Book by Neil Simon
With music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Musical direction by Doug Peck
Choreography by Jessica Redish
Directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam
Now playing through April 14, 2013
Writers’ Theatre Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Artistic Director Michael Halberstam announce the two-week extension of Writers’ Theatre production of Sweet Charity, book by Neil Simon with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam with musical direction by Doug Peck and choreography by Jessica Redish. The production now runs through April 14, 2013, at Writers’ Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe, IL.
How many times can a girl make the same mistakes? Charity Valentine’s problems aren’t unique—a dead end job, a string of dates with identically flawed men and a knack for making the wrong choices. Of course, in her case the job is as a dance hall “hostess” and her dates all seem to end with her being pushed into the lake— but that won’t shake her belief that great things lie just ahead. And perhaps they do…
Artistic Director Michael Halberstam gives Charity reasons to sing and dance on the gritty streets of New York, and Musical Director Doug Peck re-imagines the score for a live jazz combo.
The cast includes: Tiffany Topol (Charity), Jarrod Zimmerman (Oscar/Ensemble), JeffParker (Vittorio/Ensemble), Ericka Mac (Helene/Ensemble), Karen Burthwright (Nickie/Ensemble), James Earl Jones II (Daddy Brubeck/Herman/Ensemble), Katie Spelman (Rosie/Ensemble), Emily Ariel Rogers (Ursula/Ensemble), Adam Estes (Ensemble), Travis Porchia (Ensemble) and Liam Quealy (Ensemble).
The creative team includes: Collette Pollard (Scenic Designer), David Hyman (Costume Designer), John Culbert (Lighting Designer), Joshua Horvath (Sound Designer), Nick Heggestad, (Properties Designer), Eva Breneman (Dialect Coach), Tom Vendafreddo (Piano/Conductor), David Castellanos (Production Stage Manager) and Michael Holtzman, (Assistant Director).
TICKET INFORMATION
Performances began January 22, 2013. The production is now running through April 14, 2013. Curtain times are Tuesdays at 7:30pm; Wednesdays at 2:00pm (March 6, March 20 and March 27); and 7:30pm (except March 6); Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00pm; Saturdays at 4:00pm and 8:00 pm; Sundays at 2:00pm and 6:00pm (no 6:00pm show March 24 or March 31). Tickets are $35-$75 and are available at the Box Office, 376 Park Avenue, Glencoe; 847-242-6000 or online at www.writerstheatre.org.
AUDIENCE ENRICHMENT
Writers’ Theatre is thrilled to announce the expansion of their post-show discussions. Throughout the season they will be offering post-show discussions on select Wednesday evenings following the performance in our Tudor Court space. In the Books on Vernon space they will be offering post-show discussions every other Wednesday evening.
Post-show discussions provide a forum for audience members to ask questions of the artists in the production and gain new insight into the work.
Post-show discussions for Sweet Charity are every Wednesday evening following the performance, excluding extension dates.
TWEET SEATS
Follow Writers' Theatre on Twitter (Twitter.com/WritersTheatre) and by 3:00pm, when available, Writers' will Tweet a code that can be used to purchase remaining seats for that day’s performance at a discount. When available, Tweet Seats may be purchased only through the Writers' Theatre website at writerstheatre.org.
WRITERS’ PARTNERS
Writers' Theatre is pleased to welcome back BMO Harris Bank as Season Sponsor of its 2012/13 Season.
Northern Trust joins as the Corporate Sponsor Partner of Sweet Charity
Writers' Theatre welcomes back Winnetka’s award-winning Restaurant Michael as Restaurant Partner and Event Sponsor. Writers' Theatre patrons receive 10% off their guest check when they present their ticket stub when ordering. Just 10 minutes from the theater at 64 Green Bay Road, Restaurant Michael is the perfect fit for any dining occasion. Call 847-441-3100 to make your reservation.
ABOUT WRITERS’ THEATRE
Over the past twenty seasons, Writers' Theatre has become a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence. Under the artistic leadership of Michael Halberstam and the executive leadership of Kathryn M. Lipuma, Writers’ Theatre has been deemed the “best drama company in the nation” by the Wall Street Journal and achieved twenty years of surplus operations. The company, which plays to a sold-out and discerning audience of 35,000 patrons each season, has garnered critical praise for the consistent high quality and intimacy of its artistry. Prized for the finest interpretations of classic and contemporary theatre in its two intensely intimate venues, Writers’ Theatre’s acclaimed work includes Artistic Director Michael Halberstam’s world premiere in Glencoe and subsequent production of A Minister’s Wife at Lincoln Center Theater; David Cromer’s productions of A Streetcar Named Desire and Picnic; and the commissioning, world premiere and New York premiere of Crime and Punishment, which has received more than 30 subsequent regional theater productions.
In July, 2011, Writers’ Theatre announced the hiring of the award-winning, internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects, led by principle Jeanne Gang, FAIA to design a new home for the Theatre in downtown Glencoe which will once again allow the Theatre to grow to accommodate its audience, while maintaining its trademark intimacy. The new facility will resonate with and complement the Theatre’s neighboring Glencoe community and will add tremendous value to Chicagoland and the North Shore as a premier cultural destination.
Title: Sweet Charity
Book by: Neil Simon
Music by: Cy Coleman
Lyrics by: Dorothy Fields
Based on the Film by: Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli and Ennio Flaiano
Produced for the
Broadway Stage by: Fryer, Carr and Harris
Conceived, Staged
and Choreographed by: Bob Fosse
Creative Team: Michael Halberstam, Director
Doug Peck, Music Director
Jessica Redish, Choreographer
Tom Vendafreddo, Piano/Conductor
Collette Pollard, Scenic Designer
David Hyman, Costume Designer
John Culbert, Lighting Designer
Joshua Horvath, Sound Designer
Nick Heggestad, Properties Designer
Eva Breneman, Dialect Coach
David Castellanos, Production Stage Manager
Michael Holtzman, Assistant Director
Dates: First performance: January 22, 2013
Closing performance: April 14, 2013
Schedule: Tuesdays: 7:30pm
Wednesdays: 7:30pm (additional 2:00pm matinee March 6,
March 20 and March 27; no 7:30pm show March 6)
Thursdays & Fridays: 8:00pm
Saturdays: 4:00pm and 8:00pm
Sundays: 2:00pm and 6:00pm (no 6pm show March 24 and March 31)
Location: Writers’ Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe
Prices: Prices for all performances range from $35 - $75
Purchase early for best prices
Box Office: The Box Office is located at 376 Park Avenue, Glencoe;
Notes of Interest:
- Writers’ Theatre has produced its fifth musical with Sweet Charity. Previously, the company produced A Minister’s Wife, which Michael Halberstam later directed at Lincoln Center Theatre; She Loves Me, featuring Jessie Mueller; A Little Night Music and Oh Coward!
- With the exception of Adam Estes, who worked with Writers’ on A Minister’s Wife, the cast is new to Writers’ Theatre. Writers’ is thrilled to have an opportunity to work with these talented artists for the first time.
- Sweet Charity, based on Federico Fellini’s 1957 Italian romantic drama film Nights of Cabiria, premiered on Broadway in 1966, where it was nominated for 12 Tony Awards. The continuing popularity of the musical inspired Broadway revivals in both 1986 (when it won 4 out of the 5 Tony Awards it was nominated for) and 2005 (nominated for three Tony Awards).
- The American film adaptation premiered in 1969 with Shirley MacLaine as Charity and John McMartin recreating his Broadway role as Oscar Lindquist. Bob Fosse directed and choreographed this film.
