PROOF Via Bluebird Arts at Theater Wit March 2 to April 6, 2024

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CASTING AND CREATIVES ANNOUNCED FOR

DAVID AUBURN’S 

PROOF 

AT BLUEBIRD ARTS

CASTING AND CREATIVES ANNOUNCED FOR DAVID AUBURN’S PROOF AT BLUEBIRD ARTS

Bluebird Arts, Chicago's only English–Russian Cross-Cultural Theatre is excited to announce their Cast and Creative Team for their upcoming production of PROOF by DAVID AUBURN, opening SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2024 at THEATER WIT, 1229 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago. Directed by Bluebird Arts Artistic Director LUDA LOPATINA SOLOMON. SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2024, to SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2024. Performances of the play are Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 3pm, in Theater Three of Theater Wit.

Directed by Luda Lopatina Solomon, Bluebird Arts’ production will feature Dana Muelchi as Catherine, Geoff Isaac as Robert, Talia Langman as Claire, and Callahan Crnich as Hal, and Sarah Seidler at the Catherine/Claire Understudy. They will be joined by a Creative Team of Angela Kring (Stage Manager), Samantha Rausch (Set Design), Karina Osbourne (Lighting Design), Brandon Reed (Sound Design), Bisa (Costume Designer), Rachel Hartmann (Props Design), Laura Sturm (Intimacy Coordinator), Matt Ledajaks (Technical Designer), Kenny Behmer (Assistant T.D.), Dana Muelchi (Marketing and Media), Jaimelyn Gray (Press and Managing), and Emil Thomas (Production Manager).

ABOUT THE PLAY

Proof is the story of an enigmatic young woman, Catherine, her manipulative sister, their brilliant father, and an unexpected suitor. They are all pieces of the puzzle in the search for the truth behind a mysterious mathematical proof. In Proof, the young but guarded Catherine grieves over the loss of her father, a famous mathematician who had become a legend at the local university for solving complicated proofs, and for suffering from dementia. Just as Catherine begins to give in to her fear that she, too, might suffer from her father’s condition, Catherine’s older sister Claire returns home to help “settle” family affairs and Hal, one of the father’s old students, starts to poke around the house. What Hal discovers in an old speckle- bound notebook brings to light a buried family secret. It tests the sisters’ kinship as well as the romantic feelings growing between Catherine and Hal.

This poignant drama about love and reconciliation unfolds on the back porch of a house settled in a suburban university town, that is, like David Auburn’s writing, both simple and elegant. (pullizer .org)

Proof, by David Auburn runs Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 3pm, in Theater Three of Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago, from Saturday, March 2, to Saturday, April 6, 2024. Tickets are $12 – $40 and can be found at bluebirdarts.org, or by calling the Theater Wit Box Office at 773-975-8150.

Bluebird Arts was founded in 2014 and is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is: “To enrich, educate and entertain our community by sharing intimate stories of the human condition, focusing on the genuine problems of real people.”

Bluebird Arts Returns With STUPID F#@*ing BIRD at Theater WIT Saturday, November 4, to Saturday, December 9, 2023

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BLUEBIRD ARTS RETURNS TO CHICAGO THEATRE AFTER THREE-YEAR HIATUS 

WITH AARON POSNER’S

STUPID F#@*ing BIRD

Bluebird Arts, Chicago's only English–Russian Cross-Cultural Theatre is thrilled to announce they are returning to the stage after a three-year hiatus from the COVID-19 Pandemic with AARON POSNER’S Stupid F#@*ing Bird opening SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2023 at THEATER WIT, 1229 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago. They proudly invite the Chicago Media and Theatre Community to their production directed by Bluebird Arts Artistic Director LUDA LOPATINA SOLOMON, which will run from SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, to SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2023. Performances of the play are Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 3pm in STUDIO 1 of Theater Wit. Stupid F#@*ing Bird was originally slated to open in March of 2020 with Bluebird Arts. I'll be out for the opening on November 4th, covering for ChiILLiveShows.com, so check back shortly after for my full review.

