Bailiwick Repertory Chicago reopened and reinvented
Audrey Leon
Issue date: 2/1/10 Section: Entertainment
After 25 years, Members of the now defunct Bailiwick Repertory Theater have reunited under a new brand for a new season of shows.
Dubbed Bailiwick Chicago, the new theater company's first show of the 2010 season is the musical revue "Show Us Your Love," which features songs from famed musicals such as "Hair," "Pippin," "Aida," and "Closer than Ever."
"Show Us Your Love" is one of three smaller revues that will serve as fundraisers for future Bailiwick shows including a stripped-down version of Elton John's "Aida." Bailiwick Chicago hosted an open mic night on Jan. 31, at Joey's Brickhouse on 1258 W. Belmont Ave.
"Bailiwick Repertory had a reputation for bold works and we want to keep challenging ourselves," said Julie Burt Nichols, Bailiwick grants and development officer.
Bailiwick Repertory was renowned for its quality productions of "Animal Farm," "Jerry Springer: The Opera," its yearly rendition of "The Christmas Schooner" and its premiere of Dennis DeYoung's "The Hunchback of Norte Dame." Bailiwick was one of the first Chicago theaters to embrace the gay and lesbian community by staging its summer Pride Series.
The view that Bailiwick Repertory was known for its exemplary work is not one-sided. "Bailiwick was extremely well regarded for its daring, exciting work," said Alan Salzenstein, League of Chicago Theaters board member.
When longtime artistic director David Zak left Bailiwick Repertory in September 2009- a year after the company lost its home of 15 years at 1229 W. Belmont Ave. due to financial troubles- Bailiwick's board of directors dissolved the company, said Kevin Mayes, executive director of Bailiwick Chicago. Members had no choice but to start over.
"I saw it as an opportunity for folks who had worked at the Bailiwick in the past to create something they could really invest in," Mayes said. "It was an opportunity to transfer brand recognition."
However, Salzenstein believes there is a lot of baggage attached to the Bailiwick name. "Bailiwick has a founder's perception," Salzenstein said. "It was David Zak."
Dubbed Bailiwick Chicago, the new theater company's first show of the 2010 season is the musical revue "Show Us Your Love," which features songs from famed musicals such as "Hair," "Pippin," "Aida," and "Closer than Ever."
"Show Us Your Love" is one of three smaller revues that will serve as fundraisers for future Bailiwick shows including a stripped-down version of Elton John's "Aida." Bailiwick Chicago hosted an open mic night on Jan. 31, at Joey's Brickhouse on 1258 W. Belmont Ave.
"Bailiwick Repertory had a reputation for bold works and we want to keep challenging ourselves," said Julie Burt Nichols, Bailiwick grants and development officer.
Bailiwick Repertory was renowned for its quality productions of "Animal Farm," "Jerry Springer: The Opera," its yearly rendition of "The Christmas Schooner" and its premiere of Dennis DeYoung's "The Hunchback of Norte Dame." Bailiwick was one of the first Chicago theaters to embrace the gay and lesbian community by staging its summer Pride Series.
The view that Bailiwick Repertory was known for its exemplary work is not one-sided. "Bailiwick was extremely well regarded for its daring, exciting work," said Alan Salzenstein, League of Chicago Theaters board member.
When longtime artistic director David Zak left Bailiwick Repertory in September 2009- a year after the company lost its home of 15 years at 1229 W. Belmont Ave. due to financial troubles- Bailiwick's board of directors dissolved the company, said Kevin Mayes, executive director of Bailiwick Chicago. Members had no choice but to start over.
"I saw it as an opportunity for folks who had worked at the Bailiwick in the past to create something they could really invest in," Mayes said. "It was an opportunity to transfer brand recognition."
However, Salzenstein believes there is a lot of baggage attached to the Bailiwick name. "Bailiwick has a founder's perception," Salzenstein said. "It was David Zak."
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