Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

Promethean's 14th season to explore status of women, societies past, imagined
2019-07-17

This article shared 1896 times since Wed Jul 17, 2019
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


The rights and roles of women in society will be examined in Promethean Theatre Ensemble's 2019-20 season via three plays all penned or adapted by women. The first two will revisit the early years of women's suffrage in late 19thCentury Great Britain, while the season closer will imagine a totally new society set some time and place in the future.

The company will open its new season with the Chicago premiere of BLUE STOCKINGS — a drama of the first females admitted to Cambridge University in 1896 and the obstacles they faced as students. BLUE STOCKINGS was the first play written by Jessica Swale, author of NELL GWYNN, which was seen in 2018 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Charles Spencer of London's THE GUARDIAN, in reviewing the world premiere of BLUE STOCKINGS at London's Globe Theatre, said "Jessica Swale tells the story with both wit and a hint of righteous indignation.

"BLUE STOCKINGS will be directed for Promethean by Spenser Davis, a 2017 Jeff Award winner for his direction of AT THE TABLE by Broken Nose Theatre, where he is Director of Programming. BLUE STOCKINGS will be performed at The Den Theatre from September 13 — October 13, 2019.

George Bernard Shaw's satirical take on the limited opportunities for women in late 19th Century British society - MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION — will be performed in a brand-new world premiere adaptation by Melanie Spewock. One of Shaw's earliest plays, it is representative of Shaw's gift for delivering biting social criticism with humor. Michael D. Graham, the former Artistic Director of Piccolo Theatre who will helm the Chicago premiere of CASA VALENTINA at Pride Films and Plays in August, will direct. MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION will be performed at Otherworld Theatre from Feb 28-Mar 29, 2020.

The season will close with the world premiere of A TOWN CALLED PROGRESS by Chicago playwright Trina Kakacek ( pictured below left ). The town of the title is an imagined female Utopia situated on a dusty road between the towns of Backwards and Conspiratorial sometime in the future. It imagines what might happen when two male interlopers happen upon the town. Anna C. Bahow ( pictured below right ), an Artistic Associate with Silk Road Rising and an ensemble member with Promethean, will direct. A TOWN CALLED PROGRESS is set to play at Strawdog Theatre from June 13 — July 18, 2020.

The company will celebrate the upcoming fourteenth season with a season kickoff party on Sunday, August 11 from 7 — 11 pm at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. The fundraising event will include food, music, games, raffles, a sneak peek at the shows of the upcoming season. Tickets and further information for the kickoff party are available at www.prometheantheatre.org

THE PLAYWRIGHTS

Jessica Swale ( Playwright, BLUE STOCKINGS ) is an Olivier award winning playwright, screenwriter and director. As playwright, Jessica's first play BLUE STOCKINGS ( Shakespeare's Globe ) won her an Evening Standard Most Promising Playwright nomination. NELL GWYNN ( Shakespeare's Globe ) transferred to the West End starring Gemma Arterton and won the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Jessica is adapting NELL GWYNN as a feature film with Working Title, alongside original films for Studio Canal and Fox Searchlight, and has written the HORRIBLE HISTORIES movie for Altitude. She's currently in post-production for her first feature, Summerland, which she has written and directed, also starring Arterton. Her other plays includes ALL'S WILL THAT ENDS WILL ( Bremen Shakespeare Company ), THOMAS TALLIS ( Wanamaker Playhouse ), adaptations of SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD ( Watermill ), THE SECRET GARDEN, STIG OF THE DUMP ( Grosvenor Park, Chester ),THE JUNGLE BOOK ( UK Tour ) and her new play THE MISSION, about secret adoptions in the 1920s. Jessica is an Associate Artist with NGO Youth Bridge Global, author of a best-selling series of drama games books and she is also involved in Times Up UK, actively campaigning for greater equality and diversity across theatre and film.

George Bernard Shaw ( Playwright, MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION ) was an Irish playwright, socialist, and a co-founder of the London School of Economics. Although his first profitable writing was music and literary criticism, in which capacity he wrote many highly articulate pieces of journalism, his main talent was for drama. Over the course of his life he wrote more than 60 plays, including ( in addition to MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION ) MAN AND SUPERMAN, SAINT JOAN, MAJOR BARBARA, HEARTBREAK HOUSE, CANDIDA, and PYGMALION. Nearly all his plays address prevailing social problems, but each also includes a vein of comedy that makes their stark themes more palatable. In these works, Shaw examined education, marriage, religion, government, health care, and class privilege. It is a combination of the dramatic, the comic, and the social corrective that gives Shaw's comedies their special flavor.

