ACT OUT OPENING: LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS THE LITTLE PRINCE

LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

THE LITTLE PRINCE

BY RICK CUMMINS AND JOHN SCOULLAR

BASED ON THE BOOK BY ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRY

AND DIRECTED BY ENSEMBLE MEMBER DAVID CATLIN

Here at ChiIL Mama & ChiIL Live Shows, we've been avid admirers of David Catlin's work on stage and behind the scenes for years, and we're eagerly awaiting the opening of The Little Prince.   Our daughters went to pre-school together waaaay back in the day, about 8 years ago and we're hoping to catch him again for a video interview in the near future.   Click below to check out our prior interview with him for our series on How Creatives Parent and How Parents Create (5/11/13 Elephant & The Whale at Chicago Children's Theatre).   David is a fixture on the Chicago Theatre scene and Dad to two daughters.

Continuing its 26^th Season, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents The Little Prince, produced in Association with The Actors Gymnasium, by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar, based on the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and directed by Ensemble Member David Catlin. The Little Prince runs December 5, 2013 – February 2, 2014 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. 

Stuck, thirsty and alone. A pilot stranded in the Sahara Desert meets an enigmatic, charismatic young prince fallen from the sky who regales him with tales of life among the stars: tales with earthly importance.  In this visually arresting, fully immersive theatrical interpretation of the beloved French novella, director David Catlin (creator of Lookingglass Alice) illustrates the story with fantastic characters and gravity-defying, awe-inspiring physical feats.

The Little Prince speaks – in breathtaking splendor – to the castaway in all of us: challenging our perspective, opening our eyes and bringing us back to the heart of what truly matters.

"Everyone who saw and thrilled to David's Lookingglass Alice will remember his penchant for creating stories that are full to bursting with spectacles of pure delight and inventiveness, “ says Artistic Director Andrew White. “He'll be bringing all of that unmatched creativity and passion to this internationally beloved story, creating a show that truly will appeal to audiences of all ages -- to parents as well as their kids, to grandparents and grandchildren, to anyone who, as David puts it, has found themselves at some point in their lives stuck, thirsty and alone - and who hasn't?."

“I love The Little Prince because it has something for everyone.  Kids will dig the strange characters and the intergalactic story.  Teens and college kids will connect with the impending responsibility of becoming a grown-up.  And grown-ups will identify with our lonely Aviator who crashes in the Sahara Desert a thousand miles from anyone and anywhere with barely enough water for a week,” comments director David Catlin. “In this crisis, our Aviator needs the wisdom of a child—a Little Prince-- to remember that ‘what is essential is invisible to the eye’ and the importance of cultivating ties with others.”  

The cast includes Ensemble Member Raymond Fox (King), Artistic Associates Lauren Hirte (Desert Rose) and Louise Lamson (Rose) with Ian Barford (Aviator), Amelia Hefferon (Little Prince), Kareem Bandealy (Snake), Adeoye (Lamp Lighter) and Kasey Foster (Fox).

The design team includes Artistic Associates Rick Sims (sound) and Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi (acrobatic/circus choreography) with Courtney O’Neill (set), Salley Dolembo (costumes), William Kirkham (lighting), Maria DeFabo (Properties), Lee Brasuell (rigger), Tess Golden (Stage Manager) and Kelsey Lamm (Assistant Stage Manager).

The production sponsor for The Little Prince is Allstate, which is also the sponsor of the Education Programs for the production.

Lookingglass Theatre is located in the heart of the Magnificent Mile shopping district inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  Discounted parking is available for Lookingglass patrons at the nearby Olympia Centre Self Park (161 E. Chicago Ave.).

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

David Catlin (Director/Ensemble Member) Recent Lookingglass directing credits include:  Icarus, Lookingglass Alice, and Black Diamond (with Nicky Brooks).  Regional directing credits include: McCarter (Princeton, NJ),  Arden (Philadelphia), The New Victory (NYC), Syracuse Stage, Actors Theater of Louisville, the Alliance (Atlanta) and the Getty Villa (Los Angeles).  Other recent directing credits include:  The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley (NU), The Little Prince (NU), and The Monster Under the Bed (Depaul).  David teaches acting with Northwestern University’s theatre department and will direct Moby Dick there in April 2014. David lives in Chicago with his wife Kerry and their two daughters Emerson and Saylor.

Adeoye (Lamp Lighter) returns home to Chicago and to Lookingglass with The Little Prince. He most recently appeared in Optimism! Or Voltaire’s Candide at Spooky Action Theater in Washington DC. Other DC credits: All’s Well That Ends Well and The Atheist’s Tragedy at The Academy for Classical Acting at The Shakespeare Theatre and The George Washington University, where he earned his MFA.  Previous Lookingglass credits: Peter Pan, Lookingglass Alice, Icarus and Black Diamond. Other Chicago credits: The Unmentionables (Steppenwolf Theatre), The Lost Boys of Sudan (Victory Gardens Theater). Regional credits: A Raisin in the Sun (Guthrie Theatre/Penumbra Theatre,) Intimate Apparel (Clarence Brown Theatre). Television credits: “Detroit 1-8-7,” “Leverage,” “Prison Break.” Film credits: #Vengeance is Mine.

Kareem Bandealy (Snake) has appeared previously at Lookingglass in Big Lake Big City, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, The Last Act of Lilka Kadison, and Peter Pan (A Play). Chicago: Rock ‘N’ Roll, Gas For Less, King Lear (Goodman Theatre), The Wheel (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Edward II, Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), The Illusion (Court Theatre), Hamlet, The Caretaker, Heartbreak House (Writers’ Theatre), Blood and Gifts (TimeLine Theatre), and The Real Thing (Remy Bumppo). Regional: The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Three Musketeers, The Tempest (Illinois Shakespeare), Love’s Labour’s Lost (Notre Dame Shakespeare), Stuff Happens, Julius Caesar (Pittsburgh Irish & Classical), and four seasons at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Film credits include The Merry Gentleman (Michael Keaton, director). In 2011, he received a 3Arts Artist Award.

Ian Barford (Aviator) makes his debut with Lookingglass Theatre.  Most Chicago appearances have been with Steppenwolf where he is an ensemble member.  Some favorites there include: August: Osage County (original company, Broadway and the National Theater in London), The March (Jeff nom. for best supporting actor), Endgame, The Libertine, As I Lay Dying and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Broadway, Outer Circle critics nom.) and many others. Love Song at 59E59 in NYC.  Originated the role of Dr. Khassan Baiev, a Chechen surgeon, in The Oath based upon his autobiography.   In Los Angeles, The Weir, God’s Man in Texas and Take Me Out at the Geffen Playhouse. Dead End at the Ahmanson. All The Rage and Design for Living at the Goodman. Othello at Chicago Shakes. National Tour of Picasso at the Lapin Agile.  Soon to be released films include: Shreveport, Return to Sender. Other Films: Road to Perdition, 13 Going on 30 and others. Numerous TV appearances.

