Theater events: Light Opera Works updates 'Widow'
LOW's ‘Merry Widow'
Stacey Tappan stars as Hanna Glawari in Light Opera Works' production of the Franz Lehar opera “The Merry Widow.” Reprising the role she played in LOW's 2005 revival, Tappan stars opposite Larry Adams, who plays Hanna's former lover Count Danilo in Gregg Opelka and Jack Helbig's adaptation of Victor Leon and Leo Stein's original German libretto. The opera centers on a widow made wealthy by her late husband's will, whose countrymen want to keep her money in their impoverished province. Rudy Hogenmiller directs and choreographs. Nyela Basney conducts the 29-piece orchestra.
Opens at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. $34-$94, New Year's Eve prices range from $36-$96. (847) 920-5360 or lightoperaworks.com.
Local headlines Zanies
Chicago comedian Kevin Bozeman, a Comedy Central veteran and contestant on NBC's “Last Comic Standing,” headlines Zanies' Rosemont venue. Bozeman began his career in 1999 while a student at Wisconsin's Whitewater College, when he tried his hand at standup during an open mic night at a club in nearby Madison. The Midwest winner of HBO's comedy competition in 2000, Bozeman performed on Comedy Central's “Premium Blend” and made it to the semifinals on “Last Comic Standing” in 2010.
8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at MB Financial Plaza, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two-item food or beverage minimum. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com.
‘Wonderful Laugh'
Laugh Out Loud Theater serves up seasonal improv weekends through Dec. 27. “It's a Wonderful Laugh” incorporates audience suggestions and includes improvised carols and games all rooted in holiday themes.
Runs 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 27, at Streets of Woodfield, 601 Martingale Road, Schaumburg. $19 adults, $12 kids. (847) 240-0386 or laughoutloudtheater.com.
• Redmoon hosts its second annual adults-only “New Year's Eve: Revolution” beginning at 9 p.m. Dec. 31 at 2120 S. Jefferson St., Chicago. Frank Maugeri directs the performance event celebrating the four elements and featuring 40 performers including musicians, acrobats, dancers and a DJ. General admission tickets cost $100 and include five hours of open bar (9 p.m. to 2 a.m.) and sweets, along with free shuttle service to 77 W. Wacker Drive, Chicago, for partygoers parking or staying downtown. VIP tickets cost $150 through Dec. 28, and $175 thereafter. They include access to private lounge areas, video projection, roving performers, a private bar and sweets. (312) 850-8440, ext. 123, or redmoon.org.
• The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, presents the adults-only, dark musical comedy, “Penny the Wildly (expletive) Dolphin: A Love Story” based on Malcolm Brenner's novel “Wet Goddess” about a nine-month affair he claimed he had with a female dolphin during the 1970s. The show runs at 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 11. (773) 697-9693 or theannoyance.com.
• The New Colony announced its 2015 season, which begins Jan. 16 with the world premiere of the musical “Plastic Revolution” by Will Cavedo and New Colony co-artistic director Andrew Hobgood. Set during the 1950s, it's inspired by Brownie Wise, the Florida woman credited with inventing the Tupperware Party. That's followed in July with the premiere of New Colony creative director/writer Sean Kelly's “gay porn dance pop musical” “Stanley in the Name of Love.” The season concludes in October with the world premiere of Morgan McNaught's “The Terrible,” about a controversial artist who wakes up dead in a room with a therapist, a magician and a grifter. Performances take place at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. For ticket information, see thenewcolony.org.