Award-winning Director/Choreographer Brenda Didier marshalls many of Chicago’s best musical theater talents into sex-filled vignettes cabaret-style
Theo Ubique Cabaret Space Tingles With Excitement
A first time visitor to Theo Ubique’s cabaret-appropriate space will likely feel transported in a flash, especially if their prior reference point was Theo Ubique’s old crowded home at the No Exit Café. Purple backlights at the bar, martini glass silhouettes, café tables scattered round the floor—it feels so happening!
Likewise, as the action unrolls in the center space you too may feel a rush of excitement. The cast first comes out as an ensemble performing what one might think of as a movement poem expressing that human drive—or at least in Western culture-- to find the one, or failing that, just to get laid. Immediately too you realize that the very talented musicians perched atop the performance space are tight and uplifting, especially if you too are a fan of playwright/composer Michael John LaChiusa’s music.
A series of vignettes follow—most featuring a climax quite literal—after a quick buildup to coitus by characters in costume. The stories move through time backwards and forwards—giving us a taste of in lust played out in various 20th and 21st Century scenarios. First up is a whore who just wants to give it away (Megan Elk as The Whore) who also helps wrap the play up as she meets a lesbian senator (Courtney Jones) at a bar for a presumed paid fling. It leads with the heterosexuals ,and then gives gay and lesbian lovers their crack at humping to each short story’s conclusion.
The cast strikes this writer to be a Who’s Who of Chicago’s freshest musical theater talents. You hear strong voices throughout and teases of triple threat talents that regular theater goers will likely recognize from other productions where we better hear and see these stars really get to shine. There is an especially belly-laugh provoking memorable moment when talented Max J. Cervantes (as a character called The Writer) sings of his narcissism and world view of everything in his life being the film about himself that he is ever directing with a lens zooming in and out.
These strong points notwithstanding, this script ends up feeling – at least to this writer-- like a poorly edited music video and about as deep story-wise. It is X-rated, though you too might find it about as sexy as watching gerbils have at it.
SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED
HELLO AGAIN
Music, lyrics and book by Michael John LaChiusa
Suggested by the play LA RONDE, by Arthur Schnitzler
Directed and Choreographed by Brenda Didier
Music Direction by Jeremy Ramey
CAST:
Megan Elk, Christopher Ratliff, Nora Navarro, Nik Kmiecik, Molly LeCaptain, Royen Kent, Marco Tzunux Max J. Cervantes,, Neala Barron, Courtney Jones.
Creative Team:
Nicholas Schwartz (Scenic Designer, Technical Director), Rachel Boylan (Costume Designer), James Kolditz (Lighting Designer), Robert Hornbostel (Sound Designer), Keith Ryan (Wig Designer), Matthew Zalinski (Properties Designer), Jaq Seifert (Intimacy Choreographer), Giselle Castro (Sound Engineer), and Taylor Fitzjarrald (Sub Sound Engineer). The production team also includes Adrian Azevedo (Assistant Director), Daryl A. Ritchie (Production Manager) and Shannon Rourke (Stage Manager).
When:
Through November 3, 2019
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm
Sundays at 7:00 pm
Where:
Howard Street Theatre
721 Howard Street
Evanston
Tickets:
$35+ (Including options for pre-ordered dinners)
For full-priced tickets and ticket availability information visit the Theo Ubique website or call 773-347-1109 weekdays.
Check for Half-Price Deals from Hot Tix:
Photos: Austin D. Oie Photography
Note: Picture This Post reviews are excerpted by Theatre in Chicago
Click here to read more Picture This Post stories about Theo Ubique.
About the Author: Amy Munice
Amy Munice is Editor-in-Chief and Co-Publisher of Picture This Post. She covers books, dance, film, theater, music, museums and travel. Prior to founding Picture This Post, Amy was a freelance writer and global PR specialist for decades—writing and ghostwriting thousands of articles and promotional communications on a wide range of technical and not-so-technical topics.
Amy hopes the magazine’s click-a-picture-to-read-a-vivid-account format will nourish those ever hunting for under-discovered cultural treasures. She especially loves writing articles about travel finds, showcasing works by cultural warriors of a progressive bent, and shining a light on bold, creative strokes by fledgling artists in all genres.
