advertisement

Local theater: Stand-up comedy in Aurora

Three-for-one comedy

Aurora's Comedy Shrine devotes Friday and Saturday nights to stand-up comedy. The early show is for ages 14 and older. The late show is for ages 17 and older. The shows are 90 minutes and have a host, featured comic and headliner. Tickets are $15 and there's a one-beverage minimum.

8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com.

On the ‘Fringe'

Glen Ellyn actor/director Matthew Stella brings his one man show, “At 5'2” and 125 lbs” to the Chicago Fringe Festival. The adults-only piece is about growing up Italian and Stella's relationship with his father.

Runs Friday, Sept. 2; Sunday, Sept. 4; Monday, Sept. 5; Friday, Sept. 9; and Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Doppler Stage, 1915 S. Halsted St., Chicago. See chicagofringe.org for ticket information.

Target: Metropolis

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights received a $2,000 grant from Target as part of the company's arts and culture community outreach program. The grant will help fund Metropolis' education and outreach programs geared for people with special needs. To that end, Metropolis currently partners with the Northwest Special Recreation Association, Clearbrook and Arlington Pediatric Therapy. Metropolis Executive Director Jim Jarvis thanked Target for the grant saying it allows the theater to “continue to help those with limited arts opportunities experience the tremendous personal growth and thrill that comes from acting and performing.”

• Gorilla Tango Theatre, at 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, presents a one-night only performance of “Marilyn's Dress: The Rip Off Tour” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27. The adults-only interactive show finds members of the EEK! Theatre Company playing the members of a rock band looking back on their long careers. (773) 598-4549 or gorillatango.com.

• Bailiwick Chicago and Teatro Luna host a workshop performance of their collaboration, “The North/South Plays” which examines the relationships between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, 10 years after the attacks of Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29, at the Department of Cultural Affairs Studio Theater, 77 E. Randolph St., Chicago. See bailiwickchicago.com/the-northsouth-plays.

• Remy Bumppo Theatre kicks off its 15th season with its first salon from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. The evening features a panel discussion of this season's theme, “The American Evolution.” Chicago Public Radio critics Jonathan Abarbanel and Kelly Kleiman will moderate the discussion involving University of Chicago French literature professor Daniel Desormeaux; Peter Taub, director of performances at the Museum of Contemporary Art; and Remy Bumppo artistic director Timothy Douglas. (773) 244-8119 or remybumppo.org.

• Playwright, director and comedian Del Shores brings his latest show “Sordid Confessions” recalling events from his career and the “less than agreeable” people he's worked with to Mary's Attic Cabaret Space at Hamburger Mary's at 5400 N. Clark St., Chicago. The adults-only performance is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30. (800) 595-4849 or delshores.net.

• Previews begin Thursday, Sept. 1, for “The Kid Thing,” a new play by Chicago Dramatists resident playwright and About Face Theatre artistic associate Sarah Gubbins about an unexpected pregnancy that upsets the relationship between two lesbian couples. Joanie Schultz directs the world premiere, which marks a collaboration between Chicago Dramatists and About Face. The show opens Friday, Sept. 9, at 1105 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. See chicagodramatists.org for information.

• The 2nd annual Chicago Fringe Festival begins Thursday, Sept. 1, at the following Chicago venues: Doppler Stage, 1915 S. Halsted St.; Dream Theatre, 556 W. 18th St.; Fringe Central 2003 S. Halsted St.; Human Thread, 645 W. 18th St.; Meridian Stage, 1932 S. Halsted St.; Temple Gallery, 1749 S. Halsted St. About 50 productions incorporating physical theater, dance, spoken word and puppetry are scheduled during the festival, which features local companies including Hobo Junction, Sideshow Theatre Company and Vox Theatre joined by performers from around the country. The festival continues through Sunday, Sept. 11. Audience members must have a button, available for $5 online or at the participating venues. Admission to performances is $10; or 5 shows for $45 ($50 with button); 10 shows for $80 ($85 with button) or an unlimited pass for $175 ($180 with button). See chicagofringe.org for more information and a complete schedule.

