Theatre matters. Love matters.

Angry Fags by Topher Payne returns for its final weekend tonight, November 20.

Instead of another post talking about how great the show is (it IS!) we thought we’d let Ensemble Member and Angry Fags cast member Jean E. Mueller-Burr tell you about why theatre really matters in these trying times and what your support of the arts really means.

Jean E. Mueller-Burr as Kimberly Phillips in Angry Fags by Topher Payne (Photo by Pete Guither/For Ghostlight Ensemble Theatre Co.)

Jean E. Mueller-Burr:
“Theatre is an escape. Theatre makes you face tough truths. Theatre is empathy embodied. Theatre is rage and joy and sadness and envy and unbridled energy. Theatre gives a voice to those who feel like they're shouting into the void.

“Theatre is comfort. Theatre is political. Theatre gives a giant hug or a giant middle finger to allies or enemies. Theatre is limitless. Theatre is magic. Theatre is electric. Theatre is fabricated. Theatre is real.

“Theatre matters.

“Let's be honest, it's terrifying to do anything right now. It's scary to even approach plays that lean in any sort of political direction. Going to see a show can feel like a waste of precious time that could be spent doing something that can show more tangible change. Something that really ‘matters.’

“But theatre is undeniably political. Theatre can start movements and launch stars. Theatre has always been a way to drive conversations and a way to offer other perspectives. In a time when we are so divided by the actions of greedy individuals, it's important to feel heard; it's important to offer those who oppress the ability to see the world through the eyes of the oppressed, if only for the slight chance they have a change of heart. It's important to show that, no matter how lonely you feel or how desperate you become, you are not alone - you are in the pages and on the stage. It's important to sit in a space with people from all walks of life and experience a new world, free from any restrictions we have in our own.

“Words, actors, direction, costumes, props, lighting and collaboration. Theatre is a movement. And it matters.”

You can help support art that matters and organizations that matter via our Love As A Verb Fundraiser, which is in its final weeks.

Angry Fags runs through Nov. 23 on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. The performances take place at Lifeline Theatre. Tickets are pay-what-you-will, with a minimum suggested donation of $25 and are available now.

Angry Fags is part of Ghostlight’s 9th Season celebrating otherness and uplifting Queer characters and voices.

In A World Where Trees Talk And Giants Walk, Why Not A Set That Lives And Breathes?

In Ghostlight Ensemble’s latest production, actors throw their whole selves – literally – into telling the story of a giant who brings on a perpetual winter in an effort to keep his land to himself. The Selfish Giant, which opens June 8, is a physical theatre reimagining of the Oscar Wilde short story of the same name.

Weaving movement and words into a highly physical form of storytelling, this intimate production tells the tale of an angry giant who builds a wall to keep children off his land, but discovers the perils of isolation and the negative consequences of selfishness.

“The themes of this story, originally published in 1888, resonate with modern audiences, tackling issues that we are still very much grappling with,” said Maria Burnham, the playwright and a co-director of the production. “The story is almost too relevant.”

This production removes the religious overtones of Wilde’s original short story and replaces it with a morality tale that focuses on character redemption and the power of love. It also moves the story off the page by relying solely on the actors who are telling it, illustrating to the audience another theme of the story – how much better we can be when we all work together.

The adaptation uses a chorus to embody human characters and mythical beasts. The actors build the world of trees, birds, benches and beasts with their bodies.

“Physical theatre is really much more about, not a singular person, but what a group can provide you. What can we build together as opposed to one person standing and saying ‘Hey I’m a giant’ or ‘I’m a tree’,” said Miona Lee, co-director and movement choreographer for the production. “The story itself is very much about inclusiveness and the way we’re building our world as well is really inclusive.”

The Selfish Giant was part of a collection of stories for children by Oscar Wilde, The Happy Prince and Other Tales, first published in May 1888. In the story, the selfish giant builds a wall around his beautiful garden to keep children out. By doing so, he creates a perpetual winter in the garden, because no other season wanted to be part of his selfish endeavor. Then one morning, a special child brings spring back, and the giant’s heart melts along with the snow.

The Selfish Giant stars Jean E. Burr as Lydia and Tamsen Glaser, Molly Gloeckner, Sophia Hail, Nate Hall, Sarah-Lucy Hill, Song Marshall, Daniela Martinez, Maggie Blair Smith and Zoe Savransky as a chorus of characters.

The show was crafted to appeal to all ages and its weekend runs are perfect for families looking for live, daytime entertainment. The Selfish Giant runs June 8-30 on Saturdays at 1 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. at Otherworld Theatre in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago (3914 N. Clark St., 60613) Tickets are on sale now: $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under, or $25 family of four.

The Selfish Giant is part of Ghostlight’s summer Nightlight series.

Nightlight is Ghostlight’s summer young audience series with original, adapted and forgotten plays geared toward children and the adults who love them. Ghostlight believes theatre can be a beacon for children, letting them know they aren’t alone in the world, giving them a sense of security and revealing the truth that in stories they can be anything they want to be. You’re never too young – or too old – for a nightlight.

Up Next: Spice World Returns!

This month we bring back our third annual live reading of the Spice World movie. And unlike the ACTUAL Spice Girls, we’ve got more Poshes than we can handle!

Join Ginger (Caitlin Jackson), Scary (Song Marshall), Sporty (Jean E. Burr), Baby (Carrie Campana) and Posh (Emma Palizza) as they gallivant around England (with a short jaunt to Italy) in advance of their first live concert to be held at London's Royal Albert Hall . Spice World turned 21 this year (in America…it was first released in England 21 years ago December), so we’re taking this film out to a bar to celebrate!

Grab a gin and tonic (better make that a double) and join us for this live reading (and singing) that takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, at the Celtic Crown, located at the corner of Western Avenue and Cullom Avenue.

There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door, which will help Ghostlight fund its current season, plus an additional donation of any amount for GirlForward, a Chicago-based non-profit with its own brand of Girl Power!