Chicago, IL Prologue Theater is excited to announce the Chicago premiere of "Take Her to See the Maco Lights" by Bekah Brunstetter. Moving between 2010 and 1957, Maco Lights weaves a story of ghostly trains, love, family, and connection told through three characters in the same place different times. This fresh, honest, and minimalist production will be the culmination of Prologue's third season, "Haunted: Shadows of the 1950's."
Near the small town of Maco, NC, a stretch of train tracks is rumored to be haunted by a ghost named "Old Joe." Joe Baldwin was supposedly the conductor of a train running from Charlotte to Wilmington in 1856. At two in the morning, in the middle of a forest, the last four cars of the train unhitched and flew off the tracks. Joe, who was in the rear-most car, was beheaded in the crash. After the wreckage was cleared, young couples started visiting the tracks at night, hoping to catch a glimpse of Old Joe and the so-called Maco Lights, floating eerily in the air above the
tracks. At least, that's the reason they gave their parents.
In the year 2010, Rachel, in her 20s and visiting from New York, comes on her own to find some solitude after her grandmother's recent death. There she meets a young boy, about her age, but dressed like he's from another decade. Rachel looks oddly familiar to him, though he can't quite say why.
Ms. Brunstetter is both a two-time winner of the Samuel French Short Play Festival and a two-time winner of the New York Innovative Theater Award for Best New Play. She has been a member of the Primary Stages Writers' Group, and an alumna of the Women Project Writers' Lab, the Ars Nova Play Group, and the Playwright's realm. Her work has been previously produced in Chicago by Collaboraction, Atlantic Theater, and Livewire at the Steppenwolf Garage. "Take Her to See the Maco Lights" was developed during her time as a fellow of the prestigious Lark Play Development Center in New York.
About Prologue Theatre Co.:
Our mission: "The past is prologue. We produce historical works from underrepresented voices. Our relevant and diverse stories empower our community to consider where we go from here."
Prologue was incorporated in Chicago, IL in 2008. Our previous seasons featured the Chicago of Sex by Mae West, our annual Landmark Festival, featuring new and forgotten short plays, and explored the visual arts through the eyes of female artists and muses.
For more information please visit prologuetheatreco.org
Fact Sheet
Take Her to See the Maco Lights
Chicago Premiere
Playwright: Bekah Brunstetter
Venue: Luna Central: Cabaret Studio, 3914 N Clark St. Chicago, IL 60613
Previews: May 10th and 11th
Run: May 12th - June 2nd
Days & Times: Thursday - Saturday, 8pm
Cast
LaNisa Frederick as Mattie/Rachel
John Wehrman as James Jr./Boy
Production Staff
Director: Margo Gray
Stage Manager: Katie Adams
Scenic Designer: Dylan Marks
Lighting Designer: Janna Weber
Costume Designer: Beth Miller-Laske
Sound Designer: Curtis Powell
Props Designer: Barbara Trinh
Producers: Amanda Renee King, Whitney Morse