that guy.) Ah, to Whack or Be Whacked – that is the question.

Be that as it may, this looks to be a stand-up reading with a cast of about a half-gazillion young Bard Barkers, seemingly. Nathan Hosner and Patrice Egleston play the Creepy Couple. Also featured are Goodman KING LEAR vets Patrick Clear - a luminous addition to any skit, Shakespeare or not, says we – and good egg/good actor/Stacy Keach golf partner, Michael Goldberg.

Performances are at the Mayslake Peabody Estate Forest Preserve (!) down in Oakbrook – which means you’ll have to take a combination of horse and hovercraft to get there – but, if memory serves, you get half-off if your stagecoach gets attacked by Apaches.

Not that any of that hardship would deter the True Blue Outdoor Bard Enthusiasts out there. No sir – “Sauce for the Goose!,” says they.

Goodness, what a tough bunch.

Here’s the website for tix and directions.

‘Nuff said!

ALICE AUSTEN joins the Writing Team, and Scene the Second of HER MAJESTY’S WILL!

Today, we are proud to announce the addition of ace playwright ALICE AUSTEN to our Writing Team – and in celebration thereof, we present the second exciting installment of David Blixt’s HER MAJESTY’S WILL: A Tale of the Babington Plot, exclusively in ORSON’S RUN.

Alice Austen and Family: Dan, Max, Ben and George

Also – please check out the site periodically throughout the day for updates regarding both these matters – and a special preview of Chicago’s Own Jeff Phillips‘ just-published novel, WHISKEY PIKE: A Bedtime Story for the Drinking Mankind.

Our Website Elves are working as fast as they can, folks – so, enjoy!

www.shanghailow.org

‘Nuff said.

Swallow a Bug in WEEK’S BEST, or a Little Touch of Insect Repellant in the Night!

Ah, yes – methinx summer’s in the air, as we may hear the distant rumble of the Mass Exodus: that time when American Shakespeareans seize stroller, dog, golf bag, and spouse, and traipse merrily away from Urban Home and Hearth to Bark the Bard at one of our renowned Summer Festivals O’ the Wood. It’s a little tradition we like to call Classical Weight Loss, or Is This Goddamn Corset Really Necessary During the Heat Wave?

Nonetheless, should you be itching – literally – to do a little traipsing of your own, we can recommend three for you that won’t disappoint.

SIDEBAR: we’ve left the links up on the Shanghai Low site for last week’s picks, as the 500 CLOWN show (4 shows left!), KING LEAR (extended till July 26th), and THE K of D (closes July 12th) are still running. Dado’s production of MERCURY FUR has closed in LA after a very successful run.

But, back to’t – if your Conestoga Wagon happens to get stopped by the State Police near Cedar City, Utah this summer, there’s actually a Shakespeare Festival there, strangely enough, featuring serious theatre street cred from all over the States. We’re betting you cannot go wrong with Jim Sullivan’s production of HENRY V – with Milwaukee Rep’s simply fantastic Brian Vaughn as the King, the lovely Emily Trask as Katherine, and perhaps the most formidable trio of Character Men this side of Washington DC: Will Zahrn, Fred Stone, and Rick Peeples. Not to mention sound and music chores by our dear chum Lindsay Jones.

No lie – this is the part Brian was born to play, sez us – and word has it he’s at the top of his game, here.

Brian Vaughn as HENRY V in Jim Sullivan's production for the Utah Shakespeare Festival this summer.

Next stop, Spring Green, Wisconsin: where American Players Theatre – a religious cult that masquerades itself as a Summer Theatre Festival is already in full swing with shows directed by stalwarts Bill “Bucky” Brown, James Bohnen, and Kenneth Albers, et. al. A damn good choice for you here is in the brand new (200 seat – indoors!) Touchstone Theatre: Milwaukee Rep Acting Ninja Laura Gordon directs Jonathan Smoots (being Mr. Gordon), Carey Cannon, and Tracy Michelle Arnold – fine actors, all – in Harold Pinter’s OLD TIMES. That’s a lot of serious Classical Chops onstage, so take your note pads for some tips.

Jonathan Smoots, Carey Cannon, and Tracy Michelle Arnold in Laura Gordon's production of Pinter's OLD TIMES at American Players Theatre.

A word of caution: after the show, get the hell out of Spring Green while you can. Should you encounter any of the Longtime Acting Company there, they really do get a weird look in their eyes when engaged in conversation about the place – a lot like all those little blond kids in VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED – and they may very well pull you into one of their Clive Barker-like midnight rituals of Personal Symbiosis.

You’re much better served back on the road before you get sucked in. We’re just sayin’.

And, lastly – but certainly not leastly – if all this Serious Drama ain’t your bag, and you just want to have a great gut-busting time at a summer show this season, grab your picnic basket and best squeeze, and run up to Peninsula Players in Fish Creek (!), Door County, WI, where they’re getting ready to open the Marx Brothers pastiche, A DAY IN HOLLYWOOD, A NIGHT IN THE UKRAINE.

Every year Chicago Acting Czar and PP AD Greg Vinkler puts together the most Shameless Acting Company of Inexpensive Humor since Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show: Tim Monsion, Joe Foust, Carmen Roman, Jim Leaming, Sean Fortunato, Cassandra Bissel, and on and on and on.

A DAY IN HOLLYWOOD at Peninsula Players.

You’ll need your lobster bib and sneeze guard for this one, gang.

‘Nuff said!

