Chicago may no longer be the Second City as far as population goes, but in the theater world, it’s still number two. And second is not a bad place to be. With more than 75 theaters in Chicagoland offering American and world premieres, musicals, comedies, puppet productions and Shakespearean classics each season, anyone can get their fill of good theater.
Just about everybody knows about the Goodman, the Steppenwolf and Navy Pier’s own Chicago Shakespeare Theater, but what about the other, oh, 72 theaters in town? Lucky for you, we did our research and selected a handful of lesser-known theaters for y’all to check out this spring. (Think of this as one of those “keeper” articles that you can post on your bulletin board.) And forget student rush tickets – productions at most of these theaters will cost you under $20. Enjoy. nyou
The Defiant Theatre
Where: 3111 N. Western Ave. (312) 409-0585.
Tell me more: The Defiant Theatre’s name says it all – it specializes in out-of-the ordinary, risky productions. “We’re not afraid to tackle taboo issues, and we tackle a lot of dark issues, but we do it with a sense of humor,” says Linda Gillum, the theatre’s media relations manager.
Now showing: The American premiere of “Cleansed,” runs through April 28. “Cleansed” follows the story of several social outcasts and their struggles with the issues of love, sex, war and ethnic cleansing. While it features extreme depictions of sex and violence, the purpose behind this is to “awaken the senses” and show the realities of war that are often filtered on television and on the news. Tickets are $12 to $13.
The Lookingglass Theater
Where: 1016 N. Dearborn St. (773) 477-8088.
Tell me more: Founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern students, including David Schwimmer and Mary Zimmerman, its ensemble strives to create innovative productions. It offers original plays and adaptations, and many of the theater’s productions incorporate circus arts and music into the narratives to enhance the imagery and the audience’s experience.
Coming Soon: Charles Dickens’ “Hard Times,” opening May 5, takes place during the Industrial Revolution and tells the story of a working-class family whose bleak, arduous lives are changed by a young circus performer.
Porchlight Theatre
Where: 2936 N. Southport. (773) 325-9884.
Tell me more: Porchlight Theatre leaves the light on and invites audiences to come in and experience well-known musicals with inventive adaptations. Producing only musicals, Porchlight predominantly focuses on new plays and approaches famous plays with creative changes. “We bring big shows to small stages to make musical theater accessible and personal for audiences,” Managing Director Jeannie Lukow says.
Now showing: Stephen Sondheim’s “Passion” runs through May 6. This 1994 Tony Award-winning musical set on a military outpost in 1863 Italy follows a young soldier and his relationship with two women. Student tickets are $15.
Roadworks Productions
Where: 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. (773) 871-3000..
Tell me more: It’s explosive. It’s raw. It’s founded by NU graduates. Roadworks Productions caters to younger people and those less exposed to theater with its contemporary plays, which incorporate aspects of pop-culture.
Coming soon: Lanford Wilson’s “Serenading Louie,” which features three NU graduates, opens May 20 at Victory Gardens. “Serenading Louie” deals with two couples during their mid-life crises.
American Theater Company
Where: 1909 Byron St. at Lincoln Avenue. (773) 929-1031).
Tell me more: For 16 years the ATC has been committed to producing new and classic works that have contemporary relevance. Through their productions, they want to “explore and celebrate human potential.”
Coming Soon: With their current production, “Vick’s Boy,” closing this weekend, your best bet is to hold out until the end of the month when “Catch 22” opens. Based on the novel by Joseph Heller, it offers a handful of memorable characters and presents a hilarious world of contradiction, paradox and oxymoron. “Catch 22” runs April 25 through May 26.
Victory Gardens
Where: 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. (773) 871-3000.
Tell me more: A home for new and developing works by Chicago playwrights for 27 years, VG offers five mainstage shows a year in its four theater spaces.
Now showing: Running through April 22 is Jeffrey Sweet’s “The Action Against Sol Schumann,” which follows the story of two sons who come to terms with the discovery that their father was a war criminal in the Holocaust.
Coming Soon: “Jonathan Wild” opens on VG’s second stage tomorrow, and in May, be sure to check out five-time Tony Award winner Julie Harris in “Fossils.”
Chicago Dramatists
Where: 1105 W. Chicago Ave. (312) 633-0630.
Tell me more: Serving about 550 playwrights a year through workshops, productions and a national playwrights network, the Chicago Dramatists fulfills its mission “to develop and advance new plays and playwrights.” The Dramatists host two mainstage productions a year in their newly-renovated 77-seat West Chicago Avenue facility.
Now showing: Running until April 22 is “Drawing War,” by Brett Neveu. Neveu has spent the last three years workshopping this piece through the Dramatists reading series, held nearly every Saturday at 2 p.m. Professional actors and directors showcase plays-in-progress to anyone willing to make a $3 donation at the door. Plays developed through the reading series and through Dramatists’ workshops often end up as mainstage productions at major theaters.
