PROMETHEAN THEATRE ENSEMBLE ANNOUNCES AMBITIOUS FOURTH SEASON:THE LAST UNICORN, THE FANTASTICKS, and SPRING AWAKENING
April 13, 2009- CHICAGO, IL: Promethean Theatre Ensemble is pleased to announce a bold expansion to three mainstage productions in their fourth season: a world premiere adaptation of Peter S. Beagle’s novel The Last Unicorn, the Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt musical The Fantasticks, and Frank Wedekind’s Spring Awakening.
The Last Unicorn By Peter S. Beagle Adapted to the Stage and Directed by PTE ensemble member Ed Rutherford
Schedule: October 16-November 14, 2009 Thursdays-Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. & 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. Official opening on Saturday, October 17 at 8 p.m. No Saturday matinee on October 17. Additional performance for the convenience of the press on Monday, October 19 at 7 p.m.
Venue: City Lit Theater, 1020 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago
About the Show: Adapted from Peter S. Beagle’s beloved fantasy novel, this grown-up fairy tale focuses on the Unicorn: the most beautiful creature in all the world, immortal, and magical besides. When she hears from a pair of hunters traveling through her forest that she is the last of her kind, the Unicorn sets off on a quest to discover what has become of her lost brothers and sisters. This world premiere will incorporate original music, puppetry, masks and movement and a dedicated ensemble playing multiple roles.
The Fantasticks By Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt Directed by PTE ensemble member Beth Wolf
Schedule: February 26-March 21, 2010 Thursdays-Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. & 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. Official opening on Saturday, February 27 at 8 p.m. No Saturday matinee on February 27. Additional performance for the convenience of the press on Monday, March 1 at 7 p.m.
Venue: City Lit Theater, 1020 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago
About the Show: A Boy. A Girl. Two Feuding Fathers. A Wall. The first musical ever produced by Promethean, The Fantasticks is a timeless exploration of the bittersweet lessons taught by young love. As entertaining as it is wise, the show is also renowned for its classic songs, including “Try to Remember” and “Soon It’s Gonna Rain.” More than just a crowd-pleaser, The Fantasticks fits Promethean’s aesthetic and mission well with its unique blending of poetic text, elegant simplicity of design, and borrowing of stock characters and plot devices from commedia dell’arte.
Spring Awakening By Frank Wedekind Directed by PTE Artistic Director Stephen Murray
Schedule: May-June 2010 (dates TBA).
Venue: TBA.
About the Show: Long before there was a hit Broadway musical, this play scandalized the German public. Frequently banned since it was written in the late 1800s, Spring Awakening takes an unflinching look at the sexual discovery and violent consequences of repression among a group of schoolchildren as they hurtle toward their uncertain future.
Evening of Shakespeare Promethean Theatre Ensemble will also offer a new installment in its popular Evening of Shakespeare series in Summer 2010. More details will be made available at a later date.
Not to be Missed: Measure for Measure! Before exploring our fourth season, be sure to catch the final installment of Season Three, an intriguing new take on William Shakespeare’s classic Measure for Measure. Opening night is Saturday, May 16 at 8 p.m.. Performances continue Thurs-Sat at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. through June 13, with an additional performance for the convenience of the press on Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m. All performances will take place at City Lit Theater, 1020 W Bryn Mawr Ave.
Since their inaugural production of Christopher Durang’s Beyond Therapy in 2006, Promethean Theatre Ensemble has striven to bring audiences and artists together to collaborate in storytelling. Employing simplicity of design and performance to engage the imagination, the company produces plays rooted in creativity, language and ideas. With the support of its dedicated ensemble, Promethean has gone on to produce Our Country’s Good, The Light of Love, Six Characters in Search of an Author, The Illusion (Jeff Recommended) and their popular Evening of Shakespeare series. The company has also collaborated with the Chicago and Evanston Public Libraries to offer theatre education to teens. For more information, please visit www.prometheantheatre.org.
