Chicago’s National Landmark Auditorium Theatre (50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly announces its 2024-25 performance season presenting a vibrant mix of contemporary and culturally significant dance companies, and the return of the Auditorium’s powerful Too Hot to Handel concert presentation.  Kicking off the season October 19 is the rousing return of Step Afrika!,  the first professional dance company dedicated to the tradition of stepping, now marking its 30^th Anniversary. Next, back by popular demand, Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah, the lively jazz and gospel spin on Messiah by G.F. Handel, returns after a two-year hiatus for two performances commemorating the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, January 11 & 12, 2025.  Then, fresh off the resounding success of its David Bowie tribute, Star Dust, presented at the Auditorium this past season, Complexions Contemporary Ballet returns to pay homage to another rock icon, the band U2, February 7. March 2025 begins with a full weekend of the stunning and visually opulent history, culture, music, and dance of Mexico with Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez March 1 & 2, followed by one of the most eagerly anticipated cultural events of every Spring - the return of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, March 5-9.  The prominent NYC-based contemporary dance company Parsons Dance makes its full company Auditorium Theatre debut May 3. The season closes with two gems from Chicago’s own robust dance scene: South Chicago Dance Theatre – a contemporary company led by the darling of the Chicago dance world, Kia Smith – May 3- and the genre-bending Hiplet Ballerinas, whose unique combination of classical pointe technique and hip-hop propelled them to fan-favorite status on America’s Got Talent, close the season May 17.

“The Auditorium Theatre’s 2024-25 season is a joyful mix of beloved classics and exciting new productions,” says Auditorium Theatre CEO Rich Regan. “The returns of perennial Auditorium favorites like the newly revamped Too Hot to Handel, the jubilant Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez, and of course the always dynamic Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater are interspersed with debuts by companies like Parsons Dance and the Hiplet Ballerinas. The season is packed with local, national, and international talent showcasing top performers in an incredibly diverse array of styles that befits the Auditorium’s reputation as The Theatre for the People.”

In addition, the popular Auditorium Philms Concert series, a new multi-media experience presenting iconic films brought to life with scores performed in concert by the Chicago Philharmonic, continues its inaugural 2024 season with the North American debut of Bram Stoker’s Dracula November 9; and the pop holiday fan favorite, Love Actually December 7. Single tickets for the Auditorium Philms series are now on sale, plus subscription packages with discounted tickets are available for as few as two films. Find out more information about the series at auditoriumtheatre.org/.

2024-25 SEASON OFFERINGS:

(In chronological order, all programming subject to change)

Step Afrika!
Saturday, October 19, 2024 | 7:30PM

Tickets: $29-$79

Celebrating its 30^th Anniversary season, Step Afrika! is the world’s leading authority on the artform of stepping. Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation. The blend of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and leaves the audience with their hearts pounding. 

Too Hot to Handel
Saturday, January 11, 2025 | 6PM
Sunday, January 12, 2025 | 3PM

Tickets: $39-$99

Back by popular demand, Too Hot to Handel, the jazz-gospel-rock-funk version of one of the most beloved pieces from the classical music canon, G.F. Handel’s oratorio Messiah, returns to the Auditorium Theatre for the first time since December 2022 to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah reinvents the original musical material from Messiah, using scat, backbeats, jazz and gospel vocals, and instrumental improvisation. New in 2025, George Stelluto, associate conductor of the Ravinia Festival and music director of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, conducts and director Joan Curto returns to create an event that’s more theatrical than ever. A powerhouse 100-voice chorus is joined by a chamber orchestra and jazz combo made up of Chicagoland musicians, and gifted solo vocalists Alfreda Burke, Rodrick Dixon, and Karen-Marie Richardson and pianist Alvin Waddles.

Complexions Contemporary Ballet

Friday, February 7, 2025 | 7:30PM

Tickets: $39-$129

In the 2023-24 season, Complexions Contemporary Ballet brought the Auditorium Theatre house down with Star Dust, the rollicking tribute to rock icon David Bowie. Next season, the New York City-based contemporary dance company known for its unique mixture of methods, styles, and cultures, will return to pay homage to another rock legend, the band U2. Founded in 1994 by Alvin Ailey Dance alumni Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Complexions Contemporary Ballet celebrates its 30^th anniversary this season.

Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez
Saturday, March 1, 2025 | 7:30PM
Sunday, March 2, 2025 | 3PM

Tickets: $30-$120

For over 70 years, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez has brought the stunning and visually opulent history, culture, music, and dance of Mexico to audiences across the world. Founded by renowned choreographer, the late Amalia Hernández, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico is one of the most famous dance companies in the world. Performances include traditional Mexican dance, music, and costumes representing the entire history of Mexico from the pre-Columbian era through the Spanish colonial period all the way to modern day.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
March 5-9, 2025 – Wed 7:30PM | Thu 7:30PM | Fri 7:30PM | Sat 1PM | Sat 7:30PM | Sun 3PM

Tickets: $39 - $149

Every year, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s week of performances at the Auditorium Theatre –

the company’s artistic home in Chicago – is one of the can’t-miss cultural events of the Spring season. The 2024-25 performances will mark Alvin Ailey Dance Theater’s 56^th engagement at the Auditorium. In 1958, Alvin Ailey and a small group of young Black modern dancers took the stage in New York City and forever changed the perception of American dance and culture. Its 2023-24 season engagement launches April 17, 2024, featuring a mix of Chicago premieres and beloved classics by Alvin Ailey and current choreographic talent.

Parsons Dance
Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 7:30PM

Tickets: $30-$120

Celebrating 40 years since its founding, Parsons Dance, a contemporary dance company based in New York City, makes its full company Auditorium Theatre debut in 2025. Founded by esteemed choreographer David Parsons, the mission of Parsons Dance is to bring life-affirming performances and joy to audiences worldwide and, through education and outreach programs, to sustain an appreciation for dance. Parsons Dance embraces the power of diversity and inclusion to enhance awareness and empathy, engage with audiences of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, uplift individuals and bring people together.

South Chicago Dance Theatre
Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 7:30PM

Tickets: $39-$89

Chicago’s own South Chicago Dance Theatre is a cutting-edge multi-cultural dance that seamlessly fuses classical and contemporary dance styles while preserving historic dance work. Led by the indomitable Kia Smith, South Chicago Dance Theatre returns to the Auditorium Theatre for the third season in a row after the smash hit Memoirs of Jazz in the Alley – a world premiere work based on Smith’s memories of iconic Chicago jazz history – in the 2022-23 season, and New Horizons

featuring six world premieres from top local, national and international choreographers – this April 27.

Hiplet Ballerinas
Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 7:30PM

Tickets: $39-$89

Created by Artistic Director Homer Hans Bryant, Hiplet, a fusion between classical pointe technique, Hip-Hop and a variety of other dance styles, was specifically designed to make ballet accessible to all people. Based in Chicago, the Hiplet Ballerinas perform all over the world and became fan favorites on the 16^th season of America’s Got Talent. This performance of the genre-bending Hiplet Ballerinas who wowed Auditorium Theatre Audiences at Dance for Life in 2023, will mark the company's first solo evening performance on the Auditorium stage.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscriptions for the Auditorium Theatre’s 2024-25 season are on sale now. Subscribers can create their own series by purchasing tickets for any three or more shows in the season and receive 10%-30% discounts on tickets in addition to other subscriber benefits including access to the best seats, exclusive access to added events, reduced fees, free ticket replacement and exchanges, special access to Fireside Chats with guest artists, and more! Subscriptions are now on sale atauditoriumtheatre.org, by calling 312.341.2300, or at the Box Office at 50 E Ida B Wells Drive in Chicago, IL. Click here for phone and in-person hours. Special ticket pricing is available for groups and students; please visit auditoriumtheatre.org for more information.  Single tickets go on sale starting May 15.

Special thanks

The Auditorium Theatre wishes to thank our 2024-25 season sponsors: the MacArthur Foundation, the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, and the Illinois Arts Council Agency. The official hotel partner for the Auditorium Theatre is the Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel.

About The Auditorium Theatre

The Auditorium Theatre, located at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive in Chicago, is an Illinois not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural, community, and educational programming to all of Chicago and beyond as The Theatre for the People. The organization also is committed to the continued restoration and preservation of this National Historic Landmark that originally opened in 1889. For more information on the Auditorium Theatre and a complete listing of events at the Auditorium Theatre, please visit AuditoriumTheatre.org.

Chicago Writers' Bloc has announced the lineup of plays and musicals for its biennial festival of new plays, to be held this year from May 5 to 19 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. The 2024 festival will feature five new plays and five new musicals from 14 local Chicago playwrights, lyricists, and composers. This year's roster of writers includes John S. Green (Jeff winner and Pulitzer nominated for THE LIQUID MOON), Chloe Bolan (O'Neill semi-finalist for LOVE IN THE TIME OF DEMENTIA), and Joanne Koch (National Nantucket Short Play Competition winner for STARDUST). The works to be performed as staged readings will cover genres from comedies and dramas to documentary theatre, and subject matter that ranges from history to current events, and fantasy to reality.

The 2024 New Plays Festival will launch on Sunday, May 5 with a 7:30 pm benefit including a reception and an 8:00 pm performance of the musical HEARTS IN THE WOOD, with book by Joanne Koch, and music and lyrics by Jim Lucas. Lively bluegrass tunes and moving country ballads. weave through the story of a once popular West Virginia folk singer who decides to try for a comeback in Chicago when he discovers he has a grown granddaughter. The proceeds from the benefit will go toward continuing Chicago Writers' Bloc's mission to develop and present new plays and musicals from Chicago area writers. Over the past 32 years, the organization has helped launch many new plays and musicals. Many produced works have gone on to win national and international prizes with productions locally and around the country.

In addition to HEARTS IN THE WOOD, the festival will include four additional new musicals including HELL IS CANCELLED (by Wencke Braathen with music by Gerald H. Bailey), DRIVING THE DREAM (by Chloe Bolan with music by Gerald H. Bailey), DREAM CITY (Book and Lyrics by June Finfer, Music and Lyrics by Elizabeth Doyle), and "Merry Widows, The Musical" (Book by Joanne Koch and Diane Dorsey, Lyrics by Francesca Peppiatt, Music by Ilya Levinson).  Plays will include two documentary dramas about Venezuelan refugees by former CHICAGO TRIBUNE feature writer Fran Zell, John S. Green's REMEMBER ME, about a Nigerian American veteran from the war in Afghanistan, Nic Hamel's NO KIND OF HERO (about French philosophy professor Simone Weil pictured here, who fought fascism in the 1930s), and THE DECONSTRUCTION OF A HONKY, written by Blake Levinson.

LISTING INFORMATION
 
CHICAGO WRITERS' BLOC 2024 NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL
May 5 – 19, 2024
Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.
www.theaterwit.org
Sunday – Wednesday, May 5 – 8
Sunday – Tuesday, May 12 – 14
Sunday, May 19
All performances at 7:30 pm
Further Information at https://writersblocfest.org/2024-play-festival
Tickets $25.00 for opening night benefit May 5. $20.00 all other evenings
Tickets available now at https://www.theaterwit.org/tickets/productions/box_office/#coming_soon
 
Staged readings of ten new works by Chicago writers. The festival features five new musicals and five new plays from 14 local Chicago playwrights, lyricists, and composers; including John S. Green (Jeff winner and Pulitzer nominated, THE LIQUID MOON), Chloe Bolan (O'Neill semi-finalist, LOVE IN THE TIME OF DEMENTIA), Joanne Koch (National Nantucket Short Play Competition winner for STARDUST), and former Chicago Tribune feature writer Fran Zell. The works to be performed as staged readings will cover genres from comedies and dramas to documentary theatre, and subject matter that ranges from history to current events, and fantasy to reality.
 
