1. Go back to college with The New Colony’s Frat. It opens in previews this weekend, after a run in 2009. Writer Evan Linder’s wrote the play after interviewing members of Southern fraternities, but the previous version wasn’t worth seeing for that. Rather, “see Frat for (a) a robust environmental staging, with nothing but sharp performances; (b) an insight into the group-think, psychological cruelty, and desperate need to belong that make frat life possible; and (c) the beer, of course, available from a bar in the performance area,” wrote Tony Adler. Not sure what’s changed, but hopefully it’s not the beer.
2. SNL alum Tim Meadows will be joined by Joe Canale and Brad Morris at iO for two shows in a row this Sunday, bringing the whole crew back together for what was once called Uncle Brother. Can we get a round of “Oh hell yes! I did indeed leave the southside for this!”
3. Early October brings Comedy Sportz Theatre‘s Improv Minions with Dr. Rubius Ne’er-Do-Well. If you go, you’ll “Enjoy an extra helping of fun and games where eight improvisers are put through the ‘tortures’ of comedy’s self-proclaimed greatest mad scientist ‘ever ever ever ever ever.’ Who will win Dr. Ne’er-Do-Well’s ‘Prettiest Little Bird’ award?” Dr. Ne’er-Do-Well is played by Nick Semar.
4. This week in “not this weekend but the weekend after,” Cerqua Rivera Dance and Inaside Chicago Dance bring us “Constant Motion” at the Harris Theater. It’s jazz dance, accompanied by live music and vocals, which always adds a bit of spice to things. More potential mistakes, more fun.
5. Shattered Globe Theatre will be at the new Stage 773 space for their 2011-12 season, which happens to be their 20th. This will include a “Greatest Hits” series of stage readings of past works, as well as full-fleshed plays Orpheus Descending and Her Naked Skin.
Questions? Tips? Email kdries@wbez.org.
