AstonRep to Stage Chicago Premiere of THE LYONS This Fall

AstonRep Theatre Company is pleased to kick-off its 2015-16 season with the Chicago premiere of Nicky Silver's darkly humorous family drama THE LYONS, directed by Company Member Derek Bertelsen*, playing August 27 - September 27, 2015 at The Raven Theatre (West Stage), 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, July 1 at www.astonrep.com or by calling (773) 828-9129. The press opening is Sunday, August 30 at 3:30 pm.

THE LYONS will feature Susan Fay, Matthew Harris*, Amy Kasper*, Scott Olson, Drew Wieland and Aja Wiltshire*.

Indomitable matriarch Rita Lyons is at a major crossroads. Her husband is dying, her son is in a dubious relationship, and her daughter is barely holding it together. Tempers flare, words are exchanged, and secrets are revealed. Worst of all, Rita can't figure out how to redesign her living room.

THE LYONS premiered on Broadway in 2012, receiving multiple Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Award nominations.

The production team for THE LYONS includes: Jeremiah Barr* (set design), Samantha Barr* (lighting design), Ray Kasper* (sound design), Sara Pavlak McGuire* (assistant director) and Danielle Moore* (stage manager). *Denotes AstonRep Company Members.

Performances run at The Raven Theatre (West Stage), 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago. Previews: Thursday, August 27 at 8 pm, Friday, August 28 at 8 pm and Saturday, August 29 at 8 pm. Press performance: Sunday, August 30 at 3:30 pm. Regular run: Thursday, September 3 - Sunday, September 27, 2015. Curtain Times: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays at 3:30 pm. Tickets: Previews: $10. Regular run: $20. Student/senior/industry/group discounts $10. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, July 1 at www.astonrep.com or by calling (773) 828-9129.

About the Playwright: Nicky Silver is an American playwright. Many of his plays have been produced Off-Broadway. Nicky's plays include eight which have premiered at Vineyard Theatre: The Lyons (Broadway), Pterodactyls (Oppenheimer Award, Kesselring Award, Drama Desk nom, Outer Critics Circle nom), Raised in Captivity (Drama Desk nom, Outer Critics Circle nom), The Eros Trilogy, The Maiden's Prayer, My Marriage to Ernest Borgnine (Vineyard Lab Production), The Altruists, Beautiful Child and The Agony and the Agony (Vineyard Lab Production). Other notable plays include Three Changes (Playwrights Horizons), The Food Chain (Broadway, Outer Critics Circle nom), Fat Men in Skirts, Fit to be Tied, Free Will and Wanton Lust (Helen Hayes Award), the new book for the Broadway revival of the Rodgers and Hart musical, The Boys from Syracuse, and more.

About the Director: Derek Bertelsen is a company member of AstonRep, where credits include directing The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Wit, Next Fall and Doubt. Other Chicago credits include The Children's Hour (Pride Films & Plays), The Dinner Party and God of Carnage (BrightSide Theatre) and assistant directing Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Bailiwick Chicago), RACE (Goodman) and Angry Fags (Pride Films & Plays at Steppenwolf Garage). He's also directed for Commedia Beauregard, Greenhouse Trellis Series and Arc Theatre. Regional credits include: Rumors, Monty Python's Spamalot, Red Herring and Boeing-Boeing (Timber Lake Playhouse, Mt. Carroll IL); and God of Carnage and August: Osage County (New Ground Theatre, Davenport IA).

About AstonRep Theatre Company: AstonRep Theatre Company was formed in the summer of 2008. Since then, the company has produced 15 full-length productions and five annual Writer's Series. AstonRep Theatre Company is an ensemble of artists committed to creating exciting, intimate theatrical experiences that go beyond the front door to challenge audiences and spark discussion where the show is not the end of the experience: it is just the beginning.