CHICAGO - Strawdog Theatre Company and Artistic Directors Michael Dailey, Heath Hays and Anderson Lawfer are proud to announce the company's 31st Season, "Bravery." The 2018 - 2019 season includes: Masque Macabre, October 4 - 31, a world premiere immersive theatrical experience based on the stories of Edgar Allan Poe, adapted by ensemble members Aly Greaves Amidei, John Henry Roberts and company member Cara Beth Heath; The Revolutionists, November 15 - December 29, by Lauren Gunderson, which explores the role of artist during the French Revolution; Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Jacob Combs and Michael Dailey, December 1 - January 5, 2019, an original musical adaptation of Eric Kimmel's Caldecott Award-winning children's book; and Take Me, a world premiere musical by Mark Guarino and Jon Langford of The Mekons and The Waco Brothers, May 10 - June 22, 2019.
"Now more than ever, the world needs bravery," said Co-Artistic Director Lawfer. "Strawdog's new season, including three world premieres, explores what it means to be brave. From exploring a murderous Masquerade Ball on your own; starting a revolution; saving Hanukkah or dealing with loss; courage and bravery comes to us all in different ways. Each Strawdog production this year encourages audiences to find new ways to triumph over fear."
Preview, Mainstage and Board Night Subscriptions are currently available at Strawdog.org . Each subscription includes one ticket to Masque Macabre, The Revolutionists and Take Me.
Board Night Subscriptions include admission to each productions' board night performance's pre and post show receptions with cast and creative team and hosted bar and appetizers. Single tickets for Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins and the other productions go on sale Sunday, July 1 at 10 a.m.
All performances in the 31st Season take place at Strawdog Theatre at 1802 W Berenice Ave, in Chicago's North Center neighborhood.
Strawdog Theatre Company's 31st Season includes:
Masque Macabre
WORLD PREMIERE
Written by Aly Greaves Amidei*, John Henry Roberts*, Cara Beth Heath
Directed by Janet Howe, Anderson Lawfer*, Eli Newell
October 4 - October 31
Previews: Thursday, Oct. 4 and 11 and Friday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m., Thursday October 11 at
9:30 p.m..; Saturday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 7 at 2 and 5 p.m.
Press Opening: Friday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.
Regular Run: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7 and 9:30 p.m., Sundays at 2, 5 and 8 p.m.
Tickets: Previews: $25, Regular Run: $50
A new immersive theatrical experience from Strawdog is inspired by the works of Edgar Allen Poe and set in Prospero's underground Masquerade Ball on the eve of the end of the world. Guests will be encouraged to follow stories of revenge and murder as they happen in real time or explore the fully realized open world as they desire. A nondisclosure agreement will be required before entry.
The Revolutionists
Written by Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Denise Serna
November 15 - December 29
Previews: Sunday, Nov. 11 and 18 at 4 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 15 — Saturday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 23 and Saturday, Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Press Opening: Monday, Nov. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Accessible Performance: Sunday, Dec. 9
Industry Performance: Monday, Dec. 10
Regular Run: Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 4 p.m.
Tickets: Previews: $18, Regular Run: $25 - $40
Lauren Gunderson's The Revolutionists tells the story of four women who made history during the French Revolution: Playwright Olympe de Gouge attempts to write something politically meaningful for which she will be remembered. Charlotte Corday plots to assassinate one of the Revolution's most evil participants. Deposed Queen Marie Antoinette grapples with her recent losses. Marianne Angelle, free woman of color and Caribbean spy, waits anxiously to hear whether her beloved husband is dead or alive. When Gunderson puts these four women in the same room, questions arise about art's ability to make meaningful change, whether violence is ever the right course of action, and what on earth a woman's role can be in the midst of the madness.
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
WORLD PREMIERE
Based on the book by Eric Kimmel
Adapted by Michael Dailey*
Music by Jacob Combs
Directed by Jacqueline Stone
December 1 — January 5, 2019
Previews: Saturday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m.
Press Opening: Sunday, Dec. 2 at 1 p.m.
Accessible Performance: Sunday, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m.
Industry Performance: Sunday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m.
Regular Run: Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Tickets: $10-$35
A new stage adaptation of the classic children's holiday book written by Eric Kimmel, this is the latest edition of Strawdog's programming geared towards families and young audiences. The creative team is led by Emerald City Theatre Artistic Director Jacqueline Stone and will use live music to tell the fantastical story of Hershel defeating a series of goblins over the eight days of Hanukkah.
Take Me
WORLD PREMIERE
Written by Mark Guarino
Music by Jon Langford
Directed by Anderson Lawfer*
May 10 - June 22, 2019
Previews: Thursday, May 10 and 17, Friday, May 11 and 18, Saturday May 12 and 19
at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 12 and 19 at 4 p.m.
Press Opening: Monday, May 20, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Accessible Performance: Sunday, June 2 at 4 p.m.
Industry Performance: Monday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Regular Run: Thursdays — Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Sundays at 4 p.m.
Tickets: Previews: $18, Regular Run: $25 - $40
Take Me is a world premiere musical and based on a true story by Mark Guarino and Jon Langford ( The Mekons and The Waco Brothers ) about searching into the vast universe for answers when they might be found inside. When her husband lapses into a coma, Shelly feels hopeless and turns to the sky for a reason to go on. She finds direction from voices she believes are aliens who instruct her to move to Roswell, N.M. and build an amusement park in their honor before awaiting further instruction. She follows their orders and what follows is a comic fantasia involving government conspiracy theories, deadly insect bites and idol worship.
ABOUT STRAWDOG THEATRE COMPANY
Since its founding in 1988, Strawdog Theatre Company has offered Chicagoland the premiere storefront theatre experience and garnered numerous Non-Equity Jeff Awards with its commitment to ensemble acting and an immersive design approach. The celebrated Company develops new work, re-imagines the classics, melds music with theatre, asks provocative questions and delivers their audience the unexpected.
Strawdog Theatre Company is supported in part by The Macarthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Alphawood Foundation, The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, and the Illinois Arts Council Association.
