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William S. Burroughs: Movie Star
Fri., Jan. 25, 7:30 & 10:30 p.m.Other Stuff
William S. Burroughs: Movie Star is an evening dedicated to the screen presence of the noted Beat Generation writer. Film writer and Burroughs expert Graham Rae joins the Psychotronic Film Society for an evening that will feature two rarely screened films: Towers Open Fire, which Burroughs made in collaboration with English director Anthony Balch, and Burroughs: the Movie, a documentary directed by poet John Giorno.
$10
Lady M
Through 2/6: Sat 4 PM, Sun-Wed 7:30 PMTheater & Performance
Laley Lippard has taken apart Shakespeare's "Scottish play" and reassembled it with the idea of making Lady Macbeth the protagonist. To achieve that aim Lippard cleverly elides key elements (the prophetic witches are entirely omitted) and adds others (such as a sultry sex scene) that are merely alluded to in the testosterone-fueled original. If Lippard's deconstruction is effective, her direction is even more impressive. She makes smart uses of minimal space (by banging on the outer walls of the theater, for instance, to simulate inner turmoil) and primitive lighting, relying on little more than four light bulbs, a doorway, and a lantern. Kristi Webb is terrific as Lady Macbeth; the other actors didn't seem as strong to me, but then I may've been distracted by the bizarre decision to outfit them in cargo pants. --Tal Rosenberg $15-$20
Sugarward
Through 2/10: Thu-Sat 7:30 PM, Sun 3 PMTheater & Performance
Sean Graney's new drama focuses on an obscure historical figure, Daniel Parke, who served as British governor of the Leeward Islands in the West Indies from 1706 until his assassination in 1710. In Graney's telling, Parke is an ambitious dandy who tries to stamp out corruption among the English sugar planters but becomes obsessed with power. Though Graney has a flair for witty dialogue, his clumsy compression of events in the confusing second act undermines the story and its moral. Directed by Geoff Button, the two-hander features excellent performances by John Henry Roberts as Parke and Joel Ewing as his three antagonists. —Albert Williams $10-$20
The Mystery of the Pirate Ghost
Through 2/17: Sat-Sun 11 AM and 1 PMTheater & Performance
Adapted by Chicago playwright Scott Barsotti from Geoffrey Hayes's 1985 children's book, The Mystery of the Pirate Ghost tells the story of a plucky young alligator and his Scooby-Doo-esque adventures as he tries to discover whether the ghost of a local pirate is responsible for a series of petty thefts. Every element of this hour-long production should appeal to five- to ten-year-olds, from the playful performances to Kimberly Morris's colorful costumes and the lively songs by Troy Martin and Matt Test. Director Paul Holmquist has assembled a great ensemble of actors, all of whom seem genuinely to enjoy performing for kids. The predictable downside is that the show can wear thin after a while for the adults in the audience. But then that's true of most children's programming. —Jack Helbig $15
Chicago International Poster Biennial
Through 5/18:Museums
Work by notable graphic artists from around the globe.
6525 N. Sheridan Rd.
Rogers Park/West Rogers Park
773-508-8327The Three Musketeers
Through 7/21: Thu-Fri 7:30 PM, Sat 4 and 8 PM, Sun 4 PMTheater & Performance
Lifeline Theater Mainstage presents a staging of Alexandre Dumas's classic story adventure and love. $40
One Group Mind
Open run: Tue 7:30 PMImprov/Sketch
One Group Mind's showcase team, Tricky Mickey, headlines this improv show. $10
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