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Thursday, January 10, 2013

Brand New--CLUTCH Unleash Title Track From Earth Rocker #metal


 
European Tour Starts January 22nd   

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, Clutch has been one of our favorites for years.   Usually we put the ipod on shuffle and let it go, but earlier this week we were on an all Clutch bender for a couple of days.   So, I was extra stoked to see the title track off Earth Rocker land in my in box and to be able to share it with our readers!   

We have an exclusive video interview with Neil Fallon, live pit photos from their recent tour with Prong and more, coming soon...so check back with ChiIL Live Shows like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.
Before heading to Europe to kick of the first leg of the Earth Rocker world tour, CLUTCH is giving fans a chance to hear the title track and first single from their new album. The band has teamed up with Brooklyn Vegan for an exclusive world premiere of "Earth Rocker". Brooklyn Vegan is a tastemaker blog highlighting indie rock and metal that's expanded far outside of its NYC beginnings. Get a first listen of the track and check out an interview with guitarist Tim Sult HERE.

With a little bit more than three months left before the release of CLUTCH's highly anticipated new studio effort Earth Rocker, the band has announced the initial dates for the first leg of the North American Earth Rocker world tour. The dates kick off March 8th in Cincinnati, OH and are currently slated to run through March 24th in Anaheim, CA.   Support on these dates will be provided by Orange Goblin, Lionize and Kyng. Tickets are on sale now! Look for more dates to be announced in the coming weeks.

CLUTCH recently unveiled the artwork for Earth Rocker. The artwas created by Nick Lakiotes, long time CLUTCH art director, who has worked on previous efforts including:  Robot Hive/Exodus and Strange Cousins From the West. Fans can keep up on the progress of Earth Rocker by visiting the new website www.earthrocker.com. The website is a hub dedicated to all things Earth Rocker. Fans can expect to see frequent updates including photos, videos from the studio, song title announcements and samples of new songs.

In addition to the new website CLUTCH has joined the world of twitter. Follow CLUTCH on Twitter @ClutchOfficial.

Earth Rocker European Tour
1/21: Press Day in London, UK
1/22: London, UK @ Koko - SOLD OUT!
1/23: Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg - Tickets 
1/24: Press Day in Paris, FR
1/25: Paris, FR @ La Maroquinerie - SOLD OUT!
1/26: Stuttgart, GER @ Universum - SOLD OUT! 
1/27: Munchen, GER @ Backstage Club - SOLD OUT! 
1/28: Press Day in Berlin, GER
1/29: Berlin, GER @ Lido - SOLD OUT! 
1/30: Press Day in Cologne, GER
1/31: Cologne, GER @ Luxor - Tickets 
2/1: Brussels, BE @ VK - Tickets 
2/2: Hamburg, GER @ Logo - SOLD OUT!
2/3: Copenhagen, DK @ Amager Bio - Tickets 
2/4: Press Day in Oslo, NO
2/5: Oslo, NO @ Parkteateret -  SOLD OUT!
2/6: Press Day in Stockholm, SWE
2/7: Stockholm, SWE @ Tyrol - Tickets 

Earth Rocker North American Tour
3/8: Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's - Tickets 
3/9: Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works - Tickets 
3/10: Sauget, IL @ Pop's - Tickets 
3/11: Little Rock, AR @ Juanita's Cantina Ballroom - Tickets 
3/12: Tulsa, OK @ Cain's Ballroom - Tickets 
3/14: Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom - Tickets 
3/18: Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep - Tickets 
3/19: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot - Tickets 
3/21: Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues - Tickets 
3/22: Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee - Tickets 
3/23: Las Vegas, NV @ Hard Rock Café Las Vegas Strip - Tickets 
3/24: Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues - Tickets 

Follow CLUTCH on Twitter @ClutchOfficial 

Like CLUTCH on Facebook 

For More Info Visit:

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Saviours LIVE at Reggies in Chicago 1-6-13 #metal #video #liveshowshots


Saviours LIVE at Reggies in Chicago 1-6-13--ChiIL Live Shows

Check out ChiIL Live Shows for original coverage of touring bands playing Chi, IL....Chicago locals, free downloads, reviews, tour news, original band video interviews, pit photos, videos and more.