Kasey Foster (Fox) has performed with Chicago Children’s Theatre, Redmoon, Dog n Pony, Trap Door, Theater Wit, Red Tape, and Collaboraction. She sings with local bands: This Must be the Band, Grood, and Old Timey. Foster co-produces The Monthly Visit with Kevin O’Donnell, and has choreographed and directed over thirty original works since her Chicago arrival in 2004. One of her favorite projects to produce and choreograph is a series called Dance Tribute, which takes place twice a year at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Ave.

Raymond Fox (King) is a Lookingglass Ensemble Member and recently appeared as Simon Craig in Blood and Gifts with TimeLine Theatre.  His numerous Lookingglass credits include Metamorphoses (original 1998-1999 premiere and 2012-2013 revival), a play he originally performed across the country including its Off Broadway and Broadway productions. Additional regional credits: Goodman Theatre, Court Theatre, Remy Bumppo, Tectonic Theatre Project/About Face Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Next Theatre, First Folio, Meadow Brook Theatre, Arden Theatre, Arena Stage, Mark Taper Forum, McCarter Theatre, Berkeley Rep., Seattle Rep., American Repertory Theatre, Hartford Stage, and Canada’s Stratford Festival. Mr. Fox is a graduate of Northwestern University and the A.R.T. Institute at Harvard University.

Amelia Hefferon (Little Prince) makes her professional debut with The Little Prince. Amelia is a Michigan native and a recent graduate of Northwestern University where she studied theatre and art history.

Lauren Hirte (Desert Rose) is an Artistic Associate returning to Lookingglass with The Little Prince, where her credits also include: Alice in Lookingglass Alice, Icarus, Fedra, Hephaestus, and Hard Times. Regional credits: Actors Theatre of Louisville, Arden Theatre, McCarter Theatre, The New Victory, and most recently as the title character in Milwaukee Rep’s The Diary of Anne Frank. She has studied, taught and performed at the Piven Theatre, and at the Actors Gymnasium. Recently, Lauren has been living in LA, and spent the summer with Steppenwolf West at CSU Summer Arts in Monterey Bay, CA.

Louise Lamson (Rose) is an Artistic Associate of Lookingglass Theatre where she has been seen in The Idiot, Hard Times, The Secret in the Wings, The Wooden Breeks, Icarus (at the Getty Villa, L.A.), The Brothers Karamazov, Our Town, The Arabian Nights, Ethan Frome, and most recently Metamorphoses. Some other Chicago credits include: About Face Theatre’s Bash (After Dark award and Jeff nomination); The Odyssey (Goodman); and The Adventures of Herculina (Next Theatre). New York credits include: Metamorphoses (Second Stage and Broadway) and The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci (Second Stage). Louise is a graduate of Northwestern University.

About Lookingglass Theatre Company

Inventive.  Collaborative.  Transformative.  Lookingglass Theatre Company, recipient of the 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award, was founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students.  Now in its 26^th season, Lookingglass is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric. The Company has staged 61 world premieres, received 101 Joseph Jefferson awards and nominations, and work premiered at Lookingglass has been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, Philadelphia, Princeton, Hartford, Kansas City, Washington D.C., and St. Louis.  Lookingglass original scripts have been produced across the United States.

The Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago's landmark Water Tower Water Works opened in June 2003.  In addition to developing and presenting ensemble work, Lookingglass Education and Community programs encourage creativity, teamwork and confidence with thousands of community members each year.

Lookingglass Theatre Company continues to expand its artistic, financial and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Artistic Director Andrew White, Executive Director Rachel Kraft, Producing Artistic Director Philip R. Smith, Artistic Director of New Work Heidi Stillman, a 24-member artistic ensemble, 15 artistic associates, 11 production affiliates, an administrative staff and a dedicated board of directors led by Chairman Joe Brady of Jones Lang LaSalle and President John McGowan of Northern Trust Chicago. For more information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org.

FACT SHEET/The Little Prince

Title:                The Little Prince

Written by:      Rick Cummings and John Scoullar

Based on the

Book by:          Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Directed by:     Ensemble Member David Catlin

Produced in Association with The Actors Gymnasium

Dates:              Previews:                     December 5 – 13, 2013

                     7:30 PM

                        

Regular run:                 December 15, 2013 – February 2, 2014

Times:             Tuesdays:                    3:00 p.m. (Dec. 31 only)

7:30 p.m. (except Dec. 24, Jan. 7 and 21)

Wednesdays:               7:30 p.m. (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1)

Thursdays:                  3:00 p.m. (Dec. 26, Jan 2, 9 and 23 only)

7:30 p.m.

Fridays:                       7:30 p.m.

Saturdays:                   3:00 p.m. (except Dec. 7); 7:30 p.m.

Sundays:                     3:00 p.m.; 7:30 p.m.

Accessible

Performances: Touch tour/Audio described performance, January 19 at 1pm prior to curtain;

Open captioned performance, January 26 at 3:00pm. Partial support for open captioning provided by Theatre Development Fund.

Location:         Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic

Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  

Prices:             Previews are $35 - $45

Regular Run is $45 - $75

Prices are subject to change.

                                    

Target Saturday Matinees offer a limited number of buy one, get one free tickets which are available to all 3:00 p.m. Saturday matinees.

This program is made possible with the generous support of Target, working with Lookingglass to make the arts accessible to all.

A limited number of student tickets are available the day of the show for $20 with valid student ID.

Groups of 8 or more patrons save up to 20%. Call the box office for details.

Box Office:      Buy online at www.lookingglasstheatre.org

or by phone at (312) 337-0665

The Lookingglass box office is located at Water Tower Water Works,

821 N. Michigan Ave.

ACT OUT OPENING: BIG LAKE BIG CITY AT LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE

LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

BIG LAKE BIG CITY

WRITTEN BY KEITH HUFF

DIRECTED BY ENSEMBLE MEMBER DAVID SCHWIMMER

Closing out its 25^th Anniversary Season, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of Big Lake Big City, written byKeith Huff and directed by Ensemble Member David Schwimmer.  Tickets are now on sale for the production, running June 19 – August 11, 2013 atLookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  The Press Opening is Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

Detective Bass can’t catch a break: his boss is a hard-ass, his partner’s a knucklehead, his wife’s a cheat, and now he has to chase down a perp who has a screwdriver in his head.  An eclectic set of shady characters—crooked coroners, a TV-personality doctor, a femme fatale, and one extraordinarily valuable sculpture—run roughshod through a hilarious maze of double-crosses and double-identities.  2011 Writers Guild Award-winner Keith Huff lampoons the Windy City with a menacing smirk and tongue in cheek in this gritty modern noir directed by David Schwimmer.

