Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • Page 7-8

8 CHICAGO TRIBUNE ONTHETOWN SECTION7 MUSICAL SNAPSHOT OF AN Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald saucy, savvy, and with a rousing standing ovation every ChicagoCritic.com NOW PLAYING! 312 902-1400 TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE AT DRURY LANE THEATRE WATER TOWER PLACE AND ALL BROADWAY IN CHICAGO BOX OFFICES AND TICKETMASTER RETAIL LOCATIONS GROUPS www.ShoutTheModMusical.com 175 E. Chestnut St, Chicago a groovy kind of love in SHOUT! What musical theatre should Kevin Moore, WJJG-AM Chicago cast of SHOUT! Photos: Michael Brosilow By Kerry Reid SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE Artist Paula Modersohn- Becker left behind hundreds of paintings when she died at age 31 in 1907, shortly after giving birth to her only child. Many of them are stunning precursors to what would become German Expressionism, filled with large forms and vibrant colors reminiscent of Gauguin and Cezanne, but imbued with her own distinct viewpoint, particularly in her nude subject practically unknown among women artists at the time. Most of her work resides in Germany, which is one reason her name come up in discussions of great female painters as often as, say, Mary Cassatt. Yet for many years, she owed her life after death to her friend, poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who wrote for a on the first anniversary of her death.

The poem, along with published letters and journals, cemented her reputation as a budding genius snuffed out before reaching full flower. Those writings form the basis for Ken now in a co- production with Trap Door Theatre and the Goethe- Institut. Kate staging gets off to a rather precious start, with Betsy Paula feeling less like a high-spirited young woman than a high-maintenance adolescent. But like its subject, the play takes on greater shades of maturity as the complicated onstage relationships unfold. poem lamented the enmity between our daily life and the great and Prestininzi captures that enmity with sensitivity and emotional precision.

Prestininzi avoids typical docudrama narration, which creates a more fluid and poetic voice, but which also may prove a tad confusing for those unfamiliar with the details of the story. What comes through clearly, however, is the passion Modersohn-Becker had for her work, her life, and her friends, and the anguish she felt at being torn between a quiet life as a country haus- frau and her desires to immerse herself in artistic circles. As Paula becomes more assured of her talents (bouncing back from a dismissive early review that misspells her name as she also becomes less certain of her relationships, particularly with her husband, Otto (Jason Huysman). expect being married would be so she plaintively observes. Her troubled marriage mirrors that of Rilke (John Kahara) and his wife, best friend, Clara (Kristen Williams Smith).

In one telling scene between Smith and Kahara, the small cough becomes a thunderclap of marital discord. Hendrickson and Emily set re-creates the slim birch trees and robin- egg blue skies of Wor- spswede, the colony where the two couples met. Some reproductions of work appear onstage, but most important here is that Prestininzi gives us the living texture behind the canvas. At one point, Paula says, mind dying, not if painted at least three good She did a lot more than that, and this production should whet the curiosity of those interested in finding out more about this singular woman. Through June 21 at Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W.

Cortland Ave. Tickets are $20 at 773-384-0494 or www.trap- doortheatre.com Wilson, Mark short novel, began as a comic burlesque about Siamese twins and ended up as a mix of detective story and tragic allegory about race in America. That uneasy alliance of influences, which works remarkably well on the page, always come through cleanly in Terry McCabe and Brian faithful but rather flat adaptation for City Lit, directed by McCabe. But Twain fans (and decid- edly one of those) will welcome the chance to see this lesser-known piece come to life, however imperfectly. Though McCabe and Pastor manage to get most of the complicated plot details down, lacking is acerbic-yet-sorrowful commentary on race.