SAVIOURS







Saviours are a heavy metal band from Oakland, California in the United States. We formed in September 2004 and have released four albums and seven EPs and we have played some shows in 21 countries on Earth.









Check back with ChiIL Live Shows like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often for tour news on bands coming through Chicago, free downloads, giveaways, and loads of original content including band video interviews, live show footage, pit photos and more.

ACT OUT SAVE THE DATES: Profiles In The Company of Men On Sale Now


Profiles Theatre announces the World Premiere
of Neil LaBute’s revised stage version of
In the Company of Men

Profiles Theatre Artistic Directors Darrell W. Cox and Joe Jahraus announce the World premiere of Resident Artist Neil LaBute’s revised stage version of In the Company of Men, opening at The Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway. In the Company of Men, directed by Profiles Resident Artist and Steppenwolf ensemble member Rick Snyder, runs May 10-June 30, 2013.  

The previously announced production of Neil LaBute’s The Break of Noon will be performed at a later date, to be announced.

Profiles Theatre presents the professional debut production of Neil LaBute’s revised stage play, In the Company of Men. The script, performed in various incarnations as a play at earlier stages of LaBute’s writing career as both a student and otherwise, was eventually made into the acclaimed film released in 1997 launching the careers of star Aaron Eckhart and Neil LaBute as a filmmaker and playwright. When it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, In the Company of Men created a firestorm of controversy with wildly divergent yet passionate opinions. It received the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay, the Filmmaker's Trophy at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival and The New York Film Critics Award for Best First Feature.

Two frustrated young executives vent their pent-up rage via a childish prank and end up paying a price in the psychological dark comedy, In the Company of Men. Former college buddies Chad and Howard, now in their late 20s, work for the same company. When the two begin expressing their mutual frustration regarding their lack of rapid advancement at work and their recent bad luck with women, they hatch a nasty scheme to be enacted over an upcoming six-week-long business trip: Find a vulnerable young woman to court, slather with affection, and then callously dump. They choose a lovely, hearing-impaired typist named Christine, but soon their scheme creates escalating tension and psychological games not only with hapless Christine, but also with each other.

Resident Artist and Steppenwolf ensemble member Rick Snyder directs the World premiere production of the revised script of In the Company of Men following his acclaimed Profiles productions of A Behanding in Spokane, reasons to be pretty and the Jeff Award-winning Killer Joe (Production, Director, Principal Actor).  Casting to be announced.

"I'm so excited to be putting this early work of mine into the hands of my trusted collaborators over at Profiles Theatre,” says playwright Neil LaBute. “The film was a fantastic experience for me personally, but I've always hoped that the script would make its way back to the stage. I’ve truly enjoyed the creative process of adapting the original play for the screen and now turning it back into a play again. I think it's in perfect hands with Joe, Darrell and Rick. I feel that these characters will still resonate with audiences and I know that Profiles will take In the Company of Men for the ride that it deserves--they never pull punches at Profiles and I love the artistic relationship that we have fostered together over the past few seasons. I consider myself a lucky man to still get work done regularly in Chicago and I believe I have a genuine home for that work at Profiles."

Profiles Theatre began its relationship with Neil LaBute in 2006 with the Midwest premiere of autobahn, followed by their long-running hit, Fat Pig. In 2007, Profiles devoted an entire season to the works of LaBute that included the Midwest premieres of In a Dark Dark House, Some Girl(s), This is How it Goes, and a collection of short works entitled Things We Said Today followed by the Midwest premiere of The Mercy Seat in 2009 and the Chicago premiere of reasons to be pretty in 2011. Last season, Profiles produced the American premiere of In a Forest, Dark and Deep as the inaugural production of their newest venue, The Main Stage. The playwright twice participated in benefit evenings of readings and conversation to support the theatre’s productions.

The stage version of In The Company of Men is produced by special arrangement with LaBute’s longtime collaborator and one of the film’s original producers, Stephen Pevner of Stephen Pevner, Inc and Company One Productions. 

Profiles, currently in rehearsal for the Midwest premiere of The Dream of The Burning Boy by David West Read, opens the production at its original home, The Alley Stage, 4147 N. Broadway, January 21, 2013. The company’s critically acclaimed 20th Anniversary production of Hellcab by Will Kern continues its extended run at The Main Stage through January 27, 2013.

