Naked July: Art Stripped Down Held at The National Pastime Theater 7/24

The National Pastime Theater, Chicago's premier theatrical provocateurs, presents their third annual fine arts festival Naked July: Art Stripped Down. At The National Pastime Theater the entire month of July will be filled with lovely, provoking and aggressive bodies. NPT's festival aims to reveal the human body as beautiful in every shape, size and color (including Technicolor). By exposing these physical differences, audiences discover the innate similarities in all human bodies - we are all made of the same material both natural and beautiful.

Purity is the theme of this year's festival, which celebrates the unadulterated nature of nakedness. NPT uses the theme of Purity to thread together the elements of live theater, painting, music, film and special events. On the main stage this year, the National Pastime Theater presents:

Salome by Oscar Wilde directed by Laurence Bryan, produced by The National Pastime Theater
One act play chronicling the biblical story of Salome, whose famed Dance of the Seven Veils earned her the plated head of John the Baptist

The Living Canvas: Rain directed by Gabby Labotka, produced by The Living Canvas, Artistic Director Pete Guither
Performers costumed only in patterns of light express through dance the fundamental connection between the human body and the natural world

Beast Women directed by Jill Erickson and Michelle Power, produced by Beast Women Productions
Fierce, funny, all-female cabaret and variety act showcasing bold and beautiful Chicago talent, from every genre

All directors and producers are available for interview. Please contact Keely at 773-327-7077, ext 504.

Naked July: Art Stripped Down runs ¬June 24 - August 6.

Our main stage theatrical performances run Thursday through Sunday. Our Midnight Storefront Cinema Fest runs midnights and weeknights. Sneak peek at the cinema line-up: http://nakedjuly.com/films/home.htm

Throughout the festival, The National Pastime Theater transforms its lobby into an art gallery. Naked art will appear as paintings, photographs and sculpture from around the world to adorn our velvet walls. The Curator for this year's exhibition is returning artist Gary Shirmer. Weekly auctions are open to the general public.

The National Pastime Theater is located at 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago. Enter through the historic storefront, past the years of smoky haze into the authentic speakeasy turned theater where the debaucherous scandals of the past give life to the art of today. No other theater in Chicago can offer such libidinous exploitation of your senses. Where else but the National Pastime Theater lives the promise of the impossible?

The curious and bold can discover The National Pastime Theater via the #36 Broadway bus, the Sheridan El and several other bus lines. Parking is available for $10 one block south-east at the corner of Belle Plaine and Clarendon.

Tickets to each live show are $20, to each film $10 per adventurous patron. Discounted festival passes and group rates are available.

Tickets ON SALE NOW through nakedjuly.com or NPT's box office at 773-327-7077 ext 502."

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