Tue. December 16, 2003
Chicago, IL -
Passion and politics are the key elements of the provocative Spring Season presented by the artists of Bailiwick Repertory, 1229 West Belmont. Building on the momentum of the recent mega-hit musical DR. SEX, Bailiwick continues its 22 year tradition of daring new works and potent regional premieres which ruminate on the key issues of our day --- religion, gender, history, politics, and passion.
PARADE, which won two Tony Awards -- for Jason Robert Brown's score and Alfred Uhry's book -- is an explosive view of American history, centered on the trial of Leo Frank in Atlanta in 1913. With soaring melodies sung by a cast of 30, PARADE is a love story set against the panoramic background of Anti-Semitism, racism, and the changing American South.
Opens Monday, April 26 at 7:30 in the Mainstage.
In SIN: A CARDINAL DEPOSED, Michael Murphy uses the text of Cardinal Bernard Law's deposition in the sex scandals of the Boston diocese to present a fascinating portrait of power and deception. Opens Tuesday, March 2 at 8:00 in the Studio.
MOSCOW is a new musical in which three actors are trapped in a theater with nothing to do but rehearse Chekhov's THE THREE SISTERS. Like the young women in Chekhov's classic drama, will they escape their personal confinement and find their dreams? Opens Sunday, January 18 at 6:00 in the Mainstage.
108 WAVERLY is a passionate musical contrasting two gay couples sharing the same New York Apartment. However, one couple reads Jane Austen and lives in the 1920's, while the other heads to gyms and clubs in the 1990's. Opens Tuesday, February 10 in the Mainstage.
Performance artist Tim Miller continues his long relationship with Bailiwick with the Chicago premiere of US. Fast, funny and furious, US ricochets between Miller's love affair since childhood with Broadway musicals to an exploration of home, exile and the injustices lesbian and gay people face in the good old USA.. (April 9 and 10 only)
Finally, CRY HAVOC is a fiercely political play set in Egypt that challenges its audience to consider the scope of differences between cultures, nations and lovers. Two men, one British and the other Egyptian, struggle to make sense of their respective worlds as the rising forces of terrorism surge around them. Opening night Sunday, April 4.
Here are the details in chronological order:
MOSCOW by Nick Salamone and Maury R. Mc Intyre (January 15 to February 22)
Three actors are trapped in a theater with nothing to do besides rehearse Anton Chekhov's play THE THREE SISTERS. Are they in heaven? Hell? Purgatory? And, like the young women of Chekhov's play, how can these three men escape their personal confinements and find their dreams? Does the secret lie in each other? Mysterious and passionate, this unique three-man musical is a beautiful examination of how the human heart is always searching for something greater than itself, and how our dreams are sometimes all we have to keep us alive.
MOSCOW is directed by Bailiwick's Associate Artistic Director Bo List, with Musical Direction by Bailiwick Artistic Associate Robert Ollis. It features Brian Givens, Michael Hampton, and Adam McNulty.
MOSCOW previews January 15, 16, and 17th at 7:30, and opens January 18 at 6:00 p.m. In January, MOSCOW plays on Thursday and Friday at 7:30, Saturday at 8:30, and Sunday at 2:30, through February 22. Please note there are no Friday performances in February, as MOSCOW will run in repertory with 108 WAVERLY on the Mainstage. All preview tickets are $18. Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances are $25, with Thursdays $22.
108 WAVERLY by Dan Clancy and Lynn Portas (February 7 to March 7)
Welcome to 108 Waverly Place - a cozy one-bedroom apartment occupied by two gay couples. Too close for comfort? No - one of the couples resides there in 1998 - the other in 1928. This touching new intimate musical makes its world premiere at Bailiwick. Brian, Matthew, Chris and Robby will take a special place in your heart and make you laugh as they navigate the social and political mainstream to find the only place where they can be and love themselves: home.
108 Waverly is directed by Bailiwick Artistic Director David Zak, with Musical Direction by Bailiwick Artistic Associate Alan Bukowiecki.
108 WAVERLY previews Saturday, February 7 at 5:00 and Sunday, February 8 at 7:30. Opening is Tuesday, February 10 at 7:30. Thereafter, 108 WAVERLY plays in repertory with MOSCOW, playing Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 7:30, and Saturday at 5:00 through March 7. Preview tickets are $18. Tickets are $25 for opening (includes reception), and are $25 for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and $22 Wednesday.
