Here’s the press release from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs:
CHICAGO DCA THEATER ANNOUNCES FALL 2009 SEASON
Emerging and developing theater companies selected For performances in downtown’s Storefront and Studio Theaters
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs announces a 2009 fall season full of events at the Chicago DCA Theaters—the Storefront Theater, located at 66 E. Randolph Street and the Studio Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street.
Chicago DCA Theater offers downtown audiences an off-Loop theater experience with an exciting look at the vibrant emerging theater companies that call Chicago home. An anchor of the downtown theater district, Chicago DCA Theater’s Storefront Theater will present productions by three Chicago theater companies: Caffeine Theatre, InFusion Theatre Company, and Silent Theatre Company.
Chicago DCA Theater will also host three theater companies in its Studio Theater Incubator Program. The selected companies are Promethean Theatre Ensemble, Striding Lions InterArts Workshop, and LiveWire Chicago Theatre. Additionally, Chicago DCA Theater presents several special events in the 2009 season, including Site Unseen 2009, the sixth edition of this annual site-specific performance at the Chicago Cultural Center.
All tickets are available by calling (312) 742-TIXS (8497), visiting www.dcatheater.org, or stopping by the box office, open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 4 p.m.; and one hour prior to each performance.
Discounted parking is once again available at Wabash Randolph Self Park at 20 E. Randolph. Patrons can receive the $14 rate by validating their ticket at the Storefront Theater box office.
CHICAGO DCA THEATER SUMMER/FALL 2009 SEASON
Under Milk Wood Caffeine Theatre Media Opening: Thursday, August 27 August 21 – September 27 Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph Street Tickets: $20 general admission; $18 for seniors; $16 for students; $15 for previews (8/21–8/23) www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)
Caffeine Theatre stages Dylan Thomas’ dark, but funny play about the dreams and waking lives of a fictional Welsh town. An iconic favorite since it was first broadcast as a radio play in 1954, the play’s 47 quirky characters bring to life their inner longings bubbling beneath the surface of the town’s daily life, endearing us to humanity’s bawdy and magnificent possibilities. Paul S. Holmquist directs this classic but utterly relevant play with an intimate and physically intense ensemble of Chicago theater veterans and emerging talent.
Related FREE Events with Caffeine Theatre Dylan Thomas Coffeehouse Cabaret Wednesday, September 9, at 7 p.m. Storefront Theater Mezzanine Caffeine Theater brings together local actors and poets to read excerpts from Thomas’ works. Discussion to follow. Refreshments will be provided.
Post-show Discussions Thursdays, September 3 and 17 Following the performance, the cast and crew will discuss the show.
Rhymes With Evil InFusion Theatre Company Media Opening: Thursday, October 8 October 5 – November 8 Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. Halloween Weekend Performances on October 30 and 31 will be at 10 p.m. rather than 7:30 p.m. Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph Street Tickets: $25 general admission; $15 for seniors and students; $15 for previews (10/5–10/7) Pay-what-you-can on Sundays, October 11 and 18 www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)
For this Midwest premiere, InFusion Theatre Company brings creepy puppets and visual spectacle to a very human tale of an imaginative and inventive stay-at-home dad. In his Midwest farm house, he creates a beautiful yet bizarre world of puppets, costumed characters and fanciful stories for his young daughter. But all is not what it seems in this suspense-filled and disturbing tale of love, loss and danger appropriate for the Halloween season.
Related FREE Event with InFusion Theatre Company Post-show Discussion Thursday, October 15 and Sunday, October 25 Following the performance, the cast and crew will discuss the show.
Carnival Nocturne Silent Theatre Company Media Opening: Thursday, November 19 November 19 – December 20 Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. Additional matinee performance on Saturday, December 5, at 3 p.m. No performance on Thursday, November 26, due to the Thanksgiving holiday Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph Street Tickets: $20 general admission; $10 for seniors and students www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)
Silent Theatre Company welcomes visitors into the mysterious underground world of a traveling carnival. In the midst of fire breathers, fortune tellers, bestial tamers and natural freaks, a somber secret lies – a curse that binds them all together. With a live band and physical acts of carnival performance, this original dark fable by Gillian Hastings combines the styles of Tim Burton and Edward Gorey in a thrilling and enchanting ride through a world of whimsy and macabre.