Tickets for this limited run of In the Company of Men are $35 for Thursdays, $40 for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. A two show Flex Pass is currently available for two admissions to both The Dream of the Burning Boy and In the Company of Men for $100 when purchased before January 31, 2013.

Tickets are available by phone, (773) 549-1815, or online, Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 5:00 and 8:00 pm, Sundays at 7:00 p.m.


FACTS

Title:                 In the Company of Men
            Playwright:        by Neil LaBute
Directed by:      Rick Snyder
           
            Dates:              Previews:                     May 10 – May 15, 2013
                                    Press Opening:            Thursday, May 16, 2013
                                    Regular Run:                May 16 – June 30, 2013

Schedule:         Thurs., Fri.:                  8:00 p.m. 
                        Saturday:                     5:00 p.m. and 8:00p.m. (no 5pm show during previews)
Sunday:                       7:00 p.m.

Location:          Profiles Theatre, The Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway
                        Parking is available for $10 - $12 at 4100 N. Clarendon
(One block east of the theatre at the corner of Clarendon and Belle Plaine)

Ticket prices:    Previews:         $20
Regular Run:    Thursdays are $35, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are $40; Students and Senior Citizens receive a $5 discount on all performances; Group rates are available.
Box Office:       Buy online at www.profilestheatre.org
or call (773) 549-1815




ABOUT PROFILES THEATRE

Profiles Theatre, founded in 1988 by Artistic Director Joe Jahraus, joined shortly thereafter by Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox, was formed as an actor-driven theatre ensemble dedicated to creating provocative and emotionally truthful productions. Passionate about shaping an original vision for new works, they focused on performing World, American and Midwest premieres as well as rarely performed plays. Critically acclaimed hits, such as BLACKBIRD, FAT PIG, GRACELAND and the multiple Jeff Award-winning KILLER JOE, established Profiles as a destination for challenging and edgy theatre. Their unique collaboration with playwright Neil LaBute led the ensemble to perform an entire season of his plays in 2007-2008. Now a Resident Artist at Profiles, LaBute remains an unequivocal artistic influence on the ensemble.

After performing at 4147 North Broadway for more than two decades, Profiles acquired an adjacent theatre at 4139 North Broadway in 2012. Profiles’ new theatre, The Main Stage, with its larger seating capacity, increased performance space and higher ceilings, accommodates more ambitious and technically demanding productions. Their long-time venue, renamed The Alley Stage, continues as the home for plays strengthened by a more intimate staging. Driven by an undiminished appetite for creating honest and resonant theatre, Profiles still seeks to present work that illuminates the determination and resiliency of the human spirit.

KLAUS SCHULZE New Album Shadowlands Delayed Until March 2013 in North America



Due to unforeseeable health issues and the resulting delays in production, we have to postpone the release of the upcoming album Shadowlands by KLAUS SCHULZE for one month.

The new release dates of Shadowlands are as follows:

Germany: Feb 22nd, 2013
Europe: Feb. 25th, 2013
USA: March 26th, 2013

"Keep driving down the forest track," KLAUS SCHULZE directs me, "until you think you've come to the end. From there it's another three kilometres." In second gear there's just enough time to listen to half a track from the new album by this seminal artist. Schulze is standing waving in front of his house somewhere in the heathland forests of Lower Saxony. So this is where it's conceived, that electronic music that has made Berlin-born Schulze an iconic musician since he founded Ash Ra Tempel some 40 years ago, developing his own art form as a communicative hermit after his stint behind the drum kit of Tangerine Dream.

Not even Schulze himself knows the exact number of albums recorded and released by him, it must be somewhere between 200 and 500, some of them sounding almost like identical twins, others not even seeming to belong to the same family. Schulze is the only musician from the legendary Krautrock era to have preserved his absolute freedom in terms of formats. His new opus Shadowlands consists of three tracks with a total playing time of 75 minutes on the first CD. "And on the bonus CD," says Schulze, "there are two tracks, one of them 55 minutes long and the other one 20 minutes or so." He simply doesn't know how to keep it short, the 65-year-old laughs. And he doesn't want to, either. Because he simply can't think of a good reason for doing so. And that's all there is to it.