"Big Lake Big City is the perfect way to wrap up a 25th Anniversary Season that has highlighted the wide range of styles and work that Lookingglass consistently brings to the Chicago stage," says Artistic Director Andrew White.  “It's great to have one of our founding Ensemble members, David Schwimmer, back in the director's chair to help celebrate this milestone year, and both he and Keith are so damn funny and so damn smart, this show is sure to be an hilarious, dark, and brilliant ride."

The cast of Big Lake Big City includes Ensemble Members Thomas J. Cox (Divot and others), Anthony Fleming III (Moss and others) and Philip R. Smith (Bass);  Kareem Bandealy (Peter and others), Katherine Cunningham (Ally), Danny Goldring (Getz), Beth Lacke (Susan), Eddie Martinez(Stewart), J. Salome Martinez (Trent and others) and Wendy Mateo (Maria).

The creative team for Big Lake Big City includes Ensemble Member Sibyl Wickersheimer (Scenic), Ana Kuzmanic (Costumes), Artistic Associate Christine A. Binder (Lighting), Artistic Associate Rick Sims (Sound/Composition), Maria DeFabo (Props).  Narda E. Alcorn is the Production Stage Manager and Tess Golden is the Assistant Stage Manager.

Production Sponsors for Big Lake Big City are Richard A. Ditton and United Airlines.

About Big Lake Big City artists

DAVID SCHWIMMER (Director/Ensemble Member) is a co-founder of Lookingglass, where he has acted in and directed several productions including Trust, Our Town, West, The Master and Margarita, The Jungle, Eye of the Beholder, The Odyssey, The Idiot, Of One Blood, and his and Ensemble member Joy Gregory’s adaptation of Studs Terkel’s book Race.  He starred in the premieres of D Girl and Turnaround in Los Angeles, Glimmer Brothers in Williamstown,Some Girls in London, the revival of The Caine Mutiny Court Martial on Broadway and, most recently, Detroit at Playwrights Horizons.  Notable television and film credits include The Iceman, Nothing But The Truth, Madagascar I, II & III, Duane Hopwood, Big Nothing, “Band of Brothers,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Six Days Seven Nights, Apt Pupil, The Pallbearer and the hit comedy series “Friends,” for which he received an Emmy Award nomination.  His film and television directing includes Trust, Run Fat Boy Run, Since You’ve Been Gone and the HBO series “Little Britain USA.” He is on the Board of Directors of the Rape Foundation in Santa Monica, California.

KEITH HUFF (Playwright) brings the world premiere of his latest play to Lookingglass.  Recent theater productions include The Detective’s Wife (Writer’s Theater), A Steady Rain featuring Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman (Broadway), and Pursued By Happiness and The Bird and Mr. Banks (Road Theater).  A Steady Rain continues to be produced across the US and around the world, most recently in France (Paris & national tour), Argentina (Buenos Aires & national tour), Chile, Mexico City, Australia, Spain (Barcelona & Catalan tour), and Canada.  It is currently running in Budapest, Prague, Athens, Cyprus, and Uruguay, and new productions are scheduled to open in Brazil, Venezuela, Tokyo, Colombia, Madrid, and London in 2013-2014.  In television, Keith was Writer/Co-Producer for AMC’s Emmy- and Golden Globe Award-winning series “Mad Men,” for which he won a 2011 Writers Guild Award (Best Drama Series), Writer/Producer for the David Fincher/NetFlix series “House of Cards,” featuring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, and is currently Writer/Consulting Producer for the new Ron Moore/SyFy series, “Helix.”  He has written original pilots for HBO, Steven Spielberg/DreamWorks, AMC, and is currently developing projects with Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment, Jason Lee’s Staircase Films, Lorenzo DiBonaventura Pictures/ABC, and Elice Island Entertainment/STARZ. 

KAREEM BANDEALY (Peter and others) has appeared previously at Lookingglass in Peter Pan (A Play), The Last Act of Lilka Kadison, and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. Chicago credits include Rock ‘N’ Roll, Gas For Less, King Lear (Goodman Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Edward II, Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), The Illusion (Court Theatre), Hamlet, The Caretaker, Heartbreak House (Writers’ Theatre), Blood and Gifts (TimeLine Theatre), The Real Thing (Remy Bumppo), It’s a Wonderful Life, Oklahoma! (American Theater Company, ensemble member), Our Enemies, Back of the Throat, 10 Acrobats (Silk Road Rising, associate artist), and Wedding Play (About Face). Regional credits include The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Three Musketeers, The Tempest (Illinois Shakespeare), Love’s Labour’s Lost (Notre Dame Shakespeare), Stuff Happens, Julius Caesar (Pittsburgh Irish & Classical), and four seasons at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Film credits include The Merry Gentleman (Michael Keaton, director). In 2011, he received a 3Arts Artist Award.

THOMAS J. COX (Divot and others/Ensemble Member) is a founding ensemble member of Lookingglass, with whom he has done more than thirty productions, including The Odyssey, The Jungle, West, The Master and Margarita, Algren in For Keeps and a Single Day, Quilp in Old Curiosity Shop, Great Fire and Cascabel most recently. He has been seen at Victory Gardens, Court, Steppenwolf, Goodman, and, most recently, Northlight Theatre, where he appeared in Outgoing Tide with John Mahoney and Rondi Reed which also traveled to the Galway Arts Festival. At the Weston Playhouse Theatre in Vermont, he was the Director of the Young Company, for which he directed two musicals, and has appeared in productions ranging from Tartuffe and Pirates of Penzance to Chicago and Urinetown. He serves as the Master Teacher for Lookingglass’ Education and Community Programs, and he has been adjunct faculty at Northwestern and UIC. Love to CDF and JMFC.

KATHERINE CUNNINGHAM (Ally) is performing for her first time on the Lookingglass stage. Other Chicago credits include Honest (Steppenwolf Theatre),The Taming of the Shrew (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Picnic (Writers’ Theatre), WOW! (Child’s Play Touring Theatre, and several seasons of The Rocky Horror Show. Film and television credits include “Chicago Fire” and “The Playboy Club” (NBC), “Underemployed” (MTV), “Shameless” (Showtime), “The Mob Doctor” (FOX), “Detroit 1-8-7” (ABC) and the upcoming film Johnson.

