Thursday, August 16, 2012

Friday, I've Got Abbie On My Mind

Photo From The Mary-Arrchie Theatre Facebook page.

Word Of Explanation: My wife Pam and I were vacationing on the French Riviera, which is why there haven't been any posts on Broken Hearted Toy for the past three days. Actually, we were at the Wisconsin Dells. But it was fun.

And now on to today’s post:

The Mary-Arrchie Theatre, located on Chicago’s north side, once again honors the spirit of Woodstock with its annual Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins, a wild weekend of drama, performance art, live music, and comedy. The fun kicks off tomorrow, August 17th at 2:00 PM with a rally at Daley Plaza and runs through Sunday night. Mary-Arrchie Artistic Director Rich Cotovsky, in the guise of the late radical Abbie Hoffman, will lead a march from downtown to the theatre, located near the intersection of Broadway and Sheridan Road. 

Long known for its in-your-face productions, Mary-Arrchie launched the first Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins Festival back in 1989, and has hosted the freewheeling event every year since. Several local  groups and solo artists will be involved. Performances begin at 7:00 PM.  Here’s a rundown of Friday’s activities.

2:00 PM Gathering at Daley Plaza Cotovsky has always insisted the rally and march are essential elements of the festival’s counter-culture vibe. Free spirits who enjoy a long walk are welcome to throw on some vintage hippie threads and join in the fun.

3:00 PM March from Daley Plaza to Angel Island

7:00 PM Opening Ceremonies Cotovsky has been impersonating the late Yippie founder for close to 25 years and always gets the festival off to a rousing start. Half the fun is watching the audience react to his rants and comic observations on the current political landscape.

7:15 PM Violent Dissonance by Gregory Peters - Ludamus

7:30  PM 12 Jackets by Matt Rieger - Curious Theatre Branch

8: 00 PM Diary of a Madman by Nikolai Gogol - Rush Pearson One of the must-see productions at this festival. Pearson can be both heartbreaking and hilarious as he chronicles the dementia of a 19th Century Russian civil servant, in Gogol’s critically acclaimed one-man play.

9:00 PM 80 Liters by John Irish - John Irish

9:30 PM The Naked Lady by Jessica Wright Buha  - Tempting Fates

9:40 PM L’il Howlin’ Wolf Veteran blues singer takes a down and dirty approach to performing. Not for kids or the easily offended.

9:50 PM Spa Fire book and score by Underscore Theatre Co. - The EX-Pats Theatre Company

10:20 PM Gas Mask 101 by Arlene Cook-Mary - Arrchie Theatre Co. Cook’s poignant comedic look at SUI students back in the Viet Nam era.

11:10 PM Shed by Gaby Labotka  - The Living Canvas

11:20 PM Red Over Red - En Solo

12:20 AM  Triple Tap To The Head: 3 Easy Pieces - The Factory Theater

1:00 AM If You Like It Then You Should’a Put Some Gin In It by Tori Allen - The RIFF Collective

2:00 AM The Business Presents: A Sketch Review - The Business

2:40 AM Cpt. Captain - Music

3:30 AM A Scene From Box of Wind by Eric Shoemaker - The Ta Pyra Ensemble

3:55 AM Wild Dogs by Matt Borczon - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co. This comedy/drama is a showcase for Cotovsky, who portrays a deranged loner who meets an uptight businessman. The pair become uneasy allies after a bout of heavy drinking and fighting.

4:25 AM CRAIG AND CARLO DRINK MANHATTANS

4:40 AM  Dreaming by Jessica Wright Buha

5:10 AM. Spa Fire book and score by Underscore Theatre Co. - The EX-Pats Theatre Company

7:00 AM

8:00 AM Militia Slumber Party or Embracing the New World Order by Crystal Jackson
 All Fired Up by John Bohane and Once Upon an “F”ing Island by Jay C. Rehak-Revolution Theater Co.

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