Stage773 Launches HAVE A SEAT Campaign

Stage773 announces performances taking place February - May 2011. Tickets are available at the Stage773 box office, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., by phone at 773.327.5252 or online at STAGE773.com.

Also, Stage773 has announced the launch of its "HAVE A SEAT" fundraising campaign. For a limited time, Stage773 is allowing individuals to "HAVE A SEAT" when they purchase a plaque to be placed on a seat in the South Theater. For $200, donors may purchase plaques engraved with the names of individuals, families or businesses and organizations. To make a donation today, call 773.327.5252 or email info@stage773.com.

CURRENTLY PLAYING AT STAGE773
Shenanigans!
The Ankle Todd Show
Closing Date: March 26
Performance Schedule: Saturdays at 4 p.m.
Tickets: $9/Kids ages 10 years and younger: $7
Shenanigans! is an all-new show with an all-new cast brought to you by the wacky minds behind the long running and popular The Ankle Todd Show. Shenanigans! is a modern madcap variety vaudeville show for the whole family featuring Chicago's best and brightest improv, sketch and physical comedians! In the spirit of classic variety shows such as "Your Show of Shows", "The Jack Benny Show," "Sid Caesar's Hour" and "The Ed Sullivan Show," Shenanigans! features sketch comedy, music, dance, special guests and an amazingly talented cast.
Dead Pile

XIII Pocket Productions

Closing Date: February 27

Performance Schedule: Thursdays - Sundays at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $20
Jeremy is a wannabe investigator: someone who goes undercover at factory farms to film the often-horrific abuses committed within. But when he's sent to do an exposé on a dairy farm in southern Indiana, he runs up against some difficult questions about his choSen Line of work. A play that forces us to look at what we eat - and what we're willing to sacrifice.
Babygirl
3 of Hearts Productions
Opening Date: February 23
Closing Date: February 26
Performance Schedule: Wednesday - Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets: $17.50 - $22.50, discounts available for groups of ten or more
When life is rough at home, Brandy leaves and doesn't look back, emerging as Babygirl. Learning from her mentor on the streets, she perfects the game and acquires a reputation on the street as one not to mess with.
But What About Asian Dudes? A Black Man's Quest for Answers
TheMASSIVE
Opening Date: February 24
Closing Date: March 6
Performance Schedule: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3pm

Tickets: $20 Students/$25 adults

For TheMASSIVE's inaugural performance, executive artistic director Kyle Vincent Terry uses dance, theatrics, and words to explore how prejudices and preconceptions steer us in a world of stifling political correctness. The evening-length work acknowledges the pressures and expectations placed on individuals based on how they look. Terry crafts works based on his exploration of his own insecurities and inquiries, as well as stories and opinions collected from an online survey and candid interviews that TheMASSIVE conducted on the topics of race and relationships. Join TheMASSIVE's ensemble of creators and movers for artistic analysis of the hubris, humility and humor of being different in "post-racial" America. When you're young, talented and different, it's a thin line between standing out and sticking out.

