On stage: Filament stages adults-only 'Forts'; Sketch Comedy Fest returns

Posted January 01, 2020 10:00 pm

Filament Theatre presents "Forts: Adults Night," the adults-only version of its immersive, family-friendly show "Forts: Build Your Own Adventure." Courtesy of Christian Libonati

• Saltbox Theatre Collective premieres "Turn Here - Sweet Corn," a solo play by Jim Stowell featuring Megan Wells as Atina Diffley. An organic farmer and activist, Diffley's campaign against polluters Koch Industries lead to the establishment of an Organic Mitigation Plan for organic farms in Minnesota. Performances run Friday, Jan. 3, through Jan. 26 at Edge Off-Broadway, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave., Chicago. See saltboxtheatre.org.

• In "Forts: Adult Night," Filament Theatre presents an adult version of its immersive, family-friendly "Forts: Build Your Own Adventure" in which families transform cardboard boxes and sheets into the forts of their childhood dreams. The adult version for ages 21 and older runs Saturday, Jan. 4, through Feb. 22 at 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. See filamenttheatre.org/adultforts.

• Pegasus Theatre Chicago hosts its 33rd Young Playwrights Festival from Wednesday, Jan. 8, through Jan. 25 at The Courtyard Theatre in the Getz Theater Center at Columbia College, 72 E. 11th St., Chicago. The festival showcases three winning, one-act plays by Chicago high school students that were selected from more than 500 submissions. The opening is Jan. 10. (773) 878-8864 or pegasustheatrechicago.org.

• The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, presents its fifth anniversary production of its long-form improv show "Trigger Happy." Performances begin Wednesday, Jan. 8. (773) 697-9693 or theannoyance.com.

• The Chicago Magic Lounge welcomes artist-in-residence Trent James performing his 60-minute show "Pure Lies," combining sleight-of-hand and comedy, beginning Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 5050 N. Clark St., Chicago. (312) 366-4500 or chicagomagiclounge.com.

Kelli Simpkins, left, and Deanna Myers star in About Face Theatre's Chicago-area premiere of "The Gulf," a two-hander by Audrey Cefaly about a long-term relationship.

• Previews begin Thursday, Jan. 9, for About Face Theatre's Chicago-area premiere of "The Gulf," a two-hander by Audrey Cefaly. It stars artistic associate Kelli Simpkins as Kendra and Deanna Myers as Betty, two women in a long-term relationship who begin to question what's next for them. The show opens Jan. 17 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. (773) 975-8150 or aboutfacetheatre.com.

• The 19th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival returns to Chicago Thursday, Jan. 9. Headliners include Parv and Pudi featuring Parvesh Cheena and Danny Pudi ("Community"); Chicago favorites Rehner and Nixon; Off Off Broadzway; newcomers Asperger's Are Us (featured in an HBO documentary); Toronto's The Wow; the Latin American ensemble Salsation Theatre Company NFP and many more. Performances run through Jan. 19 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Individual tickets are $15 and $16. Festival passes for specific days range from $22.50 to $72.50 while an entire fest pass is $275 and $127 for the second week. (773) 327-5252 or stage773.com.

• Steppenwolf Theatre's LookOut Series continues Thursday, Jan. 9, with performances by Aura CuriAtlas Physical Theatre. A company that blends acrobatics, dance and theater, Aura CuriAtlas will perform selections from their shows "Dream Logic" and "The Fool and the World." Performances are at 8 p.m. at 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago. (312) 335-1650, steppenwolf.org or acphysicaltheatre.com.

Writer/actor Ronnie Marmo channels seminal standup Lenny Bruce in his solo show, "I'm Not a Comedian ... I'm Lenny Bruce," which has been extended until Feb. 16 at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre in Chicago. Courtesy of Doren Sorell

• The Royal George Theatre has extended the bio-drama "I'm Not a Comedian ... I'm Lenny Bruce," written by and starring Ronnie Marmo as the groundbreaking comedian and free-speech crusader. Performances continue through Feb. 16 at 1641 N. Halsted St., Chicago. (312) 988-9000 or lennybruceonstage.com.

• Kurt Chiang has stepped down as The Neo-Futurists' artistic director. Succeeding him and presiding over the ensemble's 31st season is ensemble member Kirsten Riiber, who created "Tangles & Plaques," a show about memory loss.

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