Theater spotlight: American Blues Theater closes season with 'Buddy'

Posted April 24, 2018 6:00 am

Zachary Stevenson stars in American Blues Theater's revival of "Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story." Courtesy of Tim Matheson

ABT revives 'Buddy'

American Blues Theater salutes one of the icons of early rock 'n' roll in its final production of the 2017-2018 season, "Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story," starring Zachary Stevenson as the Texas singer/guitarist/songwriter who penned such hits as "Peggy Sue," "That'll Be the Day" and "Everyday." Ensemble member Michael Mahler serves as music director. The director is Lili-Anne Brown, who helmed "Peter and the Starcatcher" at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre last year. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 29; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Opens May 4. $19-$49. (773) 327-5252 or americanbluestheater.com.

Ron Keaton plays Winston Churchill, following in the wake of his defeat for re-election as Britain's prime minister in Keaton's one-man show "Churchill" at First Folio Theatre. Courtesy of Jason Epperson

'Churchill' returns

Ron Keaton, a veteran Chicago-area theater artist who has spent the last few years performing his show "Churchill" at various venues, returns to First Folio Theatre for a brief run. The one-man show unfolds during an informal gathering in March 1946, after Churchill lost his bid for re-election as Great Britain's prime minister, and just before he delivered his "Iron Curtain" speech at Westminister College in Fulton, Missouri. Keaton adapted the script for the production, which consists of Churchill sharing stories of his life. Kurt Johns directs. Runs at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, May 2-5, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 6, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st St., Oak Brook. $29, $35. (630) 986-8067 or firstfolio.org.

Mary K. Nigohosian, left, Grayson Heyl and Wardell Julius Clark co-star in Raven Theatre's revival of "Suddenly, Last Summer" by Tennessee Williams. Courtesy of Christopher Semel

Raven stages a classic

Raven Theatre concludes its 35th season with a revival of a Tennessee Williams' classic. Batavia resident Mary K. Nigohosian co-stars in Raven's revival of "Suddenly, Last Summer." Nigohosian plays wealthy widow Violet Venable who goes to extremes to keep her niece Catherine silent about the circumstances of the death one year earlier of her cousin Sebastian, Violet's son. Jason Gerace directs. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, May 2-5; 3 p.m. Sunday, May 6; and 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 7, at 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago. Opens Tuesday, May 8. $39-$46. (773) 338-2177 or raventheatre.com.

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