Route 66 Theatre's 'Driver's Set' Series to Continue with THE MAKING OF A MODERN FOLK HERO

Be in the "Driver's Seat" for THE MAKING OF A MODERN FOLK HERO, a new play by Martín Zimmerman, next up in Route 66 Theatre Company's monthly reading series at Mrs Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro.

Directed by James Fleming, the reading will feature Mark Pracht, James Earl Jones II, Celeste Cooper and Aurora Adachi-Winter.

A despairing failed actor and a Congressman team up to create a superhero who will protest government plans to force residents out of public housing for profit. When the creation snowballs and takes on a life of its own, garnering press coverage and an unexpected, impassioned following and exposing a series of injustices, lines are drawn (and blurred) between politics and performance.

The Making of a Modern Folk Hero, described as a graphic novel for the stage, is a bold, timely exploration of the frustrations of reform and possibilities for change. What do we look for in a hero? How does being the face of a movement give purpose, or not, to our lives?

The reading takes place on Monday, October 24th, at 7:30PM at Mrs Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro (3905 N Lincoln Ave). Free (but having a drink is strongly encouraged) at Route 66 2017 Season (at The Den Theatre).

Route 66 Theatre Company introduces, develops, produces, and exports new work for the stage. The road begins with our new play development process and reaches west, where our World and Chicago Premiere shows are given an advocate for further regional productions along the road less traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles. Since the company's founding, Route 66 has produced 10 productions, 2 in two cities including an Off-Broadway premiere, been nominated for ten Jeff Awards and won two. Route 66 is now a resident company of The Den Theatre. Route 66 is Stef Tovar, Founder and Artistic Director; Deborah Blumenthal, Director of New Play Development; Alana Parvey-Zalas, Business Manager; Rachel Wendte, Managing Director; Matthew Bonaccorso, Company Manager and Kelly Parker, Casting Director Route 66 Theatre Company Artistic Associates: Brian Sidney-Bembridge, Audrey Billings, Johnny Clark, Brandon Dahlquist, Raymond Fox, Damon Kiely, Ron Klier, Jenni Lamb, Tyler Meredith, John Mohrlein, Kelly Parker, Geoff Rice, Emily Rohm, Tricia Small, Jeremy Sonkin, Alex Stage, Nancy Staiger, Erica Stephan, Bethany Thomas, Rita Vreeland, Steven Wilson and Emily Woods. Route 66 Theatre Company Board of Directors: Jennifer Baumann, President; Deborah Haimes, Vice-President of Communications; Nicholas Stone, Treasurer; Molly Crabtree, Secretary; Elizabeth Derrico, Lee Dickson, James Frenzel, Laurie Hamilton, Pat Turnbull and Robert Veasey. Route 66 Theatre Company's 9th Season is presented by generous grants from MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, Illinois Arts Council Agency and DCASE CityArts. Visit www.route66theatre.org for more information.