SAVE THE DATES: SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Begins April 15th at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

CHICAGO PREMIERE

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE

April 15–June 11, 2017

at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

based on the screenplay by Marc Norman + Tom Stoppard

adapted for the stage by Lee Hall

directed by Rachel Rockwell

The Oscar-winning romantic comedy about Shakespeare and his Chamberlain’s Men returns to its rightful home—the stage. Imagine a young playwright on the make struggling to write his new tragic love story, “Romeo and Ethel, The Pirate’s Daughter.” The title just doesn’t have the right ring—and young Will Shakespeare knows it. He’s got writer’s block and must do something quickly. Will needs a muse, and he finds one in Viola, a vivacious beauty who will do anything—even disguise herself as a man—to audition for the stage where no women are permitted to perform. Once revealed, the torrid affair begins inspiring the completion of the most romantic tragedy ever penned. Backstage maneuverings jostle hilariously with onstage dramas in this love letter to Theater itself, directed by multiple Jeff Award winner and Chicago Shakespeare favorite Rachel Rockwell.

Riotously funny 

The Sunday Times (UK)

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Previews 

Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 16 at 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Weekday Performances

Tuesdays

May 16, 23 – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays

May 3, 17, 24, 31; June 7 – 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

May 10 – 1:00 p.m.

Thursdays

May 4, 18, 25; June 1, 8 – 7:30 p.m.

May 11 – 1:00 p.m. 

Fridays

April 28; May 5, 12, 19, 26; June 2 – 7:30 p.m.

Weekend Performances 

Saturdays

April 29; May 6, 13, 20, 27; June 3, 10 – 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. 

Sunday

April 30; May 14; June 4, 11 – 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

May 7, 21, 28 – 2:00 p.m.

Tickets: $48-$88

www.chicagoshakes.com/shakespeareinlove

Box Office: 312.595.5600 

Group Sales: 312.595.5678 (groups of 10 or more)

OPENING: Sondheim's Sweeney Todd Begins Making Meat Pies and Music This February at Paramount Theatre in Aurora

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

PARAMOUNT TO MINE BEAUTY FROM SONDHEIM'S 

DARK TALE OF BLOODTHIRSTY BARBER SWEENEY TODD, FEBRUARY 8-MARCH 19 

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, we've always had a taste for the macabre, and dark musicals are a delightful paradox. We'll be "road tripping" a bit south west of Chicago to Aurora, IL for the press opening, so check back shortly for our full review.

Some call Sweeney Todd Stephen Sondheim's most perfect score, filled with ravishing beauty. Others describe this Victorian melodrama as a pitch-black comedy, filled with thrills and terrors. Many herald this musical about an English barber, who murders his customers with a straight razor and, with his accomplice Mrs. Lovett, processes their corpses into meat pies, one of the single greatest achievements of American theater in the last 50 years.

Some, others, many and bloody well everyone need to strap themselves in for Paramount Theatre's bold new production of Sweeney Todd-The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. 

Artistic Director Jim Corti - who staged last season's Jeff winning best musical West Side Story, winner of 2015 Jeff Awards for director and musical for Les Misérables, and the only Chicago theater artist to win Jeffs for directing, choreography and acting, will stage and choreograph Paramount's new take on Sondheim's beautiful, yet terror-filled musical. Paramount favorite Tom Vendafreddo returns for his tenth consecutive Paramount production as music director and conductor.

Previews start February 8. Press opening is Saturday, February 11 at 8 p.m.

Performances run through March 19: Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Thursday at 7 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Single tickets are $44 to $59. Sweeney Todd is rated PG-13.

The Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora, is surrounded by affordable parking and new restaurants for pre- or post-show dining. Click HERE to purchase tickets or call (630) 896-6666, or visit the Paramount box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and two hours prior to evening performances. 

Behind-the-scenes of Paramount's  Sweeney Todd

It's just another day in 19^th Century England. Benjamin Barker has returned home. The only thing is, it's been 15 years since the once fresh-faced barber has seen his family. Barker was unjustly imprisoned on trumped up charges by the corrupt Judge Turpin, who had his leering eyes on the barber's beautiful wife. Upon his arrival to the pie shop where he and his family once lived above, Barker's old friend and confidant Mrs. Lovett unravels the events of the past decade. She explains about the seduction of his wife by the Judge, which led her to take her own life. And to sharpen the pain, she breaks the news that the Judge adopted and is raising Barker's daughter as his own. Barker vows revenge and turns to the tools with which he'll exact his plan: a razor and a barber chair. While the ensuing events are unfortunate for some, others - including Mrs. Lovett, her struggling pie shop and her customers - quickly prosper from the body count.

"Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece resonates powerfully and creepily with penny dreadful gallows humor not unlike today's political satire," said director Jim Corti. "The leads, Todd and Lovett, are examples of how ordinary humans can become monsters capable of atrocity when vengeance and survival are forced upon perfectly good, wholesome people. Poisoned and toxic, they approach us to tell their tale. It's all perfectly, grotesquely beautiful. Perfectly human."