Perhaps this is why his sonic sculptures, which are usually created by Schulze alone and only very rarely with the support of a few select co-musicians, hold so much fascination for their listeners. Schulze was a pioneer on the Moog, and when he looked at the millions of revellers at the Berlin Love Parade some 15 years ago, one of the organisers told him: "All of this is your fault!" He refused to be monopolised, preferring to settle down behind his custom-made electronica in his crimson-carpeted studio, developing new sounds which seemed like the first contact between Planet Earth and outer space.

"Sure, there are sonic aesthetics which have developed over years," agrees Schulze. "In the beginning, I twiddled the knobs and didn't really know what was about to happen, but after a while everything fell into place." He points out that there are few musicians to have recorded whole albums using a Moog. "Usually there's also an organ or a guitar or something else, but not on my albums. Those sequencer things with filter modulation are pretty typical for me. Sometimes I wonder why others don't do this kind of thing, but I enjoy doing it to this day. It's become a stylistic device for me."

And he has a few of those up his sleeve: your average Massive Attack fan would be more than happy to move on the dancefloor to the sound of "Weird Caravan" from Schulze's 1980 album "Dig It". 1996 saw the arrival of "Are You Sequenced?", a Schulze album which would go down well at a techno club at five in the morning. And Shadowlands fits in everywhere. KLAUS SCHULZE is pretty relaxed when it comes to his own status or that of his music: "Trends and fashions come and go," he comments, smiling. "Disco was one of them; techno was another, slightly more significant one. It enhanced the status of electronic music, which used to be considered a musical direction for highly specialised music fans." However, he does consider techno to be more superficial than "what we did years ago, but that's normal: if you make music for the masses, you're bound to become superficial. The more specific you are, away from the common denominator, the more you remain an outsider." In his case, the playing time of his songs is enough to set him apart. "Who would air 45-minute tracks on the radio? There are only a few aficionados left for whom the origins of electronic music date back to me, Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk, in other words to the Seventies," but the majority of young music fans don't realise this. "They simply don't know - and they don't have to know. If they happen to hear it, they're meant to enjoy it and not start researching."

Shadowlands features, probably for the umpteenth time, a slightly different Klaus Schulze. One of the reasons for this is the fact that violinist Thomas Kagermann accompanied him for the second time since "Contemporary Works" (2000). 

Is he aware of the image which surrounds him and his music? "No, I really have no idea, I steer clear of such considerations," Schulze parries. "Martin Gore of Depeche Mode told me not so long ago that I am a hero for him; with me, that kind of thing goes in one ear and out the other." 

He doesn't like to be referred to as a pioneer of electronic music "because that always brings to mind some kind of Boy Scout camp. I made my music back then because I enjoyed it, not because I wanted to do something that nobody had done before. I simply embarked on a search, the outcome of which has never been clear to me and hasn't become any clearer to this day." That sounds like there could be a whole lot more albums by KLAUS SCHULZE in the pipeline. In other words - it sounds good.

For More Info Visit:

ACT OUT EXTENDED: Million Dollar Quartet Ticket Deals




EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND!
                                                               
Million Dollar Quartet
now in its fifth year in Chicago

Tickets on sale through April 28

Yesterday would have been Elvis' 78th birthday.   If you haven't seen the wildly popular tribute to Elvis, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and more....come catch multiple Tony nominated Million Dollar Quartet.

Million Dollar Quartet, now in its fifth year in Chicago, continues performances through April 28, 2013 with cast members Brandon Bennett (Elvis Presley), Shaun Whitley (Carl Perkins), Lance Lipinsky (Jerry Lee Lewis), Chris Damiano (Johnny Cash), Tim Decker (Sam Phillips), Whitney Kraus Jones (Dyanne), Marc Edelstein (Jay Perkins/Bass player) and Dan Leali (Fluke/Drummer). 

The Tony-nominated musical inspired by the famed 1956 recording session that brought together legendary rock ‘n’ roll icons Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, celebrates its long run in Chicago, a multiple Tony-nominated New York run, a long-running London production and a national tour that kicked-off in October 2011. 

