Chicago Street Theatre is hosting a weekend of incredible LIVE events this weekend with the the dark comedy The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh continuing its run this Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and a matinee Sunday at 2:30 PM. The theatre is also excited to present "Rock Legend" Jim Peterik: Music and Stories as part of their One Night Jam concert series on Sunday at 7 PM. Tickets for both events are available online at ChicagoStreet.org and by calling CST's Box Office at 219-464-1636 Ext 1.
Audiences last weekend raved about the compelling performances in McDonagh's play saying that the "funny, moving, and tragic story" is the type of work that Chicago Street "does better than any other group in the region." The play runs through Saturday, February 15 and is intended for mature audiences.
The Beauty Queen of Leenane tells the story of an Irish spinster, Maureen, who gives up her dreams of finding love and leaving Leenane, in County Galway, to care for her manipulative mother, Mag. Pato, gentleman caller from Maureen's past, arrives giving her hopes of escaping the path she has taken. Directors Traci Brant and Jonni Pera have assembled an amazing cast of Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano, Tim Gleason, Sheri Nash Braun and Tom O'Neill for this intense theatrical experience by the writer/director of the films In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths.
Speaking of great writers, Grammy Award-winning song writer Jim Peterik will also be part of the incredible weekend plans at Chicago Street. Audiences will thrill to the music and stories from this artist whose career spans three decades with hit songs for the bands The Ides of March, Survivor, .38 Special, Pride of Lions and solo artists like Sammy Hagar. This One Night Jam offers an accoustic concert featuring songs like "Vehicle", "Eye of the Tiger", "Heavy Metal", "Hold On Loosely", "High On You" and more along with the stories behind these rock favorites. One Night Jam frequently provides music lovers with these intimate concerts that are a cross between MTV's Unplugged and VH1's Storytellers and Legends. Peterik has been one the the series' favorites since the concerts began back in 2001.
"It's hard to find anyone who hasn't heard at least one of JP's songs," says Paul Braun, who acts as promoter for the series, " He has influenced generations of musicians and worked with many of the biggest names in the recording industry."
Eric Brant, Director of Marketing says that he hopes that the weather doesn't detour people from seeing these two outstanding events. Of The Beauty Queen of Leenane, he added he feels strongly that there are audiences who will love seeing this kind of fearless theatre based on the popularity of TV shows like Mad Men or Breaking Bad. "It's edgy and in your face. From moment to moment the actor's create scenes that are hilarious, heartbreaking and terrifying. McDonagh's dialogue is so observant and smartly written," said Brant, "If you love Tarantino or Coen Brothers movies, this play is right up your alley."