Paul-Jorden Jansen (Sweeney Todd) 

and 

Bri Sudia (Mrs. Lovett) 

Paramount's principal cast members are Paul-Jordan Jansen as Sweeney Todd,

Bri Sudia as Mrs. Lovett, Matt Deitchman as Adolfo Pirelli, John Herrera as Judge Turpin, Cecilia Iole as Johanna, Anthony Norman as Tobias Ragg, Emily Rohm as Beggar Woman, Patrick Rooney as Anthony Hope and Craig W. Underwood as Beadle.

Ensemble members are Julie Bayer, Harter Clingman, Nathan Maurice Cooper, Evan C. Dolan, Thomas Forde, Emily Glick, Emily Goldberg, Alana Grossman, Teressa LaGamba, Harriet Nzinga Plumpp, Matthew Thomas Provencal, Rob Riddle, Dan Riley, Will Skrip, Jason Slattery and Abby Murray Vachon.

The Sweeney Todd production team includes Trent Stork, associate director; Kory Danielson, assistant music director/associate conductor; Jeff Kmiec, scenic designer; Theresa Ham, costume designer; Nick Belley and Jesse Klug, co-lighting designers; Adam Rosenthal, sound designer; Ethan Deppe, electronic music designer; Katie Cordts, wig, hair and make-up designer; Amanda Relaford, properties designer; Patrick Ham, special effects designer; Ryan Bourque, fight choreographer; Jinni Pike, stage manager; and Nora Mally, assistant stage manager. 

Sweeney Todd is a fictional character who first appeared as the villain of the Victorian penny dreadful "The String of Pearls" (1846-47). Claims that Sweeney Todd was a historical person are strongly disputed by scholars, although his tale became a staple of London urban legend. 

His story has been retold many times since, including in Sweeney Todd-The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, Sweeney Todd has been nominated for Tony Awards in three different decades. The original 1979 production received nine Tony nominations and brought home eight including best musical, score and book. A 1990 remount saw four more Tony nominations. Tim Burton directed Johnny Depp in the lead role in the acclaimed 2007 musical fantasy horror film. Back on Broadway, a 2016 New York revival landed six more Tony nods. Popular musical numbers include "A Little Priest," "My Friends," "Epiphany," "Worst Pies in London" and "Pretty Women."

                                                                       

Jim Corti (director) was hired in 2011 to be the first-ever artistic director in the Paramount's 80+ year history. He was instrumental in launching Paramount's inaugural Broadway Series and directed and choreographed Paramount's first self-produced Broadway Series show My Fair Lady, which played to rave reviews. Corti's 2013 Paramount production of Fiddler on the Roof was a smash hit, and his Miss Saigon was the only musical to make the Chicago Tribune's Top Ten Shows of 2013. RENT in 2014 was a critical and box office success, followed by consecutive productions of The Who's Tommy and Les Misérables ,  which collectively garnered five Jeff Awards for Paramount in its first year of eligibility, including Best Production - Musical - Large for Les Misérables and Best Director - Musical for Corti. He also staged Paramount's 2015-16 opener Oklahoma! and closer West Side Story, Paramount's second-consecutive Jeff Award winning Best Musical. Earlier this season Corti directed Mamma Mia!. Before Paramount, Corti was a seasoned Broadway veteran, appearing in the New York casts of Ragtime, A Chorus Line and Candide and national tours of Urinetown, Cabaret and Bob Fosse's Dancin'. Career highlights over three decades include being the only director in Chicago to have two productions at the same time in the Chicago Tribune's list of 10 Best Shows in 2009 - Drury Lane's Cabaret and Writers Theatre's Oh, Coward!. He remains the sole honoree to have garnered a Jeff Award as an actor (in Marriott's Grand Hotel), a choreographer (Drury Lane's Singin' in the Rain) and director (Paramount's Les Misérables, Drury Lane's Sweet Charity and Northlight's Blues in the Night).

Tom Vendafreddo (music director and conductor) is helming his tenth consecutive musical at Paramount, preceded by In the Heights, Mary Poppins, The Who's Tommy, Les Misérables (Jeff Nomination, Music Direction), Oklahoma! (Jeff Nomination, Music Direction), A Christmas Story - The Musical (Jeff Nomination, Music Direction), Hairspray - The Broadway Musical, West Side Story (Jeff Nomination, Music Direction), Mamma Mia! and Disney's The Little Mermaid. Other credits include Company and Sweet Charity (Writers Theatre); On the Town and Godspell (Marriott Lincolnshire); Road Show and Shrek: The Musical (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); The Spitfire Grill (BoHo Theatre - Jeff Nomination for Music Direction); and Pump Boys and Dinettes (Metropolis Performing Arts Center). Regional credits include RENT (San Diego Musical Theatre), Odyssey (Old Globe Theatre), Forever Plaid (Chestnut Fine Arts) and It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play (Cygnet Theatre). As a cabaret artist, he has performed in Chicago, New York, San Diego and Melbourne. In 2014, he became the Founding Artistic Director of the Chicago Artists Chorale, a choral ensemble of working professionals in the Chicago theatre community. He received a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Eastman School of Music and a Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University. tomvendafreddo.com

