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Displaying items by tag: Star Wars

On Monday, May the 4th, Steep Theatre will present the first public staged reading of playwright Dan Aibel's new work The Making, a revisionist retelling of the story behind the film that would become a cultural phenomenon: George Lucas's Star Wars. The reading will be directed by Steep ensemble member Jonathan Berry and will be performed at the Edge Theater in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago. May the 4th is the unofficial international holiday honoring the Star Wars film franchise. 

A history play set in the 1970s, The Making visits husband and wife filmmakers George and Marcia at the beginning of new projects that will shape the creative landscape for a generation. The reading will feature Steep Ensemble Members Nate Faust, Ashlyn Lozano, Peter Moore, and others.

Playwright Dan Aibel's work has been developed and/or produced by American Theater Co., Stage Left Theatre, The New Group, P73, Rattlestick, Sundance, the Detroit Rep, Syracuse Stage and The Commissary with directors Daniel Aukin, Margot Bordelon and James Macdonald among others. A Sundance Theatre Lab fellow, winner of the Eileen Heckart Drama Prize and finalist for the P73 Playwriting Fellowship, the Jerome New York Fellowship and the Princess Grace Award, Dan's plays have been published by Smith & Kraus and Concord Theatricals.

Director Jonathan Berry is the Artistic Director of Raven Theater and served as Artistic Director of The Penobscot Theatre Company in Bangor, Maine, from 2022 to 2025. He is a proud ensemble member of both Steep Theatre and Griffin Theatre and a former Artistic Producer at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Steep Credits include: ParisRed RexEarthquakes in LondonPoshThe Life and Sort of Death of Eric ArgyleIf There Is I Haven't Found it YetThe KnowledgeFestenMoment, The Hollow Lands and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui.  He directed the Steppenwolf productions of: LindiweThe ChildrenYou Got OlderConstellations, and the SYA productions of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NighttimeThe Crucible, and A Separate Peace.  In 25 years, he's directed nearly 100 productions in Chicago. Most recently, he directed the Chicago premiere of Ugly Lies the Bone for Shattered Globe. He has taught acting, directing, and viewpoints at University of Michigan, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Acting Studio Chicago, Columbia College and many of Chicago's professional acting schools. He taught viewpoints and served as the director for The School at Steppenwolf. 

WHAT:

The Making by Dan Aibel

Directed by Steep Ensemble Member Jonathan Berry

A history play set in the 1970s, The Making visits husband and wife filmmakers George and Marcia at the beginning of new projects that will shape the creative landscape for a generation. 

WHEN

Monday, May the 4th, 2026, 7:30PM

WHERE:

The Edge Theater

5451 North Broadway, Chicago, Illinois

The Making will be performed at the Edge Theater as Steep continues construction on its new home, targeted to open Fall of this year.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Tickets $10-$30 available at https://steeptheatre.com/the-making

Published in Upcoming Theatre
Particularly known for their Burlesque Parodies fulfilling our inner nerd’s greatest desires to see Indiana Jones or even Star Trek, the 80 seat venue on Milwaukee Avenue in Bucktown, is the quirky gem that is Gorilla Tango Theater.  An eclectic presenter of live entertainment from dance and theater to storytellers and magicians during Brain Surgeon Theater, their Saturday family Matinee shows the production now bring us a new addition to the collection.
 
Following “The Empire Brings Sexy Back” and “A Nude Hope: A Star Wars Burlesque,” Ewoks, Jedi’s and Bobbies, Oh My! Not for the faint of heart (Though there is a bar for that, grab a drink or a 6-pack as soon as you purchase your ticket or check in!) but for nerd lovers everywhere! “Boobs of Endor: A return of the Jedi Burlesque” re-introduced us to the story we all love told through the eyes of the “true hero’s of the war”, the Ewoks! The conclusion of the saga, the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire.  Tongue in cheek, with even tassels on some, the 60 minute show keeps you entertained throughout, with enough jokes to keep you laughing between the dancing and remembering all those thoughts you imagined come to life but with a dirty twist.  Keep in mind, a little love is always appreciated, as they are showing you theirs, but keep your comments to yourself, otherwise you’ve turned it into an in your face performance.  All the beloved Star Wars characters are featured: Chewie, Han, Luke, Darth Vader, Ewoks, an unlovable Boba Fett and for all those who wonder, yes, a Princess Leia.
 
It makes you want to watch the whole sequel again on Saturday night and see what else they do!  Come in for one show or stay a few extra minutes for a drink and wait for the next one to begin.
 
All shows times for the month are posted (new plays opening soon! For the Diva in You and My Dinner with Music), classes (Science to Humanity: The Autopsy) and further Burlesque show times and descriptions are available on the calendar at gorillatango.com
 
*photo - L-R: Madamne Marie, Sherri Blossom as Darth Vader, Bailey Irish as The Emperor, Emma Glitterbomb
Published in Theatre in Review

 

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