A quick reminder that Industry Night for The New Electric Ballroom will be this Monday, February 14. Tickets are pay what you can, but you should still call us to reserve your seats.
What a great way to tell someone special, Happy Valentine's Day.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Family
It's hard to ignore the common elements of the two shows currently running here at A Red Orchid Theatre, especially when you realize that it wasn't exactly intentional. Both shows are about siblings and family. The New Electric Ballroom delves into three sisters' emotional and psychological scars, while The Earl depicts three brothers giving each other actual scars.
Both shows also question the appropriate role of the siblings within the family. The older sisters in Ballroom obsessively relive their past in hope that the youngest will learn from their mistakes, teaching her to fear the world outside and to find safety in their home. So what are they ultimately denying her? The long-absent brother in The Earl returns home and is chastized for leaving. The brothers who remained at home have been involved (at least somewhat) with the care of their mother, and have (at least somewhat) the care of the brutal game the brothers play. Was he wrong to leave, wrong to trust his brothers as keepers of their tradition?
Both shows offer an interesting story, intriguing characters, and as many layers of meaning as you are willing to peel away.
Both will make you feel better about your disfuntional family.
Both are showing at A Red Orchid Theatre.
Tickets for The New Electric Ballroom can be purchased here, or by calling the box office at A Red Orchid Theatre.
Tickets for The Earl can be purchased here, or by calling the box office at The Inconvenience.
Both shows also question the appropriate role of the siblings within the family. The older sisters in Ballroom obsessively relive their past in hope that the youngest will learn from their mistakes, teaching her to fear the world outside and to find safety in their home. So what are they ultimately denying her? The long-absent brother in The Earl returns home and is chastized for leaving. The brothers who remained at home have been involved (at least somewhat) with the care of their mother, and have (at least somewhat) the care of the brutal game the brothers play. Was he wrong to leave, wrong to trust his brothers as keepers of their tradition?
Both shows offer an interesting story, intriguing characters, and as many layers of meaning as you are willing to peel away.
Both will make you feel better about your disfuntional family.
Both are showing at A Red Orchid Theatre.
Tickets for The New Electric Ballroom can be purchased here, or by calling the box office at A Red Orchid Theatre.
Tickets for The Earl can be purchased here, or by calling the box office at The Inconvenience.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Warm Up at The New Electric Ballroom
Tickets are 2-for-1 through Sunday, so that means two tickets for $30. The Chicago Tribune called it "Fearless and intense,” the Examiner said it's ...“maddening, provocative and at times wildly comic,” and the Chicago SunTimes raves "A Red Orchid's Ballroom is simply electrifying."
This is a great deal for a show that is Jeff Recommended, so take advantage of it while you can.
This is a great deal for a show that is Jeff Recommended, so take advantage of it while you can.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Blizzard vs. The Earl
What incredible timing. To have one of the worst blizzards hit Chicago just when The Earl is ready to open. While most of us decided to stay warm and cozy in our homes Tuesday night, The Inconvenience went ahead with their scheduled performance of The Earl at A Red Orchid Theatre. Last night's performance went on as well, and everyone in the nearly-full audience was invited to the reception afterwards. The entire cast from Red Orchid's 2006 production of The Earl was in attendance, as was Brett Neveu, the playwright, and Red Orchid ensemble members Kirstend Fitzgerald and Guy Van Swearingen.
Anyone who saw The Earl at A Red Orchid in 2005 should be ready to see some major changes this time around. Director Duncan Riddell (also Literary Manager at A Red Orchid) offers plenty of blood in his version, as well as some hard hits and hearty laughs. Danny Goldring returns as the title character, but the rest of the cast is brand new. Christopher Chmelik, Walter Briggs, and Ryan Bourque (all members of The Inconvenience) are the three brothers who delight in beating each other to bloody pulps while telling jokes and discussing their mother's well-being. All the performances were great, and this is a show that no one should miss.
