Glencoe, IL— Writers Theatre, under leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, presents the first production in their new home, Arcadia, written by Tom Stoppard, directed by Michael Halberstam. The production, which begins performances on March 16, 2016 has already been extended by one week, and will now play through May 1, 2016 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre in Writers Theatre's new theater center at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.
In the heart of a 19th century English country estate awash in secret desires, illicit affairs and professional rivalries, a brilliant young student proposes an earthshaking scientific theory. Two hundred years later at that same estate, academic adversaries Hannah and Bernard race to unravel the enticing mysteries left behind in a heated battle for intellectual and sexual dominance.
Part detective story and part comedy of manners, Tom Stoppard's elegant, time-jumping masterpiece forges a complex comedy of wit, romance, poetry, sex and scientific theory, introducing characters whose lives and passions intersect across the centuries.
Directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam, who previously helmed WT's hit productions of Stoppard's The Real Thing, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Rough Crossing Arcadia serves as an ideal first production in Writers Theatre's new home, serving as bridge between the Theatre's celebrated past and its exciting future.
"I cannot think of a more fitting way to embrace our new home than with a production of Tom Stoppard's beautiful ode to the past, the present and the future," said Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. "It is a play that stands at the core of our mission to focus on intimate engagements with text and artist. It takes advantage of the epic canvass that our beautiful new Nichols theatre can encompass while highlighting the intimate relationship that can be articulated between audience and actor. Our cast and production team is rooted firmly in Chicago and embodies the remarkable breadth of artistry that lies at the heart of our very unique and exciting community."
The cast of Arcadia includes Greg Matthew Anderson ( Septimus Hodge ), Chaon Cross ( Lady Croom ), Kate Fry ( Hannah Jarvis ), Torrey Hanson ( Jellaby ), Nathan Hosner ( Capt. Brice, RN ), Callie Johnson ( Chloë Coverly ), Scott Parkinson ( Bernard Nightingale ), Gabriel Ruiz ( Richard Noakes ), Alistair Sewell ( Gus Coverly/Agustus Coverly ), Christopher Sheard ( Valentine Coverly ), Elizabeth Stenholt ( Thomasina Coverly ) and Rod Thomas ( Ezra Chater ).
Tom Stoppard ( Playwright ) is one of the premiere playwrights working in modern drama today. His seminal works for the theatre include: Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead ( Tony Award for Best Play ), The Real Inspector Hound, Jumpers, Travesties ( Tony Award for Best Play ), Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, Night And Day, On The Razzle, The Real Thing ( Tony Award for Best Play ), Rough Crossing, Dalliance, Hapgood, Arcadia ( Tony nominee for Best Play ), Indian Ink, The Invention Of Love ( Tony nominee for Best Play ), The Coast Of Utopia ( Tony Award for Best Play ) and Rock 'N' Roll ( Tony nominee for Best Play ). He is also a very successful screenwriter, writing or co-writing the screenplays for Brazil, Empire of the Sun and Shakespeare in Love ( for which Stoppard won an Oscar ), among others. He was appointed a Commander of the British Empire in 1978, knighted in 1997 and appointed to the prestigious Order of Merit in 2000.
AUDIENCE ENRICHMENT
Post Show Conversation: The Artist
Join us after every Wednesday evening performance ( excluding previews ) for a 15-minute talk-back featuring actors from the production, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.
Post Show Conversation: The Word
Join us after every Tuesday evening performance ( excluding previews ) for a 15-minute discussion of the play, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.
Living Program Notes: Arcadia
Join us at 7:00pm on Tuesday through Friday evening performances for a 15-minute discussion designed to provide context for the production. Living Program Notes is generously sponsored by Randy L. and Melvin R. Berlin.
Spotlight Sunday — Sunday, April 10, 2016
This one-hour event will follow the matinee performance and feature an expert in a field related to the themes or setting of Arcadia, moderated by a member of the WT Artistic Team. Seating is limited. RSVP is required.
The Making of… Series — Monday, April 18, 2016
Writers Theatre will once again host its popular The Making of… Series, providing insight into a different aspect of creating the productions seen on our stages. This one-hour event will feature Writers Theatre's Literary Manager Bobby Kennedy in conversation with an artist associated with the production, discussing their part in bringing the play to life. The Making of… events are FREE and open to the public. Seating is limited. RSVP is required.
For more information about Writers Theatre Audience Enrichment programs visit writerstheatre.org/events .
The 2015/16 Season will continue with Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf: A Parody, created by Tim Sniffen and Tim Ryder, written by Tim Sniffen and co-directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Stuart Carden ( The Gillian Theatre ), and Company, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by George Furth, originally produced and directed on Broadway by Harold Prince, original orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick. The Writers Theatre production will be directed by William Brown with musical direction by Tom Vendafreddo and choreography by Brock Clawson ( Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre ).