Hits and misses: A look back at the year in Chicago, suburban theater

Posted December 27, 2019 5:00 am

Producers announced in 2019 that the Chicago production of the Broadway blockbuster "Hamilton," which starred Miguel Cervantes, center, during its entire run, would conclude in January of 2020 after more than three years. Courtesy of Joan Marcus

In Lincolnshire, an intimate tuner about addiction had its first reviewed production this year in advance of its New York City opening next month. In Aurora, the stage adaptation of a beloved film got a lukewarm response. And in Chicago, a megahit bio-musical prepared to close, while Chicago Shakespeare Theater's North American premiere of a musical about Henry VIII's wives prepped for a Broadway transfer.

Here's a look at those and other significant happenings in Chicago and suburban theater this year:

• Producers announced "Hamilton," Lin-Manuel Miranda's blockbuster about Alexander Hamilton that wowed Chicago-area audiences for more than three years, would close on Jan. 5, 2020, after more than 1,300 performances seen by more than 2.6 million people.

However, "Hamilton: The Exhibition," an immersive offshoot located on Northerly Island that promised a "deeper dive" into the life of the Founding Father, didn't fare as well. It opened in April 2019 after a five-month delay and closed four months later. Plans to tour the exhibition were scrapped.

The women of "Six" will reprise their roles as Henry V's wives in February when Chicago Shakespeare Theater's North American premiere begins Broadway previews. Courtesy of Liz Lauren/Chicago Shakespeare Theater

• Chicago Shakespeare Theater's powerhouse North American premiere of "Six" - Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss' rock, pop, hip-hop and R&B-flavored tribute to the six wives of Henry VIII - got a Broadway berth. Best of all, it arrives there in February with its Chicago cast - Adrianna Hicks, Andrea Macasaet, Evanston's Abby Mueller, Brittney Mack, Samantha Pauly and Anna Uzele - intact.

• Marriott Theatre's "My Darling Grenadine" marked the first time composer/lyricist/writer Daniel Zaitchik's intimate, jazzy tuner about addiction and attraction was reviewed. Before it opened, the show - which struck a chord with critics - had a berth at New York's Roundabout Theatre.

"My Darling Grenadine," a new musical about addiction that received its first reviewed production last summer at Lincolnshire's Marriott Theatre, opens in a new Roundabout Theatre production in January. Marriott's version starred Heath Saunders, left, and puppeteer Phillip Huber as his canine pal Paul. Courtesy of Liz Lauren

Not so for "August Rush: The Musical," an import that premiered at Aurora's Paramount Theatre. An overstuffed fairy tale with little emotional depth, director John Doyle's production, based on the 2007 film, earned lukewarm to negative reviews, which seemed to put the kibosh on a Broadway run.

Newsworthy

• Further confirmation of Paramount Theatre's expanding importance as a regional arts and entertainment entity came June 1 when the Paramount School of the Arts opened following a $35 million renovation that transformed the former Waubonsee Community College space into the 80,000-square-foot John C. Dunham Aurora Arts Center.

Diana Coates delivered a commanding performance as the titular monarch in First Folio Theatre's "Henry V." Courtesy of Tom McGrath

• For the first time, First Folio Theatre cast a female in the title role of a William Shakespeare play. Producers had no choice: Director Hayley Rice insisted no one but Diana Coates would play the titular king in the Oak Brook theater's "Henry V." Coates, who speaks Shakespeare's language as fluently as she wields a broadsword, proved an ideal choice for the company, which continues to make gender- and race-conscious casting a priority.

• A noose featured in the publicity materials for Drury Lane Theatre's "And Then There Were None" revival sparked public outcry on social media and elsewhere and prompted the Oakbrook Terrace company to acknowledge the harmful symbol, remove the image and issue an apology.

Comings and goings

• Kane Repertory Theatre, a new company made up of Northern Illinois University alumni, made its debut in October at the Marquee Youth Stage in St. Charles in October.

• Aurora's Comedy Shrine announced it will move to a new 14,000-square-foot facility in the Fox Valley Mall. Founder David Sinker said in a post on the venue's website that the club had outgrown its location. The new space will have three theaters, including a 400-seat space, and will offer family-friendly activities in addition to sketch shows, stand-up comedy and touring productions.

• ShawChicago announced this year that it would cease operations in 2019 after its 25th season concluded. The board of directors cited a downturn in ticket sales, subscriptions and contributions in addition to the death of longtime artistic director Robert Scogin in 2018 as factors in the decision.

• Two months after co-founder and executive director Karen Cardarelli stepped down, Emerald City Theatre announced in December it would suspend operations in January. Founded by Karen and Alyn Cardarelli in 1996, ECT created more than 100 productions and hosted camps, classes and residencies at 200 Chicago schools during its 23 years.

• Strawdog Theatre Company lost its second home in four years after the Berenice Avenue space it leased was sold and slated for redevelopment. Company members are seeking a black box space to establish a residency beginning with its 33rd season in fall of 2020.

• After 22 years as Barrel of Monkeys, the arts organization known for adapting stories by Chicago schoolchildren to the stage as part of the long-running "That's Weird, Grandma" series, changed its name to Playmakers Laboratory Theatre.

• Victory Gardens Theater artistic director Chay Yew announced he was stepping down from the position he has held since 2011 to pursue personal projects. Yew's tenure was marked by a focus on inclusion and diversity. It included the establishment of The Chicago Play Cycle reflecting the city's people and history as well as the premiere of Lucas Hnath's "Hillary and Clinton," Branden Jacobs-Jenkins "Appropriate" and Jackie Sibblies Drury's "We are Proud to Present a Presentation ..." among others.

• Goodman Theatre welcomed to its artistic collective accomplished director Kimberly Senior, resident director at Writers Theatre in Glencoe and TimeLine Theatre, co-founder of Collaboraction Theatre Company, and a 10-year associate artist at Strawdog Theatre.

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