ABOUT THE PLAY

An aspiring young director rampages against the art created by his mother’s generation. A nubile young actress wrestles with an aging Hollywood star for the affections of a renowned novelist. And everyone discovers just how disappointing love, art, and growing up can be. In this irreverent, contemporary, and very funny remix of Chekhov’s The Seagull, Aaron Posner stages a timeless battle between young and old, past and present, in search of the true meaning of it all. Stupid F#@*ing Bird will tickle, tantalize, and incite you to consider how art, love, and revolution fuel your own pursuit of happiness.

Directed by Luda Lopatina Solomon, Bluebird Arts’ production will feature Nicholas Barelli (Con), Magdalena Dalzell (Nina), David Fehr (Trig), David Fink (Dev), Dana Muelchi (Mash), Bob Pries (Sorn), and Laura Sturm (Emma). They will be joined by a Creative Team of Angela Kring (Stage Manager), Samantha Rausch (Set Design), Megan Reilly (Lighting Design), Rick Sims (Sound Design), Elizabeth Monti (Costume Designer), Rachel Hartmann (Props Design), Emil Thomas (Movement Coordinator), Matt Ledajaks (Technical Direction), and Jaimelyn Gray (Marketing and Media).

Stupid F#@*ing Bird by Aaron Posner runs Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 3pm, in Studio 1 of Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago from Saturday, November 4, to Saturday, December 9, 2023. Tickets are $10 – $30 and can be found at bluebirdarts.org, or by calling the Theater Wit Box Office at 773-975-8150.

Bluebird Arts was founded in 2014 and is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is: “To enrich, educate and entertain our community by sharing intimate stories of the human condition, focusing on the genuine problems of real people.”

 

Bluebird Theatre's Clever Little Lies at Athenaeum Theatre Through 12/16/17

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Bluebird Arts is proud to open its 2017-18 Season with Midwest Premiere of

"CLEVER LITTLE LIES"

by “Tony Award”® Winner Joe DiPietro.

Bluebird Arts brings the Smash Off-Broadway hit to the Athenaeum Theatre with direction by Luda Lopatina Solomon.

Bluebird Arts – Chicago's only English–Russian Theatre – proudly announces "Clever Little Lies," by Joe DiPietro, will open the theatre's Fourth Season. The Midwest Premiere begins its month-long run at the Athenaeum Theatre, Studio Two, on Thursday, November 16, 2017. We'll be out to review on the 30th so check back soon after.

Performances are Thursday – Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 2pm from November 16 - December 16, 2017. Artistic Director Luda Lopatina Solomon will direct a cast including Lawrence Garner (Bill Sr.), Kathleen Burke (Alice), Andrew Garcia (Billy), and Alyssa Ratkovich (Jane). The production team includes Caroline Grebner (Set Design), Michael Rathbun (Lighting Design), Brandon Reed (Sound Design), Bisa (Costume Design), Michael Zimmer (Set Design and Technical Direction), Rick Frederick (Marketing and Media), Karly Hanna (Stage Management), and Jaimelyn Gray (Production Manager, and Marketing and Media).

Shattering and hilarious, "Clever Little Lies" is a comedy of long-term love and marriage… for better… and for worse.

About the Playwright: Joe DiPietro has won two Tony Awards, a Drama Desk Award and two Outer Critics Circle Awards. His historical drama "The Second Mrs. Wilson", recently debuted at Long Wharf Theatre and plays George Street Playhouse this fall. Broadway: "Nice Work if You Can Get It"  (Tony nom., Best Musical); "Memphis"  (Tony winner, Best Musical); "All Shook Up"; "Living on Love". Off-Broadway: "The Toxic Avenger"; "The Thing About Men"; "Over the River and Through the Woods"; and "I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change" (Westside Theatre). Recent regional credits include "Chasing the Song" (La Jolla Playhouse); "Ernest Shackleton Loves Me" (Arts Emerson); "The Last Romance"  (Old Globe); and "Creating Claire" (George Street Playhouse). He sits on the board of Only Make Believe, a charity dedicated to bringing interactive, therapeutic theatre to chronically ill children.

