Chopin Theatre Mainstage (Chicago, IL)
Both a musical parody and a loving homage to the 1972 disaster film classic, Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical centers on a group of scrappy passengers who fight for survival after their cruise ship capsizes. A smash hit during its original run thanks to its blend of humor, music and adventure, the play returns to Chicago at the Chopin Theatre.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
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The last date listed for Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical was Sunday September 27, 2009 / 5:00pm. (view all dates)
Currently at Chopin Theatre Mainstage:
Written by rock journalist Mark Guarino and featuring the music and artwork of Bloodshot Records recording artist Jon Langford, this phantasmic journey into the mind of a fictional country music legend is what an episode of Howdy Doody might look like if it were directed by David Lynch. Learn More
I LOVE this show and bought the CD. HellinaHandbag has again done a great comedic job. The wonderful home made campiness of this production makes for a great backdrop to the often top-notch music, lyrics, and musical performances (even Nonny?). Each cast member is special and by the time they do their cameoed curtain calls, you love every one and think, "Oh, yes, and you were there, and you, and you and..." A memorable night at the theater. I also think that this piece can hold up to a much more "serious" presentation without losing its charm. I am going again and am telling everyone about it. Thanks, Handbags!
Loved the show! Love watching David Cerda, he looks especially great in a magenta quiana jumpsuit. Waiting for THE BIRDS to return,(my favorite)
This show is great - zany, tuneful, and fast paced. The evening flew by. Lots of laughs. It really helped to watch the DVD of the original Poseidon Adventure a week prior to fully appreciate all the parody.
I give this less than one star. The level and quality of the talent was low and the actual play was poorly written and not interesting. With all the great vocal talent in Chicago, it was surprising to go to a musical where the singers didn't have good voices. The writing was really awful and so although the actors tried hard, they just didn't have good material to work with. Also, there was a lot of gratuitous anti-Semitism in the show which was not-at-all funny and didn't contribute in any way to the plot. Though I am not Jewish, the friend whom I went with was and the anti-Semitism in the show made me cringe on her behalf. We both hated this show and were tempted to ask for our money back. It really shouldn't be on stage in the form it's in.
This is a wonderful spoof of the 1972 film, while being respectful and even reverent toward the great actors that appeared in that memorable movie. Lots of laugh-out-loud moments, as well as some tender speeches and inspiring song lyrics woven into a framework of the annual gathering of a group of friends to watch the movie once again. The movie had a special meaning for each of the "Poseidon Knights", who dress up in the costume of their favorite film character for their yearly video watching, and interrupt the movie to share their thoughts on how the movie connected to their life and led them to see how important it is to have hope and grit to get through the challenges thrown at all of us. I had a hard time imagining the perspective of the youngsters in the audience, born after the movie opened, but they were obviously enjoying the show. Of course all of us at any age can enjoy old movies made before we were born, with actors and directors long dead. And this stage musical is one we can all enjoy whether we've seen the movie or not. It's easy to see why the show has been extended once again. Be sure to to get your tickets to it before it closes.
OK....I dont often reveiw unless revulsion or absoute joy has transpired. In this event .... run run run to the Chopin, buy as many tickets as you can...then after you laugh to the point of incontinance.....write me and well have our own Poseidon Upsidedown group that meets yearly on my deck and enjoys the delisciousness of this performance. You cant do much better than this in the catagory I call "gutter theater" which of course appeals greatly to this gutter girl!
5 Stars! This hilarious musical had amazing acting and vocal talent, with a great sense of timing and physical humor. We were talking about it days afterwards. I hope it stays longer as I've recommended it to others.
I wish I had watched the movie before going to the play, but greatly enjoyed it anyways.
When I did watch the movie, I ended up just liking the play better.
Also, before even watching the movie, I knew the Mr.Rogo character *had* to be Ernest Borgnine, because the actor's voice impersonation is quite good.
