Thursday, September 6, 2012

It's a Theatre Bonanza Weekend!

You've probably already noticed, but there is a LOT happening in Bloomington-Normal this weekend. Just to recap, so you don't miss anything...

"THESE SHINING LIVES" OPENS TONIGHT AT HEARTLAND THEATRE


Melanie Marnich's play is based on true events that took place in Ottawa, Illinois, in the early part of the 20th century. It's about women who worked in watch factories in daily contact with radium, and how high a price American workers have paid for workplace safety. "These Shining Lives" is directed by Don LaCasse and stars Colleen Longo as the woman at the center of the action. Tonight's performance is a special Pay-What-You-Can preview, and it will be followed by performances September 7-9, 13-16 and 20-23. Click here for reservation information.

"YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU" RESUMES 
TONIGHT AT COMMUNITY PLAYERS

The cast and crew of the classic Kaufman and Hart comedy have one week of performances under their belts, and they will begin Week 2 tonight at the Community Players theater on Robinhood Lane. Director Jeremy Stiller directs this story of screwball family hijinks, with the only normal member of the Sycamore family bringing home her new (somewhat stuffy) boyfriend to meet her crazy Mom and Dad. You can buy tickets right here if you are so inclined.

NEW ROUTE FIRES UP "FABULATION"
AGAIN ON FRIDAY

"Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine," a play by Lynn Nottage, also has a week of performances in the bank. As well as a One Shot Deal last year with a (somewhat) different cast and a (very) different playing space. This time, "Fabulation" tells its riches-to-rags story at the YWCA on Hershey Road in Bloomington, as director Gregory D. Hicks leads a cast that includes Melissa James Shrader as Undine, the one who starts the play as a major player in the world of PR, but quickly loses everything that she thought was important. Tickets are available at the door on the night of performance, or you can reserve a seat by e-mailing new.route.theatre@gmail.com and leaving your name and the number of tickets you’d like to reserve.

"8, THE PLAY" TAKES THE 8th AT THE
ISU CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Dustin Lance Black wrote "8" about California's legal battles over Proposition 8, which sought to ban new and undo existing gay marriages in the state. His play has had star-studded staged readings on both coasts, as well as in Champaign-Urbana. Now it's Bloomington-Normal's turn, as ISU's Kevin Rich directs a reading of "8, the Play" at the CPA Saturday at 7:30 pm. The cast will include ISU alum Tom Chiola, a retired judge from the Circuit Court of Cook County in Chicago, who will play Judge Vaughn Walker, the presiding judge in the case of Perry v. Schwarzenegger, at the center of the play. Chiola's role has previously been performed by the likes of Brad Pitt and Bob Balaban, but this may be the first time it's been played by a real judge. You can read more about it here.

THEATRE OF TED DARES TO SUCK
SATURDAY AT MIDNIGHT

No details on what exactly they're doing Saturday, although there are auditions today for "Rocky Horror Picture Show," so that's clearly going to figure into their future equation somewhere. This weekend, however, Theatre of Ted opens the young semester with a performance at CW 301 starting at midnight on Saturday. You can go watch "8," stick around for the post-show discussion, and then hang around Centennials East and West till it's time for Ted.

Also note that Theatre of Ted's first guest performance of the year is happening Monday at 6 pm, when storyteller Brian Rohr takes center stage at the University Galleries inside the Center for Visual Arts. Rohr uses myth and legend to wrap stories and adventures around the audience. Learn! Have fun! Make magic! Bask in the power of storytelling! It's all part of the unique theatrical experience that is the Theatre of Ted.

Talking about Monday means we're past the weekend, so I will close here. But there's certainly plenty of theatre to go around this weekend (and even on Monday) if the mood strikes. And it really ought to strike, with this many awesome choices!

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