Curtain ready to rise on Mayne Stage

Opening in mid-June, Mayne Stage (1328 W. Morse Ave., Chicago; 773-381-4554), is poised to present a diverse entertainment calendar of established and emerging performers in its intimate, sophisticated atmosphere with state of the art sound, lighting and recording amenities. Reflecting its location in the diverse Rogers Park neighborhood, Mayne Stage will showcase an eclectic mix of musical styles including jazz, cabaret, classical and more. In addition to music, a variety of comedy, theatrical and family programs are promised to appeal to a wide audience.

Mayne Stage officially opens in mid-June as one of the locations for the TBS Presents a “Very Funny” Festival: Just for Laughs and will feature The Not Inappropriate Show, featuring Bob Odenkirk and Kate Micucci. For show times and to purchase tickets, visit www.justforlaughschicago.com.

Other artists currently scheduled to appear include nationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway on July 2 and 3, Chicago favorite Ron Hawking July 8, 9 and 10, Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael in That 60’s Show on July 23 and Mike Toomey’s TV & Me on July 24. Show times and ticket information for these shows and other upcoming performances is available at www.maynestage.com. All shows are subject to change.

Booking and creative development for the venue is handled by industry veteran Denise McGowan Tracy and her DMT Entertainment, Inc.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to book this new, yet historic, venue. Live entertainment is crucial to the fabric of Rogers Park and Chicago. Mayne Stage provides the perfect setting for both the artist and the audience to enjoy the live performance experience,” said McGowan Tracy.

The 299-seat venue is unique in its flexibility and versatility. Mayne Stage offers attractive cabaret and theater style seating, comfortable booths on the mezzanine level as well as balcony seating – all with excellent sightlines. With its state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, nine-foot Steinway piano and intimate feel, Mayne Stage is an exceptional venue for a wide range of performance styles. Comfortable and beautifully lit, full-service bars on the main level and the mezzanine level complete the experience.

Mayne Stage has been designed as a unique, memorable space for both public performances and private events. The bar areas on both levels outside the main theater room are perfect for private receptions before and after performances. The flexibility of the seating area in the main room allows clients to customize the room for a myriad of events, from meetings and award celebrations, to themed social events, fundraisers and large personal celebrations and parties.

Recognizing its exceptional performance capabilities, McGowan Tracy has big plans.

“Mayne Stage has so much potential as a performance space allowing us to present an eclectic mix of entertainment styles. We hope to make new fans - not just of the entertainers who play the room - but of the room itself. The focus is on showcasing outstanding performers - some familiar to audiences and some who are making a name for themselves,“ continues McGowan Tracy who has worked with celebrities including Ellen DeGeneres, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kevin Nealon, Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, Maureen McGovern, The Beach Boys, Pat Benatar and dozens more in her nearly 30 year career. “I’m thrilled to be a part of the team of professionals bringing Mayne Stage to life.”

Mayne Stage can also serve as a rehearsal, recording and performing arts facility. In addition to its state-of-the-art sound and lighting, Mayne Stage offers a digital mixing console and electronic recording equipment. Musical artists, theatrical groups and film producers will find Mayne Stage the perfect venue for producing live recordings, conducting auditions or holding rehearsals. Its 298-inch projection screen and high-definition digital projector add cinema capabilities for multimedia performances providing the perfect backdrop for film screenings, seminars, workshops and corporate presentations.

About Mayne Stage
Mayne Stage is located at 1328 W. Morse Ave. in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. Mayne Stage showcases emerging and established local and national musical acts, theatrical performances, comedy and more. It is the ideal location for a variety of private events. For more information, or to see a list of upcoming shows, call (773) 381-4554 or visit www.maynestage.com.

Act One Café brings New American cuisine to Chicago’s North Side

Act One Café (1330 W. Morse Avenue, Chicago, 773.381.4550) opens its doors on May 21, 2010 and looks forward to becoming a favorite place for casual dining in the neighborhood. The highly anticipated opening of the restaurant and adjoining Mayne Stage is an energizing addition to this north side community.

Executive Chef Jimmy Madla plans a unique menu of comfort foods and innovative items at the 100-seat Act One Café. Madla has been a prominent figure on Chicago’s culinary scene for nearly two decades working in various kitchens before opening his own highly successful restaurant, Coobah, in 2002.

Act One Café provides him a second outlet to create an entirely different menu with the assistance of his culinary team.

“The New American cuisine at Act One Café honors the melting pot of flavors that make eating and cooking so much fun,” says Madla, who has combined traditional techniques with creative twists in developing the menu.

