Theater Collides With History in Charles Busch's Our Leading Lady
City Lit Theater, 2nd Floor of Edgewater Presbyterian Church (1020 W Bryn Mawr Ave. Chicago, IL 60660)
- Full Price:
- $20.00
- Our Price:
- $10.00*
* Additional fees apply.
All offers for Our Leading Lady have expired.
The last date listed for Our Leading Lady was Sunday December 4, 2011 / 2:00pm.
Currently at City Lit Theater:
Shack Up With the Eccentric Folks at Harry's Halfway House
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- $20.00
- Our Price:
- $5.00
Unlike any boarding house you've ever known, Harry's Halfway House is the residence of an amazing cast of characters, who have taken a long, winding road to wind up under this roof. This wild comedy features residents who haven't given up on their dreams, but simply misplaced them -- maybe in the cookie jar. This world premiere production, written by John C. Davenport, will make you laugh, cry (especially if you're slicing onions) and wish you knew some people like these. Learn More
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Reviews & Ratings
Featured review from Andrea L
view more less of this reviewThe play itself was entertaining. The standout lead did in fact stand out. As did the kitschy Maudie, and the very effective Mme Wu Xan. Other performances were competent, but a couple actors didn't make it at all... some of the acting was inconsistent for character and wooden.
The actual location of the performers was often very flat and two-dimensional, which made it feel claustrophobic, although the set was large enough to accommodate more 3-d placement and movement. I found that to be a distraction.
While some of the costumes were quite nice, others were really badly made, and not ironed...I don't mind a few wrinkles, but this made the production look low-budget. Often, good production values can enhance the look to surpass the budget.
Same for props. Mid-century chairs just don't do it when there are all over, for free, and in the alleys, late 19th and early 20th c chairs that work, or that can be borrowed from other companies.
So, Mrs. Lincoln, other than that, how did you like the show?
star this review starred report as inappropriateIt has been a while since we laughed this loudly and this often. The plot drifts, but the acting wrings every funny note out of the script. Kudos to the venerable cast and crew for bringing a lesser-known play to the stage (and a Busch to boot) and for making the most out of a small stage and set. I have thought about the performance often since we saw it and found myself laughing about some of the scenes more than once - a good statement and a good benchmark for how I feel how about a show. Go see "Our Leading Lady." You'll be thankful you did.
star this review starred report as inappropriateWe really enjoyed this unusual play. The leading lady was absolutely terrific!! It was unfortunate that the audience was so small but the cast gave the performance their all.
star this review starred report as inappropriateThis was a very nice production of one of Charles Busch's less produced plays. The cast was very attentive to the nuances of the piece but did fall short at times in delivering the camp and subtle innuendos Busch had written in. Only the title actress, Mary Anne Bowman, seemed to embody the over-the-top character inherent in Mr. Busch's clever but stylistic writing. Over all though, the production was a worthy and commendable execution !
More Information About Our Leading Lady
Website
http://www.project891theatre.com
Description
Project 891 Theatre Co’s 2011-2012 opens with the Chicago premiere of Our Leading Lady by Charles Bush, directed by ensemble member Michael Rashid, opening at City Lit Theater. Our Leading Lady follows the adventures of a group of actors, led by famed thespian Laura Keene, rehearsing for a performance at Ford's Theatre in Washington DC on April 14, 1865. President Lincoln is rumored to be in the audience that night! What could possibly go wrong?
Our Leading Lady features an ensemble cast comprised of Michael Bassett, David Besky, Mary Anne Bowman, Liz Hoffman, Laura Korn, Jason Nykiel, Danne W. Taylor and Michelle X. Taylor.
About the Ticket Supplier: Project 891 Theatre Company
Project 891 Theatre Company is a new theatre company in Chicago that focuses on lesser known and "undiscovered" plays.
Project 891 was the name given to the Federal Theatre Project's New York unit.
The New York unit saw the production of some of the most inventive and groundbreaking theatrical events of the 1930's including Orson Welle's Voodoo Macbeth, Dr Faustus, Julius Caeser and The Cradle Will Rock.
