Theatre on the Lake

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It happens to the best of us. We miss shows. Not a week goes by when some culturally aware friend doesn’t remind us of a fantastic theatrical event that has just closed. And the warm weather hardly helps, with road trips and lakefront breezes wooing us away from the indoor arts.

Theater on the Lake understands this. In a city of busy people and oodles of theater, Theater on the Lake offers Chicagoans a second chance to catch some of the year’s top productions – this time in an idyllic summer setting. With eight edgy, off-Loop shows in its 57^th season, Theater on the Lake 2009 promises a must-see roster of storefront on the waterfront.

The diverse season kicks off with Collaboraction’s world premier production of Jon, which the Tribune called a “sensorial spectacle.” Two family-oriented productions – from Barrel of Monkeys and Redmoon Theater – welcome children ages six and up to Theater on the Lake for the first time. In comedy, there’s The Improvised Shakespeare Company, a crowd favorite at IO; and Eclipse Theatre Company, performing Neil Simon’s beloved Plaza Suite. And we must have music: Theo Ubique Theatre Company will remount its sold-out revue, Jacques Brel’s Lonesome Loser of the Night.

Adding grittier realism to the line-up are two socially conscious dramas. The Artistic Home’s Juno and the Paycock explores issues of the Irish working class, while Rivendell Theatre Ensemble’s These Shining Lives deals with poisoned factory workers known to history as the “Radium Girls.”

Below is a list of production dates. Each show gets just five performances, people, so mark your calendar now and don’t blow this. Second chances and warm weather don’t come often in this town.

Theater on the Lake 2009:

June 17 – 21: Collaboraction Theater Company

Jon by George Saunders

Directed by Seth Bockley

June 24 – 28: Redmoon Theater

Once Upon a Time (or the Secret Language of Birds) by Joe Meno

Directed by Frank Maugeri

July 1 – 5: The Improvised Shakespeare Company

July 8-12: Theo Ubique Theatre Company

Jacques Brel’s Lonesome Loser of the Night

Directed by Fred Anzevino

July 15-19: Rivendell Theatre Ensemble

These Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich

Directed by Rachel Walshe

July 22-26: Barrel of Monkeys

Fun O’Clock: A Very Special “That’s Weird Grandma”

Directed by Luke Hatton

July 29-August 2: The Artistic Home

Juno and the Paycock by Sean O’Casey

Directed by John Mossman

August 5-9: Eclipse Theatre Company

Plaza Suite by Neil Simon

Directed by Steve Scott

Theater on the Lake is located at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Michigan, in Lincoln Park.

All shows Weds – Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 6:30 pm.

Tickets $17.50 or $110 for an 8-show season pass.

Box Office: 312.742.7994

Visit Theater on the Lake’s event calendar here.