The Gift Theatre

Lonesome West
2010-11-04 | IL
Featuring: Ensemble Members John Kelly Connolly, Paul D’Addario, John Gawlik, and Danny Ahlfeld.
With Guest Artists: Brittany Burch and Alexis Atwill.

Night and Her Stars
2011-03-10
Featuring: Ensemble Members Danny Ahlfeld and Paul D’Addario.
With Guest Artists: Lindsey Barlag, Ed Flynn, Gabriel Franken, Katie Genualdi, Richard Henzel, Joe Mack, Keith Neagle, Erika Schmidt, Aemilia Scott, Raymond Shoemaker, and Jay Worthington.

Northwest Highway
2011-06-02
Featuring: Ensemble Members Alexandra Main, James D. Farruggio, Gabriel Franken, Brittany Burch, Paul D’Addario, and Ed Flynn.
With Guest Artists: Boyd Harris, Diane Mair, and Donna McGough.

Cloud 9
2011-10-20
Featuring: Ensemble Members Hillary Clemens, Alexandra Main, Kenny Mihlfried, and Jay Worthington.
With Guest Artists: Kurt Conroyd, Jessie Fisher, and Dylan Stuckey.

Absolute Hell
2012-03-01
Featuring Ensemble Members: Brittany Burch, John Kelly Connolly, Paul D’Addario, Gabriel Franken, Alexandra Main, Kenny Mihlfried, Lynda Newton, Michael Patrick Thornton, and Jay Worthington.
With Guest Artists: Alexis Atwill, Harter Clingman, Kurt Conroyd, Patrick DeNicola, Joanne Dubach, Marssie Mencotti, Donna McGough, Justine Serino, Amy Speckien, Maria Stephens, Dylan Stuckey, and Adam Welsh.

Fact and Fiction
2012-05-24
Featuring Ensemble Member and Co-Founder William Nedved with guest artist Adam Silver.

Oh, The Humanity!
2012-06-21

Dirty
2012-09-20

Vigils
2013-03-07
After losing her fireman husband, “Widow” must decide to hold on to the past or start dating. But her husband’s Soul in the box next to her bed and his body running through the house might make this tricky. Whimsically romantic – Vigils is a love story about living, losing, and learning to let go.

mine
2013-06-20
A first-time mother about to have a home birth, Mari is certain of one thing: she wants her baby. The next morning, Mari is certain of something different: this baby is not her baby.
Thrilling, haunting, and terrifying – Mine births a world of new motherhood, where doubt and certainty blur, and where faith and love is the only way out.

Broadsword
2013-10-03
The downtrodden members of the failed New Jersey metal band BROADSWORD reunite for the wake of their visionary band member who’s disappeared. When a mysterious stranger arrives, resentments hit a fever pitch and Broadsword must play together as if their lives depend on it.
An amplified “heavy metal drama” from a writer for FX’S Sons of Anarchy and Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black.

War of the Worlds
2013-10-30
H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds, A Radio Drama
Oct. 30-Nov. 2 at 7:30 PM at Jefferson Memorial Park, 4822 North Long Avenue.
Nov. 7-8 at 7:30 PM; Nov. 9 at 3 and 7:30 PM, Lincoln Park Cultural Center, 2045 North Lincoln Park West.
Advance reservations are recommended. Call The Gift at (773) 283-7071.
This re-creation of Orson Welles’ production of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds will feature live music and Foley artists as it celebrates the golden age of American radio. It also coincides with the 75th anniversary of the original broadcast, infamous for convincing people that Martians were invading.
LISTEN TO THE LIVE STREAM: mixlr.com/thegifttheatre on October 30th @ 7:30 PM.

