BroadwayWorld Chicago Salutes Lookingglass Theatre Ensemble Part Three

With countless Joseph Jefferson awards and citations under their belt and, as of Sunday, a region theatre Tony Award, it's perhaps no surpise that the Lookingglass Theatre Company has been creating beautiful and moving theater pieces for 23 years. 

For every misfire (and current artistic directo Andrew White will admit the company has had their share of misfires over the years; how better to grow if not from the occasional mistake), there have been more than a few hits. 

Picking just five was no easy task. Here are five of our favorite Lookingglass productions in no particular order. Tell us what you think over on the message board.

1. "Lookingglass Alice"

Written and directed by Lookingglass Theatre Company ensemble  member David Caitlin, the show is now so closely identified with the company, it's almost hard to believe that it didn't premiere until 2005 (the company is actually named after an early production of "Through the Lookingglass"). A perenial favorite, the show has been revived in Chicago 2006-2010.

A photo from the successful national tour is left (Molly Brennan played the Red Queen and Lauren Hirte was Alice; photo by Sean Williams, seanwill.com). 

Visually stunning, the show also features some great circus stuntwork (the handiwork of choreographer Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi) and a narrative that tugs at your heart.

2. "The Arabian Nights" 

Mary Zimmerman's accolades for her writing and direction on "Metamophoses" are well deserved, but that much better known work sometimes overshadows her adaptation of the classic tale.

The show first premiered in 1992 during the first Gulf War.

"The Arab world is often demonized in the West and we premired this during the Gulf War," White says. "In addition tobeing thrilling, fun and hilarious, its poetry and visual elements shine a light on a very human story."

The original production went on to win four Jeff Citations for Production, Direction, Ensemble, and Original Music. It was subsequently been revived twice. 

Photo by Sean Williams, seanwill.com.

3. "The Jungle" 

David Schwimmer's adaptation of Upton Sinclair's 1906 gritty novel about the meatpacking industry in Chicago's stockyards countedPulitzer-prize winning biographer Studs Turkel as one of its many fans. Turkel was so impressed, he let Schwimmer adapt his book Race for the inaugural production at the ensemble's Water Tower home. 

4. "Our Town" 

Having seen several misguided high school and college productions, we'd be the first to admit that it's pretty easy to butcher Thornton Wilder's 1938classic. Finding the right balance in Wilder's masterpiece about the fickle and fleeting nature of life is by no means an easy task. 

The company's 2009 production was pitch-perfect, reminding the lucky few who caught the show just how good the play is.

"It's the best damn play in the world," White says. "It's rare for a show to get at the central paradox of life and from an acting perspective I felt like we were firing on all cylinders here." 

Lookingglass Theatre Company ensemble member Joey Slotnick as The Stage Manager in "Our Town." (Photo by Sean Williams; seanwill.com).

5. "Metamorphoses"

Based on Ovid's classic poem, Mary Zimmerman's 1998adaptation (itself based on David R. Slavitt's free-verse translation) was magical, moving and filled with haunting imagery and spectacle (never has a a swimming pool been utilized quite to the artistic extent). It might be hard for the company to ever top the artistic achievement. The show was extended a record seven times and was last revived in 2000 before a New York production cemented the show's status as theatrical nirvana. 

Next: We chat with Nora Fiffer, starring in Lookingglass' latest production, "The Last Act of Lilka Kadison" on her role and what's it like working with the Lookingglass ensemble.

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