OPENING MARCH 2011 AT STAGE773
SMUSH
Stage773
Opening Date: March 1
Closing Date: March 1
Performance Schedule: Tuesday at 8 p.m., monthly
Tickets: $5
Only STAGE773 can take Chicago's funniest performers and SMUSH them together onto one stage. SMUSH is a monthly orgy of sketch comedy, improvisation, stand-up and variety acts, brought to you by the producers of the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival.
Meet John Doe
Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago
Preview Start: March 4
Opening Date: March 8
Closing Date: April 17
Performance Schedule: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $38.00
Meet John Doe includes music by Andrew Gerle, lyrics by Eddie Sugarman, book by Andrew Gerle and Eddie Sugarman with additional story by Matt August. In a last-ditch effort to save her job, a newspaper columnist fabricates an anonymous letter from a reader threatening suicide over the state of the nation. Capitalizing on the public's reaction to the letter, she convinces the paper not only to keep her employed, but also to hire an out of work baseball player to be her "John Doe." Can a social movement borne from a media ruse succeed as a catalyst for change?
Laughing Hearts Comedy Night
American Heart Association
Opening Date: March 9
Closing Date: March 9
Performance Schedule: Wednesday at 6:30pm
Tickets: $25 donation at laughingheartscomedynight.com
Five of Chicago's funniest comedy groups, food, drinks and awesome items to bid on in the silent auction are all under one roof for one night to raise funds for the American Heart Association. 100% of the proceeds from this event will go directly to the American Heart Association.
Changes
Chicago Tap Theatre
Opening Date: March 11
Closing Date: March 20
Performance Schedule: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.
Tickets: $30
A tangled tale of space travel, alien despots and social upheaval, based on David Bowie's seminal work, "Ground Control to Major Tom."
Octavarious: Battle of the Belt
Octavarious
Opening Date: March 13
Closing Date: March 27
Performance Schedule: Sundays at 7 p.m.
Tickets: $15 or $25 for three show pass
On March 13, Octavarius steps into the ring with a completely original, no holds barred comedy smackdown. With the help of special guest former WWE and current Ring of Honor superstar Colt Cabana, the members of Octavarius will break into four tag teams with one goal - to win the belt, and total control of Octavarius LLC. Over the course of this three week showdown, alliances will be made, friendships will be betrayed and the future of Octavarius as a fast rising comedy group will be put in jeopardy.
From Generation to Generation
Genesis Theatrical ProductionNFP, Inc.
Previews Start: March 26
Opening Date: March 30
Closing Date: May 1
Performance Schedule: Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and
Sundays at 3 p.m.
Tickets: $30
From Generation to Generation tells the story of Rose Lieberman, a very charming and lovable Jewish woman who wants to leave a lasting legacy for her unborn granddaughter. Rose is ecstatic to learn that her only child is finally pregnant, but she may not live long enough to see her future grandchild. So, with encouragement from her rabbi, she decides that she will leave an ethical will for her granddaughter. Rose creatively records many tapes and videos describing her life, with the help of her friends and family. Written by Karen Sokolof Javitch and Elaine Jabenis; music and lyrics by Karen Sokolof Javitch.
OPENING APRIL 2011 AT STAGE773
What He Did For Love: A Chicago Musical Menu
Lampkin Music Group
Opening Date: April 3
Closing Date: April 6
Tickets: $15.00. Two tickets are $25.00. Vouchers for all eight shows are available for $85 and come with a VIP bag.
What He Did for Love: A Chicago Musical Menu,is a celebration of Lampkin Music Groupfounder Ralph Lampkin's three decades of work in the Midwest cabaret, theater and music scenes. The Musical Menu boasts the talents of legendary Chicago artist Alexandra Billings and Jeff award-winning actor Jeremy Rill among the line-up. A percentage of the proceeds will benefit Groceryland/VitalBridges and PrideFilmsandPlays.com.
The What He Did For Love: A Chicago Musical Menu schedule is:
Sunday, April 3
6:30 p.m. Comedy Menu - Alexandra Billings in Katie's Corner - Chicago Debut featuring Mary Beidler Gearen, Honey West and Sean Abley. Co-produced by Dark Blue Theatricals.
8:30p.m. Concert Debut Menu - Jeremy Rill in Concert Debut. Music Director Robert Ollis
Monday, April 4
6:30 p.m. Jazz Menu - Spider Saloff in The Gershwin Concert - Music Director Jeremy Kahn.
8:30 p.m. Songwriter Menu - Shellen Lubin in Savory Sensations - Chicago Debut with special guests Carlo Chapelle and introducing Justin Williams.
Tuesday, April 5
6:30 p.m. Classic Pop Menu - Frank Dain in A Tribute to Johnny Mathis - Chicago Debut - Music Director: Kathleen Landis -
8:30 p.m. Blues/Rock Menu - Robin Kay in Underlying Issues
Wednesday, April 6
6:30 p.m. Classical/Pop Menu - Ester Hana - Songstress/Singer with special guest Carlo Chapelle.
8:30 p.m. Composer Menu - Tim Gant and Danny Lerman in Intertwined
To Kill a Kelpie
Stop the Silence
Opening Date: April 4
Closing Date: April 5
Performance Schedule: Monday and Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Tickets: Free and open to the public
