Chicago Theater and Arts – Page 34 – What's happening on the arts scene – on stage, in museums and at fairs and festivals

Ravinia becomes the latest summer festival to cancel

The annual Tchaikovsky Spectacular fills the lawn at Ravinia Festival. (J Jacobs photo)

If you have been to Ravinia Festival, the Highland Park summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and a popular outdoor venue of pop, jazz, folk and classical music entertainers, you likely remember lawn picnics under the stars or sitting in the Pavilion to catch a favorite recording artist.

But today, May 1, 2020, Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kaufman announced that the 2020 season has been canceled to protect the health and safety of its audiences, artists, staff and neighbors.

“Out lengthy and thorough discourse on this topic has brought us to the conclusion that it is impossible to move ahead with the season, “ said Kauffman referring to discussions with the Ravinia Board of Trustees and volunteers.

He also noted that Ravinia had been working with guest artists since February on how to proceed including rebooking performers in future seasons.

On the docket for this year were more than 120 programs from June 12 through Sept. 16 plus the Steans Music Institute, which will also be closed.

Ravinia, the oldest operating festival since 1904 had only canceled seasons from 1932 to 1935 due to the Great Depression.

Ticket holder options include refunds, vouchers for future programs and changing them to what would be much appreciated tax-donations.

The concert recording of Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass,” announced earlier this year, is still scheduled for its PBS broadcast May 15. Kauffman added that Ravinia is also developing other virtual experiences, such as classes and lectures geared to students of all ages.

“The lives of these young students have been thrown in total disarray, so it is important that Ravinia helps where it can to provide the structure of these virtual classrooms. Our programs give young people a means of expression and connection with each other and their own quarantined families. We teach them that music is their superpower, and what better time than now to have a superpower?” Kauffman said.

He was joined in the announcement by Ravinia Board Chairman Don Civgin who said, “The crisis created by the Covid pandemic has impacted so much of our lives in dramatic ways. Ravinia will do its part in helping the nation recover.”

Civgin added,“We will celebrate that recovery with music under the stars next summer.”

Jodie Jacobs

Jeff Awards Non Equity nominations

Mlima's Tale at Raven Theatre. (Photo by Michael Brosilow) — Mlima’s Tale at Raven Theatre. (Photo by Michael Brosilow)

Even though Chicago’s theater companies, arguably the most in the U.S. at 250, are now shuttered except for virtual experiences, their 2019-20 productions are still being recognized by the Jeff Awards.

Founded in 1968 to note outstanding achievement in categories somewhat similar to the Academy Awards, the Jeff Awards started with recognizing equity productions (operating under union contracts) but added non-equity in 1973.

The Non-Equity Award Nominations were just announced. Each year the plays under consideration are performed from April 1 through the season to March 1.

To be Jeff recommended, Jeff committee members have to see one element of excellence on opening night, then the production can be considered for category nominations. Committee members range from producers, theater educators and scenic designers to playwrights, musicians and theater critics and other professional theater positions. For more information visit JeffAwards/Judging.

The Non-Equity Nominations just announced are for 21 categories that among other segments include new works, musical and play productions, musical and play directors, musical and play lead performers, musical and play supporting performers, solo performers. Nominations also go to such important complementary work as costume and scenic design, choreography and sound and lighting design.

Cast of 'Head Over Heels,' a Kokandy Productions show at Theater Wit. (Photo by Michael Brosilow) — Cast of ‘Head Over Heels,’ a Kokandy Productions show at Theater Wit. (Photo by Michael Brosilow)

You may not be familiar with all the Chicago area’s non-equity theater production companies but hopefully when the COVID-19 threat is over all will reopen and you can experience their stage work.

As an example in the Production – Musical category are Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Black Button Eyes Productions for Ghost Quartet, Underscore Theatre Company for The Ballad of Lefty & Crabbe, BoHo Theatre for Big Fish and Kokandy Productions for Head Over Heels.

In the Production-Play category Raven Theatre has The Undeniable Sound of Right Now, Steep Theatre Company has First love is the Revolution, Lifeline Theatre has Middle Passage, Jackalope theatre Company has PYG or the Mis-Edumacation of Dorian Belle and Griffin theatre company has Mlima’s Tale.