SCHEDULE AND SYNOPSES
May 5 benefit performance at 8:00 pm, all other performances at 7:30 pm
 
Sunday, May 5 HEARTS IN THE WOOD. Book by Joanne Koch, and music and lyrics by Jim Lucas.
 
A West Virginia dulcimer maker and once popular folksinger discovers he has an adult granddaughter and decides to reconnect with life. His newfound granddaughter prompts him to bring his regional music to Chicago. Grandfather and granddaughter find unexpected romances and finally get past their differences, united by bonds of love and their special musical heritage.
 
Monday, May 6. HELL IS CANCELED. Book and Lyrics by Wencke Braathen, Music by Gerald H. Bailey 
 
Archangel Michael lands in Hell and announces to Lucifer that God has decided that this department is defunct and will be liquidated. Michael gets stuck in Hell with Lucifer and a lost soul while Hell disintegrates. Archangel Raphael causes problems from above, and Katie and Kevin save the day by sending new feathers to Lucifer's wings.
 
Tuesday, May 7. DREAM CITY. Book and Lyrics by June Finfer, Music and Lyrics by Elizabeth Doyle
 
The musical story of Chicago in a Gilded Age not unlike today, when immigrants, women, and minorities fight for inclusion in an economy controlled by the wealthy. The 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition World's Fair seemed to offer all Chicagoans opportunities for participation, visibility, and jobs, from the architects who designed it to the workers who built it.

Wednesday, May 8. REMEMBER ME. Written by John S. Green.
 
The story of Jake, a second-generation Nigerian American who joined the army to prove that he was a "real American." When he returns from fighting in Afghanistan, he reaches out to his acting teacher, Earl, seeking comfort, sanity and a chance to rekindle his broken dreams. They work together to conquer their own personal demons and perform Hamlet.
 
Sunday, May 12. DRIVING THE DREAM,  Book and Lyrics by Chloe Bolan, Music by Gerald H. Bailey.
 
A musical bioplay on the life of Bertha Benz, the woman who drove the first motorwagen farther than anyone before her and so introduced the world to the age of the automobile. She might seem like a conservative hausfrau, but her rebellion at three different times in her life testify to her strong instincts, her indomitable courage, and her belief in a dream she and her husband shared. 
 
Monday, May 13. "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Venezuelans" / "My Name is Renny Edward Milano Salgado," both written by Fran Zell.
 
Two timely one-act documentary theatre pieces about asylum seekers will be presented. "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Venezuelans" is based on the playwright's experiences volunteering with asylum seekers in Chicago. "My Name is Renny Edward Milano Salgado" recounts one asylum seeker's journey, a story of loss, grief, mortal danger, and always, hope.
 
Tuesday, May 14. NO KIND OF HERO, written by Nic Hamel.
 
Amidst the growing threat of fascism in the 1930's, the young French philosophy professor Simone Weil struggles against the oppression she witnesses all around her. Caught between practical limitations and an unrelenting idealism, Simone's choices are both absurd and inspiring as she seeks to embody hope and heroism in an increasingly chaotic world.
 
Sunday, May 19 at 7:30 PM. Double-bill of "Merry Widows, the Musical," Book by Joanne Koch and Diane Dorsey, Lyrics by Francesca Peppiatt, Music by Ilya Levinson, Directed by Joan Mazzonelli;  and "The Deconstruction of a Honky" written by Blake Levinson.
 
In "Merry Widows, The Musical," women and men gather together in grief groups to help each other grieve. Only our grief group doesn't just talk about their profound losses. They, along with their empathic leader, use the magic of music and some gentle humor to go beyond their sorrow and bring themselves to reconnect with a new life. With 14 million widows and widowers in the U.S. today, and thousands of these grief groups, the creative team thought it was about time to offer something more than a fluffy operetta. 

In "The Deconstruction of a Honky," emerging white playwright Sam meets with DD, his influential Black director-dramaturg prior to the staged reading of his socially conscious play on racism. Their discussion takes a charged turn when she begins to question the authenticity of his Black characters. Tensions heighten as DD turns the spotlight on Sam's indomitably liberal character and exposes a shocking secret.
 
BIOS
 
Joanne Koch has had many of her eighteen plays and musicals toured to universities and produced in theaters around the country, including SOUL SISTERS, STARDUST, SOPHIE, TOTIE & BELLE and SAFE HARBOR. Joanne and Jim Lucas received an Illinois Arts Council grant for the original development of HEARTS IN THE WOOD. Through her work over the years as president of the Chicago Writers' Bloc, Joanne Koch has helped to bring over one hundred new plays to audiences in Chicago, with many of these new plays going on to other productions and publications.
 
Jim Lucas is a singer-songwriter who is a graduate of Hope College (B.A.), Indiana University (M.M.), and the University of Iowa (D.M.A.). He is Professor Emeritus of Music at Northeastern Illinois University, where he taught music for many years. While HEARTS IN THE WOOD is his only full-length musical, he has written many compositions for vocal and instrumental ensembles.
 
Wencke Braathen writes about relationships across dimensions. You'll find gods, angels, humans and ghosts in her work, and discover how they all influence each other's development. She delivers her controversial viewpoints unabashed, and challenges old dogmas and preconceptions wrapped in humor and entertainment and asks her audience to laugh with her.
 
Gerald H. Bailey In addition to his work on HELL IS CANCELED and DRIVING THE DREAM, Mr. Bailey has written music for COURTING, THE ENCHANTED ISLAND, and THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR, among others. Mr. Bailey is a proud member of The Dramatists Guild.
 
June Finfer has written plays and musicals and documentary films. Her plays, THE GLASS HOUSE and COUPLES THERAPY, were produced in New York at the Harold Clurman Theatre. Tonight's musical, DREAM CITY, is a rewrite of BURNHAM'S DREAM: THE WHITE CITY, which was produced at Theatre Wit in 2018 by Lost and Found Productions.
 
Elizabeth Doyle is an award-winning Chicago artist in demand for concerts and events. She is the composer of several theatre musicals, among them FAT TUESDAY, DUO, and BURNHAM'S DREAM, which have been mounted at prestigious locations such as Steppenwolf Theatre and Theater Wit.
 
John S. Green's play, THE LIQUID MOON, won Chicago's Jeff and After Dark Awards for Best New Work. It was subsequently nominated for a Pulitzer and published in New Plays Chicago. His play, TWILIGHT SERENADE, was published by Dramatic Publishing. His short story, "The Me Zone," won the Leon Forrest Prose Award and was published by Chicago Quarterly. 
 
Chloe Bolan recently had her O'Neill semi-finalist play, "Love in the Time of Dementia" stage-read for a Perennial fundraiser August 2023 and in Her Story Theatre's Women's Writers Festival in June 2023. She has received grants from the Illinois Arts Council ("Heart of Chac") and Target ("M. Kiki") besides a fellowship from Dale Wasserman's Midwest Playwrights ("Egg") sponsored by the University of Wisconsin.
 
Fran Zell is an award-winning playwright and fiction writer whose plays have appeared in festivals in Chicago and New York. Her book, THE MARCY STORIES, won the Banta Award for literary achievement from the Wisconsin Library Association. She is a former feature writer for the Chicago Tribune.
 
Nic Hamel is an actor turned playwright and the current artistic director of Chicago Writers' Bloc. A staged reading of his solo documentary play, TURKEY BOYS, was presented by the Writers' Bloc in 2016. In addition to artistic pursuits, Dr. Hamel is a scholar of theatre, performance, and disability studies with a specialty in theatre and intellectual disability.
 
Diane Dorsey is a Chicago actress/writer/director/coach and Meisner teacher who many years ago wrote a solo show called "Kaleidoscope." Today she thanks the creative team of "Merry Widows, The Musical" for inviting her to collaborate on the Book. And dedicates it to her husband Danny Goldring.
 
Francesca Peppiatt is a speaker, teacher, writer and performer. She wrote the book for the new musical "Golden" and book and lyrics for "Treasure Island." Francesca is an actor and Emmy nominated writer with 5 published books plus multiple produced non-musical plays. 
 
Ilya Levinson is Assistant Professor at the Music Department of Columbia College Chicago and Music Director and Co-Founder of the New Budapest Orpheum Society, an ensemble-in-residence at The University of Chicago. Levinson has composed four operas, four musicals, various symphonic and chamber music, film scores and original music for theatre productions.
 
Joan Mazzonelli has produced, directed, and designed for the theater in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City. She has written "Border Crossing," a short play, with Marianne Kallen; the musicals REASONABLE TERMS with Marianne Kallen and Karena Mendoza; BOTTOM'S DREAM with James L. Kurtz, an adaptation of ALL IN THE LAUNDRY by Fred Rogers of MR. ROGERS NEIGHBORHOOD; and the operas HIGH FIDELITY and THE PROPOSAL with Philip Seward.
 
ABOUT CHICAGO WRITERS' BLOC
Chicago Writers' Bloc is a play development group that focuses on presenting new plays developed in monthly sessions and regular new play festivals. Led by Joanne Koch, a widely produced playwright and noted Emeritus Director of the National Louis University Master's in Written Communication Program, the not-for-profit 501 (c ) (3) Writers' Bloc has brought over 250 new plays and musicals to Chicago area audiences, supported in part by grants and by festival attendees and contributors. Many of these plays have gone on to win national and international prizes with productions locally and around the country, including Midwest, East Coast, West Coast, off-Broadway and in publications.

Jackalope Theatre Company continues its 16th season at Edgewater’s Berger Park, 6205 N. Sheridan Rd., with the announcement of the cast and creative team for the world premiere of The Singularity Play, May 19 – June 22, by Jay Stull, directed by Georgette Verdin. Previews are Sunday, May 19; Monday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. with the press opening Thursday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with additional performances on Mondays, June 10 and June 17 at 7:30 p.m. The accessibility performance with both audio description and live captioning is Sunday, June 9 at 3 p.m. The running time is currently 95 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are $15 - 35 with student and Edgewater resident discounts available. For more information or tickets go to JackalopeTheatre.org or call/text the box office at 773.340.2543.

In an unused room at the Google offices in Manhattan, a theater troupe has gathered to rehearse a new play written by an advanced AI named "Denise." In an art that relies so substantially upon our human-ness, what does it mean to cede the stage to artificial intelligence? Who are we when reflected by the intelligence we’ve created?

“Jackalope couldn't be prouder to assemble these enormously talented artists behind this sharp, original and surprising script.,” Artistic Director Kaiser Ahmed remarks, “The intimate design and powerful ensemble will transport audiences to the edges of their imagination in this rapidly unfolding mystery of the human-AI condition. I invite you to be among the first to laugh and gasp at this new play from the brilliant mind of Jay Stull.”