To Kill A Kelpie is about the unfolding and sharing of a secret between two adult brothers that has never been spoken of before. A Kelpie is widely known as a devious creature lurking in the depths of highland lochs. When two grown brothers reunite following the death of their uncle, they realize that his gruesome tales of a child-devouring monster were simply a climate of fear created to ensure their silence and cooperation during years of sexual abuse. In this unconventional drama, we meet two men talking to the children they were. Still unsure whether there might be any truth in the Kelpie stories, they face one another like a mirror to open painful boxes of sexual confusion, self doubt, and shame, while endeavoring honestly to end the silence and open their minds enough to consider what it would take To Kill A Kelpie. For tickets call Jacob Wilkins at 512.522.6231
SMUSH
Stage773
Opening Date: April 5
Closing Date: April 5
Performance Schedule: Tuesday at 8 p.m., monthly
Tickets: $5
Only STAGE773 can take Chicago's funniest performers and SMUSH them together onto one stage. SMUSH is a monthly orgy of sketch comedy, improvisation, stand-up and variety acts, brought to you by the producers of the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival.
The King and I
Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago
Opening Date: April 22
Closing Date: June 5
Performance Schedule: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. andSundays at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $38
By Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein. Based on the book Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon. As America fights its Civil War, Anna, an English widow, sails to Bangkok with her young son to tutor the wives and children of the King of Siam. The King wishes Siam to have a larger role on the world stage while maintaining its traditions as he increasingly turns to Anna for assistance. Features such classics as "Shall We Dance" and "Getting to Know You." The King and I is a story of a man and a woman with matching intelligence and strength, but clashing personalities, prejudices and politics.
We Changed Our Pannies
Off Off Broadzway
Opening Date: April 28
Closing Date: May 19
Performance Schedule: Thursdays at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $14
Off Off Broadzway, Chicago's premier burlesque parody sketch comedy group, is classing it up at Stage773! The Broadz are boasting new panties, new jokes and a new low in self esteem in an all new show at [English accent please] THE THEATUH! [cue fancy rich people music.]
OPENING MAY 2011 AT STAGE773
Alice Ripley in Daily Practice: The Acoustic Sessions
Alissa Norby and Lampkin Music Group
Opening Date: May 2
Closing Date: May 2
Performance Schedule: Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $45 General Admission, $75 VIP Seating
Acclaimed Tony Award-Winner and star of Broadway's Pulitzer Prize-winning next to normal Alice Ripley in her Midwest solo concert debut, Daily Practice: The Acoustic Sessions. Recently described as a "Force of nature" by Variety, the Broadway star (Side Show, Tell Me on a Sunday) will perform selections from her recently released album "Daily Practice: Volume 1," featuring some of the most legendary rock songs of years past that have influenced the singer/songwriter.
SMUSH
Stage773
Opening Date: May 3
Closing Date: May 3
Performance Schedule: Tuesday at 8 p.m., monthly
Tickets: $5
Only STAGE773 can take Chicago's funniest performers and SMUSH them together onto one stage. SMUSH is a monthly orgy of sketch comedy, improvisation, stand-up and variety acts, brought to you by the producers of the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival.
About STAGE773
Stage773 celebrates off-Loop Chicago performing arts and artists. Formerly known as Lukaba Productions, Stage773 is a non-profit Chicago company that produces The Cupid Players, Bri-Ko, The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival and other programs, as well as offering subsidized theater rental space to the hundreds of itinerant off-Loop companies and performers. Stage773 is located at 1225 W. Belmont (the former Theatre Building Chicago); Stage773's three theaters are home to performances by some of Chicago's most innovative, creative and passionate off-Loop performing artists.

Beginning July 2011 STAGE773 will break ground on a $1 million renovation, which will include:
Redesigning the Belmont Avenue façade;
Increasing the amount of lobby light and opening the lobby to street side viewing with the addition of floor to ceiling windows along Belmont Avenue;
Modernizing and doubling the number of lavatories;
Completely overhauling the South Theater, including relocating the stage and seating to allow for easier load-in, better sound proofing and convenient audience access.
Transforming the West Theater into two new flexible spaces: a cabaret and a blackbox.

Tickets are available at Stage773 box office, 1225 W. Belmont Ave, by phone at 773.327.5252 or online at Stage773.com. The box office is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from noon until 6 p.m. and Thursdays - Sundays from noon until the beginning of last show of the day. If there is a performance Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, the box office is open. Phone order convenience fee: $3.85 per order

To post a comment, you must register and login.