About Face Theatre is pleased to announce its 2013-14 programming, showcasing premiere productions and developmental works that explore gender and sexual identity. AFT's mainstage kicks-off this winter with the return of the hit holiday musical WE THREE LIZAS, featuring a new book and expanded score. In the spring, AFT presents the Chicago premiere of Aditi Brennan Kapil's stand-up comedy play, BRAHMAN/I, exploring gender, culture, mythology and puberty all through the lens of a hijra, an Indian intersex person. Next summer, About Face Youth Theatre investigates the intersection of immigration and queer identity in the world premiere of CHECKING BOXES. AFT's 2013-14 offerings will also feature the OUT FRONT Series, a year-round line-up of workshops and readings of new and developmental works by LGBTQA playwrights, as well as a month-long PRIDE CABARET Music Series in June 2014. For additional information on About Face Theatre's 2013-14 programming, please visit www.aboutfacetheatre.com .
"AFT has always been a home for new LGBTQA work and, in my first year here, I want to honor that commitment to development that has long been at the core of the work we do," comments Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff. "Our aim is to strengthen the tie between art, artist and organization through sharing the artistic process. To that end, we're making development our focus this year, showcasing work at every developmental level — from reading to premiere and of every genre — giving our audiences exciting, new opportunities to get inside the art, acquaint themselves with some new LGBTQA voices and re-engage with the organization. I'm thrilled to be taking the reins of About Face Theatre and am looking forward to bringing some great new work to Chicago," adds Volkoff.
The About Face Theatre 2013—14 programming includes:
November 27, 2013 — January 5, 2014
The Return of the Hit Holiday Musical
WE THREE LIZAS
Book and Lyrics by AFT Artistic Associate Scott Bradley
Music & Additional Lyrics by Alan Schmuckler
Directed by AFT Artistic Associate Scott Ferguson
Musical Direction by Aaron Benham
Choreography by AFT Artistic Associate Patrick Andrews
Featuring AFT Artistic Associates Scott Duff and John Francisco with Sharriese Hamilton, Mark Kaplan, James Nedrud, Danielle Plisz (Jeff Award nominated), Bethany Thomas, Dana Tretta and Andrew Swan.
at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
Fresh from a concert at Joe's Pub in New York City with a revamped book and expanded score, last year's sparkly, queer holiday hit is back… and better than ever! Box maker Conrad Ticklebottom's life has hit a block. Once, Conrad and his purple box ignited an entire movement in art and design, but now he finds himself alone, forgotten and teetering on ruin. The holidays bring three magical figures to his door — a trio of Liza Minnellis to escort him on a fabulous journey through what-was, what-could-be and what-the-f*?!, redeeming his lost promise and re-inventing a brand-new Conrad Ticklebottom. A quirky holiday musical tale of hope, transformation… and the power of Liza!
March/April 2014
The Chicago Premiere of
BRAHMAN/I
By Aditi Brennan Kapil
Directed by Collective Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff
Location TBA
This hilarious stand-up comedy routine/play takes on history, mythology, gender roles and high school through the distinct comic lens of Brahman/i, an Indian intersex person — a hijra — tethered by neither gender nor culture, and wildly curious and inventive in their examination of both.
Aditi Brennan Kapil is a writer, actress and director of Bulgarian and Indian descent. She was raised in Sweden and resides in Minneapolis, MN. She performs extensively around the country and her writing has been produced nationally to critical acclaim. Her play Love Person received the 2009 Stavis Playwriting Award, and her play, Agnes Under the Big Top, a tall tale, was selected as a Distinguished New Play Development project by the NEA as administered by Arena Stage. Her most recent work is the "Displaced Hindu Gods Trilogy," consisting of the plays Brahman/i, The Chronicles of Kalki and Shiv. Aditi is currently working on commissions with Yale Repertory Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse and South Coast Repertory Theatre, and is a resident artist at Mixed Blood Theatre, an artistic associate at Park Square Theatre and a Core Writer at The Playwrights' Center in Minneapolis.
