THEO UBIQUE ANNOUNCES FOUR PRODUCTIONS IN 2011/12 SEASON
Chicago, March 14, 2010 – Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre announces the four productions comprising its 2011/12 season, which is the seventh season performing at the No Exit Café. The line-up is a mix of revues and musicals known for the award-winning and critically acclaimed theatre company.
Next season’s productions are: “Starting Here, Starting Now,” in the fall running September 25-November 6; “Pump Boys and Dinettes,” in the winter running November 27-January 1, 2012; “Light in the Piazza” for the spring running March 11-April 29, 2012, and “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” in summer running June 10-July 22, 2012.
Theo Ubique is finishing its 2010/11 season with “Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein,” a revue 36 songs from 10 musicals that opens Monday night and runs through April 30, and “The George M. Cohan Revue” running May 13-July 3.
The following is a synopsis of productions for the 2011/12 season:
Starting Here, Starting Now By Richard Maltby and David Shire First produced in 1976, this revue features typical Maltby and Shire “story songs” where each is a mini-drama. The first act explores the humorous and joyful, yet melancholy and angry ups and downs of city romances. The second act (aptly named) features songs to explore people who have a chance at a new start after unlucky experiences in love and life.
Pump Boys and Dinettes Conceived and written by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann Developed by the performing group of the same name, the musical takes place somewhere between Frog Level and Smyrna, NC and first hit Broadway in 1982 and later had a long run in Chicago. It features country rock music that tells the story of four men who work at a gas station and two waitresses at the Double Cupp Diner.
Light in the Piazza Book by Craig Lucas Music & Lyrics by Adam Guettel Set in Florence and Rome in 1953, a young American tourist traveling with her mother meets and falls for a young Italian. The mother opposes the affair for reasons that only gradually become apparent as the musical unfolds. Music and lyrics are by the grandson of Richard Rodgers. Based on the novella by Elizabeth Spencer, it was developed at the Intiman Playhouse in Seattle in 2003, then played at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago in 2004 before moving to Broadway in 2005.
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do Book by Eric Jackson and Ben H. Winters Music by Neil Sedaka and lyrics by Neil Sedaka, Howard Greenfield and Philip Cody For fun summer fare, this musical showcases the many favorites in the 1950s, 60s and 70s of singer-songwriter teen idol Neil Sedaka with the songs providing the framework for the story. Many of the Top 40 songs from his early years are: The Diary (his first), Where the Boys Are, Stupid Cupid, Calendar Girl, Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen and the title song. Songs from Sedaka’s come-back years in the 1970s include Solitaire, Laughter in the Rain, Love Will Keep Us Together, The Hungry Years and a duet of Little Devil/Stairway to Heaven.
Founded in 1997 by Fred Anzevino, Artistic Director, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre is a Rogers Park-based cabaret-theatre company. It initially began performing at the Heartland Studio, producing an array of straight drama, comedy and musicals. When it incorporated in 2004, Anzevino started the cabaret theatre trend in the Chicago area when it began producing musicals and revues at Michael James’ No Exit Café—its home since then.
During its 14-year history, Theo Ubique has produced 35 productions (including its current revue) and received 25 Jeff Awards Non-Equity, 3 BroadwayWorld Chicago Fan Awards and 3 After Dark Awards. The name Theo Ubique (pronounced thee-oh oo-bah-kway) is a combination of Greek and Latin words reflecting the company’s mission to engage actors and audiences in an intimate and honest conversation with great theatrical and musical works. Visit the web site at www.theoubique.org
