WINTER/SPRING SEASON

Jan 23–24 eighth blackbird Hand Eye ______Jan 28–30 Toshiki Okada/chelfitsch God Bless Baseball ______Feb 4 and 6–7 Ingri Fiksdal, Ingvild Langgård & Signe Becker Cosmic Body ______Feb 11–14 Faye Driscoll Thank You For Coming: Attendance ______Feb 18–27 Tim Etchells/Forced Entertainment The Notebook, Speak Bitterness, and (In) Complete Works: Table Top Shakespeare ______Mar 5–6 Joffrey Academy of Dance Winning Works ______Mar 25–26 eighth blackbird featuring Will Oldham (Bonnie “” Billy) Ghostlight ______Mar 31–Apr 3 Blair Thomas & Co. Moby Dick ______Apr 7–10 Teatrocinema Historia de Amor (Love Story) ______Apr 12 and 14–16 Taylor Mac A 24-Decade History of Popular Music ______Apr 28–May 1 Kyle Abraham/ Abraham.In.Motion When the Wolves Came In Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Apr 12 and 14–16, 2016 FEATURING Vocals Taylor Mac ______A 24-Decade History WITH Music Director/Piano/ Matt Ray of Popular Music: Backup Vocals Bass Danton Boller Drums Bernice “Boom Boom” (1956–1986) Brooks ______Guitar Viva De Concini CONCEIVED, WRITTEN, PERFORMED, AND CODIRECTED BY Baritone Sax, Trumpet, Jon Natchez Flute, Clarinet, Banjo TAYLOR MAC Backup Vocals Stephanie Christian ______MUSIC DIRECTOR Backup Vocals Thornetta Davis ______Executive Producer Linda Brumbach ______MATT RAY CODIRECTOR Associate Producers Kaleb Kilkenny Alisa E. Regas ______NIEGEL SMITH ______COSTUME DESIGNER Coproduced by Pomegranate Arts and Nature’s Darlings ______MACHINE DAZZLE MCA commissioning support for Taylor Mac, A 24-Decade LIGHTING DESIGNER History of Popular Music: (1956–1986) is through the MCA Stage New Works Initiative. Established in 2014, the New Works ______JOHN TORRES Initiative meaningfully expands MCA Stage’s ongoing DRAMATURG commitment to supporting artists and bringing important new performances to audiences. ______JOCELYN CLARKE ______Lead support for the MCA Stage New Works Initiative is provided by Elizabeth A. Liebman. A 24-Decade History of Popular Music is commissioned in part by Belfast International Arts Festival and 14-18 NOW; Carole Shorenstein Hays, Curran Theatre, San Francisco; Carolina Performing Arts at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA; Hancher Auditorium at the University of Iowa; for the Performing Arts; Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; International Festival of Arts & Ideas; New York Live Arts; OZ Arts Nashville; and University Musical Society at the University of . This work developed with the support of the Park Avenue Armory residency program and the 2015 Sundance Institute Theatre Lab at the Sundance Resort with continuing post-lab dramaturgical support through its initiative with the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. A 24-Decade History of Popular Music was made possible with funding by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Theater Project, with lead funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

SONGS TO BE ANNOUNCED FROM THE STAGE FROM THE ARTIST Apr 28–May 1 at MCA Stage A 24-DECADE HISTORY OF POPULAR MUSIC I suppose I’ve been subconsciously kicking around the idea for A 24-Decade History of Popular Music for many years. I can pinpoint the catalyst to an AIDS action I attended in 1987. The action Kyle Abraham/ was a profound experience for me, a fairly isolated suburban queer kid who had never met an out-of-the-closet homosexual, as I was suddenly exposed to thousands of queers. What has Abraham.In.Motion stuck with me from that day was the experience of a community

Taylor Mac Photo: Kevin Yatarola Sam Pratt, Catherine Ellis Kirk Photo: Tim Barden coming together in the face of such tragedy and injustice— and expressing their rage (and joy in being together) via music, dancing, chanting, and agency. Not only was the community When the Wolves using itself to destroy an epidemic, but the activists were also using a disease, their deterioration, and human imperfection as a way to aid their community. In many ways, my entire Came In career has been about reenacting this experience on the stage, in one form or another, but a couple years ago I decided to Tickets at mcachicago.org consciously go for it. The result is a durational work that