Chicago Tribune (CT) - WEDNESDAY, October 8, 1997 Edition: NORTH SPORTS FINAL Section: METRO CHICAGO Page: 1 Word Count: 782
Rohan B Preston, Tribune Staff Writer.

Conceived by actor Amy Landecker, who was an understudy in Steppenwolf's presentation of "A Streetcar Named Desire," the "City Stages" series will be constructed from regularly scheduled productions by such companies as Bailiwick Repertory, Lookingglass, Teatro Vista and Roadworks.

But the season also features exclusive previews of three Steppenwolf Studio productions, including an as-yet-untitled vehicle that will feature "Roseanne" co-star Laurie Metcalf, a Steppenwolf ensemble member.

The Steppenwolf series-within-a-series also includes two tickets to the American Theatre's performance of "Bus Stop."

The entire "City Stages" season, which runs through next spring, begins Thursday with Teatro Vista's production of the Octavio Solis play, "El Paso Blue."

"This is the first time that this number of theaters have come together for this cause, which has severely impacted the theater community," said Landecker.

There have been other joint ventures among Chicago theaters before, especially under the auspices of the Chicago League of Theatres. For example, the "Season of Concern" campaign seeks contributions at the door to help with AIDS prevention and care efforts.

But there has never been a concerted effort for this specific cause, organizers said.

Since the early 1980s, there have been 17,000 cases of AIDS reported in Chicago metropolitan area and 1 million nationwide, according to Karen Fishman, the foundation's executive director.

"But we believe that the actual numbers in Chicago range from 25 to 30,000--there are all kinds of people who are HIV-positive who have never been tested," Fishman said. "That is why we need to continue public-education efforts."

The "City Stages" season consists of two series, each of which costs $75. "City Sampler" will have five productions and "Steppenwolf Studio Nights" will have four. "City Sampler" features Alexandra Billings in the Jon Steinhagen-Mark Stopek musical "Inferno Beach," to be performed next March at Bailiwick.

As part of its effort, the AIDS Foundation is also displaying a commemorative quilt at all the participating theaters. This Chicago panel will become a part of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, which travels around the nation.

A regular theater season, "City Stages," changes venues as well as plays. And ticket prices are "kept low to encourage participation," said Landecker.

"We're offering something that you cannot get unless you are a major theater patron," she continued, noting that all the events will feature post-show audiences with actors as well as backstage tours and conversations with directors.

Others involved see other virtues in this series.

"It's a great idea on the part of the AIDS Foundation to construct a fundraiser in this way and an opportunity to make some kind of move against the despair of that terrible disease--the toll it has taken on all of us," said Martha Lavey, artistic director of Steppenwolf.

"We are all participating in a communal gesture of care and support which I think is highly reflective of the mood in the theater community," she continued.

Lavey said that "City Stages" is attractive because not only does it help a worthy cause, but it also introduces many to the "multiplicity" of Chicago's theater offerings. "For those who do not go to the theater regularly, this is a vehicle to hop on. With the sampler, this is a way to get to also see some midsized theater."

Lavey said this effort is a one of a kind. "Through the League of Chicago Theatres, we had talked about constructing a sampler, for theatergoers to experience the theater in all its multiplicity--this achieves that," said Lavey.

The benefit's aims are manifold. It raises awareness and the profile of the fight against the disease. In addition to the pragmatic concerns of fundraising, it also empowers members of the theater community who have felt besieged by AIDS, said Lavey.

"We do have more people getting infected than ever, even though the rates are declining, and it does mean that more people are living longer with AIDS," said Fishman.

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago hopes to raise $25,000 from this benefit.

For information on the series, call 312-922-2322.

CAPTION:

PHOTO: Eddie Torres (left) signs a panel for the AIDS quilt, while Henry Godinez waits his turn at Steppenwolf. Tribune photo by Chuck Berman.

PHOTO: Aids to cnter stage Larry Giddings, of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, listens as 10 theaters announce they will produce a series of plays to raise money for the group. (Du Page Sports Final edition, Metro Du Page section, page 1.)

Copyright 1997/The Chicago Tribune. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Permissions Desk, The Chicago Tribune, 435 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.
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