Arts and Culture
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It happens to the best of us. We miss shows. Not a week goes by when some culturally aware friend doesn’t remind us of a fantastic theatrical event that has just closed. And the warm weather hardly helps, with road trips and lakefront breezes wooing us away from the indoor arts.
Theater on the Lake understands this. In a city of busy people and oodles of theater, Theater on the Lake offers Chicagoans a second chance to catch some of the year’s top productions – this time in an idyllic summer setting. With eight edgy, off-Loop shows in its 57th season, Theater on the Lake 2009 promises a must-see roster of storefront on the waterfront.
The diverse season kicks off with Collaboraction’s world premier production of Jon, which the Tribune called a “sensorial spectacle.” Two family-oriented productions – from Barrel of Monkeys and Redmoon Theater – welcome children ages six and up to Theater on the Lake for the first time. In comedy, there’s The Improvised Shakespeare Company, a crowd favorite at IO; and Eclipse Theatre Company, performing Neil Simon’s beloved Plaza Suite. And we must have music: Theo Ubique Theatre Company will remount its sold-out revue, Jacques Brel’s Lonesome Loser of the Night.
Adding grittier realism to the line-up are two socially conscious dramas. The Artistic Home’s Juno and the Paycock explores issues of the Irish working class, while Rivendell Theatre Ensemble’s These Shining Lives deals with poisoned factory workers known to history as the “Radium Girls.”
Below is a list of production dates. Each show gets just five performances, people, so mark your calendar now and don’t blow this. Second chances and warm weather don’t come often in this town.
Theater on the Lake 2009:
June 17 – 21: Collaboraction Theater Company
Jon by George Saunders
Directed by Seth Bockley
June 24 – 28: Redmoon Theater
Once Upon a Time (or the Secret Language of Birds) by Joe Meno
Directed by Frank Maugeri
July 1 – 5: The Improvised Shakespeare Company
July 8-12: Theo Ubique Theatre Company
Jacques Brel’s Lonesome Loser of the Night
Directed by Fred Anzevino
July 15-19: Rivendell Theatre Ensemble
These Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich
Directed by Rachel Walshe
July 22-26: Barrel of Monkeys
Fun O’Clock: A Very Special “That’s Weird Grandma”
Directed by Luke Hatton
July 29-August 2: The Artistic Home
Juno and the Paycock by Sean O’Casey
Directed by John Mossman
August 5-9: Eclipse Theatre Company
Plaza Suite by Neil Simon
Directed by Steve Scott
Theater on the Lake is located at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Michigan, in Lincoln Park.
All shows Weds – Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 6:30 pm.
Tickets $17.50 or $110 for an 8-show season pass.
Box Office: 312.742.7994
Visit Theater on the Lake’s event calendar here.
