Welcome again from the vacations, and again to main modifications around the globe of Chicago theatre. The obvious place to start out is with the main announcement that longtime Goodman Theatre government director/CEO Roche Schulfer is headed into retirement on the finish of the season. Although Schulfer will nonetheless be across the firm as an advisor for a bit longer because the group heads towards its centennial season kickoff in 2025, Schulfer joins fairly a prolonged listing of long-term Chicago theatre leaders who’ve hung up their hats lately.
Schulfer can be one of many many leaders who, when the slew of op-eds hit the web making an attempt to parse what precisely was incorrect with theatre’s enterprise mannequin, threw his hat into the ring in a Chicago Tribune opinion piece. Schulfer’s piece really wound up being one of many few I considered essentially the most after it got here out, alongside ideas from Michael Bobbitt in our personal reporting on the disaster dealing with the theatre trade. In his piece, Schulfer posited that nonprofit theatres and business theatres must work collectively; for his half, Bobbitt puzzled what a theatre would appear to be if it was allowed extra flexibility in its season planning, probably opening the door for common exhibits to run and run and run.
These ideas had been each printed across the time the Goodman was experiencing a gangbusters revival of The Who’s Tommy, now on its strategy to Broadway. I began to surprise: What if the Goodman had the flexibility to run Tommy proper right here at dwelling till it couldn’t run any longer? What if there was a world the place Tommy might have transferred to one of many 4 theatres within the metropolis that host Broadway in Chicago productions, each touring and pre-Broadway exhibits? In spite of everything, Chicago efficiently hosted years-long runs of Hamilton, Depraved, and Ebook of Mormon. And whereas Tommy isn’t fairly any of these, it nonetheless stings a bit as a Chicago theatre lover to lose exhibits to Broadway when Chicago has frequently proved that it will possibly herald audiences for smash hits.
Now, no quantity of smash hits will remedy theatre’s issues, and I’m not proposing that they might. However I can’t assist however surprise what it will do for Chicago if massively common exhibits might run open-endedly, with out concern over the following present that should hop onstage. How for much longer may we’ve got seen Bug at Steppenwolf, which was remounted in 2021 after a 2020 run starring Carrie Coon and Namir Smallwood? I admittedly don’t know precisely how this could work. However I do surprise if there’s a world the place Chicago theatre can evolve to a degree the place common, local-brewed exhibits can attain Broadway-level peaks, with hefty runs feeding again into the native financial system and theatre ecosystem, with out having to truly depart the town.
In any case, as you proceed in your week, I encourage you to try this fantastic little bit of reporting from Gabriela, who wrote about her journey to her dwelling nation of Brazil, and what we’d be taught from Brazilian theatres and theatremakers. (Talking of Gabriela, don’t miss her cowl story in American Theatre‘s new Winter difficulty, obtainable solely in print, about therapeutic highschool theatre areas, illustrated by some lovely Joe Mazza images.)
And I additionally hope you are taking a second to learn the quite a few tributes which have come out about native actor Mike Nussbaum following his loss of life in late December. For our pages, two longtime collaborators, playwright David Mamet and Northlight Theatre creative director B.J. Jones, remembered Nussbaum, as soon as was touted because the oldest working actor within the nation by Actors’ Fairness, in this in memoriam.
One ultimate little bit of enterprise is to attract your consideration to Theatre Communications Group’s Rising Leaders of Colour program. This yr’s cohort centered on theatre journalists and writers, whose work you’ve seen in earlier newsletters, on the AT website, and in our print journal. Subsequent yr’s cohort is slated to encompass six early-career leaders of shade from Chicago. So if you happen to or somebody you realize ought to be thought of for this skilled growth program, head over to TCG’s web site for extra info.
NOW SEE THIS
In case you missed it, we had the prospect to speak with director and choreographer Justin Peck and playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury on Offscript about their musical Illinoise, a brand new present crafted across the music of the Sufjan Stevens album Illinois. (Watch the interview to seek out out why there’s an “e” on the finish of a type of titles and never the opposite.) And take a look at the sneak peek under because the present readies to hit the stage at Chicago Shakespeare Theater (now by way of Feb. 18).
