Identity

CHICAGO – The 1960s were a time of historical social transition. The movements – civil rights, feminist, gay rights – all had roots in that tumultuous decade. The Chicago premiere of Basil Kreimendahl’s “We’re Gonna Be Okay” echoes all of those movements in its characters, and collides them against the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. The show has a Thursday-Sunday run at the American Theater Company through March 4th, 2018. Click here for more details, including ticket information.

CHICAGO – The issue of gender identity, especially for those who are born with a vagueness as to what to call themselves between/beyond boy and girl, has come front and center in the U.S., both with the legalization of gay marriage and the callous repudiation of identity by trying to pass laws dismissing it (the North Carolina “bathroom” laws). The performance companies of The Living Canvas and Nothing Without a Company is currently staging “[Trans]formation,” which presents gender identity art by six performers, who perform most of the play in the nude.

CHICAGO – From the writer of “Identity” comes the misguided “6 Souls,” a film known as “Shelter” when it was originally scheduled for release back in 2010 and now basically getting a straight-to-Blu-ray release after a dismal worldwide gross of under $1 million. Fans of the great Julianne Moore may be curious. You can still love Julianne Moore and not feel the need to see “6 Souls.” Trust me.