The show was fantastic! Very campy, fun and above all entertaining. I have not stopped talking about it (or humming "Just panties") since seeing it Saturday. The cast members are so talented. I have given several friends a cash-back guarantee that they will love the show. And I'll be going with them to see it again.
Great show. I highly recommend watching the movie itself sometime before going, but as someone who only saw about half an hour of it ten or so years ago, I can vouch that it's enjoyable even if you haven't. "Panties" will be stuck in your head for days...
We laughed so hard - it was the kind of laughing where you are crying and coughing - Don't miss it! One more week I think!
very, very, very funny and entertaining. huge cast, all great. one does Ernest Borgnine's voice perfectly, and the one who sings, The Morning After could have his own show, he is sooo funny. they are all great.
GREAT
Four Stars because I can't imagine anyone not having a blast at this show. For Poseidon Adventure fans, you will not be disappointed; Your favorite parts are well-represented and set to music, (e.g. Linda Rogo's "Panties, what else do I need?" and Belle Rosen's "I'm a Very Skinny Lady in the Water". The cast is bawdy and enthusiastic, and this is a very funny show in the water. Catch it while you can.
This show is fantastic! Good singing, well-devised. Anyone who's up for a campy parody of a campy show, this is for you! You don't have to see the 1970's film before attending, but it certainly will help. Music is very original and funny, but some of the solos can be a bit awkward.
Staging was good, but they needed about 10 feet extra room for the large cast.
This show has been extended!! Go see it!
The show was funny, but I'd rate it closer to 2.5 starts than the current 3.6 stars. The concept is that a bunch of Posidon Adventure freaks get together dressed as characters from Posidon Adventure to watch it on TV. A Posidon Adventure Party happens. We start out with a couple minutes before the tidal wave hits. The wave hits and the two groups are created. Those who stayed in the dining area - who quickly perish - and those who fight their way up to the bottom of the ship. The characters of Earnest Borgnine, his wife and Red Buttons really remind you of those actors. Most changes of action are good for a song. Some of the cast members sing well, some ok, one is very bad for comedic effect. The major deaths that occur during the escape and some other important movie moments are reinacted by the survivors as those who have "died" watch as party attendees. Some of the reinactments have a little more "spice" than the original movie. There are also some cross-dressed members of both genders in the cast. If you like a light play with some sex and laughs, you'd probably like this production. By the way, It's run has just been extended to at least mid-August.
Great, campy fun. It's not necessary to see the film before going, but you should anyway since it's such a great movie. Just make sure you rent the original with Shelley Winters, not the lame remake.
It was a great show! Definitely worth seeing if you ever get the chance. If you like musicals and comedies and a little bawdy humor, this would be a must. It's written in a way that fans of the movie will obviously have fun, but 'virgins' would also enjoy it as a stand-alone show.
I thought the show was okay, and the actors improvising the Poseidon capsizing was pretty neat. The funniest song was when Nonnie sang "Did You Like His Music". My husband and I couldn't stop laughing! Unfortunately, we didn't get to see the rest of the show, because we left at intermission.
http://thefourthwalsh.blogspot.com/
The overall play was funny and the acting/singing was good, but there was a little too much gay humor and drag queens for my liking. If that's your thing then you will love it!
We Did not like the musical. We ended up leaving during the 2nd half. The set was bare bones and the comedy very weak. I think the whole musical comedy was lacking due to the writing. The actors were decent and I believe they did there best with what they had to work with. I would not recommend this play if you really want to laugh.
Bm
This musical was terrible. Very disappointed. The corny, gay humor and anti-semitic jokes got old, real quickly. That a 5th of the cast was in drag only made it narrowly more bearable. The only shining grace was the dim-witted drag character of Nonnie, she was pleasantly hilarious. Otherwise, I cannot honestly recommend this production.
Completely delightful....especially if you were raised in the 70's or have any kind of quirky love for this movie. There are parts where you laugh so hard your stomach hurts. See it before it's gone!
