John Oliver is coming to the Chicago Theatre
Live Nation announced yesterday that the Internet's favorite faux-anchor will visit Chicago for a one-off standup gig December 30 at the Chicago Theatre. Tickets run from $55 to $75 with presale starting tomorrow at 10 a.m. and general sale starting Friday at 10 a.m.
Janelle Monáe leads a protest against police violence in Chicago
The Kansas City singer, who was in town yesterday for a free show at Pioneer Court, led an afternoon protest against police violence in Millennium Park alongside the mother of Sandra Bland, the Naperville woman found dead in a Texas jail cell last month. This comes days after NBC cut off Monáe (allegedly unintentionally) during a speech about police brutality on the Today show.
David Arquette will play Sherlock Holmes in Chicago
Broadway in Chicago has announced that a touring Canadian production of Sherlock Holmes starring David Arquette will get its US premiere at the Oriental Theatre from November 24 to 29. The steampunk-inspired production features a book based on Sir Arthur Conan Boyle's original text and a Watson played by Michael Trevino of Vampire Diaries fame. No word on tickets yet.
Pitchfork repairs are up nearly $4,000 from last year
The Tribune reports that the Chicago Park District last week estimated a $6,500 repair bill for rainy Pitchfork's damages to Union Park—up from $2,690 last year. The repairs won't begin until mid-September, once North Coast (and, ostensibly, Aahh! Fest) have wrapped, and field closures could last until mid-spring. Meanwhile, Lolla's tab checked in at a hot $236,223.48, somehow down $30,000 from last year.
Opening
August 18: Dirty Dancing: Because there's time for one last fling this summer. Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph)
August 19: October Sky: A world-premiere musical take by Aaron Thielen on the famous book and film. Marriott Theatre (10 Marriott, Lincolnshire)
August 20: The Universal Wolf: Joan Schenkar imagines a Little Red Riding Hood in which the predators and prey trade places. Trap Door Theatre (1655 W. Cortland)
Open Now: Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight: Four men and two women share three beds. Hilarity ensures. Windy City Playhouse (3014 W. Irving Park Rd.)
Open Now: After Miss Julie: Patrick Marber sets Strindberg's classic in 1945 England during Churchill's downfall. Strawdog Theatre (3829 N. Broadway)
Open Now: The Rise and Fall of Little Voice: Jim Cartwright's Oliver-winner about a shy singer turned cabaret star. Theater Wit (1229 W. Belmont)
Open Now: Patchwork Drifter: A wanderlusting youth takes a job working for a widowed shopkeeper and her two children. Babes with Blades at City Lit (1020 W. Bryn Mawr)
Open Now: Cirque du Soleil's latest traveling show, in which an alternate reality stems from frozen time. United Center (1901 W. Madison)
Open Now: The Boy From Oz: A musical about the life of composer Peter Allen. Pride Films and Plays at Stage 773 (1225 W. Belmont)
Open Now: The Dueling Gentlemen: A silent production in which two vaudeville performers' long-running act falters. Silent Theatre Company at the Athenaeum (2936 N. Southport)
Open Now: Loving Repeating: A musical about Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Kokandy Productions at Theater Wit (1229 W. Belmont)
Open Now: Stupid Fucking Bird: Sideshow's modern-day take on The Seagull returns. Victory Gardens Theater (2433 N. Lincoln)
Open Now: Men of Soul: A musical toast to Bill Withers. Black Ensemble Theater (4450 N. Clark)
Open Now: Grand Concourse: An impassioned college dropout derails a disillusioned soup kitchen manager's time-tested shift. Steppenwolf Theatre (1650 N. Halsted)
Open Now: Moby Dick: David Catlin's mondo take on a mondo book about a mondo, mondo fish. Lookingglass Theatre (821 N. Michigan)
Open Now: Game of Thongs: A Game of Thrones Burlesque. Breasteros. Yep. Gorilla Tango Theatre (1919 N. Milwaukee)
Closing
August 22: Kafkapalooza: Eight world premiere plays from First Floor inspired by the works of Kafka. First Floor Theatre at the Flat Iron (1579 N. Milwaukee)
August 22: This Must Be the Place: Paintings of cityscapes by Kevin Swallow. Firecat Projects (2124 N. Damen)
August 23: Fancy Nancy: A musical spin on Jane O'Connor's new-classic picture book. Emerald City Theatre at Broadway Playhouse (175 E. Chestnut)
August 23: The House on Mango Street: Artists Interpret Community: 50-plus artists probe the idea of home. National Museum of Mexican Art (1852 W. 19th)
August 23: Zelda at the Oasis, about F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife Zelda Sayre Oasis and her life in the shadow of his success. Genesis Theatrical Productions at the Raven Theater (6157 N. Clark)
August 23: Look at Me Now!: A group show of artists' alternative takes on portraiture. Agency Theater Collective at Profiles Theatre, Alley Stage (2154 W. Division)