FAMILY NIGHTS
Million Dollar Quartet will offer special family discounts on select Sundays.  Family nights are currently scheduled for January 13, February 3, March 17 and April 14  at 6:30 p.m. 

Tickets to Million Dollar Quartet Family Nights are buy one, get one free.  (One child under 17 will be admitted free with each adult ticket purchase.)  The evenings will feature giveaways with special gifts from Million Dollar Quartet.  

Check www.milliondoallarquartetlive.com/family for information about upcoming Family Nights.


The Chicago production continues to break box office records at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.  Tickets are now on sale through April 28, 2013 at the Apollo box office, phone (773) 935-6100,and online through Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com.   For more information, visit www.milliondollarquartetlive.com.

Producer Gigi Pritzker comments, “It’s a thrill to celebrate our fifth year in Chicago.  Since the beginning, Chicago has embraced Million Dollar Quartet and we are grateful for the continued and enthusiastic support of Chicago audiences.  It’s been a hit in Chicago, New York, London, Japan and on the national tour.  The show remains as fresh, energetic and engaging as always—partially due to the more than 20 rock ‘n’ roll hits in the show and the tremendous talent on stage.”

TICKETS
Million Dollar Quartet tickets are on sale through April 28, 2013.  Tickets to Million Dollar Quartet at the Apollo Theater are available through the Apollo Theater box office, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave, (773) 935-6100.  Tickets are available online through Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com. 

Tickets are $25-$85. (Standard ticketing fees apply.)
  
Rush student tickets for select performances (Wed-Fri and Sun evenings only) are available 2 hours prior to curtain at the box office with valid Student ID. Student rush tickets are subject to availability.

The Apollo performance schedule is as follows: Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.

Million Dollar Quartet is a 90-minute, family-friendly production.  Audience members of all ages are invited to laugh, clap—and even dance—during the show. 

For more show information, visit www.milliondollarquartetlive.com.

* * * * * *

ABOUT THE CAST
Brandon Bennett (Elvis Presley) a native of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, has performed with legendary stars like The Jordanaires, DJ Fontana and The Sweet Inspirations. Brandon has been honored with several international awards, including prestigious honors from Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.  He joins the cast of MDQ after performing for the past two years with the stage production The Elvis Story in Quebec, Canada.

Shaun Whitley (Carl Perkins) is a musician, actor, composer, and Jeff nominated music director. Some Chicago credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Flute/Thisbe) with Chicago Shakespeare Theater;PumpBoys and Dinettes (Jim) with Drury Lane Theater; Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Tommy, u/s Buddy Holly) with Drury Lane Theater; Uncle Vanya (Telegin) with TUTA; and Cotton Patch Gospel(Bass/Mandolin) with Provision Theater. He studied acting at RADA in London.

Lance Lipinsky (Jerry Lee Lewis), a Texas native, grew up studying his dad’s record collection of Elvis, Roy Orbison, and his hero, Jerry Lee Lewis.  These influences never left him and now, at age 24, he combines these styles in his own original music similar to early Rock & Roll, classic Country and even a touch of 1960’s pop.  His energetic live shows have led him all over the world, even to making his national television debut at the original Ryman Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN.  

Chris Damiano (Johnny Cash) is an Atlanta native, whose Chicago credits include Sugar at Drury Lane Oakbrook, Theo Ubique’s productions of Evita (Che, Jeff Award Non-Equity) and Jacques Brel’s Lonesome Losers of the Night (Man 1, Jeff Award Non-Equity). Damiano played guitar for Lil’ Buds Children’s Theatre productions of Those Silly Reindeer and Still Life with Iris. He currently plays with the bluegrass band Groundspeed and with the Italian folk/jazz group I Monelli monelli.

Tim Decker (Sam Phillips), a longtime Chicago actor, has appeared at Chicago Shakespeare, Goodman, Next, Milwaukee Rep, Touchstone, Shattered Globe, Stage Left, Famous Door, American Theatre Company, and American Blues (where he received a Principal Actor Jeff Award for his work in Toys in the Attic), among others.

