Thursday, December 27, 2007

NewCity and TimeOut Chicago name Another Day in the Empire
one of the best theater productions of 2007!!

From the NewCity Best of 2007 Issue:
Best theater production (in the last year or so):
"Another Day in the Empire," Black Sheep Productions

Local playwright Steve Spencer's hilarious dissection of American consumerism-ripping on big-box stores and vapid suburban dreams-was one of the sharpest scripts of the year. "...like kicking a Coke machine," says a character, describing conversations with her husband. But what really put this show over the top was a knockout cast and the near-perfect staging by the brand new Black Sheep Productions (with director Vance Smith at the helm), briefly turning the Royal George's less-than-ideal upstairs studio into the hottest theater in town.

From TimeOut Chicago, December 27th, 2007 issue:
Another Day in the Empire (Black Sheep Productions)

Steve Spencer's smart satire of corporatized, suburbanized, chain restaurant-ized modern life didn't mine any new themes, but it struck a rich vein regardless. That's largely thanks to the cast of everyday all-stars assembled by director Vance Smith in Black Sheep's debut outing. Led by Kevin Stark, in a virtuoso-level meltdown as a Realtor doubting the system, the ensemble took Spencer's fastball script and knocked it out of the park. It was anything but another day at the theater.

Monday, December 3, 2007

BSP ensemble members on stage with TUTA

Black Sheep ensemble members Chris Cantelmi and Alice Wedoff are presently appearing in TUTA Theatre's production of It's Only the End of the World by Jean Luc Lagarce at the Chopin Theatre Main Stage, 1543 W. Division Street until December 22. Be sure to check them out in this latest show from the always exciting and innovative TUTA.

For more information, visit: www.tutato.com.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Black Sheep Yard Sale This Weekend!

Black Sheep’s Yard Sale Benefit is July 21st and 22nd, 9am until 4pm

This gigantic yard sale is a benefit for Black Sheep Productions and features donations from over thirty different households!! We have some of everything. Great for new apartments and college students.

Items include: furniture (futon, chairs, tables, dressers, cabinets, shelves) baby items, cook and dish ware, small appliances, electronics (TV, stereo, printers) toys and games, tons of books, music, movies, bedding, home fixtures, sporting goods, and clothes, shoes and accessories for men and women in all shapes and sizes. Low, low prices and deals for bulk purchases.

At noon on Sunday, the prices on remaining items will be slashed! Everything must go!

Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22
9am until 4pm
5853 N Kenmore

One street west of Sheridan, in between Hollywood and Thorndale. A block and a half east and half a block south of the Thorndale Red Line stop. Also convenient to CTA Bus Lines 151 and 147.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Black Sheep Now Accepting Script Submissions

Black Sheep Productions is seeking full-length, previously un-produced scripts for development with an eye towards production in our upcoming season. Please mail to:

Black Sheep Productions
5853 N. Kenmore; 2N
Chicago, IL 60660

(Scripts will not be returned)

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

The Second Annual Plea for Your Junk

Black Sheep’s Yard Sale Benefit is July 21st and 22nd

Last summer, Black Sheep asked for donations to a Yard Sale that we hosted in conjunction with Reverie Theatre to raise money for our joint production of Another Day in the Empire, and the response was incredible. We made over $1700 selling items donated by 30 different households, so we thought we would try it again.

*Please note that Black Sheep has only just begun the rather involved process of applying for not-for-profit status and we are not working in association with Reverie Theatre this time around, so your donations will not be tax deductible. We apologize (although I don't think a single person even asked for a receipt last year). We can, however, assure you that all of the money raised will be used by us to make theatre.*

How To Donate:
Simply send an email to blacksheepyardsale@gmail.com (preferred method of contact) or call us at 773-293-3254 before July 15th to arrange pick-up time and location. In most cases, one of our eager and attractive company members can come to you (in Chicago, that is).

And Then Come Buy Your Stuff Back! Last year we did in fact have one donor buy his own item back from the yard sale, because he had not realized he had donated it. We encourage this kind of carelessness. The Yard Sale will be:

Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22
9am until 4pm
5853 N Kenmore

Kenmore is one block west of Sheridan, and the house is located in between Thorndale and Ardmore. Convenient to the Red Line Thorndale Stop or to Bus Lines 151 and 147.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Black Sheep at DrekFest

Playwright in Residence Steve Spencer’s short play An Abortion for Eternity is a finalist in DrekFest, Stage Left Theatre’s first national contest for the worst ten minute play. As a finalist, the play will receive a staged-reading on the evening of Tuesday, June 26th at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Studio Theatre. The reading will be directed by Black Sheep Artistic Director Vance Smith and will feature actors from the Black Sheep Ensemble. For more information, visit Stage Left’s website at: www.stagelefttheatre.com.