A Red Orchid Theatre to Host Reading of ANGELS IN AMERICA to Benefit the ACLU

A Red Orchid Theatre hosts a benefit reading of Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches by Tony Kushner. Conceived as a response from Chicago theatre artists to the current political climate, the event's proceeds will benefit A Red Orchid Theatre and the Chicago chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

The staged reading is directed by Ensemble Member Shade Murray with music direction by Doug Peck and takes place on Sunday, June 18 at 6:00 p.m. at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N Lincoln Avenue. Tickets are $50 and include both the reading and a post-show reception. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at www.aredorchidtheatre.org or by phone at (312) 943-8722.

"Political and heartfelt, historical and mythical, Tony Kushner's epic play is about a nation falling apart during a seismic shift in politics and morality," notes Ensemble Member Shade Murray. "Spiritual forces intervene, culminating in the arrival of an angel and a call to rebuild. Angels in America has profound statements to make about our past, the present and quite possibly our future. We decided to involve the ACLU because we want the evening to celebrate the power of voices that challenge the current political climate, on stage and in the streets."

The cast of Angels in America includes A Red Orchid Ensemble members including Jennifer Engstrom, Kirsten Fitzgerald, Mierka Girten, Lawrence Grimm, Steve Haggard, Doug Vickers and Natalie West. Other cast members include Charin Alvarez, Esteban Cruz, Emjoy Gavino, Megan Gerachis, Ricky Harris, Ike Holter, Niko Kourtis, Caroline Neff, Liz Sharpe, Kristina Valada-Viars and Will Von Vogt.

A Red Orchid Theatre has served as an artistic focal point in the heart of the Old Town community of Chicago since 1993 and was honored this year with a 2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. Over the past 23 years, its Resident Ensemble has welcomed into its fold an impressive array of award winning actors, playwrights and theatre artists with the firm belief that live theatre is the greatest sustenance for the human spirit. A Red Orchid is well known and highly acclaimed for its fearless approach to performance and design in the service of unflinchingly intimate stories. In addition to its professional season, the company also produces an annual OrKids (youth) project and hosts The Incubator (providing artists with space and time to explore new work, new forms and new artistic collaborations).

A Red Orchid Theatre is: Lance Baker, Kamal Angelo Bolden, Dado, Mike Durst, Jennifer Engstrom, Kirsten Fitzgerald, Joseph Fosco, Steve Haggard, Mierka Girten, Larry Grimm, Karen Kawa, Karen Kessler, Danny McCarthy, Shade Murray, Brett Neveu, Michael Shannon, Guy Van Swearingen, Doug Vickers and Natalie West.