ANTHONY FLEMING III (Moss and others/Ensemble Member) makes his first appearance since becoming a Lookingglass ensemble member.  This past spring he performed in Clybourne Park with Arizona Theater Company and had great runs in both Tucson and Phoenix. In Chicago, he last was seen playing “Booster” in August Wilson’s Jitney at Court Theater.  His most recent work on the Lookingglass boards was as “Joe Louis” in Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting.  Other select Lookingglass credits include Fedra, Icarus, The Arabian Nights, 1984, Race, and 445 performances of Lookingglass Alice. Select local and regional credits include The Goodman Theater, Steppenwolf, Court Theater, Victory Gardens, Piven Theater, Chicago Theater Company, Milwaukee Rep, The Arden in Philly, The McCarter in Jersey, The Alliance in Atlanta, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, and The New Victory in New York. Select television credits include “Prison Break” (seasons 1 and 2) and “The Beast.”  Next, Anthony will be traveling to Sardinia, Italy in the fall to work on an independent film.

DANNY GOLDRING (Getz) is equally at home in front of the camera and on stage. Film credits include the Beverly Ridge Pictures mob thriller Chicago Overcoat, the role of “Grumpy” in The Dark Knight, The Fugitive, The Earl, The Babe, Above the Law, Bean: The Movie, A Perfect Manhattan, and the upcoming films Dig Two Graves, and Fools.  He originated the title role in Brett Neveu’s comedy noir The Earl, which enjoyed a long run, an encore engagement, and rave reviews at A Red Orchid Theatre. On stage earlier this season in Pine Box Theatre’s World Premiere of 25 Saints. Other theatre credits include Lyric Opera’s Porgy and Bess, David Mamet’s Reunion and Dark Pony, and Horton Foote’s The Trip to Bountiful (Goodman Theatre Productions), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Inherit the Wind, A Solider’s Play, King of Coons, and “Clark Gable” in Frankly My Dear... A Fable about Gable. TV Includes “Boss” (Starz) as Ryan Kavanaugh (recurring), the Emmy-Nominated TNT Movie Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, HBO FilmsNormal and Always Outnumbered, “Six Feet Under,” “Star Trek Voyager/Deep Space Nine/Enterprise,” “NYPD Blue,” “ER,” and “Crime Story,” as well as frequent episodes of the radio series “Twilight Zone.” Danny is a proud member of Actor’s Equity, SAG-AFTRA, and AGMA.

BETH LACKE (Susan) is working with Lookingglass for the first time. Her previous Chicago credits include “Annette” in God of Carnage at the Goodman, “Ashley” in Man From Nebraska at Steppenwolf, as well as “Hennie Berger” in Awake and Sing and “Caroline Cushing” in Frost/Nixon with TimeLine Theatre Company. She won a Best Supporting Actress Jeff Citation for her work as “Miss Nebraska” with Collaboraction Theatre Company in The Life and Times of Tulsa Lovechild. Her work in television and film is varied with appearances on “How I Met Your Mother,” “Malibu Country,” “Hawthorne,” “Two Broke Girls” as well as series regular characters on “Happy Hour” for Fox and “Work It” for ABC. Her most recent film, Open Tables, will be released later this year. She is graduate of the Theatre School at DePaul University.

EDDIE MARTINEZ (Stewart) was born and raised in Chicago, attended Columbia College Chicago as a Theater Major. Chicago credits include: Cascabel,Maitre D’ (Lookingglass Theatre), Our Lady of 121st Street, Pinky (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), The Sins of Sor Juana, Don Pedro (Teatro Vista) andStylin’ and Racial Profilin’ (The Second City). His film credits include The Dilemma, The Break Up, The Weatherman, Nothing Like the Holidays, Let’s Go to Prison, and Elsewhere. TV credits include “Boss” and “Chicago Fire,” as well as various on camera and voice over commercials.

J. SALOME MARTINEZ (Trent and others) is making his Lookingglass Theatre Company debut. Some of his theater credits include How Long Will I Cry?(Steppenwolf Theatre); After (Profiles Theatre); As You Like It, Man of La Mancha, The Seagull (Constans Theatre); and A Christmas Carol (Hippodrome State Theatre). Television and film credits include “Law & Order,” “Castle,” “Generation Kill” (HBO, Emmy Award), “New York, I Love You” and the Oscar Award-nominated film The Messenger. He received his BA in theatre from Barat College and his MFA in acting from the University of Florida.

WENDY MATEO (Maria) is making her debut with Lookingglass Theatre. She can be recognized from making a fool of herself throughout the city of Chicago, performing improv and sketch comedy.  She is part of Dominizuelan, the sketch comedy duo who were named “the future of Latino comedy” by Latina Magazine. Wendy has been a featured performer in the TBS Just for Laughs Festival with both her solo comedy work and Dominizuelan.

PHILIP R. SMITH (Bass/Producing Artistic Director/Ensemble Member) most recently appeared as Wrede Sartorius in The March at Steppenwolf Theatre and Ethan in Ethan Frome at Lookingglass.  Other Lookingglass credits include Will in Trust, Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days, Ivan in The Brothers Karamazov, Tinker Bosch in The Wooden Breeks and Creon in Hillbilly Antigone. Other recent credits include Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbirdand Rev. Parris in The Crucible both at Steppenwolf and Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days at Baltimore’s Center Stage. Other regional credits include work at the McCarter Theatre, Seattle Rep, the Arden Theatre, BAM (NYC), and The Actors Gang (LA). TV and film credits include “Boss,” “Friends,” “Prison Break,” “Chicago Hope,” “Early Edition,” Kissing a Fool, Since You’ve Been Gone, High Fidelity, The Express and The Dilemma.  As Producing Artistic Director, oversight includes Lookingglass casting and serving as a primary artistic liaison to the Development, Special Events, Marketing and Production departments.

About Lookingglass Theatre Company

Inventive.  Collaborative.  Transformative.  Lookingglass Theatre Company, recipient of the 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award, was founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students.  2011-2012 marks the company’s 25^th anniversary season. Lookingglass is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric. Lookingglass has staged 58 world premieres at 23 venues across Chicago, and garnered 52 Joseph Jefferson Awards and Citations.

Work premiered at Lookingglass has been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, Philadelphia, Princeton, Hartford, Kansas City, Washington D.C., and St. Louis.  Lookingglass original scripts have been produced across the United States.

The Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago's landmark Water Tower Water Works opened in June 2003.  In addition to developing and presenting ensemble work, Lookingglass Education and Community programs encourage creativity, teamwork and confidence with thousands of community members each year.

Lookingglass Theatre Company continues to expand its artistic, financial and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Artistic Director Andrew White, Executive Director Rachel Kraft, Producing Artistic Director Philip R. Smith, Artistic Director of New Work Heidi Stillman, a 24-member artistic ensemble, 13 artistic associates, 11 production affiliates, an administrative staff and a dedicated board of directors led by Chairman Richard Ditton of Incredible Technologies and President Joe Brady of Jones Lang LaSalle. For more information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org.

