The Joffrey Ballet will present three new works and a special revival on April 29, the opening night of its engagement, which extends through May 3 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy.
On the program is ”Light Field” and ”Structure,” both by Laura Dean;
”Moon of the Falling Leaves,” by Peter Pucci, formerly of Pilobolus and now head of his own troupe; and a revival of ”Drums, Dreams and Banjos,”
Gerald Arpino`s bicentennial ballet. Arpino`s neo-Romantic ”Birthday Variations” will complete the evening`s lineup.
The new works have been commissioned by Michel Roux, president and chief executive officer of Carillon Importers. This is the second season of new works for the Joffrey sponsored by Roux, in what`s turning out to be a generous and productive partnership.
Dean, who gave the Joffrey a stunning 1986 piece, ”Force Field,” this time is offering two works to scores by Glenn Branca, with a balletic pattern inspired by light. ”Moon” is a dance for four men and an homage to American Indians. Arpino`s ”Drums,” to be seen for the first time in 15 years, is based on music by Stephen Fos- ter, with variations by Peter Link, and is a collage of images recalling 19th Century American life.
The engagement will include revivals of the late Edward Stierle`s
”Empyrean Dances,” Paul Taylor`s ”Arden Court,” George Balanchine`s
”Tarantella” and Robert Joffrey`s ”Postcards.” For ticket information, call 312-902-1500.
– Perhaps it was inevitable, and perhaps Xsight!, Chicago`s zany choreographic team, was destined to do it. ”Who`s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?-The Dance” will get its world premiere from the group Feb. 28 at the Josephine Louis Theatre at Northwestern University in Evanston.
The adaptation of Edward Albee`s classic is a collaborative effort and will feature Brian Jeffery, Timothy O`Slynne, Mary Ward and Holly Quinn. For tickets: 708-491-7282.
– Single tickets are on sale for ”Bye Bye Birdie,” the revival of the classic musical about a small town besieged with Elvis-like mania, starring Tommy Tune and Marilyn Cooper and playing March 24 through April 11 at the Auditorium, 50 E. Congress Pkwy.
The director is Gene Saks, who did ”Lost in Yonkers” and a host of other Neil Simon Broadway hits. For tickets: 312-902-1500.
– Cloud 42, a troupe that has scored well in the past with such shows as
”B-Plays in Rep,” ”Childe Byron” and ”Degenerate Art,” is offering its first complete, three-part season.
The lineup features ”Zero Positive,” the Chicago premiere of Harry Kondoleon`s drama about a young man and woman who test positive for the HIV virus, opening March 9 at the Theatre Building; ”The Mousetrap,” Agatha Christie`s marathon-running London hit, to be staged ”in the heightened yet reverent style” of ”B-Plays,” which featured drag performances, in late July; and (tentatively) Australian dramatist Billy Marshall-Stoneking`s
”Sixteen Words for Water,” a visit with poet Ezra Pound as he awaits his trial for treason, in November. Theaters for the latter two shows will be announced later. For more information: 312-327-5252.
– ”The Chris Hogan Show,” the unusual improvisational offering with a cast of two quirky, affable performers each night, has been extended through March 1 at the Organic Theater Greenhouse, 3319 N. Clark St. For tickets:
312-327-5588.
– Rising young playwright Keith Huff has been awarded the first $5,000 Cunningham Prize for Playwrighting from the Theatre School, De Paul University.
Huff`s winning entry, ”The Mud People,” was developed at the Eugene O`Neill Theatre Center`s National Playwrights Conference and has been staged or presented in workshops in Long Beach, Calif.; Washington, D.C.; and New Rochelle, N.Y. It was also included in the Florida Studio Theatre`s 1991 National Playwrights Festival.
