Invictus Theatre Company’s THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH Playing at the Windy City Playhouse October 29 – December 15, 2024

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Invictus Theatre Company’s Cast announced for 

THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH

playing October 29 – December 15

Invictus Theatre Company today announced the cast and production team for its season-closing presentation of THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH, Shakespeare’s tale of the seductive nature of power that combines Scottish history with magical realism. The tragedy’s three witches who warn Macbeth about his future will make their first appearance just before Halloween, with previews beginning on October 29,  leading up to an opening on Monday, November 4 at 7 pm and playing through December 15. 

THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH will be directed by Sarafina Vecchio, a Chicago-based actor and director, an educator with Acting Studio Chicago, and an adjunct professor at Chicago College of the Performing Arts. Vecchio earned a Post-Graduate Award in Teaching Shakespeare from The University of Warwick (UK, in conjunction with the Royal Shakespeare Company) and has been a guest instructor to Ontario, Canada's Stratford Festival. CHICAGO STAGE AND SCREEN’s Angela Allyn praised Vecchio’s text coaching for Invictus’ JULIUS CAESAR for being “as modern sounding as your favorite political podcast. You have heard these speeches before but never like this. This is a Caesar for everyone.” I'll be out for the press opening November 4th, so check back shortly after for my full review.

Vecchio’s cast will be led by Mikha’el Amin as Macbeth, seen most recently in the title role of Lincoln in Invictus’s TOPDOG/UNDERDOG. His previous roles with Invictus include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in THE MOUNTAINTOP and Marc Antony in JULIUS CAESAR. Lady Macbeth will be played by Carolyn Kruse, whose experience in playing wicked women includes her role as Madame Defarge in Lifeline’s A TALE OF TWO CITIES, along with many other roles for such Chicago companies as The Artistic Home, Irish Theater of Chicago, and Redtwist Theatre. Also in the cast are Christy Arington  (Witch 1), Tessa Dougherty (Witch 2), Julia Rowley (Witch 3), Michael B. Woods (Macduff), Diego Longoria (Malcolm), Joshua Razavi (Lennox), Aimee Kleiman (Rosse), Charlie Diaz (Banquo), Amber Dow (Servant), Joseph Beal (Seyton), Robert Koon (Actor 1: Duncan/Murderer 2/Old Siward), Michaela Shapiro (Actor 2: Kid Macduff/Young Siward/Lord/Soldier), Whitney Minarik (Actor 3: Captain/Lady Macduff/Doctor/Lord), and Layke Fowler (Actor 4: Lords/Soldiers/Fleance). Understudies are Steve Peebles (Macbeth), Laura Resinger (Lady Macbeth/Actor 3/Servant), Joshua Razavi (Banquo), Charlie Diaz (Macduff), Amber Dow (Rosse/Witch Swing), Layke Fowler (Malcolm), Alexandria Bressette (Actor 2/Actor 4/Witch Swing), and Craig Duff (Actor 1/Seyton/Lennox).

Top row (I-r): Mikha’el Amin, Christy Arington, Joseph Beal, Charlie Diaz, 

Second row (I-r): Tessa Dougherty, Amber Dow, Layke Fowler, Aimee Kleiman, 

Third row (l-r): Robert Koon, Carolyn Kruse, Diego Longoria, Whitney Minarik

Fourth row (l-r): Joshua Razavi, Julia Rowley, Michaela Shapiro, Michael B. Woods

Bottom row (l-r): Alexandria Bressette, Craig Duff, Steve Peebles, Laura Reisinger

The production team includes Jeff Award winner Petter Wahlbäck (Sound Designer), Cindy Moon (Costume Designer), Grace Weir (Stitcher), Hannah Wien (Lighting Designer), Hannah Bolstad (Master Electrician), Manuel Ortiz (Scenic Designer), Barbie Brown (Props Designer), Jay Donley and Amber Wuttke of Violent Delights (Fight/Intimacy Designers), Brandon Boler (Assistant Director), Rooney G. (Production Manager), Desiree Stypinski (Stage Manager), Becca Holloway (Casting Director), Mary Carroll Dougherty (Marketing Manager) and Ana Schedler (Graphic Designer). Charles Askenaizer is Artistic Director and Todd Henry Faulstich is Executive Producer.

Vecchio says, “Even though the production is set 1000 years in the past, the play’s many themes are still very current; especially the theme of unchecked ambition. My hope is this production will spark a rich conversation about what might drive a person to make dangerous choices in the name of success; and how we may avoid these events in the future.”

Invictus Theatre Company has been one of the most notable success stories among Chicago’s storefront theatres in spite of the challenges facing the theater community in recent years, When the pandemic shut down in-person performances just three years after the company’s founding, they responded with a thrillingly intimate Zoom production of ‘NIGHT, MOTHER. They returned from the pandemic by acquiring their own space – the former Frontier Theater, which they renamed in honor of the late founding company member Reginald Vaughn. In that space, they continued to build a reputation for intimate and honest interpretations of classics with fidelity to the original texts and close attention to character development. The company’s extraordinarily successful 2021-22 season netted the company five Jeff Awards for its 13 nominations.

