Open Space Arts sets AIDS-crisis theater series for its Uptown stage

Four plays about AIDS, intimacy and caregiving will share Open Space Arts’ Uptown stage beginning October 23. Before We Are History runs through November 8 at the theater’s 25-seat storefront, 1411 W. Wilson Avenue.

An October 15 program announcement published by Windy City Times describes the series as an effort to revisit plays that are now seldom produced and connect them with LGBTQ+ life today. The program pairs early responses to the epidemic with a more contemporary work.

The theater’s published program schedules Jeff Hagedorn’s One and Lee Raines’ Blood Spill together October 23–25. One follows a young man confronting an AIDS diagnosis; Blood Spill concerns a playwright’s confrontation with a theater leader over his AIDS play.

Robert Chesley’s Jerker follows October 29–November 8. The play develops a relationship between two gay men through telephone conversations as the epidemic changes the world around them.

Robin Swados’ A Quiet End will receive a staged reading November 3 at 7:30 p.m. The reading is pay what you can, while general tickets for the other programs are listed at $30, or $25 for students and seniors.

The theater says 10% of ticket revenue, along with additional donations connected to the series, will be shared among Chicago Black Men’s Caucus, Vivent Health + TPAN and Season of Concern.

The theater’s current series page lists conversations after the October 25, November 1 and November 8 Sunday matinees. It says participants and discussion topics will be announced as they are confirmed.

The series begins with the October 23 double bill; the later production and reading have separate dates. Ticket information and the current performance schedule are available through the theater’s series page.

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