The Singularity Play’s cast includes, in alphabetical order: Lucy Carapetyan (she/her, Alice/Royal); Kroydell Galima (he/him, Jason/Quinn);Christina Gorman (she/her, Lauren/Hollis); Anelga Hajjar (she/her, Denise/Dennis); Madison Hill (they/them, Henry/Finley); Jennifer Jelsema (she/her, Dawn); Ashley Neal (she/her, Heidi/Emily/Jules); Patrick Newson Jr. (he/him, Greg/Salem);Paloma Nozicka (she/her, Skyler) and Collin Quinn Rice (they/them, Ocean). The understudies are Kaiser Ahmed (he/him, Ocean U/S); Katie Bevil (they/it), Lauren/Hollis/Henry/Finley U/S); Maddy Brown (she/her, Heidi/Emily/Jules U/S); Christina Gorman (she/her, Dawn U/S); Gavin Rhys (he/him, Greg/Salem/Jason/Quinn U/S) and Yourtana Sulaiman (she/her, Denise/Dennis/Alice/Royal U/S).

The creative team includes Jay Stull (he/him, playwright); Georgette Verdin (she/her, director); Becca Smith (she/her, production manager); Lucy Carapetyan (she/her, casting director); Warren Duncan (he/him, assistant director); Grace Reasoner (she/her, stage manager); Jonah Fezler (he/him, assistant stage manager); Amal Salem (she/her, assistant stage manager cover); Karina Patel (she/her, production dramaturg); Ryan Emens (he/him, scenic designer); Isa Noe (they/them, prop designer); Eric Watkins (he/him, lighting designer); Izumi Inaba (she/her, costume designer); Christopher Kriz (he/him, sound designer); Gaby Labotka (any with respect, intimacy and fight director); Collin Quinn Rice (they/them, movement director). And, from Jackalope: Kaiser Ahmed (he/him, artistic director); Megan Wildebour (she/her, managing director); Ben Stacy (he/him, season production manager) and Amira Danan (she/her, development manager). 

ABOUT JAY STULL, PLAYWRIGHT THE SINGULARITY PLAY

Jay Stull (he/him) is a theater-maker from New York City. His work has been developed or produced by Ars Nova, The Alliance Theater, The Amoralists, The Bloomington Playwrights Project, New York City Center Off Center, the New Light Theater Project, New York Theatre Workshop, Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater, the Gym at Judson, PlayCo, Roundabout, The Tank and the Theater, Dance, and Media concentration (TDM) at Harvard College. His written work has been supported by Yaddo, the New York Foundation for the Arts and the New York State Council for the Arts and the Sewanee Writers’ Conference. He is an alumnus of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab, The Civilians R&D Group and the Early Career Directing Fellowship at Clubbed Thumb and received his MFA from Columbia.

ABOUT GEORGETTE VERDIN, DIRECTOR THE SINGULARITY PLAY

Georgette Verdin (she/her) is a Cuban-American freelance director, the associate artistic director of Northlight Theatre and a member of Rivendell Theatre Ensemble. Recent directing credits include: Dial M for Murder (Northlight Theatre); the revival of Night Watch (Raven Theatre); the United States premiere of The Writer (Steep Theatre); the world premieres of A Mile in The Dark (Interrobang Theatre Project/Rivendell Theatre Ensemble); Enough to Let the Light In (Teatro Vista); Chagall in School (Grippo Stage Company) and Spay (Rivendell Theatre Ensemble). Verdin is a three-time Jeff nominated director and was the 2022 Michael Maggio Directing Fellow at Goodman Theatre. From 2015-2023, she served as artistic director of Interrobang Theatre Project, an award-winning storefront theatre known for gutsy productions that tackled socially-relevant issues. She was profiled in NewCity’s 2023 “Players: Who Really Performs for Chicago Right Now” and in Chicago Reader’s “Best of Chicago 2022.” She is an associate member with Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

ABOUT JACKALOPE THEATRE

Jackalope Theatre Company expands the definition of American Identity by engaging with communities to produce works that celebrate diverse perspectives. Jackalope is a premier home for new and exciting Off-Loop Theatre based in Chicago's Edgewater and Rogers Park neighborhoods. They are committed to cultivating new voices that contribute to an expanding American culture and mythology. Each season, Jackalope produces full-length plays, new play development programming and provides free classes in partnership with the Chicago Park District.

Jackalope Theatre Company continues its 16th season at Edgewater’s Berger Park, 6205 N. Sheridan Rd., with the announcement of the cast and creative team for the world premiere of The Singularity Play, May 19 – June 22, by Jay Stull, directed by Georgette Verdin. Previews are Sunday, May 19; Monday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. with the press opening Thursday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with additional performances on Mondays, June 10 and June 17 at 7:30 p.m. The accessibility performance with both audio description and live captioning is Sunday, June 9 at 3 p.m. The running time is currently 95 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are $15 - 35 with student and Edgewater resident discounts available. For more information or tickets go to JackalopeTheatre.org or call/text the box office at 773.340.2543.

Born and raised in Mexico City, Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz, MD, Chicago’s own Physician Magician, will celebrate the festive Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend by once again performing a feat never before seen on Chicago stages: performing back-to-back magic shows in two different languages, Spanish and English, at The Rhapsody Theater, 1328 W. Morse Avenue, the weekend of May 4 & 5, 2024.

The Spanish language editions of Physician Magician will mark the first full-length Spanish magic show on the Rhapsody Theater stage. Both days, Dr. Rosenkranz will perform two versions of his popular production, one in English and one in Spanish: Saturday, May 4: SPANISH language matinee at 2pm, followed an ENGLISH language evening performance at 7:30pm; Sunday, May 5, Cinco de Mayo, features an ENGLISH language matinee at 2pm followed by a SPANISH language evening performance at 6:30pm. Tickets for each performance start at $30.00 and can be purchased at rhapsodytheater.com.

Adding to the festivities, Chicago’s popular The Frida Room, a lively family-owned restaurant with locations in Pilsen and Lincoln Park, will host a limited-time pop-up location at Rhapsody offering an array of modern Mexican favorites for purchase.  Starting Thursday, May 2 through Sunday, May 5, guests can order from a special Frida Room menu inspired by Mexican Street Food and offering main courses, such as fajitas and ceviche, in a sit-down setting before or after each show, along with Mexican favorites, such as quesadillas and flan, available in the theater throughout the shows. Accompanying these authentic food offerings will be a selection of specially curated cocktails with a Mexican twist, including Balsamo’s Lime Margarita.

Physician Magician is an elegant full-length production of rarely seen magic and illusion. One of Rhapsody Theater’s resident artists, Dr. Rosenkranz invites audiences into his study to share the magical performances he so dearly loves. Along the way he shares his connection between medicine and magic witnessing mysteries that might unlock the mind and warm the heart. The new show includes several never-before-seen illusions and brings back many signature classics and audience favorites including Balsamo, last seen on the CW’s Fool Us, creating an unforgettable performance of upbeat, fun, magical theater in a beautiful cabaret style setting.

“As the owner and resident artist at the Rhapsody Theater, I am looking forward to the challenge of performing my show in English and then immediately again in Spanish,” said Ricardo Rosenkranz, MD. “I discovered my love of magic 25 years ago after walking into a magic store in Mexico City. I am thrilled to be presenting these special editions of Physician Magician in my native language for Chicago’s robust Spanish speaking population.”

Other headliner talent at The Rhapsody Theater includes Look Closer with Joshua Jay, a new show of magic and sleight-of-hand in which Jay turns the concept of misdirection on its head, now being performed through April 28; and Ridiculous! with David Williamson, an evening of relentless laughter, mind-bending tricks, and a dash of anarchy, May 17-June 30. PLUS, throughout the year, catch resident artists Chicago’s own Physician Magician, Ricardo Rosenkranz, MD, while Ross Johnson returns with his jaw dropping mind reading show, A funny thing happened… tomorrow!  Visit www.rhapsodytheater.com for more information on all upcoming performances.

More about Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz, MD

Ricardo Rosenkranz was a student of the legendary Eugene Burger for nearly 20 years. As a Magical Performer, Ricardo has been often seen on the stage of Magic Chicago and is a regular performer and lecturer at the annual Magic and Meaning Conference in Las Vegas. Most Recently he completed a highly successful run at the legendary Magic Castle in Los Angeles. In 2017 Dr. Rosenkranz was invited to perform for Penn & Teller's Fool Us on the CW Network.

Born in Mexico City, Mexico, Ricardo Rosenkranz is Assistant Professor in Clinical Pediatrics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Ricardo holds Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees from Stanford University. He obtained his Medical Degree from Cornell University Medical School in 1990, completed a Pediatric Residency and a Fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at Northwestern University in 1993 and 1996 respectively. Dr. Rosenkranz was for the past fifteen years the Co-Founder of Inovamed, S.A. de CV, a health care services provider in Mexico. Inovamed is credited with the successful financial and quality-driven turnaround of one of Mexico City's oldest private hospitals. 

In conjunction with the Medical Humanities and Bioethics Program at Northwestern, Dr. Rosenkranz created the nation’s first medical school curriculum for the study of magic and medicine. Created for first- and second-year medical students, these courses explore the performance aspects of medicine and the anthropological relationship between medicine and the magical arts. The principal aim is to help medical students develop a more sophisticated and deeper understanding of the doctor-patient relationship. The success of his Magic and Medicine courses has spilled over to graduate medical education where Dr. Rosenkranz has taught similar courses elsewhere. He is a regular lecturer of this topic at Stanford University where he recently was the featured presenter for Medical Grand Rounds. Since 2011, Dr. Rosenkranz has led the Course in Magic and Medicine at the McBride’s Magic & Mystery School in Las Vegas. In 2015 he delivered a TED talk at TEDxNorthwestern.

About The Rhapsody Theater

Built in 1912 as the Morse Theater, this destination at 1328 W. Morse Avenue has long-been a source of arts and entertainment (formerly operating as the Co-Ed Theater and the Mayne Stage). Since its reopening in 2022 by Ricardo Rosenkranz, MD, Chicago’s own Physician Magician, The Rhapsody Theater has brought a Vegas-style entertainment experience to Rogers Park. This includes a newly developed, full-service restaurant and three bars throughout providing a welcoming spot for both patrons and community members to enjoy year-round. The multi-faceted theater is perfectly primed for its world-class performances. With state-of-the-art acoustics and versatile seating arrangements, the space allows for enhanced, intimate, and large format experiences. In addition to magic arts talent, The Rhapsody Theater also presents cabaret and other live music concert programming.

The Rhapsody Theater is conveniently located steps away from the Morse Red line ‘El’ station in Rogers Park. Complimentary parking is available in an adjacent lot (subject to availability) in addition to plentiful nearby street parking.

For more information about The Rhapsody Theater or to purchase tickets, please visit https://rhapsodytheater.com/

About Face Theatre announces casting for the Midwest Premiere production of Lavender Men by Roger Q. Mason, directed by Lucky Stiff, running May 9 -June 8, 2024, at The Den Theatre. Press opening is scheduled for Friday, May 17, 2024.

The cast features Matt Martin as Abraham Lincoln, Shea Petersen as Abe's law clerk Elmer Ellsworth, and Julian "joolz" Stroop as Taffeta, who conjures both of them for a what-if meeting in her own imaginative theatrical space.

