PrideArts virtual fall season called REIGNITE will open on September 30 with a benefit concert conceived by PrideArts Artistic Director Donterrio Johnson that will intertwine original jazz compositions with poetry by James Baldwin and Tennessee Williams. The concert will stream live from the Pride Arts Center’s Buena Theatre on September 30 at 7 pm (no-in-person audience).and stream online on demand thereafter. Entitled CLOSET PLAY, the concert will be a modern spin on the art form of the Closet Drama – plays written to be read, rather than staged. The link to the event will be published on PrideArts.org. There is no charge for the event.
CLOSET PLAY’s cast will include Broadway’s Gerry McIntyre along with Trenton Baker, Jos N. Banks, Christian Bufford, Robbin DaSilva, Ryan Lanning, Kimberly Lawson, David Robbins, Tiffany T. Taylor, Koray Tarhan, Will Wilhelm, Jasmine Lacy Young, Joey Stone, Ricki J Pettinato, and Eustace J. Williams.
First Row L-R: Eustace J. Williams, Will Wilhelm, Joey Stone, Ricki Pettinato
Second Row L-R: Christian Bufford, Robin DaSilva, Trenton Baker, Koray Tarhan
Third Row L-R: Kimberly Lawson, Jos N. Banks, Jasmine Lacy Banks, Ryan Lanning
Fourth Row L-R: David Robbins, Tiffany Taylor, Gerry McIntyre
CLOSET PLAY will be streamed live on September 30, 2020, broadcasting from the Pride Arts Center’s Buena Theatre at 7:00 pm on Facebook and YouTube; and available to stream thereafter. Links will be posted on the PrideArts Facebook page (www.facebook.com/pridefilmsandplays) and website (www.pridearts.org). There is no charge to view CLOSET PLAY, but donations will be gladly accepted.
Here's a video trailer of CLOSET PLAY.
CLOSET PLAY Trailer
The fall Virtual Season will continue with John Maddison Morton’s BOX AND COX, a three- character one-act farce that premiered in London in 1847. BOX AND COX will be streamed twice only – on Thursdays, October 22 and 29; at 7:00 pm each evening. The BOX AND COX cast of three will include Shalita Cake as Mrs. Bouncer, John Marshall Jr., as John Box, and Eustace J. Williams as James Cox.
Following BOX AND COX will be the two-character one-act comedy A PAIR OF LUNATICS, by W.R. Walkes. In A PAIR OF LUNATICS, which premiered in London in 1898, He and She meet for the first time in an asylum and each mistakes the other for an inmate. A PAIR OF LUNATICS will be streamed twice only - on Thursdays, November 19, and December 3; at 7:00 pm each evening.
The final play of the virtual fall season will be Anton Chekov’s THE PROPOSAL, to be streamed twice only - on Thursday, December 17 and Wednesday, December 30; at 7:00 pm each evening. In this one-act Chekov comedy, Ivan, an hypochondriac, has a proposal for Natalya the neighbor. That is, if they can ever agree on anything.
Casts of A PAIR OF LUNATICS and THE PROPOSAL will be announced later. Costs to view are $25.00 for each of the three plays and tickets will be available at www.pridearts.org.
LISTING INFORMATION
CLOSET PLAY: A BENEFIT CONCERT
Conceived and directed by Donterrio Johnson
Streamed live on Facebook and YouTube Wednesday, September 30, 2020; 7pm.
Available online for an open-end run thereafter
Link and more info at www. pridearts.org
No charge. Donations gladly accepted
With the plague of the 17th century brewing and a government ban that closed theatrical spaces, a new art form was found: Closet Drama - plays intended to be read, not to be performed. PrideArts is excited to bring you a modern spin on this art form, streamed live from the Buena Theater. CLOSET PLAY is an in-depth look into the poetry of two of America’s most prolific queer voices - JAMES BALDWIN and TENNESSEE WILLIAMS - intertwined with original jazz music. Featuring a cast of some of Chicago’s most treasured artists. This event was conceived and will be directed by PrideArts Artistic Director Donterrio Johnson.
BOX AND COX
By John Maddison Morton Directed by Donterrio Johnson
Streamed on YouTube Thursdays, October 22 and 29; 7 pm
Ticketing and more info at www.pridearts.org.
Tickets $25.00
A three-character one-act farce that premiered in London in 1847. BOX AND COX is a hilarious romance of real life in one act.
A PAIR OF LUNATICS
By W.R. Walkes
Directed by Donterrio Johnson
Streamed on YouTube Thursdays, November 19, and December 3; 7 pm
Ticketing and more info at www.pridearts.org.
Tickets $25.00
A one-act comedy that premiered in London in 1898, He and She meet for the first time in an asylum and each mistakes the other for an inmate.
THE PROPOSAL
By Anton Chekov
Directed by Donterrio Johnson
Streamed on YouTube Thursday, December 17 and Wednesday, December 30; 7 pm
Ticketing and more info at www. pridearts.org
Tickets $25.00
Ivan, an hypochondriac, has a proposal for Natalya the neighbor. That is, if they can ever agree on anything.
ABOUT PRIDEARTS
PrideArts is working to produce year-round theater and film projects that change lives in normal (non-COVID) times, the company produces a season of full play and musical productions, as well as events including dance, cabaret, film, and more. It was recently honored with seven Jeff award nominations for the 2019-20 season. Events can be one-night or limited run productions or feature national treasures like Charles Busch. PAC occupies The Broadway at 4139 N. Broadway, which has 85 seats, and The Buena, which has 50 seats at 4147 N Broadway.
PrideArts is supported by The MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at The Richard Driehaus Foundation, The Illinois Arts Council, City of Chicago’s City Arts Fund, the Elliott Fredland Charitable Trust, Proud to Run, The Pauls Foundation, The Heath Fund, The Service Club of Chicago, the AmazonSmile Foundation, Arts and Business Foundation, Tap Root Foundation, Arts and Business Council, and Alphawood Foundation.
PrideArts is a member of the Smart Growth Program of the Chicago Community Trust. PrideArts is a member of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, Northalsted Business Association, Uptown United, and The League of Chicago Theatres.
For more information and to donate, visit www.pridearts.org or call 1.773 857 0222.