The company continued its upward trajectory with its 2022-23 season. That season began with intimate, yet full-scale, stagings of the epics JULIUS CAESAR and THE CRUCIBLE along with the two-hander THE MOUNTAINTOP. After a fire in July 2023 made the Reginald Vaughn Theatre unusable, the company relocated in 2024 to the Windy City Playhouse, where it has produced the critically acclaimed and popular hits TOPDOG/UNDERDOG (“…intense, grueling, and hilarious” – TALKIN’ BROADWAY), THREE SISTERS (“performances are universally first-rate” – CHICAGO READER) and the Chicago premiere of NETWORK (“a memorable production of an important and illuminating play” – NEW CITY).

Tickets for Invictus's THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH are $25 for previews October 29 - November 3, and all Mondays (except opening night November 4); and $38 for general admission opening night and Fridays through Sundays for the regular run. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/invictus-theatre-company/.

THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH

by William Shakespeare

Adapted and Directed by Sarafina Vecchio

October 29 – December 15, 2024

Previews: Tuesday 10/29/24, Friday 11/1/24, Saturday 11/2/24 @ 7pm; and Saturday 11/2/24, Sunday 11/3/24 @ 2pm.

Press Opening Monday 11/4/24 @ 7pm

Regular performances Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays @ 7pm and Saturdays, Sundays @ 2pm through 12/15/24

Performances at Windy City Playhouse, 3014 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago

Ticket prices: $25 for previews and Mondays (except opening night November 4), and $38 for general admission opening night November 4 and Fridays through Sundays for the regular run.

Info at www.invictustheatreco.com

Tickets at https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/invictus-theatre-company/

One of Shakespeare's most popular and enduring tragedies. A brave Scottish general named Macbeth receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the Scottish throne for himself. Forced to commit more and more murders to protect himself from enmity and suspicion, he soon becomes a tyrannical ruler. The bloodbath and consequent civil war swiftly take Macbeth and Lady Macbeth into the realms of madness and death.

BIOS

Sarafina Vecchio (Director) is an actor, director, and educator who has worked in Chicago and the surrounding area for over 25 years. She holds a Post-Graduate Award in Teaching Shakespeare from The University of Warwick in conjunction with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Coventry, England. She earned her Bachelor's in Theatre from Roosevelt University and studied classical acting at Richmond College in London. She is a long time faculty member with Acting Studio Chicago and is also an adjunct professor at Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. She is also honored to have been invited as a guest instructor to Ontario, Canada's Stratford Festival, where she taught their acting company techniques in Shakespeare instruction. As a performer and creative, Sarafina has worked locally with many companies, including: Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Shattered Globe, Lakeside Shakespeare, Drury Lane, TimeLine, Remy Bumppo, Irish Theatre of Chicago, Oak Park Festival Theatre, Invictus, Speaking Ring, The Other Theatre Company, Steel Beam, and Janus. She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA.

Charles Askenaizer (Artistic Director) is the Founding Artistic Director of Invictus Theatre. He won the 2022 Jeff Award (Non-Equity Wing) for his direction of the company’s WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, which also won Jeff Awards for Production of a Play, Scenic Design (Kevin Rolfs), and Performer in a Supporting Role – Play (Rachel Livingston). Other recent directing credits include THREE SISTERS, NETWORK, THE CRUCIBLE, JULIUS CAESAR, and HAMLET (Invictus Theatre), readings with Chicago Dramatists, 'NIGHT, MOTHER (Associate Director-Invictus Theatre), THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (Invictus Theatre), OTHELLO: THE MOOR OF VENICE (Invictus Theatre), TITUS ANDRONICUS (Bare Knuckles Theater), JULIUS CAESAR (Associate Director- Brown Paper Box) , TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (Reutan Collective), and THE DIFFERENCE (Reading-Piccolo Theatre). Charles has worked with Citadel Theatre, Teatro Vista, the Artistic Home, City Lit, Raven, Brown Paper Box, Chicago Dramatists, the Side Project and many more.

Charles graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Theatre and Communications. He has worked professionally in Chicago as an actor, director, and teacher for over 10 years.

ABOUT INVICTUS THEATRE COMPANY

At Invictus Theatre Company, our mission is to create theatre that promotes a better understanding of language: its poetry, its rhythm, its resonance; through diverse works by diverse artists. We respect the power of heightened language: spoken, written, sung; to express the breadth of the human condition. We work to harness the power of language: to promote diversity, to engender respect, to foster collaboration; and to empower our communities to share their voices.

Invictus Theatre Company incorporated in January 2017 and received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in February 2017. A diverse group of Chicago actors and directors founded Invictus with the vision to empower their communities through theatrical productions of heightened language. We are committed to the idea that our productions should reflect the communities we represent, and, to that end, we are committed to non-discriminatory hiring practices. In working with local artists, designers, and production teams, Invictus Theatre Company does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, nationality, citizenship, religion, or any other status protected by law.

Sondheim Tribute Revue Via Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre March 8-April 28, 2024

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THEO UBIQUE CABARET THEATRE ANNOUNCES CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM OF NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN 

SONDHEIM TRIBUTE REVUE

A specially curated evening of Sondheim favorites will run March 8-April 28, 2024.