explores the various ways imperfection can foster community. Most of my work uses the technique of content dictating the Centre, London’s Soho Theatre, form (thank you, Mr. Sondheim). So when figuring out what form ABOUT and literally hundreds of would best represent the content/theme of Imperfection Fostering THE ARTISTS other theaters, museums, music Community, I was drawn to popular music. One could argue halls, cabarets, and festivals that a classical song’s goal is to touch the hem of God (to TAYLOR MAC around the globe. Judy is the strive for perfection), whereas a popular song is written and is a theater artist (who uses author of sixteen full-length perform­ed to touch the people. Popular songs use their simplicity, the gender pronoun, judy), plays and performance pieces, imperfection, and humanity to rally people towards a cause which means judy’s a play- including Hir (which recently (whether that cause is to love, fight, celebrate, or mourn). They wright, actor, singer- premiered at San Francisco’s are egalitarian songs; ones we have easy access to and can songwriter, cabaret performer, Magic Theater), The Lily’s all join in on. As a result, I decided the popular song was the form performance artist, director Revenge (), The I wanted for a show about imperfection fostering community. and producer. TimeOut New Walk Across America for Mother But one song or one concert wouldn’t do. A community is built York named judy the best Earth (named One of the over a number of years and through experiences and is multifacet- cabaret performer in New Best Plays of 2011 by The ed. I needed variety and a form that would not only represent York (2012), and the Village New York Times), The Young the thing but actual do the thing I was interested in exploring. So I’m making a durational concert that spans multiple years, loc- ations, and contains an onslaught of popular songs. It goes like this: For a number of years (at least five but perhaps ten) I’ll be performing—in New York, the United States, and abroad—more than 240 popular songs from the United States made over the last 240 years: 1776–2016. The songs aren’t necessarily North American but are songs that were popular in the United States; the set list is broken down into themed concerts, decade concerts (made up of songs that originated in the particular decade), and other “shorter” durational concerts: a twenty-four- song concert, a ten-hour nineteenth-century concert, a ten- hour twentieth-century concert, and in 2016 in New York City, the mother of them all, a twenty-four-hour concert that includes all 240 songs and during which I’ll be performing almost nonstop (with a few bathroom breaks) with a twenty-four- piece-orchestra, so bring your bedding and toiletries. The goal is that with each performance we build a community that participates in the durational work. To date, we’ve performed fourteen of the decades at least once, and more and Performance view, Taylor Mac: more audience members are becoming a part of the 24-Decade An Abridged Concert of The History Ladies Of (nominated for History of Popular Music community (we call them The Guild of of Political Popular Music, MCA Chicago Chicago’s Jeff Award for Best Lilies). They’re starting to get to know each other and are Sep 27–28, 2013 Solo), Red Tide Blooming (Ethyl using the ritual of a shared experience as the impetus for further Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago Eichelberger Award), The involvement: businesses have been started, lovers have been Be(a)st of Taylor Mac (Edinburgh made and weddings have even been planned. Our next Voice named judy the best Festival’s Herald Angel Award), phase is to shoot live video feeds of the concerts so that audience theater actor in New York and, in collaboration with members who have seen various concerts in New York or (2013). Judy’s work has been Mandy Patinkin, Susan Stroman Chicago can watch what happens in London and stay connected performed at New York and Paul Ford, Mac created with the progression of the work. City’s Lincoln Center and the The Last Two People On Public Theater, the Sydney Earth: An Apocalyptic Vaudeville, It’s a dream come true to share this work here, and if this is your