Several production companies are also noted in multiple categories for other shows. Please visit JeffAwards/Non-Equity Nominees to see the entire list.

Jodie Jacobs

Jeff Award Judging in May

Head Over Heels review

Mlima’s Tale review

Fun video series visits Shedd and other Chicago institutions

All sorts of interesting creatures of different colors, patterns and movements are at the Shedd. (Photo courtesy of Shedd Aquarium.

Maybe you have enjoyed Wellington the Shedd’s penguin’s exploration around the aquarium on Facebook or seen IL Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s PSA with Wellington and penguin friends on You Tube.

Now, there is a great way to revisit the Shedd with Wellington but this time with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. A video done in partnership with Citadel and Chicago cultural institutions will premiere April 29, 2020 as the first in a weekly series called StayHome.HitPlayChicago.

After premiering online on Wednesdays, the videos in the series will be aired 5:30 p.m. Fridays on WTTW and at 12:30 p.m. Mondays on WTTW Prime.

They are a fun way to go back to places you might have visited and others you may want to see when museums, zoos and other Chicago destinations reopen to the public. They are similar to field trips and will include a component for youth.

In the inaugural segment Mayor Lightfoot stops at Shedd Aquarium to visit the penguins, feed the sharks and say hello to Nickel the rescued sea turtle.

For a preview of the first segment in the series visit youtube/watch.

“Shedd Aquarium is proud to bring people eye to eye with animals and their remarkable underwater biology and aquatic biodiversity through this new opportunity,” said Shedd President and CEO Bridget Coughlin. “We can’t wait to reopen our doors and welcome everyhone back to Shedd. In the meantime, we are thrilled to kick off this at-home series and continue to welcome and connect with people virtually.”

The series takes viewers behind the scenes to such places as the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum, National Museum of Mexican Art, DuSable Museum of African American History, the Art Institute of Chicago and Lincoln Park Zoo.

“The exciting launch of “Stay Home, Hit Play” allows our city’s cultural gems to come to live, ensuring our students are able to stay connected and engaged with our world-class museums and institutions amidst the unprecedented restrictions of COVID-19,” said Mayor Lightfoot.

We are especially appreciative of the partnership of our parents, students, museum leaders and staff, WWTW, as well as Citadel whose support was instrumental for the creation of this series. As challenging as this moment has been, we will get through it together, and I look forward to joining all of Chicago in re-experiencing these inspiring sites when this crisis ends,” she said.

Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin said he was excited to “discover and rediscover” some favorite places in a new way. “These institutions embody what makes Chicago special. They invitge us to learn, imagine and dream togehter, and we hope “Stay Home, Hit Play,” will inspire children and parents this spring,” Griffin said.

Jodie Jacobs

Visit three famed Art Institute paintings on a guided tour

Visit favorite works and maybe one you don't know at the Art Institute of Chicago. (J Jacobs photo) — Visit favorite works and maybe one you don’t know at the Art Institute of Chicago. (J Jacobs photo)

If you visit the Art Institute of Chicago do you go to a favorite artist’s gallery or a favorite painting? For lots of visitors it is Georges Seurat’s 1884″A Sunday On La Grande Jatte.” Stephen Sondheim even wrote a musical about it called “Sunday in the Park With George.”

Since the Art Institute has temporarily shut its doors to physical visits it has started the Essentials Tour Series so you can visit some of its works online in videos with the museum’s curators. Seurat’s famous painting is among them.

When looking at each of the three examples mentioned here consider the use of movement or its lack, colors and what stories are told. Archibold John Motley, Jr. whose “Nightlife” is in the series has said that a painting should tell a story. So what stories do you see?

A Sunday on La Grande Jatte”

Delve into the painting and Seurat’s pointillism style with Gloria Groom, curator and chair of European Painting and Sculpture. Close up, you see dots of color. Further back the dots form figures. The painting broke new ground in the use of complementary colors. The work has also generated stories about the figures depicted.