Congratulations to The Inconvenience on their first full theatrical production, and we're glad that A Red Orchid Theatre could be a part of it. Tickets are available through The Inconvenience, either by calling their box office or through their website.
Anyone who saw The Earl at A Red Orchid in 2005 should be ready to see some major changes this time around. Director Duncan Riddell (also Literary Manager at A Red Orchid) offers plenty of blood in his version, as well as some hard hits and hearty laughs. Danny Goldring returns as the title character, but the rest of the cast is brand new. Christopher Chmelik, Walter Briggs, and Ryan Bourque (all members of The Inconvenience) are the three brothers who delight in beating each other to bloody pulps while telling jokes and discussing their mother's well-being. All the performances were great, and this is a show that no one should miss.
Congratulations to The Inconvenience on their first full theatrical production, and we're glad that A Red Orchid Theatre could be a part of it. Tickets are available through The Inconvenience, either by calling their box office or through their website.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Jeff Recommended!
With the press opening behind us, we are starting to see some reviews coming in for The New Electric Ballroom. The few that have come out are good. But the great news is that the show has been Jeff Recommended, which could mean nominations at the end of the season.
And having seen the show, I can see why it caught the attention of the Jeff Committee. Kirsten Fitzgerald and Guy Van Swearingen, both give outstanding performances. After the family and friends premier, there were several comparisons made between the performances they give in Ballroom and the performances they gave several years ago when they performed together in The Seahorse. Kate Buddeke, who is returning to Red Orchid, and Laurie Larson, who is here for the first time, also offer fantastic performances. When you see them on stage together, you know you are watching four professionals at their best.
And having seen the show, I can see why it caught the attention of the Jeff Committee. Kirsten Fitzgerald and Guy Van Swearingen, both give outstanding performances. After the family and friends premier, there were several comparisons made between the performances they give in Ballroom and the performances they gave several years ago when they performed together in The Seahorse. Kate Buddeke, who is returning to Red Orchid, and Laurie Larson, who is here for the first time, also offer fantastic performances. When you see them on stage together, you know you are watching four professionals at their best.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Major Happenings
The opening for The New Electric Ballroom is almost here! There are still tickets available for the previews this weekend. Tickets for previews and all other shows can be purchased here, at our website.
Also, we will be welcoming The Inconvience back to A Red Orchid in February, for their production of The Earl. You can catch them February 2nd through the 23rd, and more information (and a great picture of the actors) is available here.
And finally, a heartfelt congratulations to Mike Shannon, who was named one of Newcity's 50 People Who Really Perform in Chicago. At No. 23, he even made into the top half. You can see the whole list here.
In this show by Irish playwright Enda Walsh, three sisters relive memories of something resembling romance with hilarious and horrible effect. Interruptions from the local fishmonger only remind of the dangers of love and life outside. Words, in Mr. Walsh’s harsh but illuminating vision, are both the making of experience and its destruction. How do we share our history and how does it shape us?
Also, we will be welcoming The Inconvience back to A Red Orchid in February, for their production of The Earl. You can catch them February 2nd through the 23rd, and more information (and a great picture of the actors) is available here.
And finally, a heartfelt congratulations to Mike Shannon, who was named one of Newcity's 50 People Who Really Perform in Chicago. At No. 23, he even made into the top half. You can see the whole list here.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Between Shows
Since the Iliad has closed, and with the opening of New Electric Ballroom a couple weeks away, things have been deceptively quiet here at Red Orchid. Rehersals are ongoing for the cast of Ballroom and set construction has begun for the show, as well. The ensemble has also been reading through scripts, looking for potential shows for next season.
Keep in mind that Ballroom has previews on January 21, 22, and 23, and tickets for those shows are only $15.
Also coming up, The Inconvience will be back at A Red Orchid in February to perform The Earl. The dates and times are on their website.
Keep in mind that Ballroom has previews on January 21, 22, and 23, and tickets for those shows are only $15.
Also coming up, The Inconvience will be back at A Red Orchid in February to perform The Earl. The dates and times are on their website.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