Opera House, American which judy is currently first time joining us, welcome. Repertory Theater, Stockholm’s performing/touring with Sodra Theatern, the Spoleto Patinkin. —Taylor Mac Festival, Dublin’s Project Arts Mac is currently creating and Usual Suspect. Taylor Mac is performing at He often collaborates with performing sections from the the recipient of the 2015 Herb with Kat Edmonson, touring artist Todd Shalom; together, durational concert A 24-Decade Alpert Award for Theater. with Reggae legend Burning they conceive and stage History of Popular Music, Spear, music directing The Billie interactive performances in sections of which have been MACHINE DAZZLE Holiday Project at the Apollo public and private environ- performed at Lincoln Center, (NÉE MATTHEW FLOWER) Theater in Harlem, arranging ments. Smith was the associate the Under The Radar Festival moved to New York City in string and piano for the fifth director of the Tony Award– at the Public Theater, and Joe’s 1994 after attending the season finale of Showtime’s winning musical FELA!— Pub, among many venues. University of Colorado Boulder. Nurse Jackie, performing at which was restaged in London, Playscripts, Vintage Press, New Mixing odd jobs by day with Joe’s Pub with Joey Arias, Lagos, and on its world York Theatre Review, and art and dance clubs by night performing in Paris with Mx. tour. Smith was assistant New York Theatre Experience erupted into a unique lifestyle Justin Vivian Bond, and director for the off-Broadway have published judy’s plays grounded in costume and performing monthly gigs at production of The 25th Annual and judy is the recipient of a performance art. Machine’s Joe’s Pub with Bridget Everett Putnam County Spelling Bee Helen Merrill Playwriting DIY and transgressive nature and the Tender Moments. and both Broadway and Award, two Sundance Theater comes face to face with Other recent work includes off-Broadway productions of Lab residencies, three MAP his conceptualist-as-artist performing at the Edinburgh Tony Kushner’s Caroline, or Grants, the Creative Capital identity; the results can be seen Fringe with Lady Rizo and Change. He has worked on the Grant, the James Hammerstein on stages all over the world. touring the world with Taylor artistic staffs of the Public Award for playwriting, Machine has worked with Mac and the Nature’s Darlings Theater, Trinity Repertory three GLAAD Media Award Taylor Mac, Justin Vivian Bond, ensemble in A 20th Century Company, and Providence Nomination,­ two New York Joey Arias, Julie Atlas Muz, History of Popular Music. Black Rep. He is the artistic State Council on the Arts Big Art Group, the Crystal Ark, In addition, Matt directed the director of the Flea Theater. Grants, a the Dazzle Dancers, Stanley music and played piano in Council of the Arts Grant, an Love Performance Group, Taylor Mac’s Obie Award– Foundation and the Pixie Harlots, to name winning play The Lily’s Revenge Residency, the Franklin Furnace a few. at the HERE Arts Center in Grant, a Peter S. Reed Grant, New York. Matt has released and the Ensemble Studio MATT RAY two jazz as a leader, Theatre’s New Voices Fellow- can be seen in some of We Got It! (2001) and Lost ship in playwriting. Mac is a New York’s best venues, where In New York (2006), and one proud alum of the HERE Arts he performs nightly either of original pop/folk Center Resident Artists pro- fronting his own band or material called Songs For the gram and is currently a New accompanying some of the Anonymous (2013). Performance view, Taylor Mac: Dramatists fellow and a city’s most dynamic perfor­ An Abridged Concert of The History of Political Popular Music, MCA Chicago New York Theater Workshop mers. His recent work includes NIEGEL SMITH Sep 27–28, 2013 is a performance artist and Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago Taylor Mac, 24 Decade theater director. His theater series work has been produced Photo: Kevin Yatarola by the Public Theater, Classical JOCELYN CLARKE Theatre of Harlem, Magic is the theater adviser to the Theatre, Mixed Blood, HERE Arts Council of Ireland and Arts Center, Hip Hop Theatre a dramaturg at American Festival, Summer Play Festival, Voices New Play Institute at New York Fringe