Nightlife

Move from the camera-shot style poses of Seurat’s painting to the action-packed, jazzy movements in Archibald John Motley Jr.’s 1943 “Nightlife.” It depicts a Bronzeville jazz club on Chicago’s South Side. So much is going on that it would be easy to miss the liquid spilling from a harried waiter’s tray. As with Seurat’s paintings you would likely recognize Motley’s style if you saw his other works without being told the artist’s name. In this video, former AIC Curator of American Art Judith Barter goes talks about the subject and the colors used.

Nighthawks

When seeing the “Nightlife” video you learn from Barter that Motley may have been inspired to do a night scene after viewing Edward Hopper’s intriguing “Nighthawks.” However, Hopper’s late night scenario appears miles apart from Motley’s Chicago jazz scene unless it is considered as what might be going on in diners somewhere in the country. In this case, it’s possibly in Philadelphia give the Phillie cigar sign above the diner. Here, the viewer is outside the scene looking in. Barter discusses the color choices and the lack of a noticeable entryway.

Jodie Jacobs

Around town finds a couple of virtual Earth Day visits

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL (J Jacobs photo)

Of course we try to employ good recycling practices year round but we’re also used to helping out in volunteer clean-up groups on beaches and rivers on Earth Day.

Started in 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson,, WI, to encourage conservation and environmental awareness, Earth Day became an internationally observed day with a variety of related activities in 1990.

Typical Earth Day activities have generally been canceled in 2020 to avoid getting and spreading the Covid-19 virus. However Earth Day is still April 22 so think recycle but also take a couple of moments to virtually visit two of the Chicago area’s largest nature centers: The Chicago Botanic Garden in north suburban Glencoe and the Morton Arboretum west of Chicago near Lisle. They are sharing what’s blooming, garden tips, stay-at-home Earth Day activities and views of their grounds.

Visit Chicago Botanic Garden Earth Day and Smart Gardener sites for some activity ideas. Then go to ChicagoBotanic/Gardens for a live feed to see what’s in bloom.

At the Morton Arboretum look for Virtual Bloom Report and then go to Virtual Tours via Google Arts and Culture.

Jodie Jacobs

Penguin fun at the Shedd

A plush baby penguin is just one of the delightful items found on line in the Shedd Aquarium store. Shedd photo

Wellington the Penguin takes governor for a stroll

Who would have expected Ilinois’ Governor Pritzker to waddle through the Shedd Aquarium with Wellington its famous wandering penguin. But “All In,” the gov’s PSA message looks and sounds great when coupled with the Shedd’s famed penguins.

“Shedd Aquarium is proud to partner with the state of Illinois to support and promote the unifying message of ‘All in Illinois’,” said President and CEO Bridget C. Coughlin.

“We sincerely hope the incredible connection and joy the aquatic world brings to millions of guests each year will also help to amplify this important message to millions more during this unprecedented time when we all must do our part to stay healthy and safe,” Coughlin said.

Penguins nesting

If you love to watch penguins move take a look at the Shedd video of staff providing penguins with needed nesting materials.

Jodie Jacobs

Escape online to great art museums

Edward Hopper Gas 1940 The Museum of Modern Art NY

Enjoy the Musee d’Orsay in Paris. Go into the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Cross back over the pond to New York to visit the Museum of Modern Art. While in NYC explore the huge Metropolitan Museum of Art without wearing out the shoes.

The first two places are excellent stills and 180 degree shots you can maneuver to see galleries and works up close. The next two places you visit are really good YouTube videos that are part of the Great Museums film series.

Musée d”Orsay

Google Arts & Culture takes you to Paris’ famed Musée d”Orsay to see works by Renoir, Monet, Manet and Degas among others. Its giant clock is a reminder that the museum is housed in the former Gare d’Orsay railway station and hotel on the Seine’s Left bank across from the Tuileries Gardens.

Instead of watching a video, with this visit you go to the floor you want, the work you want and the views of the galleries.

Van Gogh Museum

On this site you can scroll down past highlighted works by Vincent van Gogh to four circles, each a different floor for you to visit at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

MOMA

What is modern? What is art? The video on New York’s Museum of Modern Art starts with those often asked questions, then takes you on a tour so you can find your own answers.

