Here’s a look at the latest news about suburban authors, actors, artists, musicians and more.
A great sign: Robert Schleifer’s sign language version of Yasmina Reza’s “Art” had a workshop and staged reading on Sept. 17-18 at Steppenwolf Theatre. The Highland Park resident served as co-producer. Schleifer is an actor, instructor and photographer, who has performed with Steppenwolf Theatre, Goodman Theatre and Actors Theatre of Louisville, among others.
Togetherness: Northbrook native Lindsay Pearlman and Buffalo Grove native Stephanie Shum are both cast in The New Colony’s world premiere of “Merge” by Spenser Davis. The fast-paced comedy is centered around the growing 1970s video game industry. Pearlman most recently toured the country with Second City Theatricals’ production of “The Realish Housewives: A Parody.” She won a Jeff Award for actress in a principal role for Polarity Theatre’s “The Bridesmaid.” Shum is managing director of The New Colony as well as an ensemble member with Red Tape Theatre and an artistic associate with Northing Without a Company. “Merge” runs Oct. 8-Nov. 13 at the Den Theatre. For tickets, visit www.thenewcolony.org.
You’ve got to have heart — and soul: You’ll find both of them in the dual exhibit, “Heart and Soul” at Re-invent Gallery of Lake Forest, 202 E. Wisconsin Ave. Featured are works by Maureen Claffy of Hinsdale, a watercolorist who also paints large scale fluid acrylic works on canvas and wood, and Lake Forest resident Diane Feldpausch Tang’s handcrafted memory/healing vessels based on the artist’s personal history. The exhibit is curated by Vickie Marasco of Lake Forest, who curated a show in Waukegan where the two artists first met. The free public opening reception is 6-9 p.m. Friday Oct. 7. For details visit reinventlf.com.
They’re positive: Five individuals and five organizations that have had a positive and significant impact on the arts in Evanston have been nominated for the 2016 Mayor’s Award for the Arts by the City of Evanston. Individual nominees are Gary Geiger, director of the Evanston Children’s Choir; Mike O’Mara, director of etc. Music School; Harvey Pranian, artist and founder of YEA!; Indira Johnson, Evanston artist; and Julie Cowan, Evanston artist and founder of Artruck. Nominated organizations are Mudlark Theater; Evanston Symphony Orchestra; Evanston Children’s Choir; 2nd Act Players; and Foster Dance Studios. The winners will be announced on Thursday, Oct. 6 at the annual A Bright Night for the Arts at the Rotary International Building.
The skies have it: Photos by 16 Wilmette photographers are on display during October in a “Dramatic Skies” exhibit at North Shore Comunity Bank. The exhibit is presented by the Wilmette Human Relations Commission in celebration of Arts Awareness Month. Participating photographers are Patricia Berg-Drazin, Jill Dunbar, Rich Fisher, Therese Bach Heyek, George Hossfeld, Faye Jacobs, Patience Kramer, Beth Lambrecht, Rino Liberatore, Jan Loew, Jerry Loew, Peter Nussbaum, Sarah Rink, Laura Rodriguez, Pat Velasco and Kate White. Pianist and composer Hunter Chang of Wilmette will perform at the opening reception, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6.
