Theater spotlight: Neo-Futurists reap digital content benefits
Virtual payoff
Digital theater is apparently paying off for The Neo Futurists, which launched "The Infinite Wrench Goes Viral," a virtual version of the company's flagship 30-plays-in-60-minutes show in response to the COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home orders. The company reports the digital version of the long-running show has brought in about 50% of the pre-pandemic revenue. Tickets start at $3 per week with subscribers choosing their donation level. Weekly subscribers currently number more than 650, which the Neo-Futurists say exceeds the capacity its 167-seat theater can accommodate during a weekend's worth of performances.
"We are overjoyed by the response thus far, and thrilled to be sharing our uniquely personal, non-illusory theater with a broader audience," said artistic director Kirsten Riiber in a prepared statement. "This is one of those times where staying present with our audiences, who we've never been able to do our work without, is vital."
See neofuturists.org for details.
More Annoyance
Annoyance Theatre founder and artistic director Mick Napier hosts "The Mick Show," a biweekly, livestream show that covers such topics as mean grandmas and people obsessed with their pets at 9 p.m. Fridays on twitchtv.com/annoyancetheatre. Other adult-themed Annoyance shows available online include Cigarette Sandwich's "The Power Hour," comprised of sketches that ensemble members Case Blackwell, Bill Stern, Claire Favret, Karl Bradley, Andy Bolduc, Chuck Pettitt and Tim Lamphier have created in their homes. It runs at 9:30 p.m. Saturdays. "That's What I Call History," a 60-minute, adults-only showcase of "favorite hits from humanity's history and evolution," runs at 7 p.m. Fridays. See theannoyance.com.
In other news
• The League of Chicago Theatres, along with numerous Chicago-area ensembles, continue to express through social media and their websites solidarity with the African American community in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery among others.
• First Folio artistic associate Heather Chrisler recently introduced her YouTube series titled "Art Infusions" consisting of five-minute tutorials about art history, artists and their muses.
• BAMtheatre's BAM @ a Distance online master class series continues from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays at bamtheatre.com. The upcoming lineup includes: Erika Henningsen (Cady in Broadway's "Mean Girls") on Monday, June 8; casting director Benton Whitley on June 15; Corey Cott (Jack Kelly in Broadway's "Newsies") on June 22; Christy Altomare (Sophie in the original Broadway cast of "Mamma Mia!") on June 29; and casting director Holly Buczek on July 6. Tickets are $30 to observe, $100 to participate (slots are limited). See bamtheatre.com.
• A revamped version of "Children of Eden," the musical by Stephen Schwartz ("Wicked," "Pippin") based on the Book of Genesis, is scheduled to open at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles next year under director/choreographer and Lincolnshire native Brenda Didier. The recently announced cast includes Broadway veterans Norm Lewis ("Once on This Island") and Deborah Cox ("Aida"). See childrenofedenthemusical.com.
• Playwright Calamity West ("Christmas at Home," "The Gacy Play"), director/artist Regina Victor and director Justin J. Sacramone have joined Sideshow Theatre Company as ensemble members.