THE CURIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES OF LOUIS LE PRINCE VIA THE FACTORY THEATER JUNE 6 - JULY 19, 2025

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THE FACTORY THEATER ANNOUNCES

THE CURIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES OF 

LOUIS LE PRINCE

JUNE 6 - JULY 19

 WRITTEN BY CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER CHASE WHEATON-WERLE

AND DIRECTED BY BECCA HOLLOWAY

This Courtroom Drama Inspired by Real Events is the Final Production of 

The Factory’s 30th Season

The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., is proud to announce the final production of their 30th season, The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince, written by Factory Chief Operations Officer Chase Wheaton-Werle and directed by Becca Holloway, June 6 - July 19. Previews for The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince are Friday, June 6, Saturday, June 7 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 8 at 3 p.m. The press opening is Friday, June 13 at 8 p.m. The regular performance schedule includes Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. There will be additional Thursday performances July 10 and 17 at 8 p.m. An accessibility performance is Sunday, June  29 at 3 p.m. and an understudy performance is Sunday, July 6 at 3 p.m. The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince has an approximate runtime of one hour and thirty minutes. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased at the door or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.

On September 16, 1890, inventor Louis Le Prince boarded a train bound for Paris, in preparation for a visit to the United States to demonstrate his single-lens motion picture camera. He never reached his destination. Seven years later, it falls to his widow and son to investigate his disappearance and fight for his legacy in this amazing story based on true events.

Based on the true unsolved mystery of Louis Le Prince, this play follows Lizzie and Adolphe Le Prince as they track the inventor’s last known whereabouts and cross the Atlantic to a New York courtroom for a confrontation with legendary inventor Thomas Edison.

Half Victorian-era mystery, half courtroom drama, The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince explores how we struggle with unresolved tragedies, and how we remember (or don’t remember) the people in our history.

Top Row (left to right): Ethan Smith (Adolphe), Aimee Kleiman (Lizzie), Patrick Blashill (Edison/Seward), Joe Sergio (Louis/Albert),

Middle Row (left to right): Joel Ottenheimer (John/Page), Ksa Curry (Dickson/Higginbotham/Longley), Andrew Bosworth (Mason/Dougan/Tate), Alex Albrecht (Richard/Dyer/Morgan),

Bottom Row (left to right) Joseph Antonio (Adolphe U/S), Jill Smethells Frederickson (Lizzie U/S), Anthony Augustine (Louis/Albert/Seward/Edison U/S), Natalie Opoku (Page/Mason/Tate/Wilson/Dyer U/S) 

The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince cast includes Ethan Smith (Adolph Le Prince); Aimee Kleiman (Lizzie Le Prince); Patrick Blashill (Clarence Seward/Thomas Edison); Joe Sergio (Louis Le Prince/Albert Le Prince); Joel Ottenheimer (Parker Page track); Ksa Curry (William Dickson track); Andrew Bosworth (Fred Mason/Mr. Tate track); Alex Albrecht (Richard Wilson/Richard Dyer track); Joseph Antonio (US Adolphe); Jill Frederickson~ (US Lizzie and Dickson); Anthony Augustine (US Louis/Albert & Seward/Edison) and Natalie Opoku (US Page, Mason/Tate & Wilson/Dyer).

The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince creative team includes Chase Wheaton-Werle~ (playwright); Becca Holloway (director); Christine Watt (assistant director); Miranda Hernandez (production manager); Aidan Leake (stage manager); Hayley Wallenfeldt (set designer/charge); Victoria Jablonski (costume designer); Rachel Livingston (props designer); Jack Goodman (lighting designer); Henry Bender* (master electrician); Sebby Woldt (sound designer); David Sajewich (projections designer) and Andersonville Scenic (technical director/master carpenter).

∽ denotes Factory Ensemble; * denotes Artistic Associate  

ABOUT CHASE WHEATON-WERLE, playwright

Chase Wheaton-Werle is a proud member of The Factory Theater ensemble as well as its Chief Operations Officer. His mainstage Factory credits include Prophet$, Last Night in Karaoke Town, The Kelly Girls and Die Hard 4 Your Luv.  Most recently you may have seen Wheaton-Werle’s writing with the Jeff-nominated Factory show Wise Guys: The First Christmas Story. He is represented by Big Mouth Talent Agency.

