Theater in the ground

MAXED OUT

FACING UP TO OUR LOCAL AND STATE BUDGET CRISIS

A Red Orchid Theatre is hoping the check is in the mail.

The State of Illinois can't pay its bills, and that includes grant money the Illinois Arts Council has promised to various not-for-profit theater companies in Chicago, putting many of them in a financial squeeze.

A Red Orchid could make very good use of the $3,600 it was awarded but has yet to receive.

"We used to see the grant money in December," said Kirsten Fitzgerald, artistic director for A Red Orchid Theatre in Old Town. "Last year was the first year we [received] it late, and we're crossing our fingers that we'll get it again in …