The 2018 Season

CUPID’S BALL-1959

Previews: December 31 – December 31
Opening: February 09
Closing: February 09

February giftLIT

Previews: December 31 – December 31
Opening: February 27
Closing: February 27

The giftLIT salons happen several times a year at Community Tavern. A salon has historically been defined as “a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine the taste and increase the knowledge of participants through conversation.” What does that mean to the Gift? It means we round up a diverse group of writers and performers—some experienced, some rookies, some comedians, some poets. We give them all the same prompt and ask them to tell their stories while we drink good wine and eat good food. In between stories, we enjoy live music. At the Gift, we strongly believe that these story-sharing experiences create meaningful connections among individuals and within our community.

HANG MAN

Written by Stacy Osei-Kuffour
Directed by Guest Director Jess McLeod

Previews: March 02 – March 07
Opening: March 08
Closing: April 29

The community of a backwoods Southern town grapples with the murder of a Black man who is found hanging in a tree. As events unfold, the hanging mystifies the people of the community, forcing them to confront their complicity in this man’s horrific demise. Osei-Kuffour’s darkly comical, heartbreaking play, which recently made the prestigious 2017 Kilroy’s List, uses absurdity to explore racism, sexuality, and the parts of American history we would all like to forget.

May giftLit

at Community Tavern

Previews: December 31 – December 31
Opening: May 01
Closing: December 31

The giftLIT salons happen several times a year at Community Tavern. A salon has historically been defined as “a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine the taste and increase the knowledge of participants through conversation.” What does that mean to the Gift? It means we round up a diverse group of writers and performers—some experienced, some rookies, some comedians, some poets. We give them all the same prompt and ask them to tell their stories while we drink good wine and eat good food. In between stories, we enjoy live music. At the Gift, we strongly believe that these story-sharing experiences create meaningful connections among individuals and within our community.

HAMLET

Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Guest Artist Monty Cole

Previews: June 01 – June 06
Opening: June 07
Closing: July 29

After the death of his dad, a young black man named Hamlet returns home to grieve and seek revenge. Fighting against the injustice of his father’s murder and the powers that want him out of the picture, Hamlet quickly loses power and sanity. Directed by guest artist Monty Cole, The Gift’s retelling of Shakespeare’s great tragedy will crack open the mind of one of western drama’s most fascinating and entertaining characters. Running Time: 3 Hours.

2018 Season Release Bash

Previews: December 31 – December 31
Opening: September 16
Closing: December 31

THE GIFT THEATRE SEASON RELEASE BASH!

Sunday, September 16, 4-8 p.m. @ Filament Theater Company-4041 N. Milwaukee Ave

Our annual summer fundraiser features live music and all you can drink Old Irving craft beer. Come hang with The Gift ensemble and be the first in the world to hear about our new season.

Bash Single tickets are $25. VIP Table near the music and beer for eight is $400.

COSMOLOGIES

Written by Ensemble Member David Rabe
Directed by Artistic Director Michael Patrick Thornton

Previews: October 19 – October 27
Opening: October 28
Closing: December 09

Put the whimsical humor of the Keystone Cops and Bugs Bunny into a particle collider with the philosophy of Soren Kierkegaard and George Berkeley and you’re getting close to the style of this existential absurdist comedy from David Rabe. When a young man’s negotiation for a date goes very wrong, we are transported through kaleidoscopic worlds of possibilities, identities, and loves.
Tickets: $25-$50.

2018 Gift Gala

Previews: December 31 – December 31
Opening: November 14
Closing: December 31

With every word, scene, and play, The Gift is rewriting the story
of American theatre by producing nationally-acclaimed works
with a renowned ensemble, all inside a space that is
our country’s most intimate professional theatre.

Join The Gift for literature and libations
in Chicago’s most exciting new cultural institution:
The American Writers Museum.

Celebrate great writing, enjoy delicious food and drinks,
and help The Gift Theatre write its next chapter:
one of transformation and growth.

Honorary Co-Chair Jeff Perry

6:00 — 7:00
VIP RECEPTION
Vintage Spirts: Curated Cocktails by the
Spirit Archivist at Wrigley Field’s Hotel Zachary

Music by Cellist Melissa Bach
and Guitarist David Onderdonk

7:00 — 9:30
THE MAIN EVENT
Cocktails, Hors d’oeuvres, Desserts
Silent Auction
Reading by Award-winning Chicago Author
Megan Stielstra

December giftLit

Previews: December 31 – December 31
Opening: December 04
Closing: December 31

You are cordially invited to join local writers, actors and musicians on Tuesday, December 4 at Community Tavern for an evening of stories, wine and entertainment in the grand tradition of a Parisian salon. $10. Tickets available online and at the door. Music begins at 8 PM and the stories start at 8:30 PM. We highly recommend buying tickets in advance in order to ensure a seat-communitytavern.org.
December giftLit Writers: Jose Blanco and Raul Vazquez, Jessy Lauren Smith, Greg Fenner and Nick Ward.

SYNOPSIS

The giftLIT salons happen several times a year at Community Tavern. A salon has historically been defined as “a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine the taste and increase the knowledge of participants through conversation.” What does that mean to the Gift? It means we round up a diverse group of writers and performers—some experienced, some rookies, some comedians, some poets. We give them all the same prompt and ask them to tell their stories while we drink good wine and eat good food. In between stories, we enjoy live music. At the Gift, we strongly believe that these story-sharing experiences create meaningful connections among individuals and within our community.

September giftLit

Previews: December 31 – December 31
Opening: September 11
Closing: December 31

Writers include: Ada Cheng, Jennifer Glasse, Nestor Gomez, Katherine Keberlein and Jennifer Rumberger.

The giftLIT salons happen several times a year at Community Tavern. A salon has historically been defined as “a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine the taste and increase the knowledge of participants through conversation.” What does that mean to the Gift? It means we round up a diverse group of writers and performers—some experienced, some rookies, some comedians, some poets. We give them all the same prompt and ask them to tell their stories while we drink good wine and eat good food. In between stories, we enjoy live music. At the Gift, we strongly believe that these story-sharing experiences create meaningful connections among individuals and within our community.

TEN

Previews: December 31 – December 31
Opening: January 05
Closing: January 14

Enjoy world premiere ten minute pieces by The Gift and guests. 

This festival allows us to work with many talented artists who help us uphold our mission of telling great stories.

This festival is just $10 and free for 2017 subscribers. Thank you for keeping the arts alive.

PERFORMANCES

January 5 @ 7:30pm

January 6 @ 3:30pm & 7:30pm

January 7 @ 3:30pm & 7:30pm

January 11@ 7:30pm

January 12 @ 7:30pm

January 13 @ 3:30pm & 7:30pm

January 14 @ 3:30pm