Spotlight: Artemisia presents virtual premiere of an intergalactic tale
ABT's 'Room'
American Blues Theater's in-development play-reading series "The Room" continues with a live, online reading of "On the Greenbelt." Karissa Murrell Myers' play is about a woman haunted by her mom's death and struggling to process her grief. Andrew Coopman directs.
7 p.m. Friday, April 30. Tickets are pay-what-you-can with a suggested donation of $10. See americanbluestheater.com or call (773) 654-3101.
New at First Folio
Perfect for spring, First Folio Theatre's online Storytellers series continues with new readings by staff member Alison Reeger Cook, who recites William Wordsworth's "Daffodils" and Lewis Carroll's "Jaberwocky." Also, right in time for Arbor Day (April 30), series curator and associate artistic director Melanie Keller reads Mary Oliver's "When I am Among the Trees."
Additionally, First Folio announced its digital premiere of "Waiting for Tina Meyer" by Kristine Thatcher with material by Larry Shue. It unfolds on New Year's Eve at a roadhouse where actors Walter and Bob await the arrival of Bob's date while contemplating love, life and their careers.
Stories continue through July 15 on First Folio's YouTube channel. "Waiting for Tina Meyer" streams Tuesday, May 4, through May 16. Tickets are pay-what-you-can. (630) 986-8067 or firstfolio.org.
Artemisia premiere
A pair of intergalactic trash collectors preparing to return to Earth after 20 years confront the problems of their home planet and their relationship in "Goods," a new play by Lauren Ferebee in its virtual premiere at Artemisia Theatre. E. Faye Butler directs the production, which stars Artemisia founder and artistic director Julie Proudfoot and Shariba Rivers.
Streaming Wednesday, May 5, through May 30. Tickets are $30. For details, see artemisiatheatre.org.
In other news
• A Red Orchid Theatre presents an audio version of the in-development play "Last Hermanos" by Exal Iraheta. Melanie Queponds directs the drama about Miguel and Julio, two men on the run who hide out in a state park where a deserter ignites a conflict between Julio, who desires revolution, and Miguel, who desires normalcy. Performances run through May 16 at aredorchidtheatre.org.
• Shattered Globe Theatre's SGT Voices, the digital series established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide a virtual platform for ensemble members and affiliate artists, continues with "Grand Exits," a meditation on death and loss by Kalika Rose, and "Unexpected Hawaii" about Chesa Greene's experience working on a coffee farm in Hawaii. See sgtheatre.org/sgtvoices.
• Collaboraction hosts two monthly online talk shows devoted to inspiring social change. Presented live on Zoom the third Thursday of every month, "Crucial Connections" brings together experts and theater artists to examine social justice issues. "Becoming: Unlearning White Supremacy" takes place live on Zoom the first Tuesday of every month and addresses anti-racist efforts. The next installment is Tuesday, May 4. See collaboraction.org.
• "The Magic Parlour at Home," the virtual version of Dennis Watkins' long-running, interactive magic show, will continue online through June 30 at themagicparlourchicago.com. The show will go dark in July with live, in-person performances resuming in late summer at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago. "The Magic Parlour at Home has been an amazing and hope-filled journey in a complicated time. The virtual world has allowed me to craft new magic and introduce myself to audiences I likely never would have met otherwise," said Watkins in a prepared statement. "I look forward to continuing to bring my show to virtual audiences while also returning to my treasured in-person performances." For more information, see the magicparlourchicago.com.
• Pop-Up Puppet-Grams, which the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival and puppeteer Mark Blashford introduced several months ago, resume Thursday, May 6. Blashford has created three different puppet-grams - a cowboy tale, a gardening story, and a tribute to the Rodgers and Hammerstein song "The Lonely Goatherd" - which he will deliver to a recipient's front door, porch, backyard or garage. The fee is $75. Performances can be booked Thursday through Saturday through Nov. 7 as well as Mother's Day (May 9) and Father's Day (June 20). No bookings July 18 to Aug. 11. See chicagopuppetfest.org.
• Chicago Shakespeare Theater's audio play versions of "Measure for Measure" and "Twelfth Night" continue streaming through May 16. Artistic director Barbara Gaines directs "Twelfth Night" as an audio play-with-music featuring original songs by Joriah Kwamé. Henry Godinez directs "Measure for Measure" as a video-enhanced audio play set in 1959 Cuba just before Fidel Castro took power. See chicagoshakes.com.