OPENING: THE MIDWEST PREMIERE OF AN OAK TREE​ VIA RED THEATER TO KICK OFF 7TH SEASON 11/1-12/9/18

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

RED THEATER TO KICK OFF 7TH SEASON WITH

THE MIDWEST PREMIERE OF

AN OAK TREE​ BY TIM CROUCH

Red Theater Chicago announces the start of their 7th season with their upcoming production of An Oak Tree by Tim Crouch, directed by Jeremy Aluma and starring Gage Wallace, both Red Theater company members. Performances run November 1 through December 9, 2018. Performances run at the Athenaeum Theatre in Studio One at 2936 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657.

I'll be out for the press opening on Saturday, November 3 at 8:00pm, so check back soon after for my full review.

THE PLAY
Two Actors. One has rehearsed the play. The second has never even read it. Performed by a different person each night, the second actor will discover the play and their role at the same time as you do. In this Midwest Premiere by Tim Crouch, An Oak Tree asks, how do we transform our world in order to survive our pain? How do we create our own reality? Anything can happen in this play that illuminates the magic of theater – a cheap trick and a genuine spell all at once.

THE FORMAT
The FIRST ACTOR or HYPNOTIST is being played by Gage Wallace. We will announce the actors playing the SECOND ACTOR on the Tuesday prior to each upcoming weekend performances.

WHEN:
Saturday, November 3rd at 8:00 pm (press opening)
Sunday, November 4th at 6:00 pm
Monday, November 5th at 7:00 pm
Friday, November 9th at 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 10th at 8:00 pm
Sunday, November 11th at 6:00 pm
Thursday, November 15th at 8:00 pm
Friday, November 16th at 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 17th at 8:00 pm
Sunday, November 18th at 6:00 pm
Saturday, November 24th at 8:00 pm
Sunday, November 25th at 6:00 pm
Monday, November 26th at 7:00 pm
Friday, November 30th at 8:00 pm
Saturday, December 1st at 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 2nd at 6:00 pm
Thursday, December 6th at 8:00 pm
Friday, December 7th at 8:00 pm
Saturday, December 8th at 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 9th at 6:00 pm (closing)

TICKETS: Tickets are on sale at redtheater.org
PRESS CONTACT: Neil O'Callaghan at marketing@redtheater.org or 617.794.2475

TICKETS, DATES & INFORMATION
An Oak Tree runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 6:00 pm from November 3 through December 9. There are two additional Monday performances on November 5 and November 26 at 7:00 pm. There are no performances on November 8, 22, 23 or 29. Tickets went on sale on September 1, 2018.

An Oak Tree by Tim Crouch will be performed at the Athenaeum Theatre in Studio One at 2936 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657.
The closest “L” stop is the Brown Line at Wellington Ave. Then walk 4 blocks WEST to Southport. Turn LEFT on Southport and go to 2936 N. Southport. The best bus to take is CTA Bus #9. For bus and train schedules, contact the CTA at (312) 836-7000.

There is plenty of free, unrestricted street parking in the area around the theatre west of Southport. Additionally, there is a $2/hour parking lot behind the theatre, which is shared with St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, enter this parking lot on Oakdale St. There is a second parking lot on the corner of Southport Ave. and Oakdale St, enter this parking lot on Southport Ave.

THE PEOPLE
Tim Crouch (Playwright)​ is a UK theatre artist based in Brighton. He writes plays, performs inthem and takes responsibility for their production. He started  to make his own work in 2003. Before then he was an actor. His plays include My Arm, An Oak Tree, ENGLAND, and The Author. His work has been seen at the Royal Court Theatre, the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, the
British Council, Brighton Festival, Singapore Arts Festival, Culturgest in Lisbon, Warwick Arts Centre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. Tim’s work tours extensively to UK and international venues and festivals. timcrouchtheatre.co.uk

Jeremy Aluma (Director)​ is an award-winning, Jewish-American theatre director of Iraqi descent. He founded the internationally touring clown troupe, Four Clowns and served as Artistic Director during their first seven years. Directing credits include: Abraham & Isaac (MuBe Cultural Theatre, São Paulo, Brazil); Pinocchio and Robin Hood (South Coast Repertory, CA);
Sublimity (Theatre Row, NYC); The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Red Theater, Chicago); Crumble, Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake (Sacred Fools, LA); The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Urban Theatre Movement, LA); Henry’s Potato (REDCAT, LA); In Arabia We’d All Be Kings (Alive Theatre, Long Beach); Jonah (Annenberg, Santa Monica) and Hamlet (American Coast Theater, CA). His original show, Four Clowns toured nationally to La MaMa (NYC); Chopin
Theatre (Chicago); Gremlin Theatre (St. Paul, MN); Exit Theatre (San Francisco); Space 55 (Phoenix, AZ); and Insurgo Theater Movement (Las Vegas). He is the recipient of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Cultural Exchange International Grant, the City of Santa Monica, Annenberg Community Beach House Residency, and the Long Beach Arts
Council Community Project Grant. Aluma is a company member at Red Theater and member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Union (SDC). He continues to teach and take classes at The Clown School and is currently pursuing his MFA in Directing at The Theatre School at DePaul University. Upcoming: A Dybbuk or Between Two Worlds by S. Anksy adapted by Tony
Kushner, February 2019. Jeremyaluma.com