Paramount's 2016-17 Broadway Series is sponsored by BMO Harris Bank and The Dunham Fund. Broadway Series Orchestra Sponsor is Rush-Copley Medical Center. Broadway Series Lighting Sponsor is ComEd. Broadway Series Costume Sponsor is Gerald Kia.

More about Paramount's 2016-17 Season

 Paramount's 2016-17 season line-up is anchored by its acclaimed Broadway musical series. Following Sweeney Todd is Jesus Christ Superstar, Apr. 19-May 28, 2017. 

In addition, Paramount's 2016-17 season also includes Defending the Caveman (Jan. 20), God Save The Queen (Jan. 21), Home Free (Mar. 24), Madeleine Peyroux and Rickie Lee Jones (Mar. 25), Golden Dragon Acrobats (Mar. 26), Riverdance: 20 Years (Mar. 31-Apr. 2, five shows), Piano Men: A Tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel (Jun. 10, two shows) and Barbra and Frank: The Concert That Never Was... (Jun. 11).

Back in 2016-17 is Paramount's popular Classic Movie Monday series, presenting everyone's favorite flicks in one of Chicago's top former movie palaces on a two-story screen, for just $1. Paramount also serves the community with low-cost children's shows designed to entertain while they educate: Miss Nelson is Missing (Mar. 22) and Laura Ingalls Wilder (Mar. 23). 

For subscriptions, single tickets or more information, go to ParamountAurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or stop by the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in Aurora.

About The Paramount Theatre 

Inside the historic Paramount Theatre

The Paramount Theatre (ParamountAurora.com) is the center for performing arts, entertainment and arts education in Aurora, the second largest city in Illinois. Named "One of Chicago's Top 10 Attended Theatres" by the League of Chicago Theatres, the 1,888-seat Paramount, located in downtown Aurora at 

23 E. Galena Blvd., is nationally recognized for the quality and caliber of its presentations, superb acoustics and historic beauty.   

The Paramount opened on September 3, 1931. Designed by renowned theater architects C.W. and George L. Rapp, the theater captures a unique Venetian setting portrayed in the art deco influence of the 1930s. The first air-conditioned building outside of Chicago, the Paramount offered the public a variety of entertainment, including "talking pictures," vaudeville, concerts and circus performances for more than 40 years. 

In 1976, Aurora Civic Center Authority purchased the Paramount and closed the theater for restoration. The $1.5 million project restored the Paramount to its original grandeur. On April 29, 1978, the Paramount Arts Center opened, offering a variety of theatrical, musical, comedy, dance and family programming. In 2006, a 12,000-square-foot, two-story Grand Gallery lobby was added, with a new, state-of-the-art box office, café and art gallery.

Today, the Paramount self-produces its own Broadway Musical Series, presents an eclectic array of comedy, music, dance and family shows, and on most Mondays, screens a classic movie.

The Paramount Theatre is one of three live performance venues programmed and managed by the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA). ACCA also oversees the Paramount's "sister" stage, the intimate, 173-seat Copley Theatre located directly across the street from the Paramount at 8 E. Galena Blvd., as well as RiverEdge Park, downtown Aurora's summer outdoor concert venue.

The Paramount Theatre continues to expand its artistic and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Tim Rater, President and CEO, Aurora Civic Center Authority; Jim Corti, Artistic Director, Paramount Theatre; a dedicated Board of Trustees and a devoted staff of live theater and music professionals. 

OPENING: The Book of Joseph at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

World Premiere Chicago Shakespeare Commission

THE BOOK OF JOSEPH

One family's remarkable story spanning occupied Poland to present-day America

featuring Chicago favorite Francis Guinan

ChiIL Live Shows will be out for the press opening, so check back soon for our full review. In these tumultuous times, when even the president of the United States doesn't mention all the Jews that died during World War II on Holocaust Remembrance Day, it's more important than ever to tell the stories. We're very much looking forward to this world premiere production.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. George Santayana

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for the world premiere of The Book of Joseph, a new play by award-winning playwright Karen Hartman chronicling three generations of the Hollander family in a sweeping story that spans history from occupied Poland to present-day America. Directed by CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and developed with Creative Producer Rick Boynton, The Book of Joseph debuts in the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, January 29–March 5, 2017.

