GLBT's Fairy Tale THE COUSINS GRIMM, Gay Marriange Comedy TWO SPOONS Open 7/10

A delightful new musical of GLTB fairy tales THE COUSINS GRIMM, and a new comedy about gay marriage TWO SPOONS, are the featured selections in Bailiwick's 2009 Pride Series, playing July 10 to August 23 at Hoover-Leppen Theater at Center on Halsted, 3656 North Halsted, Chicago.

THE COUSINS GRIMM is an original new musical that reworks the timeless Fairy Tales of The Brothers Grimm into contemporary urban fables filled with lesbian and gay characters. These stories of love and death, friendship and betrayal, and families of all kinds are beautifully interwoven with edgy humor and memorable songs.

Leon Grimm is a frustrated playwright who dreams of success and immortality. When his lesbian cousin Jackie magically shows up on the scene his life is changed forever as he and Jackie spin hilarious and moving LGBT versions of some of the greatest fables ever told.

The music and lyrics are by the award-winning composer/lyricist team Dan Martin and Michael Biello whose previous ChicaGo Productions include their musical BREATHE and their revue Q. The libretto is by Ted Sod whose musical 27 Rue de Fleurus, based on the relationship between Alice B. Toklas and Gertrude Stein, recently enjoyed a successful Off Broadway run.

THE COUSINS GRIMM previews Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11 at 8:00 ($15) and opens Sunday, July 12 at 6:00. ($25). Regular performances are Thursday and Saturday at 8:00, and Sunday at 2:00 through August 23. Tickets are $25 Thursdays and Sundays, and $30 Saturday.

Scott Ferguson, who directed Bailiwick's Jeff Nominated A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, returns to direct THE COUSINS GRIMM. Musical direction is by Robert Ollis, who won a Jeff Citation for Musical Direction for Bailiwick's KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN. Assistant Director is Jonathan Verge.

Chad stars as Leon Grimm, with Emily Macomber as Jackie. Others in The Ensemble are Christopher Slavik, Peter Buckley, Harmony France, and Kate Andrulis.

Playing in Repertory with THE COUSINS GRIMM is Peter Mercurio's TWO SPOONS, a comedy about Steve and Larry, gay dads with a three-year-old son, who are on the verge of getting married until a weekend getaway in the City of Brotherly Love changes everything.

What starts as a quiet, relaxing vacation takes an unexpected detour, and becomes a wonderful exploration of freedom and fantasy, responsibility and role playing, using the historical backdrop of Philadelphia and aphorisms of Ben Franklin to navigate the way. Does gay marriage have to be exactly like straight marriage?

TWO SPOONS previews on Wednesday July 15 and Friday July 17th at 8:00, and Saturday July 18th at 5:00. Preview tickets are $15 on Wednesday and Friday, and $25 on Saturday. Opening night is Sunday July 19th at 5:00 which is $25. Regular performances are Wednesday and Friday at 8:00, and Saturday and Sunday at 5:00 to August 23. Tickets are $20 Wednesday, and $25 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 773-883-1090 or 1-800-838-3006, or at www.brownpapertickets.com.

Patrick Walsh makes his Chicago directing debut. He directed the off-off Broadway world premiere of CHICKEN BONE BEACH by Ken Schwartz at the Sonnet Theatre and assisted at many theatres both in Boston and NYC. In Chicago he has assisted Jason Loewith at Next Theater on DYING CITY and David Zak on HARAM IRAN. He was also recently admitted to the 2009 Lincoln Center Director's Lab.

Peter Mercurio's TWO SPOONS has been seen in New York and St. Petersburg, FL, and was selected as a Finalist for the 5th Annual Saints & Sinners Literary Festival in New Orleans. Other production credits include ANDREW REACHES THE OTHER SIDE (2000), RED & TAN LINE (2003), and YESTERDAY'S NEWS (2000) presented by Other Side Productions at the Bank Street Theatre in New York City.

THE COUSINGS GRIMM and TWO SPOONS are performed in the Hoover-Leppen Theater in the Center on Halsted, 3656 North Halsted. For tickets call 773 883 1090 or 1-800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com.