Bailiwick Repertory Chicago Reopened and Reinvented

Originally published by the DePaulia on Feb. 1, 2010.


By Audrey Leon

After 25 years, Members of the now defunct Bailiwick Repertory Theater have reunited under a new brand for a new season of shows.

Dubbed Bailiwick Chicago, the new theater company’s first show of the 2010 season is the musical revue “Show Us Your Love,” which features songs from famed musicals such as “Hair,” “Pippin,” “Aida,” and “Closer than Ever.”

“Show Us Your Love” is one of three smaller revues that will serve as fundraisers for future Bailiwick shows including a stripped-down version of Elton John’s “Aida.” Bailiwick Chicago hosted an open mic night on Jan. 31, at Joey’s Brickhouse on 1258 W. Belmont Ave.

“Bailiwick Repertory had a reputation for bold works and we want to keep challenging ourselves,” said Julie Burt Nichols, Bailiwick grants and development officer.

Bailiwick Repertory was renowned for its quality productions of “Animal Farm,” “Jerry Springer: The Opera,” its yearly rendition of “The Christmas Schooner” and its premiere of Dennis DeYoung’s “The Hunchback of Norte Dame.” Bailiwick was one of the first Chicago theaters to embrace the gay and lesbian community by staging its summer Pride Series.

The view that Bailiwick Repertory was known for its exemplary work is not one-sided. “Bailiwick was extremely well regarded for its daring, exciting work,” said Alan Salzenstein, League of Chicago Theatres board member.

When longtime artistic director David Zak left Bailiwick Repertory in September 2009- a year after the company lost its home of 15 years at 1229 W. Belmont Ave. due to financial troubles- Bailiwick’s board of directors dissolved the company, said Kevin Mayes, executive director of Bailiwick Chicago. Members had no choice but to start over.

“I saw it as an opportunity for folks who had worked at the Bailiwick in the past to create something they could really invest in,” Mayes said. “It was an opportunity to transfer brand recognition.”

However, Salzenstein believes there is a lot of baggage attached to the Bailiwick name. “Bailiwick has a founder’s perception,” Salzenstein said. “It was David Zak.”

Bailiwick Chicago sets itself apart from the old company in many ways, notably the 13-member collective makes decisions as a group, instead of one person, Mayes said.Bailiwick Chicago is also developing community partnerships.”For each project we’re trying to partner with another not-for-profit organization to get them invested in the project to bring ideas, to bring talent, to bring money, to bring audiences to the table,” Mayes said.One such partnership will surface when Bailiwick stages “Aida” at the American Theater Co., 1909 W. Byron St., in July 2010. The African-American dance company Deeply Rooted will handle the show’s choreography.While Mayes said there are no plans to continue the Pride Series this summer, he hopes Bailiwick Chicago will partner with the About Face Theater– which specializes in gay and lesbian programming – in the future.

The new Bailiwick Chicago is still homeless, but loving it.

“We’re happy to be transient,” said general manager Kate Garassino. “This way we can focus on our art and our audiences.”

Finding a permanent home is not out of the question. “Once we’ve searched out and figured out who we are and what kind of space we want to be in, that [finding housing] will definitely happen,” Mayes said.
Salzenstein believes Bailiwick Chicago’s story is just beginning.

“Chicago is very supportive of those who feel the entrepreneurial spirit in the arts,” Salzenstein said. “If they have creative people on every level, the sky’s the limit.”

Theatergoers can catch performances of “Show Us Your Love” at Hamburger Mary’s at 5400 N. Clark St. every Sunday night in February.