Displaying items by tag: CIRCUS QUIXOTE

After pausing its operations last year to reorganize and create a new business model, Chicago's Tony-Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company is proud to announce two new Board members as it prepares to reopen January 30, 2025: founding ensemble member, actor and director David Schwimmer and Chicago employment and healthcare attorney James (Jimmy) Oh. Lookingglass' Board of Directors is now composed of 25 business, civic and arts leaders charged with advancing the mission of this ensemble-based company founded in 1988. Located inside the historic Water Tower Water Works building, 163 E. Pearson St. at Michigan Ave., Lookingglass will present two world premieres this season: Circus Quixote, Jan. 30 – March 30, 2025, and Iraq, But Funny, May 29 – July 20, 2025, plus Young Ensemble performances and special events in neighborhoods throughout Chicago. A renovated lobby, bar and café also reopens Thursday, Jan. 30, with its menu and programming to be announced in the coming months. The full list of Board members and 2024/2025 season details may be found at LookingglassTheatre.org. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Jimmy and David to our Board of Directors, as we continue to strengthen Lookingglass' leadership at this pivotal moment for the Company," said Board Chair Richard Chapman. "David and Jimmy bring a passion for the performing arts and unique skill sets and networks that will help advance our vital mission—to redefine the limits of theatrical experience and to make theatre exhilarating, inspirational and accessible to all."

Jamey Lundblad (formerly with the City of Chicago's Cultural Affairs department) joined Lookingglass as managing director this fall, and ensemble member and multi-hyphenate artist Kasey Foster was named artistic director earlier this year. Additionally, this past spring, the Company welcomed four new members into its ensemble: Atra Asdou, Wendy Mateo, Ericka Ratcliff and Matthew C. Yee.

"Lookingglass has been my artistic home for more than three decades, and I have worked hard to sustain it, but this is my first time serving on the Board," said David Schwimmer. "I'm incredibly excited to partner with our dedicated Board of Directors, talented Ensemble and hardworking Staff to bolster an organization that means so much to me, and to Chicago."

"My passion for theatre is personal. All four of our sons performed in children's theatre, three earned theatre degrees—and now they're working in the arts," said Jimmy Oh. "So, I'm thrilled to be directly involved in and supporting the creative industries through my Board service at Lookingglass, one of the best regional theatres in the U.S."

ABOUT DAVID SCHWIMMER

David Schwimmer's many television and film acting credits include the hit comedy series "Friends," for which he received his first Emmy Award nomination, "American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson" for which he received a second Emmy nomination, "Band of Brothers," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Madagascar 1, 2 &; 3," "Feed the Beast," "Six Days Seven Nights," "Apt Pupil," "The Pallbearer," "Duane Hopwood," "The Iceman," "The Laundromat" and "Little Death." Schwimmer executive produced and starred as the lead in the Sky TV/Peacock original sitcom "Intelligence" and in "Extrapolations" for Apple TV+. 

He will next be seen in Disney's anthology series "Goosebumps," based on R.L. Stine's bestselling Scholastic series.

Schwimmer has directed over twenty plays, including his adaptations of Studs Terkel's RACE and Upton Sinclair's The Jungle for Lookingglass and Laura Eason's Sex with Strangers for the Second Stage Theatre. Other stage credits outside of Lookingglass include Detroit at Playwrights Horizons, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial on Broadway and the premiere of Neil LaBute's Some Girls in the West End, London.

Schwimmer's television and film directing includes ten episodes of "Friends," the HBO series "Little Britain USA," "Growing Up Fisher" for NBC, the feature films "Since You've Been Gone," "Run Fat Boy Run" and the independent drama "Trust" starring Clive Owen, Catherine Keener and Viola Davis. He also produced the film "LOVE" directed by Alexander Zeldin for the BBC based on his play produced at the National Theatre in London.

ABOUT JAMES (JIMMY) OH

Jimmy Oh is an employment and healthcare attorney based in Chicago, with a passion for theatre. At Epstein Becker Green, Oh's work traverses all three of the firm's core practices: employment, labor and workforce management (ELWM); health care and life sciences (HCLS) and litigation and business disputes. He  has tried cases in federal courts around the country on both employment and healthcare-related issues. 

Oh is a member of Epstein Becker Green's ELWM Steering Committee, health employment and labor (HEAL®) strategic industry group (which consists of members of both the ELWM and HCLS practices) and litigation and business disputes practice. He also holds leadership roles on the firm's Diversity and Professional Development Committee and serves on the Executive Committee of the firm's Minority Attorney Forum.