Big Lake Big City/FACTS

Title:                Big Lake Big City

Written by:       Keith Huff

Directed by:      Ensemble Member David Schwimmer

Cast:                

Ensemble Member Thomas J. Cox (Divot and others)

Ensemble Member Anthony Fleming III (Moss and others)

Ensemble Member Philip R. Smith (Bass)

Kareem Bandealy (Peter and others)

Katherine Cunningham (Ally)

Danny Goldring (Getz)

Beth Lacke (Susan)

Eddie Martinez (Stewart)

J. Salome Martinez (Trent and others)

Wendy Mateo (Maria)

Dates:             Previews:                     June 19, 2013 – June 28, 2013

                        Press opening:             Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

                        Regular run:                 June 30 – August 11, 2013

Times:            

Tuesdays:                    7:30 p.m. (July 2, 16, 30 only)

Wednesdays:               7:30 p.m.

Thursdays:                  3:00 p.m. (July 11, 25 and August 8 only) and 7:30 p.m.

Fridays:                       7:30 p.m.

Saturdays:                   3:00 p.m.; 7:30 p.m.

Sundays:                      3:00 p.m.; 7:30 p.m.

Location:  Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic

Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  

Prices:    Previews are $28 - $38

Regular Run is $36 - $70

Target Saturday Matinees offer a limited number of buy one, get one free tickets which are available to all 3:00 p.m. Saturday matinees. This program is made possible with the generous support of Target, working with Lookingglass to make the arts accessible to all.

A limited number of student tickets are available the day of the show for $20 with valid student ID.

Groups of 10 or more patrons save up to 20%. Call the box office for details.

Box Office:       Buy online at www.lookingglasstheatre.org

or by phone at (312) 337-0665

The Lookingglass box office is located at Water Tower Water Works,

821 N. Michigan Ave.

Lookingglass Theatre is located in the heart of the Magnificent Mile shopping district inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  Discounted parking is available for Lookingglass patrons at both the nearby John Hancock Center and Olympia Centre Self Park (161 E. Chicago Ave.).

The Elephant & The Whale Ticket Giveaway & Original Video Interview With Three of The Creative Masterminds Behind The World Premier #originalvideointerview #giveaway #review #ad

ChiIL Out with ChiIL Mama.   Pop a bowl of popcorn and get ready to see something amazing.  We're so excited to bring you our original video interview with the Co-Directors of The Elephant and The Whale, Frank Maugeri (Redmoon) & Leslie Buxbaum Danzig (500 Clown) and with actor, David Catlin (Lookingglass).   All 3 are parents and theatre professionals and they graciously took time out of their busy lives for an interview with us about the show.  They also shared their insights on "How Creatives Parent and How Parents Create" for ChiIL Mama's long running series on the theme.



We generally try to keep our original videos around 15 minutes, but these three had some seriously sweet gems of info on parenting and great stuff about The Elephant and The Whale, so we're going to go ahead and run it as a longer feature.   I'll also break the material down into shorter 15 minute individual interviews at a later date, to add to our Creative Parenting series.




Win 4 Free Tickets:

ChiIL out with free tickets to Chicago Children's Theatre & Redmoon's stellar collaboration!   Our last giveaway was so successful, we're going to do it again!  Enter now through midnight on 5/13.   This giveaway is short, sweet & hard to beat.    We highly highly recommend you catch this show before it closes May 26th.

Click The Rafflecopter Link Below For Your Chance to Win 4 Tickets To The Elephant & The Whale AND a free pizza party Thurs, 5/16, 6:30 pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ChiIL Live Shows caught the opening weekend of The Elephant & The Whale at Chicago Children's Theatre and we were enormously impressed by this mammoth undertaking.   We've long been fans of Redmoon's mission statement "engineering wonder" and of the fabulous physical comedy and energy of 500 Clown.   These world collided in a BIG way for this show and adults and hard to please tweens and teens will dig this one, too!   Yes, Chicago Children's Theatre is not only for the littles, my friends.   A lot of blood, sweat & prep went into this production, but the end result is pure magic.

Credit for all Production Photos Charles Osgood

Click here for ChiIL Mama's past coverage of The Elephant and The Whale including ticket links, show times and plot points as well as more show footage & stills.

Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often for loads of original content, fabulous happenings and great giveaways.   

**Final footage footnote:  It took me longer than I'd hoped to don my editor's hat and finish the interview above.  There were so many insightful comments in the interviews that I tried to chop it to about 20 minutes for days, and finally surrendered, and decided that this needs to be published as a longer piece... at least once.
   
We also got caught up in crazy busy parenting land over here, with two kids in and out of their own performances with CircEsteem, 2 Roller Derby halftime shows, a school variety show and 2 gymnastics team showcases.   And I had a 4 day International film fest to cover, and a German filmmaker to interview.

Thanks for your patience.   It's worth the wait!   






SPECTACLE IN MINIATURE TELLS THE TALE OF A GIANT FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE LARGEST ANIMALS ON OUR PLANET, APR. 10-MAY 26 AT THE RUTH PAGE CENTER  


This all-new family fable features sea voyages, wild mechanical objects, circus songs, panoramic paintings, exquisite shadow puppets and an innovative sound design. Performances through May 26, 2013 at Chicago Children's Theatre's new home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn, Chicago.

The Elephant and The Whale is recommended for all ages.

Schedule through May 26:  Tuesday at 10 a.m.; Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.; Thursday at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Friday at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Saturday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2p.m. 

Run time is approximately 60 minutes with no intermission.

FREE PIZZA PARTIES ON THURSDAYS & ART PARTIES FRIDAY

As if you need any more reasons to see this show...

Note:  Family-friendly 6:30 p.m. Thursday shows are preceded with a free pizza party starting at 5:45 pm.  Thursday evenings are $25 for dinner and show. On Friday evenings, families are encouraged to kick off their weekend at the 6:30 p.m. show, and stay after for a fun post-show craft party.  Friday evenings are $25 for show and party.

Regular single tickets are $26 for children, $36 for adults. To purchase, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or call (872) 222-9555. For discounted school, scout, playgroup, extended family and other group rates, visit GroupTix.net or call (773) 327-3778. 

Disclaimer:  Thanks to the fabulous folk at Chicago Children's Theatre for giving us family 4 packs of tickets to share with our readers.   All opinions are our own.

ACT OUT OPENING: Lookingglass Theatre Company presents Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo

For more information, visit lookingglass theatre's main site here.

LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE CONTINUES

ITS 25th ANNIVERSARY SEASON WITH:

BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO

WRITTEN BY RAJIV JOSEPH

DIRECTED BY ENSEMBLE MEMBER HEIDI STILLMAN

ChiIL Live Shows has been eagerly awaiting the opening of this show!   Lookingglass is one of our absolute favorites and we can't wait to see them bring this Pulitzer Prize finalist to fruition on the stage.   We'll have a full review for you after February 9th.

Continuing its 25th Anniversary Season, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the 2010 Pulitzer Prize Finalist Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, written by Rajiv Joseph and directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman.  Tickets are now on sale for the production, running January 30 – March 17, 2013 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. 

Two US Marines and an Iraqi translator are thrust into a world of greed, mystery and betrayal after an encounter with a now-deceased but still very pissed-off tiger. The streets of war-torn Baghdad are filled with ghosts, riddles and wry humor in Rajiv Joseph's groundbreaking play that explores the power and perils of human nature.

We were on fire about Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo as soon as we read it, long before we knew about its Broadway production or prior pedigree.  It felt like an intuitive match for Lookingglass; it grapples with all the biggest issues (war, religion, death, violence) in a highly theatrical manner with writing that is intensely lyrical, poetic, and often just hilarious.  It smashes the poetic and the profane right next to each other, and feels simultaneously realistic and surrealistic in a way that is totally original and thrilling,” comments Artistic Director Andy White. “Although it’s about some of the gritty realities of war -- and therefore perhaps not for the faint-of-heart -- it’s also a brilliant, thoughtful, and often very funny and full exploration of the best and worst of human nature both on and off the battlefield.”

Dates: Previews:       January 30, 2013 – February 8, 2013

Regular run:        February 10- March 17, 2013

Times:         Tuesdays: 7:30 p.m. (2/12, 2/26, and 3/12 only)

Wednesdays:   7:30 p.m. 

                  Thursdays:       3:00 p.m. (2/21 and 3/7 only); 7:30 p.m.

                      Fridays:            7:30pm

                       

                           Saturdays:        3:00 p.m.; 7:30 p.m

Sundays:           3:00 p.m.; 7:30 p.m. 

Location:   Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic 

Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  

Prices: Previews are $28 - $38

Regular Run is $36 - $70

Target Saturday Matinees offer a limited number of buy one, get one free tickets which are available to all 3:00 p.m. Saturday matinees. This program is made possible with the generous support of Target, working with Lookingglass to make the arts accessible to all.

A limited number of student tickets are available the day of the show for $20 with valid student ID. 

Groups of 10 or more patrons save up to 20%. Call the box office for details.

Box Office:  Buy online at www.lookingglasstheatre.org 

or by phone at (312) 337-0665

The Lookingglass box office is located at Water Tower Water Works, 

                      821 N. Michigan Ave.

The cast features Troy West (Tiger), JJ Phillips (Kev), Walter Owen Briggs (Tom), Anish Jethmalani (Musa), Kareem Bandealy (Iraqi Man, Uday), Amy J. Carle (Iraqi Woman, Leper) and Atra Asdou (Hadai, Iraqi Teenager).

The designers are Ensemble Member Daniel Ostling (Scenic), Ensemble Member Mara Blumenfeld (Costumes), Christine A. Binder (Lighting), Artistic Associate Rick Sims (Sound/Composer), Maria Defabo (Properties), and Meredith Miller (Specialty Properties Designer).  The Fight Choreographer is Matt Hawkins and the Stage Manager is Artistic Associate Sara Gmitter.

*Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo contains adult themes, coarse language and provocative content.

About Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo artists

Heidi Stillman (Director/Artistic Director of New Work/Ensemble Member) co-created/directed Cascabel with Rick Bayless and Tony Hernandez. Other Lookingglass writing/directing credits include The Last Act of Lilka Kadison, Trust with David Schwimmer, Hephaestus with Tony Hernandez at the Goodman, The Brothers Karamazov, Hard Times (5 Jeff Awards, also traveled to the Arden in Philadelphia), and The Master and Margarita (with David Catlin). Directing credits at Lookingglass include The Wooden Breeks (by Glen Berger), and Hillbilly Antigone (book, music and lyrics by Rick Sims). She also recently staged Laura Eason’s Around the World in 80 Days at Kansas City Rep and Mary Zimmerman’s The Arabian Nights at Berkeley Rep. Other Lookingglass adaptation credits include The Old Curiosity Shop co-written with Ray Fox and Laura Eason (Jeff Award), and The Baron in the Trees with Larry DiStasi. She was last seen on stage in The Arabian Nights. Heidi was awarded the 2010 Raven Award for Excellence in Arts and Entertainment for The Brothers Karamazov. 

Atra Asdou (Hadia, Iraqi Teenager) is making her Lookingglass Theatre debut. Former Chicago theatre credits include Writers’ Theatre, The Goodman, Silk Road Rising, Victory Gardens, American Theatre Company, and most recently, The Gift. Film credits include Johnson, Night Lights, and Follow the Leader. Atra is represented by Gray Talent Group Chicago.

Kareem Bandealy (Uday) appeared previously at Lookingglass in Peter Pan and The Last Act of Lilka Kadison. Chicago credits include Rock ‘N’ Roll, Gas For Less, King Lear (Goodman Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Edward II, Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), The Illusion (Court Theatre), Hamlet, The Caretaker, Heartbreak House (Writers’ Theatre), The Real Thing (Remy Bumppo), It’s a Wonderful Life, Oklahoma! (American Theater Company, ensemble member), Our Enemies, Back of the Throat,10 Acrobats (Silk Road Rising, associate artist), and Wedding Play (About Face). Regional credits include The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Three Musketeers, The Tempest (Illinois Shakespeare), Love’s Labour’s Lost (Notre Dame Shakespeare), Stuff Happens, Julius Caesar (Pittsburgh Irish & Classical), and four seasons at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Film credits include The Merry Gentleman (Michael Keaton, director). In 2011, he received a 3Arts Artist Award. He will be seen next in Blood and Gifts at TimeLine.

Walter Owen Briggs (Tom) is making his Lookingglass debut with Bengal. Recent credits include Glass Menagerie (Mary-Arrchie), The Iron Stag King (The House), Romeo & Juliet (The Hypocrites), and Hit The Wall (The Inconvenience at Steppenwolf and TOTL). Walter is a founding member of The Inconvenience Artistic Syndicate, and is an ensemble member with The Hypocrites. He has worked with: A Red Orchid Theatre, Steep Theater, Chicago Shakespeare, Chicago Children’s Theater, and About Face, among others. Film credits include Possessions and Older Children. Walter earned his BFA from the CCPA at Roosevelt University. 

