King Hedley II Albert Ivar Goodman Theatre The Sarah Siddons Society congratulates The Goodman Theatre on its outstanding new home and its inaugural production, King Hedley II. On December 5, 2000 ,members of Sarah Siddons attended the Chicago premiere of King Hedley II, the new play from two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson. The compelling drama is the latest link in Wilson's chronicle of the African-American experience in the 20th Century. Set in The Hill District of 1985 Pittsburgh , the play features a stellar cast of Leslie Uggams, Richard Brooks, Charles Brown, Yvette Ganier, Lou Myers and Monte Russell. Marion Isaac McClinton is director of the production. Prior to the show, dinner was at Trattoria 10.
|
|
2000 GALA AIDA'S HEATHER
HEADLEY HONORED BY SARAH SIDDONS SOCIETY HEATHER HEADLEY, star of Broadway's The Lion King and Aida, was honored as "Chicago's Actor of the Year" at the annual Sarah Siddons Society black-tie gala on Monday, October 23, 2000, at the Inter-Continental Hotel, Chicago. The award recognized Ms. Headley's stunning 1999 Chicago-area performance in Aida.
Just 25 years old, Ms.Headley is the youngest actor to receive the Sarah Siddons Award since its inception in 1952. Her stratospheric rise started at Northwestern University's theatre program, where she was chosen to receive a Sarah Siddons Scholarship. While still a student, she auditioned for and won a role in Ragtime. The Trinidad native went on to star as 'Nala' in Disney's theatrical production of The Lion King, followed by another starring role in Do,Re,Mi. In 1999, she originated the title role of Aida, a musical by Elton John and Tim Rice. "She just blew me away(when auditioning for Aida)," said Disney CEO Michael Eisner in a recent People magazine article. Elton John asked her to contibute two songs to his Aida concept album last year, and her own debut album on RCA Records is due next spring. Ms. Headley's other awards include the American Theaatre Wing's 2000 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Aida, for which she also won the New York Critics' Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Award nomination. Ms. Headley's Sarah Siddons Award was presented to her by Dominic Missimi, Director of Northwestern's Music Theatre Program . Ms. Headley received yet another standing ovation as she sang "Elaborate Lives" from Aida.
The Sarah Siddons Society
also honored actor and director AMY MORTON with a Chicago's
Leading Lady Award in recognition of her many distinguished
performances and contribution to Chicago theatre. Ms.
Morton's award was presented to her by actor Laurie Metcalf.
Sarah Siddons Society scholarship winners were presented. This year's recipients are : Willis White and Janette Zilioli, Northwestern University; Brian McKnight and Karen Aldridge, De Paul University; Anita Spero, Columbia College; Lauren Keleher, the Dinah Perutz Dance Scholarship; Amber Makalous and Amber Owens, the Lucia Perrigo Meyers Scholarships. The Gala was dedicated to Irv Kupcinet for his continued support of the Sarah Siddons Society. The celebration included cocktails and dinner with entertainment and dancing to the Stanley Paul Orchestra. Bill Zwecker served as Master of Ceremonies. Gala co-chairmen were Donna Atwater and Beverly Blettner. President of Sarah Siddons Society is Mary Lou Bilder-Gold.
|
|
All About
Richard (The heck with Eve) The critic was critiqued and received rave reviews! On September 7th, 2000, the Sarah Siddons Society honored Chicago Tribune Critic, Richard Christiansen, at a luncheon held at The Casino. The Master of Ceremony was Rick Kogan. Richard Christiansen was interviewed by three of Chicago's first ladies of the theatre : Susan Booth, New Play Development Director of Goodman Theatre; Barbara Gaines, Artistic Director of Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; and Martha Lavey, Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre. Richard Christiansen was honored for his commitment to Chicago theatre. He has looked for excellence and something worthy of the attention of his readers, no matter how small and obscure the actual theatre or production might be. Through his enthusiasm, fairness , and encouragement, Richard Christiansen has had an instrumental role in creating the outstanding Chicago theatre scene as it is today. Singing at the event was Janette Zilioli, Northwestern University senior and Sarah Siddons Scholarship recipient.
|
|
Arsenic and Old Lace
Drury Lane Theatre On Sunday, August 20th, 2000, members of Sarah Siddons Society entered the wild and wacky world of the Brewster home as we attended a delightful performance of Arsenic and Old Lace at Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre. As the charming and infamous Brewster sisters, the show stars Renee Matthews as Abby Brewster and Sarah Siddons Chicago Leading Lady Ann Whitney as Martha Brewster. The performance was preceded by brunch at the Drury Lane (and no, we did not have any homemade elderberry wine).
|
|
Nixon's Nixon
Writers' Theatre The Writers’ Theatre in Glencoe describes itself as “a professional company dedicated to a theatre of intimacy, language and passion.” We couldn’t agree more! On July 19, 2000, after dining under the clock at Patrick and James Restaurant, our Sarah Siddons group walked around the corner , through a book store, and into the Writers’ Theatre for a sold out performance of Nixon’s Nixon. For the next 90 minutes we were mesmerized by Russell Lees’ drama based on a meeting between Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger the night before the president’s resignation. Nixon’s Nixon stars well known and talented Chicago actors Larry Yando as Nixon and William Brown as Kissinger. The play is directed by Michael Halberstam, Artistic Director and co-founder of the Writers’ Theatre. After the performance the actors and director met with the Sarah Siddons group for a discussion of the production.
|
