Produced by Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Company in association with Michael James

The Taming of the Shrew

August 28 – October 4, 2009

Directed by Nick Minas

Play by William Shakespeare

The Taming of the Shrew is a Shakespeare comedy written between 1590 and 1594.  The main plot depicts the courtship of Petruchio, a gentleman of Verona, and Katherina, the headstrong, obdurate shrew.   Initially, Katherina is an unwilling participant in the relationship, but Petruchio tempers her with various psychological torments – the “taming” – until she is an obedient bride.  The play’s misogynic theme is political incorrect for today’s sensibilities, but turning it into a farce as commedia d’elle art and some gender-bender casting presents the play in a totally different light. [ More... ]

Man of La Mancha

October 20 – November 22, 2009

Extended thru December 20

Directed by David Heimann

Book by Dale Wasserman

Lyrics by Joel Darion

Music by Mitch Leigh

Original Broadway co-producer and 1966 Tony Award winner for Best Musical was Hal James, father of Michael James.

The original musical, Man of La Mancha, about gallantry, chivalry and hope takes place in a Spanish prison, where Miguel de Cervantes (novelist of The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha) tells and performs the story of Don Quixote with his fellow prisoners as he awaits a hearing with the Spanish Inquisition.  The Theo Ubique version updates the set in a contemporary mental institution, where a person thinking she is Cervantes is admitted and tells the story of Don Quixote, making it a play within a play within a play.  The Impossible Dream from the musical’s song list became a classic. [More... ]

Chess

March 7 – April 25, 2010

Co-directed by Fred Anzevino and Brenda Didier

Choreography by Brenda Didier

Music Direction by Ryan Brewster

Lyrics by Tim Rice

Music by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, formerly of ABBA

Music by former ABBA members, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson

Book by Richard Nelson

Chess involves a romantic triangle between two top players, an American and a Russian, in a world chess championship, and a woman who manages one and falls in love with the other.  The subtext of the play is the Cold War struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union.  The concept album was released in 1984, and the musical production originally opened in London in 1986.  A much altered Broadway production opened in 1988.  The rock musical became a cult classic, and One Night in Bangkok was released as a single in 1984 and became a world-wide hit. [ More... ]

Thank you to the Illinois Chess Association for assistance with counsel, props, chess blitzes and talk-back session for our production of Chess.