Gage Wallace (HYPNOTIST)​ is a Founding and Company Member with Red Theater Chicago. He is also an Ensemble Member with Strawdog Theatre Company. Recent Chicago Credits include: Taste (Jeff Award – Principal Actor), Year of the Rooster, Dylan, and Red Hamlet (Red Theater Chicago); Pillars of the Community, Cymbeline (Strawdog Theatre); You Can't Take It with You (Oak Park Festival Theatre); The White Road (Jeff Award Nomination – Ensemble), In a Little World of Our Own (Irish Theatre of Chicago); Ghosts (Mary Arrchie Theatre Co.). Gage is represented by the incredible people at Shirley Hamilton Talent. www.gagewallace.com

The FIRST ACTOR or HYPNOTIST is being played by Gage Wallace. We will announce the actors playing the SECOND ACTOR on the Tuesday prior to each upcoming weekend performances.

The artistic team includes Alex Casillas (Scenic & Prop Design), Hailey Rakowiecki (Costume Design), John Nichols (Sound Design), Abby Beggs (Lighting Design), Aaron Sawyer (Producer) and Marisa Lehrman (Producer).

ABOUT RED THEATER CHICAGO
Red Theater Chicago, now in its 7th Season, is committed to honoring all audiences by asking
dangerous questions through accessible performances that broaden perspectives and inspire
dialogue.

REVIEW: Red Theater Chicago's The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity Through August 10th

Chi IL Live Shows On Our Radar:

FREE Remount of Red Theater Chicago's 
Award Winning Production

The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity

5 Performances Only! 

All Production Photos Via Red Theater Chicago

REVIEW:

Tuesday night, my son, Dugan and I made the trek from Chicago's northwest side down to 7059 S. South Shore Dr. My son was particularly excited to see the show, since he had worked on productions at Actors Gymnasium with several involved with the show, and Alejandro Tey had directed a couple AG youth circus shows both of my teens were in. 

Parking was plentiful and it was easy to find the elegantly retro, south side gem, The South Shore Cultural Center. I'd been there decades ago for their jazz fest and on a wedding location scout with a friend, but I'd forgotten the opulent chandeliers and solarium. It was like walking into another world. 

 South Shore Cultural Center Photos by B. Kenaz-Mara 

Then we entered the theatre, and it was like walking into another universe. A wrestling platform, ringed with risers full of seats, dominated an arena with loud music playing, and a palpable excitement among the fans filing in. A lone wrestler, Alejandro Tey, begins to warm up and runs through his paces, bouncing off the walls, practicing impressive acro moves, and crashing to the mat with thunderous reverberations. 

A wall full of screens comes to life with vivid wrestling promo videos and character intros, and we're off. This fast paced production is full of award winning stage combat, stunning choreography, and non stop excitement. The action is impressive and the characters colorful, but what really elevates The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity is the depth and insight this show brings. The production is a microcosm of the world of marketing racism, fear and stereotypes for profit and entertainment. This is a searing look at capitalism, complicity, ego, and the chasm between minority reality and scripted drivel for profit. It's easy to see how Kyle Encinas won the 2018 Jeff Award for Fight Choreography for this production. Truly impressive work!

Alejandro Tey breaks down the 4th wall with his monologues directly to the audience, in a phenomenal performance that's as thought provoking as it is physical. Kristoffer Diaz's writing is spot on and the entire cast brings his words vividly to life and slams them home. Chad Deity provides a terrifically timely and much needed springboard for conversations around how our society falsely elevates some and crushes many, without regard for actual talent or skill. When this extends to entire socioeconomic classes and/or races or religions, we have a huge problem that needs to be acknowledged and fixed. I highly recommend catching this excellent production.

DATES: 

Tuesday, August 7 at 7pm 

Wednesday, August 8 at 7pm 

Thursday, August 9 at 2pm 

Thursday, August 9 at 7pm 

Friday, August 10 at 7pm

South Shore Center

LOCATION: 

Robeson Theater, South Shore Cultural Center 

7059 S. South Shore Dr. 

Chicago, IL 60649

RSVP

Tickets are FREE. Secure yours now!

Click here or call 312.742.7994

Red Theater Chicago's Jeff Award-winning production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity will receive a limited remount as part of the 2018 Theater on the Lake Summer Theater Festival. Written by Kristoffer Diaz and directed by company member Jeremy Aluma, performances will take place August 7-10, 2018 at The South Shore Cultural Center.

What people are saying about The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity: 

* 2017 Top 10 Best Off-Loop Productions – Chicago Tribune

* 3.5 STARS “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity shows exquisite staying power.” – Chicago Tribune 

* “Aluma’s production is, quite simply, all-inclusive & terrifically breathtaking.” – Chicago Theatre Review 

* “Aluma’s direction sizzles and his cast of actor/wrestlers are all outstanding.” – Third Coast Review

* 2017 Best Revival of a Play Nomination – Broadway World

Kyle Encinas won the 2018 Jeff Award for Fight Choreography for his work with The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, and Alejandro Tey (Mace) was nominated for Performer in a Principle Role. Don't miss this rare opportunity to check out the show that the Tribune said delivers a power slam!

