Ends by Chicago Playwright, David Alex Now Playing Through July 31 at Dreamers YOLO

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

ENDS

Written by David Alex 

Directed by Davette J. Franklin 

Produced by DavJasFran Entertainment 

This gripping socio-political drama by Chicago playwright David Alex - the inaugural production of Dav/Jas/Fran Entertainment - was the winner of the African American Theatre Program of the University of Louisville as well as a Finalist in Delaware Theatre Company's CONNECTIONS National Playwriting Competition. Directed by company founder Davette J. Franklin, ENDS will feature up-and-coming Chicago-area talent in alignment with the production company’s mission to spotlight new voices. The production runs July 14 - July 31 at Dreamers YOLO, 5419 N. Lincoln Ave,

Set in 1967, the play follows a confrontation between two men and the ideas they represent. Kingsley, a thirty-year old African-American man, has lived alone for the past eighteen years in a secured forest cabin. Glober, a bitter recently returned Vietnam veteran, forcibly takes refuge in Kingsley's cabin during a violent storm. The two are placed at odds, as one must decide if he should rejoin society while the other contemplates leaving it. For tickets and more information visit, https://www.davjasfranentertainment.com/ends-by-david-alex

Playwright David Alex is no stranger to the Chicago stage. Apart from being a long-time judge with the Joseph Jefferson Awards, his recent work N enjoyed a run at the Greenhouse Theatre, a reading at DePaul University, and was a Semifinalist for the National Arts Club award. Previous works of his include ADRIFT (Polarity), CORPUS DELICTI (Madkap Productions), and ONTO INFINITY (Winner of the Das Goldkiel First Place Award), among others. ENDS also has its roots in Chicago, having been workshopped at Colombia College Chicago and Victory Gardens Theatre. ENDS received its equity premiere by the New Jersey Repertory Company. 

The Cast includes Reji Simon (Filament Theatre) as Kingsley, Peter Kattner IIIas Glober, Jeremy DeShaun (The Root, The Yard/Jackalope Theatre) understudying for Kingsley, and Mikkel Knutson understudying for Glober. The crew includes direction by Davette J. Franklin, set design by Kevin Rolfs, and lighting and sound design by Sallie Young.

(TOP - LEFT TO RIGHT Jeremy DeShaun and Peter Kattner III

BOTTOM - LEFT TO RIGHT Reji Simon and Mikkel Knutson) 

July 14 - July 31, 2022

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday at 7:30 pm; Sundays 4 pm.

Understudy performance July 23

Press Opening July 14 at 7:30 PM  

General Admission $25

Student/Industry $15

Dreamers YOLO, 5419 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60625

Located in Budlong Woods, north of Lincoln Square. Paid street parking is available along Lincoln Avenue. 

Tickets available at https://www.davjasfranentertainment.com/ends-by-david-alex

ENDS is a socio-political drama set in 1967 and deals with a confrontation between two men and the ideas they represent. Kingsley, a thirty-year old Black man, has lived isolated for the past eighteen years in a secured forest cabin. Besides his childhood experiences and memories, his view of life is based on his many books. Glober, a recently returned bitter White Vietnam veteran, is forced to take refuge in Kingsley's cabin during a violent storm.

 

BIOS

Reji Simon is a Chicago based performing artist and has been a Resident Artist at Filament Theatre since 2017. In addition to performing, he is a teacher, producer, and casting director. At the heart of all of his work is community and development. He is committed to developing artists through community building and the deconstruction of barriers meant to keep folks out of art making. Reji has worked as a teaching artist at Filament Theatre, Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, and Cleveland Playhouse.

Jeremy DeShaun studied acting at The Theatre School at DePaul University (Class of 2020). Credits include: Belvile in THE ROVER at The Theatre School at DePaul University and Justin in BLOOD AT THE ROOT at The Yard/Jackalope Theatre Company. Jeremy is represented by Actors Talent Group.

Peter Kattner III is a Chicago based actor, whose previous credits include THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Charlito "Chip" Tolentino) and THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD (Neville Landless) both performed at Saint Sebastian Players. BLOODY, BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON performed at Millikin University, ONE THOUSAND WORDS (A New Musical) and LOVE AFFAIRS AND WEDDING BELLS (A New Musical) both performed at Theater Wit. 

