Monday, May 31, 2004

 
Actors' Equity talks focus on nonunion tours:
The contract between the union and the League of American Theatres and Producers expires June 27 and the two sides have been meeting regularly since April 1 to resolve the touring matter and other issues, most notably, rising health-care costs.
Equity still dominates the road but in recent years, nonunion tours, which are cheaper to produce, have been gaining strength
(from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).

Monday, May 24, 2004

 
A film here in June:
Dee Dee Rutherford, the third film from Bob Brown and Jeff Daniels' Purple Rose Films, shoots here in June
(from ReelChicago.com).

Tuesday, May 18, 2004

 
Safety cables save lives:
Up to 15 people were hurt when a chandelier came loose and part of the ceiling fell down at a theatre in London's West End.
The chandelier dropped about four feet from the ceiling but was stopped from plunging into the audience by its safety rope
(from BBC).

Sunday, May 16, 2004

 

Friday, May 07, 2004

 
Shubert Theatre is now The LaSalle Bank Theatre:
Going a step further than such corporate naming deals as the Cadillac Palace Theatre and the Ford Center for the Performing Arts/Oriental Theatre, Broadway in Chicago announced Thursday that Chicago's venerable Shubert Theatre, 22 W. Monroe St., will now be known as The LaSalle Bank Theatre
(from Chicago Tribune).

 
Update on Noble Fool:
A victim of high ticket prices, uncertain artistic content and crippling rent, the Noble Fool Theater Company, has abruptly closed its 2-year-old Loop theater at 16 W. Randolph St., canceling all shows and leaving employees wondering if and when they will see their last paychecks.
Meanwhile, Stan Soroka, senior vice president of Oak Brook Hotels, said Friday that the Pheasant Run resort has "covered the paychecks" of all Noble Fool's St. Charles-based satellite employees, and still plans to present a "full season of Noble Fool productions," even if the downtown premieres are no longer going to happen
(from Chicago Tribune).

Sunday, May 02, 2004

 
Toronto's mayor loves Chicago, and some in Toronto say theatre saved Chicago:
It might be hard to remember these days, but not so very long ago, the city of Chicago was a study in urban blight, rampant crime, and classic big-city stagnation. So what changed in the Second City between the bad old days of the 1980s and today, when Chicago is held up as a shining example of the Great American Metropolis? Much of the city's turnaround can be traced to the arrival in office of a mayor who was determined to rebuild the city as a cultural destination, and more specifically, as the theater capital of America
(from Toronto Star).

 
The Sun-Times reports that The Noble Fool is closing it's loop space. In June I blogged about the Tribune article which reported that:
the [Noble Fool] complex has very small performance spaces - even the mainstage houses only 153 people. And that makes it almost impossible for Noble Fool to make any money.
I don't know the future fate of the spaces at 16 W. Randolph.

Saturday, May 01, 2004

 
The Second City Training Center has a stack of computer equipment that it is trying to give away. This equipment includes monitors and CPUs.  If you would like some or all of this equipment please stop by the Training Center [1608 N. Wells St., Piper's Alley 4th floor] and pick it up.

 
Promotion opprotunity:
We are looking for spokesmodels, managers and talent for an ice cream promotion beginning May 9th in Chicago. Pay is $100/day. Call Cindy at 704-296-0007 or email us at SINRA10@aol.com.
This is all I know about this; caveat actor.

 
Rehearsal Space:
Open Eye's rehearsal space is now available for rent! Affordable rates and great location. Only 2 blocks from the Paulina and Addison brown line. Good street parking. E-mail steverich@emailchicago.com or call Jon 773-510-7748
This is all I know about this; caveat actor (or rather producer).

 
Chicago Community Cinema, a networking event for independent film in Chicago, meets Tuesday, May 4th, at 6:00 PM at Excalibur, 632 N. Dearborn St. (Yahoo map).