Tickets for this return engagement are FREE and can be reserved through the Chicago Park District!

THE PLAY: 

How does one pursue the "American Dream" in a country that refuses to offer opportunity indiscriminately? That is the question at the heart of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, an American satire set in the professional entertainment wrestling world. We follow Macedonio Guerra, an excellent Puerto Rican wrestler, as he rises from the bottom of the pecking order. In this interactive physical comedy, Mace talks directly to the audience as fans in his arena. The play dissects race, xenophobia, ego, and our moral compass - topics even more relevant now than when it premiered nine years ago.

THE CAST: 

Alejandro Tey as MACE, Harsh Gagoomal as VP, Breon Arzell as CHAD DEITY, Frank Stasio as EKO, Will Snyder as THE BAD GUY, and Dave Honigman as REFEREE.

PRODUCTION TEAM: 
Stage Manager: Jamie Crothers 
Costume Designer: Hailey Rakowiecki 
Lighting Designer: Charles Blunt 
Sound Designer: Sarah D. Espinoza 
Technical Director & Set Designer: Becca Venable 
Projection Designer: Alberto Mendoza and Matt Hooks 
Fight Choreographer: Kyle Encinas 
Props Designer: Kat Moraros 
Assistant Director: Nathan Speckman 
Dramaturg: Joseph Galizia 
Associate Producer: Rory Jobst

ABOUT RED THEATER: Red Theater is a Jeff Award-winning company that asks dangerous questions, striving to deliver productions that go beyond entertainment, challenging an audience to interpret the themes and ideas presented on a personal level. Since 2008, our commitment to accessibility through every stage of the creative process also lowers the barriers of access, allowing all audiences to see new and reimagined works that broaden perspectives and inspire dialogue.

OPENING: RED THEATER'S The Feast Comes To The Den Theatre Sept 17 - Oct 15

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar: The Feast by Celine Song

Chicago Premiere Directed by Gage Wallace* Sept. 17 – Oct. 15, 2016 (corrected) Location: The Den Theatre 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622 Welcome to The Feast- where no meat is served. To fill the void, we reach for whatever is in our grasp – scientific facts, routines, memories, words and even each other. Red Theater presents this urgently consuming Chicago Premiere set in a post-meat apocalypse that asks just how far civilized people will go to fill their hunger.

Cast Announcement:

Wendy- Alejandra Vivanco  Rhett- Carl Wisniewski  Sam- Shelby Garrett  Francis- Brandon Boler  Xander- Henry Greenberg  Butler- Pavi Proczko * *indicates Red Theater Associate or Company Member

Janette Bauer, Managing Director Production Team Stage Manager........Becky Warner  Scenic Designer........Mike Mroch  Costume Designer........Jerica Hucke  Lighting Designer........John "Smooch" Medina  Props Designer........Devon Green  Composer........ Pavi Proczko * Artistic Director........Aaron Sawyer *  Managing Director/Producer........Janette Bauer  Technical Director........Liam Fitzgerald  Casting Coordinator........Kanome Jones *  Director of Accessibility........Kira Meskin

Ticket Information:

Tickets will be made available to Comrade Card holders in August and the general public on September 1st, 2016

Visit redtheater.org/tickets

OPENING: TASTE at Redtwist Theatre

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

RED THEATER CHICAGO

and Aperture Entertainment in association with Redtwist Theatre

present the Chicago Premiere of

TASTE

by Benjamin Brand

Directed by Artistic Director Aaron Sawyer 

April 23 - May 22nd, 2016, at Redtwist Theatre

**Warning: Due to strong sexual content and imagery, no one under the age of 18 will be admitted.**

Based on true events, Taste tells the story of two men who meet online and make a unique arrangement: one man will kill, cook, and eat the other. Over the course of the evening, secrets are revealed, boundaries are tested, and a strange but beautiful relationship unfolds. Deliciously voyeuristic, sinfully elegant, and surprisingly touching, this is Taste.

CAST: Kevin V Smith (Vic); Gage Wallace (Terry)

Runs: Apr 23 to May 22, 2016 at Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr 

Performance times: Saturdays at 3pm, & Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Sundays at 7:30pm

Captioned Performances: 5/1, 5/4, & 5/21. For additional questions about Accessibility including Captioned and Touch-Tour performances, please visit www.redtheater.org/access/

FREE Theater Tickets: available at redtheater.org/tickets or by calling (773) 733-0540 or emailboxoffice@redtheater.org

Redtwist is located at 1044 W Bryn Mawr, 2 blks W of LSD, 2 blks E of the Red Line EL station. 

Valet parking for Redtwist is available across the street in front of Francesca's Bryn Mawr for most performances-hours vary. Dining is not required. Limited FREE street parking is available on side streets. There is metered street parking via ParkChicago.com app or 3-hour Paybox on Bryn Mawr Av and 2-hour Paybox on side streets. Free on Sundays, and after 10pm Mon thru Sat.