Taffeta is a fat, multi-racial femme with a unique form of queer magic: she can conjure dead historical figures. In this energetic and surreal play, Taffeta invites audiences along as she summons none other than President Abraham Lincoln and his handsome young law clerk Elmer Ellsworth to her stage. Playing every other character in Abe and Elmer's gay narrative, Taffeta uses this fantasia to confront issues of visibility, race, and LGBTQ+ inclusion. But is any of this historically accurate? Sit down, honey, that's not what we're here for. Lavender Men is an embrace to every queer, fat person of color who has been ignored, neglected, or erased for unapologetically being themselves.

"Lavender Men was born from my time living and studying in Chicago, almost 10 years ago," says playwright Roger Q. Mason. "The city's vibrant embrace of LGBTQIA+ life liberated me personally and artistically, and I emerged a proud plus-sized, queer, POC playwright in the American Theatre. About Face Theatre is a leader, locally and nationally, in queer storytelling, and I am honored to partner with them to bring Lavender Men home to its birthplace—Chicago."

"Roger's play invites us to unleash our imaginations around queer desire and hidden histories," comments About Face Theatre Artistic Director Megan Carney. "As a company dedicated to brave and affirming storytelling that pushes back against oppression, we're proud to present Lavender Men as a thrilling example of the power of art to resist, challenge, and delight."

Lavender Men was first produced at Skyline Theatre in Los Angeles in 2022 with playwright Roger Q. Mason in the role of Taffeta. About Face Theatre introduced the play to audiences last season through our Re/Generation Studio workshop series, featuring playwright Roger Q. Mason and director Lucky Stiff. Audience reaction was so enthusiastic that About Face is now thrilled to present a full production of this new work in its 29th season.

About the Artists

Matt Martin (he/they): "Abe Lincoln"

Matt is an artist, advocate, and educator in Chicago. He is making his About Face debut. Recent work includes Mothers (The Gift), Christmas Carol (Drury Lane), Last Hermanos (Red Orchid), Heroes of the Fourth Turning, Uncle Vanya, Dance Nation, and In His Hands (Northwestern). Matt developed and performed new and immersive work in New York City with Accomplice, Pigeonholed, New Light Theater Project, and as a founding member of Lalabala Collective. Favorite regional credits include Romance/Romance, The 25th Annual...Spelling Bee, and Angels in America. His upcoming projects include In His Hands with First Floor and directing My Name is Rachel Corrie. When not performing, he is on staff supporting Arts Alliance Illinois in its endeavors to empower the creative sector across the state. MFA: Northwestern University. He is repped by DDO Artists Agency. Follow him @matt_mart.

Roger Q. Mason (they/them): playwright

Roger Q. Mason is a writer and performer who uses the lens of history to disrupt the biases that divide rather than unite us. Their playwriting has been seen on Broadway (Circle in the Square Reading Series); Off and Off-Off-Broadway; and regionally. Mason's world premiere of Lavender Men was lauded by the Los Angeles Times as "evoking the mingled visions of Suzan-Lori Parks, Jeremy O. Harris, and Michael R. Jackson." As a filmmaker, Mason has been recognized by the British Film Institute, Lonely Wolf International Film Festival, SCAD Film Festival, AT&T Film Award, and Atlanta International Film Festival. Their films have been screened in the US, UK, Poland, Brazil, and Asia. Mason holds degrees from Princeton University, Middlebury College, and Northwestern University. They are a member of the Dramatists Guild of America and Ma-Yi's Writing Lab, and are an alum of Page 73's Interstate 73 Writers Group and Primary Stages Writing Cohort. Mason has co-hosted the podcast Sister Roger's Gayborhood and hosted This Way Out Radio's Queerly Yours: Portraits in Courage. They are a lead mentor of The Marsha P. Johnson Institute's Starship Fellowship, the New Visions Fellowship, and the Shay Foundation Fellowship. Instagram: @rogerq.mason

Shea Petersen (he/they): "Elmer Ellsworth"

About Face Premiere. Chicago credits include: Enemy of the People (Goodman Theatre); Mike Pence Sex Dream (First Floor Theatre); At The Wake of a Dead Drag Queen (The Story Theatre); The Boys in the Band (Windy City Playhouse); Regional credits: At The Wake of a Dead Drag Queen (Urbanite Theatre) Film credits: Oh Baby! (dir: Meghann Artes). Shea received their BFA in acting from DePaul University and is represented by Grossman&Jack.

Lucky Stiff (they/them): director

Lucky Stiff is a trans and nonbinary director, writer, and performer working in Chicago and New York. They build original experiences that combine nightclub culture and performance art which have been featured at the Museum of Con­temporary Art Chicago, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Blue Man Group Chicago, Boy Friday Dance Company, and Bushwig Festival of Drag, among many others. They hold an MFA in Directing for Theater from Northwestern University and have lectured in performance and directing at UC Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbara, Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Chicago, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. luckystiffdrag.com

Julian "joolz" Stroop (they/them): "Taffeta"

Ah, a stranger, quick, come in from the cold... have you met joolz? joolz makes art. joolz plays games. Sometimes joolz makes other things. Strange, terrible, unspeakable things. You may know them from their D&D actual play podcast The Pod Has Been Cast, have seen them on stage with companies like Filament Theater, Strawdog Theater Company, or perhaps even more recently: screaming silently in your own nightmares. When they aren't polymorphing into other creatures/things, you may find them doodling monsters, writing stories, or making games.

FACTS

LAVENDER MEN

Written by Roger Q. Mason

Directed by Lucky Stiff

May 9 – June 9, 2024 | Press opening: Friday, May 17

All performances will take place at The Den Theatre, 1331 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago

Showtimes: Thurs & Fri @ 8:00pm, Sat @ 3:00pm & 8:00pm, Sun @ 3:00pm

Please note: There is no matinee performance on Saturday, May 11

Masks Required performances: Saturday matinees on May 25 and June 1 will require every attendee to wear a mask.

Pay-what-you-can tickets ($5 – $35) on sale now at The Den Theatre box office or About Face Theatre's website.

TICKETS

Tickets are on sale now online at AboutFaceTheatre.com, by calling 773.697.3830, or in-person at The Den Theatre box office. Ticket prices range from $5 to $35.

AFT offers a ticket pricing system that allows each patron to decide the price that they can comfortably afford to pay for a ticket. Ultimately, About Face wants everyone who wants to attend a show to be able to do so. Please note: there are limited quantities available at each pricing level.

CAST

Matt Martin as "Abe Lincoln"

Shea Petersen as "Elmer Ellsworth"

Julian "joolz" Stroop as "Taffeta"

PRODUCTION TEAM

Casting Director                             Catherine Miller

Choreographer                               Jacinda Ratcliffe

Intimacy & Violence Designer          Courtney Abbott

Assistant Director                           John Payne

Scenic Designer                             Caitlin McLeod

Lighting Designer                           Ben Carne

Sound Designer                             Dee Etti-Williams

Costume Designer                          Anna Wooden

Technical Director                          Becca Venable

Production Manager                       Audrey Kleine

ABOUT FACE THEATRE advances LGBTQ+ equity through community building, education, and performance. AFT envisions an affirming and equitable world in which all LGBTQ+ individuals are thriving and free from prejudice and discrimination. About Face Theatre is also dedicated to being an intentionally and increasingly anti-racist organization. Due to the intersectionality of our identities, we understand our work to advance LGBTQ+ equity as directly connected to movements for racial justice.

Physical Theater Festival Chicago is proud to announce the complete lineup for its 11th anniversary celebration, July 13 - 21. The Festival begins Saturday, July 13 with a full day of free family-friendly outdoor shows and continues with free virtual events on Sunday, July 14. During July 15 - 21, international, national and local performances, workshops and conversations will be held at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. and the Instituto Cervantes, 31 W. Ohio St. In addition to these performances for the second year, the Festival is partnering with the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center in the Hermosa neighborhood to create a residency with the French-English theater company Voloz Collective, July 17 - 20. Tickets for individual performances are $20 (general) and $15 (industry/students/seniors/veterans). Festival passes for all performances are $100 (general) and $85 (industry/students/seniors/veterans). Information, calendar of events, passes and tickets are available at PhysicalFestival.com.

Artists and companies scheduled to perform during the nine-day event include: Chicago-based artists Michael Montenegro, Marvin Tate and Theatre Y’s Youth Ensemble; the award-winning Brazilian TV actor Clayton Nascimento; Mexican comedic star Chula the Clown; French and English physical whizz-bang company Voloz Collective; Boston’s family-friendly performance group The Gottabees and Chicago’s very own flying Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team.

“I’m very excited with this year’s performances. For the 11^th edition we made sure to curate a program that embraces a variety of styles and types of entertainment,” said Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director Alice da Cunha. “We’re bringing the best of what theater can do – clown, slapstick, social justice, virtuosity – from around the world and right here in Chicago. We can’t wait to gather with the community for another year of the Physical Theater Festival Chicago.”

“We’re moving into our second decade with joy and humility. The shows this year are incredible. The Physical Theater Festival has been working to bring so many of these artists to Chicago for years now – it’s a dream come true,” added Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director Marc Frost. “We’re excited to continue building partnerships with local organizations and to even expand into year-round programming. Our goal has always been to flood Chicago’s stages with contemporary physical theater every summer and now we’re doing it year-round.”

11TH PHYSICAL THEATER FESTIVAL CHICAGO CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Saturday, July 13, 1 - 7 p.m.

Physical Theater Festival Chicago Free Family Event

Location TBD

Performances by local Chicago artists including puppetry from Theater Y’s Youth Ensemble and acrobatics from the amazing Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team. More artists to be announced.

Sunday, July 14

Virtual Offerings

The virtual schedule will be available on PhysicalFestival.com detailing events taking place on Facebook and Instagram including the conversation, “The State of the Performing Arts 5.0,” at 10 a.m. CT.

Monday, July 15 at 7 p.m.

Scratch Night

Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.

Scratch Night is a curated theater showcase of works-in-progress featuring innovative local theater makers. Scratch Night features six previews of original contemporary, visual and physical theater by different Chicago artists to foster their development. Produced by local curators, Scratch Night aims to provide a social space for community, conversation and collaboration.

Tuesday, July 16 and Wednesday, July 17 at 7 p.m.

Little Carl by Theatre Y Youth Ensemble (Chicago)

Directed by Michael Montenegro and Marvin Tate

Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.

Fresh off their acclaimed run at the Chicago International Puppetry Festival, Theatre Y’s Youth Ensemble grapples with the difficult issue of gun violence by creating a dream play using puppets, masks and poetry, making beautiful imagery as an antidote to despair.

Wednesday, July 17 at 9 p.m.

“The Cost of Living” by DV8 Physical Theatre (United Kingdom)

Directed by Lloyd Newson

Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.

“The Cost of Living” is a British physical theatre dance film made in 2004 by DV8 Films Ltd. and Channel 4. It is an adaptation of a stage production by DV8 Physical Theatre. Directed by Lloyd Newson, the founder of DV8 Physical Theatre, the film uses dance, dialogue and physical theatre to tell the story of two street performers and their interaction with other performers in Cromer, a seaside resort town, at the end of the summer season. The film has won a number of awards at film festivals in various countries and was well received by critics when it premiered.

Thursday, July 18 - Saturday, July 20 at 7 p.m.

Perhaps, Perhaps…Quizás by Chula the Clown (Mexico)

Instituto Cervantes, 31 W. Ohio St.

