Return to live performance in the fresh air | Performing arts feature

In the past few weeks, the theater has begun sending announcements that it is ready to reopen. Second city Already welcome the audience Happy to be here With the main stage Out of the house party In the second city etc. a good man Plan to open that door Joslimbioof School Girls; Or African Mean Girls Play, directed by Lilian Brown, July 30th. (The show was previewed in March 2020, when the COVID shutdown occurred, and the performance recorded from its truncated run was available as a streaming show for some time last year.) Teatro ZinZanni Open new Circus Dinner Theater Festival July 8th, for those who are ready for both indoor dining and entertainment under the big top. (The company will perform in a Spiegel tent decorated with mirrors and chandeliers in the downtown Cambria Hotel.)

But if you’re still a little hesitant to sit close to a stranger inside, or if you want to take in vitamin D (or starlight) and fresh air and enjoy entertainment, there are some good outdoor options. For theater and dance performances in the coming weeks. Some of these require advance reservations, even if the event is free, as social distance is valid. (Bring a mask even if you are wearing a full mask.) Please check with the company in advance about seating arrangements, policies regarding bringing food and drink outdoors, and accessibility for people with disabilities. I recommend it. With a little planning, there’s no reason why you can’t get away from the screen and enjoy a live performance with fellow theater and dance fans. (Oh, by the way, it’s not a bad idea to keep your little fan cool.)

Night out in the park and Summer Dance

The Chicago Park District program offers free city-wide performances featuring a variety of artists, allowing you to stand up (or at least dance in your seat). Every Friday from 6pm to 10pm, there is a lineup of “Stepping at Seward”, a community dance event with DJs at Seward Park, and a “Dance in the Parks” program by local professionals and young artists. Summer Dance, which offers live music and dance (including instruction) in the city’s parks, will also be held this year. Night out in the park, until 8/27, chicagoparkdistrict.comSummerDance, 8 / 18-9 / 15, ChicagoSummerDance.org..

transceiver

The Chicago Children’s Theater continues its podcast walking tour with families in different regions, with stories created by a team of artists explaining the history, culture, and natural environment of places like Horner Park, South Shore, and Little Village. It offers. Each episode lasts less than an hour and comes with an interactive map and other rich activities. Until 12/31 chicagochildrenstheatre.org..

Wave wall moves

June is Chicago Dance Month, but this pop-up series of free performances and classes at Navy Pier Watch Chicago Dance, Runs every Saturday at 3:00 pm throughout the summer.Among the participating companies is the Afro Latin Jazz Group Desueño dance (7/24) and hip hop group Culture shock Chicago (8/14). Until September 4, Navy Pier, seechicagodance.com..

Tully’s Folly

This 1980 Pulitzer Prize-winning work by Lanford Wilson is the first of his famous “Tally Trilogy” and is actually installed outdoors. The 1940s boathouse in Lebanon, Missouri, is likely to be between Sally Tally, the daughter of a conservative Protestant “unmarried”, and Matt Friedman, an eccentric Jewish accountant and immigrant who persuades Sally. No romance background.Glenview’s Oil Lamp Theater offers proper outdoor production by the director Tad Ingram.. St. David Episcopal Church, Glenview, 6 / 17-7 / 18, oillamptheater.org..

Legends of the 50’s and 60’s: Greatest Hits

Music Theater Works (formerly known as Light Opera Works) announced last summer that it would move from its long-standing home at Northwestern University’s Khan Auditorium to Skokie’s North Shore Performing Arts Center. The move was staged in the center’s “Outback” parking lot and featured hits that delighted the crowd from Aretha Franklin, Buddy and others (usually rare for a company producing classical musicals with a full orchestra). Start Holly, Doris Day, The Supremes and more. Kyle Dugan And Martin L. Woods Co-director. North Shore Performing Arts Center, Skokie, 6 / 18-6 / 27, musictheaterworks.com..

Tempest

The Oak Park Festival Theater has been performing Shakespeare and other
classics outdoors since 1975, except last summer. It seems somehow appropriate for them to return with the slow romance of bards about magic, redemption, and love.The story also touches on colonialism and prejudice — aspects of its director Barbara Zahora It suggests that her staging will be the focus. Austin Gardens, Oak Park, 7 / 15-8 / 21, oakparkfestival.com..

Changes in the sea

The Cabinet of Curiosities utilizes the talents of playwrights, composers, lyricists, and puppet shows for the anthology of this short piece celebrating “The Power of the Sea and the God of Women.”Offerings include: Lindino El Whitingof Whale song (“A simple musical about not killing whales”); Mermaid tail (if there is a god), Along Bethany Thomas (Music and lyrics Liz Chidester), About the mermaid who “wrestles with the existence in the world that men imagine”. More Along Casey Foster, Feeding frenzy sharks get advice from the moon.And Seth Bockleyof Observatory, Installed in the crow’s nest on the ship. BRNDHAUS PL-ZEN, 7/15 ~ 7/25, cocechicago.com..

Broadway in your backyard

The Porch Light Music Theater hosts a tour show featuring Great Whiteway favorites featuring longtime porch light veterinarians Nik Kmiecik, Michelle Lauto, Lorenzo Rush Jr. and Bethany Thomas. All performances are free except the North Shore Center. Washington Square Park, 7/18; Wells Park, 8/3; North Shore Performing Arts Center (Parking Lot), 8/7; Sydney Epstein Youth Center, 8/28, porchlightmusictheatre.org..

Spring celebration

The Chicago Repertory Ballet is a ticketed outdoor performance at Cricket Hill in Montrose Harbor, reviving the interpretation of artistic director Wadeshaf of the classic Ballets Russes work composed by Igor Stravinsky. The company warns that some material may not be suitable for younger viewers. Montrose Harbor, 7 / 23-7 / 25, chicagorepertoryballet.com..

rent

Possibility Theater Company Formed after closing last year, it made its debut in outdoor production. Noah Haddleof Falling smoke At North Center Town Square.They came back there this summer with the resurrection of later years Jonathan LarsonPuccini’s Rock Musical Update La Boheme, AIDS (and general extreme poverty) was set at another time in the pandemic, threatening the stability of a group of friends of artists on the Lower East Side. North Center Town Square, 8 / 5-8 / 21, possible theater @ gmail.com. v