This annual showcase of experimental theater, performance, and music from Chicago’s fringe, coproduced by Curious Theatre Branch and Prop Thtr, runs through 11/4. This year features two full-length trilogies, “The Madelyn Trilogy” by Beau O’Reilly and the “Danger Face Trilogy” by Idris Goodwin. Admission is $15 or “pay what you can,” except where noted. Performances take place at the Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston, and the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, and elsewhere as noted below. An installation by Jamie Rey, Reconciliation, will be up in the Prop’s lobby for the course of the festival, along with a display of memorabilia of early off-Loop theater curated by Rick Paul. For information and reservations, call 773-539-7838 or visit rhinofest.com. Following is a schedule of shows opening through 9/6; a complete schedule is available at chicagoreader.com.
RThe McGuffins Run the 440 “The Madelyn Trilogy” continues the tale of the McGuffin siblings. This spare, efficient play is nearly perfect. I can’t recall a more satisfying two and a half hours I’ve spent in the theater. (JHa) a Through 10/6: Sat 7 PM, Prop Thtr, north theater. Then Sat 10/20 and 10/27, 7 PM, Athenaeum Theatre. $15; $20 for the full trilogy.
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Hitting the Bricks “The Madelyn Trilogy” concludes. The final play veers toward absurdism. I spent three hours wondering which way was up. (JHa) a Through 10/7: Sun 5 PM, Prop Thtr, north theater. Then Sun 10/21 and 10/28, 7 PM, Athenaeum Theatre. $15; $20 for the full trilogy.
Dream a Little Dream Cholley Kuhaneck’s hour-long show is utterly at odds with itself, veering from nonsensical puppet skit to a bereft research scientist crouched at the bedside of his comatose wife. Tying things together–sort of–is a “professional telepathic dreamer.” It’s a befuddling mix, but there’s no shortage of captivating oddities in this adventurous WNEP Theater production. (JHa) a Through 9/24: Mon 9 PM, Prop Thtr, south theater.
Who’s Afraid of Affirmative Action? Varrick Douglas’s spoof of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? involves an African-American student invited to a professor’s house and offered a chance at a doctoral program. a Through 9/30: Fri 11 PM, Sun 3 PM, Prop Thtr, south theater.
Bad Action Project Course Matt Test cites Plato, the Russian space program, and fantasy sports in his lecture/performance. a 9/24-10/8: Mon 7 PM. Prop Thtr, south theater.
My Pants Are Fire A program of “hyper-vignettes” from the Sansculottes Theater Company. a Through 9/27: Wed-Thu 9 PM. Then Sun 10/7 and 10/14, 3 PM, Athenaeum Theatre.