Perhaps, Perhaps…Quizás is a heart-wrenching as well as hilarious clown piece playing with the idea of loneliness and the wait and hope for Mr. Right. In an era where nothing seems to impress one another anymore, the longing for “real love” seems to be the burden of our time. Greta, our protagonist, is a lonely woman who rehearses once a week the arrival of the so-called ‘one.” Will she get lucky tonight? Perhaps, perhaps, quizás…

Thursday, July 18 - Saturday, July 20

Macacos by Clayton Nascimento (Brazil)

Performances on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m.

Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.

Macacos is a multi-award winning show about how racism and the erasure of black memories and ancestralities are rooted in Brazíl´s history. The performance follows a black man who searches for new spaces to occupy, facing and reflecting about the adjective “macaco,” a slur used against black people around the world.

Friday, July 19 - Sunday, July 21

The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much by Voloz Collective (France/England)

Performances on Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.

Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.

Raucously funny and endlessly inventive, this Lecoq-trained theater company delights and stuns with live, original music and virtuosic acrobatics in this fast-paced whodunnit, The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much. Wes Anderson meets Hitchcock meets Spaghetti Western in this multi award-winning, intercontinental, inter-genre, cinematic caper of accusations, accidents and accents. Roger, a Frenchman in 1960's New York, has followed the same predictable routine for years, until a minor delay saves him from an explosion. Throwing his ordered world into chaos, Roger chases his would-be assassins around the globe.

Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21

Don’t Make Me Get Dressed by The Gottabees (Boston)

Performances on Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.

For every child who has struggled to get into their clothes first thing in the morning (and for every parent who has fought valiantly in the battleground of the morning routine), comes Don't Make Me Get Dressed – a gloriously silly and inventive ode to the feelings we have when we choose our clothes...and to what happens when our clothes come to life and choose us.

RESIDENCY AT THE SEGUNDO RUIZ BELVIS CULTURAL CENTER

July 17 - 20

Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, 4048 W. Armitage Ave.

For the second year, the Festival is partnering with the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center in the Hermosa neighborhood to create a residency with the French-English theater company Voloz Collective. The residency will take place from July 17 - 20. The company will spend each day teaching the summer camp students theater skills and then invite the students and their families to see the performances at Theater Wit. This partnership builds on last year’s residency, which resulted from years of making connections with relevant partner organizations like Chicago Latino Theater Alliance and connecting with local physical theater artists in previous Festival editions.

ABOUT PHYSICAL THEATER FESTIVAL CHICAGO

Physical Theater Festival Chicago is an annual contemporary, visual and physical theater festival that presents new forms of theater that are being performed around the world. In 2014, Alice da Cunha and Marc Frost launched the inaugural Physical Theater Festival through the Artistic Associate program at Links Hall. The inspiration for the Festival drew upon their combined experience in London as physical theater students at the London International School for the Performing Arts (LISPA). Moving from London to Chicago, they were inspired to start a new festival to promote a more progressive, fresh and physical approach to theater-making in Chicago.

Alice da Cunha is a Brazilian/Portuguese actress, director and producer who has worked in Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States. She is a co-founder and co-artistic director of Physical Theater Festival. Her past experiences working in festivals include: marketing director, CASA (London's Latin American Theatre Festival); producer/presenter/curator, SHORTCUTZ LONDON (weekly short film festival); production assistant, TODOS Festival (an interdisciplinary festival in Lisbon, Portugal); hospitality, Chicago Latino Film Festival. A brief list of her acting credits include: United Flight 232 (House Theater), Jeff Award for Best Ensemble and Midsize Production; La Ruta (Steppenwolf Theater); The Clean House (Remy Bumppo Theatre Company) and This Much is True (Theater 503, UK). Recent directing credits include: The Crone Chronicles (Pride Arts Chicago; PhysFest NYC) and co-direction of The Dream King (Teatro Vista), Jeff Award Nomination for Best Direction. Da Cunha is also an artistic consultant to Theater Unspeakable and adjunct professor at Loyola University.

Marc Frost is an actor, deviser, educator and Chicago native who has performed and produced work in Brazil, Ireland, Spain, the United States and the United Kingdom. He created Theater Unspeakable as a platform for original works of devised, physical theater. Based in Chicago, the award-winning company has toured nationally, performing at venues including Lincoln Center Education (NY) and Kennedy Center (DC). He currently teaches at Columbia College Chicago and Roosevelt University. Frost is also a proud graduate of the Commercial Theatre Institute’s 14-Week Training Program for Commercial Theatre Producers in New York City.

ABOUT THEATRE Y, Little Carl and Physical Theater Festival Chicago Family Event

Theatre Y is a Chicago-based international incubator that creates connections between diverse artists and has recently launched a new campus in North Lawndale as part of a revitalization concept that centers cooperative artistic residencies. At the helm of Theatre Y’s reinvention is the multidisciplinary artist, musician and educator Marvin Tate, a North Lawndale native. The company’s youth program encourages multidisciplinary, lateral thinking in young people and teaches the necessary hard and soft skills for successful careers in the arts and social justice fields. For 25 years, Midwestern audiences have enjoyed Michael Montenegro’s solo performances, group projects and puppetry design collaborations including Argonautica (Lookingglass Theatre), directed by Mary Zimmerman; The War With the Newts and The Long Christmas Ride Home (Next Theatre) and The Puppetmaster of Lodz (Writers’ Theatre), which won a Jeff Award for Puppet Design. 

ABOUT CHICAGO BOYZ ACROBATIC TEAM, Physical Theater Festival Chicago Family Event

The Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team, featured on the NBC hit reality competition series “America’s Got Talent” (season 8), is a professional gymnastics troupe consisting of talented young men and boys from the Chicago area. Founded in 1999 by professional gymnast Tim Shaw, young inner city youth are taught discipline, respect, hard work, integrity and teamwork.

Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team performances include amazing acrobatic stunts and tricks inside twirling jump ropes, catapulting off mini trampolines and thundering tumbling routines with impeccable timing.

ABOUT DV8 PHYSICAL THEATRE, “The Cost of Living”

DV8 Physical Theatre was a physical theatre company based at Artsadmin in London, United Kingdom. It was officially founded in 1986 by Lloyd Newson (1986–2015), Michelle Richecoeur (1986–1988) and Nigel Charnock (1986–1989, 1992). Lloyd Newson led the company as choreographer and artistic director from its inception, apart from the production My Sex, Our Dance (1986), which was co-created and performed with Nigel Charnock. DV8 officially ended in April 2022 when Lloyd Newson announced his retirement via the company web page.

ABOUT CHULA THE CLOWN, Perhaps, Perhaps…Quizás

Chula the Clown is a creation of Gabriela Muñoz who has a variety of experience in theatre, circus and opera. In 2009 she co-founded the company CLOWN ME IN with fellow colleague Sabine Choucair (Lebanon) and has worked as a volunteer with Clowns Without Borders USA since 2011. She has given clown and storytelling workshops through Mexico, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, India, Indonesia, France, Brazil, Sweden, Colombia, Philippines, England and New York City. Muñoz was part of the documentary “A Fool‘s Idea” by Emmy award-winner Brian Bernhard in New York in 2009. In 2010, she created PHPerhaps, Perhaps…Quizás, her first clown show, which she has performed in Mexico, United Kingdom, Spain, France, Sweden, USA, New Zealand, Colombia, Brazil and Georgia. In February 2015, with the support of EFI TEATRO, INBA and Co Productions Gabriela premiered her second creation, Limbo, in Mexico City. Limbo has been performed at Teatro Milan and Teatro de la Ciudad Esperanza Iris in collaboration with Latin Grammy winners Natalia Lafourcade and Ernesto García.Y

ABOUT CLAYTON NASCIMENTO, Macacos

Clayton Nascimento was raised on the outskirts of the South Zone of São Paulo in Jabaquara in the 90s. He is currently a professor of Acting Games and Improvisation at the Escola Superior de Artes Célia Helena, where he graduated. He is the director, writer and performer of Macaos, the multi-award winning play about racism and black genocide in Brazil. Some of those awards are: Shell prize for Best Actor (2023), APCA prize for Best Actor (2023), FestKaos prize for Best Actor and Best Play (2022), FESTIC Caruaru prize for Best Lighting Design (for Danielle Meirelles), Best Playwright and Best Actor (2019), Best Play in the Amazonas Theater Festival (2017), Best Actor in the XX Rio de Janeiro Theater Festival (2016) among others. In 2020, he published the book “MACACOS” with Editora Cobogó.

ABOUT VOLOZ COLLECTIVE, The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much

Voloz Collective is a multi award-winning international physical theatre company that reinvents and recharges physical comedy by exploiting the capacities of the human body and blurring the lines between the theatrical and cinematic. Hailing from three different countries, the team of four was brought together by two years of study at L’École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq. With a uniquely non-hierarchical approach to theatre-making, all members serve as actors, directors and writers and have a shared responsibility for all creative decisions. Voloz’s mission is to remove cultural and economic barriers to accessing theatre by bringing international theatre to underserved populations.

ABOUT THE GOTTABEES, Don’t Make Me Get Dressed

The Gottabees are based in Boston and their work has been performed in 19 states, five countries, for over 45,000 people and was awarded an UNIMA-USA Citation of Excellence. Their projects have been funded by the Jim Henson Foundation, Puppeteers of America, USArtists International and the Boston Foundation. The Gottabees have been featured at the Center for Puppetry Arts (Atlanta, GA), Detroit Institute of the Arts (Michigan), Casteliers (Montréal), AHA! International Theater Festival for Children (India) and Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival (Illinois) to name a few. 

ABOUT CHICAGO LATINO THEATER ALLIANCE (CLATA)

CLATA is a sponsor of Physical Theater Festival Chicago

The Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA) is committed to enticing, fostering and showcasing new thought provoking works of emerging Latino playwrights to inspire a cross-cultural audience. CLATA works to showcase existing and new thought-provoking U.S. Latino playwrights, actors and directors primarily in Chicago, along with national and international counterparts. CLATA strives to preserve cultural heritage and serve as a conduit to promote and identify new and exciting works. CLATA’s goals are to create a permanent home for Chicago’s Latino theater groups and companies and to create the country’s leading international Latino theater festival with an emphasis on showcasing local Latino theater artists and companies. CLATA also aims to provide technical and professional support for Chicago’s Latino theater groups and companies.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL LATINO CULTURAL CENTER OF CHICAGO

The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago is a Pan-Latino, nonprofit, multidisciplinary arts organization dedicated to developing, promoting and increasing awareness of Latino cultures among Latinos and other communities by presenting a wide variety of art forms and education including film, music, dance, visual arts, comedy, theater and culinary arts. The Center prides itself for its outstanding multidisciplinary local and international cultural programming which spans Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the United States. Born out of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago also produces other programs, including the Chicago Latino Music Series (formerly known as the Latino Music Festival), which is celebrating its 17^th edition this year; Film in the Parks, also in its 18^th season; the monthly Reel Film Club, already in its 15^th year and many others.

ABOUT SEGUNDO RUIZ BELVIS CULTURAL CENTER

The Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC) is the longest-standing Latino cultural center in Chicago. Established in 1971, it was named in honor of Segundo Ruiz Belvis, a Puerto Rican patriot and member of a secret abolitionist society that freed slave children under Spanish rule. In that spirit, SRBCC realizes its mission to preserve and promote appreciation of the culture and arts of Puerto Rico and Latin America with a focus on its African heritage. SRBCC also offers weekly and monthly percussion classes, live music events and community workshops that promote cultural understanding through artistic expression, keeping youth and professional teaching artists safe, with meaningful opportunities to create, present and produce art.

