Citing scheduling problems, producers of “Kiss of the Spider Woman” are canceling the final two performances of the show’s engagement at the Chicago Theatre. The show will now close Sunday and drop performances set for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Though there’s no official word on Chita Rivera’s hope to return for final performances, that now appears extremely unlikely. Carol Lawrence will probably finish the run through Sunday. For rescheduling or refunds for the canceled shows, patrons must return to the point of purchase.
– The National Jewish Theatre will probably return in some form next season after all, board member Joyce Sloane has confirmed. After officials announced last spring that the theater would be ceasing operation, supporters have deluged its board with interest. “We can get the financial support” to stay alive, Sloane said.
The theater’s board will meet with the board of the Jewish Community Centers later this month to learn if the theater can remain in its longtime home at the Mayer Kaplan Center in Skokie. Otherwise, said Sloane, “we’ll find a home in any case.”
– Wisdom Bridge is postponing plans to produce “Falsettos,” the combined version of two William Finn musicals, at the Ivanhoe Theatre.
Producing director Jeffrey Ortmann still hopes to mount the show, possibly sometime next season.
Meanwhile, as Wisdom Bridge’s fourth and final offering this season at the Ivanhoe, Wisdom Bridge and its longtime affiliate, Center Theater, are co-producing the Chicago premiere of John Patrick Shanley’s acclaimed comedy “Four Dogs and a Bone,” opening June 20 at 650 W. Wellington Ave. Center Theater artistic director Dan LaMorte will direct.
Center is also changing its name to the Center Theater Ensemble and plans to relocate future productions away from its home at 1346 W. Devon Ave., which will continue as Center’s Training Center and studio headquarters. The building’s 75-seat theater has simply become too small for the troupe, which in recent years has been operating with Equity contracts.
Wisdom Bridge, meanwhile, closes “Side by Side by Sondheim” Saturday and is negotiating with the Ivanhoe about returning next season.
For tickets to “Four Dogs and a Bone,” call 312-975-7171.
