CHICAGO ( December 15, 2015 ) — About Face Theatre is pleased to open its 20th Anniversary Season with the world premiere romantic comedy Le Switch by Artistic Associate Philip Dawkins, directed by Stephen Brackett and presented by special arrangement with Doug Nevin. LE SWITCH will play January 15 — February 21, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.aboutfacetheatre.org, by calling ( 773 ) 404-7336 or in person at Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening is Friday, January 22 at 7:30 pm.
Le Switch will feature AFT Artistic Associates Mitchell Fain and Elizabeth Ledo with LaShawn Banks, Stephen Cone and Collin Quinn Rice.
In the world-premiere romance Le Switch, marriage equality finally reaches the U.S. and commitment-shy David finds himself unsure how to react to the nation's honeymoon phase. Nervous in the face of "wedding fever," he retreats to his home full of unopened books and his grieving activist roommate. When his best friend's bachelor party takes him to Montreal, he's unexpectedly swept off his feet by a beautiful young florist. In the months that follow, David and his non-traditional family must decide for themselves what it really means to be committed, what it means to be married and what it means to be queer.
"We are so proud to be presenting this world premiere work by Artistic Associate Philip Dawkins —such a unique voice in the landscape of American theatre," comment Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff. "By turns funny, sensitive and political, Philip balances all of that with a queer sensibility while retaining a razor sharp insight into the human condition of today. We are lucky to have him as part of our company and thrilled to share his newest work with Chicago audiences," adds Volkoff.
The production team for Le Switch includes Joe Schermoly ( scenic design ), AFT Artistic Associate David Hyman ( costume design ), Sarah Hughey ( lighting design ) and Paul Perry ( sound design ) and Helen Lattyak ( stage manager ).
Details:
Title: LE SWITCH
Playwright: Artistic Associate Philip Dawkins
Director: Stephen Brackett
Cast: AFT Artistic Associates Mitchell Fain ( Frank ) and Elizabeth Ledo ( Sarah ) with LaShawn Banks ( Zachary ), Stephen Cone ( David ) and Collin Quinn Rice ( Benoît ).
Location: Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago
Dates: Previews: Friday, January 15 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, January 16 at 7:30 pm, Sunday, January 17 at 3 pm, Wednesday, January 20 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, January 21 at 7:30 pm
Press opening: Friday, January 22 at 7:30 pm
Regular run: Saturday, January 23 — Sunday, February 21, 2016
Curtain Times: Wednesday, Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm
Tickets: Previews: $20 adults/$10 students & seniors. Regular run: $35 adults/$20 students & seniors. Discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets are available at www.aboutfacetheatre.org, by calling ( 773 ) 404-7336 or in person at Theater Wit Box Office
Biographies:
Philip Dawkins' ( Playwright ) work includes the world premiere of Charm ( a commission by Northlight Theatre ) at Stepppenwolf Garage, the world premiere of Miss Marx: Or The Involuntary Effect of Living ( Strawdog Theatre ), which won the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work, as well as recent critically-acclaimed plays The Homosexuals and Failure: A Love Story, which both also received Joseph Jefferson nominations for New Work after their world premieres with About Face Theatre ( 2011 ) and Victory Gardens Theater ( 2012 ), respectively. His plays for young folks are published through Playscripts, Inc. A graduate of Loyola University, Chicago, Mr. Dawkins is an Artistic Associate of About Face Theatre and an Ensemble Playwright at Victory Gardens. He teaches playwriting at Northwestern University, his alma mater Loyola University Chicago and through the Victory Gardens ACCESS Program for writers with disabilities.
Stephen Brackett ( Director ) is a New York City based director of new plays and musicals. NYC credits include: Jonathan Tolins' Buyer & Cellar ( Rattlestick and Barrow Street Theaters/National Tour ), Anton Dudley's City Of ( The Playwrights Realm ), Lucas Kavner's Carnival Kids ( Lesser America ), Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief ( Theatreworks USA ), Ken Urban's The Correspondent ( Rattlestick ), Dan Fishback's The Material World ( Dixon Place ), Micheline Auger's American River ( Lesser America ), Bekah Brunstetter's Nothing is the End of the World ( Waterwell/PPAS ), Chad Beckim's After ( Partial Comfort ), Brunstetter's Be A Good Little Widow ( Ars Nova ), The Tenant ( Woodshed Collective ), Rick Viede's Whore ( Summer Play Festival ) and Bixby Elliot's PN1923.45LS01 Volume 2 ( Culture Project ). Regional credits include: Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz's Be More Chill ( Two River Theater Company, World Premiere ), David West Read's The Great Pretender ( TheatreWorks ) and Kilroy Was Here: A Styx Rock Opera ( Williamstown Theatre Festival ). Stephen is a company member of Lesser America and Partial Comfort, and an alumnus of the Soho Rep Lab.
About Face Theatre creates exceptional, innovative, and adventurous plays to advance the national dialogue on sexual and gender identity, and to challenge and entertain audiences in Chicago, across the country, and around the world.