Melanie Spewock ( Adapter, MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION ) worked in arts education for 37 years to support her dramaturgy habit. Her favorite thing is bringing classic plays to modern audiences, and she is thrilled to be working with Promethean Theatre for the first time. She is grateful for the public domain, which allows her to collaborate with fabulous playwrights. Melanie lives in Minneapolis with her husband, three cats, and a large box of blue pencils.

Trina Kakacek ( Playwright, A TOWN CALLED PROGRESS ) is the Winner of the John Gassner New Play Competition ( SOMETHING ABOUT A BIRD, NY ), Dionysius Cup ( ATTACHMENT DISORDER, Chicago ), and a two-time Heidemann award semi-finalist. Her plays have been featured at Chicago Dramatists, Stage Left Theatre, Lincoln Square Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, Infusion Theatre Company, Women's Theatre Alliance, Dream Theatre, Chicago Fringe Festival, Atlanta Fringe Festival and at the Great Plains Theatre Conference. She is co-producer, director, script writer and sound designer for Small Fish Radio Theatre and Thespinarium, which to date has featured the work of over 60 emerging artists. Most recently, in a partnership with Victory Gardens Theater's Access Project and the Kennedy Center LEAD Conference, Small Fish Radio performed and recorded her full-length play MERCURY CONSIDERS THE LAST LAYER live on the Victory Gardens Main Stage. Trina teaches playwriting to Chicago high school seniors as part of Pegasus Theatre's Young Playwright's Competition.

THE DIRECTORS

Spenser Davis ( Director, BLUE STOCKINGS ) is a director, playwright, and filmmaker currently based in Chicago, where he serves as Director of Programming for Broken Nose Theatre and an ensemble member of The Factory Theater. Previous directing credits include AT THE TABLE ( Jeff Awards for Best Director, Production, and Ensemble ), PLAINCLOTHES ( Jeff Award for Best Ensemble ), A PHASE, and FROM WHITE PLAINS ( Broken Nose Theatre ); MAY THE ROAD RISE UP and ADVENTURES OF SPIRIT FORCE FIVE ( The Factory ); EVERY OTHER TUESDAY ( Steppenwolf 1700 ); BACHELORETTE ( Level 11 ); EXTRAORDINARY ( Otherworld ); numerous editions of the One Minute Play Festival; as well as readings, workshops, and festivals with American Blues Theatre, ATC, Strawdog, Mary-Arrchie, First Floor Theater and Pride Films and Plays, to name a few. Assistant directing credits include PILGRIM'S PROGRESS and 3C ( A Red Orchid Theatre ), as well as THE DIVINE SISTER ( Hell in a Handbag ), all with Shade Murray. As a playwright, his second play PLAINCLOTHES had its critically acclaimed World Premiere at Broken Nose Theatre, received the 2019 M. Elizabeth Osborn Award from the American Theatre Critics Association, and was named a finalist for the 2019 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award. He is currently adapting his first play MERGE as a pilot for television. He is a series writer-director on SQUID, a short-form comedy series on Amazon Prime. He is grateful to be represented by the good folks over at William Morris Endeavor.

Michael D. Graham ( Director, MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION ) for two years was Artistic Director at Piccolo Theatre, where he directed THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP; THE MISANTHROPE; SMASH! ( adapted from Shaw's THE UNSOCIAL SOCIALIST ); PRIVATE EYES; PARALLEL LIVES; and THE MEMORY OF WATER. Other favorite directing credits include HOLDING THE MAN; TEN DOLLAR HOUSE; and the upcoming CASA VALENTINA for Pride Films and Plays; BUTLEY ( Hubris Productions ); SPREADING THE NEWS ( Halcyon Theatre ); EXPATRIATES ( the side project ); METROPOLITAN OPERAS ( ActOne Studios ); THE YEARS ( Appetite Theatre ); and, THE LEARNED LADIES OF PARK AVENUE. In addition to directing, Michael has worked on over 100 productions since 2001 as either actor, producer, playwright, dramaturg, dialect coach, sound designer, props designer, or stage manager.

Anna C. Bahow ( Director, A TOWN CALLED PROGRESS ) is committed to the development of new work and a diversity of voices. She is an Artistic Associate with Silk Road Rising, an Associate Artist with The International Voices Project and Chicago Dramatists where she has directed and done extensive new play dramaturgy. She is also a new member of Promethean Theatre Ensemble. Her productions have received Jeff Awards for New Work and Use of Multi-Media. She was honored to have served as the 2011-2012 Michael Maggio Fellow, was a recipient of a 2017 3ARTS WAVE Grant and 2018 City of Chicago Individual Artist Grant. More about her work at AnnaBahow.com .

—From a press release


This article shared 1896 times since Wed Jul 17, 2019
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

City Lit Executive Artistic Director Brian Pastor talks theater, comics, queerness 2024-03-26
- City Lit Theater has announced its programming for the 2024-25 season—which will be the company's 44th. It will also be the first season to be programmed under the leadership of Brian Pastor (they/them), who will assume ...


Gay News

The Jeff Awards announces the 50th anniversary awards for non-equity theater 2024-03-26
--From a press release - A complete list of recipients can also be found online in the Non-Equity and News and Events sections at www.jeffawards.org. (March 25, 2024 - Chicago) — Celebrating its 50th anniversary awarding recognition for Non-Equity theater, the ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Queer musicians, Marvel situation, Elliot Page, Nicole Kidman 2024-03-21
- Queer musician Joy Oladokun released the single "I Wished on the Moon," from Jack Antonoff's official soundtrack for the new Apple TV+ series The New Look, per a press release. The soundtrack, ...


Gay News

THEATER Chicago's City Lit has anxiety on tap with 'Two Hours in a Bar' 2024-03-21
- Two Hours in a Bar Waiting for Tina Meyer by Kristine Thatcher with material by Larry Shue Text Me by Kingsley Day (Book, Music and Lyrics). At: City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.. Tickets: ...


Gay News

Jamie Barton brings nuances of identity to her Lyric Opera 'Aida' performance 2024-03-18
- Chicago's Lyric Opera is currently featuring a production of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida starring Michelle Bradley as Aida, Jamie Barton as Amneris and Russell Thomas as Radamès. The opera runs through April 7, 2024, with Francesca Zambello ...


Gay News

Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez is set to slay at The Big Gay Cabaret 2024-03-05
- Out and proud performer Jai Rodriguez is set to play at The Big Gay Cabaret this March for three days. Presented by RuPaul Drag Racer Ginger Minj, this monthly series highlights the wide world of cabaret ...


Gay News

THEATER 'R & J' puts a female, queer spin on Shakespeare 2024-03-05
- Romeo and Juliet is the theatrical gift that keeps on giving. It's been reworked for the masses numerous times, whether in direct adaptations or musicals such as West Side Story. Shakespeare's plotline points have even inspired ...


Gay News

Center on Halsted hosts 6th Annual Intergenerational Talent Show 2024-03-03
- On the evening of Feb. 29, Center on Halsted held its 6th Annual Intergenerational Talent Show in front of a packed audience at the Hoover-Leppen Theater. The event brought together participants of the Center's youth and senior ...


Gay News

THEATER When growth is paramount: Jim Corti helps fuel Aurora theater expansion 2024-03-01
- Out actor/director/choreographer Jim Corti made his Broadway debut in 1974, in the ensemble of Leonard Bernstein's musical Candide. Director Harold Prince's acclaimed Tony Award-winning revival is often cited as a ...


Gay News

Theater Review: Billy Elliot, The Musical 2024-02-19
- Book and Lyrics: Lee Hall; Music: Elton John. At: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora Tickets: 630-896-6666 or Paramountaurora.com; $28-$79. Runs through March 24 Billy Elliot: The Musical may nearly be two decades old, but ...


Gay News

'West Side Story' gets a sex-positive spin with new burlesque show 2024-02-19
- In partial observance of National Condom Day, which was Feb. 14, Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) presented A West Side Story Burlesque at the Harris Theater for two hour-long performances on Feb. 17. The show, ...


Gay News

Second Glance Productions hosts LGBTQupid Soiree 2024-02-16
- In celebration of Valentine's Day, Chicago based film and media production company Second Glance hosted The LBGTQupid Soiree. The event, which was focused on spinning attitudes on this particular day, was presented at The iO ...


Gay News

Carisa Hendrix mesmerizes as Lucy Darling in Teatro ZinZanni 2024-02-12
- Since 2019, Teatro ZinZanni has gathered together amazing performers from all over the world to create an experience in Chicago under the Spiegeltent in the Cambria Hotel building, 32 W. Randolph St. Over the years, ticket ...


Gay News

THEATER Dot-Marie Jones talks Goodman production, 'Glee,' 'Bros' 2024-02-12
- Running through Feb. 18 at the the Goodman Theatre, the production Highway Patrol works with a script conceived entirely from Emmy-winning actor Dana Delany's (TV's China Beach) digital archive of hundreds of tweets and direct messages ...


Gay News

Dr. Lady J explains how opera can be a drag 2024-02-10
- On Feb. 8, Center on Halsted, in partnership with Lyric Opera of Chicago, presented a lecture by historian, drag activist, podcaster and curator Dr. Lady J. The event, titled "Castrated Superstars, Cross Dressed Divas, and Queer ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.