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre announced today the cast and production team of Sondheim Tribute Revue playing March 8-April 28, 2024 at Theo’s home on Howard Street in Evanston. In celebration and honor of Sondheim’s passing through a collaboration with MTI and The Estate of Stephen Sondheim, theater companies have been invited to produce their own customizable Sondheim tributes. The tributes are curated from a selection of songs in which Sondheim wrote for the stage as solo composer and lyricist. Theo’s production will feature personal salutes to the late Broadway giant from the actors themselves along with performances from Anyone Can Whistle, Frogs, Saturday Night, Sweeney Todd, Company, and more!

“Stephen Sondheim is one of the greatest minds to ever write in the musical theater landscape,” says Artistic Director Fred Anzevino. “Ultimately, this is the story of Sondheim. You’ll be able to watch the evolution of his work and gain a sense of how he grew as a composer. We wanted the opportunity to honor his work through our work and this is really Theo coming back to itself. We started as a cabaret company, and we are thrilled for this unique opportunity to utilize Sondheim’s music and create something for our audiences that truly won’t be seen anywhere else.”

The Creative team is helmed by Jeff Award winners Fred Anzevino (he/him) as Director, and Jenna Schoppe (she/her) as Co-Choreographer/Associate Director. J Alan (J/she) returns to Theo as Co- Choreographer and Assistant Director, Carolyn Brady (she/they) makes their Theo debut as Music Director and Evelyn Ryan (she/her) joins the team as Assistant Music Director.

The cast welcomes the return of two Theo Jeff-nominated performers, Max DeTogne (he/him; Jesus Christ Superstar) and Joe Giovannetti (he/him; The Most Happy Fella). Elya Bottiger (she/her) and Maliha Sayed (she/her) make their Theo debuts with Isa Garcia (they/he; The Threepenny Opera) taking on a featured role for the first time at the company. Rounding out the cast are J Alan (J/she) and Melody Murray (she/her) as Swings.

Creating the design story will be Set Designer Manuel Ortiz (he/him), Co-Lighting Designers Maggie Fullilove-Nugent (she/her) and Josiah Croegaert (he/him), along with Robert S. Kuhn (he/him) as Costume Designer, and Matthew R. Chase (he/him) as Sound Designer and Director of Production. Completing the production team is Shelby Burgus (she/her) as Stage Manager, Carl Herzog (he/him) as Technical Director, Jackson Mikkelsen (he/him) as Production Electrician, Rose Johnson (they/them) as Scenic Charge, Jose Martinez (he/him) as Scenic Painter, and Isaac Mandel (he/him) as Audio Engineer.

Tickets can be purchased online at Sondheim Tribute Revue or via phone at 773-939-4101. Ticket prices range from $30-$59. Box office hours are Wednesday-Sunday 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Theo continues to offer its one stop dinner and a show experience, offering a pre-fixed dinner menu before performances courtesy of a local Evanston restaurant for an additional $33. All performances take place at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre located at 721 Howard Street in Evanston.

Special thanks to production sponsors Michael and Mona Heath.

Licensed by special arrangement with Music Theatre International with the permission of The Estate of Stephen Sondheim.

ABOUT SONDHEIM TRIBUTE REVUE

Sondheim Tribute Revue is a customizable revue featuring the work of the incomparable Stephen Sondheim.

Stephen Sondheim is widely acknowledged as the most innovative, most influential, and most important composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. For more than 50 years, he set an unsurpassed standard of brilliance and artistic integrity in musical theatre. In the tradition of Theo’s acclaimed cabaret revues, and with special permission from Music Theatre International, Artistic Director Fred Anzevino will helm a one-of-a-kind tribute evening, created especially for our audiences with performances from Anyone Can Whistle, Frogs, Saturday Night, Sweeney Todd, Company, and more!

ABOUT THEO UBIQUE CABARET THEATRE

Theo was founded in 1997 by Artistic Director Fred Anzevino. Productions were first staged at the Heartland Studio Theatre, and from 2004 to May 2018, at No Exit Café, where the company began focusing on musicals and revues, reigniting the cabaret theatre trend in Chicago. The company moved to the Howard Street Theatre, a venue owned and developed for Theo by the City of Evanston, in fall of 2018. Theo has produced more than 60 shows and won 68 Jeff Awards, having received 173 nominations. Learn more at www.theo-u.com.

March 8-April 28, 2024

Tickets are $30-$59, with pre-fixe dinner available for an additional $33.

Performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 6:00pm

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Directed by Fred Anzevino

Stephen Sondheim is widely acknowledged as the most innovative, most influential, and most important composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. For more than 50 years, he set an unsurpassed standard of brilliance and artistic integrity in musical theatre. In the tradition of Theo’s acclaimed cabaret revues, and with special permission from Music Theatre International, Artistic Director Fred Anzevino will helm a one-of-a-kind tribute evening, created especially for our audiences with performances from performances from Anyone Can Whistle, Frogs, Saturday Night, Sweeney Todd, Company, and more!

All performances will be held at the Howard Street Theatre, 721 Howard Street, Evanston, IL 60602. More information at www.theo-u.com or by phone at 773-939-4101 Wed.– Sun. Noon – 5 p.m.

