Season to feature work by Tom Stoppard, Harold Pinter, Randall Colburn, Stephen Sondheim and Robert Hewett. Michael Halberstam, Ron OJ Parson, Stuart Carden and William Brown slated to direct
Glencoe, IL—Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the company's 20th Anniversary Season, which includes The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam; Harold Pinter's The Caretaker, directed by Ron OJ Parson; Hesperia by Randall Colburn, directed by Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden; and A Little Night Music, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, directed by William Brown. Writers' also presents a limited engagement of Robert Hewett's The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead, currently available only to Writers' Theatre Subscribers and Members.
"It's amazing to believe that it's been 20 years since the launch of Writers' Theatre, finding ourselves in the welcoming seas of the Chicago theatre community. Writers' started with the words of Anton Chekhov, Nikolai Gogol, a back room in a Glencoe bookstore and a decent paycheck in the hands of some of Chicago's most respected theatre practitioners," said Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. "Our 20th Anniversary Season pays homage to our past with masterpieces by Harold Pinter (The Caretaker) and Tom Stoppard (The Real Thing) while looking to our future with Randall Colburn (Hesperia) and Robert Hewitt (The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead). Living happily in the middle ground between the past and the future is Sondheim and Wheeler's astonishing homage to Ingmar Bergman with A Little Night Music. I'm looking forward to the treasures, innovations, triumphs and risks in store for another 20 years in celebration of the Word and the Artist."
Writers' Theatre is proud to be celebrating its 20th Season. From the very first year, Writers' has always strived to bring quality and excellence to the stage while maintaining the company's hallmark intimacy. The last 20 years has been marked with unprecedented growth in both the artistic and business arenas and national recognition. With a reputation for consistent artistic excellence and with strong ties to the community, Writers' Theatre has built an award-winning repertoire and serves as a vital and highly-regarded company in theChicago theatre community.
Writers' Theatre performs in two performance spaces in Glencoe — its 50-seat venue at Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Ave, and its 108-seat theatre at 325 Tudor Court in the Woman's Library Club. Subscriptions and Memberships are available at the Box Office, 376 Park Avenue, Glencoe, 847-242-6000 and www.writerstheatre.org .
The Writers' 20th Anniversary Season is:
The Real Thing
By Tom Stoppard
Directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam
September 13 — November 20, 2011
Press Opening: September 22, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Performed at 325 Tudor Court
A married playwright blurs the line between reality and his dramas on the stage as his personal life unravels before his very eyes. Deeply moving and bitingly funny, Tom Stoppard's razor sharp drama brilliantly examines the complex nature of love, art and reality. Artistic Director Michael Halberstam directs this multi-award winning modern classic.
The Caretaker
By Harold Pinter
Directed by Ron OJ Parson
November 8, 2011 — March 25, 2012
Press Openings: November 16 and 17, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Performed at 664 Vernon Avenue
Aston brings Davies, a fast talking tramp, to his cramped home full of odds and ends—best characterized as junk—offering him a bed and a much needed place to get on his feet. Davies quickly realizes that Aston and his brother Mick have a different take on the world around them. From Aston's constant puttering and half finished fix-it jobs to Mick's grand plans for the future, the three become an unlikely trio desperately trying to connect to one another but always missing the mark.
Hesperia
By Randall Colburn
Directed by Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden
January 24 — March 18, 2012
Press Opening: February 2, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Performed at 325 Tudor Court
When Claudia left Ian and her old life in adult entertainment to return to her small-town roots, she found more than just a new start—she met her soon-to-be husband Trevor, the local youth minister and a man of god. But when Ian shows up on her doorstep just weeks before her wedding, their past together comes roaring back to life bringing doubts to Claudia's now moral and well-ordered existence. In this honest exploration, playwright Randall Colburn brings an original voice to the complicated topics of love, sexuality and religion.
