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Music For Theatre's 2017-18 Season

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Friends, Family and Supporters,

Three years ago, I realized one of my biggest dreams which was to create a company that focused on the music component of theatrical arts.  

Music for Theatre Chicago is a company dedicated to presenting high quality music, pit musicians and full scale musicals. In September 2016, we kicked off our inaugural performance season with a a special 3-nights only engagement of "Spring Awakening." For our first production we sold out two of the three performances and the cast was nominated for "Best Ensemble" on BroadwayWorld.com.  In January 2017, we hosted a community event called, The Inaugration Cabaret: Songs of Hope and Protest to raise money for organizations that would soon be affected by federal budget cuts. Many of my artist friends donated their time and talents for this special event that raised $900 for charity.

This coming fall, we are producing Andrew Lippa's take on "The Wild Party."  The story is based on a 1928 narrative poem written by Joseph Moncure March and it details actual events.  The plot evolves around two vaudeville characters named Queenie and Burrs, who, after being bored with their relationship and each other, decide to host a wild party for their favorite friends to attend. The show is very much in the same vein as CHICAGO with it's 1920's sexy whodunnit style.  The show is  filled with fantastic songs, exciting dance numbers and heart stopping action.  The Off-Broadway production of "The Wild Party" starred Julia Murney as Queenie, Indina Menzel as Kate, Brian D'Arcy James as Burrs and Taye Diggs as Mr. Black.  Music for Theatre Chicago held auditions in April and has gathered a captivating cast of Chicago actors. Scroll down to see the complete cast list!

This Go Fund Me project has been established to help cover a large portion of the production costs for two shows this season.  Among those costs are the the production crew fees and rentals (Director, Lighting Designer, Costumer,  Set Designer and Stage Manager),costumes and props,  rental of the Piven Theatre Space at the Noyes Cultural Center where we love performing, and the cost of materials for set construction. The remaining costs such as for the musicians, marketing and advertising, box office are being covered by me personally and by the revenue generated from our 4 performances which take place September 7-10, 2017.

By contributing to this fund, you are not only helping us with this show but with our Winter/Spring 2018 production.  You see in the past, the revenue from performances has covered the production costs and reimbursements.  If we meet our $4,000 fundrasising goal, we can retain a portion of the ticket revenue to cover the rights for our next show! In case you're wondering, the rights for a musical generally cost us between $1,460-$2,000! The cost only gives us permission to perform the show which leaves a lot to cover. No donation is too large or small so thank you in advance for your assistance. As a special way of saying thank you, sponsors making a pledge in the dollar ranges below will be included in the season Playbills as a sponsor. Business Sponsors, may request a half page ad. We can either design the ad for you or can print your camera ready art. Last but not least if you would like to remain anonymous, we will respect your privacy and will list your name or company.

Program Sponsors:
Kate's Date                        $20-29
Flappers                               $30-49
Queenie's Fans                $50-74
Vaudevillians                    $75-124
Juggernauts                       $125-249
Life of the Party              $250-274
Raise the Roof                 $275-300

VIP Party Goers             $325-$500
 *VIP Business Sponsors can request a 1/2 page      
     program ad.

We hope to reach our goal by August 15th however we will continue accepting donations after the deadline.

Music for Theatre CHICAGO is also in the process of applying for non-profit status (501-c3). We hope that in the future, donations will be tax deductiable.  Should that status be granted to us before the end of the year (it takes 3-6 months) then we will send you a letter so that you can write off your donation as a tax deduction; but just to be clear... that isn't possible until we are granted the non-profit status.

For now, your donation would be an amazing way for us to ensure we can cover expenses while mounting the top notch production our fabulous actors, production crew and musicians deserve.  If you have other friends or family members who also enjoy giving donations to arts organization, be sure to share a link to this project as we are grateful to all who contribute....and ofcourse, join us September 7-10, 2017 at Piven Theatre in Evanston for our production of "The Wild Party," Directed by Tim Rhoze, Music Direction & Choreography by Christie Chiles Twillie. The Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30pm.  The Sunday Matinee starts at 3pm.  

Visit our website to learn more and to purchase tickets! 
musicfortheatrechicago.com 

Purchase show tickets on our website!

You can also visit us on Facebook by searching:
Music for Theatre CHICAGO

Hope to see at a show and thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Christie Chiles Twillie
Owner/Music Director & Pianist


THE WILD PARTY
Book, Music and Lyrics By: Andrew Lippa

September 7-10, 2017 @ Piven Theatre
Thursday, Friday and Saturday - 7:30pm
Sunday - 3pm

Based on the Poem by Joseph Moncure March.
Partially Developed and Received Readings at the O'Neil Theatre Center during the 1997 National Music Theatre Conference. 

Originally Produced in New York City by the Manhattan Theatre Club.


CAST LIST

Queenie - Britian Gebhardt
Burrs - Chris Causer
Mr. Black - Korey White
Kate - Sydney Ray
Madeline True - Jen Houghton
Eddie - Scott Spector
Mae - Carolyne Rex
Oscar D'Amarco - Joseph Wesolowski
Phil D'Armarco - Joseph Alvery
Delores - Emily Cox
Sam - Matt Calhoun
Max - Peter Ruger
Nadine - Taylor Snooks

Ensemble:
Emily Coffey, Jacob Lill, Isaac Loomer, Lisa Rausa

Understudies:
Matt Calhoun - US Burrs
Lisa Rausa - US Madeline
Emily Cox - US Queenie


Production Team:
Director: Tim Rhoze
Music Director: Christie Chiles Twillie
Stage Manager: Olivia Wallace
Costumer: Jessica Sawyer
Lighting Design: Marissa Geocaris
Dramaturge: Edie Lee
Dance Captain: Isaac Loomer

Orchestra:
Piano Conductor: Christie Chiles Twillie
Trumpet: Jered Montgomery
Sax & Clarinet: Amos Gillespie
Bass: Kurt Henning
Guitar: Eric Klotz
Drums: Nick Kabat


THE WILD PARTY is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials and logos are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

Organizer

Christie Chiles Twillie
Organizer
Chicago, IL

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