Entertainment

Spotlight: Broadway-bound 'Paradise Square' in Chicago, re-imagined 'Cinderella' in Aurora

Posted November 05, 2021 6:00 am

Barbara Vitello

Previews for the Broadway-bound musical "Paradise Square" (whose Berkeley Repertory Theatre cast is seen here) continue at the James M. Nederlander Theatre. The show opens Nov. 17. Courtesy of Berkeley Repertory Theatre

Broadway bound

Previews continue for "Paradise Square," the Broadway-bound musical set in 1863 New York and inspired by the true story of Lower Manhattan's impoverished Five Points neighborhood where freeborn African Americans, runaway slaves and Irish immigrants created what became known as tap dancing. However, the residents' peaceful coexistence was shattered during the Civil War by the Draft Riots sparked by a conscription law that exempted Blacks, who were not considered citizens, and allowed wealthy Caucasians to buy their way out of service. Moisés Kaufman directs the new musical by composer/lyricists Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen with additional material by Masi Asare and Larry Kirwan.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, now through Nov. 16, at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago. The show opens Nov. 17. $35.50-$116.50. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination or negative COVID test and masking mandatory. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.

Royen Kent, front left, and Emilie Modaff appear in Kokandy Productions' 2020 staging of "Hundred Days" with Abigail Cline, back left, and Melanie Vitaterna. The theater remounts the 2020 production, which was forced to close on opening night in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Courtesy of Michael Brosilow

'Hundred Days' premiere

Kokandy Productions remounts its pandemic-interrupted premiere of "Hundred Days," a folk-punk musical by Abigail and Shaun Bengson and Sarah Gancher about a couple making the most of the time they have left. Lisle native Emilie Modaff plays Abigail opposite Royen Kent and Alec Phan who alternate playing the role of Shaun.

Previews at 5 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 7 and 14, and 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8, and Friday and Saturday, Nov. 12-13, at The Chopin Theater, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. The show opens Nov. 15. $25-$38. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination and masking mandatory. See kokandyproductions.com.

Mikayla Renfrow makes her Paramount Theatre debut as the titular character in "Cinderella," running Nov. 10 through Jan. 9 at the Aurora theater. Courtesy of Thomas J. King

The shoe goes on

Aurora's Paramount Theatre promises its "Cinderella" revival will be a re-imagined take on the 1957 fairy tale musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. This updated, "enchanted version" from 1997 stars recent graduate Mikayla Renfrow making her Chicago-area debut as the titular heroine.

Previews at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 10-11; 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14; 1:30 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17; and 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, at 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. The show opens Nov. 19. $36-$79. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination and masking mandatory. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.

'Bug' resumes

Steppenwolf Theatre remounts its award-winning production of Tracy Letts' "Bug," which was nearing the end of its 2020 run when the COVID-19 pandemic forced theaters to close. A psychological drama about a paranoid veteran and the down-on-her-luck waitress who comes to share his obsession, director David Cromer's revival stars Steppenwolf ensemble members Namir Smallwood and Carrie Coon.

Previews at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 11-13, at 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago. The show opens Nov. 14. $30-$220. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination or negative PCR test within 72 hours of performance or antigen test within six hours of performance. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

In other news

Check with venues regarding COVID-19 precautions.

• Performances continue through Nov. 7 for the national tour of "Beautiful - The Carole King Musical" at the CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago. Audience members must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID test and be masked. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.

Sara Sheperd stars as Carole King in the touring production of "Beautiful - The Carole King Musical" playing at the CIBC Theatre through Nov. 7. Courtesy of Joan Marcus

• Lifeline Theatre launched its 39th season with a three-part audio drama titled "Carmilla," running online weekly through Nov. 30. Adapted from J. Sheridan Le Fanu's gothic novella "Carmilla" and starring ensemble member Aly Renee Amidei, the drama is about a bewitching young woman and a series of grisly murders occurring near a remote, eastern European castle. The suggested donation is $20. (773) 761-4477 or lifelinetheatre.com.

• "The Room," American Blues Theater's live virtual reading series, continues on Zoom at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, with "The Thanksgiving Play," Larrisa FastHorse's satire about a group of "woke" artists tasked with creating a holiday pageant that celebrates Turkey Day and Native American Heritage Month. Tickets are pay-what-you-can with a suggested donation of $10. (773) 654-3101 or americanbluestheater.com.