Roxana (Noelle Hardy) is a light-skinned slave who switches her baby with the child of her master the two are practically identical. But the struggle to include almost everything in the story sidelines what is essentially an indictment of the ludicrous rule (regardless of complexion, any American with a drop of black blood is considered black). The dark relationship between Roxana and her Tom (Ehren Fournier), should have more heft. Still, there are pleasing comic turns by Craig J. Newman and Dan Howard as a pair of Italian sort-of-conjoined twins and a beguiling performance by Kingsley Day in the title role.

too- smart-for-the-room lawyer and amateur detective captures the bumbling genius quality of the so-called making him a sort of antebellum version of Peter Through June 15 at City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Tickets are $25 at 773-293-3682 or www.cityl- it.org. ON THE FRINGE REVIEWS FROM THE EDGES OF THE THEATER SCENE Dense storytelling in the eye of Betsy Zajko as Paula, Kristen Williams and John Kahara in Kate Hendrickson directs the Trap Door production about the life of German artist Paula Modersohn-Becker. Please submit listings by going online to metromix.com/listings.

PREVIEWS AND 21st Annual Directors Festival: A showcase of one-act world premieres, Chicago premieres and lesser-known works by classic playwrights and authors; opens through June 25. 7:30 p.m. by Janis Craft, directed by Scott Illingsworth; Worst Mime in the by Martin Mundt, directed by Jason Economus; and We by Dorothy Parker, directed by Aggie Hewitt; $10, tickets: baili- wick.org. Presented by Bailiwick Repertory at Bailiwick Repertory Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont 773-883-1090.

Beggars in the House of Plenty: An autobiographical surrealist comedy by Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winner John Patrick Shanley about his experiences growing up in the Bronx in the and previews opens through June 29. 8 p.m. Angel Island Theater, 731 W. Sheridan 773871-0442. The First Breeze of Summer: In Leslie Obie Award-winning drama about three generations of an African-American family, the matriarch reflects on three lost love affairs that shaped her life and family while the conflict between her teenage grandsons and their father comes to a head; preview opens through June 15.

8 p.m. 2:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. tickets: court- theatre.org. Court Theatre, 5535 S.

Ellis 773-753-4472. Gas for Less: In this drama by local playwright Brett Neveu, the young manager of a struggling, family owned North Side gas station struggles to adjust when an act of violence forces him to accept new responsibilities and deal with the changing neighborhood; previews opens June through June 22. tickets: good- mantheatre.org. Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn 312-443-3800.

The Gold Handcuffs: In this drame- dy by local playwright Elizabeth Nonie, a woman beset with office problems yearns to become her own boss; opens through Sat. 7 p.m. tickets: chicagoplaywrightelizabeth- Jacob Carruthers Center, 700 E. Oakwood 773-939-1194. The Kid From Brooklyn: The Danny Kaye Musical: This musical biography of the legendary comic entertainer previews in Chicago prior to a New York run; previews opens June through Aug.

24. tickets: thekid- frombrooklynmusical.com. Mercury Theatre, 3745 N. Southport 773-325-1700. The Dilemma: Two sides battle for the fate of a country in an epic drama about peace, war and negotiation; previews opens through June 22.

8:30 p.m. tickets: thea- tremir.com. Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark 312-458-9855. Psalms of a Questionable Nature: In this two-woman thriller, estranged stepsisters must confront their inner demons, family secrets and a presence that lurks in the basement when they meet to decide whether to keep or sell their deceased creepy house; previews May 30; opens May 31; through June 28.

tickets: riv- endelltheatre.net. Live Bait Theater, 3914 N. Clark 773-334-7728. Villains: A comedy in which a band of super-ordinary men and women try to succeed in a world of superhe- roes by stealing a famous diamond. BYOB; opens through June 21.

10 p.m. $15, tickets: nmtchicago.org. Presented by New Millennium Theatre Company at National Pastime Theater, 4139 N. Broadway; 312-458-9083. Wit: Margaret Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about a single female literature professor dying of cancer and struggling with the concepts of life, death and the afterlife; previews opens June through July 6.

tickets: thegifttheatre.org. The Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee 773-283-7071. For more listings: metromix.com. PREVIEWS AND The Lady With All the Answers: Judith Ivey stars as advice columnist and Chicago icon Ann Landers in a solo show penned by David Rambo (writer for Crime Scene previews opens through June 29.