Mikkel Knutson is a new face to the Chicago theater scene. Graduating from Northern Illinois University during the pandemic, he has also previously worked with Door Shakespeare as an acting/costumes intern and fight captain as well as being recently seen in October with UWW Fest as Mark in BE MINE. 

About Director Davette J. Franklin

Davette J. Franklin is a Producer, Director, Playwright, Actress and Singer. She has always loved being on stage and entertaining. It all started with her signing with her sisters at the age of 3 years old. In high school, she became passionate about acting and noticed that if you do not have an extensive resume, most agencies and casting directors would not give you a shot. This ignited a spark in her to cater to the "new" actor and DavJasFran Entertainment was born. Her goal is to help new artists get discovered all while having fun and creating great work. She is often called the "Millennial Hero" and "Queen of YOLO", all names in which she loves.

About Playwright David Alex 

David Alex has received three Awards from the Illinois Arts Council in Recognition in Playwriting, a Grant from the Pilgrim Foundation and has served as the Secretary of the Chicago Alliance for Playwrights and the Illinois Theatre Association. He is a proud member of the Joseph Jefferson Committee, which recognizes excellence in Chicago theatre, as well as the Dramatists Guild. David Alex lives in Chicago.

About DavJasFran Entertainment

DavJasFran Entertainment is a Production Company housed at Dreamers YOLO! The company was founded in 2016 by Davette J. Franklin aims to be a production company for the "new" artist. Davette noticed that new Actors/Actresses, Writers, and Directors are always told to build their resume, but are never given the opportunity to grow them...that is why DavJasFran Entertainment was created. It fosters the "new" artists to help build their resumes and give them a fun experience while breaking into the Entertainment business. 

For tickets and more information, https://www.davjasfranentertainment.com/ends-by-david-alex

OPENING: World Premiere of N By David Alex at Greenhouse Theater Center October 24 – November 17, 2019

 ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

World Premiere!

Greenhouse Theater Center and GLP Productions Present

N

By David Alex

Directed by TaRon Patton

October 24 – November 17, 2019 at Greenhouse Theater Center

I'll be ChiILin' at Chi, IL's Greenhouse Theater Center for the press opening of the world premiere of David Alex’s political drama, N, later this month. Check back soon for my full review. David's not only a prolific, Chicago based playwright with fourteen full-length and eighteen one-acts plays to his credit, but he's also a frequent fixture at theatre openings. I'm eager to finally see one of his scripts brought to life in a Chicago production.

Greenhouse Theater Center and GLP Productions are pleased to present the world premiere of David Alex’s political drama N, directed by TaRon Patton, playing October 24 – November 17, 2019 in The Greenhouse Theater Center’s Upstairs Studio, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at greenhousetheater.org, in person at the box office or by calling (773) 404-7336. The press openings are Saturday, October 26 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, October 27 at 3 pm.

The cast of Greenhouse Theater Center and GLP Productions’ world premiere of “N” includes (left to right) Stacie Doublin, Reginald Hemphill and Ryan Smetana.

Mrs. Page is a 70-year-old, African-American widow; a passionate political conservative who campaigned for Barry Goldwater and strong admirer of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Her guilt for a personal decision involving astrology led her to the decision to never leave her home again. Eddy, a liberal young white struggling actor, is her caregiver. He is cast in show that is a career maker for him. During the rehearsal process the playwright adds the N-word to the script. Eddy is repulsed by what he considers the offensive and destructive nature of the N-word and refuses to say it – ever, including on stage. Mrs. Page and Eddy learn something from each other and as well as about themselves while Eddy struggles to remain the person he hopes to be. N challenges us to look at the role society has played in shaping our personal, and thus, our national attitudes and prejudices. 

Comments Director TaRon Patton, “This story is a great way to approach this very delicate topic with a focal lens of humanity versus history.”

N was given a staged reading in one of DePaul University’s Black History Month Celebrations and was a semi-finalist in the National Arts Club Playwrights First Competition.

