The Gatekeeper

by Matthew Ducey
directed by Coya Paz

scenic design by Kellen Krause
costume design by Bonnie Kooklin
lighting design by Rob Tolzien
sound design by Shane Kelly
draping/cutting by Hannah Tricamo
stage management by Rose Streit

Attention theatre buffs. Enjoy.

“A coming-of-age story set in a small suburban town in Ohio, the gatekeeper follows four friends at the crossroads of loss and love as unexpected events unfold in the summer after high school graduation. With bright light bulbs in the sky and a teenage version of a childhood fort, Ducey’s new play tackles memory and things left unsaid.”

The cast features Kyle Wallace (Ricky), Katherine Cobb (Kate), Hudsen Schuchart (Ben), Arthur Soria (Dan), Pascuala Mayorga (Arcelia).

*Note: This production is free and open to the public. Reservations are strongly suggested to guarantee seating. Box Office: (312) 922-1999

*Cost:  Frugal Free! (Check above note).
What: The Gatekeeper. A play by Matthew Ducey.
When: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Athenaeum Studio Three, 2936 N. Southport Avenue (between George St & Lincoln Ave), Chicago.
Neighborhood: Lakeview
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Contact: Box Office: (312) 922-1999
Website: The Theatre School :: New Playwrights Series
Duration:7:30 p.m - 8:30 p.m (approximately).
Getting There: Via CTA Brown and Purple lines : Exit at Wellington, walk west on Wellington to Southport Avenue, then turn left and walk south on Southport 1/2 block to the Athenaeum Theatre building, on your right past the church on the corner.

Once again, Chicago Danceworks offers the Monday dance fix I so need.  Enjoy today’s hour long event where choreographers  show their work, create a forum for dialogue among artists, and build a Chicago audience for dance. I hope to see you there.

“Inspired by the concept of open-mic night, Dance Chance is held once a month and features 3 choreographers chosen by chance, each of whom has a 15-minute time slot to share their work. To round out the hour, the final 15-minute segment is a moderated meet-the-artist session providing an opportunity for choreographers to discuss their work and process as well as time for the audience to ask questions. At the end of each Dance Chance, the next trio of participants is chosen from names submitted by choreographers in attendance. The event, held in the intimate theater of the Ruth Page Center, 1016 N. Dearborn, is open to the public. Pay-what-you-can, minimum $2 donation.”

Presenting work on Monday, May 11, from 6:00pm-7:00pm will be the following group of Dance Chance choreographers:

• Cecilia Ferguson-Bell
• Jamie Salas
• Karla Beltchenko

Guest Moderator: Tobin Del Cuore, Independent Artist

*Note: The suggest a minimum of $2, but admission is a “suggested donation.” So don’t feel pressured, pay-what-you-can. Keep in mind, most Chicago area dance performances cost an arm and a leg, so it’s nice to attend one that doesn’t. Support the arts in a frugal way. $2 is a great price for supporting Chicago Dance. *

*Cost:  Frugal Free! (Check above note).
What: Danceworks Chicago: Dance Chance, dance performance and more.
When: Monday, May 11, 2009, 6 - 7 p.m.
Where: Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Parkway, Chicago.
Neighborhood: Gold Coast
Time: 6 -7 p.m.
Contact: 312.337.6543
Website: Danceworks Chicago and Ruth Page Center for the Arts
Duration: 6 - 7 p.m
Getting There: The Ruth Page Center for Arts is located just steps from Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile.  An adjacent lot provides parking for students and guests, making access to The Center easy and convenient. A public lot is also available directly behind the Center - located at 1025 N. Clark Street, for a reduced rate with our stamp.  Frugal Way - The Ruth Page Center is near the Red Line (Rapid Transit) and the Clark 22), Broadway (36). CTA/”L”- Clark/Division redline.

I can’t get enough of Bare Boned Theatre’s ongoing serial - The Ville.  My only question is, can gays be too funny? Hmm…it’s possible.  Don’t miss tonight’s performance. Episode two of season three.  Enjoy Hamburger (or is it Hamburglar) Mary’s grub and then split a gut or two watching gays waxing sudsy. Now in gaynicolor!