ABOUT THEATER UNSPEAKABLE

Marc Frost created Theater Unspeakable in 2010 as a platform for devising new physical theater projects. Based in Chicago, Theater Unspeakable has performed in 20 states and Washington, D.C. in venues including: The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center Education, Palo Alto Children's Theatre, Adventure Stage Chicago, Chicago Children's Theatre and more. The physical theater practiced by the company draws upon the heavy influence of Frost's time at the London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA). This two-year theater program based on the teachings of Jacques Lecoq exposed him to many different styles of theater. Since returning and founding the company, he has set a goal for himself and his collaborators to continue experimenting with these styles until they have broken ground on new forms of their own.

The Artistic Home Studio will present the 2024 edition of its CUT TO THE CHASE festival of new one act plays, from May 2-5, 2024, at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Avenue. The seven selections will celebrate the theme "Face to Face." Ranging from drama to sci-fi to dark comedy, these one-acts will highlight moment-to-moment acting in the intimacy of the Den's Upstairs Mainstage. Now in its 21st year, the festival has become a Chicago fan favorite, premiering new work form Chicago playwrights as well as well-known talent from across the country. 
 
The Artistic Home accepted 400 play submissions for this year's festival, narrowing them down to the final seven.  Festival Curator Ted James says, "When you read that many plays with specific criteria in mind, you end up with a really outstanding program. These plays span genres, but they each in their own way represent the theme – face to face. They also each present a special opportunity for actors to demonstrate The Artistic Home style of moment-to-moment acting, providing a great opportunity for the audiences to experience the thrill of up-close Chicago theater."
 
The show runs as one program, with the seven plays back-to-back, running approximately 90 minutes in total. Five of the plays are world premieres and two are Chicago premieres. The plays are by Chicago playwrights Will Dunne, Siah Berlatsky, and Lydia Moss; and Peter Snoad, Michael Hagins, Drew Carnwath, and Erin Osgood. They will be directed by Frank Nall, Rachel Lambert, Justice Ford, Savaun Stokes, Patrick Thornton, Julian Hester, and Jenna Steege. The casts include Whitney Minarik, Faris El-Kildani, Jeremy Osinga, Dakota Pariset, Peter Snoad, Luke Steadman, Laura Zhang, Chris Willumsen, Hannah Green, Tommy Martin, Demi VanderWerff, Garrett Wiegel, Jessica McCluskey, Jared Goudsmit, Kendal Romero, Angie Simonetta, and Mary Mikva.

Tickets for CUT TO THE CHASE 2024 are $20 will be on sale soon through The Den Theatre Box Office www.thedentheatre.com.

The Artistic Home performs at The Den Theatre, and also maintains an acting studio and rehearsal space at 3054 N. Milwaukee Avenue in the Avondale/Logan neighborhood.
 
PLAYS

Hollow Valley by Will Dunne
Directed by Frank Nall
A World Premiere
*Chicago playwright
Cast: Jeremy Osinga, Dakota Pariset
 
When a man is confronted by a stranger who claims to know him, the truth slowly unfolds into an unexpected journey of resilience and hope. In this world premiere by Will Dunne, audiences are challenged to confront the familiar strangers in their own lives.
 
Rot! by Siah Berlatsky
Directed by Rachel Lambert
A World Premiere
*Chicago playwright and AH Artistic Associate
Cast: Kendal Romero, Angie Simonetta, and Mary Mikva

When a young woman refuses to leave her bed, her mom brings in a professional. ROT! invites viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about mental health, human connection, and finding meaning in an indifferent world. 
 
The Outline by Lydia Moss
Directed by Justice Ford
A World Premiere
*Chicago playwright
Cast: Jessica McCluskey, Jared Goudsmit
 
When Simone and Paul find themselves trapped in a metaphysical waiting room, they must grapple with their own inner demons and past mistakes. A broken cell phone becomes the last hope and a demonstration in the power of belief.
 
Kindred Spirits by Peter Snoad
Directed by Savaun Stokes
A World Premiere
Cast: Luke Steadman, Laura Zhang, Chris Willumsen

While exploring a tranquil forest, two strangers discover uncanny similarities between them. With great wit and tricks of language, Kindred Spirits questions the nature of human relationships and the boundaries between each of us.
 
First Date by Michael Hagins
Directed by Patrick Thornton
A Chicago Premiere
Cast: Whitney Minarik, Faris El-Kildani
 
During a cringey first date, a divorced mom and a younger man find a surprise attraction. Through endearing characters and plenty of folly, this comedy explores the courage to be true to oneself in a delightfully modern context.
 
Orpheus in the New Year by Drew Carnwath
Directed by Julian Hester
A World Premiere
Cast: Whitney Minarik, Tommy Martin, Garrett Wiegel
 
Amidst a lively New Year's Eve party, a chance encounter between two strangers on a balcony leads to a cryptic exchange about myths, past lives, and hidden intentions. As they grapple with existential questions, the boundaries of reality blur.
 
Minor Deviations by Erin Osgood
Directed by Jenna Steege
A Chicago Premiere
Cast: Hannah Green, Tommy Martin, Demi VanderWerff
 
A grieving widower seeks a robot companion in the likeness of his deceased wife. But beneath the surface lies a secret, and consequences emerge from seeking artificial comfort.
 
LISTING INFORMATION
 
CUT TO THE CHASE 2024
One-act plays by Siah Berlatsky, Drew Carnwath, Will Dunne, Michael Hagins, Lydia Moss, Erin Osgood, and Peter Snoad
Directed by Justice Ford, Julian Hester, Rachel Lambert, Frank Nall Savaun  Stokes, Jenna Steege, and Patrick Thornton
May 2 -5, 2024
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm.
The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
All seats $20.00
Tickets available soon at www.thedentheatre.com, or by phone at 773-697-3830
More information at www.theartistichome.org
 
Annual festival of new of new one act plays, this year celebrating the theme "Face to Face." These seven one-acts plays are each built around an intense interaction between two people and will highlight moment-to-moment acting in an intimate theater space. The show runs as one program, with the seven plays back-to-back, running approximately 90 minutes. Five are world premieres and two are Chicago premieres.
 
PLAYWRIGHT BIOS

Siah Berlatsky (ROT!) is a Chicago-based actor and playwright. Her first play, MALAPERT LOVE, was produced by The Artistic Home in 2022, and received the Jeff Award for Best New Work. She is an artistic associate with The Artistic Home and is proud to participate in the Cut to the Chase festival for the first time.
 
Drew Carnwath (ORPHEUS IN THE NEW YEAR). Drew is a Toronto-based writer and performer. Upon graduating from Queen's University, Drew continued to train and work as an actor at The American Academy of Dramatic Art, in New York, followed by three seasons with The Advanced Actor's Master Class Company at The Banff Centre for the Arts.
 
As a writer, Drew's plays (including JOHNNYVILLE, GRACE AND AFTER, TOTAL BODY WASHOUT and HIDE AND SEEK) have all been produced across the country. He was a playwright-in-residence at Toronto's esteemed Tarragon Theatre, and both JOHNNYVILLE and TOTAL BODY WASHOUT were published by Playwrights Canada Press. His play I DREAM OF THE LIVING won First Prize at The Canadian National Playwriting Competition in British Columbia and the Canadian One Act Playwriting Competition in Ottawa.
 
More recently Drew's play HOGTOWN: THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE (co-written with Sam Rosenthal) ran for two full seasons in Toronto and was a smash hit with audiences and critics alike. In 2017 HOGTOWN was nominated for a prestigious DORA Mavor Moore Award. Most recently: the World Premiere of Drew's latest play, MERCY, took place on February 2023 at The Grand Theatre in Kingston, Ontario.
 
Will Dunne (HOLLOW VALLEY) is a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists, and author of THE DRAMATIC WRITER'S COMPANION and other books (University of Chicago Press). His plays have been presented worldwide in three languages and earned numerous honors, including three selections by the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center for the U.S. National Playwrights Conference, a Charles MacArthur Fellowship awarded by the O'Neill for outstanding comedy, four Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards, and two DramaLogue Playwriting Awards. Plays produced at The Artistic Home include TEA TIME, THE RED DOOR AJAR, DEEP GARDENS, TWO MEN ON A TRAIN PLATFORM JUST BEFORE THE APOCALYPSE, and HI.
 
Michael Hagins (FIRST DATE) is a published African American Playwright, Director, Fight Director, Actor, and Producer. Michael is a Member of Dramatists Guild and an Advanced Actor-Combatant for the Society of American Fight Directors. Michael was born in Brooklyn, New York, but raised in a small town in Florida for his childhood. He has used the racism and prejudice he dealt with at an early age to fuel his writing, which he has done since the age of nine. Michael is an avid lover of Shakespeare, having performed or directed every play in the Shakespeare Canon, and has performed, directed and taken part in over 1,000 plays and films over his artistic career.
 
Lydia Moss (she/her, THE OUTLINE) is a playwright, actor, and dramaturg who's called Chicago home since 2020. In her writing she centers the complexities of love, loss, and existence, and how those experiences live on through our bodies in ways we may be unable to express. Two of her other short pieces have premiered in Chicago: FRANKENSTEIN (Seven Deadly Sins Play Festival, 2022), and SKIN (Fat Tuesday PlayFest, 2024), and she is a finalist for the Amplify New Play Commission at Definition Theater for her full-length play, DEATH OF EVE. Her other theater interests include scenic painting, theater administration, Shakespeare education, and Theater for Young Audiences. She's excited to collaborate with this incredible director, cast, and crew, and is eternally grateful to everyone supporting the Cut to the Chase! Thank you!  
 
Erin Osgood (she/her, MINOR DEVIATIONS) is a Michigan playwright, actress, and Dramatists Guild member whose work has been produced throughout the country and abroad. She has a Master's in Social Work from the University of Michigan and is a Make-a-Wish volunteer. Erin enjoys traveling, a good book, Cavatappi with shallots and mushrooms in a parmesan cream sauce, an underdog winner, 70 degree weather, and Fireball. She loves to laugh, cry (often at the same time), and can curse with the best of them. She especially enjoys having very talented people bring her words to life (because they make her look good). http://erinosgood.com
 
Peter Snoad (KINDRED SPIRITS) is a British-American playwright and recovering actor based in Boston, Massachusetts. His work has been produced throughout the U.S. and in Canada, the U.K., Singapore, and Australia. Peter's award-winning plays include: SEEING VIOLET (Pestalozzi Prize, Firehouse Center for the Arts, Newburyport, Mass.); GUIDED TOUR (Stanley Drama Award, Wagner College, NY); NOW WHAT? (Winner, Rising Artists Play Competition, Southwest Theatre Productions, Austin, Texas); IDENTITY CRISIS (Winner, New Play Festival, Centre Stage, Greenville, South Carolina); THE DRAFT (Best Ensemble, ArtsImpulse Award, Boston, Mass.); ORBITING MARS (Winner, New Play Contest, Santa Cruz Actors Theatre, California); and PERFECT STRANGERS (Winner, International Short Play Contest, Stratford Fringe, Stratford-Upon-Avon, U.K.) You can read Peter's plays at the New Play Exchange.
 