The production team includes Grant Sabin (scenic design), Shanesia Davis (costume design, assistant director), Richard Norwood (lighting design), Shawn Wallace (sound design), Sarah Richman (props design), Dr. Alvin Goldfarb (dramaturg), Maggie Speer (associate producer, voiceover) and Razor Wintercastle (production manager).

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Title: N
Playwright: David Alex
Director: TaRon Patton
Cast (in alphabetical order): Stacie Doublin (Mrs. Page), Reginald Hemphill (DeShawn) and Ryan Smetana (Eddy).

Undertudies: Carolyn Nelson and Jordan Tragash.

Location: The Greenhouse Theater Center’s Upstairs Studio, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago
Dates: Previews: Thursday, October 24 at 7:30 pm, Friday, October 25 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, October 26 at 3 pm
Press Performances: Saturday, October 26 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, October 27 at 3 pm
Opening: Monday, October 28 at 7:30 pm.
Regular run: Thursday, October 31 – Sunday, November 17, 2019
Curtain times: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 3 pm & 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3 pm
Understudy Performance: Friday, November 8 at 7:30 pm.
Tickets: Previews: $15. Regular run: $25. $15 students/seniors/industry. Tickets are currently available at greenhousetheater.org, in person at the box office or by calling (773) 404-7336.

About the Artists
David Alex (Playwright) has written fourteen full-length and eighteen one-acts plays. He has received three grants from the Illinois Arts Council and one from the Pilgrim Foundation, an award for plays that deal with issues of moral significance. Full-length productions include Eroica, Azusa Productions i/a/w Redtwist Theatre; Ends, an African-American Theatre Festival Award Winner (Univ. of Louisville), New Jersey Repertory Company and Bowen Park Theatre Company; Adrift, Azusa Productions; Corpus Delicti, MadKap Productions; Onto Infinity, Azusa Productions and Bowen Park Theatre Company, By the Rivers of Babylon, Chicago Playwrights Center. Dramatic Publishing has published two of his plays. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild. www.davidalex.net.

TaRon Patton (Director) is excited to expand her talents by serving as director to this production. Directing credits include Saturday Night, Sunday Morning (Steppenwolf Garage Rep) Bulrusher (Congo Square Theatre), Nativity Tribute (Congo Square Theatre). Acting credits include: Meet Vera Stark (Goodman Theater), Hot L Baltimore (Steppenwolf); the Chicago and New York adaptation of Toni Morrison's novel The Bluest Eye (Steppenwolf), St James Infirmary and King Hedley II (Congo Square Theatre Company), Black Nativity and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Goodman Theater). Television credits: The Chi, Empire, Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, A Different World, Misty Tanner and the Emmy award winning CBS After-School special What About Your Friends. Film credits: Of Boys and Men and Stitches. TaRon received her MFA in Acting from UCLA and is very proud of her role as Executive Director of Congo Square Theatre Company.
About the Companies

The Greenhouse Theater Center (GTC) is a producing theater company, performance venue and theatre bookstore located at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.

GTC began its producing life in 2014 with the smash hit Churchill, followed by 2016’s much-lauded Solo Celebration!, an eight month, 16 event series highlighting the breadth and depth of the solo play form. In 2017-18, the Greenhouse presented its first full subscription season, including Machinal (4 stars from Chicago Tribune's Chris Jones), a remount of the Jeff Award-winning Rose and the Chicago premiere of Birds of a Feather. 
As a performance venue, the Greenhouse complex offers two newly-remodeled 198-seat main stage spaces, two 60-seat studio theaters, a newly-built 44-seat cabaret space, two high-capacity lobbies and an in-house rehearsal room. GTC also houses Chicago’s only dedicated used theatre bookstore, located on the second floor the complex. 

The Greenhouse Theater Center’s mission is first and foremost to grow local theatre. GTC seeks local theatre companies and artists to partner on co-productions, offering partners a multitude of resources including an equitable split of production costs, production manager, full-service box office and front-of-house staff, artistic consultation, marketing and public relations support and a full-service bar with concessions. For additional information, call (773) 404-7336, ext. 13.

GLP Productions is a Chicago-based arts investment and production company that nationally produces theatrical new works and independent film. The GLP mission is to support artists in reaching their dreams through direct investments or management. Film credit: Road to Freedom and the web series Misty Tanner.