Loved it. Absolutely must see the original movie before going, even if you think you really remember it all. The writing was superb, the music and lyrics were great. I especially loved the Nonnie character.
I saw both Friday and Saturday night performances. You have to see it more than once to catch all of the laughs!
Parody implies a person's comic view on something, and if you don't enjoy that view, it probably won't be funny. My girlfriend visited from out of town, and after sifting through available plays, we went to this one because of what the reviews mentioned. We didn't think it was funny. It made me not ever want to go to a parody or musical and i was restless to get out. Although I could see how the characters were meant to be funny, they weren't, the jokes were very elementary and the script wasn't much. I was really expecting something great and fun to watch, and although the crowd apparently enjoyed it more than we did, we only laughed a few times...At times I felt there were too many people on screen, and the acting was just exaggerated with dumb jokes...That being said, the actors seemed to try hard to make the show enjoyable, they kept the energy up, and there are definitely different things to keep your eye on, but none of the characters are interesting, really...I wouldn't recommend. It was very fruity, and seemed geared to a very feminine energy...all the male characters were or seemed homosexual, and the captain is female.
Very funny!
The play was fun. Not a polished production, but something different for sure. My husband thought it was hilarious, me not so much. It is a non-profit organization so that is cool. They are offering a 2 for 1 discount on their website. It did make me want to watch the movie which I DVR'd!
This was one of the funniest things I've ever seen!!
At times difficult to hear which I think was due to actors lack of projecting their voices toward audience. Production too long and abrupt halt after Act 1 so at first didn't know if it was over or just intermission. Didn't think it was that funny but rest of audience seemed to really enjoy it. Would not recommend.
Very clever. Wonderful cast of characters played so well.
This show was hilarious and thoroughly enjoyable for my entire party--young, old, those who had seen the movie, and those who hadn't. I highly recommend it, and I'm totally going again with some more people.
My wife and I,, really enjoy this show.. The actors purformed like the pros they are.... We laughed alot,, and really enjoyed the evening...
So Much Fun! and A Laugh a Minute! Plus there are some poignant moments. Outstanding performances by the Entire cast; terrific ensemble. Every design aspect of the production is wonderful--we especially liked the creativity in scenes involving disaster/water/moving through the ship and the costumes. David Cerda is brilliant--with a touch of tightening, Poseidon would be a big hit on Broadway!
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Wicker Park's beautiful white terra-cotta Chopin Theatre was built in 1918, and served as an anchor of Chicago's Polish community for years. Now owned by Zygmunt Dyrkacz, the off-Loop venue hosts a whopping 500 presentations per year on the main stage which seats up to 226 and the intimate black box studio which has room for 100.
Arrive early and enjoy what the Chicago Tribune calls the Most Ch
Website: http://www.handbagproductions.org/poseidon-an-upside-down-musical/
Book & Lyrics by David Cerda (w/Cheryl Snodgrass)
Music by David Cerda & Scott Lamberty
Directed by Matthew Gunnels
Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical is both a musical parody and a loving homage to the classic 1972 film, The Poseidon Adventure, the grandmother of all disaster films. The play celebrates and lampoons the beloved cult classic through comedy and music. When a tidal wave capsizes the SS Poseidon luxury liner on New Year's Eve, a group of scrappy passengers must climb to the bottom of the ship (now above them) before the ship sinks. The perilous journey of these colorful characters, both humorous and tragic, makes for an edge-of-your-seat adventure. Watch the story unfold with a party of hardcore Poseidon Adventure fans who provide personal commentary and touching insight on how film resonates in our collective conscious, resulting in very real shared experiences. And you thought it was just a silly disaster film.
HIAH is dedicated to the preservation, exploration, and celebration of works ingrained in the realm of popular culture via theatrical productions through parody, music, and homage. The Handbag Ensemble is a diverse group of artists--actors, directors, designers, writers, and composers.
Chopin Theatre Mainstage
on November 27, 28th, and 13 more dates