WILD WOMEN OF PLANET WONGO Extends Through July 28 At Chopin Theatre

"Wild Women of Planet Wongo" (Wongo) extends its summer invasion at the Chopin Theater, 1543 W. Division through July 28. This immersive sci-fi musical comedy spoofs madcap 60s B movies while placing the audience into the middle of the experience. "Wild Women of Planet Wongo" was written by Ben Budick, Steve Mackes and Dave Ogrin and is directed by David Rigano. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. The show is recommended for ages 16 and older. Tickets range from $20 to $40. Visit www.PlanetWongo.com for tickets and information.

In "Wild Women of Planet Wongo", the audience encounters a world of Amazonian warrior women and their alluring Queen who first meet men when two bumbling astronauts crash onto their purple and green planet. While the guys think they've discovered paradise, hilarity ensues as the Wongo women plan surprises for their captive guests. This zany musical comedy is performed in three acts with no seats or stage. Audience members are encouraged to come dressed up in purple and green and to engage with the actors as they move around the space. During the two intermissions, audience members can further become part of the show by participating in the Wongo Game Shows where they can win prizes, while others can simply observe the fun, dance or replenish their green Wongotini cocktails.

"Wild Women Of Planet Wongo" was originally presented in NYC at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, premiered at the New York Musical Theatre (NYMF) and then ran successfully at the Red Barn Theatre in Key West, Florida. In 2015, Composer Dave Ogrin reconceived and produced Wongo as an immersive experience in Brooklyn at Brooklyn Fireproof and later at Parkside Lounge in New York City, where it ran for 10 months. Windy City Times calls Wongo "...a crazy Jetsons-meets-Rocky-Horror musical extravaganza!".

Ogrin brought the immersive version to Chicago, hiring an all Chicago-based cast and crew. In his career prior to the theater, Ogrin worked as a producer, writer, musician and engineer with musicians such as The Beastie Boys, Paul Simon and Public Enemy. He has since turned his talents to writing musicals which have been produced at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, the NY Fringe Festival, the O'neill Musical Theater Conference and at various theatres around the country. Rigano, who directed the show in Brooklyn and Manhattan is directing the Chicago production.

"Wild Women of Planet Wongo" features Sarah Bacinich (Barbette), Jen Connor (Queen Rita), Freya Falkenstein (Croquette), Sabrina Harms (Annette), James Mann (Louie), Sissy Ann Quaranta (Dinette/Game Show Host), Michael Hayden Sprenger (Ric) and Katherine Wettermann (Georgette).

The crew includes production manager Greg Kolack, stage manager Daniel Parsons, assistant stage manager Molly Weaver, technical director Nic Belanger, musical director Kyra Leigh, associate choreographer Chelsea Ward, house manager Daniella Mazzio, audio engineer Matthew Chase, set designer Alec Long, lighting designer Michael Rathbun, assistant lighting designer Jake Engram, sound and video designer Robert Hornbostel, animations Rudy Agresta, wig construction Keith Ryan, costume construction Kate Setzer Kamphausen, and makeup designer Sydney Genco.

"Wild Women of Planet Wongo" extends its invasion of the Chopin Theater, 1543 W. Division through July 28. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. The show is recommended for ages 16 and older. Tickets range from $20 to $40. Visit www.PlanetWongo.com for tickets and information.

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