In addition, he has published numerous articles and made presentations on a variety of topics. He is a graduate of Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and Northwestern University.

ABOUT THE 2024/2025 SEASON

WORLD PREMIERE 

Circus Quixote

January 30 – March 30, 2025

Joan and Paul Theatre at Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St. at Michigan Ave. 

Based on Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote of La Mancha

Written and Directed by Kerry and David Catlin

Circus by Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi

Produced in Association with Actors Gymnasium

Somewhere in La Mancha there lived a man who read so many books that his brains dried up...Saddle up with Lookingglass as they go tiltingly, acrobatically into the dreamy madness of Don Quixote and his impossible folly-filled quest to bring good-deed doing back into the world— whether the world wants it or not!

Circus Quixote production sponsors include Greg Thompson & Greg Cameron and Marla Mendelson, M.D. & Stephen Wolf. 

WORLD PREMIERE 

Iraq, But Funny 

May 29 – July 20, 2025 

Joan and Paul Theatre at Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St. at Michigan Ave. 

Written by Atra Asdou 

Directed Dalia Ashurina 

A raucous satire about five generations of Assyrian women reclaiming their stories, as narrated by a British guy. Making its world premiere at Lookingglass Theatre, Ensemble Member Atra Asdou's original dark comedy jauntily marches through the Ottoman Empire to modern-day U.S.A. exploring history, family and dysfunction. 

2024/2025 season sponsors are Joan & Paul Rubschlager, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, HMS Media, Waldorf Astoria Chicago and the City of Chicago. 

Lookingglass Young Ensemble 

March 2025 

The Lookingglass Young Ensemble (YE) is a group of Chicago-area young adults, ages 13-18 years old, committed to building their theater skills, lifting their voices and developing theircreativity through collaborative creation. Three months of rehearsal and ensemble-building amongst this incredible group of artists will culminate in three public performances. 

Lookingglass Outdoors 

Summer 2025 

Lookingglass takes their art outside the historic Water Tower Water Works and into the neighborhoods through special events like Sunset 1919, educational opportunities like summer camp and recurring programs that tour around town. This summer, Lookingglass continues its ambitious video project to bring Chicago together despite the lines that divide us, 50 Wards: A Civic Mosaic. The series currently has 10 wards available for viewing at LookingglassTheatre.org. 

ABOUT LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY

Founded in 1988 by graduates of Northwestern University, Lookingglass Theatre Company is a nationwide leader in the creation and presentation of new, cutting-edge theatrical works and in sharing its ensemble-based theatrical techniques with Chicago-area students and teachers through Education and Community Programs. Guided by an artistic vision centered on the core values of collaboration, transformation and invention, Lookingglass seeks to capture audiences' imaginations leaving them changed, charged and empowered. Recipient of the 2011 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, Lookingglass has built a national reputation for artistic excellence and ensemble-based theatrical innovation. Notable world premieres include Mary Zimmerman's Tony Award-winning Metamorphoses and The Odyssey, J. Nicole Brooks' Her Honor Jane Byrne, David Schwimmer's adaptation of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle and Studs Terkel's Race: How Blacks and Whites Think and Feel about the American Obsession, Matthew C. Yee's Lucy and Charlie's Honeymoon and David Catlin's circus tribute to Lewis Carroll, Lookingglass Alice, which was captured by HMS Media and reached 1.6 million PBS viewers. Lookingglass Alice is now available to more than four million students worldwide through Digital Theatre+. Work created by Lookingglass artists has been produced in Australia, Europe and dozens of cities throughout the United States.

After pausing its operations last year to reorganize and create a new business model, Chicago's Tony-Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company, in association with The Actors Gymnasium, is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the world premiere of Circus Quixote, January 30 - March 30, 2025, in the Lookingglass' Joan and Paul Theatre at Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St. at Michigan Ave. The renovated lobby, bar and café will reopen Thursday, Jan, 30, as well, with its menu and programming to be announced in the coming months. Based on Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quijote of La Mancha, adapted and directed by Kerry and David Catlin with circus by Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi and featuring Michel Rodríguez Cintra, Micah Figueroa, Julian Hester, Laura Murillo Hart, Andrea San Miguel, Ayana Strutz and Eduardo Martinez, Circus Quixote has previews Thursday, Jan. 30 - Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 2 at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5 - Friday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is Saturday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. The performance schedule for February 9 - March 30 is Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 and 7 p.m., Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 1:30 and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. The estimated running time is two hours and 15 minutes including one intermission. Circus Quixote single tickets are $30 - $80 and available now along with 2024 - 2025 Season Memberscriptions (Lookingglass Theatre's new creation combining memberships and subscriptions) at LookingglassTheatre.org.

