Griffin Theatre's THE BIRDS to Run 6/6-7/19 at Theater Wit

Following 15 Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations for its 2014-15 productions of Balm in Gilead, Titanic and Men Should Weep, Griffin Theatre Company is pleased to present its summer 2015 production: the Chicago premiere of the heart-pounding thriller THE BIRDS, adapted by acclaimed Irish playwright Conor McPherson and directed by ensemble member Kevin Kingston. THE BIRDS will play June 6 - July 19, 2015 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150. The press performance is Sunday, June 14 at 7 pm.

THE BIRDS will feature Jodi Kingsley, David Krajecki, Keith Neagle and Emily Nichelson.

THE BIRDS is a suspenseful, atmospheric adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's enthralling short story, also the inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock's chilling 1963 film thriller. Mysterious masses of birds have begun to violently attack at high tide, driving strangers to take refuge in an isolated, abandoned house by the sea and form a bond to survive their haunting new circumstance. With no electricity and scarce food, the tension is palpable and hope is waning for the survivors.

THE BIRDS premiered to wide critical acclaim at the Gate Theatre in Dublin, Ireland in 2009:

"Deliciously chilling. Spring-loaded with tension. The result is a combination of 'Waiting for Godot' and 'Jagged Edge': claustrophobic, questioning, frightening; and with a twist." - Irish Independent

"A Gothic thriller. McPherson keeps us on the edge of our seat. The production itself is so taut, so well-conceived within the playing space, that any further elaboration risks ruining it for the non-initiated viewer." - Irish Times

The production team for THE BIRDS includes: Greg Pinsoneault (scenic design), Rachel Sypniewski (costume designer), Eric Vigo (lighting design), Stephen Ptacek (sound design), Katie Messmore (stage manager) and Shannon Rourke (asst. stage manager).