AROUND TOWN
Gabriela catches us up on a couple of objects you might have missed!
When it’s this chilly and grey out, my Brazilian household asks me “why Chicago?” Indoor kaleidoscopes of human expertise—that is why.
- Simply days earlier than a deliberate strike, the comedy lecturers’ union AICE reached a tentative contract settlement with the Second Metropolis and referred to as off the Jan. 16 picket strains. In December, the Reader’s Kerry Reid investigated the problems surrounding two years of negotiations.
- Invictus Theatre Firm is shifting to Windy Metropolis Playhouse, BroadwayWorld’s Stephi Wild reported, the place they’ll kick off the season on Feb. 13 with Suzan-Lori Parks’s Topdog/Underdog. Lately, Invictus “has been probably the most notable [storefront] success tales,” stated Wild.
- American Blues Theater has launched a brand new pay-what-you-can efficiency collection referred to as The Commons, Block Membership Chicago’s Joanna Hou reported. “On one Monday every month the theatre at 5627 N Lincoln Ave. will open to the neighborhood for an inventive occasion, whether or not that be a studying, spoken phrase, or karaoke.”
- Forward of upcoming renovations, Kayleigh Radar wrote for Block Membership Chicago, “neighbors can help Steep Theatre at its Demolition Get together,” wherein attendees might take a hammer to the constructing.
- The Chicago Worldwide Puppet Theater Competition, which wrapped up over the weekend, has reminded Chicago of its sturdy historic ties with puppetry, empowered international change, and shared all kinds of tales/aesthetics, Emily McClanathan wrote for the Tribune.
- Kerry Reid and Kimzyn Campbell’s preview of the competition within the Reader highlighted Handbook Cinema’s multimedia delight for youth about Leonardo, “a horrible monster.” In an interview, Handbook Cinema’s Sarah Fornace stated, “It’s a very fertile and thrilling time to be a puppeteer and be a part of the puppet scene.”
- Within the Solar-Instances, Stefano Esposito coated the terribly intricate, colourful, and agile world of Track of the North, created/directed/designed by Hamid Rahmanian, which tells sweeping Iranian tales. “Iran is sort of a symphony—a grand, opulent symphony,” stated Rahmanian.
- Third Coast Overview’s Puppet Theater Competition preview by Nancy C. Bishop commented on the grownup, “subtle themes and productions,” with phrases from competition founder and creative director Blair Thomas.
- A number of hours away, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre is abuzz with the rent of latest managing director Megwyn Sanders-Andrews. A press launch within the City Milwaukee emphasised her career-long dedication to accessibility and inclusion.
- In Rogers Park, Lifeline Theatre’s 27-year-old Fillet of Solo competition ran by way of Jan. 21. Jack Helbig shared there could be round 100 solo efficiency artists this yr, “which packs so many vigorous true-life tales into the awful actuality of Chicago midwinter.”
- “The covid technology speaks out on the thirty seventh Annual Younger Playwrights Competition,” at Pegasus Theatre Chicago, reported Kerry Reid for the Reader. Following the chosen excessive schoolers’ journeys with their script/material, Reid stated the competition supplied an intensive revision workshop to finalists plus an alumni group to encourage individuals’ writing.
- Should you haven’t gotten to it, I like to recommend you try Reid’s reflection on 2023 Chicago theatre, which named some entrances and exits and applauded titles like The Nacirema Society on the Goodman, First Ground’s Hatefuck, Courtroom’s The Gospel at Colonus, and Port of Entry at Albany Park Theater Mission.
- Trying forward, BorderLight Theatre Competition at Playhouse Sq. in Cleveland is searching for artist submissions for 2024. For Cleveland Scene, Jeff Niesel wrote about “one of many latest fringe festivals worldwide,” which launched again in 2019.