Amy J. Carle (Iraqi Woman) has previously at Lookingglass in Peter Pan (A Play) and Trust. Other work in Chicago includes The Book Thief, Animals Out of Paper, Sex With Strangers and Hedda Gabler (Steppenwolf Theatre); Season’s Greetings (Northlight Theatre); Orlando (Court Theatre); The Sins of Sor Juana, Rock ‘N’ Roll, Desire Under the Elms (The Goodman Theatre); Refuge (CollaborAction, Jeff nom.); SubUrbia, The Lights (Jeff nom.), Ecstasy, WAS, The Planets (Roadworks Productions). She appeared in the Off Broadway National Tour of The Vagina Monologues. Regional credits include Fully Committed and The Diary of Anne Frank (Madison Repertory Theatre); Morning Star (Kansas City Repertory Theatre). Television credits include "Boss" (STARZ), "Chicago Code" (FOX), "Law & Order" (NBC), and "The Guiding Light" (CBS).

Anish Jethmalani (Musa) returns to Lookingglass Theatre where he previously appeared in Sita Ram and Around the World in 80 Days. His other stage credits include include Wit and several seasons of A Christmas Carol at The Goodman Theatre; Titus Andronicus, Mary Stuart, The Invention of Love and Life’s a Dream at Court Theatre; Romeo and Juliet at Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Homeland Security at Victory Gardens Theater; Citizens of the World at Steppenwolf Theatre; The Caretaker and To the Green Fields Beyond at Writers’ Theatre; Omnium Gatherum, Return to Haifa and The Millionairess at Next Theatre Company; Twelfth Night at First Folio Theatre; Indian Ink and The Sign of the Four at Apple Tree Theatre; Merchant of Venice at Silk Road Rising and The Age of Cynicism or Karaoke Night at The Hog at Chicago Dramatists. He is an ensemble member of Eclipse Theatre Company. Regionally, he appeared in Henry VIII and Much Ado About Nothing at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and his television credits include "Boss" on Starz, "Leverage" on TNT and "Early Edition" on CBS. 

JJ Phillips (Kev) is making his Lookingglass debut. He most recently appeared in Griffin Theatre’s Punk Rock (Jeff Award), directed by Jonathon Berry. Other Theater credits include Treasure Island, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (First Stage Theater). TV and Film credits include "Chicago Fire" (NBC), and the short-film “Green” (Tribeca Film Academy). He studied at the School at Steppenwolf, and under Daniel Cantor at Northwestern University. 

Troy West (Tiger/Artistic Associate) has appeared with Lookingglass in Old Curiosity Shop, George, The Great Fire, Great Men of Science, Hard Times, The Idiot, The Wooden Breeks; with Steppenwolf, the original productions of Picasso at the Lapin Agile (also NY, SF and LA) and August: Osage County (also Broadway, London and Australia) and The Berlin Circle, among others; with A Red Orchid Theatre, The Grey Zone, The Physicists and Bug (also off-Broadway) among others. Other Chicago credits include Goodman, Chicago Dramatists, Remains, Roadworks, Famous Door, among others. Movies include “The Dilemma,” “Hellcab,” and “Advantage: Weinberg.” TV credits include "Pursuit of Happiness," "Nash Bridges," "Unusual Phenomena," and "Early Edition."

About Lookingglass

Lookingglass Theatre is located in the heart of the Magnificent Mile shopping district inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  Discounted parking is available for Lookingglass patrons at both the nearby John Hancock Center and Olympia Centre Self Park (161 E. Chicago Ave.). 

About Lookingglass Theatre Company 

Inventive.  Collaborative.  Transformative.  Lookingglass Theatre Company, recipient of the 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award, was founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students.  2012-2013 marks the company’s 25th anniversary season. Lookingglass is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric. Lookingglass has staged 58 world premieres at 23 venues across Chicago, and garnered 52 Joseph Jefferson Awards and Citations. 

Work premiered at Lookingglass has been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, Philadelphia, Princeton, Hartford, Kansas City, Washington D.C., and St. Louis.  Lookingglass original scripts have been produced across the United States. 

The Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago's landmark Water Tower Water Works opened in June 2003.  In addition to developing and presenting ensemble work, Lookingglass Education and Community programs encourage creativity, teamwork and confidence with thousands of community members each year.

Lookingglass Theatre Company continues to expand its artistic, financial and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Artistic Director Andrew White, Executive Director Rachel Kraft, Producing Artistic Director Philip R. Smith, Artistic Director of New Work Heidi Stillman, a 22-member artistic ensemble, 15 artistic associates, 11 production affiliates, an administrative staff and a dedicated board of directors led by Chairman Richard Ditton of Incredible Technologies and President Joe Brady of Jones Lang LaSalle. 

LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE EXTENDS THE CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED, HIT PRODUCTION METAMORPHOSES #review

all photos by Liz Lauren

LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE EXTENDS

THE CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED, HIT PRODUCTION

METAMORPHOSES

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY ENSEMBLE MEMBER MARY ZIMMERMAN

**FOUR WEEKS ADDED**

Tickets available through December 16, 2012

Act fast!  These tickets won't last.  We saw Metamorphoses opening night and this production is beyond beautiful.  This is THE must see show of the season.   A decade after Lookingglass first brought Metamorphoses to life, the theatre world was still reeling.   I missed the original run but spoke to a hand full of people right before I saw the show who said the production literally changed their lives.   "You would remember if you'd seen it."    "After seeing Metamorphoses the first time, I've made it a point to see everything Mary Zimmerman has had a hand in."   There's a reason this show went on to Broadway and garnered Mary Zimmerman a 2002 Tony Award for Best Director.

This is definitely a show for mature audiences.   Be aware there is male frontal nudity, an incest scene and every vice known to Ovid.  That said, everything is done in an artistic, amazing way and teens and even mature tweens would be able to handle this show with parental guidance and discussion.   If in doubt, check it out.   As always, you know your own children best and your comfort level and theirs.   Particularly for older children who are familiar with an enjoy and understand Ovid's stories, Midas, Narcissus and the others will forever vividly spring to life after seeing Metamorphoses live.   

Transformative is the word that comes to mind.   From a watery world reminiscent of something primordial, baptismal and subconscious, Metamorphoses emerges with the all the passions, foibles, and human nature of the Greek myths.   I want to come back again and bring everyone I know.  Highly recommended!

Lookingglass Theatre Company announces a four week extension of Metamorphoses, based on the myths of Ovid from a translation by David Slavitt, written and directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman. The revival production, coinciding with the 10^th Anniversary of the Broadway production, is now playing through December 16, 2012, at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. 

Tickets, $36-$70, are available online, www.lookingglasstheatre.org; by phone, (312) 337-0665; or at the Lookingglass Theatre box office, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  For more information and box office hours, visit www.lookingglasstheatre.org.