*Cost:  $10 for an hour of sudsy hilarity.*
What: Season 3 of ‘The Ville’ GLBT Soap Opera at Hamburger Mary’s.
When: Monday, May 11, 2009, 8 p.m.
Where:Upstairs at Hamburger Mary’s, 5400 N Clark St (between Balmoral Ave & Rascher Ave), Chicago.
Neighborhood: Andersonville
Time: 8 - 9 p.m.
Contact: 773-784-6969
Website: Bare Boned Theatre
Duration: 8 - 9 p.m
Getting There: Bus - Clark 22 (drops you in front of building).

I like odd people saying strange things after 10 p.m, especially on Mondays. If you do too, visit Weeds for their Monday night funny fright fest - or commonly known as - Weed’s Poetry Night.

Cost: Frugal Free!
What: Weeds poetry & open mic night.
When: Monday, May 11, 2009, 10:30 p.m. (Ongoing - Every Monday).
Where: Weeds, 1555 N Dayton St (at Weed St)(between Clybourn Ave & North Ave), Chicago.
Neighborhood: Old Town/River North
Time: 10:30 p.m.
Contact: (312) 943-7815
Website: Weeds
Duration: Until the interest peters out or until the funny stops.
Getting There: ‘L’: Red to North/Clybourn. Bus: 8, 72

Cost: Frugal $5
What: Movie - The Red Balloon.
When: Tuesday, May 5, 2009,  7 p.m.
Where: Doc Films (University of Chicago), Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall at The University of Chicago (1212 East 59th St., Chicago, IL 60637).
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Time: 7 p.m.
Contact: 773-702-8575
Website: Doc Films (University of Chicago)
Duration: 59 minutes.
Getting There: CTA bus #6 (Jackson Park Express) will take you from downtown Chicago to Hyde Park. Catch the bus southbound on State Street in the Loop. Get off at 59th Street, walk under the train tracks, and continue west to Ida Noyes Hall. You can also catch the Metra Electric commuter train at the Randolph, Van Buren, or Roosevelt station. Get off at 59th Street and walk west to Ida Noyes Hall. On-street parking is available on the Midway Plaisance and on 59th Street. PARKING - All University parking lots are FREE and open to the public on weekdays after 4 p.m. and at all times on Saturday and Sunday.

[ May 4, 2009; ]

Uhm, not quite. Backgammon is a rockin’ game full of strategy, fun, and feigning ignorance when you ‘accidentally’ knock over the board.  Be sure to join the  Chicago Backgammon Association tonight as they host lessons for beginners and advanced players. Plus, the Parthenon restaurant’s delicious smells are free.

Cost: Frugal Free!
What: Chicago Backgammon Association [...]

[ May 1, 2009; ]

Lenore Skenazy. You either love her and want to pump your fist in the air after everything she says, or you want to wring her neck. Either way, don’t miss her tonight at the Bookcellar. Skenazy is the mother who let her 9-year-old son ride the NYC home - alone. Lenore Skenazy is on a [...]

[ April 29, 2009; ]
Here it goes. You love books. You love fascism. Put them together and you’ve got Fahrenheit 451. A 1960’s cautionary tale about fascist’s who love books so very much that they don’t want anyone to read them. Ever, least you get into your head unsavory ideas like freedom, liberty, etc.  So bring your independent streak, [...]

[ April 24, 2009; ]
Recessionary times call for recessionary eats. Lucky for us these eats can also be delicious, cheap, and plentiful. Restaurants are hurting. They know we’re brown bagging it until we see the light at the end of the recessionary tunnel.  So get thy self (wasn’t Shakespeare talk day yesterday?) to Big Bowl on E. Ohio. Now [...]

[ April 17, 2009; ]

Uhm, it’s happy hour. Enjoy.

Cost:  Frugal Free! (keep it free and frugal by drinking water or a small non-alcoholic drink).
When: Friday, April 17, 2009.
Where: Kincade’s Bar and Grill, 950 West Armitage (at Bissell St), Chicago.
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park/DePaul
Time: 5 - 7 p.m.
Contact: 773-348-0010
Website: Kincade’s
Duration: 5 - 7 p.m., Friday evening happy hour.