• A revival of the musical adaptation of "Sister Act," based on the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, marks the return of live, in-person performances to Mercury Theater Chicago. Previews begin Friday, Nov. 5, at 3745 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. The show, starring Alexis J. Roston as Deloris and directed by Reneisha Jenkins, opens Nov. 11. Tickets start at $35. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of the performance time or a negative antigen test within six hours of the performance start and masks are mandatory. See mercurytheaterchicago.com.

Alexis Roston stars as Deloris in Mercury Theater Chicago's production of "Sister Act" based on the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg. Courtesy of Brett Beiner Photography

• Writer/actor Ronnie Marmo resumes performances of his solo Lenny Bruce bio-drama "I'm Not a Comedian ... I'm Lenny Bruce" on Friday, Nov. 5, at Mercury Theater's Venus Cabaret Theatre, 3745 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Directed by Joe Mantegna, this adults-only profile of the groundbreaking comedian incorporates several of Bruce's celebrated routines. Tickets range from $69-$79. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Lenny Bruce Memorial Foundation, which provides funds for people without insurance to get treatment for drug or alcohol addiction. See lennybruceonstage.com or mercurytheaterchicago.com.

• Performances begin Friday, Nov. 5, for MadKap Productions' premiere of "The Wind Phone," Madelyn Sergel's play about a mother and her daughters reuniting to pack up the family home in preparation for its sale. Live, in-person performances take place at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and masking is mandatory. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheatre.org.

• Stage Left Theatre presents live, virtual performances of "Open" at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, from Friday, Nov. 5, to Nov. 21 at stagelefttheatre.com. Tickets are pay-what-you-can with a suggested price of $15. In the play, a magician performs tricks in an attempt to save her partner. See stagelefttheatre.com.

• On Sunday, Nov. 7, Silent Theatre presents its 27th world premiere "Unearthed Crown," a six-part, enhanced radio drama, science-fiction tale written and directed by ensemble member Phillip Lewis. The story follows two high school students who uncover uncomfortable truths about their South Side Chicago neighborhood while they fight to restore an abandoned building. Episodes will be performed live and broadcast at 8 p.m. Sundays at silenttheatre.com. Donations accepted.

• First Folio Theatre's fall fundraising auction runs online through Sunday, Nov. 7. Items for bid include theater and concert tickets, golf excursions, jewelry, art, gift cards and gift baskets. The theater also offers captioned performances of "The Jigsaw Bride: A Frankenstein Story" on Friday, Nov. 5, and Thursday, Nov. 11, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. (630) 986-8067 or firstfolio.org.

• Curious Theatre Branch hosts a three-week celebration of the solo performance monologues by the late playwright/actor/storyteller Michael Martin from Thursday, Nov. 11, through Nov. 28 at Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago. Kelly Anchors curates A Michael Martin Tribute featuring Danne W. Taylor, Max McKune, Chris Bower and Mark Chrisler performing the monologues. Tickets are $15 or pay-what-you-can. See curioustheatrebranch.com.

• The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival hosts a living room tour that brings puppetry to private residences and the Manual Cinema home in Evanston and Chicago. The fundraisers take place Thursday, Nov. 11, in Evanston; Friday, Nov. 12, in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood and Saturday, Nov. 13, in Chicago's West Pilsen neighborhood. Performances include a Cabinet of Curiosity excerpt from "The Death and Life of Billy the Kid" and Bunraku puppet master Nick Lehane. Tickets range from $150 to $500. See chicagopuppetfest.org for more information.

• Oak Park Festival Theatre's production of "The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story," starring First Folio Theatre's Christian Gray in the titular role, has been extended. Performances run through Nov. 21 at Pleasant Home, 217 Home Ave., Oak Park. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and face masks are mandatory. See oakparkfestival.com.

• Music Theater Works announced its 2022 season will begin March 10, 2022, with a revival of "La Cage aux Folles" starring "RuPaul's Drag Race" veteran Joshua Eads Brown (Ginger Minj). That's followed by "The Little Mermaid" (June 2-26, 2022), based on Hans Christian Andersen's story and the animated film. Next up is "Zorro the Musical" (Aug. 11-22, 2022), about an aristocrat living a double life as a defender of the downtrodden, produced in association with Ensemble Español with music by The Gipsy Kings. A revival of "Camelot," based on T.H. White's "The Once and Future King," follows on Oct. 20, 2022. The season concludes Dec. 15, 2022, with "Irving Berlin's White Christmas." Performances take place at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Season subscriptions range from $175-$530. (847) 673-6300 or musictheaterworks.com/2022-season.

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