Get tickets here.  Use the discount code “ITBURPS” to get 2-for-1 tickets.

If you can’t go Sunday, you have until August 9th.  Don’t miss it!

I’m really excited to be a part of this group, even in the minor role of board member.  It’s theater companies like these that make Chicago the most exciting theater city in the world — at least in my opinion.  You should definitely come see the show, which opens July 13th.

If the mood strikes you, we’re also in the midst of our summer donation drive.  Any donation would be a big help.  Here’s more information:

Everyone benefits when a musical has musicians! The audience claps! The singers sing!

Your $25 donation will pay for the stipend of one musician for one performance of Tupperware. Your contribution is tax-deductible, and you’ll have the warm fuzzy feeling that you helped a daddy get new strings for his baby. You would also, of course, be invited to come see Tupperware and notice that $25 is not that much to support such a talented group.

How to donate:

Make a secure online donation with paypal via our website: http://thenewcolony.org/support.php
Send a check made payable to The New Colony to PO BOX 409256, Chicago IL 60640

Tupperware: An American Musical Fable is scheduled to open July 13th, 2009 at La Costa Theatre, 3931 N Elston Ave – Chicago IL 60618
Tickets on sale at http://thenewcolony.org/tupperware
For more information visit http://thenewcolony.org or e-mail info@thenewcolony.org

The New Colony is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Financial contributions are tax-deductible. Nothing is given in return for a tax-deductible donation

Now, I know it can be hard to sift through the garbage to find something good to see, so I’m going to help you out: go see FRAT.  I should disclose that I’m on the board of the theater company producing the show, but with the exception of Stomp The Yard, have I ever led you astray?  And, honestly, was that movie all that bad?  You didn’t even see it, did you? Some friend.

It’s okay, though.  FRAT‘s better.  

To be honest, of the three shows The New Colony is doing this year, it was the one I was the least excited about.  I don’t really have any opinions of — or interest in —  fraternaties and I worried the show might become either a glorification of idiocy or a spiteful trashing of the entire institution.  It’s neither.  Instead, FRAT is a hilarious, creative, unique theater experience performed by really talented actors. 

What, my opinion’s not good enough for you?  Okay, how’s this?  You get free beer with the price of admission. Flazzam!  Still not interested?  How about some reviews?

• Centerstage calls FRAT a “must see”
• The Tribune gives FRAT 3 1/2 stars

FRAT
A New Play By Evan Linder
At The DANK Haus
4740 N Western Ave. 2nd Floor
Mar. 9 – Apr. 4, 2009
Thu-Sat at 7:30PM
Buy Tickets Right Now
For  half-price tickets ($10), use discount code: THETAPI241
While not as risque as some shows, FRAT definitely hovers around an R rating. 

I knew my friend Lacy was rehearsing with Chicago Shakespeare Theater and asked her if she was in the show.

Lacy (via e-mail):  I’m actually in Midsummer, which opens in a few more weeks but should be pretty good.  I haven’t seen Mac yet, but I’ve heard it’s innnnnnsannnnnnneee.   Lots of nudity and an 85-year-old man in drag and pregnant.  I can’t wait to see it. Have fun with your mom. 

Wait.  What?  Lots of nudity?  Lots?  Of all the shows in the city, I’m taking my mom to the one withe lots of nudity?!  Being the hip lady she is, my mom’s still totally up for it, but I think maybe we should go see Lacy in Midsummer Night’s Dream instead.

You (whoever you are) should definitely go see Lacy in whatever she does.  I’ve seen her in lots of shows and all of them totally blew me away.

Joanie guessed there would be a costume malfunction.  Sure enough, in the second act, one of Arcturus’ foam claws broke off and slid across the stage, even provoking an ad-libbed line.  A costume malfunction if ever I saw one.  Joanie also guessed that this game would make it onto my website… so… more points for her.

Jon guessed there would be a murder on stage.  It can be argued whether or not it was a murder — it’s a complicated show — but we agreed it was acceptable.

Shama guessed there would be an elaborate system of ropes and pulleys, and when the robot, T.H., gets hooked into the ship’s computer using several retractable ropes, we were pretty sure they were connected to pulleys.

I guessed there would be a hat with a feather in it.  There was not.

(Photo of T.H. and Arcturus courtesy of The House Theatre.)

Somehow I ended up talking about Jesus Christ Superstar with Shane at work. He mentioned that the Indigo Girls did a weird production of it with Amy as Jesus and Emily as Mary. I looked it up. Man, it is weird. There were some production decisions that make me wonder if the Indigo Girls have any concept of the actual story — the Jewish Priests are portrayed as nuns wearing giant crosses and Jesus sings Hosanna — egotistically praising himself. That said, Amy Ray in overalls with a mullet is still a better Jesus than Ted Neely.

Meanwhile, in Guatemala we saw a very different side of Jesus. Antigua gets really into Easter every year when thousands of pilgrims descend on the town to participate in the festivities throughout lent. There wasn’t any electric guitar, but there sure were tubas!

Waiting in line to get into a taping of Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me with Eddie and his family, we were all blown away by the line itself. We’ve all been in lines that snake back and forth before, but I’ve never been in a line that snakes back and forth without any sort of ropes or dividers.

Eddie: It’s an NPR crowd.

And an NPR crowd it was. It was so docile I wanted to pet it as everyone quietly zig-zagged around imaginary ropes on their way to the door.

The show was great and I’m proud that it’s recorded here in Chicago. Hopefully they don’t get big egos and move to New York. This American Life, I’m looking at you.