• Performances begin Thursday, Sept. 1, for Sideshow Theatre Company's latest production, “Strangerland,” inspired by Albert Camus' novel “The Stranger” and presented as part of the Chicago Fringe Festival. The company developed the piece with help from online responses to questions from artists around the world. Sideshow performs the piece on Thursday, Sept. 1; Friday, Sept. 2; Monday, Sept. 5; Friday, Sept. 9; and Sunday, Sept. 11, at the Doppler Stage, 1915 S. Halsted St., Chicago. See sideshowtheatre.org for information.

• Being fired from her teaching position for being a transgender woman inspired Rebecca Kling to create her one-woman show, “No Gender Left Behind,” about the harassment and discrimination transgender people experience. She performs the show as part of the Chicago Fringe Festival on Thursday, Sept. 1; Saturday, Sept 3; Monday, Sept. 5; Friday, Sept. 9; and Sunday, Sept. 11, at Human Thread, 645 W. 18th St. Chicago. See rebeccakling.com.

• Lincoln Square Theatre returns to the Chicago Fringe Festival with its original comedy “Miss Fortune” about two friends who use a crystal ball to find a missing child and uncover some surprising information about the other side. The show runs Thursday, Sept. 1; Saturday, Sept. 3; Monday, Sept. 5; Thursday, Sept. 8; and Sunday, Sept. 11, at the Temple Gallery, 1749 S. Halsted St., Chicago. See chicagofringe.com for information.

• Porchlight Music Theatre opens its 17th season with its 14th production of a Stephen Sondheim musical. Brenda Didier directs “Putting It Together,” a musical revue of Sondheim songs from “Sunday in the Park With George,” “Company,” “A Little Night Music,” “Sweeney Todd” and other shows. Previews begin Friday, Sept. 2, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. The show opens Tuesday, Sept. 6. (773) 975-8150 or porchlightmusictheatre.org.

• To commemorate the attacks of Sept. 11, Oracle Productions remounts its 2002 production “Life Separates Us,” by Chicago playwright Sean Farrell. The play examines the impact of the attacks on the relationships of three couples undergoing marriage counseling. The production opens Friday, Sept. 2, at 3809 N. Broadway, Chicago. Admission is free, in keeping with Oracle's public access initiative, but reservations are recommended. See oracletheatre.org for more information.

• An ambitious presidential press secretary falls prey to backroom political maneuverings in “Farragut North.” Stage Left Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of Beau Willimon's play inspired by his experiences working on the 2004 presidential campaign of Howard Dean. Previews begin Saturday, Sept. 3, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. The show opens Sept. 8. See stagelefttheatre.com for information.

• Chicago Shakespeare Theater has extended its comedy “Murder for Two — A Killer Musical” starring co-creator Joe Kinosian (music and book) and Alan Schmuckler. Performances run through Oct. 16 at the theater at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.

• Factory Theater has added performances of its show “Black and Blue” in addition to regularly scheduled performances. They are at 5 p.m. Saturdays, Aug. 27, and Sept. 3, at the Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston Ave., Chicago. (866) 811-4111 or thefactorytheater.com.

• The opening of the original comedy “(Expletive) You, I Love You, Bye: The Rahm Emanuel Story,” about Chicago's new mayor, has been rescheduled at The Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago. Call the theater at (773) 561-4665 or see theannoyance.com for updates.

• Theo Ubique has named Adam Webster, founder of The Side Project in 2000, as its new general manager. Webster will handle the theater's finance, operating and administrative matters and continues to serve as the artistic director of The Side Project in addition to his new duties. Additionally, the theater announced that it has signed a two-year lease on its artistic home at No Exit Café in Chicago. (773) 347-1109 or theoubique.org.

• Barrel of Monkeys announced that 12-year company member Molly Brennan — who is also a member of 500 Clown — has been appointed its new artistic director. An arts education ensemble, BOM conducts writing workshops at underserved schools and through the park district, and then transforms those stories into all-ages plays presented at the schools and for the general public. (312) 409-1954 or barrelofmonkeys.org.

• Lifeline Theatre, Raven Theatre, The Side Project and Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre will once again offer a $50 flex-pass allowing audience members to see four shows at four theaters, plus offering dining discounts at area restaurants. See rogersparkflexpass.com for more information.