Whitney Kraus Jones (Dyanne) is making her Chicago debut in Million Dollar Quartet. Jones recently graduated from Ball State University and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Past credits include Syncope (Short Film), Brighton Beach Memoirs, Beauty and the Beast, Dancing at Lughnasa, and Godspell.

Dan Leali (Fluke, Drummer) a native of the Chicago area, has performed with jazz trumpeter Randy Brecker; songwriters Jewel, Liz Phair, Peter Himmelman and Robbie Fulks; Poi Dog Pondering; Fareed Haque; bluesman John Primer; and Liquid Soul. He has performed on television and radio jingles, as well as arcade and video game soundtracks, and maintains a private teaching practice. Dan is also a founding member of the band Tributosaurus.

Marc Edelestein (Jay Perkins, Bassist) Devoted to American roots music, Marc has avidly promoted and
performed internationally in rockabilly, bluegrass, country, and folk projects. Performances include altcountry’s Robby Fulks Band; 7 years with Special Consensus Bluegrass Band; musical revue Women In My Lifewith singer-songwriters Bob Gibson and Michael Smith; Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s country & western auxiliary CSOakies; and numerous recordings. Marc made his theatrical debut as string bassist and vocalist in the Jeff Award winning Woody Guthrie’s American Song (Northlight, Briar Street Theater), and performed in Shakespeare’s As You Like It (Goodman Theater).

ABOUT MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. The place was Sun Records’ storefront studio in Memphis.  The man who made it happen was Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ’n’ Roll,” who discovered them all. The four legends-to-be united for the only time in their careers for an impromptu recording that has come to be known as one of the greatest rock jam sessions of all time. 

Million Dollar Quartet features a treasure trove of the greatest rock ’n’ roll, gospel, R&B and country hits from these music legends, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Riders in the Sky,” “Whole Lotta’ Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” and “Hound Dog.”  Million Dollar Quartet captures the infectious spirit, freewheeling excitement and thrilling sounds of a singular moment when four of the music industry’s most extraordinary talents, all in their creative prime, came together for one of the most memorable nights in music history. 

Directed by Eric Schaeffer and Floyd Mutrux, with a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. Million Dollar Quartet is produced by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions and Northern Lights Inc.

Million Dollar Quartet had its world premiere at Florida’s Seaside Music Theatre, and was subsequently staged at the Village Theatre in Washington, breaking box office records.  In Chicago, the production moved to the Apollo on November 5, 2008, following its sold-out, limited engagement at the Goodman’s Owen Theatre.  The Broadway production garnered three Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Levi Kreis; three Drama League Award nominations; and an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination.  Million Dollar Quartet is currently playing in New York at New World Stages, London at the Noel Coward Theatre and it recently began a national tour.


CREATIVE TEAM OF MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
Director Eric Schaeffer is the acclaimed co-founder and artistic director of the Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, where his work has been honored with numerous Helen Hayes Awards including Outstanding Direction.  He directed Putting it Together and Glory Days on Broadway, the first national tour of big, The Musical, and the West End debut of The Witches of Eastwick.  He also served as artistic director for the Kennedy Center’s recent Sondheim Celebration.

Floyd Mutrux is also the co-author of the book to Million Dollar Quartet, sharing writing credits with noted Grammy® Award-winning author and music historian Colin Escott.  Mutrux has written, directed or produced numerous films, including the classic biopic of early rock ’n’ roll American Hot Wax, Dick Tracy and Mulholland Falls.  Escott, the author of numerous books including Good Rockin’ Tonight – Sun Records and the Birth of Rock ’n’ Roll, was awarded a Grammy® for producing The Complete Hank Williams, and was nominated for a Grammy for producing B.B. King – King of the Blues.

Musical Director Chuck Mead, with multiple hit records, has stood at the forefront of the alternative country music explosion as founder and lead singer of BR549, the three-time Grammy® Award nominated country band.

Relevant Theatricals (Producer) is a commercial production company headed by Gigi Pritzker and Ted
Rawlins, dedicated to developing new work for the stage. Current projects include: Snapshots, a new musical with book by David Stern and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, creator of Wicked, Pippin andGodspell; and a new musical version of Dennis The Menace, scheduled to open in Seattle later this year.  Relevant’s sister company, Odd Lot Entertainment, develops and produces outstanding new film properties. Current productions include the feature Rabbit Hole, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire, starring Nicole Kidman and Dianne Wiest, and directed by John Cameron Mitchell.  Relevant Theatricals is proud to be part of the producing team that developed Million Dollar Quartet.

