Casting Set for Chicago Premiere of NOW. HERE. THIS. with Brown Paper Box Co.

Brown Paper Box Co. is thrilled to announce the cast for their upcoming summer 2016 production of NOW. HERE. THIS.

The show opens Saturday, July 23, and runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 3:00 PM through August 21 at Rivendell Theatre in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood (5779 N Ridge Avenue). A preview is scheduled for Friday, July 22, along with a special Monday night performance on July 25, both of which begin at 7:30 PM. Ticketing information and more can be found at www.BrownPaperBox.org.

From the award-winning writing team that brought you [title of show], NOW. HERE. THIS. is a new musical tackling life's big questions with humor and humanity. In its Chicago premiere, the show follows the evolution and adventures of four friends in a natural history museum as they journey through time - from the present day museum, to their formative pasts, and back again. Inspired by various exhibits, the foursome share stories about friendship, hoarding, roller coasters, dying, middle school, and Archer the security guard in an attempt to step from the past into that elusive present moment...into the NOW. HERE. THIS.

"The chance to follow up our Jeff Recommended [title of show] with NOW. HERE. THIS. is an amazing opportunity which timed itself out perfectly," says director M. William Panek. "When production rights became available last summer, we wanted to continue Jeff & Hunter's storytelling with as many of the same team members as possible. Not only did we want to recreate 2015's excitement with this special opportunity, but we also wanted to highlight the writers' collaborative nature with designers and actors who really have a handle on who these people are. I'm thrilled to see how these artists have grown, and welcome new faces on the journey - both onstage, backstage, and in the audience!"

The cast includes the reunited co-stars of Brown Paper Box Co.'s Jeff Recommended [title of show] - Neala Barron (Woman 1), Matt Frye (Man 2) and Anna Schutz* (Woman 2) - with new cast member Nick Shoda* (Man 1) joining the team.

The production team includes M. William Panek* (Director), T.J. Anderson* (Musical Director), Justin Harner* (Asst. Musical Director), Laura Wiley (Projection Designer), Sara Heymann* (Set/Prop Designer), Damian Wille* (Production Manager), and Charlie Sheets* (Graphic Designer). *Denotes Brown Paper Box Co. members

Founded in 2010 and based in Chicago, Brown Paper Box Co. creates thought-provoking and accessible theatrical experiences without the glitz of overproduction. This scaled-down approach allows our artists to deliver an elevated focus on the text.