Festival, Arena Stage in Washington, and the Phoenix Theatre DC. He has taught dramaturgy Ensemble, and his walks have at the John Kennedy Centre for been produced by Elastic City, the Performing Arts, Columbia American Realness, the University, and Trinity College Prelude Festival, Abrons Arts Dublin. He was the commis- Center, Visual AIDS, the Van sioning and literary manager Alen Institute, and PS 122. of the Abbey Theatre for four years, and lead theater several productions with band The Sides, which more than thirty instruments, critic with the Sunday Tribune director Robert Wilson, such performs a progressive sound- including saxophone, trumpet, for nine years. He is an as the world tour of Philip scape ranging from electro bass, lap steel guitar, banjo, associate artist with the Glass’s Einstein on the Beach to avant-jazz, dub, afrobeat, tuba, mandolin, trombone, Civilians and Theatre Mitu in and Cheek to Cheek Live! with and rock. He records and French horn, and modular New York. He has written six Tony Bennett and Lady produces in his New York studio synthesizers. For many years, plays for Anne Bogart and Gaga, as part of the PBS Great and coproduced the highly he was a member of the band the SITI Company: Bob, Alice’s Performances series. His designs successful Kat Edmonson Beirut, and he has performed Adventures Underground, for opera include Idomeneo, release Way Down Low on live and/or recorded with Room, Score, Antigone, and La Traviata, and Orfeo for Sony Records. David Byrne, St. Vincent, Spoon, Trojan Women (after Euripides). Opera Orchestre de Montpelli- Passion Pit, Macklemore & Ryan The first part of his new er in France. His work for BERNICE “BOOM BOOM” Lewis, the Antlers, Camera collaboration with Theatre dance includes designs for the BROOKS Obscura, Calexico, The War Mitu, Hamlet/UR Hamlet, Trisha Brown Company, is a drummer, producer, On Drugs, Herman Dune, Owen premiered in Abu Dhabi in Jonah Boaker, and the Martha and teaching artist who has Pallett, Stars Like Fleas, Bishop performed and shared the Allen, Yellow Ostrich, Liza stage with such greats as Tito Minnelli, , John Puente, Gregory Hines, Patti Zorn, Shugo Tokumaru, Craig Labelle, and many other Wedren, Karen Elson, Nina talented jazz and R&B figures. Persson, James Iha, and Zooey She was a collaborating Deschanel. musician for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s production The STEFFANIE CHRISTIAN History of with Marion is a native of and a Cowings, and has a national prolific music collaborator commercial airing, Five in the city, with legends such Fine Fillies, for Bank of America. as Tommy Hearns, Big Proof, Amp Fiddler, and Don Was. VIVA DE CONCINI She toured with Brooklyn- is a prolific guitarist and based Talib Kweli in 2015, and vocalist, whose performances has toured France as a have been compared to a headliner with the Black Rock flaming sword, a screaming Coalition. Christian’s debut train, a ringing bell, a scratch- solo EP, Way Too Much, was ing chicken, and her singing released in 2014. She is to Freddy Mercury’s if he had working on a new EP, Down, Performance view, Taylor Mac: Graham Company, and his An Abridged Concert of The History been a woman. Her engage- planned as a free download, of Political Popular Music, MCA Chicago publications include a collabo- ments have included Bonnaroo as well as a full length album, Sep 27–28, 2013 ration with photographer and the Monterey Jazz It’s Complicated—both released Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago Steven Klein. Festival, and she has been by Kweli’s label Javotti Media. featured in Guitar Player spring 2015. Trial by Fire, his DANTON BOLLER Magazine. Her recent record- THORNETTA DAVIS libretto for new electronic has been active in the New ings Rock & Roll Lover and is a Detroit-based singer and opera by Roger Doyle about York music scene for seventeen Rhinestones & Rust charted on songwriter and the winner of the philosopher Giordano years, performing with Roy College Music Journal. more than thirty music awards, Bruno, premieres in Dublin in Hargrove, Jon Fishman, Elysian including the 2015 Best late 2016. Fields, Joey Arias, Nomoto, JON NATCHEZ Blues/R&B Vocalist. In 2012, Justin