Merry Christmas! (Stranger Things Have Happened)
2013-12-05
(October 15, 2013) – The Gift Theatre announces its annual Christmas production, titled Merry Christmas! (Stranger Things Have Happened). The sketch comedy revue is written and performed by Natural Gas, the house improv team of The Gift Theatre, and directed by Ensemble member Jim Kozyra. Fellow Natural Gas Ensemble members Eric Muller, Carly Olson, John Pantlind and Kyle Zornes star with Gift Ensemble member Paul D’Addario. Merry Christmas! (Stranger Things Have Happened) runs December 5 – 14 at the Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee Avenue, with performances Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. Single tickets, $5, are available at https://thegifttheatre.org/ or by calling the box office at 773-283-7071.
Unlike other holiday shows that inspire depressing nostalgia for more youthful times, or, worse, teach the true meaning of Christmas by murdering Tiny Tim, Merry Christmas! (Stranger Things Have Happened) will force the holiday spirit into attendees’ bones by reminding them that no matter what, everything is awesome and they are doing great. Whether fighting a war, surviving at sea, or just working late, the holidays have the power to make everyone happier — even cynical comedians.
“This show sets out to prove that just because the Paul McCartney Christmas song sucks, doesn’t mean the John Lennon Christmas song doesn’t also suck,” says Kozyra.

TEN 2014
2014-01-09
Our annual season kick-off celebration returns with world premiere ten minute pieces by The Gift and guests.
Tickets are only available to our 2014 season subscribers until January 1st.

Thinner Than Water
2014-03-31
Three estranged half-siblings reunite upon their father’s illness in this blood-raw, and wicked comedy-drama about fighting through the thick-and-thin of family.

2015 Season Release Bash!
2014-06-29
THE GIFT THEATRE SEASON RELEASE BASH!
Drink. Dance. Release the season.
Sunday, June 29, 4-10 p.m. @ Fischman Liquors and Tavern Back Lot, 4780 N Milwaukee Ave
Features food trucks and live music from The Lawrence Peters Outfit!
VIP Table with UNLIMITED BEER for 8 is $300.
Single tickets are $25.
Tickets available at (773) 283-7071 or thegifttheatre.org
Sponsored by Left Hand Brewing Co. and Fischman Liquors

Othello
2014-07-14
Shakespeare’s timeless and timely tragedy comes to The Gift in a landmark production where very little is simply black and white.

Bethany
2014-09-29
Caught in the middle of the Great Recession, cash-strapped Crystal navigates the worlds of motivational speaking, survivalism, and a Saturn dealership to make a home in this shocking drama which reteams the playwright and director of last season’s Mine.

The Gift Gala 2014
2014-11-20
The Gala, chaired by Laura Gale of The Gift Theatre Board of Directors, and President of Crossmedia451, Inc., will honor Chef Art Smith with an extraordinary culinary and theatrical experience.
Join The Gift Theatre in celebrating its 13th year as Chicago’s smallest professional theater company. The GIFT Gala is being held at the Chicago Cultural Center (77 East Randolph) on Thursday, November 20, 2014 from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Smith, the former personal chef to Oprah Winfrey and current co-owner of the upscale Southern comfort food restaurant Table fifty-two, founded the non-profit charity Common Threads, which focuses on teaching children about diverse cultures through food and art, for which he was awarded the 2007 James Beard Foundation Humanitarian Award. Chef Art Smith is also a proud subscriber to The Gift Theatre Company.
The “business attire” event will begin with cocktails and culinary tastings from well-known Chicago Chefs inspired by Art Smith’s signature dishes and southern cooking. The evening will continue with a program of theater and music from The Gift Ensemble honoring Smith.

A Holiday Special
2014-12-04
This sketch comedy show takes the audience on a humorous exploration of the history and traditions of Christmas.
If you missed the first five Natural Gas holiday shows, you can make up for it this year.
If you saw the first five Natural Gas holiday shows, you’re gonna continue to be wowed.

The Royal Society of Antarctica
2015-03-02
Dee returns to her birthplace at the blindingly bright McMurdo Station in Antarctica to work as a janitor and seek answers to her mother’s disappearance in this wonderfully weird and touching new play perfectly suited to The Gift’s intimate space.
“I went to the bottom of the world to find this play—working as a janitor for three months at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. It’s perfect that it will premiere in my hometown at The Gift.” – Mat Smart

Body + Blood
2015-06-15
Dan finally finds his calling in life – and it sends all of his loved ones spiraling into a spiritual crisis in this smart, searching, and hilarious new play. The Gift Co-Founder and playwright of Northwest Highway strikes again with another great local story about overcoming obstacles and following your heart.
Featuring: Ensemble Members Cyd Blakewell, Gabriel Franken, and Lynda Newton.
With Guest Artists: Stephen Spencer and Nicholas Harazin.