Cast and New Director Announced for PrideArts’ All-Female Production of SHAKESPEARE’S R & J February 26-March 24, 2024

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Amber Mandley to direct Joe Calarco’s reimagining of 

ROMEO AND JULIET

SHAKESPEARE’S R & J

Full casting has been announced for PrideArts’ production of SHAKESPEARE’S R & J with an all-female cast. Though Joe Calarco’s reimagining of the Bard’s tragedy ROMEO AND JULIET was originally set within an exclusive boys’ prep school, it has sometimes been played with an all-female cast, including productions at London’s Globe Theatre and the Classic Stage Company in New York, directed by Calarco. It has additionally been performed with  mixed-gender casts by the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., and the Reading Rep Theatre in the United Kingdom. PrideArts had previously announced the production with all-male casting, but the concept was changed to all-female when the previously announced director became unavailable and PrideArts Managing Director Amber Mandley assumed directorial responsibilities. The production will open to the press on Monday, February 26, 2024, at 7:30 pm, following previews from February 22-25, 2024, and play through March 24, 2024.

In SHAKESPEARE’S R & J, the young students secretly act out the play at night, eventually getting caught up in the passion and eroticism of the text. Originally produced off-Broadway in New York in 1999, where it won the Lucille Lortel Award, SHAKESPEARE’S R & J has been a favorite throughout the United States and the UK ever since. PrideArts’ staging will be the first fully staged professional production of the play in Chicago in 14 years.

Mandley’s cast will include Madelyn Strasma (Student #1), Luz Espinoza (Student #2), Hannah Eisendrath (Student #3), and Isabel Roden (Student #4). Understudies are Ava Pirie (u/s Student #1), Annemarie Andaleon (u/s Student #2), Elise Blanchard (u/s Student #3), and Fran Bixby (u/s Student #4). The production team will include Shawn Quinlan (Costume Design), Brett Baleskie (Scenic Design), Val Gardner (Sound Design), August Tiemeyer (Lighting Design), Cecilia Chen (Props Design), James Stone (Fight Choreographer), Grace Goodyear (Intimacy Director), Elijah McTiernan (Stage Manager), Elissa Wolf (Dramaturg and Co-Assistant Director), and Magdiel Carmona (Co-Assistant Director).

Top row L-R: Hannah Eisendrath, Luz Espinoza, Isabel Roden, Madelyn Strasma

Lower row L-R: Annemarie Andeleon, Fran Bixby, Elise Blanchard, Ava Pirie

THE NEW YORK TIMES called SHAKESPEARE’S R & J “Hot-blooded…Wrenching…[It] pulsates with an adolescent abandon and electricity of which Romeo himself might approve,” while THE WALL STREET JOURNAL said, “R&J is a gem, the most inventive reimagining of a classic in years.” London’s THE TELEGRAPH said “This is one of the most electrifying adaptations of Shakespeare I have ever seen. When it comes to originality, sexiness, and daring, it is right up there with WEST SIDE STORY.”

Performances will be at Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago. Tickets $35 for regular performances, $25 for previews. Seniors and students receive a $5 discount off all performance prices. Tickets and more information are available shortly at  www.pridearts.org.

February 22 – March 24, 2024

Previews Thursday, February 22 through Saturday, February 24 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, February 25 at 3 pm

Press Opening Monday, February 26, 2024, at 7:30 pm

Regular run February 29-March 24, 2024

Curtain times Thursdays–Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3 pm, plus Industry Night Wednesday, March 20 @ 7:30 pm

Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago

Tickets $35 for regular performances, $25 for previews. Seniors and students receive a $5 discount off all performance prices. Tickets and more information at www.pridearts.org.

773-857-0222

Four young female prep school students, tired of going through the usual drill of conjugating Latin and other tedious school routines, decide to vary their very governed lives. After school, one breaks out a copy of William Shakespeare’s ROMEO AND JULIET, and they all take turns reading the play aloud. The Bard’s words and the story itself are thrilling to the girls, and they become swept away, enmeshed in the emotion so much so that they break school rules in order to continue their readings. Perceptions and understanding are turned upside-down as the fun of play-acting turns serious, and the words and meanings begin to hit home and universal truths emerge.

BIOS 

Amber Mandley (Director) most recently directed during Rhinofest in Chicago. Other directing experiences include Violet Fest, Clock Productions, school productions for CICS-Bucktown, City Lit Adaptation Festival, Abbie Hoffman Festival, Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival, On the Spot Theatre Company, and Hass Ben Productions.  Amber is the Managing Director for PrideArts.  She will be directing WELLS AND WELLES for Lucid Theatre in summer 2024.  Amber believes in a collaborative process of directing and finding the heart of a piece with the cast.

Jay Españo (PrideArts Artistic Director). Born in Manila, The Philippines, he joined the prestigious Tanghalang Pilipino’s Actors Company in 1998, where he trained with acclaimed Filipino director Nonon Padilla. He acted in several commercials, television series and films. Notably, he was a regular cast member of Koko KwikKwak - a spin-off of Batibot (Philippine SESAME STREET). He toured The Philippines with that show’s mascots, performing for kids throughout the country. In 2000, Jay was one of many Filipino actors who were cast in the Action Theater Singapore’s hit musical CHANG AND ENG, which toured Asia for several years.

