The CTT Show is For Paying Customers Only

By Justin Sondak in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 6, 2007 1:30PM

Now that Spidey 3 and Transformers have opened and iPhone mania is starting to subside, it’s time to find a new place to direct all that geek-out energy. Enter Chicago Tap Theatre’s latest storybook show, The Hourglass in the Stop-Time Chronicles, a CTT collaboration with comic-book artist Andrew Pepoy. Fans of the genre don’t need to be reminded that local boy and Loyola grad Pepoy has inked Spiderman, Superman, Batman, and The Simpsons comix, among many others.

Now that we have your attention, Hourglass follows a super heroine coming to terms with her powers (hmm, sounds familiar) as she confronts an evil trio—Killjoy, Dance Macabre (pun intended, we’re sure) and The Conductor. Like last summer’s otherworldly tribute to David Bowie, Changes: A Science Fiction Tap Opera, this show requires the suspension of disbelief as dancers syncopate the ultimate clash between good and evil. But Pepoy’s involvement promises more-fully developed storylines and that childlike sense of wonder that draws droves of grown men (and modest packs of grown women) to Comic-Cons. He’ll be attending tonight’s opening, signing show posters, fielding compliments and possibly humoring a few overzealous fan boys.

Dance fans who could care less about comics, take heart—CTT Artistic Director Mark Yonally is working overtime, performing his own choreography in Hourglass and improvising with jazz ensemble The Rhythm 4 Thursdays through the end of July at Mary’s Attic. We got a taste of this winning combo this spring in Mixology; they’re bringing some extended jams for fans of tap and jazz turned away from those sold-out shows.

Aspiring photographers and videographers who could care less about jazz, take heart—Hourglass performers will dance overtime at the July 13 performance for you to capture and post on Flickr, YouTube, and their lesser-known competitors. Photo and film judges will pick winning entries, whose authors will receive a free class in Photoshop (photo winner) and After Effects (film winner).

The Hourglass in the Stop-Time Chronicles runs Fridays-Sundays through July 29 at the Athenaeum Theater Studio 1, 2933 North Southport. Tickets are $15-25. More information and tickets available at www.chicagotaptheatre.com.

The Rhythm 4 with Mark Yonally performs Thursdays, 8 p.m., at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark St., through July 26. Cover charge of $10.