Richard Hollander was devastated when his parents were killed in an accident. While cleaning out their attic, he discovered a suitcase of letters written in Polish and German during World War II by a family he never knew—depicting day-to-day life under the most painful of circumstances in occupied Poland. Richard went on to discover that, at the time the letters were written, his father Joseph was fighting the United States government to avoid deportation and death—a campaign that involved such historic figures as Eleanor Roosevelt, Secretary of State Cordell Hull, senators and judges. He was astounded to learn that his father saved the lives of many but, despite heroic efforts, could not save his own family. Richard published his father's story and the collection of letters in the book Every Day Lasts A Year.

Chicago Shakespeare, working alongside the Hollander family, has commissioned Karen Hartman to adapt this deeply resonant and historically significant story into a new play that not only paints a compelling portrait of a family torn apart by war, but also shines a light on the immigrant experience across the globe. The production features Francis Guinan as the present-day Richard and Sean Fortunato as his father Joseph.

Hartman’s work includes Goliath, Donna Wants, Going Gone, Troy Women and others that have been commissioned and staged by dozens of theaters across the nation. This season alone, Hartman has three world premiere plays in four productions from coast to coast—including, most recently, Roz and Ray at Victory Gardens Theater.

Longtime Chicago favorite Francis Guinan leads the cast as Richard Hollander, who makes the fateful discovery of his family’s letters and digs into the past to unearth his father’s secrets. Guinan has appeared on Broadway in August: Osage County, The Grapes of Wrath and As Is. A member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble, he has also appeared in productions at Northlight Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Writers Theatre and TimeLine Theatre Company. Sean Fortunato plays Joseph, Richard’s father and the subject of his story—portrayed in flashback during his harrowing escape from occupied Poland to seeking asylum in America. Fortunato returns to Chicago Shakespeare, where he has appeared in over twenty productions, most recently in King Charles III. Representing the third generation of Hollanders is Adam Wesley Brown as Richard’s young adult son Craig. Brown returns to Chicago Shakespeare; his past credits include The Tempest, Julius Caesar and Henry VIII.

At the heart of Joseph’s family in Poland are courageous women: his mother, sisters and their husbands and children. The Hollander clan is led by the matriarch Berta—portrayed by Glynis Bell. A longtime veteran of New York stages, Bell has appeared on Broadway in Therese Raquin, Looped and Amadeus. Joseph’s three sisters are portrayed by Amy J. Carle (Mania), Gail Shapiro (Klara) and Patricia Lavery (Dola). Ron E. Rains (Salo) returns to Chicago Shakespeare, after most recently appearing in The Tempest. Brenann Stacker (Genka) and Mikey Gray(Lusia) portray the youngest members of the Hollander family.

The production comes to the theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare with the creative talents of Scenic Designer Scott Davis in his 25th CST production, after most recently designing sets for the epic Tug of War marathon. Also on the creative team are Costume Designer Rachel Healy, who previously designed Short Shakespeare! Twelfth Night, and Lighting Designer Phillip S. Rosenberg in his 15th Chicago Shakespeare production. Co-Sound Designers Misha Fiksel and Miles Polaski make their CST debuts. 

Rounding out the creative team are multiple Jeff Award-winning Projections Designer Mike Tutaj and Chicago Shakespeare’s resident Wig Master Richard Jarvie. Jarvie has designed 29 productions in CST’s history, including most recently King Charles III, and has worked extensively with Stratford Festival, The Guthrie Theater and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Matt Raftery joins the team as choreographer and assistant director.

Highlighting the Theater’s commitment to new work, The Book of Joseph is Chicago Shakespeare’s 19th world premiere in a season with six other projects in development. 

Creative Producer Rick Boynton oversees the development of a wide spectrum of new work—with many works receiving extended productions in 2016. The CST-commissioned Othello: The Remix, a hip-hop adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy from The Q Brothers, opened to rave reviews in an off-Broadway production presented by John Leguizamo. The new musical Ride the Cyclone, which was developed with CST, is also in the midst of an off-Broadway run at MCC Theatre directed by Rachel Rockwell, and was named to the “Best Theatre of 2016” list by The New York Times. In Summer 2016, Paul Gordon’s sweeping musical adaptation of Sense and Sensibility made its West Coast premiere at the Old Globe Theatre, in a production staged by Barbara Gaines and featuring many of the original CST cast members.

In partnership with the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, Richard Hollander and CST Creative Producer Rick Boynton will discuss the development process in an event at the Museum on January 26.

For more information about the production, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/Joseph.