Vivian Bond, Norah is a multi-instrumentalist she was inducted into the JOHN TORRES Jones, Matt Ray, Q Tip, Taylor who has toured professionally Canada South Blues Museum is currently designing lighting Mac, and on the production since the age of sixteen. He and received the Detroit for dance, theater, opera, and FELA! on Broadway. has recorded on more than Blues Society Living Lifetime print. Recent projects include Boller leads the instrumental a hundred albums, playing Achievement Award. She began as backup singer with Brazilian vocalist Virginia for the Detroit soul band Rodrigues; Drama Desk Lamont Zodiac and The Love Award–winning Charlie Victor Signs, which later became Romeo; Healing The Divide, The Chisel Brothers featuring A Concert for Peace and Thornetta Davis. Her debut Reconciliation, presented by THIS YEAR’S solo album, Sunday Morning and Richard Gere; Music (Sub Pop, 1996), includes and Hal Willner’s Came So original song “Cry,” which was Far For Beauty, An Evening Of featured on the HBO series Songs. ENACT-SPONSORED The Sopranos. Her release Upcoming projects include the Thornetta Davis Covered Live remount of Available Light at the Music Menu won by John Adams, Lucinda Childs, PROGRAM IS Best R&B/ Blues Recording and Frank Gehry, the North at the American tour of Sankai Juku’s 2002. Davis has toured newest work Umusuna, Europe and North Africa and Taylor Mac’s A 24-Decade has opened for Ray Charles, History of Popular Music, and , Smokey a new work in development TAYLOR MAC Robinson, , Buddy by Lucinda Childs, Philip Glass, Guy, Koko Taylor, Junior and James Turrell. Wells, Lonnie Brooks, Johnnie Johnson, , and For more information, visit others. In 2001, she was pomegranatearts.com or email inducted into the Detroit Music [email protected]. Hall of Fame. ______A 24-DECADE Founder POMEGRANATE ARTS and President is an independent production Linda Brumbach HISTORY OF company dedicated to the development of international Managing Director, contemporary performing Creative POPULAR MUSIC: arts projects. Pomegranate Arts Alisa E. Regas is the exclusive producer and management for the revival Managing Director, (1956–1986) of Robert Wilson, Philip Glass, Operations and Lucinda Childs’s Olivier Kaleb Kilkenny Award–winning production of Einstein on the Beach. Since its Associate General In a city famed for performing arts, MCA Stage inception, Pomegranate Arts Manager has conceived, produced, Linsey Bostwick stands out by presenting memorable perfor- or represented projects by mers from around the world and across cultures. Philip Glass, , Company Enact brings together longtime performance London’s Improbable Management Theatre, Sankai Juku, Dan Katie Ichtertz fans and newcomers alike to support cutting- Zanes, Lucinda Childs and edge work, gain behind-the-scenes access Goran Bregovic. Special Office Manager to artists, and discuss groundbreaking directions projects include Dracula: The Eva Amessé Music And Film with Philip with leading curators. Glass and the Kronos Quartet; Stage Manager the music theater work Michal V. Mendelson For more information or to join Enact, please visit Shockheaded Peter; a piece mcachicago.org/enact. The MCA’s newest FOUNDING MEMBERS THANK YOU affinity group, Enact, OF ENACT: Dr. Bruce and Sally Bauer Lead support for the 2015–2016 season of MCA Stage is provided by gives longtime Julie and Shane Campbell Elizabeth A. Liebman. performance fans and Patricia O. Cox Shawn M. Donnelley* Generous support for MCA Dance is provided by David Herro and Jay Franke. newcomers alike the and Christopher M. Kelly opportunity to meet Lois** and Steve Eisen and Additional generous support is provided by Caryn and King Harris; Shawn M. The Eisen Family Foundation Donnelley and Christopher M. Kelly; Lois and Steve Eisen and The Eisen Family artists, discuss ground- Ginger Farley and Bob Shapiro Foundation; Ginger Farley and Bob Shapiro; the Martha Struthers Farley breaking directions David Herro and Jay Franke and Donald C. Farley Jr. Family Foundation; Mary E. Ittelson; Sharon and Lee Sarai Hoffman and Stephen Pratt Oberlander; Maya Polsky; Carol Prins and John Hart/The Jessica Fund; with leading curators, Cynthia Hunt and Philip Rudolph Ellen