That's Why It's Called a 'Play'
By Justin Sondak in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 28, 2005 2:25PM
This week we endured the nasty heat wave, the sniping local politicos, and the weiner wars. This weekend, Chicagoist just wants to have fun. Lucky for us, three shows promise to deliver with a capital F:
Sandbox Theatre Project’s Where We Live puts the courtship ritual and all its awkwardness under the microscope, as Jenn and Brandon come home to his apartment over and over again until they get things right. The results are engaging, occasionally bizarre and often hilarious. It's a site specific performance in an actual Wrigleyville apartment, kinda like a house party where the hosts put on a one-act.
The Neo-Futurists, best known as the “Too Much Light” people, have brought back their popular and sometimes surreal “film fest.” This weekend, the Neos present the House Theatre’s live reinterpretation of Tremors: Edited For Television. Cheer on Kevin Bacon, Family Ties dad Michael Gross, and Reba McEntire substitutes as they heroically battle tenacious slugs. This is based on the censored broadcast version, so bring the whole family.
For those of us who love the 80s, Band Geeks: A Half-Time Musical is a flashback to those awkward teenage years, band camp, jocks, nerds, and relatively simple storylines. The Elyria (OH) Pioneer Marching Band is slated to march on national TV, but their director’s having trouble motivating his students and saving the band from the malicious school superintendent. Yes, it’s John Hughes teen comedy material and we can practically recite the plot by heart. But any cast that does a pitch-perfect marching band rendition of “Eye of the Tiger” deserves a look.
Where We Live plays tonight thru Saturday at a Wrigleyville apartment (address and directions provided with the ticket). Pre-show party begins at 8pm, the show begins at 9pm. Tickets are a $15 donation. Reservations are required, more info at http://www.sandboxtheatreproject.com/
Tremors: Edited For Television plays tonight at 8pm at the Neo Futurarium, 5153 North Ashland. Tickets are $10, $8 for students, and can be purchased at www.neofuturists.org
Band Geeks: A Half-Time Musical plays Friday and Saturday nights, 10:45pm, through August 13 at Live Bait Theater, 3914 North Clark. Tickets are $15. More info at www.bandgeeksmusical.com
Photos courtesy of Sandbox Theatre Project and Single Box Turn Productions.