Marie Osmond and her brother Donny will be on separate but equal stages for a brief time this spring when she arrives as Maria von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” April 12 to 17 at Arie Crown Theatre.
Donny is scheduled to continue his long run in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the nearby Chicago Theatre through her visit. “Music,” in a production directed by lyricist Oscar Hammerstein’s son, James, joins two other shows in a musical series at Arie Crown: “Evita” March 15 through 20, and “Cats” June 7 through 12. JAM Productions and Baci Management are presenting the series. For “Evita” tickets (now on sale) and “Music” tickets (on sale beginning Sunday), call 312-902-1500. “Cats” tickets go on sale later.
– Wisdom Bridge producing director Jeffrey Ortmann reports that there’s now a specific timetable for the opening of its future home in the new complex planned in Skokie.
Ortmann says the $13.6-million project is expected to break ground late this summer on the site next to the North Shore Hilton, 9599 Skokie Blvd. The project, which will feature an 800-seat proscenium theater and a larger, more flexible performance area as well, should be completed in time for a March, 1996, opening.
“It’s taking a little longer than we thought, but we’re now far enough along to actually pinpoint specific dates for the first time,” Ortmann said. “The best news is that the money is secured and in place.”
Funding comes from the Village of Skokie and the State of Illinois, which committed its money late last year, Ortmann said. Graham Gund and Associates, a Cambridge, Mass., firm, has been named as architects.
– Yvonne Rainer, a major figure in modern dance, will present a lecture at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Arts Club of Chicago, 109 E. Ontario St.
Rainer, one of the co-founders of the Judson Dance Theatre, has been a choreographer of note since 1960. In recent years, she has been integrating slides and short films into her performances. The lecture is free, but reservations are suggested; call 312-787-3997.
– Here’s news on two works that originated in Chicago: “Wings,” the stirring musical version of Arthur Kopit’s drama first presented by the Goodman Theatre, is in production through March 20 at the Pittsburgh Public Theater. Steve Martin’s “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” a runaway hit earlier this season at Steppenwolf Theatre, will be in production in repertory beginning April 28 in the “New Stages” series at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Mass.
