And finally, we present Whitney’s official reel for 2012. It took us long enough but it was well worth the wait! Clips featured include: NBC’s The Playboy Club (Pilot, and Ep 1), and the Documentary on The House Theatre’s Girls vs Boys. All photography by Janna Giacoppo. Check it out!
What do you think? Let us know!
EyesonWhitney@gmail.com
Special thanks to the amazing Hedy Weiss and the Chicago Sun Times for mentioning Passing Strange on their theater review for 2011!
“Bailiwick Chicago and director Lili-Anne Brown put a fresh, young, wholly believable face on “Passing Strange,” improving greatly on Stew’s autobiographical Broadway musical. “
Full article here!
Want more press? Check it out!
Check out my page over at Chicago Theater Beat! It features a collection of reviews, videos, photos and more. Special Thanks to the writers at Chicago Theater Beat for their hard work this year! Woot woot!
Check Whitney out in JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound’s latest music video.
Like the video? Go behind the Scenes
This morning we got a holiday treat when TimeOut Chicago rated Passing Strange the second best play in Chicago of 2011. Whitney played the revolutionary Desi, cast included Aaron Holland, Sharriesse Hamilton, Steven Perkins, Osiris Kephera, and JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound.
It was an unforgettable experience all around, 100% supported by Bailiwick Chicago, fabulous direction, great audiences, and an all-star ensemble. We can only hope there are more productions like Passing Strange down the road. Passing Strange was also nominated for several awards by the Black Theatre Alliance. Directed by Lili-Anne Brown, musical direction Jimmy Morehead, book and music by Stew and Heidi. Passing Strange originally premiered on Broadway in 2008.
Excited to announce that EyesonWhitney now has a Soundcloud page. The account will feature original tracks, demos, and collaborative work so check back frequently.
Ch Ch Check it out:
This past week the girls from Cheeky Chicago, an online women’s guide to Chicago, stopped by Love Loss and What I Wore and stayed for a talk back. The ladies had a blast and the talk back was one that was actually helpful and full of rich dialogue. It is always great to hear feedback, whether it is good or bad, from audience who cares and an audience that appreciates the work.
Cheeky Chicago was co-founded by the very lovely and fellow Northwestern Alum Erica Bethe Levin. The site is great for learning about what’s happening around town; the must see places and shops, as well as celebrity news, arts and culture. Hopefully we will see Whitney featured in the Stage and Screen section soon 🙂
Some of you may have heard that this past week the iconic Loretta Swift of MASH fame joined the Chicago cast of Love Loss and What I Wore. Well it has been quite the roller coaster ride, and Swift was a fabulous edition. Her experience in the biz is rare and she has stories to boot! It is amazing how many little things can change when a new cast member is added. One is never necessarily better than the other, but just different, and a little change always keeps you on your toes. It was the recent photo call that really made the cast feel like a little family.
Swift has done the show before and will be taking it back to New York and on tour in 2012. Having worked frequently as a replacement, it is now interesting to be on the other side, of sorts. I have found that staying open, listening to the smallest of changes and letting the text reveal its layers had been particularly helpful in this process. As we continue on this ride I can’t wait to see what we will find and discover.
With Love,
W.
Interested in Tickets? Contact us!
EyesonWhitney@gmail.com
Last night Whitney hosted the 43rd Annual Joseph Jefferson Awards at the beautiful Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace courtesy of Michael Webber.
The creme of the Chicago land theater scene were all in attendance and It really felt like a community affair. So many professionals in one place celebrating their love of the theater and dedication to the future of the industry in Chicago.
*Dress by Personal Priviledge
Whitney hosted with fellow NU Alum Erik Kaiko (The King and I), and Aja Goes (Putting it Together). Michael Webber directed a very tightly run show featuring performances by the casts of Spamalot and Grease. But the showstopper of the night was given by Bethany Thomas from Porgy and Bess. Her earthshaking performance was grounded, technically impeccable and deeply moving.
Chicago Shakespeare and The Goodman went away with the most wins (Chi. Shakes with 4 and Goodman with 7) for The Madness of King George III directed by Penny Metropulos and Candide directed by Mary Zimmerman. Hedy Weiss, renown Chicago critic for the Chicago Sun Times, gave one of the most memorable speeches of the evening for her Special Award for Contribution to Theater. For a full rundown of winners and nominees click here.
This was Whitney’s first Jeff’s! Special thanks to Michael Webber and the wonderful tech team behind the show.
Got any great pics from the evening?
Share them with us! EyesonWhitney.gmail.com
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