ONE-NIGHT-ONLY BENEFIT FOR THE OVARIAN CANCER SYMPTOM AWARENESS ORGANIZATION AT GOODMAN THEATRE
The Trinity River Plays by OCSA's national spokeswoman, Regina Taylor, weaves a story spotlighting her mother's own fight against ovarian cancer into the trilogy
CHICAGO, Ill — December 21, 2010 — On Friday, January 28th, the Ovarian Cancer Symptom Awareness Organization (OCSA) invites you to a special one-night-only event at Goodman Theatre to benefit the organization. On stage, guests will enjoy The Trinity River Plays, a critically-acclaimed trilogy written by Regina Taylor. Taylor, a stage and screen star, playwright and director, is also the national spokeswoman for the Chicago-based OCSA. This off-stage role is a very personal one for Taylor and she accepted it to both honor her mother's memory and life, and to help others learn more about this dreadful disease.
Perhaps best known for her role as Lilly Harper in the series, I'll Fly Away, Taylor was most recently seen starring in the CBS hit drama, The Unit. She met Susan Roman, OCSA co-founder, at a business engagement. When the two women realized they shared a common bond — one of losing their mothers to ovarian cancer — a partnership was developed.
"Goodman Theatre and Regina have been incredible partners as we seek ways to raise funding for activities dedicated to informing women and their families about the silent symptoms of ovarian cancer," said Roman.
Two limited-ticket options are available for the OCSA Evening at Goodman Theatre at 170 N. Dearborn. For $75, the ticket includes a seat at the play, and a private reception from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Club Mezz that features signature cocktails, refreshing beverages, and enticing hors d'oeuvres. A very limited number of tickets are also available for $100 which includes a seat at the play, attendance at a VIP Reception from 6-6:30 p.m. plus access to the Club Mezz reception. The VIP Reception features a meet-and-greet plus photo opportunities with Taylor, but only 20 VIP tickets will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis. A total of 200 tickets are available for the evening's benefit. Curtain time is 8 p.m. To reserve tickets go to www.ovariancancersymptomawareness.org
"The Trinity River Plays came to me when I was sorting through things after my mother's death. I was inspired by the storms that we go through in our lives, and how we navigate through those storms," recalls playwright Taylor. "I think of these plays as different chapters in the life of Iris Spearsand they are each able to stand alone or work altogether as a trilogy. Together, the plays draw a portrait of Iris as she overcomes life's seemingly insurmountable obstacles."
Taylor's mother, Leannell Taylor, was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer after being incorrectly diagnosed with cervical cancer, and fought a tough four-year battle with the disease. At the age of 52 and in August 2009, Roman (aka "Goose"), was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer. This was the same diagnosis her mother received in 1976. After a radical hysterectomy (removal of uterus), oophorectomy (removal of ovaries) and omentectomy (removal of omentum) she entered into a series of chemotherapy treatments of taxol, taxotere and carboplatin. Today she is in remission and spreading the word.
Directed by Ethan McSweeny, Taylor's world premiere in Dallas drew rave reviews for The Trinity River Plays. "Florid, earthy and abundantly alive" (Dallas Morning News), Taylor's new trilogy consists of three stylistically distinct plays, Jar Fly, Rain and Ghoststory, following Iris Spears and her matriarchal Texas family. The ensemble cast features Chicago actress Karen Aldridge as Iris and stage and screen star Penny Johnson Jerald as her protective mother, Rose. The Trinity River Plays runs January 15 — February 20, 2011 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre. Target is the Major Corporate Sponsor of The Trinity River Plays and Albert Goodman/The Edith-Marie Appleton Foundation is the Major Production Sponsor. Principal Support of Artistic Development and Diversity Initiatives is provided by The Joyce Foundation.