Related FREE Events with Silent Theatre Company “Shtick” Physical Theater Workshops Saturdays, November 21, November 28, December 12 and December 19, 2 – 5 p.m. Storefront Theater Reservations encouraged at www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497) Participants find action-reaction relationships and hone their improvisational skills.
Freaks film screening with live, original musical accompaniment by Silent Theatre Band Wednesday, December 9, at 7 p.m. Claudia Cassidy Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street Casting many actual carnival performers, this 1932 horror film about sideshow “freaks” and “normal” people examines which are the real monsters.
Post-show Discussion Thursday, December 3 Following the performance, the cast and crew will discuss the show.
CHICAGO DCA’S STUDIO THEATER INCUBATOR SUMMER/FALL 2009 SEASON
The Studio Theater Incubator Series supports the creation of new work by emerging Chicago theater companies. Utilizing Chicago DCA Theater resources and rehearsal space in the Chicago Cultural Center, participants explore new projects, develop and refine styles, and share their process with the public during a special showcase event.
The evening showcase events each offer a glimpse into the companies’ projects through readings, performances, or works-in-process. The events are free, but reservations are encouraged by calling 312.742.TIXS (8497) or by visiting www.dcatheater.org.
Promethean Theatre Ensemble Incubator Showcase for A Month of Development Monday, August 31, at 7:30 p.m. Studio Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street
Promethean Theatre Ensemble brings audiences and artists together for a collaborative storytelling experience that engages the imagination and produces plays rooted in creativity, language and ideas.
Striding Lions InterArts Workshop Incubator Showcase for Pioneers Tuesday, September 29, at 7:30 p.m. Studio Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street
Striding Lion InterArts Workshop is an ensemble of Chicago artists from various disciplines dedicated to producing quality interdisciplinary performing arts experiences.
LiveWire Chicago Theatre Incubator Showcase for Lower Debt (or It’s Not You, It’s the Economy) Monday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m. Studio Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street
LiveWire Chicago Theatre is a collective company of artists with a common drive to develop theatre that is unique and vital to the world.
CHICAGO DCA THEATER SPECIAL FREE EVENTS SUMMER/FALL 2009 SEASON
Ching Chong Chinaman Silk Road Theatre Project July 24–26, at 7:30 p.m. Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph Street Reservations Encouraged at www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497) Silk Road Theatre Project presents this story of the Chinese American Wong family as they inadvertently, and hilariously, subvert Asian American stereotypes.
DirectorsLabChicago Monday, July 27, at 7 p.m. Claudia Cassidy Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street Reservations Encouraged at www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497) DirectorsLabChicago brings a frank and in-depth conversation with some of the city’s most prominent stage directors as they discuss their varied approaches to their work. Untitled Performance (Pink Tube) Miller & Shellabarger Sunday, September 27, 12–5 p.m. Preston Bradley Hall in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street As part of the IN>TIME Performance Series, Stan Shellabargar and husband Dutes Miller present their ongoing public artwork, crocheting a tube out of pink acrylic yarn that they have been working on since 2003.
Site Unseen 2009: (dis)abling conditions Monday, November 9, 6–9 p.m. Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street For one night only, the sixth annual site-specific performance event includes installation art, dance, sound, media works and visual art. This year’s event features work considering issues around disability.
New Blood III November 20–22, at 7 p.m. Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street The three-evening festival features new performances by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students who blur the boundaries between theater, movement and the visual arts.
AFTRA/SAG Senior Radio Players Claudia Cassidy Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street Reservations Encouraged at www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)
Audiences are invited to witness the performance of classic radio scripts by voice actors, sound effects artists and, often, live musicians. The AFTRA/SAG Players stay faithful to the original model by having to get it right the first time – no retakes permitted. Fog and Mr. Sycamore Thursday, July 16, at 7 p.m.
On a Country Road and Halloween Wednesday, October 7, at 7 p.m. It’s a Wonderful Life Thursday, December 10, at 7 p.m.