For more than 400 years, Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quijote of La Mancha has inspired readers and cultures across the globe. Lookingglass' production, first incubated at The Actors Gymnasium, brings this literary classic to life anew in 2025. Somewhere in La Mancha there lived a man who read so many books about chivalry that his brains dried up. In this world premiere, Lookingglass transports audiences tiltingly and acrobatically into the dreamy madness of Don Quixote and his impossible folly-filled quest to bring good-deed doing back into the world ... whether the world wants it or not.

"We are incredibly excited to reopen Lookingglass, in your favorite castle on Michigan Avenue, with this hilarious and inspiring story of a mad dreaming knight and his endlessly reliable squire," said Ensemble Member David Catlin. "We are grateful to collaborate with the Lookingglass production team, our endlessly inventive designers and Actors Gymnasium, where our courageous and widely talented actors learn to fly."

The cast of Circus Quixote includes, in alphabetical order: Michel Rodríguez Cintra (he/him, Don Quixote); Micah Figueroa (he/him, Sanson Carrasco), Laura Murillo Hart (she/her, Dulcinea); Julian Hester (he/him, Master Nicolas); Eduardo Martinez (he/him, Cervantes/Sancho); Andrea San Miguel (she/her/they/them, Antonia) and Ayana Strutz (she/her, Sister Sofia). More information on the cast and creative teams may be found here.

The creative team of Circus Quixote is David Catlin (he/him, co-writer and director); Kerry Catlin (she/her, co-writer and associate director); Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi (she/her, circus and movement choreographer); Courtney O'Neill (scenic designer); Daphne Agosin (lighting designer); Sully Ratke (costume designer); Grover Hollway (sound designer); Kevin O'Donnell (composer); Amanda Herrmann (props supervisor); Lee Brasuell (rigging designer; Grace Needlman (puppet designer); Helen Lattyak (stage manager) and Aaron McEachran (assistant stage manager).

ABOUT DAVID CATLIN, adaptor and director

David Catlin is a founding ensemble member, actor, writer, director, and former artistic director of Lookingglass. Caitlin adapted and directed Lookingglass Alice, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Moby Dick. Other Lookingglass writing credits include: Icarus, Her Name Was Danger and the idiot (Jeff Award for Adaptation). Additional Lookingglass directing credits include: The Little Prince, Black Diamond (co-director), Metamorphosis, The Master and Margarita (co-director) and West. He is an artistic associate with The Actors Gymnasium and serves as head of undergraduate acting at Northwestern University.

ABOUT KERRY CATLIN, adaptor and director

Kerry Catlin is thrilled to be working at Lookingglass again where she has served as master teacher, education co-director, director of Lookingglass Young Ensemble and assistant director of development. She has written, adapted and directed four circuses at The Actors Gymnasium including Circus Quixotic, All the Time in the World and a circus adaptation of Mary Zimmerman's The Odyssey. Catlin serves on the board of directors for The Actors Gymnasium and teaches English and research at Walter Payton College Prep, a Chicago public school.

ABOUT SYLVIA HERNANDEZ-DISTASI, circus

Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi is artistic director and co-founder of The Actors Gymnasium. She also serves as master teacher and director of The Professional Circus Training Program and is a faculty member at Northwestern University's Department of Theatre. Hernandez-DiStasi is a second generation circus performer who grew up touring with various circuses, including Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey. In 2019, she and her family, The Hernandez Troupe, were inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame for their monumental contributions to the world of circus. She is an ensemble member of the Tony Award-winning Lookingglass Theatre Company since 1999, where she has worked on over 20 productions. She has received four Joseph Jefferson Awards for her work with Lookingglass (Lookingglass Alice, Hard Times, Baron in the Trees) and Marriott Theatre (All Night Strut), and a total of five Joseph Jefferson nominations. In 2018, she won a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and a Robby Award, both for designing the acrobatic/aerial choreography of the South Coast Repertory staging of Moby Dick. Other theater credits include The Lyric Opera, Writer's Theatre, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago Children's Theater and The Goodman. She is the recipient of The 3Arts Award for Design (2014) and also received an Award of Honor for Outstanding Contributions by The Illinois Theater Association.