The Book of Joseph will be performed at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, January 29–March 5, 2017. Tickets are on sale now for $38–$58 (subject to change). Special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, as well as CST for $20 tickets available for patrons under 35. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater’s website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

CST strives to make its facility and performances accessible to all patrons through its Access Shakespeareprograms. The Book of Joseph will have an Audio-described performance on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. (with optional Touch Tour at 12:00 p.m.) and an Open-captioned performance on Friday, February, 24, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

OPENING: Teatro Vista Presents the World Premiere of The Wolf at The End of The Block at Victory Gardens

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

IKE HOLTER'S INTENSE NEW THRILLER 

THE WOLF AT THE END OF THE BLOCK 

IS TEATRO VISTA'S NEXT WORLD PREMIERE, 

JANUARY 28-MARCH 5, 2017

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, we've thoroughly enjoyed Ike Holter's works so far, and his unique vision, so we're eager to check out this world premiere. We will be out for the press opening, so check back soon for our full review.

Chicago. Fall. One night, a boarded up bar on the dark side of the block becomes a terrifying crime scene. 

In the next 48 hours, the neighborhood digs deep 

into escalating mystery, working against time to separate fact from fiction. 

But as the clock ticks down, the clues spiral into a razor sharp jigsaw, 

and what began as a simple mystery 

quickly twists into a personal, pointed and political thriller.  

That's the highly charged set-up for the newest work by acclaimed Chicago playwright Ike Holter, author of such contemporary hits as Hit the Wall, Exit Strategy and Sender.

    

Teatro Vista, Chicago's leading Latinx professional company, commissioned The Wolf at The End of The Block, and will present its world premiere January 28 through March 5, 2017 at Chicago's Victory Gardens Theater. 

Teatro Vista Ensemble members Sandra Márquez and Gabriel Ruíz, along with Bear Bellinger, James D. Farruggio and Ayssette Muñoz will star in Holter's in-the-moment exploration of racial profiling, media manipulation and family relationships. 

Ricardo Gutiérrez, Teatro Vista Executive Artistic Director and director of The Wolf at The End of The Block, says "get ready for a riveting new, full-length play from one of Chicago's hottest young playwrights The story is set in Chicago and has five characters, three of which are Latino. Holter's play is brutally raw, funny and deftly pierces universal truths."

The production team for The Wolf at The End of The Block includes Milo Bue (set), Uriel Gómez (costumes), Diane D. Fairchild (lights), Erik Backus (sound) and Jamie Karas(props). Stage manager is Stephanie Hurovitz.

Teatro Vista will debut The Wolf at The End of The Block in the Richard Christiansen Theater at Victory Gardens, located at 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue at the historic Biograph Theater in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. 

Previews are Saturday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, January 29 at 3 p.m., and Wednesday through Thursday, February 1-3 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night is Saturday, February 4 at 7:30 p.m. 

Performances run through March 5: Thursday through Saturday at 

7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. 

Preview are $20. Performances are $25-$30. Student tickets are $15. Senior tickets are $18. Up to 20 Early Bird tickets are available on a first come, first served basis for $18. Use code EARLYBIRD. 

For tickets and information on group rates, visit TeatroVista.org, call the Victory Gardens box office, (773) 871-3000, or visit Tuesday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 12 p.m. to 

6 p.m., or Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Metered, street and valet parking is available near the Biograph. The theater is easily accessed on the CTA Red, Purple and Brown lines via the Fullerton stop. The CTA 8 Halsted and 74 Fullerton buses also stop at Fullerton and Halsted, 1/2 block south of the theater. For more information, visit VictoryGardens.org/PlanYourVisit.

Behind the scenes of  

The Wolf at The End of The Block

Playwright Ike Holter's work has been produced at The Steppenwolf Garage, A Red Orchid, The New Colony and The Inconvenience, where he is a founding member and resident writer. He's received fellowships and commissions from the Goodman Theater, the Kennedy Center and The Playwrights Center. His show Hit the Wall played at Steppenwolf Garage, Off-Broadway at The Barrow Street Theater in New York, and recently enjoyed an extended run at the Lily Tomlin Center in L.A. Jackalope Theatre premiered his play Exit Strategy which played to sold-out houses and transferred to Michigan's 3 Oaks Theater Festival. It was produced at Philadelphia Stages and transferred Off Broadway to Primary Stages last spring. His most recent play Sender was a smash hit last season for A Red Orchid. Holter was named the "Chicagoan of the Year in Theater 2014" by the Chicago Tribune. His monologues have been published in The New Yorker and several editions of Applause Books. He was recently named one of Victory Gardens' newest ensemble playwrights.

Teatro Vista Executive Artistic Director Ricardo Gutiérrez (director) most recently staged the company's 2016-17 season opener, Mando Alvarado's Parachute Men, also the inaugural production of the Latina/o Theatre Commons' new El Fuego Initiative. Other Teatro Vista directing credits include In The Time of the Butterflies, Between You, Me & The Lampshade, A View From The Bridge, Momma's Boyz, i put the fear of mexico in 'em and La Mágica Posada. He is co-founder of the Alliance of Latinx Theatre Artists of Chicago (ALTA), a service organization dedicated to promoting and fostering Latinx theatre artists in Chicago. As an actor, Gutiérrez just returned from performing Destiny of Desire at South Coast Repertory, which will be remounted in March at the Goodman Theatre. He also appeared in In The Heights at the Paramount and in the world premieres of Song For The Disappeared and Fish Men at the Goodman. He has performed on stage at the Actors Theatre in Louisville, Denver Center Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Victory Gardens and Lookingglass Theatre. TV credits include Chicago PD, Sirens and Boss. Before joining Teatro Vista, Gutiérrez served as the artistic director of Nosotros in Los Angeles and The Canterbury Theatre in Indiana.

