The Mary-Arrchie Theatre’s marathon showcase of emerging talent features a slew of fringe companies and solo artists. Hoping to honor the spirit of the late anarchist author of Woodstock Nation, “Abbie Hoffman Died for Our Sins” was founded to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Woodstock festival, and emulates that countercultural benchmark by offering an almost constant flow of acts while seeking to stimulate a communal spirit among performers and audience (which may be enhanced by sleep deprivation). As it happens, the festival’s tenth annual edition also marks the 30th anniversary of the Chicago Democratic convention, which Hoffman and others turned into a forum for antiwar activism. A sliding admission-price scale allows audiences to attend a specific show or to come and go throughout the weekend; there’s a convenience store at the gas station across the street for those in need of a middle-of-the-night snack, and the theater is air-conditioned. Participants include A Red Orchid Theatre, the Defiant Theatre Company, Drew Richardson, Abby Schachner, Broken Pilgrims in Gothic Sneakers, the Shit, Wax Lips Theatre Company, and Theatre Wyrzuc as well as Mary-Arrchie, whose own entries include Gas Mask 101, a nostalgic look at Vietnam War-era college life, and a remounting of its 1986 inaugural production, Sam Shepard’s 4-H Club. Informality and spontaneity are the order of the day–so note that the schedule listed below, provided at the beginning of the week, may be subject to change. Mary-Arrchie Theatre, Angel Island, 731 W. Sheridan, 773-871-0442. August 21 through 23: Friday-Sunday, according to the schedule below. Tickets: $5 per admission (allows you to come in once and stay as long as you can take it); $10 for a one-day pass (allows you to come and go at will on a single day); $25 for a weekend pass to the full festival.
Actor and festival organizer Richard Cotovsky adopts the persona of Abbie Hoffman to welcome the audience. 7 PM.
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Iguana Productions presents John Weagly’s play about a reclusive woman who becomes obsessed with Jon Bon Jovi. 7:40 PM.
The Great Egress
Frederick Stroppel’s dark comedy, about a man and a woman ending their five-year relationship, is presented by Sparkwood and 21. 8:50 PM.
Starbug: Episode #56
“Two characters discuss their dreamless lives while waiting for the conclusion of a never-ending commercial break on TV,” in Theatre Babble’s production of Terry Hornsby’s play. Midnight.