Stone Belic; Amphion Foundation, Inc.; Leigh and Henry Bienen; Mark and choose key Mary E. Ittelson Light; Melynda Lopin; Maecenas; Herbert R. and Paula Molner; Elizabeth Anne L. Kaplan Price and Lou Yecies; and Ms. Patricia F. Sternberg. performers to sponsor. Anne and John Kern Lisa Yun Lee The MCA is a proud member of the Museums in the Park and receives major Join Enact, a group of MCA Circle Elizabeth A. Liebman support from the Chicago Park District. Donors dedicated to supporting and Susan Manning and Doug Doetsch learning more about the renowned Herbert R. and Paula Molner programs on the MCA Stage. Sharon and Lee Oberlander Foundation Membership in Enact enhances your Karen Peters and Charles Frank Season Sponsor MCA experience by offering you Maya Polsky backstage access to artists and Elizabeth Price and Lou Yecies insider information about our Carol Prins and John Hart/ Preferred programs and the current state of The Jessica Fund Hotel Partner the field. Mr. and Mrs. John Seder Ms. Patricia F. Sternberg Each year, Enact members choose— Ellen Stone Belic through discussion and voting—one Richard and Ann Tomlinson performance to sponsor, thereby increasing the impact MCA Stage programming has on the community. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF ENACT MEMBERSHIP INCLUDE:

� Members-only programming throughout the MCA Stage season � Pre and post-performance discussions with artists � Behind-the-scenes access to select rehearsals � An annual preview of the upcoming season � Recognition as the Enact Sponsor of a select program All benefits of Circle Donors � MUSEUM OF Enact dues: $1,000 annually CONTEMPORARY ART Circle Donor contribution: From CHICAGO $1,500 annually 220 E Chicago Ave For more information, contact * Enact Chair us at [email protected]. ** Enact Cochair Chicago, IL 60611 As of April 2016 As an internationally renowned institution Anne L. Kaplan, Chair of devoted to contemporary culture, the Museum the Board of of Contemporary Art Chicago presents the Trustees most thought-provoking visual art and Madeleine Grynsztejn, performing arts of our time. MCA Stage is a Pritzker Director vibrant series presenting theater, dance, Teresa Samala and music by leading artists from the United de Guzman, Deputy States and around the world in the MCA’s Director three-hundred-seat Edlis Neeson Theater. Michael Darling, James W. Alsdorf MCA Stage’s groundbreaking performances are Chief Curator an integral part of the MCA’s artist-activated, audience-engaged programming. Along PERFORMANCE with the museum’s exhibitions and educational PROGRAMS initiatives, they encourage a broad and Peter Taub, Director diverse community to experience and discuss Yolanda Cesta Cursach, the work and ideas of living artists. Associate Director John Rich, Manager Isabel Dieppa, PARKING Coordinator Validate your ticket at the coat check for $12 Richard Norwood, parking in the MCA garage (220 East Chicago Theater Avenue) or the Bernardin garage (747 Production North Wabash). Discounted parking is limited Manager to six hours on the date of performance. Meghan Claire Coppoletti, Intern LOST AND FOUND Udita Upadhyaya, Intern To inquire about a lost item, call the museum at 312-280-2660. Unclaimed articles are held HOUSE MANAGEMENT for thirty days. Kevin Brown, Associate Phill Cabeen, Associate SEATING Quinlan Kirchner, Please switch off all noise-making devices Associate while you are in the theater. BOX OFFICE Patrons are seated at the management’s Matti Allison, Manager discretion. Food and open beverage containers Phongtorn Phongluantum, are not allowed in the seating area. Assistant Manager Molly Laemle, REPRODUCTION Coordinator Unauthorized recording and repro­duction Lucas Baisch, Associate of a performance is prohibited. Stephanie Branco, Associate GENERAL INFORMATION Nora Carroll, Associate 312-280-2660 Emma Dwyer, Associate Wright Gatewood, BOX OFFICE Associate 312-397-4010 Julie Kriegel, Associate Laura Volkening, Associate VOLUNTEER FOR PERFORMANCES 312-397-4072 Program notes compiled [email protected] by Yolanda Cesta Cursach MUSEUM HOURS Tuesday: 10 am–8 pm Wednesday–Sunday: 10 am–5 pm Closed Mondays, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas