DIE HARD 4 YOUR LUV VIA THE FACTORY THEATER MAY 31 - JULY 13

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THE FACTORY THEATER ANNOUNCES

DIE HARD 4 YOUR LUV 

MAY 31 - JULY 13 

WRITTEN BY KIRK PYNCHON AND MIKE BEYER

The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., is proud to announce the third production of The Factory’s 29th season, Die Hard 4 Your Luv, opening June 7. The production runs through July 13 and was written by Kirk Pynchon and Mike Beyer and directed by Becca Holloway. Previews for Die Hard 4 Your Luv are Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 2 at 3 p.m. The performance schedule includes Friday and Saturday performances at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. and Thursday, June 27 and July 11 at 8 p.m. An understudy performance will occur on Sunday, June 30 at 3 p.m. and there will be an accessibility performance on Sunday, June 23 at 3 p.m. Tickets for Die Hard 4 Your Luv are $25 and may be purchased through the Box Office by calling 312-275-5757 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.

It’s NYE 1999. A group of sinister mercenaries are holding the world’s most popular boy band hostage! Unless the nations of the world hand over their vital Y2K codes by midnight, Boyz Will B Boyz will become Boyz Will B Dead! Will the least talented band member save the day? Or will the bad guys escape to their all-inclusive resort with the water ski package?

The Die Hard 4 Your Luv cast includes Whitney Ann Bates^ (ensemble/ Yana US/ Alyssa US); Katy Campbell++ (Hailey/ensemble); Matt Chester+ (Authentic); Jeffrey David Thomas+ (J Swizzle); Brittany Ellis*++ (Yana Petrovian); Jacob Fjare+ (Todd US); Peri Griffiths++ (Hailey US/ensemble US); Joshua Hogan+ (J Swizzle US/Authentic US); Lexy Hope Weixel^ (ensemble/Whitney US/Chuckie Bones US); Madelyn Loehr++ (ensemble/ Meg US); Marisa Macella++ (Meg Lawson); Tierra Matthews++ (Whitney); Brandy Miller+ (Alyssa Tallinger); Hazel Monson++ (ensemble US); Liam Ryan+ (Chuckie Bones); and Chase Wheaton-Werle~+ (Todd).

The Die Hard 4 Your Luv creative team includes Kirk Pynchon**+ (playwright); Mike Beyer**+ (playwright); Becca Holloway~++ (director); Taylor Pasche++ (assistant director); Miranda Hernandez++ (stage manager); Shelby Burgus~++ (production manager); Spencer Gjerde+ (scenic design); Ellie Humphrys*++^ (light design); Stephanie Senior++ (sound design); Henry Bender* (props design); Vicki Jablonski++ (costume designer); and Jillian Leff++ (fight director)

~ Denotes The Factory Ensemble, *Denotes Factory Artistic Associate,

 **Denotes The Factory Theater Ensemble Emeritus

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

ABOUT KIRK PYNCHON, playwright

Kirk Pynchon (he/him) was one of the original ensemble members when The Factory Theater first started literally one millions years ago, and since then he has written such hits for The Factory as Man Card, Poppin’ and Lockdown, Poppin’ and Lockdown 2:Dance the Right Thing, Hey! Dancin’!, Hey! Dancin’! Hey! Musical!, and most recently the Jeff nominated, Last Night in Karaoke Town. He lives in Los Angeles, works as an Editorial Director for an ad agency, and is a constant embarrassment to his teenage kids.

ABOUT MIKE BEYER, playwright

Mike Beyer (he/him) is a Factory Emeritus Ensemble Member, and has been a part of The Factory since the days of Bill Clinton.  He authored or co-authored several Factory hit shows, including White Trash Wedding and a Funeral, Dirty Diamonds, Hey! Dancin'! (and Hey! Dancin'! Hey! Musical!), and Last Night in Karaoke Town (all with Kirk Pynchon).  Mike is newly settled in Cleveland, and also hosts the podcast Jagbags.

ABOUT BECCA HOLLOWAY, director

Becca Holloway (she/her) A Factory Ensemble member since 2021, Becca is a director and casting director around the city. Previous Factory credits include Last Night in Karaoke Town (2020/2022; AD/music director/choreographer), The Hamilton Beach 420 Special (The 2021 Factory Holiday Show; director), The Factory Zone (2019; actor) and Prophet$! (2019; AD/choreographer). Becca is also a proud company member of Red Theater where she is also the resident casting director. Becca has been lucky enough to work on the directing teams of several companies including: Hell in a Handbag, Broken Nose Theater, Oil Lamp Theater, Theatre Evolve, The Comrades, Refuge Theatre, and many others. On a personal note, she and fellow Ensemble member Chase Wheaton-Werle just got married and are partners in life and art.

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 is an ambassador of a good time, ensuring Chicago remains heartily entertained.

The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., presents Die Hard 4 Your Luv, May 31 - July 13, written by Kirk Pynchon and Mike Beyer and directed by Becca Holloway. Previews for Die Hard 4 Your Luv are Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 2 at 3 p.m.The performance schedule includes Friday and Saturday performances at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. and Thursday, June 27 and July 11 at 8 p.m. An understudy performance will occur on Sunday, June 30 at 3 p.m. and there will be an accessibility performance on Sunday, June 23 at 3 p.m. Tickets for Die Hard 4 Your Luv are $25 and may be purchased through the Box Office by calling 312-275-5757 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.

 

Stoked for The Factory Theater's Party at the Pantheon: A Modern Greek Stoner Comedy February 11- March 23, 2024

 

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THE FACTORY THEATER ANNOUNCES 

PARTY AT THE PANTHEON: A MODERN GREEK STONER COMEDY

FEBRUARY 16 - MARCH 23 

WRITTEN BY MICHAEL JONES AND DIRECTED BY KAMILLE DAWKINS

Running Time: 90 minutes

The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., is proud to announce the second production of The Factory’s 28th season, Party at the Pantheon: A Modern Greek Stoner Comedy, opening February 16 at 8 p.m.. The production runs through March 23 and was written by Michael Jones and directed by Kamille Dawkins. Previews for Party at the Pantheon: A Modern Greek Stoner Comedy are Friday, February 9 and Saturday, February 10 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 11 at 3 p.m. Press opening will be Saturday, February 16 at 8 p.m.  The performance schedule includes Friday and Saturday performances at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. An understudy performance will occur on Sunday, March 3 at 3 p.m. and there will be an accessibility performance on Sunday, February 25 at 3 p.m. Tickets for Party at the Pantheon: A Modern Greek Stoner Comedy are $25 and may be purchased through the Box Office by calling 312-275-5757 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com. 

Orpheus is still big mad after his girlfriend, Eurydice, died. It wasn’t his fault. Good thing his friend, Dionysus, can throw a sick party. Hopefully Sisyphus can keep these two on speaking terms long enough for the disco ball to drop. Now all they gotta do is find some food, some drink, and some music for this thing. Peep them and a cast of characters straight out of English Class, in this modern take on the ancient classics.

The Party at the Pantheon: A Modern Greek Stoner Comedy cast includes Jamaque Newberry+ (Orpheus); Malachi Marrero^ (Dionysus); Donovan Mullings+ (Sisyphus); Tierra Matthews* (Chorus #1); Tateonna Thompson*^ (Chorus #2/Dionysus u/s); Matt Chester+ (Chorus #3); Garrett Wiegel+ (Chorus #4); William Brown+ (Orpheus u/s/Chorus #3 u/s); Reginald Hemphill+ (Sisyphus u/s); Azi Akpan*^ (Chorus #1 u/s); Blythe Inanna* (Chorus #2 u/s) and Ethan Carlson+ (Chorus #4 u/s).

The Party at the Pantheon: A Modern Greek Stoner Comedy team includes Michael Jones~ (playwright); Kamille Dawkins (Director); Melissa Golden (Assistant Director); Alisa Resnick (Stage Manager); Shelby Burgus✝ (Production Manager); Rose Johnson (Scenic Design); Cat Davis (Light Design); Isaac Mandel (Sound Design); Henry Bender✝ (Props Design); Jill Frederickson (Puppets) and Carl Herzog (Tech Director).

~ 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 MICHAEL JONES, playwright

Michael Jones is a proud ensemble member of the Factory Theater. Originally from New Orleans, Michael has been a Chicago resident for ten years. Michael loves spending his free time playing board games and watching wrestling, and takes major influences from the plays of Annie Baker, the cartoons of the 2010's, and his wacky loving family. Party at the Pantheon is his Factory playwriting debut.

ABOUT KAMILLE DAWKINS, director

Kamille Dawkins is a Chicago based theater artist and the Executive Artistic Director of Strawdog Theatre Company. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, Dawkins moved to Chicago in 2016 after completing their nine month Emerging Professional Residency at The Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Since moving to Chicago, Dawkins has worked at a plethora of Chicago theaters as an actor, musician, singer and director. This is their first time working at Factory Theater, despite watching their shows, being friends with Factory company members and being married to the Executive Director. 

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.

Tickets for Party at the Pantheon: A Modern Greek Stoner Comedy are $25 and may be purchased through the Box Office by calling 312-275-5757 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com. 

OPENING: THE WORLD PREMIERE OF ANTHONY TOURNIS’ PROPHET$ VIA THE FACTORY THEATER JUNE 7 – JULY 20

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THE FACTORY THEATER ANNOUNCES THE WORLD PREMIERE OF ANTHONY TOURNIS’

PROPHET$, 

JUNE 7 – JULY 20

Last year, religion took in $71 billion, tax-free. Prophet$ is the hilarious slack-to-riches story of a couple of con artists that get into the business of belief. 

Wm. Bullion Directs This Eye-Opening and Hilarious Comedy About Profiteering in the World of ’80s Televangelism, Premiering this Summer

The Factory Theater concludes its 26th season with Prophet$, June 7 – July 20, written by Factory Theater Ensemble Member Anthony Tournis and directed by Factory Theater Ensemble Member Wm. Bullion, at the Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., Chicago. Previews are Friday, June 7 and Saturday June 8 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 9 at 3 p.m. Opening night is Friday, June 14 at 8 p.m. Performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for previews, $18 for students and seniors and $25 for general admission. All tickets may be purchased through the box office at 866-811-4111 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.

Set in 1988, this Stripes-inspired world premiere production, by ensemble member Anthony Tournis, brilliantly brings shameless comedy back to The Factory stage.  

Cast members of Prophet$ courtesy of The Factory Theater. 

(Top Row, L to R) Timothy C. Amos (Rev. Leslie Goode), Conor Clark (Ensemble),  Lorraine Freund (Agnes), Kirk Jackson (Red), Eric Roach (Owen) and Hilary Sanzel (Evelyn Goode (Bottom Row, L to R) Will Snyder (Ensemble), Anthony Tournis (Playwright/ Vic Jacobowski), Eric Wang (Seth Levy), Abigail Warhus (Ensemble), LaRose Washington (Ensemble) and Ashley Yates (Darla Grant)

The cast for Prophet$ includes: Anthony Tournis*, (Vic Jacobowski); Eric Wang, (Seth Levy); Eric Roach*, (Owen); Ashley Yates, (Darla Grant); Timothy C. Amos*, (Rev. Leslie Goode); Hilary Sanzel, (Evelyn Goode); Kirk Jackson, (Red); Lorraine Freund, (Agnes); Abigail Warhus, (ensemble); Conor Clark, (ensemble); LaRose Washington, (ensemble); Will Snyder, (ensemble); Rebecca Flores, (Darla u/s); Kelly Opalko, (Evelyn u/s); Mark Bjorkquist, (Red u/s); Tehilla Newman, (Agnes u/s); Chase Wheaton-Werle, (ensemble u/s); and Zia Hillocks, (ensemble u/s).

The production team for Prophet$ includes: Anthony Tournis*, playwright; Wm. Bullion*, director; Sarah Scanlon, production manager; Manny Tamayo*, production manager; Becca Holloway, assistant director; Joeseph Pindelski, dramaturg; and Shellie DiSalvo, stage manager. The design team includes Eric Luchen, scenery; Jordan Kardasz, lights; Isaiah Williams, costumes; Wyatt Kent, props; Sarah Espinoza**, sound; and Dag Juhlin, original songs. C.W. van Baale* is the master electrician. 

ABOUT ANTHONY TOURNIS*, playwright

This is the third play written by Anthony Tournis, and his first solo writing project. Previous works produced by The Factory Theater include Black and Blue with Nick Digilio and Street Justice: Condition Red with Colin Milroy. Anthony has been an Ensemble member of The Factory Theater since 2006 and has been seen as an actor in countless shows there since then.

ABOUT WM. BULLION*, director

Wm. Bullion is a Factory ensemble member and has been a professional director in Chicago for over 25 years. His previous directing gig at The Factory was Stacie Barra’s hit Born Ready in 2017. In 2016 he formed The Conspirators, for whom he has directed all three shows: The Deckchairs, Yankee Doodles, and The Resistible Rise of Herr Helmut Drumpf. Additional directing credits include Scream, Queen, Scream! (Hell in a Handbag Productions), as well as Blue Planet, A Summer’s Day, and the original burlesque satire Pippi’s Lost Stockings: A Skirt Raiser (Akvavit Theatre). Bullion is the Artistic Director of DirectorsLabChicago, an artist-service organization dedicated to emerging directors and is a graduate of UCLA’s school of Theater, Film and Television.

*Denotes Factory Theater Ensemble Member
** Denotes Factory Theater Artistic Associate



ABOUT The Factory Theater
For more than 25 years, The Factory Theater has created its shows from scratch, doing exactly the kind of theater they’ve wanted to do. From writing workshops to the closing night bash, The Factory’s shows are a unique experience that fit its exacting standards: original, bold, and full-tilt. Its shameless Ensemble are ambassadors of a good time, making certain that Chicago remains heartily entertained.

The Factory Theater concludes its 26th season with Prophet$, June 7 – July 20, written by Factory Theater Ensemble Member Anthony Tournis and directed by Factory Theater Ensemble Member Wm. Bullion, at the Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., Chicago. Previews are Friday, June 7 and Saturday June 8 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 9 at 3 p.m. Opening night is Friday, June 14 at 8 p.m. Performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for previews, $18 for students and seniors and $25 for general admission. All tickets may be purchased through the box office at 866-811-4111 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.

OPENING: World Premiere of Fight City Via The Factory Theater 7/14-8/26

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THE FACTORY THEATER PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF 

FIGHT CITY, 

JULY 14 – AUGUST 26

The Factory’s Latest Production, 

Written by Scott OKen and Directed by Jill Oliver

The Factory Theater presents its latest production, the world premiere of Fight City. Written by Factory Theater’s Artistic Director Scott OKen and directed by Jill Oliver, Fight City runs July 14 – August 26 at The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St. Previews are Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 16 at 3 p.m. Opening night is Friday, July 21 at 8 p.m. The regular run’s, July 21 – August 26, performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for preview performances and $25 for regular run. Tickets may be purchased through Box Office by calling 866.811.4111 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.

In the dystopian future of 2077, gender roles are reversed, guns and knives are all but eliminated, yet crime is still on the rise. The Central City Police Department has the most elite fighters in the region and they keep the peace by doling out hard-nosed justice. Officer Barb Davies (Jennifer Betancourt) is the most skilled fighter of them all, yet she has the most level head. Can she make sense of this new world or are we doomed to repeat the endless cycle of violence?

The cast for Fight City includes: Jennifer Betancourt (Barb Davies), Almanya Narula (Avory), Mandy Walsh (Margaret), Jen Bosworth (Quaife, Noone), Ashley Yates (Argent), Meredith Rae Lyons (White), Grace Odumosu (Richards), Linsey Falls (Terry), Josh Zagoren (Relf), Eric Frederickson (Verne/Steele), Jae K. Renfrow (Leo), Kim Boler (Erica), Susan Wingerter (Valentine), Megan Schemmel (Price, Thug), Brittany Ellis (Chandler, Thug) and Harrison Weger (Weatherfoot). Understudies are Colin Milroy, Josh Greiveldinger, Cory Griffith, Kim Fukawa, Elizabeth MacDougald, Josephine Longo, Dan Krall, Carla McDowell, and Sara Robinson.

The production team for Fight City includes: Jill Oliver (director), Scott OKen (playwright), Phil Claudnic (stage manager), Jermaine Thomas (assistant stage manager), Kevin Alves (assistant director), Manny Tamayo (production manager), Greg Caldwell (assistant production manager), Sarah Lewis (set designer), Carla Hamilton (costume designer), Emma Deane (lighting designer) Ben Zeman (sound designer), Holly McCauley (props designer), C.W. Van Baale (master electrician) Maureen Yasko (fight/violence designer) Chris Smith (fight/violence director) and Jason Moody (graphics designer).

About Scott OKen, playwright

Scott OKen has been the artistic director for the Factory Theater since 2007, and a member since 1996. This is his 10th play being produced by the Company. Previous written works include Toast of the Town, GI's in Europe and Easy Six (all co-written with Ernie Deak) and Namosaur!, Mop Top Festival and Top Shelf... He has also directed Factory shows, Siskel and Ebert Save Chicago, White Trash Wedding and a Funeral (2012 run) and most recently, Dating and Dragons. OKen has also appeared on stage in many Factory Theater productions over the years, and is thankful every day for this Company and the ensemble within.

 About Jill Oliver, director

Jill Oliver has been an Ensemble Member with the Factory Theater since 2011. She's pretty jacked to be directing her first full-length production for Factory after having directed the short 30 Days Down the Rabbit Hole for Abbie Hoffman Festival. Oliver normally wears the actor hat and has worked with other companies such as Artistic Home, A Red Orchid Theatre, Irish Theatre of Chicago, LiveWire Theatre, Wayward Productions and Shattered Globe. She is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent. Oliver will also make her playwright debut with Lametown and the Adventures of Spirit Force Five at Factory next summer. 

About The Factory Theater

For almost 25 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.

The Factory Theater presents its latest production, the world premiere of Fight City. Written by Factory Theater’s Artistic Director Scott OKen and directed by Jill Oliver, Fight City runs July 14 – August 26 at The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St. Previews are Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 16 at 3 p.m. Opening night is Friday, July 21 at 8 p.m. The regular run’s, July 21 – August 26, performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for preview performances and $25 for regular run. Tickets may be purchased through Box Office by calling 866.811.4111 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.

OPENING: World Premiere of Born Ready at The Factory Theater 3/17-4/29

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THE FACTORY THEATER PRESENTS 

BORN READY,

MARCH 17 – APRIL 29

The Factory Theater presents the world premiere of Born Ready. Written by Stacie Barra and directed by Wm. Bullion, Born Ready runs March 17 – April 29 at The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St. Previews are Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 19 at 3 p.m. Opening night is Friday, March 24 at 8 p.m. 

Regular performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for preview performances and $25 for regular run. Tickets may be purchased through Box Office by calling 866.811.4111 or by visiting http://www.thefactorytheater.com.

Marion Kroft, an aging former child film actor turned variety show star in the 1950s, is desperate to get back into the public’s eye and show business. Harriet is a new young dancer who befriends Marion and the pair quickly becomes a smash comedy duo, but the truth behind their scenes may not be as funny. 

The cast for Born Ready includes: Eleanor Katz (Marion), Timothy C. Amos (Sam), Clara Byczkowski (Harriet), Rachel Craig (Betty), Amee Binder (Lois), Libby Conkle (Shirley), Harrison Weger (Kit), David Cady Jr. (Gil), Tim Newell (Byron), Michael Reyes (Neville/Ensemble), Mandy Walsh (Evelyn), Allison Cain (Dottie), Eric Roach (Announcer), Jennifer Betancourt (Girl/Pat/Reporter/Ensemble) and Nathaniel Fishburn (Ensemble). Understudies are Julia Beck, DJ Gierhart, Suzy Krueckeberg and Lila M. Whitney.

The production team for Born Ready includes Christy Arington (props design),

Eric Backus (sound design), Stacie Barra (playwright), Wm. Bullion (director), Greg Caldwell (assistant director), Ernie Deak (production manager), Andria Emerick (dance choreography) Morgan Gire (stage manager), Kate Setzer Kamphausen (costume design), Eric Luchen (set design), Rachel Markunas (assistant stage manager) Tobi Mattingly (music director), Jon Steinhagen (composer), David Trudeau (lighting design) and C.W. van Baale (master electrician).

About Stacie Barra, playwright

Stacie Barra is a Factory Theater ensemble member having performed in Factory’s GI’s in Europe, 1985 and Take the Cake. In addition to Factory, her area credits include work with Lifeline Theatre, The Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Stockyards' Theatre Project and Chemically Imbalanced Comedy to name a few.

About Wm. Bullion, director

Wm. Bullion is a Factory Theater ensemble member and has been a professional director in Chicago for over 25 years. His most recent full project was directing David Cerda’s masterpiece Scream, Queen Scream! with Hell in a Handbag Productions. Before joining The Factory ensemble in 2016, he was a member of Akvavit Theatre, directing its hit U.S. premiere of Andri Snær Magnason’s Blue Planet, the Midwest/Chicago premiere of Jon Fosse’s A Summer’s Day and created the original burlesque satire Pippi’s Lost Stockings: A Skirt Raiser. Bullion is director of programs with DirectorsLabChicago, an artist-service organization dedicated to emerging directors and is a graduate of UCLA’s school of Theater, Film and Television.

About The Factory Theater

For almost 25 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.

World Premiere of Distance at Strawdog Theatre Through Oct 1

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STRAWDOG THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF JERRE DYE’S 

DISTANCE 

AUGUST 25 – OCTOBER 1

Photos by Jon Cole Media

Strawdog_Distance_PreProd1 - Janice O’Neill as "Irene Radford” in Strawdog Theatre Company’s World Premiere of Distance

The First Production at Factory Theatre Reunites Director Erica Weiss with Playwright Dye for This New Moving Drama About Memory, Identity and Change

The first production in Strawdog Theatre Company's 2016 - 2017 season is the world premiere of Jerre Dye’s Distance, now running through October 1, directed by Erica Weiss, performed at The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard. 

The performance schedule is Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. All performances have ground level access and are wheelchair accessible, with a special Access Project performance Sunday, Sept. 11 at 4 p.m.* Regular run tickets are $30 and may be ordered online at strawdog.org or by calling OvationTix toll-free: 866-811-4111. Subscriptions, group, rush, senior and student discounts are also available.

Irene Radford (Janice O’Neill) has family. Caretakers too. But as her struggle with Alzheimers puts those she depends upon beyond her memory's reach, new bonds form between those she's leaving behind. Making her Strawdog debut, Jeff Award nominee Erica Weiss, director of Route 66's acclaimed productions of A Twist of Water, The Downpour and Cicada, as well as The Gift Theatre's Grapes of Wrath, reunites with playwright Jerre Dye (Cicada) to bring to life this heartfelt and poetic world premiere that delves into questions of memory, identity and the inevitability of change.

Additional cast includes guest artists Anita Deely, Loretta Rezos, Caleb Fullen and Stephen Rader.

The Distance production team also includes Strawdog Company Ensemble Members John Kelly, lighting designer; Heath Hays, sound designer; Brittany Dee Bodley, costume designer with guest artists Skye Robinson Hillis, assistant director; Richard Latshaw, properties designer; Mike Mroch, production manager; Jessica Fialko, assistant lighting designer; Becca Levy, stage manager; Ashley Ann Woods, scenic designer; Ivy Reid, master electrician and Sammi Grant, dialect coach.

*ACCESS PROJECT

All productions in Strawdog’s 2016-2017 season are wheelchair and ADA compliant. In addition, Strawdog Theatre’s Access Project performance Sunday, Sept. 11 at 4 p.m., includes open captioning, audio description and touch tour services. A touch tour begins at 2:30 p.m. on the day of the Access Project performance.

ABOUT JERRE DYE, PLAYWRIGHT

Jerre Dye is a Chicago writer, director, and actor. Dye is the recipient of the Award for Dramatic Literature from the Fellowship of Southern Writers. In 2014 his Jeff nominated play, Cicada premiered through Route 66 Theatre Company. That same year, he completed the libretto for Ghosts of Crosstown, a new short opera cycle in collaboration with Opera Memphis and four composers from across the US. He is currently working on opera commissions for Chautauqua Opera, The US Army Field Band and Chorus, a filmed virtual reality opera for Opera on Tap New York, all while completing his newest play, Live Studio Audience.

ABOUT ERICA WEISS, DIRECTOR

Erica Weiss is a Jeff Award-nominated theatre director and filmmaker based in Chicago, Illinois. She was the recipient of The Goodman Theatre’s Michael Maggio Directing Fellowship, and is an ensemble member with The Gift Theatre. Her primary passions lie in the development of new work and bringing female voices to the stage and screen. Weiss is a longtime and frequent collaborator with writer Caitlin Parrish, directing their  world premiere productions of The Downpour (Joseph Jefferson Nominee for Best Production, Best Director, Best New Work and Best Lead Actress), and A Twist of Water with Route 66 Theatre Company and off-Broadway at 59E59. In the fall, she will make her Steppenwolf directing debut with Caitlin Parrish's The Burials,  the first show of the 16-17 Steppenwolf for Young Adults  season. Other recent projects include The Bachelors by Caroline V McGraw, and The Grapes of Wrath with The Gift Theatre. Her first feature film, The View From Tall, co-directed with Parrish, recently premiered to critical acclaim at The Los Angeles Film Festival, and their original television pilot Red Line is in development with Warner Brothers. 

ABOUT STRAWDOG THEATRE COMPANY

Since its founding in 1988, Strawdog Theatre Company has offered Chicagoland the premiere storefront theatre experience and garnered numerous Non-Equity Jeff Awards with its commitment to ensemble acting and an immersive design approach. The celebrated Company develops new work, re-imagines the classics, melds music with theatre, asks provocative questions and delivers their audience the unexpected. 

*Strawdog Theatre Company recently announced its 2016 - 2017 season will be produced in its itinerant home at the new Factory Theatre in Rogers Park, 1621 W. Howard St. on the Chicago-Evanston border in the historic Howard Theatre building. The theatre space is a newly created 70 seat three-quarters thrust just two blocks from CTA’s Howard Red Line terminal. Strawdog’s 29^th Season may be viewed online at strawdog.org.

RUSH TICKETS

Strawdog Theatre Company offers six tickets at a 50% discount one hour before every production. The rush ticket must be purchased in person, exclusively at the Strawdog Box Office. Limit of two tickets per person, not applicable with other discounts, offers or on previously purchased tickets, first come, first served. 

Strawdog Theatre Company is supported in part by The Alphawood Foundation, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and through the generous contributions of businesses and individuals.