Madla's dishes, which include regional specialties featuring sustainable ingredients wherever possible, are the perfect complement to the intimate, casual, welcoming atmosphere created by the management and service team at Act One Café.

The restaurant is open for dinner nightly except Monday and features an elaborate brunch buffet on weekends. Entrees range from $7- $20.

Appetizer selections include Seared Scallops, with garlic-brown butter sauce and herbed brioche crumble; Veggie Tater Tots, made with zucchini, red pepper and olive with whipped goat cheese; and Crispy Spring Rolls, filled with spicy jerked chicken, caramelized plantain and cabbage.

Entrée options include Berkshire Pork French Dip, slow roasted for seven hours, sliced thin and served on a Highland Bakery French roll with natural jus and very hot house-made mustard; Bistro Steak, Dietzler Farm 10 oz. hangar steak with Act One steak sauce and classic mashed potatoes; and Seafood “Booyah,” with shrimp, scallops, calamari, Fresno chili and black beans in a saffron-tomato broth.

Desserts are a welcome finale, with selections like Malted Chocolate Pot au Crème, Turbinado sugar brulée, brandied Chantilly and vanilla tuile; and Bread Pudding, white chocolate and pistachios with “Manhattan” hard sauce.

“Act One Café is the perfect place to join friends for a relaxing evening with great food and drinks any night of the week and for brunch on weekends,” says Madla. “It’s also ideal for cocktails and dining before or after performances at Mayne Stage.”

Act One Café is located at 1330 W. Morse Ave. in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. Act One Café is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. The bar is open weekdays until 10 p.m. and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information, or to make a reservation, call (773) 381-4550 or visit www.actonecafe.com.

Historic Rogers Park Entertainment Venue and Restaurant Opening this Spring

The management team of Mayne Stage and Act One Café (1328-30 W. Morse Ave.) announces its plans for a much-anticipated Spring 2010 grand opening of the historic theater in the Rogers Park neighborhood.

With a nod to the historic past of this grand facility, plans call for a restaurant and performance space that reflects the unique and diverse neighborhood of Rogers Park.

Mayne Stage and Act One Café offers up a powerful combination. Act One Café provides a welcoming dining experience with the great taste of New American cuisine on a nightly basis while Mayne Stage presents a variety of terrific entertainment on a regular basis in its 299-seat multipurpose entertainment venue.

In addition to the neighborhood crowd, Mayne Stage and Act One Café is a great destination for fans of live entertainment and those seeking a unique and welcoming dining experience from around all of Chicago through the convenience of the nearby Red Line “EL” stop; the venue also provides valet parking for guests.

The theater, on Morse Avenue at Wayne Avenue in Rogers Park, opened as The Morse in 1912 - a vaudeville and movie house. In the 1930s, the facility was remodeled using an Art Deco theme and renamed the Co-Ed Theatre because of its proximity to Loyola University. The Co-Ed closed in 1954, and from 1956 until 2008 the building served in various capacities from synagogue to a shoe repair store.

Now, with a recent multi-million dollar restoration and renovation project, the entertainment and dining venue is poised to be a magnet for significant development in this north-side neighborhood.

Booking and creative development of Mayne Stage is handled by longtime Chicago entertainment professional Denise McGowan of McGowan Durpetti & Associates. With nearly 30 years on the Chicago entertainment scene, McGowan has discovered, developed, booked and showcased talent from nightclubs including Byfield’s to Navy Pier where she served as Director of Entertainment for nine years.

“The possibilities in this venue are endless. Mayne Stage offers an amazing opportunity to present emerging and established Chicago and national touring artists presenting a variety of musical styles including jazz, pop, rock and classical as well as theatrical, variety and comedy performances,” McGowan says.

In addition to live performance, and utilizing its state-of-the-art audio and video systems, the venue offers space for studio recordings, rehearsals, educational programs, corporate events and private parties.

Jimmy Madla of the popular Coobah Restaurant on Southport Avenue in Chicago is heading up Act One Café. Madla is developing a welcoming and vibrant environment, the perfect platform for his New American cuisine. The richly wooded restaurant provides a perfect setting to showcase flavors from America’s melting pot with traditional techniques and creative twists.

“Act One Café is an excellent place to hang out for great food and drinks any night of the week. It’s also perfect for meeting friends before or after performances on show nights,” says Madla.

Madla’s enthusiasm for this project goes beyond cooking. While chef Madla finds creativity through cooking these days, many fans remember him as the drummer of the popular band Veruca Salt. He looks forward to the musical environment the space has to offer.

For additional information regarding entertainment and private events at Mayne Stage, contact Denise McGowan at (312) 988-9900 or at denise@mcgowandurpetti.com.