Chicago Theater and Arts – Page 39 – What's happening on the arts scene – on stage, in museums and at fairs and festivals

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

Next theater season should be a production bonanza

heater venues range from Chicago's Lookingglass theatre in the historic Water Works (top left) and the lyric Opera House, bottom left to Goodman Theatre in a remodeled former movie theater building to the new Yard at Chicago Shakespeare on Navy Pier, bottom right. (J Jacobs photo) — Theater venues range from Chicago’s Lookingglass theatre in the historic Water Works (top left) and the lyric Opera House, bottom left to Goodman Theatre in a remodeled former movie theater building to the new Yard at Chicago Shakespeare on Navy Pier, bottom right. (J Jacobs photo)

With most Chicago theater productions postponed, audiences should start thinking of all the great entertainment that has been moved to later in the 2020-21 and over to the 21-22 season.

Here are just a few of the productions that audiences can put on their reminder calendar.

Lyric Opera of Chicago

According to Lyric General Director Anthony Freud, the rest of this spring’s offering have been canceled so “42^nd Street,” a new-to-Chicago, Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, production conducted by Stephen Mear, will be on stage next spring.

The Midwest premiere of composer Jeanine Tesori and librettist Tazewell Thompson’s “Blue” has been moved to January 2021 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater from this coming May-June’s dates at that venue. A coproduction of Washington National Opera, The Gimmerglass Festival and the Lyric, it will be conducted by Lyric music director designate Enrique Mazzola.

The Lyric Opera House is downtown at 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. For more information visit Lyric Opera of Chicago. To see and hear what’s on the Lyric’s blog including clips from operas, go to Lyric Lately.

Steppenwolf Theatre

“King James” by Steppenworlf ensemble member Rajiv Joseph, a coproduction with the Center theatre Group, has been moved to the 2021-22 season from May 7 2020 and will be directed by Artistic director Anna d. Shapiro. The first episode of the “Half Hour Ensemble Podcast begins on April 7 with co-founder Jeff Perry.

Steppenwolf Theatre is in the Lincoln Park neighborhood at.1650 No. Halsted St. Chicago. For more information, to also see an interesting, historic video and hear a podcast, and to see free virtual sessions, visit Steppenwolf.

Broken Nose Theatre

A pay-what-you-can production group, Broken Nose Theatre has moved its world premiere of “This is Only a Test” to the 2020-21 season from May 2020. Broken Nose theatre is a resident group of The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.in chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. For more information visit Broken Nose Theatre.

Jodie Jacobs

Virtual watch party scheduled for April Fourth

Highly praised "Verbote" ended with the shutdown of Chicago theaters to contain the C-virus. (Photo courtesy of the House theatre) — Highly praised “Verbote” ended with the shutdown of Chicago theaters to contain the C-virus. (Photo courtesy of the House theatre)n

Because seeing shows and enjoying entertainment online has become the new norm, the House Theatre of Chicago whose last show before area theaters were closed due to the c-virus was the popular “Verboten,” is re-presenting its 2002 hit production of “The Terrible Tragedy of Peter Pan.”

The” repeat Pan” can be seen on April 4 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The show includes commentary from the original cast.

To watch the live-streaming production visit youtube/housetheatreofchi.

Artistic Director Nathan Allen characterized the show as “scrappy, and joyous, and crowing in the face of the impossible..”

Adapted by Philip Klapperich from J.M. Barrie’s story, the production was extended several times in 2002.

“We’re going to lean on some of that spirit right now and we hope you’ll join us. As we find ways to keep a light on at The House, we hope we can help you keep a light on too,” said Allen.

Viewers will be able to chat and post comments for the artists and other viewers.

Jodie Jacobs