7:30 p.m. Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie; 847-673-6300. For more listings: metromix.com. 10 Virgins: In a world-premiere fantasy by resident playwright Laura Jacqmin a group of 10 girls create an alternative family in a mist-shrouded bog, but their dynamic is threatened when the eldest ventures out and encounters a swamp witch; through June 1. 8 p.m.

3 p.m. 8 p.m. tickets: chicagodra- matists.org. Presented by Chicago Dramatists at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago 312-633-0630.

Around the World in 80 Days: Laura world premiere adaptation of Jules classic novel about a Victorian Englishman who sets out to win a bet that he can circle the globe via steamships and railways; through June 1. 7:30 p.m. 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. tickets: lookingglasstheatre.org.

Presented by Lookingglass Theatre Company at Lookingglass Theatre in the Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan 312-337-0665. As Told by the Vivian Girls: This world premiere spectacle was designed specifically for Theater on the Lake by Devon de Mayo and Dog ensemble, and utilizes the entire space, through which audience members, wearing masks, watch 15 overlapping scenes that culminate in two simultaneous endings. The story, inspired by the works of the late Chicago artist and writer Henry Darger, follows a group of young girls who battle against child slavery; through Sun. 7 p.m.

Presented by Dog Pony Theatre Company at Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive; 773-360-7933. Avenue The R-rated, Tony Award- winning musical comedy (with puppets) about a college grad with big dreams and a tiny bank account who moves to New York and with the neighbors in his low-rent find jobs, dates and the meaning of life. Not suitable for children; through June 7. 8 p.m.

2 p.m., 8 p.m. 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Presented by Broadway in Chicago at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph 312-902-1400.

The Ballad of Emmett Till: From Ifa Bayeza Judgment of comes a new historical drama about the grisly 1955 Mississippi murder of an African-American teenager from Chicago, performed as a ghost story using drama, factual accounts, poetry and jazz; through June 1. 8 p.m. 2 p.m., 8 p.m. 2 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. tickets: goodmantheatre.org. Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn 312443-3800. Bear Force One: In this comedic homage to the Harrison Ford thriller Force a fictional secretary of agriculture becomes the first gay president after a series of assassinations; through May 30.

8 p.m. $15, tickets: annoyanceproduction- s.com. Presented by Annoyance Theater at Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway; 773-561-4665. Boys Girls: Two one-act comedies: Swim by Daniel MacIvor, explores the lives of two childhood friends chained together by a tragic beach accident; and Shallow by Wendy MacLeod, which follows four teenage girls over the course of one summer; through June 15.

7:30 p.m. 3 p.m. 7:30 p.m. tickets: dcatheater.org. Presented by Theatre Seven in association with Chicago DCA Theater at Studio Theater, Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E.

Randolph 2nd 312-7428497. Checkmates: A drama which examines the marriages of two one modern and upwardly mobile, the other more traditional; through June 8. 8 p.m. 3 p.m., 7 p.m. 8 p.m.

$30. eta Creative Arts Foundation, 7558 S. South Chicago 773-752-3955. The Comedy of Errors: In this story-within-a-story, backstage antics abound when an eccentric group of actors gather on a movie set in the midst of the 1940 London blitz to film comedy about two sets of men who search for their lost identical twins; through June 29. 7:30 p.m.

3 p.m., 8 p.m. 3 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 1 p.m., 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

tickets: chi- cagoshakes.com. Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand 312-595-5600. Macbeth: tragic story of a bloody rise to power and his descent into madness; through Sun. 8 p.m.

3 p.m. Presented by Greasy Joan Co. at Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport 312-458-0718. The Mark of Zorro: Katie world premiere adaptation of Johnston novel of the same title, in which a famous swordsman must enlist privileged caballeros to fight corruption and save a young woman.

Expect Latin music, dance and swordfights; through June 22. 7:30 p.m. 4 p.m., 8 p.m. 4 p.m. Presented by Lifeline Theatre at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N.

Glenwood 773-7614477. Stage guide PLEASESEE STAGE PAGE9 Product: CTOTT PubDate: 05-23-2008 Zone: NS Edition: FRI Page: 7-8 User: cci Time: Color:.