Meet the cast

Gabriel Ruiz (Abe) is a graduate of the DePaul Theatre School and a proud ensemble member of Teatro Vista. Chicago credits include White Tie Ball for Teatro Vista, Singin' in the Rain and City of Angels at Marriott, Man in the Ring and Agamemnon at Court Theater, Arcadia and Company at Writers' Theatre, The Upstairs Concierge at Goodman Theater, Creditors at Remy Bumpo Theater, How Long Will I Cry?, Motherfucker with the Hat and The Way West at Steppenwolf, Sita Ram for the Chicago Children's Choir, Working: The Musical at The Broadway Playhouse, Richard III at Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Arabian Nights at Lookingglass Theater. Regional credits include Native Gardens at The Cincinnati Playhouse, Harvey at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them at Forward Theater Company and Blood and Gifts at The Lincoln Center in New York. He can also be seen as Dilip Singh in both seasons of Boss on the Starz Network.

Sandra Marquez (Frida) is an actor, director and educator, as well as a longtime ensemble member and former Associate Artistic Director (1998-2006) of Teatro Vista. Earlier this season she played Clytemnestra in Court Theater's production of Electra. Last spring she joined the ensemble of Steppenwolf Theater where she most recently appeared in the world premiere of Mary Page Marlowe by Tracy Letts. As an actor Marquez has worked at respected venues in Chicago and beyond including the Goodman, Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Madison Repertory and New York's off-Broadway house, Second Stage Theater, Uptown. Next summer she will play Clytemnestra in Iphigenia at Aulis for the remount of Court's production at the Getty Villa in California. Film and TV credits include The Big Bang Theory, Chicago Code, Boss, Chicago Med and Timer. She has been a member of the theater faculty at Northwestern University since 1995. As a director, Marquez' credits include Teatro Vista's production of Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner by Luis Alfaro and the critically acclaimed production of Our Lady of the Underpass by Tanya Saracho, which went on to receive a Jeff nomination for best production. More recently she directed Manana Comes (Chicago premiere) by Elizabeth Irwin (Teatro Vista), and Men on the Verge of Hispanic Breakdown by Guillermo Rodriguez (Pride Films and Plays).

James D. Farruggio (James) has performed in Of Mice and Men and To Kill a Mockingbird (Steppenwolf for Young Adults), Show Boat (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Bethany, Streamers, Stop/Kiss, The Ruby Sunrise, Suicide, Incorporated, Northwest Highway; Oh, The Humanity (and other exclamations), Almost Maine, Vigils and Broadsword as well as Ten.2012, Ten.2013 and Ten.2014 (The Gift Theatre), The Kentucky Cycle (Infamous Commonwealth Theatre) and Stage Door (Griffin Theatre). Film and television credits include APB, Batman Dark Knight, The Beast, Prison Break, Crisis, Chicago PD and The Playboy Club.

Ayssette Muñoz (Miranda), selected by the Chicago Tribune's Chris Jones as one of 2015's "Top 10 Hot New Faces of Chicago Theatre," is an artistic associate at Teatro Vista, where her credits include Maria Teresa in In the Time of the Butterflies, Amparo in Between You, Me & The Lampshade, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Catherine in A View from the Bridge. Other local credits include Adriana in The Comedy of Errors (Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival), Hope in Urinetown (Thirteen O'Clock Theatre), Juliet (u/s) in Romeo and Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Marisol in the staged reading of Marisol (Goodman Theater Latino Festival), and an episode of Chicago PD.  

Bear Bellinger (Nunley) is making his Teatro Vista debut. He has been seen in Chicago productions with The Inconvenience, The Hypocrites (The Adding Machine), Chicago Children's Theatre (Mr. Chickee's Funny Money), Paramount Theatre (Miss Saigon) and Court Theatre among others. 

More about Teatro Vista's 2016-17 season

Following The Wolf at The End of The Block, Teatro Vista's season finale is the world premiere of La Havana Madrid, a theatrical, cinematic and musical history of Latinx Caribbeans in Chicago by ensemble member Sandra Delgado. Fellow ensemble member Cheryl Lynn Bruce directs Delgado's immersive documentary theater experience, complete with live music, based on the true story of the 1960's Chicago nightclub, La Havana Madrid. Previews begin April 14. Press opening is Saturday, April 22 at 8 p.m. Performances run through May 21.

