It is a busy January.

The New Electric Ballroom opens at A Red Orchid Theatre on Tuesday, January 25th.  My grad school chum (and revered Chicago director) Robin Witt directs Irish playwright Enda Walsh’s weirdo play about…well, its about loneliness and love and the safeties and dangers of locking oneself away from the outside world.  Its dark and disturbing and funny.  AROT Artistic director Kirsten Fitzgerald and founding ensemble member Guy Van Swearingen appear with Kate Buddeke and Laurie Larson and, man, do these kids know how to tell a story.  Jessica Keuhnau designed the set, Izumi Inaba designed the costumes, and AROT ensemble member Joseph Fosco designed the sound.

Next, I am thrilled (understatement) to be back at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra!  I have just posted photos of Into the Big Green Meadow from November.  That project was so much fun, and I am so delighted to have been invited back.  Opening to an audience of school children on Friday is From the City to the Country. Guest Conductor Mei-Ann Chen leads the CSO in several selections that highlight how the sounds of the orchestra can set the scene, from the cacophony of the city to a gentle country rain.  We will hear from Gershwin, Bernstein, Copland, Bach, Rossini…and a guest appearance by “Inspector Noteworthy.”

Then I take a quick walk down to the #12 Roosevelt bus and head to Provision Theatre for Shadowlands.  It is my first project with Provision.  They have a lovely space and it is a beautiful little love story, so I’m quite excited to get in and get started.  Shadowlands is directed by Provision artisitic director Tim Gregory, with scenery by Inseung Park, and costumes by Isaac B. Turner.  Previews start February 2nd, and the show runs through March 20th.