GOOD FOR OTTO
2015-10-05
Haunted by his own childhood, a psychologist tries to minister to the distressed souls who find their way to the doors of the health center he runs in rural Connecticut.
“What every playwright wants to know is that the people doing their play will love it and care for it. I watched The Gift do a cold read of Good For Otto and was thrilled by what they did and revealed; the level of their acting is exceptional. Given their previous productions of my work as well as their strong reputation of supporting new plays, I’m excited by this opportunity to work with The Gift on the world premiere of Good For Otto. It needs a true ensemble with heart and smart, humor and hurt, and that is precisely what The Gift is.”—David Rabe

A Legendary Reception: David Rabe
2015-11-09
Cocktails & Conversation with David Rabe: Tony Award-winning playwright of The Gift Theatre’s hit GOOD FOR OTTO
Michael Patrick Thornton: Co-Founding Artistic Director of The Gift and director of GOOD FOR OTTO and Hedy Weiss: Theatre and Dance critic of the Chicago Sun-Times
“Good for Otto” is an altogether breathtaking piece of theater.” Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times
Monday, November 9, 2015
6:30 – 9:00pm
Hosted by the National Veterans Art Museum
4041 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
Join us for a rare and intimate conversation with American theater legend David Rabe about his work, and an exploration behind the scenes of The Gift’s acclaimed world premiere of GOOD FOR OTTO. Tour NVAM exhibits in observance of Veteran’s Day 2015.
Individual Tickets $100
Please note, capacity is extremely limited.

TEN 2016
2016-01-01
Enjoy world premiere ten minute pieces by The Gift and guests.
As members of the National New Play Network, we feel it is our duty to present new works and world premieres on our stage. This festival allows us to work with talented artists who help us overcome obstacles to uphold our mission of telling great stories.
This free festival is for the fans of theatre, performance, and creativity. Thank you for keeping the arts alive.

RICHARD III
2016-03-07
In collaboration with lead production sponsor The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, The Gift’s RICHARD III re-defines what (dis)ability and Shakespeare’s great villain look like by utilizing both a disabled actor in the title role as well as assistive devices past and present as articulations of Richard’s protean identity, character, and self-perception.
In partnership with The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

THE GRAPES OF WRATH
2016-06-16
When an American family is forced off of their land during the Great Depression, they begin an epic journey west to California.
Come Closer on Sunday, August 7th for a talk-back with the cast, drinks, and a couple of themed appetizers! Tickets to this special event are $50 and sell out quickly. Reserve your spot today!

A LIFE EXTRA ORDINARY
2016-10-03
Annabel Anderson McCafferty is an expectant mother who vanishes from her small Ohio town on Christmas Eve. Both mystery and memory play, “A Life Extra Ordinary’ untangles and re-assembles the moments that make a life.

The Gift Gala 2016
2016-11-10
The Gift Theatre Ensemble will gather with their devoted community of supporters to celebrate The Gift Theatre’s 15th year of telling remarkable stories on stage with honesty and simplicity. The Gift and has been recognized by Mayor Rahm Emmanuel and the Illinois State Legislature as the cultural anchor of the Jefferson Park neighborhood. The Gift’s Ensemble of actors, playwrights and directors has garnered a loyal following that extends from its northwest side neighborhood throughout the city, country and abroad.
The Gift believes a play never closes until everyone who saw it stops thinking about it and that art is, at its best, a sacred conversation between actor and audience, revealing the joy and pain of being human. In other words, a gift. Our hope is that guests will leave talking about our anniversary celebration with affection for years to come.

giftLIT. November 2016
2016-11-15
Curated by ensemble member Maggie Andersen, giftLIT is the literary extension and iteration of The Gift Theatre. The salon will feature celebrated writers from Chicago reading original work based on the themes in “A Life Extra Ordinary.” $10 for entrance to this rustic-chic room, exquisite storytelling, $5 glasses of rosé and specialty appetizers.
