Profiles Theatre extends Jeff recommended hit
20th Anniversary Production of Hellcab by Will Kern
now playing through January 27, 2013
It's 10 days into the new year and if you're anything like us, you're just now recovering from the "Holidaze". December was a whirlwind of excellent live theatre productions and holiday shows in Chicago. Our only regret is that it's over all too soon.
As luck would have it, though, you can still see one of our absolute favs. Hellcab is still taking fares and kicking ass through 1/27.
Of course we've been promoting this excellent remount since before we saw it on opening night, but if by some chance you haven't managed to see it yet, what are you waiting for?! This show is almost worth seeing just for the impressively over the top 33 passenger curtain call alone! (The original was done with one driver and just 6 ensemble members cycling through as new passengers.) Konstantin Khrustov is stellar in the cabbie role. And Profiles intimate space firmly places the audience right there in the action.
Hellcab is highly recommended and makes our ChiIL Picks list for the holidays and beyond. It's a perfect antidote to the saccharine sweetness and falsehood of Christmas consumerism. Sure it takes place on Christmas Eve, but the insights into human nature, the hilarious absurdity, gritty reality, and the tenderness are perennial. Language and mature themes make this one for the older kids (AKA: adults) and teens.
Profiles Theatre announces the extension of its hit 20th Anniversary production of Hellcab by Will Kern, directed by Profiles Co-Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox. All cast members are continuing in their roles including Konstantin Khrustov as the driver and the original cast of 33 as the passengers. The production has been selling out since its opening on November 15, 2012 and has now been extended an additional five weeks, through January 27, 2013, at Profiles Theatre’s Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway in Chicago.
Hellcab presents a day in the life story of a cab driver in for the longest night of his life as he transports a bizarre and mysterious collection of customers through the gritty streets of Chicago. Playwright Will Kern draws from personal experience as a former cab driver to create this alternately frightening, hilarious and poignant journey. Throughout his long shift, the eclectic collection of passengers includes a trio of drug-addicts, a smug lawyer, a born-again couple, a randy couple on their way to a motel. Set during a bitter cold Christmas Eve, Hellcab presents a rear-view image mirroring the passing parade of humanity.
Profiles presents the 20th Anniversary production of Kern’s landmark play. First produced as a late-night show by Famous Door Theatre in 1992, the play was originally scheduled for twelve performances and ended up running for over nine years, becoming one of the longest running shows in Chicago theatre history.
Hellcab has been performed all over the U.S. and abroad, including Scotland, Israel, Singapore, and Ireland. The play won numerous awards, including a Fringe First at the Edinburgh Festival and was adapted for the screen by Mr. Kern in 1998.
Continuing in their roles are Konstantin Khrustov as the driver with the passenger roles performed by Anthony John Lawrence Apodaca, Dennis Bisto, Rebecca Julia Brown, Maryann Carlson, Chris Carr, Eric J. Ciak, Alex Fisher, LJ Flora, Jeff Gamlin, Carly Jo Geer, Philena Gilmer, Rob Grabowski, Desmond Gray, Aaron Holland, Khalil Lesaldo, Kaitlyn Majoy, Jack McCabe, Christopher McMorris, Katrina V. Miller, Stephanie Monday, Joseph W. Moore III, Todd Neal, Brennan Roche, Sarai Rodriguez, Andrew L. Saenz, Sheridan Singleton, Adam Soule, Aaron Spencer, Elise Spoerlein, Scott Stockwell, Rachel Weeks and Jin You.
Hellcab is the third production of Profiles Theatre’s 24th season. The Midwest premiere of The Dream of the Burning Boy by David West Read, the fourth show of the season, opens January 24, 2012 at Profiles original venue, The Alley Stage.
FACTS
Title: Hellcab
Playwright: by Will Kern
Directed by: Darrell W. Cox
Featuring: Anthony John Lawrence Apodaca, Dennis Bisto, Rebecca Julia Brown, Maryann Carlson, Chris Carr, Eric J. Ciak, Alex Fisher, LJ Flora, Jeff Gamlin, Carly Jo Geer, Philena Gilmer, Rob Grabowski, Desmond Gray, Aaron Holland, Konstantin Khrustov, Khalil Lesaldo, Kaitlyn Majoy, Jack McCabe, Christopher McMorris, Katrina V. Miller, Stephanie Monday, Joseph W. Moore III, Todd Neal, Brennan Roche, Sarai Rodriguez, Andrew L. Saenz, Sheridan Singleton, Adam Soule, Aaron Spencer, Elise Spoerlein, Scott Stockwell, Rachel Weeks, Jin You
Dates: Extended Run:
Now playing through January 27, 2013
Schedule: Thurs., Fri.: 8:00 p.m.
Saturday: 5:00 p.m. and 8:00p.m.
Sunday: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Profiles Theatre, The Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway
Parking is available for $10 - $12 at 4100 N. Clarendon
(One block east of the theatre at the corner of Clarendon and Belle Plaine)
Ticket prices: Thursdays are $35, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are $40; Students and Senior Citizens receive a $5 discount on all performances; Group rates are available.
Box Office: Buy online at www.profilestheatre.org
or call (773) 549-1815
The designers are Shaun Renfro (set), Mike Durst (lights), Jeffrey Levin (sound and original music), and Raquel Adorno (costumes). Jordan Muller is the stage manager and Eric Burgher and Harmony France serve as assistant directors. Kaylie Honkala is the assistant stage manager and Claire Chrzan is the assistant lighting designer.
ABOUT PROFILES THEATRE
Profiles Theatre, founded in 1988 by Artistic Director Joe Jahraus, joined shortly thereafter by Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox, was formed as an actor-driven theatre ensemble dedicated to creating provocative and emotionally truthful productions. Passionate about shaping an original vision for new works, they focused on performing World, American and Midwest premieres as well as rarely performed plays. Critically acclaimed hits, such as BLACKBIRD, FAT PIG, GRACELAND and the multiple Jeff Award-winning KILLER JOE, established Profiles as a destination for challenging and edgy theatre. Their unique collaboration with playwright Neil LaBute led the ensemble to perform an entire season of his plays in 2007-2008. Now a Resident Artist at Profiles, LaBute remains an unequivocal artistic influence on the ensemble.
After performing at 4147 North Broadway for more than two decades, Profiles acquired an adjacent theatre at 4139 North Broadway in 2012. Profiles’ new theatre, The Main Stage, with its larger seating capacity, increased performance space and higher ceilings, accommodates more ambitious and technically demanding productions. Their long-time venue, renamed The Alley Stage, continues as the home for plays strengthened by a more intimate staging. Driven by an undiminished appetite for creating honest and resonant theatre, Profiles still seeks to present work that illuminates the determination and resiliency of the human spirit.
After performing at 4147 North Broadway for more than two decades, Profiles acquired an adjacent theatre at 4139 North Broadway in 2012. Profiles’ new theatre, The Main Stage, with its larger seating capacity, increased performance space and higher ceilings, accommodates more ambitious and technically demanding productions. Their long-time venue, renamed The Alley Stage, continues as the home for plays strengthened by a more intimate staging. Driven by an undiminished appetite for creating honest and resonant theatre, Profiles still seeks to present work that illuminates the determination and resiliency of the human spirit.
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