Since moving to the Chicago area, Jay has worked with storefront theater companies such as Silk Road Rising, Prologue, Ghostlight, Halcyon, City Lit, and PrideArts. Most recently, he directed the musical GAY CARD for PrideArts, and City Lit Theater’s world premiere musical AZTEC HUMAN SACRIFICE. He has played the role of the King in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I with various theater companies in the US and in Canada.

JOE CALARCO (Writer). Joe Calarco’s published work, in addition to SHAKESPEARE’S R&J (Lucille Lortel Award), includes WALTER CRONKITE IS DEAD (included in “The Best Stage Monologues of 2013”); IN THE ABSENCE OF SPRING (inaugural production of Second Stage’s Uptown Series and included in “The Best Stage Scenes of 2004”); his short plays JUST A LITTLE SNIFFLE and PARTING GIFTS; and two collections of his plays for teens, SIGNATURE IN THE SCHOOLS, Volumes 1 & 2, which include the plays MY VACATION IN PARIS, SALAT, CIVIL WARS, AFTERSHOCK, SHAKESPEARE, WILL, IMAGE IS EVERYTHING, REVOLUTION, HERO WORSHIP, and VENI, VIDI, VICI.

 

ABOUT PRIDEARTS

PrideArts tells queer stories on a variety of platforms, including both live and virtual performances. Since its founding in 2010, PrideArts has had several chapters, including operating as an itinerant theater for their first six seasons, and as the developer and primary tenant in the Pride Arts Center from 2016 to the present.

The company produces full seasons of plays and musicals, as well as events including cabaret, and more. The company has earned 39 Jeff Awards and nominations, and six nominations in the 2019 ALTA Awards from the Alliance of Latinx Theater Artists of Chicago. Programming has reflected the diversity of queer communities by including work made by and illuminating the experiences of women, gay men, transgender people, and BIPOC.

PrideArts is supported by Illinois Arts Council, a State Agency; City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Alphawood Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Arts Work Fund, Driehaus Foundation, The Saints.

PrideArts is a member of Buena Park Neighborhood Association, Uptown United, Northalsted Merchants Association, League of Chicago Theaters, Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, Lakeview East Merchants Association.

For more information and to donate, visit www.pridearts.org or call 1.773 857 0222.

Citadel Theatre's SILENT SKY February 16 Through March 17, 2024

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Citadel Theatre’Announces Cast and Creative Team for 

Lauren Gunderson’s Drama of the First Female Astronomers

Full cast and crew have been announced for Citadel Theatre’s upcoming production of SILENT SKY by Lauren Gunderson, one of the most produced playwrights in the U.S. Beth Wolf, nominated in the 2022 Jeff Awards – Equity wing for her direction of Citadel’s OUTSIDE MULLINGAR (nominated for Best Production of a Play – Midsize) returns to direct this drama celebrating the contributions of Henrietta Leavitt and other 19th century female astronomers employed at the Harvard Observatory who, because of their gender, were not recognized at the time for their work. SILENT SKY will open on Friday, February 16 (following previews on February 14 and 15) and play through Sunday, March 17, 2024.

Leading Wolf’s cast as Henrietta Leavitt will be Melissa Harlow, a member of Actors Equity Association who just completed a run as Mary Bailey in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY with The Repertory Company of St. Louis. Playing Williamina Fleming and Annie Cannon, Henrietta’s fellow “human computers” at the Harvard Observatory, are Cameron Feagin and Anne Lentino of Promethean Theatre Ensemble. Feagin recently appeared with Promethean in the title role of RICHARD III as well as in A TOWN CALLED PROGRESS. Lentino and Feagin both appeared in that company’s highly regarded BLUE STOCKINGS in 2019. Adam Thatcher, of Citadel’s 2023 holiday hit SHE LOVES ME, will play Henrietta’s love interest Peter Shaw. Laura Michele Erle, who co-wrote and recently appeared in THREE SISTERS, FOUR WOMEN with SoHo Repertory Theatre in New York City, will play Henrietta’s sister Margaret Leavitt.  Understudies are Paige Klopfenstein (Henrietta Leavitt), Kelly Levander (Williamina), Tina Shelley  (Annie Cannon), Josh Bernaski (Peter Shaw), and Emily Turner (Margaret Leavitt). 

Top row L-R: Laura Michele Erle, Cameron Feagin, Melissa Harlow, Anne Lentino

Middle row L-R: Adam Thatcher, Josh Bernaski, Paige Klopfenstein, Kelly Levander

Lower row L-R: Tina Shelley, Emily Turner

The creative and production team for SILENT SKY, in addition to Wolf as stage director, are Trevor Dotson (Set Designer), Rachel Sypniewski (Costume Designer), Joel Zishuk (Lighting Designer), Stefanie Senior (Sound Designer), Patrick McGuire (Properties Designer), Cate Gillespie (Dialect Coach), Chris Owens (Projection Designer), and Sheryl Williams (Intimacy Designer). Rounding out the production team are Brian Wasserman (Master Carpenter), Alex Trinh (Stage Crew), Erin Galvin (Stage Manager), and Scott Phelps and Ellen Phelps (Production Managers).