A Little Night Music
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Directed by William Brown
May 1 — July 8, 2012
Press Opening: May 10, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Performed at 325 Tudor Court
Set in turn of the century Sweden, A Little Night Music is a sumptuous musical celebration of love. Desirée Armfeldt has always captured the hearts of men. When both of her lovers—and their wives—show up for a weekend in the country, the boundless possibilities of an old romance and newly awakened passions bring endless surprises. Full of quick wit and evoking the harmonious rhythm of waltz time, Tony Award-winner Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music is the must-see musical of the season!
PLUS THE LIMITED ENGAGEMENT PRODUCTION:
The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead
By Robert Hewett
Directed by TBD
May 22 — July 29, 2012
Press Openings: May 30 & 31, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Performed at 664 Vernon Avenue
Thwarted housewife Rhonda Russell loses herself in a heated moment of passion, setting into motion an unbelievable series of events that ripple through the lives of everyone around her. One performer intricately weaves together the many different sides of Rhonda's story with engrossing narrative, wit and compassion. An international hit, The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead is a surprising and touching tale of loss and ultimate redemption.
The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead is currently only available to Writers' Theatre Subscribers and Members.
Writers' Theatre season ticket packages provide a convenient theatergoing experience and guarantees access to all of Writers' highly-anticipated productions in the 20th Anniversary Season. The Writers' Theatre Membership is $195 and provides ultimate flexibility. The Subscription is $210 and offers patrons a preset schedule with the guarantee of the same seats for all of their originally scheduled performances in the Tudor Court venue.
Subscribers and Members receive exclusive benefits including free ticket exchanges by phone, mail and fax, show reminders by email before each scheduled performance, a one-year subscription to The Brief Chroniclenewsmagazine and more. For a complete list of benefits visit writerstheatre.org .
Subscriptions and Memberships are available at the Box Office, 376 Park Avenue, Glencoe, 847-242-6000 and writerstheatre.org .
SPECIAL SERIES:
From Page to Stage
Writers' Theatre and select North Shore libraries present the seventh annual From Page to Stage program in conjunction with the production of The Caretaker. This comprehensive series of special events, lectures, readings and film viewings are designed to enhance and enrich your experience of Harold Pinter's modern classic. All events are FREE of charge and open to the public.
Writers' Wednesdays
Post-show discussions are now held every Wednesdays after evening performances at Tudor Court and every other Wednesday after evening performances at Books on Vernon, both starting after the opening performance. Join the artistic staff and actors from the production after the performance for an in-depth conversation. Please check individual production calendars for specific dates. For more information about Writers' Theatre Audience Enrichment programs visit writerstheatre.org/enrichment
Making Of…Series
Launched during the 2010/11 Season, Writers' Theatre will once again host the Making Of… series. For each production in the 2011/12 Season, Writers' Theatre offers insight into a different aspect of creating the productions seen on our stages. Enjoy refreshments during a short and lively presentation by designers and other experts, who walk through the process of preparing for and executing a show. Making Of… events are open to the public. For dates and more information, go to writerstheatre.org/enrichment.
ABOUT WRITERS' THEATRE
Writers' Theatre is a professional company focusing on the Word and the Artist. Remaining true to the intention of the playwright and nurturing the artist stand at the center of the mission. Now in its 19th season, the company both revives classic scripts and cultivates new works and adaptations while invigorating them with fresh energy in the intimacy of its venues. Founded in 1992, Writers' Theatre performed exclusively at Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Avenue for the first 12 years. In the fall of 2003, the organization opened a new 108 seat performance venue at 325 Tudor Court. Today, Writers' Theatre continues to produce in both spaces, maintaining an intimate theatrical experience for audiences. Since 2000, the subscriber base has grown almost 250%, from 1,500 to more than 5,700 today. With an operating budget of $3.4 million, Writers' Theatre is supported by a staff of 20 full-time employees and a 31-member Board of Trustees.
You can find Writers' Theatre on Facebook or follow Writers' Theatre on Twitter at Twitter.com/WritersTheatre. For more information, visit www.writerstheatre.org .
