David Zak

Review: MR. PARKER at Open Space Arts
by Zac Thriffiley - Feb 4, 2025

Open Space Arts in Uptown is quickly establishing itself as the go-to “storefront” theater for plays and films that consider the many nuances of queer experiences, and their latest offering—MR. PARKER—is no exception. Elevated by the sophisticated performance of its leading actor, MR. PARKER presents a compelling portrait of grief and middle-age too often missing from gay narratives these days.

Open Space Arts' MERCY KILLING To Extend Two Weekends, Until December 1
by Blair Ingenthron - Nov 9, 2024

Open Space Arts has announced it has extended the run of its dark comedy MERCY KILLING, by Alandra Hileman. Learn more about the production and how to get tickets here!

Open Space Arts Will Extend LIGHT SWITCH to Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Sep 20, 2024

Open Space Arts has announced a two-weekend extension of its production of LIGHT SWITCH, the hilarious and heartbreaking story of Henry, an autistic gay man, and his journey toward love and acceptance over the span of twenty years.

Open Space Arts Announces Cast And Team For LIGHT SWITCH, Opening September 13
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 1, 2024

Open Space Arts has announced casting for its season opener, LIGHT SWITCH, the hilarious and heartbreaking story of Henry, an autistic gay man, and his journey toward love and acceptance over the span of twenty years.

Open Space Arts Extends SUNSETS: TWO ACTS ON A BEACH To Early March
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 12, 2024

Open Space Arts will present a two-week extension of SUNSETS: TWO ACTS ON A BEACH by Cal Yeomans, a long-lost drama by an early pioneer of gay theater. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.

Cast Set for Open Space Arts' SUNSETS: TWO ACTS ON A BEACH
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 12, 2024

Classic gay drama 'Sunsets: Two Acts on a Beach' will be opening on February 2 at Open Space Arts.

Open Space Arts to Present New Play SUNSETS: TWO ACTS ON A BEACH & New Film THE SUMMER WITH CARMEN
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 21, 2023

Open Space Arts announces the upcoming production of 'SUNSETS: TWO ACTS ON A BEACH,' a classic gay drama by Cal Yeomans. Don't miss this limited engagement running from February 2 to 19, 2024. Get all the details and reserve your tickets now.

Open Space Arts Opens ROSENBERG This Weekend
by Stephi Wild - Oct 18, 2023

 Open Space Arts, the company formed in 2022 dedicated to combating homophobia and antisemitism through film presentations and live performances, will open ROSENBERG, the second of its two hyper-intimate, “micro-theater” dramatic productions to be staged in fall 2023.

Open Space Arts to Present Fall 2023 'Micro-Theater' Productions of MASSAGE THERAPY and ROSENBERG
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 3, 2023

Open Space Arts is set to captivate audiences with their hyper-intimate 'micro-theater' productions of 'MASSAGE THERAPY' and 'ROSENBERG' in fall 2023. Discover the dates, venues, and limited seating information for these unique performances. Don't miss out on this extraordinary theatrical experience.

Streams of Shorts, a Feature from Israel & More Set for Pride Film Fest Programming for June and July 2023
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 19, 2023

Pride Film Fest will celebrate the Pride month of June with three programs of short LGBT films from around the world and an in-person screening of the Argentine film HORSEPLAY at  Chicago’s Facets on June 22.

Pride Film Fest Announces Six Slates of International LGBTQ Films to Stream October
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 15, 2022

Pride Film Fest has announced its first schedule of LGBTQ-themed films since spinning off as a separate entity from PrideArts (previously Pride Films and Plays), where it began in 2012 as the in-person Queer Bits Film Fest.

Photos: Get a First Look at Open Space Arts' Inaugural Production of THE KRAMER PROJECT
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 18, 2022

Open Space Arts is presenting their inaugural production of THE KRAMER PROJECT directed and adapted by David Zak from Larry Kramer’s (THE NORMAL HEART) watershed speech “The Tragedy of Today’s Gays”. The production runs July 22 - July 31 at Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted. Press Opening Friday, July 22 at 7PM.  Get a first look at photos here!

Open Space Arts to Present World Premiere of THE KRAMER PROJECT
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 17, 2022

Open Space Arts announced its inaugural production of THE KRAMER PROJECT directed and adapted by David Zak from Larry Kramer’s (THE NORMAL HEART) watershed speech “The Tragedy of Today’s Gays”. The production runs July 22 - July 31 at Center.

Cast Announced for Live Online Reading Of THE LAST SUNDAY IN JUNE
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 17, 2020

Jonathan Tolins' look at gay life in the 1990s - THE LAST SUNDAY IN JUNE a?" will be performed via Zoom by a cast of socially-distanced actors on the actual last Sunday of June 2020 a?" the day on which Chicago's Pride Parade was set to take place before its cancellation due to the city and state's COVID-19 restrictions prohibiting large gatherings. Michael Rashid, an ensemble member of Hell in a Handbag, will direct.

Steven Dietz's LONELY PLANET To Kick Off 'Pride In Place' Online Reading Series
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 30, 2020

Pride Films and Plays today announced five more live online readings of LGBTQ-themed plays, following its enthusiastically received April 14th reading of Terrence McNally's MOTHERS AND SONS.

Regional Spotlight: How Pride Films and Plays is Working Through The Global Health Crisis
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 16, 2020

Today we shine a spotlight on Chicago's Pride Films and Plays with Executive Director David Zak.

Pride Films and Plays Announces 2019-20 Season
by Sarah Hookey - Aug 28, 2019

Pride Films and Plays Executive Director David Zak today announced the remaining productions in the company's 2019-20 season a?" an eclectic mix of LGBTQIA+ themed plays and musicals that will include world, US, and Chicago premieres as well as revivals.

Review: Pride Arts' GRINDR: THE OPERA Worth a Hook Up
by Misha Davenport - Jun 30, 2019

AFTERGLOW Announces Additional Extension
by Julie Musbach - May 23, 2019

Pride Films and Plays' Chicago premiere of AFTERGLOW, S. Asher Gelman's long-running off-Broadway drama, has been extended a second time - this time for an additional eight weeks.

Pride Films and Plays Extends Chicago Premiere of AFTERGLOW to June 2
by Julie Musbach - Apr 19, 2019

The Chicago Premiere of AFTERGLOW, an off-Broadway hit from 2017 exploring the emotional, intellectual, and physical connections between three men and the broader implications within their relationships, will be extended for an additional four weeks to meet demand.