American Blues Theater to Host Q&A with Pulitzer and Tony Award-Winning Writer David Auburn Following THE COLUMNIST

American Blues Theater will host a Q & A with Pulitzer and Tony award-winning playwright David Auburn following a performance of his critically-acclaimed play The Columnist on Friday, March 10 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The Columnist by David Auburn and directed by Keira Fromm is currently running thru April 1, 2017.

The exclusive post-show talkback with author David Auburn (Proof) is open to those holding tickets for The Columnist on Friday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, priced $19 - $49, may be purchased at Stage 773, online at AmericanBluesTheater.com, or by calling 773.327.5252.

From the Pulitzer and Tony award-winning author of Proof comes a drama about power, the press, sex and betrayal. At the height of the Cold War, Joe Alsop is the nation's most influential journalist, beloved, feared and courted by the Washington world. But as the 60s dawn and America undergoes dizzying change, the intense political dramas Joe is embroiled in become deeply personal as well.

"We first read The Columnist in 2012 and could not have predicted how relevant it would be to our current political climate," notes Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside. "In a time when the White House appears continuously at odds with the mainstream news media and Cold War tensions and accusations are once again at the forefront, David Auburn's play could not be timelier. This look back to the Kennedy/Johnson era of journalism and Joseph Alsop's patriotism for his county and his belief that a newspaper column could influence policy and shape a nation, resonates deeply."

David Auburn (Playwright) attended the University of Chicago, where he was a member of Off-Off Campus, and received a 1991 B.A. degree in English literature. Following a one-year fellowship with Amblin Entertainment, he moved to New York City in 1992. Auburn spent two years in the Juilliard School's playwriting program, studying under the noted dramatists Marsha Norman and Christopher Durang. Auburn's first full-length play, Skyscraper, ran Off Broadway in 1997. His short play, What Do You Believe About the Future?, appeared in Harper's Magazine and has since been adapted for the screen. Auburn is best known for his 2000 play Proof, which won the 2001 Tony Award for Best Play, as well as the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. He has adapted it into a film, which was released in 2005. His play The Columnist had its world premiere in a production by the Manhattan Theatre Club on Broadway, running from April 3, 2012 through June 3, 2012 and starring John Lithgow with direction by Daniel Sullivan. Auburn has also been awarded the Helen Merrill Playwriting Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Following Proof, he wrote the screenplay for the movie The Lake House, released by Warner Bros. in 2006. In 2007, he made his directorial debut with The Girl in the Park, for which he also wrote the screenplay.

The cast for The Columnist includes Philip Earl Johnson (Joe Alsop), Coburn Goss (Stewart Alsop), Kymberly Mellen (Susan Mary Alsop), Ian Paul Custer* (Halberstam), Tyler Meredith (Abigail), and Christopher Sheard (Andrei/Philip).

The creative team includes Joe Schermoly (scenic design), Christopher J. Neville* (costume design), Jared Gooding (lighting design), Christopher Kriz (original music and sound design), Alec Long (props design), Sarah E. Ross* (production manager),Eva Breneman (dialect coach), Sarah Illiatovitch-Goldman (dramaturg), and Dana M. Nestrick (stage manager).

*Denotes Ensemble members and Artistic Affiliates of American Blues Theater

Post-Show Town Hall Meetings and Special Events

American Blues Theater offers free post-show discussions on Sundays as well as additional special events during the run of The Columnist.

Friday, March 10 Q & A with Pulitzer and Tony award-winning playwright David Auburn

Sunday, March 12 Q & A with Dramaturg Sarah Illiatovitch-Goldman of The Columnist

Sunday, March 19 "Integrity in Media Coverage" with Northwestern professor Jack Doppelt

Thursday, March 23 Belmont Theater District Night

Sunday, March 26 Meet the cast of The Columnist

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