SIN: A CARDINAL DEPOSED Adapted by Michael Murphy From the depositions of Cardinal Bernard Law, Archbishop of Boston (March 1 through April 11)
In the tradition of outstanding "docu-dramas" like THE LARAMIE PROJECT and EXECUTION OF JUSTICE, Michael Murphy's SIN is a collage of testimonies of, by and surrounding Cardinal Bernard F. Law - the Catholic leader whose governance of his diocese was questioned and scrutinized when years of sexual abuse by diocesan priests finally came to light. This searing and emotional work examines our dedication to religion, our faith in our legal system and the strength of our own convictions - in the words of Cardinal Law himself. Directed by David Zak.
SIN previews Monday, March 1 at 8:00 and opens Tuesday, March 2 at 8:00. Thereafter, performances are Wednesday at 8:00, Saturday at 6:00, and Sunday at 2:00 through April 11. The preview is $15, opening is $25 (includes reception), and the regular run is $22 for Wednesday, and $25 for Saturday and Sunday.
CRY HAVOC By Tom Coash (April 4 to May 16)
CRY HAVOC is a fiercely political play that challenges its audience to consider the scope of differences between cultures, nations and lovers. Two men, one British and the other Egyptian, struggle to make sense of their respective worlds when the latter is severely beaten in what looks like a common gay-bashing. But is there a deeper reason for the attack? Is it justice to retaliate an eye-for-an-eye? And to what lengths are we prepared to go in the name of our God? Directed by P. Marston Sullivan.
CRY HAVOC previews on Saturday, April 3 at 5:30, and opens Sunday April 4 at 6:00 p.m. in the Loft Theater. Regular performances are Saturday at 5:30, Sunday at 6:00 and Monday at 8:00 through May 16. Tickets are $15 for the preview and for Monday, and $25 on Saturday and Sunday. Please note there is no performance of CRY HAVOC on Monday, April 27.
US by Tim Miller (April 9 and 10)
Fast, funny and furious, Tim Miller's new show US ricochets between Miller's love affair since childhood with Broadway musicals to an exploration of home, exile and the injustices lesbian and gay people face in the good ol' USA. "Us" is a hilarious and pissed-off exploration of these most American contradictions as the piece careens from the 8 year old boy who did stripteases with the musical GYPSY on the record player, to memories of a ten year old's plan to flee to Canada to escape the war in Vietnam, to a surreal wedding day tug-of-war at the edge of America as the Niagara Falls rushes between his legs.
Tim Miler performs US for two nights only, Friday and Saturday April 9 and 10 at 7:30. $25.
PARADE Book by Alfred Uhry, Co-Conceived by Harold Prince
Lyrics and Music by Jason Robert Brown (April 22 to June 29)
PARADE is an explosive view of American history, centered on the trial of Leo Frank in Atlanta in 1913. With soaring melodies sung by a cast of 30, PARADE is a love story told against the panoramic background of Anti-Semitism, racism, and the changing American South. Alfred Uhry ("Driving Miss Daisy") and Jason Robert Brown, one of Broadway's most promising young composers ("Songs For A New World") have created this exciting new musical.
In 1913, Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-born Jew living in Georgia, is put on trial for the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan, a factory worker under his employ. Already guilty in the eyes of everyone around him, a sensationalist publisher and a janitor's false testimony seal Leo's fate. His only defenders are a governor with a conscience, and, eventually, his assimilated Southern wife who finds the strength and love to become his greatest champion.
Daring, innovative and bold, PARADE won well-earned Tony® Awards for Best Book and Best Score in 2000. Its subject matter offers a moral lesson about the dangers of prejudice and ignorance that should not be forgotten. David Zak directs with musical direction by Alan Bukowiecki.
PARADE previews on April 22, 23, 24 at 7:30, and Sunday April 25 at 3:30. Opening is Monday, April 26 at 7:30. The regular performance schedule is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30, and Sunday at 3:30 through May 29. Tickets are $20 for previews, $30 for opening (includes reception), $25 for Thursday, and $30 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Group sales for PARADE are available through Showtix, 312-943-5056.
Individual tickets and flex pass subscriptions are available by calling 773-883-1090 or online at www.bailiwick.org. Flex passes for 2004 cost $275 for 16 admissions, $230 for 12, or $165 for 8. Bailiwick is happy to introduce new SIX PACK PASSES, which allow for 1 admission to each of the above shows for $95.
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