ABOUT BECCA HOLLOWAY, director

Becca Holloway is an emeritus member of the Factory ensemble and a director and casting director around the city. Previous Factory credits include Die Hard 4 Your Luv (2024; director), Wide Guys: The First Christmas Story (2023; director), Last Night in Karaoke Town (2020/2022; AD/music director/choreographer), The Hamilton Beach 420 Special (The 2021 Factory Holiday Show; director), The Factory Zone (2019; actor) and Prophet$! (2019; AD/choreographer). She is also a proud company member of Red Theater where she is also the resident casting director. Halloway has been lucky enough to work on the directing teams of companies including Hell in a Handbag, Broken Nose Theater, Oil Lamp Theater, Theatre Evolve, The Comrades, Refuge Theatre and many others. On a personal note, she and Chase Wheaton-Werle are married and partners in life and art.

ABOUT THE FACTORY THEATER

Since 1992, The Factory Theater has delivered unexpected, unapologetic theatrical experiences through original works, forged and assembled by our shameless ensemble.

The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., is proud to announce the final production of their 30th season, The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince, written by Factory Chief Operations Officer Chase Wheaton-Werle and directed by Becca Holloway, June 6 - July 19. Previews for The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince are Friday, June 6, Saturday, June 7 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 8 at 3 p.m. The press opening is Friday, June 13 at 8 p.m. The regular performance schedule includes Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. There will be additional Thursday performances July 10 and 17 at 8 p.m. An accessibility performance is Sunday, June  29 at 3 p.m. and an understudy performance is Sunday, July 6 at 3 p.m. The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince has an approximate runtime of one hour and thirty minutes. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased at the door or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.

THE FACTORY THEATER ANNOUNCES KITTY JAMES AND DESTINY’S TRAIL TO OREGON FEBRUARY 14 - MARCH 29, 2025

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

THE FACTORY THEATER ANNOUNCES

KITTY JAMES AND DESTINY’S TRAIL TO OREGON

FEBRUARY 14 - MARCH 29 

WRITTEN BY FACTORY ARTISTIC ASSOCIATE PHIL CLAUDNIC

This Homage To Classic Adventure Films

is the Next Production of The Factory’s 30th Season

approximate runtime: one hour and thirty minutes

You have died of dysentery...  We played the Oregon Trail card game and early computer game back in the day, and can't wait to catch the musical version on stage at one of our favorite Chicago storefronts! 

We've adored The Factory Theater for years and here at ChiIL Live Shows we're particularly jazzed for Kitty James, since our son, Dugan Kenaz-Mara is Props Designer! We also know understudy Ben Jouras. I'll be out to review February 28th. Can't wait. Catch a preview this weekend for $15. Don't miss this! 

The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., is proud to announce the second production of their 30th season, Kitty James and Destiny’s Trail to Oregon, opening Friday, Feb. 21. The production runs through March 29 and was written by Phil Claudnic and directed by Jennifer Betancourt. 

Previews for Kitty James and Destiny’s Trail to Oregon are Friday, Feb. 14 and Saturday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. Press opening will be Friday, Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. The regular performance schedule includes Friday and Saturday performances at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. 

There will be additional Thursday performances March 20 and 27 at 8 p.m. An accessibility performance will occur on Sunday, March 9 at 3 p.m. An understudy performance will occur on Sunday, March 16 at 3 p.m.  Kitty James and Destiny’s Trail to Oregon has an approximate runtime of one hour and thirty minutes. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased through the box office by calling 312-275-5757 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.

Kitty James, the Coffee Queen of Independence, MO, is heading west to find her fortune, but a mysterious medallion and an ancient prophecy may lead her down a different path in this hilarious homage to classic adventure films and text-based historical games.