About Teatro Vista

Teatro Vista (TeatroVista.org) produces, develops and commissions plays that explore the wealth and variety of the human experience from a Latinx perspective. The company provides work and professional advancement opportunities for Latinx theatre artists, with special emphasis on the company's ensemble members, and seeks to enhance the curricular goals of Chicago students through theatre. 

Teatro Vista was recently celebrated as one of "Chicago's Cultural Leaders" by the Arts & Business Council of Chicago and received the League of Chicago Theatre's Artistic Leadership Award.                                                                        

Teatro Vista's primary focus is producing new works by Latinx theatre artists and presenting classic plays featuring artists of color. Its artistic vision is shaped by the company's ensemble members, a group of multi-generational, multi-ethnic and multi-disciplinary artists. They inform Teatro Vista's artistic aesthetic by devising original works as well as by selecting plays with themes that are engaging and relevant to Chicago's diverse population.

Teatro Vista founded in 1990 by Edward Torres and Henry Godinez. As Teatro Vista's first Artistic Director, Godinez guided the company during the formative years. He helped stage successful productions and establish vital relationships with other theatre companies and artists. When Godinez stepped down, Torres was appointed Artistic Director. Under Torres' direction, Teatro Vista used the stage to engage, connect and challenge audience members using the company's mission as his guide. In 2012, Torres moved to New York and the Board of Directors promoted longtime Associate Artistic Director Ricardo Gutiérrez to the position of Executive Artistic Director.

In addition to Gutiérrez, Teatro Vista ensemble members include Charín Álvarez, Max Arciniega, Desmín Borges, Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Ramón Camín, Ivonne Coll, Laura Dahl, Sandra Delgado, Liza Fernández, Khanisha Foster, Erik Juárez, Jon Lyon, Sandra Márquez, Joe Minoso, Christina Nieves, Marvin Quijada, Tommy Rivera-Vega, Gabriel Ruíz, Cecilia Suarez and co-founder Edward Torres. 

Teatro Vista's Board of Directors includes Ezequiel "Zeek" Agosto, President; Rodrigo García and Rosanna Márquez, Vice Presidents; Joan Pantsios, Secretary; Tom Vega-Byrnes, Treasurer; and Bhuvana Badrinathan, José Antonio Cruz, Edgar Delgado, Ricardo Gutiérrez, Yolanda Hardy and Kareem Mohamednur.

Teatro Vista is supported by The Joyce Foundation, Alphawood Foundation, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, The MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events of the City of Chicago, The Shubert Foundation, TheGaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation and The Saints.

Purple Group and Cumberland Irving are Teatro Vista's Headline Season Sponsors. Teatro Vista is a Victory Gardens Resident Theater.

OPENING: Straight White Men at Steppenwolf

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

EXPERIMENTAL PLAYWRIGHT YOUNG JEAN LEE DIRECTS
STEPPENWOLF’S CHICAGO PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF HER ACCLAIMED PLAY
STRAIGHT WHITE MEN
FEBRUARY 2 – MARCH 19, 2017

ONE OF THE MOST DARING WRITERS IN AMERICA, YOUNG JEAN LEE’S SHARP AND HILARIOUS PLAY SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON A STORY WE THINK WE KNOW SO WELL 

Steppenwolf Theatre Company welcomes internationally acclaimed playwright and director Young Jean Lee this winter as she directs the Chicago premiere of her play, Straight White Men. The fearless and entertaining play features ensemble member Alan Wilder as the patriarch, Ed, who welcomes home his three sons—Madison Dirks (Jake), Ryan Hallahan (Drew) and Brian Slaten (Matt) for the holidays. Elliott Jenetopulos plays the role of Stagehand-in-charge through March 4; Syd Germaine will take over the role from March 5 – 19. 

Previews begin February 2, 2017 (press performances are Saturday, February 11 at 3pm and Tuesday, February 14 at 7:30pm; opening night is Sunday, February 12) and the show runs through March 19, 2017 in the Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - $89) are available through Audience Services at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

As Ed, a widower, prepares to celebrate Christmas, he calls his three grown sons back to the family home. Games are played, Chinese food is ordered, and brotherly pranks and trashtalk distract them from the ongoing issue that threatens to ruin the festivities: when personal identity is essential and privilege is a problem, what is a straight white man to do?  Young Jean Lee takes an outside look at the traditional father/son play narrative, shedding new and often hilarious light on a story we think we know all too well.

Director and playwright Young Jean Lee shares, “Straight White Men isn’t about me trying to reveal anything new about privilege or solve it. It’s about me asking myself, ‘If I woke up tomorrow as a straight white man, what would I do?’ I think that as a straight white man, I probably wouldn’t feel so righteous about my personal journey of conquering obstacles to get what I want. Straight White Men is about what happens when that hero’s-journey narrative falls apart."

