The cast of ‘44 Plays for 44 Presidents’
44 PRESIDENTS—AND THEY’RE FUNNY? The Neo-Futurists take on the American
Presidents

THE FIVE

Don’t-miss picks for Wed 10.3.12 through Tue 10.9.12:

1

comedy 44 Plays for 44 Presidents
If any group can bring out the funny in a characterization of former President Calvin Coolidge, it’s the Neo-Futurists. The Andersonville-based comedy company premieres a new play chronicling 44 Commanders-in-Chief.
GO: 10/6–11/10; $10, $20. Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N Ashland. neofuturists.org
2

opera Elektra
Making her Lyric debut, the soprano Christine Goerke, who won raves in Madrid for her portrayal of the vengeful title character, promises to bring feverish rage to the tragic opera. In a word, she’s sure to be elektric.
GO: 10/6–10/30; $79–$600, regular run $34–$239. Civic Opera House, 20 N Wacker. lyricopera.org
3

folk Beth Orton
It’s been six years since the British singer’s last album, but with her new record Sugaring Season receiving rave reviews, Beth Orton is back at the wheel crooning her famously understated, captivating songs.
GO: 10/8 at 7; $25. Lincoln Hall, 2424 N Lincoln. lincolnhallchicago.com
4

theatre Making Noise Quietly
The Edgewater troupe is on a hot streak setting the standard for non-Equity theatres with well-oiled ensembles and impressive productions. The company continues its ascent with Robert Holman’s tri-part examination of love and war.
GO: 10/4–11/10; $22–$30. Steep Theatre, 1115 W Berwyn. steeptheatre.com
5

lectures Chris Ware
Now that his epic comic Building Stories has hit the stands, Chris Ware takes the stage to tell the herculean tale of creating the 14-part work.
GO: 10/4 at 7; $10. Unity Temple, 875 Lake Street, Oak Park. booktable.net

WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND

Jonah Ansell
Jonah Ansell

Up next in our series of weekend plans from notable, in-the-know locals—a.k.a. people we like: Jonah Ansell, the Oak Park native and the director of the short animated film Cadaver, which features the voice of fellow Oak Parker Tavi Gevinson. The film debuts at the Chicago International Film Festival on 10/16.

“Breakfast on Friday will have to be at Johnnie’s Italian beef. They serve these “don’t give a shit” Italian beef sandwiches and there’s always a line around the door waiting to get the food. Later in the day I’ll head into the city and do dinner at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab House downtown. It’s a place that you can settle in connect with the people around you. It’s just the time of place that is grounding and connects people. Afterwards, I’d like to go to a movie at the Landmark theater because it always has fun indie films.

“This time of year, if I’m back in Oak Park, I go to the Oak Park Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings. They have these homemade donuts there that are a great way to start a day. After, my wife and I might go to the tennis courts along the lake and get to play and be outside. That night we’ll visit one of our favorite places, New Rebozo. I think it has 42 types of mole and the owner is this larger-than-life personality who loves to experiment.

“Lots of my friends are in town this weekend, so we’ll probably go do brunch the next day and catch up in Oak Park Al’s Grill is favorite, it’s a greasy spoon kind of place that I’ve been going to since I was 13 years old.” –As told to Elly Fishman

FREEBIE OF THE WEEK

festivals Fall Market Place
Spend the weekend basking in fall festivities from food, music, and the enormous flower bazaar that promises more than 200 Holland daffodils, tulips, and alliums.
GO: 10/5–7. Grounds open daily 8 am–sunset. Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook, Glencoe.

 

Photography: (Neo-Futurists) Courtesy of Neo-Futurists; (Ansell) Tim Will