ABOUT MICHEL RODRÍGUEZ CINTRA, "DON QUIXOTE"

Michel Rodríguez Cintra is an award-winning Cuban born dancer, actor, circus performer and educator. Rodríguez Cintra is currently a visiting assistant professor at NIU with the School of Theater and Dance and faculty at the Actors Gymnasium. He graduated from Escuela Nacional de Arte (National School of Arts) in Havana, Cuba with a degree in dance performance. In Cuba, he performed with Danza Contemporánea de Cuba where he became principal dancer and toured internationally. Since moving to Chicago, Rodríguez Cintra has danced with various companies including Hedwig Dances, Concert Dance Inc, Khecari, The Cambrians and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Later, he joined Lucky Plush Productions, a nationally recognized Chicago-based dance-theater company. His dance creations have been seen at Visceral Dance Chicago, Dancing in the Parks, Lit & Luz Live Festival , LatinX Chicago Arts Festival and The Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival. His work in theater includes the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival and Lookingglass Theatre Company's Lookingglass Alice, which was recorded, and aired as a PBS special. Other accolades are his inclusion in "The Men of 2010 in Dance" by Time Out Chicago, 3Arts Award in Dance, Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch 2014" and a Jeff Award nomination.

ABOUT THE JOAN AND PAUL THEATRE

The main stage at the Water Tower Water Works has been named in honor of longtime Lookingglass supporters Joan and Paul Rubschlager and their transformational gift to ensure the future of Lookingglass. The couple have been instrumental in their partnership with Chicago organizations, such as Rush University and The Field Museum. Nationally, their support extends to the American Heart Association and Alzheimer's Association. The Joan and Paul Theatre reconfigures the stage and audience seating as dictated by the needs of each season, with a capacity of 200 persons including the balcony.

ABOUT THE ACTORS GYMNASIUM

Founded in 1995, The Actors Gymnasium has grown to become one of the nation's premiere circus and performing arts training centers. Dedicated to bringing a new physicality to the American theatre, through developing physical performers and encouraging ground-breaking theatrical exploration, The Actors Gymnasium promotes its core values of creativity, community and courage across three program areas: classes, shows and event entertaining.

ABOUT LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY

Founded in 1988 by graduates of Northwestern University, Lookingglass Theatre Company is a nationwide leader in the creation and presentation of new, cutting-edge theatrical works and in sharing its ensemble-based theatrical techniques with Chicago-area students and teachers through Education and Community Programs. Guided by an artistic vision centered on the core values of collaboration, transformation and invention, Lookingglass seeks to capture audiences' imaginations leaving them changed, charged and empowered.

Recipient of the 2011 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, Lookingglass has built a national reputation for artistic excellence and ensemble-based theatrical innovation. Notable world premieres include Mary Zimmerman's Tony Award-winning Metamorphoses and The Odyssey, J. Nicole Brooks' Her Honor Jane Byrne, David Schwimmer's adaptation of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle and Studs Terkel's Race: How Blacks and Whites Think and Feel about the American Obsession, Matthew C. Yee's Lucy and Charlie's Honeymoon and David Catlin's circus tribute to Lewis Carroll, Lookingglass Alice, which was captured by HMS Media and reached 1.6 million PBS viewers.Looking Alice is now available to more than four million students worldwide through Digital Theatre+. Work created by Lookingglass artists has been produced in Australia, Europe and dozens of cities throughout the Unite States.

MORE FROM LOOKINGGLASS

WORLD PREMIERE

Iraq, But Funny

May 29 – July 20, 2025

Joan and Paul Theatre at Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St. at Michigan Ave. Written by Atra Asdou

Directed Dalia Ashurina

A raucous satire about five generations of Assyrian women reclaiming their stories, as narrated by a British guy. Making its world premiere at Lookingglass Theatre, Ensemble Member Atra Asdou's original dark comedy jauntily marches through the Ottoman Empire to modern-day U.S.A. exploring history, family and dysfunction.

Lookingglass Young Ensemble

March 2025

The Lookingglass Young Ensemble (YE) is a group of Chicago-area young adults, ages 13-18 years old, committed to building their theater skills, lifting their voices and developing their creativity through collaborative creation. Three months of rehearsal and ensemble-building amongst this incredible group of artists will culminate in three public performances.

Lookingglass Outdoors

Summer 2025

Lookingglass takes their art outside the historic Water Tower Water Works and into the neighborhoods through special events like Sunset 1919, educational opportunities like summer camp and recurring programs that tour around town. This summer, Lookingglass continues its ambitious video project to bring Chicago together despite the lines that divide us, 50 Wards: A Civic Mosaic. The series currently has 10 wards available for viewing at LookingglassTheatre.org.