About the Director: Luda Lopatina Solomon studied acting and directing in Russia at the Leningrad Institute of Music, Theatre and Film and earned her Ph.D (WD) in teaching acting at the St. Petersburg State Academy of Dramatic Arts. She worked as an actress at Leningrad Studio Theatre. As a member of European Repertory Company, Luda directed Chekhov's "Ivanov" (Jeff Nominated); Bulgakov's "Zoyka's Apartment"; Chekhov's "The Duel", adapted by Frank Galati; Carlo Gozzi's "Princess Turandot"; and Vasili Sigarev's "Black Milk". Also with European Repertory Company Luda co-directed, with Yasen Peyankov, Galin's "Stars in the Morning Sky" and Nikolay Kolyada's "Go Away, Go Away "(Jeff Nominated). Other directing credits include Stephen Schwartz's "The Baker's Wife" with One Theatre Company, Galin's "The House that Swift Built" co-directed with Dale Goulding for Red Square Theatre Company, and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf: at Theatre Volhonka, Ekatirenburg, Russia (Translated to Russian; Bravo award). She has taught acting at the School at Steppenwolf, Act One, and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Bluebird Arts was founded in 2014 and is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to enrich, educate and entertain our community by sharing intimate stories of the human condition, focusing on the genuine problems of real people. They showcase Chicago's talent by promoting a cross-cultural exchange, taking Chicago theatre and artists to Europe and bringing European theatre to the Chicago community. Uniquely they serve both the English and Russian speaking populations by producing plays in both English and Russian.
Bluebird Arts has a sister theatre in Volhnka, Ekatirenburg, Russia.   

OPENING: Dual ENGLISH-RUSSIAN Productions of THREE HOTELS at Athenaeum Theatre, Studio Two

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DUAL ENGLISH-RUSSIAN PRODUCTIONS OF 

THREE HOTELS 

TO FILL BLUEBIRD ARTS SUMMER/FALL CALENDAR

Bluebird Arts – Chicago's only English-Russian Theatre Company – proudly announces dual productions of Three Hotels by Jon Robin Baitz to continue its cross-cultural mission this summer and fall. Artistic Director Luda Lopatina Solomon will direct both productions.

Three Hotels (English Production)

By Jon Robin Baitz

Directed by Artistic Director Luda Lopatina Solomon

Previews begin August 9, 2016

August 12 – September 17, 2016

Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm

Athenaeum Theatre, Studio Two, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago

Set in three different hotel rooms a husband and wife tell their story, separate and alone. Kenneth Hoyle, an American businessman, sells defective baby formula in third world markets. And his wife, Barbara, talks about him, their marriage, and the incident that made this story their reality. In a play that progresses from intellectual cynicism to heartbreaking honesty, Baitz reveals the emotional and physical wounds we all encounter in the face of adversity and heartbreak. Bluebird Arts’ production will feature Dave Belden (Kenneth Hoyle) and Jaimelyn Gray (Barbara Hoyle). The Production Team includes Ioana Manuela Rentea (Assistant Director), Carl Ulaszek (Lighting Design and Technical Direction), Brandon Reed (Sound Design), Bisa Peyankov (Costume Design), Meghan Principe (Hair and Makeup), and Rick Frederick (Set Design).

Three Hotels (Russian Production)

By Jon Robin Baitz

Translat ion by TBA

Directed by Artistic Director Luda Lopatina Solomon

Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16, 2016

Location TBA

The Russian production of Three Hotels will be identical to the English production, save a Russian-speaking cast. More information regarding this production will be released as it becomes available.