Row 1 (L to R): Kim Boler, Vic Kuligoski, Danny Mulae and Tierra Matthews

Row 2 (L to R): Reginald Hemphill, Abbi Bryson, Christopher Ratliff and Donovan Lunches

Row 3 (L to R): Eric Frederickson, Johnny Moran, Mandy Walsh and Sydney Hanson

Row 4 (L to R): Benjamin Jouras, Michael Davis Arnold, David Wiesenhahn and Cara Juan

The Kitty James and Destiny’s Trail to Oregon cast includes Kim Boler~++ (Kitty James); Vic Kuligoski* + (Norris); Danny Mulae* + (Mangy Willy); Tierra Matthews* ++ (Dead); Reginald Hemphill + (Weight); Abbi Bryson ++ (Ursula); Christopher Ratliff + (Reginald); Donovan Lunches + (ensemble); Eric Frederickson∽ + (ensemble); Johnny Moran + (ensemble); Mandy Walsh ++ (ensemble); Sydney Hanson ++ (US Kitty/Weight); Benjamin Jouras + (US Reginald/ensemble); Michael Davis Arnold + (US Dead/ensemble); David Wiesenhahn + (Norris/Mangy Willy/ensemble US); and Leela Watts ++ (Ursula/ensemble US)

The Kitty James and Destiny’s Trail to Oregon creative team includes Timothy C Amos∽ + (production manager); Phil Claudnic∽ + (playwright); Jennifer Betancourt∽ ++ (director); Henry Bender* = (assistant director); Katie Oliver ++ (stage manager);  Ellie Humphrys* ^/+ (lighting designer); Hunter Cole ^ (set designer); Maureen Yasko ++ (fight/intimacy director); Isaac Mandel* + (sound designer); Antonia DiValentin ++ (costume designer); Kieran O'Connor + (technical director); and Dugan Kenaz-Mara + (props designer).

∽ denotes Factory Ensemble; * denotes Artistic Associate 

Pronoun Key: + (he/him/his); ++ (she/her/hers); ^ (they/them/theirs); = (any with respect)

 ABOUT PHIL CLAUDNIC, playwright

Phil Claudnic has been serving The Factory for 15 years. He has been a stage manager, production manager, operations manager, booking manager, and now is closing out his enure as the Executive Director.  He’s also done acting and writing for the company with Kitty James and Destiny’s Trail to Oregon marking his first full-length play written by Claudnic and produced by The Factory.

ABOUT JENNIFER BETANCOURT, playwright

Jennifer Betancourt is delighted to be an ensemble member with the Factory Theater. Factory stage credits include: The HoA, Xmas War: Endgame, Xmas War, Captain Steve’s Caring Kingdom, Fight City, and Born Ready, as well as a directorial debut at The Factory for The Factory Zone. When not at The Factory, she can be found baking pretentious bakes, doodling, recording her voice for posterity in audiobook form and setting small fires.

ABOUT THE FACTORY THEATER

For 30 years, The Factory has created its shows from scratch, doing exactly the kind of theater they wanted to do. From writing workshops to the closing night bash, Factory shows are a unique experience that fits its exacting standards: original, bold, and full-tilt. Its shameless ensemble is an ambassador of a good time, ensuring Chicago remains heartily entertained.

Tickets are $30 and may be purchased through the box office by calling 312-275-5757 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com

CARIBBEAN SOUNDS KICK OFF CHICAGO SINFONIETTA'S 30th SEASON

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

CHICAGO SINFONIETTA OPENS 30TH SEASON WITH A BANG OF CARIBBEAN SOUNDS, CONTEMPORARY DANCE AND 

TWO WORLD PREMIERES IN

TRADEMARK

Featuring Northern Illinois University Steelband and 

Chicago’s Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre

Wentz Concert Hall, Naperville, September 16

Symphony Center, Chicago, September 18

Chicago Sinfonietta, the nation’s most diverse orchestra, kicks off its 30th anniversary with Trademark showcasing unusual instruments, collaborations, and classical reinterpretations - a trademark of the orchestra’s programming for three decades. This unexpected and adventurous concert experience will include guest performances from the 16-piece Northern Illinois University Steelband led by Liam Teague and Chicago’s own Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre plus two World Premieres as part of the orchestra’s year-long initiative Project W: Commissions by Women Composers. 