In 1998, Lookingglass debuted Metamorphoses, a play of such grace and power that the memory of it still lingers in the minds of audiences today.  The critically-acclaimed, record-breaking Chicago engagement led to a Broadway production that garnered Mary Zimmerman the 2002 Tony Award for Best Director and catapulted Lookingglass onto the national stage. 

From a simple, rippling pool of water, Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman conjured the force of Ovid’s ancient myths into gorgeous imagery and breathtaking storytelling.  Metamorphoses’ highly-acclaimed Chicago revival features a number of Lookingglass Ensemble Members and original cast members.

In February 2013, Lookingglass Theatre’s production of Metamorphoses, will transfer to The Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.  Last season, The Arena Stage brought Lookingglass’ hit production of The Arabian Nights to its stage.

 

Metamorphoses features members of the original Lookingglass Chicago cast, Anjali Bhimani (Myrrha and Others), Lawrence E. DiStasi (Hermes and Others),Marilyn Dodds Frank (Therapist and Others), Raymond Fox (Midas and Others), Douglas Hara (Phaeton and Others), Chris Kipiniak (Erysichthon and Others),Louise Lamson (Alcyone and Others).  The cast also includes returning cast member Anne Fogarty (Aphrodite and Others) and new cast members Usman Ally(Orpheus and Others) and Lauren Orkus (Eurydice and Others).  On November 20, Patrick Andrews will join the cast, replacing Doug Hara as Phaeton and Others; and Metamorphoses original cast member Erik Lochtefeld will return to Lookingglass to play Ceyx and Others, replacing Usman Ally.  On December 4, Ashleigh Lathrop will join the cast as Myrrha and Others, replacing Anjali Bhimani; and Tempe Thomas will play Aphrodite and Others, replacing Anne Fogarty, who moves to playing Therapist and Others in the place of Marrilyn Dodds Frank.

Mary Zimmerman has worked with Lookingglass Theatre Company for more than twenty years. She adapted and directed The Odyssey, The Secret in the Wings, Arabian Nights, S/M, Metamorphoses, the Lookingglass/About Face collaboration of Eleven Rooms of Proust and Argonautika. Zimmerman is also part of the Goodman Theatre artistic team where she adapted and directed The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci (with several members of the Lookingglass ensemble), Silk, Journey to the West, Mirror of the Invisible World and a re-creation of The Odyssey. She has twice directed for the New York Shakespeare Festival in the Park. Her work has won awards in Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, Berkeley and New York including the 2002 Tony Award for her direction of Metamorphoses on Broadway. In the world of opera, she directed and wrote the libretto Galileo Galilei (Philip Glass, composer) which was produced at the Goodman Theatre and the Barbican Theatre in London. Additionally, she has directed three operas at The Metropolitan Opera in New York City: Lucia Di Lammermoor, La Sonnambula, and Rossini’s Armida.  In 1998, she was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship. She lives in Evanston and is a professor of Performance Studies at Northwestern University.

 

Tickets and information—Metamorphoses

Tickets, $36-$70, are available online, www.lookingglasstheatre.org; by phone, (312) 337-0665; or at the Lookingglass Theatre box office, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  For more information and box office hours, visit www.lookingglasstheatre.org.

Target Saturday Matinees offer a limited number of buy one, get one free tickets which are available to all 3:00 p.m. Saturday matinees. This program is made possible with the generous support of Target, working with Lookingglass to make the arts accessible to all.

A limited number of student tickets are available the day of the show for $20 with valid student ID.

Groups of 10 or more people save up to 20% on tickets.  Special student group tickets are also available.

Lookingglass Theatre is located in the heart of the Magnificent Mile shopping district inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  Discounted parking is available for Lookingglass patrons at both the nearby John Hancock Center and Olympia Centre Self Park (161 E. Chicago Ave.).To purchase tickets, call the Lookingglass Theatre box office at (312) 337-0665 or visit lookingglasstheatre.org.

Production Sponsors for Metamorphoses include United Airlines, the official and exclusive airline of Lookingglass Theatre Company, and The Pauls Foundation.

About Lookingglass Theatre Company

Inventive.  Collaborative.  Transformative.  Lookingglass Theatre Company, recipient of the 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award, was founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students.  2012-2013 marks the company’s 25^th anniversary season. Lookingglass is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric. Lookingglass has staged 58 world premieres at 23 venues across Chicago, and garnered 52 Joseph Jefferson Awards and Citations.

Work premiered at Lookingglass has been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, Philadelphia, Princeton, Hartford, Kansas City, Washington D.C., and St. Louis.  Lookingglass original scripts have been produced across the United States.

The Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago's landmark Water Tower Water Works opened in June 2003.  In addition to developing and presenting ensemble work, Lookingglass Education and Community programs encourage creativity, teamwork and confidence with thousands of community members each year.

Lookingglass Theatre Company continues to expand its artistic, financial and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Artistic Director Andrew White, Executive Director Rachel Kraft, Producing Artistic Director Philip R. Smith, Artistic Director of New Work Heidi Stillman, a 22-member artistic ensemble, 15 artistic associates, 11 production affiliates, an administrative staff and a dedicated board of directors led by Chairman Richard Ditton of Incredible Technologies and President Joe Brady of Jones Lang LaSalle. For more information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org.

 

FACTS/Metamorphoses

Title:                Metamorphoses

Based on the Myths of Ovid

Written &

directed by:      Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman

Translation by: David Slavitt

Dates:               Regular run:                 September 19 - November 18, 2012

                        Extension                     through December 16, 2012

Times:              Tuesdays:                    7:30 p.m. (10/23, 11/06, 11/20 and12/4 only)

                         Wednesdays:               7:30 p.m.

                         Thursdays:                  3:00 p.m. (10/18, 11/01, 11/15, 11/29 and 12/13 only);

7:30 p.m.

No performances on Thanksgiving

                         Fridays:                       3:00 p.m. (11/23 only); 7:30 p.m.

                                      Saturdays:                  3:00 p.m.; 7:30 p.m.

      Sundays:                      3:00 p.m.; 7:30 p.m. (no 7:30pm show on 11/25)            

Location:          Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic

Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.  

Prices:             $36 - $70

                                    

Target Saturday Matinees offer a limited number of buy one, get one free tickets which are available to all 3:00 p.m. Saturday matinees. This program is made possible with the generous support of Target, working with Lookingglass to make the arts accessible to all.

A limited number of student tickets are available the day of the show for $20 with valid student ID.

Groups of 10 or more patrons save up to 20%. Call the box office for details.

Box Office:       Buy online at www.lookingglasstheatre.org

or by phone at (312) 337-0665

The Lookingglass box office is located at Water Tower Water Works,

821 N. Michigan Ave.