Founded in 2014, Bluebird Arts is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to enrich, educate and entertain our community by sharing intimate stories of the human condition, focusing on the genuine problems of real people. Bluebird Arts showcases Chicago's talent by promoting cross cultural exchange, taking Chicago theatre and artists to Europe and bringing European theatre, to the Chicago community. They serve both the English and Russian speaking populations by producing plays in both English and Russian and translating English language plays into Russian and Russian language plays into English.

Bluebird Arts will continue to collaborate with Russian arts organizations such as Theatre Volhonka in Ekatirenburg, Russia. 

For more information about Bluebird Arts call 773.526.3628 or visit their website at www.bluebirdarts.org.

NOW PLAYING: Zoyka's Apartment at Athenaeum Theatre

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DUAL ENGLISH-RUSSIAN PRODUCTIONS OF ZOYKA'S APARTMENT TO CLOSE BLUEBIRD ARTS SECOND SEASON

Bluebird Arts – Chicago's only English-Russian Theatre Company – proudly announces dual productions of Zoyka's Apartment by Mikhail Bulgakov to close its 2015-16 Season. Artistic Director Luda Lopatina Solomon will direct both productions.

Zoyka's Apartment (English Production)

By Mikhail Bulgakov 

Directed by Artistic Director Luda Lopatina Solomon

Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm at Athenaeum Theatre, Studio Three, 2936 N. Southport Ave.through April 2, 2016  

ChicagoZoyka’s Apartment is a tragic farce in two acts. The play revolves around Madame Zoyka – a smart, bold and pragmatic woman who turns her apartment into a dressmaker’s shop in order to survive Post-Revolution Soviet Union. At a time when the country is seething with economic discontent and everyone is scrambling to escape to Paris, Zoyka is frantic to save as much as she can before the opportunity disappears. 

Bluebird Arts’ production features Katherine Schwartz (Zoya Denisovna Peltz), Janice Kulka (Manyushka), Brian Hoolahan (Anisim Zotikovich Alliluya), David Edward Smith (Pavel Fyedorovich Abolyaninov), Harrison Schneider (Gandzalin), Mike Movido (Cherubim), Doogin Brown (Alexander Tarasovich Ametistov), Meghan Principe (Lizanka), Ioana Manuela Rentea (Varvara Nikanorovna), Millie Rose (Natalya Nikolaevna), Carly Carano (Alla Vadimovna), Rick Jensen (Goos), Sarah Franzel (Madame Ivanova), Joshua Butler (Mr. Robber), Sean Foer (Ivan Vasilyevich), Sean Murphy (Pestrukhin), and Andrew J. McClelland (Vanyechka). The Production Team includes Jaimelyn Gray (Assistant Director), Rick Frederick (Set and Costume Design), Carl Ulaszek (Lighting Design), Rick Sims (Sound Design), Kirk Anderson (Fight Choreography), Katerina Levental (Choreography) , Anna Lafontant (Props Design) and Ellen Johnson (Stage Management)

Zoyka's Apartment (Russian Production)

By Mikhail Bulgakov

Directed by Artistic Director Luda Lopatina Solomon

May 21-22, 2016 Northbrook Theatre, 3323 Walters Ave., Northbrook IL

The Russian production of Zoyka's Apartment will be identical to the English Version production, save an all Russian-speaking cast. More information regarding this production will be released as it becomes available.Founded in 2014, Bluebird Arts is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to enrich, educate and entertain our community by sharing intimate stories of the human condition, focusing on the genuine problems of real people. Bluebird Arts showcases Chicago's talent by promoting cross cultural exchange, taking Chicago theatre and artists to Europe and bringing European theatre, to the Chicago community. They serve both the English and Russian speaking populations by producing plays in both English and Russian and translating English language plays into Russian and Russian language plays into English.

Bluebird Arts will continue to collaborate with Russian arts organizations such as Theatre Volhonka in Ekatirenburg, Russia. For more information about Bluebird Arts call 773.526.3628. Or visit their website at www.bluebirdarts.org.