John Cossette Productions (Producer) was founded by John Cossette whose 30 year career in the music industry as an innovative producer of large scale events was legendary.  John produced the Grammy’s, the BET awards, the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and a star-studded concert in Central Park.  He was deeply involved with MusiCares and the EJ Jackson Foundation which helps to feed the homeless in Los Angeles. Under the direction of Rita Cossette the company will continue to develop and produce music related entertainment.

ACT OUT OPENING: A Red Orchid Theatre Presents The Aliens




Michael Finley (Evan), Steve Haggard (Jasper), and Brad Akin (KJ) 


                                                          
A RED ORCHID THEATRE CONTINUES ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON WITH
THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF THE ALIENS

WRITTEN BY ANNIE BAKER AND DIRECTED BY SHADE MURRAY
FEATURING ENSEMBLE MEMBER STEVE HAGGARD, WITH BRAD AKIN, AND MICHAEL FINLEY

JANUARY 17 – MARCH 3, 2013

A Red Orchid Theatre is one of our ChiILpicks for consistently cutting edge, professional theatre.   We dig ensemble member, Brett Neveu's, macabre and darkly insightful works and have seen many of his shows here over the years.    We're also looking forward to The Chicago premiere of The Aliens, by Annie Baker, opening next week. 

A Red Orchid Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of The Aliens, written by Annie Baker and directed by Artistic Associate Shade Murray. The production will run January 17 – March 3, 2013 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells.  

All day every day, two slackers hang out behind a coffee shop by the dumpsters.  These guys have elevated loitering to an almost Buddhist “tea ceremony” level, where music, Bukowski, sex, travel, philosophy, friendship, and ambition (or lack thereof) are intensely meditated upon while the busy world rushes by.  Enter a 17 year-old barrista-cum-disciple, and so begins a summer where no one moves but everything changes. 

“I love the way that Annie Baker’s plays seem to reset the pace, almost suspending time to allow for an incredibly close, almost secret-feeling, look into the souls of her characters,” said Artistic Director Kirsten Fitzgerald.  “This play is a gift.  Annie truly has a way of speaking to and drawing humans with such compassion, and I cannot wait to have her in the room.”

The Aliens features A Red Orchid Ensemble Member Steve Haggard (Jasper), with Brad Akin (KJ), and Michael Finley (Evan).

The creative team includes Dan Stratton (Set Designer), Joanna Melville (Costume Designer), Heather Gilbert (Lighting Designer), Brando Triantafillou (Sound Designer), Toni Kendrick (Props Designer), Jim Moore (Technical Director), S. G. Heller (Stage Manager), Alexis Jade Links (Production Manager) and Skye Robinson-Hillis (Assistant Director).

About the artists

Annie Baker (Playwright) grew up in Amherst, Massachusetts. Her full-length plays include Body Awareness (Atlantic Theater Company, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations for Best Play/Emerging Playwright), Circle Mirror Transformation (Playwrights Horizons, OBIE Award for Best New American Play, Drama Desk nomination for Best Play), The Aliens (Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, OBIE Award for Best New American Play), and Nocturna. Her work has also been developed and produced at New York Theatre Workshop, MCC, Soho Rep, the Orchard Project, the Ontological-Hysteric, Ars Nova, the Huntington, South Coast Rep, the Magic Theater, the Cape Cod Theatre Project, the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, and the Sundance Institute Theatre Lab in Utah and Ucross, Wyoming. Annie is a member of New Dramatists, MCC’s Playwrights Coalition, and EST, and an alumna of Youngblood, Ars Nova’s Play Group, and the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab. Recent honors include a New York Drama Critics Circle Special Citation, a Susan Smith Blackburn Prize nomination, a Time Warner Storytelling Fellowship, a MacDowell Fellowship, and commissions from Center Theatre Group and Playwrights Horizons. She received her MFA from Mac Wellman’s playwriting program at Brooklyn College.