ABOUT THE ARTISTIC HOME
 
The Artistic Home is noted for their innovative and intimate presentations of rarely produced classics as well for developing new works. The company has been frequently honored in the Jeff Awards. For 2023, they received nine nominations, including a nomination for Production of a Play (DYING FOR IT) and win for Kevin Hagan's scenic design of DYING FOR IT. In 2022, they received nine nominations and two wins – one for New Work (MALAPERT LOVE, written by artistic associate Siah Berlatsky) and one for Supporting Actor in a play (Todd Wojcik – in THE PAVILION). The company's 2022 nominations also included two for Best Play production (MALAPERT LOVE and THE PAVILION). The Artistic Home was one of the big winners in the 2019 Jeff Awards, with four awards including Production of a Play, Director of a Play, Principal Performer in a Play, and Sound Design, all for REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT. Brookelyn Hebert won a Jeff as Principal Performer in a Play for the company's 2020 production of ADA AND THE ENGINE. The company was nominated for Jeff Awards in 2019 for ROCK 'N' ROLL, and in 2018 for HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE.
 
Other memorable productions of recent years include 2017's WEDDING BAND, BY THE BOG OF CATS and THE SCHOOL FOR LIES; their Jeff-nominated productions of THE SEAGULL, WATCH ON THE RHINE, MACBETH and THE LATE HENRY MOSS; and their 2013 Jeff Award-winner THE GODDESS. Other Artistic Home productions include the Jeff-Award-winning production of JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK, which also received three After Dark Awards, the Jeff-Nominated SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH, THE TALLEST MAN, LANDSCAPE OF THE BODY, NATURAL AFFECTION, FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS, AFTER THE FALL and PEER GYNT (which also received an After Dark award for Direction).
 
For more than 25 years, The Artistic Home has consistently produced compelling theatre in Chicago. First formed in 1998 with the belief that the actor is at the heart of great theater, the company strives to give birth to unforgettable moments; to touch audiences who are increasingly distanced from human contact; to readdress the classics and explore new works with passion.

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to continue its 22^nd season with the world premiere of POOR PEOPLE! The Parody Musical, an insane homage to many of the characters, songs and tropes of those very expensive Broadway and West End musicals about the less fortunate (Annie, Oliver!, Les Miz, Sweeney Todd... you get the gist). Written by ensemble member Tyler Anthony Smith* with direction by Stephanie Shaw, music direction by Andrew Milliken and choreography by Christopher Kelley, POOR PEOPLE! will play May 2 – June 16, 2024 at The Chopin Studio Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. in Chicago. Tickets are now on sale at handbagproductions.org or buytickets.at/hellinahandbagproductions/1116848. The press opening is Friday, May 10 at 8 pm.

The cast includes ensemble members David Cerda*, Sydney Genco*, Caitlin Jackson*, Elizabeth Lesinski* and Tyler Anthony Smith* with Matty Bettencourt, Brittney Brown, Taylor Dalton, Dakota Hughes, Patrick O'Keefe, Shane Roberie and Tommy Thurston. Understudies include Connar Brown, Miguel Long, Halli Morgan and Brandon Nelson.

It's 1979 in dangerous, smoky, glorious New York City. Our story's red-headed protagonist Li'l Orphan Arnie (Dakota Hughes) is fleeing from the guardianship of a sex-starved, meth-cooking madwoman (Sydney Genco*). Out on the streets, they befriend a slinky dancing cat (Matty Bettencourt), who leads them to a magical manhole, transporting them back in time to Paris, France in 1815. Trading in one poverty-plagued lifestyle for another, Arnie gives up the desire to find their parents and joins forces with a gang of pick-pocketing prostitutes, led by the mysterious Fagin (David Cerda*).

Life becomes even more dire when Mama Moneybags (Brittney Brown), a corrupt Republican from the future, takes it upon herself to put Fagin's troupe out of work. Thankfully, there's a bounty of colorful, destitute characters to help save the day, such as the tuberculosis-ridden Pantene (Caitlin Jackson*), a feral Beggar Woman (Elizabeth Lesinski*) and Nance, the classic hooker with a heart of gold (Tyler Anthony Smith*). Will the sun come out tomorrow? Do you hear the people sing? Will we be changing all of the lyrics to avoid being sued? Yes!

Comments playwright Tyler Anthony Smith, "When I was in the fourth grade, I was supposed to be in the ensemble of our district's high school production of Oliver! I got sick, missed too many rehearsals, and was forced to exit the show. So not only is this Handbag's response to Apple TV's Schmigadoon!, it's also my revenge."

The production team includes G. "Max" Maxin IV (Scenic, Lighting and Projection Design), Rachel M. Sypniewski (Costume Design), Miranda Coble (Sound Design), Maggie O'Brien (Props Design), Jabberwocky Marionettes (Puppet Design), Keith Ryan* (Wig Design), Syd Genco* (Make-up Design), Michael S. Miller* (Graphic Design), Rick Aguilar (Photography), Jenna Raithel (Stage Manager), Veronica Kostka* (Assistant Stage Manager) and David Cerda* (Executive Producer).

*Denotes Hell in a Handbag Ensemble Member

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Title: POOR PEOPLE! The Parody Musical – World Premiere!
Playwright: ensemble member Tyler Anthony Smith*
Director: Stephanie Shaw

Music Director: Andrew Milliken

Choreographer: Christopher Kelley

Cast (in alphabetical order): David Cerda* (Fagin), Sydney Genco* (Miss A), Caitlin Jackson* (Pantene), Elizabeth Lesinski* (Beggar Woman) and Tyler Anthony Smith* (Nance) with Matty Bettencourt (Fosse Kitty), Brittney Brown (Mama Moneybags), Taylor Dalton (Epipen), Dakota Hughes (Li'l Orphan Arnie), Patrick O'Keefe (Twinky), Shane Roberie (The Groomer of the Flop'ra) and Tommy Thurston (Pretty Rich Boy). Understudies: Connar Brown, Miguel Long, Halli Morgan and Brandon Nelson.

Location: The Chopin Studio Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago

Previews: Thursday, May 2 at 8 pm, Friday, May 3 at 8 pm, Saturday, May 4 at 8 pm, Sunday, May 5 at 4 pm and Thursday, May 9 at 8 pm
Opening/Press performance: Friday, May 10 at 8 pm
Regular run: Saturday, May 11 – Sunday, June 16, 2024
Curtain Times: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays at 4 pm.

Industry Night: Wednesday, June 12 at 8 pm

Tickets: $25 previews, $42 general admission, $60 VIP/reserved seating. Group rates $36 for 10 or more. Tickets are now on sale at handbagproductions.org or buytickets.at/hellinahandbagproductions/1116848.

About the Artists

Tyler Anthony Smith (Playwright)  is in show business. He/She/They is/is/are a proud Hell in a Handbag ensemble member. Lots of performing here and there, lots of writing this and that, lots of saying, "There's a hole in my crotch. Again." Ms. Smith is not represented by any sort of talent agency. Instagram: @judithnightlight

Stephanie Shaw (Director) has presented her original solo performance work for a wide range of venues in the Chicago area, as well as NYC. An alumni member of the Neo-Futurists, she wrote and performed regularly for Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind for five years. She has directed a number of solo shows for Live Bait Theatre, The New York Fringe, Sweetback Productions, and the simple pleasure of Tyler Anthony Smith and his audiences. She directed Tyler's FRANKENSTREISAND for Hell in a Handbag, and has directed for The Neo-Futurists, The New York Fringe, Oak Park Festival Theatre, MirrorBox Theatre (Cedar Rapids), and over a dozen plays and musicals for the theatre department of Columbia College Chicago, where she is a Professor of Instruction. Once upon a time, she was a theatre critic for The Chicago Reader.

Andrew Milliken (Music Director) has been a music director/pianist in the Chicago area since 2016. Previous credits with Hell in a Handbag include Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical, Bewildered and The Facts of Life: Satan's School for Girls, for which he also composed the music with David Cerda.

Christopher Kelley (Choreographer) is a choreographer, dancer and teacher based in Chicago. Favorite performing credits include The Muny, Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Paramount, Marriott, Drury Lane, Porchlight and Timberlake Playhouse. Christopher was a company member of Chicago Repertory Ballet from 2020-2023. They have taught ballet and jazz at several studios around Chicago and are on faculty at Visceral Dance Chicago and CCPA. BFA in Music Theatre from CCM.

About Hell in a Handbag Productions

Hell in a Handbag is dedicated to the preservation, exploration, and celebration of works ingrained in the realm of popular culture via theatrical productions through parody, music and homage. Handbag is a 501(c)(3) Not for Profit. For additional information, visit handbagproductions.org.

A.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations—a Chicago-based nonprofit that creates theatre and film for, with, and by individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announce today a re-imagining of the epic classic The Odyssey.

A.B.L.E's production weaves music, movement, shadow puppetry, and scenes devised by the group into a powerful and joyful celebration of the choices we make, and the challenges we face along our journey. The vibrant adaptation features a neurodiverse cast of 44 performers, including 24 actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The performance in the Courtyard Theater on May 11, 2024 at 2:00pm will mark the two companies' 7th collaboration, most recently having co-produced A Midsummer Night's Dream last spring.

The theme of fate vs. agency is prevalent in Homer's tale, and it's one that co-directors Braden Cleary and Katie Yohe particularly wanted to highlight with the Ensembles. Currently, 24 actors with varying disabilities including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and autism take part in A.B.L.E.'s performance ensembles. "Folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities often have a lot of choices made for them, or it's presumed that they are not capable of making their own choices," says Yohe, also A.B.L.E.'s Executive Artistic Director. "Braden and I drafted a loose skeleton of the story but the script and production is really actor-led." Each actor self-identified where their strengths lie as a performer and were assigned to a chapter of the story based on their interests.

Over the course of a 10-week rehearsal process, actors collaborated with a team of volunteer facilitators to build the story. Facilitator Kara Davidson, a company member at Manual Cinema, helped actors design and build shadow puppets to bring to life monsters like the Cyclops and Scylla. Music Educator Polly Yukevich loaned the ensembles 15 ukuleles to bring musical magic to The Lotus Eaters and the seductive Sirens.

A.B.L.E. is committed to ensuring everyone feels they have a space in the theatre. The sensory-friendly performance will include numerous accessibility supports for audience members of all ages and ability levels. This includes dual ASL interpretation and open captioning. A.B.L.E. also reserves a designated movement zone for audience members who need to move around to help them focus. Audience members will receive a social story and sensory guide before the show to help audience members know what to expect from their trip to the theatre. "We hope we can set an example for our community of what true inclusion looks like both onstage and off."

EVENT DETAILS

Saturday May 11, 2024 at 2:00pm
Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater
800 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

Tickets: All tickets are Pay-what-you-can starting at $15, general admission
Online: ableensemble.com/events
Phone: 312.595.5600
In person: at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater Box Office

Access: Performances will be open captioned and dual ASL interpreted. Out of consideration for our immunocompromised community members, masks are required in the theater.

This production of The Odyssey is sponsored by Gail and Dennis Rossow. A.B.L.E.'s 2023-2024 Season is partially supported by grants from The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, FunFund, The Illinois Arts Council, Innovation 80, The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, and The National Endowment for the Arts.

ABOUT A.B.L.E.

