Tony Award for Lookingglass! by Renae Brantley

June 11, 2011

Tomorrow June 12, 2011, Chicago once again proves that it may be referred to as the Second City, but it is world- class in every way! Lookingglass Theatre will take the stage as the honoree at the 44^th Annual telecast of the Tony Awards®, to receive the Tony for Best Regional Theatre. That really shouldn't surprise anyone who is a patron of Chicago theatre. Lookingglass is a soaring, leaping, visual and spiritual experience that everyone really should see and enjoy!

One of the most interesting aspects about Lookingglass is their expertise at integrating content with their unique performance process i.e. dramatizing Greek mythology, or new or existing works through acrobatics, aerial work, and circus arts. It will be interesting to see their new production, opening tonight, “The Last Act of Lilka Kadison,” a “World War II meets modern-day Los Angeles” production recounting lost love through the eyes of the 89 year-old title character.

No doubt, when Lookingglass is honored on Sunday at the Tonys, it will be as much for their exceptional theatrical productions, as for their commitment to educating audiences in the appreciation of the theatre arts. They have endeavored to expose young audiences to their distinctive techniques, ensuring that up-and-coming artists are challenged to think beyond the “tried and true” methods, even when performing traditional works.

The project was made possible by  Abbott Laboratories Fund; Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Crown Family Philanthropies; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; The JPMorgan Chase Foundation; The Duk Young Foundation; The Hearst Foundation; James S. Kemper Foundation; The Northern Trust Charitable Trust, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; Polk Bros. Foundation; The Sacks Family Foundation; Dr. Scholl Foundation; The Siragusa Foundation; Target, The Wrightwood Neighbors Conservation Association; Jake Canepari; Elizabeth Benoit; Susan Schaefer; and Mary Jo Basler.  These generous donors helped Lookingglass in this endeavor by funding a project that sends teaching artists into Chicago schools to give drama and theatre workshops, as well as for Summer Camps, and to assist them in creating new plays or dramatizing existing works.  And in fact, script development and production of the Lilka Kadison work was funded by Steven Spielberg’s Righteous Persons Foundation.

It is truly impossible to speak at any length about Lookingglass without acknowledging the vision of its founders, a cutting-edge group of Northwestern alums, who created this process-driven theatre company with its unique and very physical representation of its artistic vision. The group of founders just happens to include actor David Schwimmer, of “Friends” fame, who maintains a very active presence in the life of Lookingglass.

The Junior Board of LG, founded by Joey Slotnick, Billy Dec, and Schwimmer, and comprised of a group of enthusiastic young Chicago-area professionals, will celebrate its 10^th anniversary on June 25^th with their Madhatter’s Ball at the John Hancock Observatory. The event is one of the most anticipated on Chicago’s social calendar. The Ball raises funds for Lookingglass' acclaimed education programs which encourage self-esteem and creativity in thousands of students every year. Tickets for the event are available by calling. 312-337-0665.

Chicago will be well represented on Sunday when more than 50 staff, board members, and artistic ensemble members gather in the audience at the Beacon Theatre to see LG receive the Tony Award®.

Best wishes!

©Renae Brantley

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