Theater spotlight: New Colony debuts 'twisted comedy' 'Small World'

Posted March 19, 2019 6:00 am

Pardo homecoming

Comedian Jimmy Pardo, a "Conan" regular and host of "The Pardo Patrol" web series on teamcoco.com, headlines Zanies Rosemont. Conan O'Brien's onetime warmup comedian, Pardo - a Chicago native - also hosts the long-running weekly podcast "Never Not Funny."

8 p.m. Thursday, March 21, and 8 and 10 p.m. Friday, March 22, at Parkway Bank Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $25, plus a two-item minimum. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com.

Political drama

Interracial couple and rising political stars Gaby and Patrick find themselves at the center of a media frenzy after the revelation of a racially explosive incident from Patrick's past in Meredith Friedman's politically charged drama "The Firestorm." First Folio Theatre artistic associate Rachel Lambert directs the company's revival, which stars Melanie Loren as Gaby and Steve O'Connell as Patrick.

Previews at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, March 27-29, at 1717 31st St., Oak Brook. The show opens Saturday, March 30. $25-$44. (630) 986-8067 or firstfolio.org.

New Colony premiere

Three people employed at a theme park described as the happiest place on earth find themselves trapped inside one of its most popular attractions in "Small World," a new "twisted comedy" by Jillian Leff and Joe Lino premiering at The New Colony. Director Andrew Hobgood's production stars Patriac Coakley, Jackie Seijo and Buffalo Grove native Stephanie Shum.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, and Saturday, March 30, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 31, at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. The show opens April 1. $10-$20. See thenewcolony.org.

Sean Garratt voices and puppeteers the titular character (created by Tom Lee of Chicago Puppet Studios) in The House Theatre of Chicago's rendition of "Pinocchio." Courtesy of The House Theatre of Chicago

Telling truths

The House Theatre of Chicago put a contemporary twist on Carlo Collodi's 19th-century tale "Pinocchio," adapted by Joseph Steakley and Ben Lobpries and directed by Chris Matthews. In The House's rendition, young Pinocchio (voiced and puppeteered by British artist Sean Garratt) is a curious boy and voracious reader who begins to rebel against the sheltered life his protective father (Molly Brennan) has provided.

Previews at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 28, and Saturday, March 30, and 7 p.m. Sunday, March 31, and other dates at The Chopin Theatre, 11543 W. Division St., Chicago. The show opens April 7. $20-$50. (773) 769-3832 or thehousetheatre.com.

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