ACT OUT: SATIRE FROM THE TEREZIN GHETTO

Shows on our radar:

             Now playing, the Chicago premiere of The Last Cyclist, a bitter satire on life in the Terezin Ghetto, written in the camp itself opened on August 17, 2013.

            Written by Karel Svenk, the play told of a world where the lunatics were literally running the asylum as a mad dictator (read: Hitler) and his lunatic supporters (read the SS) escape from an asylum and take over the world.  They declare that the evils in the world have been caused by bicycle riders (read: Jews) and they proceed to harass, hound, capture, exile and eventually kill all bicycle riders as well as anyone who ever owned a bike or whose grandparents owned a bike.

            Unlike other plays dealing with the Holocaust, The Last Cyclist used humor and satire to act as a form of resistance to the Nazis.  It is unlike any other Holocaust play you may have ever seen.

            Through the scholarship of Jewish author and educator Naomi Patz, the script has been reconstructed and will be presented in its Chicago premiere by Genesis Theatrical Productions in conjunction with the National Pastime Theater.

            Appearing the show are Andrea DeCamp, Amy  Gray, Steve Greist, Michael Hall, Stefanie Johnsen, Daria Harper, Charlie Rasmann, J. Keegan Siebken, and Adrienne Smith.  Elizabeth Margolius is the director, assisted by Daren Leonard.  Set design by Nick Quinn, Costume design by Stefanie Johnsen, Sound Design by Sarah Scanlon, Lighting Design by Julian Pike with Josh Raether as Stage Manager and Paul Martin as Co-Stage Manager.

The Last Cyclist  is produced in conjunction with the National Pastime Theater.  National Pastime Theater in the Preston Bradley Center, 941 W. Lawrence, 4^th floor, Chicago. 

Performances will be Thursday through Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm through September 1.  Tickets are $30 for regular performances. Regular priced as well as discounted tickets for students and senior citizens and can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/388043.  

For groups of 10 or more contact Elayne@genesistheatricals.com or call 773-800-1703.

The National Pastime Theater is located within the rediscovered historic Preston Bradley Center at 941 W Lawrence Ave. 4th Floor in Chicago. The curious and bold can discover us via the Red Line Lawrence train stop and bus routes 36, 81, 145 and 151 are all within 3 blocks. $5 parking in Weiss hospital parking at 4650 N. Clarendon. Voucher at box office.

The Last Cyclist is produced in association with the National Pastime Theater and is made possible by the generous support of the Dramatists Guild Fund, the Jewish Community Foundation and Robert Klutznick and the Javitch Foundation.