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This annual showcase of experimental theater, performance, and music runs through 10/31 at Prop Thtr, 3502-4 N. Elston. Rhino Fest is coordinated by the Curious Theatre Branch and features emerging and established artists from Chicago’s fringe. Performances take place in Prop’s north or south theaters, except where noted otherwise below. Admission for most shows is $15 or “pay what you can”; exceptions are noted below. For information and reservations, call 773-267-6660 (except as noted below) or visit www.rhinofest.com.
Thursday 10/27
Friday 10/28 |
Saturday 10/29 |
Sunday 10/30 |
Monday 10/31
 The Masrayana Presenting a modern-day nightmare in old-timey dress, William C. Kovacsik’s story-theater piece, which includes music and dance, recounts the ordeal of an Indian farmer struggling to reclaim his identity after his unscrupulous brother and corrupt officials conspire to have him declared legally dead in order to seize his land. As Mr. Masra’s existential crisis unfolds in this Prop Thtr/Rasaka Theatre Company coproduction, his story turns into an impassioned plea for the dignity of all people disenfranchised by the march toward modernity. This world premiere crackles under Anish Jethmalani’s sharp direction. (Zac Thompson)  South theater, 8 PM. $15-$25. Reservations at 773-539-7838.
Friday 10/28
Thursday 10/27 |
Saturday 10/29 |
Sunday 10/30 |
Monday 10/31
 The Life and Times of Jewboy Cain: Jewboy Rejux Jeff Dorchen has spent his career goring sacred cows. And when he runs out of victims, he gores himself, as he did in his brilliant 1995 one-man show, The Life and Times of Jewboy Cain. Cain delivers his rambling confessional monologue—which Dorchen insists has “12 percent new material” in its Rhino Fest incarnation—to a callow young man who’s about to evict him. The sad irony is that at first Cain believes his persecutor is famed music historian Alan Lomax, come to document Cain’s work and revive his flagging career. On the one hand the show’s caustic, alienated, highly opinionated but very funny main character is a vicious and convincing caricature of Dorchen himself. On the other, Jewboy Cain lashes out at artists who exploit identity politics. Dorchen implicitly compares Cain to other musicians who loved to tweak their fans’ sensibilities. But unlike Phil Ochs or Bob Dylan, Cain has found only obscurity—and even, Dorchen hints, oblivion. Then again, as Jonathan Swift proved centuries ago, you can’t be both popular and a successful satirist. (Jack Helbig) North theater, 7 PM.
The Masrayana See listing for Thu 10/27. South theater, 8 PM. $15-$25. Reservations at 773-539-7838.
Transgression Instinct Sherry Antonini, Nicole Garneau, Clover Morell, Stephen Mosblech, Jenny Magnus, and other artists address the concept of transgression. North theater, 10:30 PM.
Saturday 10/29
Thursday 10/27 |
Friday 10/28 |
Sunday 10/30 |
Monday 10/31
The Hermit in New York The Still Point Theatre Collective presents Teresa Weed’s new play based on the life and work of Trappist monk and radical political essayist Thomas Merton. This placid, overlong, dry-as-dust assemblage of set pieces fails to capture the essence of a man who was both removed from the world and deeply engaged with it; it feels stilted and lifeless in a way that Merton’s work never does. (Zac Thompson) North theater, 3 PM.
The Life and Times of Jewboy Cain: Jewboy Rejux See listing for Fri 10/28. North theater, 7 PM.
The Masrayana See listing for Thu 10/27. South theater, 8 PM. $15-$25. Reservations at 773-539-7838.
Transgression Instinct See listing for Fri 10/28. North theater, 10:30 PM.
Sunday 10/30
Thursday 10/27 | Friday 10/28 | Saturday 10/29 | Monday 10/31
The Hermit in New York See listing for Sat 10/29. North theater, 3 PM.
The Life and Times of Jewboy Cain: Jewboy Rejux See listing for Fri 10/28. North theater, 7 PM.
Monday 10/31
Thursday 10/27 | Friday 10/28 | Saturday 10/29 | Sunday 10/30
Mash-Up Halloween Costume Ball Adults and children are encouraged to mix two or more costume ideas in this closing-night gala. "Folks can be a kitty moose or a cowboy witch or any combination of costumes. There will be music, prizes and treats galore. Participants can bring mashed-up mix tapes and CDs for the DJ to spin." North theater, 6 PM.
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