Shade Murray's (Director) directing credits include Abigail's Party (Jeff Nomination, Director) and The Butcher of Baraboo at A Red Orchid, End Days at Next Theatre, The Chosen (Jeff Nomination, Director), The Subject Was Roses at Writers' Theatre, Fatty Arbuckle... at Second City, The Petrified Forest, The Good Soul of Szechuan, R.U.R., Marathon '33 (Jeff and After Dark Awards, ensemble), Detective Story (Jeff Award, Production, Director, Ensemble), and Our Country's Good at Strawdog Theatre, Stupid Kids (Jeff Nomination, Director), Some Explicit Polaroids, Santaland Diaries, Never Swim Alone at Roadworks as well as productions at the MCA, Shattered Globe, About Face, Colbalt, Shakespeare's Motley Crew, Timberlake Playhouse and dance theatre in collaboration with MK and Birgitta Victorson. Shade is an MFA candidate in directing at Northwestern University, an associate artist with A Red Orchid and Strawdog Theatre Companies and has taught at Northwestern University, DePaul University, Act One Studios, National Louis University, National High School Institute, Piven Workshop and the Actor's Gym.

Brad Akin (KJ) is an actor, director and teacher based in Chicago. This marks his A Red Orchid debut. Brad is a company member of Steep Theatre Company, where he also serves as Literary Manager.  Acting credits include Breathing Corpses, The Night Heron, Incident at Vichy, Icarus's Mother (Steep). Directing credits include Under The Blue Sky, Greensboro: A Requiem, Insignificance, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot,Book of Days (Steep); Where We're Born (Steppenwolf); and OOHRAH! (LiveWire Chicago).

Michael Finley (Evan) is currently in his third year of theatre, film, and anthropology studies at Northwestern University.  Previous credits include A Christmas Carol and High School Musical at Metropolis and You Can't Take It With You at Northwestern Theatre Interpretation Centre.

Steve Haggard (Jasper) is an ensemble member at A Red Orchid where he was last seen in The Mandrake and Kimberly Akimbo.  His Chicago credits include the world premiere of Wasteland (Timeline Theatre),Season’s Greetings and She Stoops to Conquer (Northlight Theatre), Romeo and Juliet and As You Like It (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Old Glory, The Subject Was Roses and Our Town  (Writers’ Theatre) and has also performed for The Goodman, Next Theatre, Milwaukee Rep, Remy Bumppo and Indiana Rep. He has spent the last few summer seasons with American Players Theatre in Spring Green Wisconsin where he was seen in The Admirable Crichton, The Tempest, Ah Wilderness, Hay Fever and The comedy of Errors.  He is a graduate of DePaul University.

About A Red Orchid
Since 1993 A Red Orchid Theatre has been an artistic mainstay of the Chicago theatre community; known and praised for its powerful ensemble, creative design and its gripping, intimate productions.  The resident Ensemble maintains the conviction that passionately committed theatre will draw passionately committed audiences, and the 2012-2013 subscription season promises to bring Ensemble and audience even closer together.
A Red Orchid Theatre is: Lance Baker, Dado, Jennifer Engstrom, Kirsten Fitzgerald, Joseph Fosco, Steve Haggard, Mierka Girten, Larry Grimm, Karen Kawa, Karen Kessler, Danny McCarthy, Brett Neveu, Michael Shannon, Guy Van Swearingen, Doug Vickers, Natalie West and Craig Wright.

Dates:             Previews:                     January 17 – January 20, 2013
                                    Regular Run:                January 22 – March 3, 2013
Red Night Opening:      Friday January 25 at 8 p.m.    
   
Schedule:      Thursdays:                   8:00 p.m.
                        Fridays:                        8:00 p.m.
                        Saturdays:                    8:00 p.m.         
Sundays:                      3:00 p.m.

Location:        A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells Ave.
Tickets:           $15 previews, $25-$30 regular run.  ($25 Thurs, $30 Fri-Sun),
$50 Red Night Opening & Reception on January 25 at 8 p.m.
Box Office:     Located at 1531 N. Wells Ave, Chicago, (312) 943-8722; or online www.aredorchidtheatre.org


Michael Finley (Evan), Brad Akin (KJ) and Steve Haggard (Jasper)

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