CHICAGO CHISME
Each month, Jerald and Gabriela verify in with Chicago/Midwest theatre artists about what’s getting them away from bed within the morning and preserving them up at evening. This winter, we’re heading off the chilly by holding tight to our inspirations. Extra under from Owais Ahmed, who’s enjoying Taroon in Sylvia Khoury’s Promoting Kabul at Northlight Theatre (by way of Feb. 25) and Mikael Burke, who’s directing Notes from the Area at TimeLine Theatre (Jan. 31-March 24) and Quick Shakespeare! Romeo & Juliet at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre (Feb. 24-March 16).
What piece of artwork has impressed you latterly (theatre or in any other case)?
Owais: I used to be fortunate to catch director Jamie Lloyd’s Cyrano in 2022. That manufacturing continues to be on my thoughts. Rap battles and beatboxing, whereas upholding the fantastic thing about the language—I beloved it. To me, it reignited what the probabilities of expression a theatre house can maintain. Additionally, James McAvoy’s efficiency was so highly effective. He’s all the time been one among my favourite actors. There have been moments the place James whispered right into a mic and I might really feel the viewers maintain their breath. Prompt goosebumps. It’s undoubtedly been a dream of mine to behave with James McAvoy since I used to be an adolescent.
Mikael: I just lately noticed the movie Godzilla Minus One and had an absolute blast. I didn’t have “crying to Godzilla” on my 2023 bingo card, however I certain did. Scrumptious storytelling. They served up such a gripping story of conflict, grief, and redemption, whereas additionally delivering on every thing you’d need out of a kaiju movie. I laughed, I cried, I cheered. Only a effectively performed little bit of cinema.
What are you most trying ahead to on this upcoming yr in theatre?
Owais: I used to be actually excited to see a gorgeous play like English by Sanaz Toossi being performed in theatres all over the place. Now it will likely be going to Broadway. I can’t wait. Sanaz’s writing is simply so lovely and complicated. I beloved studying a play that explores the id of the characters with out the trauma that we’re so used to seeing with MENASA tales. My director for Promoting Kabul, Hamid Deghani, shall be directing a manufacturing on the Goodman and the Guthrie. Being within the room with Hamid has been such a present. He’s such an clever artistic artist. I can’t wait to see what he does with English.
Mikael: I’m most trying ahead to seeing and championing extra tales on our phases which can be Black and brown and queer AF, and witnessing my buddies’ and collaborators’ stars proceed to rise whereas we’re all out right here hustling to stay this dream. Additionally, over the following season, I’m directing in Chicago, Madison, Colorado Springs, Sarasota, Minneapolis, and Atlanta (up to now!), so I’m jazzed about attending to know the new-to-me cities and folk alongside the way in which. And I simply can’t wait to take a look at Enamel this spring (working at Playwrights Horizons Feb. 21-March 31). My faculty roommates and I watched the film semi-regularly when it first got here out, screaming on the TV like we had been watching soccer or one thing, so I’m very trying ahead to seeing what they do with it.
Shoot your shot. What artist or firm are you dreaming of working with, or what present are you dreaming of engaged on?
Owais: I might like to create with Jamie Lloyd. I’ve now seen three of his productions and I discover them so fascinating. There may be additionally a lot magnificence within the stillness of the performances. The stillness permits the depth of the story to essentially radiate. It’s actually invigorating to see performs being performed in a minimalist method whereas holding such complexity. So, Jamie? When are we getting in a room collectively?
Mikael: Effectively, I’m gonna shoot a couple of, cuz you gave this mouse a cookie: I need to direct at NYTW. I need to direct at Woolly Mammoth. (I’m an area rent in D.C.!) I need to direct the Chicago premiere of A Unusual Loop at Steppenwolf. I need to direct Harrison David Rivers’s The Sea & the Stars, and Dave Harris’s White Historical past, and James Ijames’s Abandon, and Christian St. Croix’s Monsters of the American Cinema. And at last: Terry Visitor’s The Magnolia Ballet is a surprising and hilarious play that deserves a Broadway run. So, any producers on the market in search of your subsequent runaway hit, name me. We might do the pre-Broadway run at Woolly.
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