Jerry Garcia’s dead, the U.S. has recognized Vietnam, and it’s mid-August–time for another edition of Mary-Arrchie Theatre’s annual theater festival commemorating the anniversary of Woodstock and the passing of the radical clown and Woodstock Nation author who gives the event its name. Seeking to stimulate a communal spirit (which may be enhanced by sleep deprivation), Mary-Arrchie’s Richard Cotovsky has organized the festival’s three days as a nearly nonstop procession of entertainment by numerous local theater and improv troupes. In keeping with the 60s mindset, the fest’s centerpiece is Mary-Arrchie’s acclaimed current production, the Vietnam-war drama Tracers. Informality and spontaneity are the order of the day–so note that the schedule listed below, provided at the beginning of the week, may be subject to change. Mary-Arrchie Theatre, Angel Island, 731 W. Sheridan, 871-0442. August 18 through 20: Friday-Sunday, according to the schedule below. Tickets: $5 per admission (allows you to come in once and stay as long as you like); $10 for a one-day pass (allows you to come and go at will on one day); $25 for a weekend pass to the full festival.
Chloroform to Cancer
Chris Metzger performs his cosmic comic serial about an outer space insect and his fight against evil. Every performance of Starbug during the festival will feature a different episode. 9:15 PM.
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The late off-off-Broadway playwright Tom Eyen penned this short comedy, presented by Punkin Productions, about a girl who’s molested and murdered by a strange man in the Plaza Hotel. 9:25 PM.
Gas Mask 101
Momus Productions presents Raymond Hughes’s comedy about a gangland slaying in a Chicago suburb. This is a preview of the first act of a full-length play due to open this fall. 11:50 PM.
Cirque de Fiant
