The Ghetto Scholar Explains It All For You

Latin History for Morons – Broadway in Chicago

In an almost two-hour, nonstop performance, the seemingly tireless ball of fire known as John Leguizamo, transforms himself into an instructor of American History—the REAL American History, as he puts it. In his one-man show, Leguizamo examines 3,000 years of Latino history in an attempt to educate us, along with his bullied, 8th grade son. Throughout his presentation, the actor/author informs, questions, challenges and sometimes humorously berates the audience, all the while taking us through centuries of virtually unknown or forgotten facts about scores of famous people and events. It’s a highly exciting and extremely entertaining educational experience that reminds theatergoers of the scope of this actor’s unlimited talent.

One Man’s Fight for the First Amendment

I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce – Theatre 68

Talented playwright and actor Ronnie Marmo brings to Chicago his heartfelt tribute to the man he calls The Godfather of Comedy. The 90-minute one-act, once again directed here by Tony and Jeff Award-winner, Joe Mantegna, has already enjoyed a successful run Off-Broadway. Marmo’s loving, respectful portrait of this controversial standup comic, famous for his obscenity-laced routines during the 1950’s and 1960’s, both provokes laughter while it stirs the emotions. The reason is that Lenny Bruce always brought the real passion and pain of his personal life into his stage act.

“N” with The Greenhouse Theater Center and GLP Productions

The Greenhouse Theater Center and GLP Productions have paired up for the world premiere of N, a political drama by David Alex. Playing in The Greenhouse Theater Center’s Upstairs Studio, the production is directed by TaRon Patton. Labeled as a political drama, we can expand that label to include political, racial, economic, and philosophical drama. 

Their Fingers Do the Talking

You Are Happy – Red Theatre

Bridget is an attractive single woman who, by her own admission, truly enjoys her independence. But she’s not entirely alone, because she’s taken on the responsibility of managing the well-being and happiness of her younger brother, Jeremy. Walking down the aisles of her local supermarket, Bridget notices that most of the customers are couples, everyone shopping in pairs and complementing each other with their wants and needs. When Bridget returns home to her apartment she, once again, finds her brother Jeremy trying to commit suicide. The lonely young man is determined to either slit his wrists with her razor or hang himself in her closet. Tired of having to keep managing her brother’s psyche, Bridget decides to try to find him find some happiness with the perfect romantic match.

SUGAR IN OUR WOUNDS with First Floor Theater

First Floor Theater has presented the Chicago premiere of Sugar In Our Wounds by Donja R. Love. Directed by company member Mikael Burke, the piece is part of a trilogy by Love, looking at black love in pivotal moments in history. Sugar in Our Wounds is something that we all know and love, a romantic period piece, but also something that we seldom get: a queer, black, romantic period piece. 

Friendship and Family Affection Abounds

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile – Lifeline Theatre

What would you do if you just moved into a charming Victorian brownstone, on New York’s fashionable Upper East Side, only to discover there’s a crocodile in the bathtub of your new home? Well, after the initial shock, the Primm family decides that Lyle is a wonderful addition to their clan. He plays stickball with their young son, Josh. He helps the boy with his homework and he enjoys assisting Mrs. Primm with her household tasks.

A Curious Volume of Forgotten Lore

Poe – Theatre Above the Law

Theatre Above the Law is celebrating Halloween by re-staging it’s adaptation of several Poe tales, set in a macabre cabaret.

What Would You Do?

Blonde Poison – Agency Theatre Collective

In World War II Berlin, a Jewish woman named Stella Kubler collobarated with the Nazis to help find other Jews in hiding, in exchange for her family’s safety. With blonde hair and blue eyes, she could pass for German. Stella, called ‘blonde poison’ by the Gestapo, is the focus of a new play by Cindy Henkin, presented by The Agency Theatre Collective.

Myths and Legends Come to Life

Andares – Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

Three young actors, accompanied by a gifted guitarist/drummer, share many of the stories, myths and legends of the common, everyday people who live in the rural areas of Mexico. The tales these men share are told in Spanish, with English “surtitles,” captions that are continually projected and displayed above the actors. The narrative tells about three young men, their parents and grandparents, laced with the folklore and cultural beliefs of the area’s indigenous peoples. In a touching, often humorous series of adventures, the 80-minute one-act bursts with passion and energy. They tell the tales that project themes of social, cultural and human value that are so universal to every theatergoer.

How Connective Theatre Company and Awakenings are Healing Sexual Violence Through Theatre

In textbooks for acting classes across the globe, we have chapters devoted to interpreting musical theatre performance, Shakespeare, commedia dell’arte, and other material. But we have no language to discuss how to create, interpret, and perform something that has been around since before stages could be tread: sexual violence. Me Too Monologues with Connective Theatre Company and Awakenings is more than a performance of monologues written by and performed by people sharing their own experiences, even though that is a feat of its own. It is a study, a lesson, and an experiment on how to create theatre that takes a painful experience and spreads the lesson and healing without creating more pain.