Bailiwick Chicago Will Produce Aida, Plus Works by Foley, Heimer, Siegel, Mayes and DiPietro

By Thomas Peter
10 Mar 2010

Bailiwick Chicago has announced its 2010 spring-summer season programming. The slate is set to include a reading of a new musical, the Chicago premiere of Joe DiPietro's new play and Chicago's first homegrown production of the Tony-winning musical Aida.

The concert readings of the new musical Bloom will take place April 16-17 at Chicago Center for the Performing Arts. According to Bailiwick, the show by Peter Foley, Matthew Heimer, Andy Siegel and Kevin Mayes "explores history's first speculative financial bubble, the Dutch Tulip Mania. In the time of Rembrandt, rich and poor alike reach beyond their means to buy and sell tulips, bidding them up to ridiculous sums in a quest for wealth, power, fame and love. It's a 17th-century version of our modern-day housing bubble, set to a baroque pop score."

Elizabeth Margolius will direct with Brett Rowe providing musical direction.

F**king Men, by DiPietro (Memphis, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), will begin previews June 18 toward a June 26 opening at Theatre Building Chicago. (The closing date was unspecified, but the play is expected to run into July according to Bailiwick's website). The play, which will be directed by Tom Mullen, has had successful productions in London and Los Angeles, where its two-year run is ongoing. Inspired by Arthur Schnitzler's La Ronde, it follows ten "modern urban gay American male[s] … from all walks of life as they negotiate the before and after of lust, love, betrayal and the pursuit of sex and emotional connectivity."

Aida, featuring a Tony-winning score by Elton John and Tim Rice, will close the season beginning July 1, with opening night set for July 7 at American Theatre Company. (A closing date was not specified, but the production is set to run into August according to Bailiwick's website). The compelling, pop-operatic romance set in ancient Egypt will be directed by Scott Ferguson and choreographed by Iega Jeff. Jimmy Moorehead and Robert Ollis will collaborate on the musical direction.

Kevin Mayes, Bailiwick Chicago's executive director, said in a statement, "We are incredibly excited by the diversity of these projects, and are thrilled to be bringing them to Chicago audiences. This is our opportunity as the new Bailiwick to demonstrate our commitment to producing bold, adventurous programming and compelling stories with universal appeal, while nurturing new artistic partnerships."

Bailiwick Chicago was formed when Bailiwick Repertory Theater closed in September 2009. The group, known as "the Collective," is dedicated to upholding the former theatre's mission “to tell stories that stimulate our audience and celebrate our diverse community, enhancing our understanding of ourselves and others."

The Chicago Center for the Performing Arts is located at 777 N. Green Street. Theatre Building Chicago is located at 1227 West Belmont. American Theatre Company is located at 1707 W. Byron. For more information on the season, please visit bailiwickchicago.com.