David Blixt’s new novel – HER MAJESTY’S WILL: a tale of the Babington Plot – begins in ORSON’S RUN!

“Between the years ‘85 and ‘92, the world lost track of William Shakespeare. We cannot now blame the world. It hadn’t known yet that it was supposed to keep tabs on the lad, just twenty-one years of age at the time of his vanishment, and with no marked achievements but the legitimate fathering of twins.

Historians have invented a dozen stories, on ever-flimsier evidence, as to where he was, and why. But the truth of young William’s whereabouts, and his first journey to London – and even his first play – have been lost.

Until now.”

We are pleased and proud to announce that today, in ORSON’S RUN – the official webzine of Shanghai Low – we begin the serialization of David’s brand new novel-in-progress – an espionage rumpus of William Shakespeare, Christopher “Kit” Marlowe, and the Babington Plot.

More chapters to follow this month.

Enjoy. ‘Nuff said.

Four Not To Be Missed in WEEK’S BEST!

Jeepers – it would take 247 Posts to cover all the theatre doins this summer. Hell, 84 would just cover all Our Pals in Shakespeare Festivals all over the country, alone. Be that as it may, we have decided to stick our necks out with a new feature on the Shanghai Low site, called WEEK’S BEST – which showcases a few productions around that we are deeming essential to Theatre Wonks small and large.

Delineated by city, the links in the Sidebar will take you to the websites for each of the featured theatres or groups – so you can run down the cast/crew rosters to see who is going to comp your young ass in.

Here, then, in no particular order, are this week’s choices:

CHICAGO – 500 CLOWN at STEPPENWOLF

500 CLOWN AND THE ELEPHANT DEAL

Run to it. Do not walk. Do not pass Go. Sleep with the Box Office Manager to get in. Do not say that you are a theatre participant or enthusiast if you do not. Whenever Molly Brennen, Paul Kalina, and Adrian Danzig raise up on their hind legs and bark – either individually or together, as The 500 – Attention Must Be Paid.

Because they are the best at what they do. Case closed.

Molly Brennan, Paul Kalina, and Adrian Danzig: 500 CLOWN

CHICAGO – ROUTE 66 THEATRE COMPANYat RED ORCHID

THE K OF D: AN URBAN LEGEND

Stef Tovar’s new LA/Chicago exchange company knocks another one out of the park with this spookity solo performance by Gwendolyn Whiteside, directed by the fab Meredith McDonough. Lindsay Jones, no less, pulls down the sound – which would, alone, be enough reason to see it – and Acting Czar Steve Key (!) designed the set.

Wendy Whiteside in ROUTE 66's, THE K OF D: an Urban Legend

LOS ANGELES – NEED THEATRE at THE IMAGINED LIFE

MERCURY FUR

Dado Gyure is simply one of the best directors in the country. And with Chicago veterans Nina Sallinen and Kelly Van Kirk in tow – well, good luck getting through it without nuerological damage.

Think the show you are doing right now is all gritty and cutting edge an’ shit? Well, we have news for you, pal: it ain’t.

MERCURY FUR in LA beats the pants off all ya’ll.

We’re just sayin’.

Dado's production of MERCURY FUR at The Imagined Life, LA

WASHINGTON DC – SHAKESPEARE THEATRE at THE HARMAN CENTER

KING LEAR

This is a remount of Robert Falls’ 2006 Goodman Theatre production with 10 of the original principal players both paying homage to those who originally built and performed it, then – and welcoming the new batch of DC sluggers with open arms, now.

We’re all kinds of biased, of course – but Stacy Keach is God.

Joaquin Torres, God, and the Project Manager in Shakespeare Theatre's KING LEAR in DC

‘Nuff said.

On the Heath with Keach: Shakespeare Theatre’s KING LEAR extended!

Stacy Keach as Lear and Howard "Poppy" Witt as The Fool in Robert Falls' production of KING LEAR, featuring Steve Pickering and David Blixt, now playing at the Shakespeare Theatre/Harman Center in Washington DC.

Awwwww, yeah – grab your best honey and waltz on over to the Harman Center in DC, kids, for that little Serbian-themed rampage Blixt and I like to call Job Security – and now till July 26th. And don’t forget to bring your lobster bib and sneeze guard. It gets fluidy out there what with all the blood, sweat, and automatic weapon fire.

Always controversial – now, as when we did it three years ago at the Goodman – ticket sales are through the roof, but the reviews could give you brain whiplash.

Here are links to two of the most prominent:

The Washington Post

The Washington Times

‘Nuff said!

Simonson/King Galleries Up

New galleries are up in BY ILLUSTRATION this week for Filmmaker/Theatre Hog Eric Simonson – he with the Oscar statuette on his mantelpiece – and fab Chicago mixed media artist, Sarah C. King.

PEOPLE OF NOTE features their bios. Stop by on your coffee break.

‘Nuff said.

BLUE GIRL by Sarah King

The Boss Is Back

Robert Falls continues his East Coast takeover tonight, opening his Goodman powerhouse – literally – production of O’Neill’s DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS – featuring the Boss of Broadway – at the St. James on 44th.

We were fortunate enough to have seen Roadworks alum Amy Carle here in Chicago – stepping in for Carla Gugino, who is back heating up the boards over there. If you’re in NYC over the next 12 weeks, good luck with that gettin’-a-ticket thang – but do make the effort: it really must be seen.

Robert, truly, is at the top of his game.

Click the picture for the official website:

Why don’t they just save some time, and throw Tonys all round, now?