Young Jean Lee is Korean-American playwright, director and filmmaker. She has written and directed ten shows in New York with Young Jean Lee's Theater Company, and toured her work to more than 30 cities around the world. Straight White Men premiered at the Public Theatre in 2014 to critical acclaim. Hailed by The New York Times as “the most adventurous downtown playwright of her generation,” Young Jean Lee is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, two OBIE Awards, a Prize in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a PEN Literary Award, a Doris Duke Performing Artist Award and a Doris Duke Artist Residency. Her first short film, Here Come the Girls, was presented at The Locarno International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival and BAMcinemaFest.

The Straight White Men production team includes David Evans Morris (scenic design), Enver Chakartash (costume design), Sarah Hughey (lighting design), Jamie McElhinney (sound design) and Chris Giarmo (original music and composition). Additional credits include Laura Glenn (stage manager), Christine D. Freeburg (assistant stage manager), JC Clementz (casting director), and Jonathan Berry (artistic producer).

About the Cast

Alan Wilder, an original ensemble member, has appeared in more than 60 Steppenwolf productions, including Steppenwolf’s current world premiere of Erika Sheffer’s The Fundamentals (through Dec 31, 2016). Madison Dirks was last seen in Steppenwolf’s production of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, which later transferred to Broadway. Ryan Hallahan makes his Steppenwolf debut in this production, and was last seen in Jackalope’s production of Octagon. Elliott Jenetopulos, who originated the role of Stagehand-In-Charge in the premiere of Straight White Men at The Public Theater in 2014, makes their Steppenwolf debut in this production. Syd Germaine also makes their Steppenwolf debut with this production and was last seen in Julius Caesar at Writers Theatre. Brian Slaten, who previously performed the role of Matt in the Center Theatre Group production, also directed by Young Jean Lee, joins the Chicago cast in the same role.

Tickets & Production Info

Single tickets are available at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org. Previews: $20 – $54 and Regular Run: $20 – $89. Prices subject to change. Rush Tickets: half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show. Student Discounts: a limited number of $15 student tickets are available online. Limit 2 tickets per student; must present a valid student ID for each ticket; steppenwolf.org/students. Group Tickets: all groups of 10 or more receive a discounted rate for any performance throughout the season; steppenwolf.org/groups. 

Flex Card Memberships: Black Card memberships are for audiences interested in extreme flexibility with six tickets for use any time for any production. Black Card ticket credits are valid for one year with the option to add additional tickets as needed. Perks include easy and free exchanges, access to seats before the general public, savings on single ticket prices and bar and restaurant discounts for pre- and post-show socializing. Red Card memberships are available for theatergoers under 30.  To purchase a Card Membership, visit Audience Services at 1650 N Halsted St, call 312-335-1650 or visit steppenwolf.org.

Steppenwolf offers a gift that is never boring—the Steppenwolf Black Card. An all-access pass with six tickets to any shows, anytime. To purchase, visit steppenwolf.org/gift or 312-335-1650.

Accessible performances include an American Sign Language interpretation on Sunday, February 26 at 7:30pm, Open Captioning on Saturday, March 4 at 3pm, and a Touch Tour on Sunday, March 12 at 1:30pm touch tour, Audio-Described performance at 3pm. For more information, visit steppenwolf.org/access.

Curtain times are Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30pm; Wednesday matinees at 2pm; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3pm.

Steppenwolf’s 2016/17 Season continues with the Chicago premiere of Straight White Men, written and directed by Young Jean Lee (February 2 – March 19, 2017); the world premiere of Linda Vista by ensemble member Tracy Letts, directed by Dexter Bullard (March 30 – May 21, 2017); and the Chicago premiere of Hir by Taylor Mac, directed by Hallie Gordon (June 29 – August 20, 2017); and an additional summer show, Pass Over by Antoinette Nwandu (June 1 – July 9, 2017).

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation’s premier ensemble theater—redefining the landscape of acting and performance. Formed by a collective of actors in 1976, the ensemble has grown to 46 members who represent a remarkable cross-section of actors, directors and playwrights. Thrilling and powerful productions from Balm in Gilead to August: Osage County—and accolades that include the National Medal of Arts and 12 Tony Awards—have made the theater legendary. Steppenwolf produces hundreds of performances and events annually in its three spaces: the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat 1700 Theatre. Artistic programing includes a seven-play season; a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season; Visiting Company engagements; and LookOut, a multi-genre performances series. Education initiatives include the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf for Young Adults, which engages 14,000 participants annually from Chicago’s diverse communities; the esteemed School at Steppenwolf; and Professional Leadership Programs for arts administration training. Steppenwolf’s own Front Bar: Coffee and Drinks serves coffee, cocktails and a menu curated in partnership with the Boka Restaurant Group day and night. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Anna D. Shapiro is the Artistic Director and David Schmitz is the Executive Director. Eric Lefkofsky is Chair of Steppenwolf’s Board of Trustees. 

For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.