Citadel Theatre is in residence in the West Campus of the Lake Forest School District at 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. Further information and ticketing is available on the company’s website at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext. 1.

Friday, February 16 - Sunday, March 17, 2024

(Previews February 14 and 15 @ 7:30 pm)

Press Opening Friday, February 16 at 7:30 pm

Thursdays*, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sunday matinees at 3 pm. Wednesday matinees at 1 pm on February 21 and March 6.

*No performances on Thursdays February 22 and March 7.

Preview ticket prices $20. Regular run prices Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays $40; Saturdays and Sundays $45.00. Discounts available for groups, seniors and students.

Citadel Theatre, located in the West Campus building of the Lake Forest School District 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL

Tickets available online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext. 1

 

When 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt began work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, she wasn’t allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. Instead, she joins a group of women “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who has no time for the women’s probing theories. As Henrietta, in her free time, attempts to measure the light and distance of stars, she must also take measure of her life on Earth, trying to balance her dedication to science with family obligations and the possibility of love. SILENT SKY explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries, when women’s ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them.

BIOS

Beth Wolf (Director) is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of Midsommer Flight, where she has directed eleven Shakespeare plays in Chicago parks since the company's founding in 2012, including critically acclaimed productions of CYMBELINE, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, THE TEMPEST, TWELFTH NIGHT, and HAMLET, among others. Her production of OUTSIDE MULLINGAR at Citadel was nominated for Best Production and Best Direction of Play (Midsize) in the 2022 Jeff Awards. Other recent credits include THE SUFFRAGE PLAYS at Artemisia, THE ROOMMATE at Citadel Theatre (Equity Jeff Recommended), AND NON-PLAYER CHARACTER at Red Theater (2020 Non-Equity Jeff nomination for Projection Design). Other Chicago credits include LIAR!, which won first place in the City Lit Art of Adaptation Festival; ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, BLACK MAGIC: AN EVENING OF SHAKESPEARE, BURY THE DEAD, and THE FANTASTICKS (Promethean Theatre Ensemble, where she was formerly the Artistic Director and co-founder); and various staged readings and assistant directing credits with Remy Bumppo, Idle Muse, City Lit Theater, and more. Beth is a proud Northwestern University graduate with a double major in Theatre and Gender Studies. She lives in Chicago with her husband and their two young children.

Lauren Gunderson (Playwright) has been one of the most produced playwrights in America since 2015, topping the list thrice including 2022/23. She is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for I AND YOU and THE BOOK OF WILL, the winner of the Lanford Wilson Award and a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. She is a playwright, screenwriter, musical book writer and children's author who lives in San Francisco. She graduated from NYU Tisch as a Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship. LaurenGunderson.com 

Scott Phelps (Artistic Director) is in his 22nd year as the Artistic Director at Citadel. He’s acted in and directed dozens of Citadel productions over the two decades since founding this North Shore theatre in 2002 with his friend and lifelong companion, Ellen. Earlier in 2023, he starred in the leading role of Pastor Paul in THE CHRISTIANS. He has acted/directed in NYC, and in his home state of California, trained as an actor at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, CA, received his BFA from the University of Utah, and did an apprenticeship at the Actors Theatre of Louisville in KY. For 18 years Scott worked for a promotional company and raised his three daughters and his son in Lake Forest. Recently he has been taking on the next chapter of his life — the role of “Beepa” to his grandchildren. Although he is unsure if he is old enough to play that part, he’s been enjoying the challenge.

Citadel Theatre is one of Chicagoland’s premier live theatres, producing hundreds of performances annually and inspiring audiences for nearly 22 years. Founded by Scott and Ellen Phelps in 2002, Citadel Theatre is comprised of its Main Stage performances and its theatre acting classes for children. A proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres and the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff ArtsLink, Citadel Theatre offers a unique intimate theatre experience that transports you to another setting and leaves you feeling exhilarated and wanting more. A recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Citadel can accept tax-deductible donations. For more information, ticketing, and to donate, please visit Citadel online at www.citadeltheatre.org or call 847.735.8554.

World Premiere of LANE CALL: A NIGHT OF CLOSING Via The Factory Theater JUNE 9 - JULY 22

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar 

THE FACTORY THEATER ANNOUNCES CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR 

LANE CALL: A NIGHT OF CLOSING 

JUNE 9 -  JULY 22

WRITTEN BY LEN FOOTE AND SCOTT OKEN AND DIRECTED BY SCOTT OKEN

The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the final production in its 28th season, Lane Call: A Night of Closing, June 9 - July 22, written by Len Foote and Scott OKen** and directed by Scott OKen.** Previews for Lane Call: A Night of Closing are Friday, June 9, and Saturday, June 10 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 11 at 3 p.m. The Press Opening is Friday, June 16 at 8 p.m. and the performance schedule through July 22 is Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. including two Thursday performances July 13 and 20 at 8 p.m. and an understudy performance Sunday, July 9 at 3 p.m.  Tickets for Lane Call: A Night of Closing are $25 and may be purchased through the Box Office by calling 312-275-5757 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com. 