A.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations - is celebrating their 8th anniversary of creating theatre and film for, with, and by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A.B.L.E. engages actors ages 13 and up through ensembles and outreach programming. Whether in person or online, all A.B.L.E. programs strive to foster agency, and nurture lifelong skills like communication, collaboration, and creativity. A.B.L.E.'s ensembles have produced more than 25 projects for the stage and screen, ranging from adaptations of theatrical classics by Shakespeare, Dickens, and Gilbert & Sullivan, to original work, to innovative Zoom projects including Romeo & Juliet Remix. A.B.L.E.'s feature films have been recognized by several local and international festivals. By placing people with disabilities in the spotlight, A.B.L.E.'s work strives to shift societal preconceptions, and build more inclusive, empathetic communities. For more information about A.B.L.E., please visit www.ableensemble.com and find them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER

Regional Tony Award-recipient Chicago Shakespeare Theater produces a bold and innovative year-round season—plays, musicals, world premieres, family productions, and theatrical presentations from around the globe—alongside nationally recognized education programming serving tens of thousands of students, teachers, and lifelong learners each year. Founded in 1986, the Theater's onstage work has expanded to as many as twenty productions and 650 performances annually. Chicago Shakespeare is dedicated to welcoming the next generation of theatergoers; one in four of its audience members is under the age of eighteen. As a nonprofit organization, the Theater works to embrace diversity, prioritize inclusion, provide equitable opportunities, and offer an accessible experience for all. On the Theater's three stages at its home on Navy Pier, in classrooms and neighborhoods across the city, and in venues around the world, Chicago Shakespeare is a multifaceted cultural hub—inviting audiences, artists, and community members to share powerful stories that connect and inspire. www.chicagoshakes.com.

Lifeline Theatre and Artistic Director ILesa Duncan announce the casting for Chicagoan Nambi E. Kelley's "gutsy, powerful, and relentless" adaptation of Richard Wright's powerful introspection on race and justice like never before. Based on a true murder case, Nambi E. Kelley's adaptation is a suspenseful re-telling of Richard Wright's novel. Lifeline is producing the play on the 10th anniversary of its original staging and captures the power of the original work for a whole new generation. Native Son runs at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. in Rogers Park, from May 10 – June 30, 2024.

Cast members for the production (from left to right, top to bottom) include Dairyon Bolden (Buddy), Kamille Dawkins (Hannah), Ashli Funches (Bessie/Vera/Leslie), Gabe Fries (Britten), Tamarus Harvell (Bigger), James Lewis (Black Rat), Laura Nelson (Mary), Nick Trengove (Jan) and Mandy Walsh (Mrs. Dalton); with understudies Keith Surney, Dairyon Bolden, Brian Bradford, Maureen Azzun, Ashlea Woodley, and Zachary Koptik.

The creative team for Native Son includes Faramade (Fara) Oladapo (Assistant Director), Regina García (Scenic), Paloma Locsin (Props), Branden Marble (Lighting), Steve Labedz (Sound), Eme Ospina-López (Projections), Janelle Smith (Costume), Sheryl Williams (Fight/Intimacy), Martine Kei Green-Rogers (Dramaturg), Carrie Hardin (Dialect), Hanna Smaglis (Stage Manager), NaVada Reed (Assistant Stage Manager), Addoris Davis (Production Manager), Harrison Ornelas (Technical Director), and Karan Wallace (Lighting Supervisor).

"It's an exciting challenge to delve into Nambi's fiercely passionate, highly theatrical adaptation a decade after its Court/American Blues Theatre debut," says Lifeline Artistic Director and Native Son Director ILesa Duncan. "Kelley deftly crafts a riveting experience of Bigger's journey that is both contemporary and historic."

ABOUT THE CAST

Dairyon Bolden (Buddy) is ecstatic to be a part of the Lifeline Theater family. Favorite credits include: For Colored Boys (Blake Martin), Bad Seed (Reginald Tasker), 1800 vs 2020 (Joshua), When Silence Screams (Adam), Topdog/Underdog (Lincoln/Booth), Peter Pan (Peter Pan), Lord of the Flies (Simon), Anthony & Cleopatra (Octavius Caesar), and King Hedley II (King Hedley II). Dairyon is also a poet and photographer expanding his craft within words on paper.

Kamille Dawkins (Hannah) is a Chicago based theatre artist and the Executive Artistic Director of Strawdog Theatre Company. This is Kamille's second time working with Lifeline Theatre, appearing in last year's Cat's Cradle. Previous works include: The Revolutionists, Pillars of Community, Barbecue at Strawdog Theatre, Gender Breakdown at Collaboraction Theatre, Hand in Hand at Akvavit Theatre, Pinocchio The Folk Musical at Filament Theatre, If Scrooge Was A Brother at ETA Creative Arts Foundation, and many others.

Ashli Funches (Bessie/Vera/Leslie) is currently working as an Actor, Educator, and Florist. They are from Birmingham, Alabama but she considers Chicago her artistic home. Ashli's recent credits include: IS GOD IS (Red Orchid), Notes from the Field (Timeline), Stew (Shattered Globe), and Detroit 67 (The Theatre School). Ashli received their BFA in Acting and an BA in African Diaspora from DePaul University. She wrote, produced, and portrayed Amari in the film, A Yellow Circus. Ashli also portrays Z in a feature entitled, The Lapse. Both films are set to premiere in 2024. @ayellowcircusofficial

Gabe Fries (Britten) is delighted to return to Lifeline, where he previously appeared in Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile and Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? Recent credits include A Christmas Carol (Metropolis PAC), A Streetcar Named Desire (Paramount Theatre), Big River (Mercury Theater Chicago) and The Mama & the Papa Goose (Inkwell Arts). Other Chicago credits include productions with TimeLine, Porchlight, City Lit, Nothing Without a Company, and Oil Lamp. Gabriel is at work on an album of original music, and you can catch him in The Merry Beggars' On the Night Train and The Saints podcasts! He is a proud graduate of Wesleyan University and is represented by Big Mouth Talent. www.gabrielfries.net

Tamarus Harvell (Bigger) is excited to be working with Lifeline Theatre for the first time. He is currently a company member with MPAACT Theatre, where he was last seen in their production of Tad in 5th City. He has worked with several theatre companies in Chicago such as Perceptions Theatre, Black Ensemble, and Raven Theatre. He has several short films that have premiered at Chicago's Black Harvest Film Festival and other festivals across the country. He is currently represented by Big Mouth Talent Inc.

James Lewis (Black Rat) is excited to be in his first Lifeline production for Native Son. A proud father of two beautiful kids, his previous Chicago credits include The Secret Council (First Folio, Jeff Nominated), The Last Pair of Earlies (Raven, Jeff Nominated) and Titus Andronicus (Haven). James also performed in various locations in LA, NY and Connecticut. TV/Film credits include True Blood, 2 Broke Girls and Brooklyn 99. A CAG Artist Board member, James is also an Alumni of The Theatre School at DePaul University and represented by Stewart Talent. @prodigenoir

Laura Nelson (Mary) is thrilled to make her Lifeline Theatre debut. Chicago credits include: Bowie in Warsaw (Chicago, New York tour), Princess Ivona, Medea Material, The Killer (Trap Door Theatre), The Hilary Duff Project (Newport Theatre), Masque Macabre (Strawdog Theatre), The Sound of Music (Drury Lane Theatre), The Roar on Rush (The Roar Chicago), Bros do Prose: Peter Pan (u/s Mercury Theater) and Grey Gardens (u/s Northlight Theatre). Film/TV: Senior Moments, The MisEducation of Bindu and Garden Doc web series. Laura graduated with a BFA in drama from NYU Tisch, Experimental Theatre Wing. She is an ensemble member at Trap Door Theatre and represented by Stewart Talent.

Nick Trengove (Jan) is thrilled to be making his Lifeline Theatre debut. A California native, Nick has worked as a professional actor, director, and VO artist in both the SF Bay Area and in Chicago. He holds an MFA from DePaul University. Recent credits include two new play festivals with Pocket Theater VR and Playground Chicago.

Mandy Walsh (Mrs. Dalton) is thrilled to return to Lifeline after last being seen earlier this season as Sandra/Mrs. Crosby in Cat's Cradle. She has also previously appeared at Lifeline as Watson in both productions of Miss Holmes and Miss Holmes Returns, as well as Monstrous Regiment, Watership Down, and The Count of Monte Cristo (U/S). Other Chicago area credits include work with Paramount Theatre, A Red Orchid Theatre, 16th Street Theatre, Windy City Playhouse, WildClaw Theatre, The Factory Theater, and more. Regionally she has performed at Dunes Summer Theatre in Michigan City, IN. She has also appeared on NBC's Chicago Fire and in the upcoming short film I Wish I Were Pretty. Mandy is represented by Big Mouth Talent, Inc. www.mandywalsh.com

SCHEDULE

May 10 – June 30, 2024

Regular tickets $45; preview tickets $25; Group Pricing (10 or more people) 20% off all tickets

Previews: Fridays, May 10 and May 17 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, May 11 and May 19 at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, May 12 and May 19 at 2:30 p.m.

Press Preview: Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 2:30 p.m.

Opening night: Monday, May 20, 2024 at 7:00pm.

Regular Run: May 24 – June 30, 2024: Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

Special Performances:
Open Captioning: Sunday, June 2 at 2:30pm AND Friday, June 14 at 7:30pm

Audio Description & Touch Tour: Sunday, June 9 (Tour: 1:00pm – Performance: 2:30pm)

Set in Chicago's South Side during the 1930's, the play follows 20-year-old Bigger Thomas struggling to realize his dreams in a world that has shut him out. After taking a job in a wealthy white man's house, Bigger unintentionally unleashes a series of events that violently and irrevocably seal his fate.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets to Native Son are on sale athttps://lifelinetheatre.com/performances/2023-2024/native-son/ Season memberships for the 2023-2024 are also available now. To purchase season memberships or for more information call the Lifeline Theatre Box Office at 773-761-4477, or visit www.lifelinetheatre.com.

ABOUT LIFELINE THEATRE
Lifeline Theatre is located at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. Lifeline is easily accessible by CTA (Red Line Morse stop/buses) and free parking is available at Sullivan High School (6631 N Bosworth Ave, lot located on the corner of Albion and Bosworth) which is a half mile walk from the theatre. Street parking is also available. Lifeline is accessible to wheelchair users and visitors who need to avoid stairs.

Founded in 1982, Lifeline Theatre is known for staging innovative adaptations of great works of fiction as well as commissioning original work. In 1987, Lifeline Theatre added KidSeries plays for children and families, and has been producing full seasons of programming for both adults and children ever since.  Over the course of forty seasons and over two hundred productions, Lifeline Theatre has made not only an indelible mark on the Chicago theater scene, but an invaluable contribution to the theater world at large. Lifeline's dedicated artistic ensemble has developed one hundred and forty-six world premiere literary adaptations and original plays, nearly forty of which have had a life beyond their Lifeline premieres, with over three hundred subsequent productions spread across over forty U.S. states, six Canadian provinces, plus productions in England, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, and Guatemala. Additionally, four scripts developed at Lifeline Theatre have gone on to U.S. national tours, and over a dozen have been published. Lifeline Theatre has garnered a total of fifty-three Jeff Awards (Equity and Non-Equity), including sixteen for New Adaptation, New Musical, or New Work.