The Sinfonietta performs Trademark twice: first in the western suburbs at Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, Naperville, Saturday, September 16 at 8 pm, and then again in its downtown Chicago home venue of Symphony Center, Monday, September 18 at 7:30 pm.

The concert begins with the World Premiere of emerging composer and violinist Jessie Montgomery’s Coincident Dances and continues with one of Mozart’s best-known works Rondo alla Turca reinvented by the Northern Illinois University Steelband who then joins Sinfonietta’s principal harpist Faye Seeman on her original solo composition Fayed to Blue before switching to the Caribbean sounds of Lord Kitchener’s upbeat Pan in A-minor. The second half opens with the World Premiere of Grammy Award-nominated composer Clarice Assad’s Sin Fronteras, meaning “without borders”, featuring Chicago’s Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre performing a new piece of choreography also commissioned by the orchestra, and concludes with Bedřich Smetana’s symphonic poem Má vlast.

“As Chicago Sinfonietta approaches an important milestone in its history, our programming continues to reflect a pioneering and innovative spirit more than ever, especially through the dedication to showcasing unusual instruments, and our unprecedented commitment to featuring brand new commissions by diverse, prominent women composers," stated Music Director Mei-Ann Chen. "Making the commissions known through the 2019 release of our 16th commercial recording produced with our wonderful partner, Cedille Records, will help this unique organization advance its mission of diversity, equity, and inclusion while showcasing the incredible talent of women composers in America."

Before the concert and during intermission, audience members will have the opportunity to learn to play the steel drum and harp with students from Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Steel Orchestras and The People’s Music School. Archival photos, artifacts, and more from Chicago Sinfonietta’s 30-year history will be on display for patrons to view as well.

Prior to the concert, Chicago Sinfonietta's Associate Board will host its annual fundraising event, Prelude: Start with a Bang!, to celebrate the start of the 30th Anniversary season. A selection from Chicago’s Crafthouse® cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served while attendees take part in a silent auction and raffle, as well as other interactive activities inspired by the Northern Illinois University Steelband. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. at Orchestra Hall of Symphony Center. Tickets are priced at $50 for the reception only and $95 for the reception and a concert ticket to Trademark. Early bird tickets are also available through August 30 at $40 for the reception and $85 for reception and concert. Tickets are available for purchase by calling 312-284-1554 or online at chicagosinfonietta.org/prelude. 

Trademark is sponsored in part by ITW.

Tickets: Tickets range from $20-$99 for concerts at Symphony Center and $49-$62 for concerts at North Central College with special $10 pricing available for students at both concerts. Tickets can be purchased by calling Chicago Sinfonietta at 312-284-1554 or online at www.chicagosinfonietta.org.

Program:     
MONTGOMERY
Coincident Dances
MOZART
Rondo alla Turca
SEEMAN
Fayed to Blue
KITCHENER
Pan in A-minor
ASSAD
Sin Fronteras
SMETANA
Má vlast (My Homeland)
I. Vyšehrad (The High Castle)
II. Vltava (The Moldau)

Mei-Ann Chen, music director and conductor
Faye Seeman, harp
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre 
Northern Illinois University Steelband, steel drum ensemble directed by Liam Teague



About the Sinfonietta
Now in its 30th season, Chicago Sinfonietta and music director Mei-Ann Chen have pushed artistic boundaries to provide an alternative way of hearing, seeing and thinking about a symphony orchestra and are dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion, racial and cultural equity in the arts. Each concert experience blends inventive new works with classical masterworks, each from a diverse array of voices, to entertain, transform and inspire. In 2016, Chicago Sinfonietta was the proud recipient of the 2016 Spirit of Innovation Award presented by the Chicago Innovation Awards as well as the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s prestigious MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions (MACEI). The MacArthur award recognizes exceptional organizations that are key contributors in their fields. Learn more at www.chicagosinfonietta.org

Chicago Sinfonietta is grateful to its season sponsors including Aon, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Southwest Airlines, Fairmont Hotel, Hotel Indigo and NBC5. Chicago Sinfonietta also thanks its BRIDGE Audience Engagement sponsor Macy's, as well as its season media sponsors including Chicago Tribune, Chicago magazine, Naperville magazine, and WBEZ.