“We were on fire about Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo as soon as we read it, long before we knew about its Broadway production or prior pedigree,” says Artistic Director Andy White of Lookingglass Theatre Company’s upcoming production.
“It felt like an intuitive match for Lookingglass; it grapples with all the biggest issues (war, religion, death, violence) in a highly theatrical manner with writing that is intensely lyrical, poetic, and often just hilarious. It smashes the poetic and the profane right next to each other, and feels simultaneously realistic and surrealistic in a way that is totally original and thrilling.
“Although it’s about some of the gritty realities of war -- and therefore perhaps not for the faint-of-heart -- it’s also a brilliant, thoughtful, and often very funny and full exploration of the best and worst of human nature both on and off the battlefield.”
Written by Rajiv Joseph and directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman, the cast includes Troy West, JJ Phillips, Walter Owen Briggs, Anish Jethmalani, Kareem Bandealy, Amy J. Carle, and Atra Asdou.
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo runs from January 30 to March 17 inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works on 821 North Michigan Avenue. For tickets, visit www.lookingglasstheatre.org.
Jeff Bouthiette’s Miami Nice: A Golden Girls Musical performs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, January 18 - 26 at Gorilla Tango Theatre. The Bucktown theater is also presenting Don’t Blink: A Doctor Who Burlesque at 9:00 pm on Fridays, from February 1 through May 31, 2013.
“Don’t Blink is the sexy ode to Doctor Who that fans like me have been waiting for,” promises Director Katherine Siegel. “It’s great to have the opportunity to take something you love and turn it on its head. So much work in science fiction deals with gender politics; and with a growing audience of female Sci-Fi fans, it’s great to take a moment to look at content with as much history as Doctor Who through a lens of femininity. Burlesque is all about social commentary through parody which makes it exciting for all audiences. Mixed in with the funny one liners and sight gags there is a ton of commentary about the emphasis on gender in the Doctor Who community.”
Both shows will perform at Gorilla Tango Theatre on 1919 North Milwaukee Avenue. For tickets, visit www.gorillatango.com or call 773-598-4549.
Michael Menendian directs A Soldier's Play by Charles Fuller on Raven Theatre’s East Stage at 6157 North Clark Street in Chicago. “I was drawn to Mr. Fuller’s sharply written story because I have always been fascinated by the issues of race in America,” explains Menendian. “A Soldier’s Play is a small story that deals with very large consequences in the evolution of the Black race in the White dominated world of WWII America.”
Previews ($22) are from February 12 through February 16. Opening night ($45) is February 18 and includes a reception in the lobby. Regular-run performances ($36) continue through March 30, 2013. Discounted tickets for students, seniors, groups, and active military and veterans are available. Free parking is provided in a lot adjacent to the theater. For more information on the handicapped-accessible venue, visit www.raventheatre.com or call 773-338-2177.
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