Hunky Jarrod Emick, the Tony Award-winning singer-actor, is out as the star of All Shook Up, the Broadway-bound show that shakes down at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, Dec. 19-Jan. 23. His replacement is his understudy, a young man with the interesting name of Cheyenne Jackson. Jonny hears he’s a looker. He’s probably sexy, too, because he’ll be playing a 1955-era, Elvis-type rebel rouser who brings romance, rebellion and rock ‘n’ roll to a small-town girl.
Also starring in All Shook Up is Tony-nominated Jonathan Hadary, the powerful character actor who won a Joseph Jefferson Award for his performance as Roy Cohn in Angels in America at the Royal George Theatre. The show ran here for six months. Born in Evanston, Hadary has enjoyed a 35-year professional career that’s taken him to Broadway in Torch Song Trilogy and As Is among other shows. He’s also starred Off-Broadway in the original production of Sondheim’s Assassins and Larry Kramer’s The Destiny of Me. Hadary has one of those faces people recognize from film and TV, even if they don’t know his name! Expect him to exercise his comedy chops in All Shook Up.
Say, how’d you like to have lunch with cutie-pie decorator Nate Berkus (you know, Oprah’s pal)? Or perhaps you simply MUST have an authentic 1960’s Playboy Bunny costume. It comes complete with satin bodice, collar and bow tie, cuffs, Playboy Rabbit Head logo cufflinks, bunny tail, bunny ears, and rosette name tag inscribed, Suzanne. On the other hand, maybe you’d just die to dye the Chicago River green next St. Patrick’s Day (March 12, 2005). This opportunity has never been extended to any person outside the Chicago Plumber Local Union 130 AU, but it can be yours if the price is right!
These three totally unique items are up for bids on eBay Dec. 2-16 as the Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs presents the Great Chicago Fire Sale, the very first charitable auction on eBay ever organized by a municipality. All proceeds will benefit the Chicago Cultural Center Foundation, Gallery 37 and the City’s cultural grants programs. You can see all the items—there are hundreds of them—at the Web site www.thegreatchicagofiresale.org. Click on an item you like, and you’ll be linked to eBay.
The swank little Cyrano’s Bistrot on North Wells Street has added live entertainment to its mix of fine food and fine wines, with cabaret performances Wed.-Sat. nights that spotlight diverse musical styles from jazz to blues to classical piano to Spanish guitar. One of Jonny’s favorites, vocalist Suzy Petri, is in the spotlight this Friday (Nov. 19) with her classic cabaret songbook. The next night, it’s harpist Grace Wrzos. Cyrano’s also is presenting monthly wine-tasting dinners offering four courses and five wines for a reasonable all-inclusive price.
Bailiwick Repertory is seeking directors, playwrights, musicians, choreographers and even entire theater troupes for its 2005 Pride Series. The closet door is wide open for ideas, scripts and creative variations on GLBT themes. Proposals (two-page minimum) may be sent to Pride 2005, 1229 W. Belmont, Chicago, IL 60657-3205. If the proposal involves new or unpublished materials, a copy of the script should be included. Deadline for proposals is Dec. 1. Proposals (but not scripts) also may be emailed to ChicagoPride2005@aol.com.
Perhaps the queen who buys the Playboy Bunny outfit can come up with a way to use it onstage at Bailiwick.