Storefront theaters in Chicago are everywhere. They are the hubs that are able to satisfy your desire for experimental or groundbreaking theater. Rubbing Out Otis, which Corn Productions Theater Company produces, is a farce filled play stuffed with betrayal, confusion, and daffy puns.
In the play, there’s a conniving stepmother, a teenage daughter turned rapper, and a milk tycoon, and this only names a few of the conspirators in Rubbing Out Otis. The characters are crazy, the murderous plot is zany, and the possum terrorizing the landlord is relentless. Plot aside; Rubbing Out Otis is one example of the experimental plays, which happen at storefront theaters.
What are storefront theaters? Well for a simple definition, storefront theaters are startup or smaller theaters that are dedicated to taking risks in experimental content and fresh actors. Storefront theaters are important because they take risks that big-house theaters sometimes cannot afford.
The big theaters need BIG PLAYS to attract an audience and potential ticket sales, while some audience members are tired of seeing the same BIG PLAYS but are unwilling to risk a hefty price ticket on a wacky show. However, storefront theaters provide experimental content with a reasonable price tag.
For $15, a person can experience Rubbing Out Otis or Corn Productions’ next project My Girlfriend is the Devil. The price tag and the fresh content aren’t the only things that are luring theatergoers toward storefront theaters; the welcoming and cozy atmosphere helps too. With a small group of people, you are able to have a unified experience in a matter of minutes.