It’s 1984 and Becky, Billy and the gang have the closing shift at the local Venture and the store has to be ready in the morning for a big inspection. There is a huge party happening after work and they just might have to figure out their future. They all join forces to get all the work done which means facing end caps of Speed Stick and racing to get those carts collected. 

The Lane Call: A Night of Closing cast includes Alex Poe+ (Billy Bibby); Danny Mulae+ (Vince); Katy Campbell * (Becky); Allison Cain*** (Diana); Garrett Wiegel+ (Remi); Lizzy Mosher* (Lisa); Ryan Hake+^ (Todd the SMA Trainee); Ian Saderholm+ (Glynn Coppins/Bob the Pharmacist);  Abbi Bryson* (Gladys); Matt Chester+ (Paul); Timothy C. Amos+~  (Greg Gerstenberger/Customers); Theresa Liebart* (Val Tangora/Customers); Ryan Cason+ (Billy U/S); Frank Menolascino+ (Vince U/S); Haley Peters* (Becky U/S); Hanna Beth Mitchell* (Diana U/S); David Wiesenhahn+ (Remi U/S); Heather Bohan* (Lisa U/S); Austin Millard+ (Todd U/S); Eric Frederickson+~ (Paul/Greg U/S); and Sean Price+ (Glynn/Bob U/S).

The Lane Call: A Night of Closing production team includes Len Foote (playwright); Scott OKen** (playwright and director); Jennifer Betancourt~ (assistant director); Lindsey Chidester (stage manager); Bradford Stevens~ (production manager); Evan Sposato (technical director); Rose Johnson (set design); Ellie Humphrys✝ (light design); Sebby Woldt (sound design); Henry Bender (props design); CW Van Baale~ (master electrician); and Grant McCan (house manager).

~ denotes Factory Ensemble,  ✝ denotes Factory Artistic Associate, 

 **Denotes Factory Theater Ensemble Emeritus

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

ABOUT LEN FOOTE, playwright

Len Foote (he/him) is excited to see the play he co-wrote with Scott OKen on The Factory Theater stage. He acted in two plays at The Factory, “Siskel and Ebert Save Chicago” (2007) and “Mop Top Festival” (2009) and is in the improv/sketch group HippoHorsey DonkeyMonkey, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a reunion show on July 29, location currently TBD.

ABOUT SCOTT OKEN**, playwright and director

Scott OKen (he/him/OKen) is very pleased to be returning as a guest Playwright and Director to The Factory Theater. OKen was artistic director from 2007-2018 and his Factory credits include “Oh Sh#t! It’s Haunted,”  “Xmas Endgame” and “Fight City” among countless others.  

ABOUT THE FACTORY THEATER

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

There will be a May 11 launch party from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at The Factory Theater, which is a free, fundraising event and will include refreshments, raffle prizes and games. Tickets for Lane Call: A Night of Closing are $25 and may be purchased through the Box Office by calling 312-275-5757 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com. 

OPENING: TONY AWARD-WINNING PIPPIN VIA MUSIC THEATER WORKS JUNE 1 - 25, 2023

ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List

MUSIC THEATER WORKS ANNOUNCES CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR THE TONY AWARD-WINNING 

PIPPIN

 JUNE 1 - 25 AT THE NORTH SHORE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IN SKOKIE

Music Theater Works’ 43rd Season Continues with the Musical That Won Four Tony Awards Including Best Musical Revival, Directed by Producing Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan and Music Directed by Justin Akira Kono

Run time, including the intermission, is 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Tickets: $39 to $106, tickets for guests 25 years old and younger are available for half-price.

Music Theater Works, recently launched its 43rd season with the highly recommended Avenue Q, today announces the cast and creative team for its second production in the 2023 season, Pippin in the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts In Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, June 1 - 25. The Tony Award-winning musical comedy with book by Roger O. Hirson, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, directed by Producing Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan, assistant directed by Sasha Gerritson and Patrick Tierney, co-choreographed by Mollyanne Nunn and Kaitlyn Pasquinelli and music directed by Justin Akira Kono. 

Here at ChiIL Mama, we adored Music Theater Works' Avenue Q and can't wait to see their take on crowd pleaser, Pippin. I'll be out to review the first week of June so check back shortly after for our full coverage.  

The performance schedule includes a preview performance Thursday, June 1 at 1 p.m. with press opening Friday, June 2 at 8 p.m. The running time, including the intermission, is currently, including the intermission, 2 hours and 45 minutes. The performance schedule is Wednesdays at 1 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. with a Saturday matinee, June 10 at 2 p.m. Complete performance schedule is included at the end of this release. Tickets are now on sale from $39 to $106 with tickets for guests 25 years old and younger available at half-price at  MusicTheaterWorks.com or by calling the Music Theater Works box office at the North Shore Center, 847.673.6300. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by contacting 847.920.5360.

The unforgettable score of Pippin has shown multiple generations how to forge their own path in the world. Imaginatively presented through multiple revivals of a young person’s journey to self, join Music Theater Works’ staging among the toys and games that defined childhood. Winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival with some of the most infectiously memorable music from Broadway by four-time Grammy winner, three-time Oscar winner and musical theater giant Stephen Schwartz.

“All of us at Music Theater Works are excited to share with audiences this Broadway classic where we pay homage to the games and memories of our youth,” said Director Kyle A. Dougan. “The North Theatre at the North Shore Center allows us an opportunity to present all the songs of this beloved show and put our own spin on it.”