About Face's OUT FRONT Series
A year round line-up of workshops and readings of new and developmental works, including:
BILLIE AND BILLY by AFT Artistic Associate Paul Oakley Stovall
Saturday, November 9, 2013 and Sunday, November 10, 2013 Location TBA
The divide between different cultures and ethnicities, between men and women, between straight and gay in America can be a great one. Using only two characters, Paul Oakley Stovall aims to present what seems to be a tiny little drama, set in a small city apartment and the empty flat across the hall. As Billie and Billy form an unexpected bond, their lives begin to intersect in strange ways. The audience is invited to explore with them: our need for companionship, our desire to solve the mysteries of existence and the ways in which we see ourselves in the eyes of others. Billie and Billy explores the similarities ignored, our common needs and desires and the mutual ground we walk upon.
THE GOOD PRIVATE by AFT Artistic Associate Tanya Saracho, featuring songs by Tamara Roberts, directed by Wendy C. Goldberg
Friday, December 13, 2013 — Sunday, December 15, 2013 Location TBA
The Good Private is a fictionalized musical composite inspired by the real life of Civil War soldier Albert Cashier, who was born Jennie Hodgers but who enlisted as a male soldier in the 95th Illinois Infantry. After being a prisoner of war for two years and serving his time in the field, Cashier went on to lead a quiet life as a male in Central Illinois, until he was discovered in his old age. Due to lack of documentation of Cashier's very private life, The Good Private is part reimagining of and part homage to a truly remarkable Illinoisian.
when last we flew by Harrison David Rivers
January/February 2014 Location TBA
Inspired by Tony Kushner's Angels in America and a testament to the power of theatre, when last we flew is a moving and often humorous look at life in small town America from a contemporary teenage perspective. After stealing his local library's only copy of Angels in America, misfit teenager Paul locks himself in the bathroom to begin reading the landmark play. He soon finds that his life and the lives of those around him in his small Kansas town are about to take flight, and over the course of a seemingly ordinary day, extraordinary things start to happen…
ABRAHAM LINCOLN WAS A FA**OT by Bixby Elliot
May 2014 Location TBA
A new play from the writer of last year's hit show Girl You Know It's True by Chicago's Pavement Group. A young boy, Cal, discovers information that may prove that Abraham Lincoln, our country's most revered president, might be a homosexual and embarks on a journey to prove it to his family — and himself. Cal's story is juxtaposed with scenes from Abraham Lincoln's life in the 1800s; along the way there is sex in a stovepipe hat, time travel, a road trip to the nation's capital, budding high-school romance and a quadrille or two. Abraham Lincoln was a Fa**ot is a play less about IF Abe was gay and more about WHY it would be important if he were.
June 2014
PRIDE CABARET SERIES
Location TBA
To commemorate Pride Month, every weekend in June, About Face Theatre will be hosting a series of cabaret performances celebrating every aspect of the LGBTQA community. From showtunes and standards to comedy to new music to open mics, we'll be serving up the fun as we invite our community to join with us in making Pride laugh, sing and sparkle!
July 2014
The World Premiere of
CHECKING BOXES
By the About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble
Location TBA
Every two years, About Face's acclaimed Youth Theatre devises a play as the result of workshops, in depth interviews, theatre training and improvisation. Working with a professional writer and director, they produce plays that tackle challenging topics ranging from anti-gay violence to safe spaces for youth in the LGBTQA community. This year, AFYT turns its attention to an exploration of immigration in the queer community. Building off the work that they created in this summer's research filled Youth Intensive, they'll be bringing this brand new play to Chicagoans in July 2014.
About Face Theatre (Andrew Volkoff, Artistic Director) is one of Chicago's most acclaimed theatre companies, and is a national leader in the development of new work exploring gender and sexual identity. Since its founding by Kyle Hall and Eric Rosen in 1995, the company has premiered more than 48 world premieres by writers and directors who have been recognized with several Tony Awards, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama, The MacArthur Fellowship and dozens of Joseph Jefferson Awards.
