Chicago After Dark - Chicago - page 154

humorous modern recasting of Ovid's myths that became a hit in
New York, and Lookingglass Alice, an acrobatic retelling of Alice in
Wonderland. Ensemble member Mary Zimmerman—who directed
Metamorphoses —has built a national reputation for her creative
interpretations of literature, so if she's directing a show while you're
in town, don't miss it. 821 N. Michigan Ave. (at Chicago Ave.). & 312/337 -
0665. www.lookingglasstheatre.org. Tickets $25-$55. Subway/El: Red Line to
Chicago.
Neo-Futurists A fixture on Chicago's late-night theater
scene, the Neo-Futurists have been doing their hit Too Much Light
Makes the Baby Go Blind since 1988 (it's now the longest-running
show in Chicago). The setting—a cramped room above a funeral
home—isn't much, but the gimmick is irresistible: Every night the
performers stage a new collection of “30 plays in 60 minutes.” The
“plays” vary from a 3-minute comedy sketch to a lightning-quick
wordless tableau; the mood veers from laugh-out-loud silly to emo-
tionally touching. The show starts at 11:30pm on weekends; get
there about an hour ahead, because seats are first-come, first-served,
and they do sell out. The late-night curtain attracts a younger crowd,
but I've taken 60-something relatives who have had a great time
(unlike many improv comedy troupes, the Neo-Futurists don't rely
on raunchy or gross-out humor). Admission is random: Theatergo-
ers pay $7 plus the roll of a six-sided die. If you want to feel that
you've experienced edgy, low-budget theater—but still want to be
entertained—this is the place to go. 5153 N. Ashland Ave. (at Foster Ave.).
& 773/275 - 5255. www.neofuturists.org. Tickets $8-$13. Subway/El: Red Line to
Berwyn.
Steppenwolf Theatre Company Once a pioneer of bare-bones
guerilla theater, Steppenwolf has moved firmly into the mainstream
with a state-of-the-art theater and production budgets to rival those
in any big city. The company has garnered many national awards and
has launched the careers of several respected and well-known actors,
including John Malkovich, Gary Sinise, Joan Allen, John Mahoney
(of Frasier ), and Laurie Metcalf (of Roseanne ). Famous for pioneer-
ing the edgy, “rock 'n' roll,” spleen-venting style of Chicago acting in
the 1970s and '80s, Steppenwolf lately has become a victim of its
own success. No longer a scrappy storefront theater, it now stages
world premieres by emerging playwrights, revivals of classics, and
adaptations of well-known literary works. While the acting is always
high caliber, shows can be hit-or-miss, and unlike in the early days,
you're not guaranteed a thrilling experience.

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