Met

As expected with a building that stretches 1,000 feet along New York’s Fifth Avenue at Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is filled with more than paintings. It’s two million square feet covers multi cultures and multi centuries. Stay with the video after its introduction to get to the film itself to answer its question “What makes a masterpiece.”

Enjoy!

Jodie Jacobs

Go behind the scenes with The Joffrey Ballet

Joffrey Ballet's (Cheryl Mann photo from 2018) — Joffrey Ballet’s (Cheryl Mann photo from 2018)

Until the Chicago arts scene is back live on stage some of the companies have been streaming parts of their productions and others have been taking folks behind the scenes. The latest treasure find is The Joffrey Ballet

Go to “Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance“ to learn via a PBS American Masters documentary how a small ensemble became the international sensation now based in Chicago.

Then, go to “Romeo and Juliet” to watch the lead couple’s beautiful, intimate dance scene.

Follow that with Christopher Wheeldon’s “The Nutcracker” dances starting with the snow scene.You get to see gorgeous dancing while listening to Tchaikovsky’s beloved music.

Jodie Jacobs

And the music plays on

Concert venues around the globe are putting concerts on to youtube and facebook. Here are a few sites to watch and listen to musicians while you work from home or take a break from re-organizing the house or office.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra. (A CSO photo)

Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

Look for Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 on Facebook at 3 p.m. April 12. Led by Riccardo Muti, the concert concludes with “Ode to Joy” which we all need now to uplift our spirits. For more CSO Beethoven and other options go to CSO YouTube Channel.

In addition, the CSO and other groups can be heard on WFMT (98,7 FM) and at wfmt.com.

City of Chicago virtual events and concerts

The city’s Department of Cultural Affairs is partnering with Do312 to continue Chicago’s Year of Music as part of #DoStuffAtHomke. They include dance parties, solo artists and webinars. Check it out at yearofchicagomusic.

Savannah Music Festival

The famed festival is continuing its lineup on line. To catch the artists still to play before it ends April 11, 2020, visit youtube/SavannahMusicFestival. Concerts can be heard as part of the Noon30 program which airs at 12:30 p.m. EDT.

Jodie Jacobs

See memorable Chicago Shakespeare moments

Cast of 'Six" at Chicago Shakespeare. (Liz Lauren photo) — Cast of ‘Six” at Chicago Shakespeare. (Liz Lauren photo)

As a Chicago theater critic I often receive videos that could be embedded in a review. So I’m going to go back to see if I can retrieve some because they remind us of wonderful moments on stage. But while I’m going through my archives, please take a few minutes to see these clips recently sent to me from Chicago Shakespeare Theater to share with all of you.

Then, to see more of what Chicago Shakespeare is providing everone at home go to ChicagoShakes/plays and events and then click on Shakes@Home in the top left of the banner.

Artistic Director Barbara Gaines said, “Our stages may be dark for now, but we are still here to connect you with the power (and magic) of Shakespeare. Introducing Shakes@Home —a new digital platform that will be updated each week with engaging, original content from our artists and staff. Whether you’re teaching remotely or looking for a fun activity for the family this weekend, we’ve got you covered. Explore education tools, centuries of critical thinking, artistic interpretation, and more. Together, let’s connect, learn something new, and bring the Bard home!”

Chicago Shakespeare Clips

“We’ve gathered some of our favorite Chicago Shakespeare moments in a video playlist to help lift your spirits during these uncertain times. Go ahead: take the stage, “speak the speech,” and sing along!,” said. Barbara Gaines

The Tempest, directed by Aaron Posner and Teller (from Penn & Teller) added magic and physicality to the production.

Six, gone for now to Broadway, will be back as a touring show in Broadway in Chicago.

Slam, the fun 2019 final bout.

King Charles III, the Chicago premiere of the 2015 Olivier Award winner for Best New Play.

Ride the Cyclone (Montage), was the US premiere in 2015.

Macbeth, Aaron Posner and Teller return to direct a remarkable “Macbeth” in 2018.

Madagascar, was a children’s musical that delighted the whole family with the antics of Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra and some sly Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra and some sly, adventure seeking penguins.

Shakespeare in the Park, wouldn’t it be great if Shakespeare in the Park could return this summer.

Jodie Jacobs