The cast of Pippin includes Sonia Goldberg (Leading Player); Connor Ripperger (Pippin); Kathleen Puls Andrade (Berthe); Thomas M. Shea (Charlemagne); Savannah Sinclair (Fastrada, Leading Player U/S); Andrew Freeland (Lewis); Desiree Gonzalez (Catherine) and Di’Aire Wilson (Theo).

The Pippin ensemble includes, alphabetically, Jenny Couch (ensemble, Catherine U/S); Ciara Hickey (ensemble); Alex Iacobucci (ensemble); Lacey Jack (ensemble), Samira Jasmine (ensemble); Katie Kotila (ensemble, Fastrada U/S); Justin Payton Nelson (ensemble, Lewis U/S); Mollyanne Nunn (ensemble); Jordan “J.Ro” Ordonez (ensemble); Kaitlyn Pasquinelli (ensemble); Dane Strange (ensemble) and Eustace J. Williams (ensemble, Pippin U/S).

The Pippin understudies and swings are Jenny Rudnick (Berthe U/S); Bob Sanders (Charlemagne U/S) and John Locke (Theo U/S) with Adeera Harris (swing) and Wilson Paul Hicken (swing). 

The Pippin creative team currently includes Kyle A. Dougan (director); Patrick Tierney (assistant director); Sasha Gerritson (assistant director/chorus master); Justin Akira Kono (music director); Amber Wuttke (intimacy and fight choreographer); Nathan Lamp (dramaturg); Mollyanne Nunn (co-choreographer); Kaitlyn Pasquinelli (co-choreographer); Allison Gonzales (stage manager); Lily Landoch (assistant stage manager); Shane Cinal (scenic director); Ellen Markus (properties designer); Jazmin Aurora Medina (costume designer); Kristen Brinati (assistant costume designer); Alice Salazar (hair, wig, and makeup designer); Melanie Saso (assistant hair, wig, and makeup designer); Andrew Meyers (lighting designer); Chelsea Lynn (ME/lighting programmer); Matthew R. Chase (sound designer); Forrest Gregor (production sound engineer); David Sajewich (media designer); Anthony Churchill (projections designer); Will Hughes (scene shop technical director); Ben Lipinski (paint charge); Ethan McIntosh (lighting board), Chris Chase (production manager) and Jennifer King Russell (company manager). 

Health Safety Procedure:

All guests are recommended to wear face masks during the performance regardless of vaccination status.

ABOUT PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR KYLE DOUGAN, DIRECTOR

Kyle Dougan worked as casting associate and events manager for Music Theater Works, and rejoined the company in 2018 as producing artistic director, following a two-year stint in academia. He relocated to Chicago in 1999, after completing his Masters in Musical Theatre at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he produced and directed a workshop of new musicals. He also stage managed a series of new musicals with Perfect Pitch: New Musicals at Trafalgar Studios. In the Chicago area Dougan has directed, associate-directed and assistant-directed shows for Chamber Opera Chicago, Theatre at the Center, Big Noise Theater and The Music Theatre Company. He has served as artistic producer of a series of new musicals with Midwest New Musicals, as executive director of FWD Theatre Project and as co-owner of Style Theatrical Casting, a professional casting company in Chicago.

ABOUT JUSTIN AKIRA KONO, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Justin Akira Kono is a percussionist, pianist, conductor and orchestrator of uncommon range. After studying at DePaul and Northwestern Universities, he started transitioning into leadership and music direction roles. Previously at Music Theater Works, he has music directed Zorro the Musical, Legends of the 50s and 60s and MAMMA MIA! He frequently worked with Porchlight Music Theater and has music directed Spring Awakening, their traveling show Broadway in your Backyard and has played drums for Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, Chicago Sings Rock and Roll Broadway and Billy Elliot. Other regional credits include All Shook Up, Freaky Friday (Williams Street Rep) and Kiss Me Kate (The Marriott Theater). He has also music directed at The Chicago College of Performing Arts. He serves as a music director at First Congregational Church in Downers Grove. He is the piano player for the Midwest’s premiere ABBA tribute band, Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute and plays drums in Piano Man: A Tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel. 

ABOUT MUSIC THEATER WORKS

Music Theater Works is a resident professional not-for-profit music theater founded in

1980. During its 42-year history it has presented more than 150 productions and intimate

presentations. Music Theater Works is a professional theater company whose mission is

to present works for the musical stage including historic repertoire, revitalizing the Golden Age of Broadway and earlier works, celebrating the Great American Songbook and introducing modern classics. 

JOYCE SAXON is the 2023 Music Theater Works Season Sponsor.

 ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar:

Preview: Thursday, June 1 at 1 p.m.

Press Performance: Friday, June 2 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 3 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 4 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, June 7 at 1 p.m.

Friday, June 9 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 10 at 2 and 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 11 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, June 14 at 1 p.m.

Friday, June 16 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 17 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 18 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, June 21 at 1 p.m.

Friday, June 23 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 24 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 25 at 2 p.m.

Music Theater Works Box Office: (847) 673-6300

Website: MusicTheaterWorks.com