Court Theatre Closes Season With SIZWE BANZI IS DEAD, Closes 6/13

Court Theatre concludes its 55th season with Sizwe Banzi is Dead written by Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona, and directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson. The production will run May 13 - June 13, 2010 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. Press opening is Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 8:00PM.

Master playwright Fugard and the actors of the original South African cast collaboratively wrote the story of a man who pretends to be dead in order to live. This searing exploration of identity and the political power of storytelling is presented in a new, intimate staging by Court Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson.

"I'm excited to close out Chicago's Athol Fugard Festival with Sizwe Banzi is Dead. I've had the honor of performing in it as an actor, and to direct it at Court Theatre is truly thrilling for me," says Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson. "The beauty of Sizwe Banzi is Dead is that it is as politically relevant and illuminating today as it was when it premiered in 1972. It isn't just a story about apartheid South Africa; it's a universal work about people the world over and their ongoing battle for freedom, respect and identity."

Court Theatre's production of Sizwe Banzi is Dead concludes Fugard Chicago 2010, a festival celebrating three of Athol Fugard's greatest works produced in Chicago during the 2009-10 season. The festival began with ‘Master Harold'...and the Boys directed by Jonathan Wilson at TimeLine Theatre Company, and The Island directed by James Bohnen at Remy Bumppo.

Sizwe Banzi is Dead features Allen Gilmore and Chiké Johnson.

The creative team includes Jack Magaw (scenic design), Christine Pascual (costume design), Lee Keenan (lighting design), and Nick Keenan (sound design). The production stage manager is Sara Gammage. The production dramaturg is Kelli Marino.

Allen Gilmore returns to Court Theatre having previously performed here as Argante in Scapin, as Cyrano in Cyrano (co-produced with Redmoon Theater), and as Hamm in Endgame. He very recently performed at Yale Rep as Pantalone in The Servant of Two Masters, and prior to that as The Player in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead at Writers' Theatre. He next travels to Intiman Theatre in Seattle for its production of The Doctor in Spite of Himself.

Chiké Johnson was last seen in Ruined, a co-production between the Goodman Theatre and Manhattan Theatre Club. Some of his past theater credits include: The Crucible, Huck Finn, and The Unmentionables (Steppenwolf Theatre); The Unmentionables (Yale Repertory Theater); Topdog/Underdog (Renaissance Theaterworks); King Lear (Milwaukee Repertory Theater). TV and film credits include: Law & Order SVU, Law & Order, Prison Break, Verizon High Speed Internet commercials, Detour, Brooklyn Shakara, The Machinist, and El Traje.

Previews are May 13 - May 21, 2010. The opening press performance is on Saturday, May 22, 2010, at 8:00 p.m. Curtain times are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. with Saturday matinees at 3 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Ticket prices are $32 to $40 for preview performances; $38 to $56 for regular run performances. Tickets are available at the Box Office, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago; (773) 753-4472 or online at www.CourtTheatre.org. Student and senior discounts available. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets by calling Milan Pejnovich at (773) 834-3243.

Upcoming Events
University of Chicago Student Night
Friday, May 14 at 8:00 PM
University of Chicago students are invited to enjoy free food and soda after the performance. University of Chicago student tickets are always just $10 with valid U of C student ID.

David Bevington Post-show Discussion
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Join world-renowned University of Chicago theater scholar David Bevington in a lively post-show conversation with Resident Dramaturg Drew Dir. Your comments and questions are part of the discourse as Professor Bevington and the artistic staff provide context and probe the deeper issues of each play in Court Theatre's season. One Wednesday performance of each play features this popular in-depth discussion. These conversations begin immediately after the performance, last approximately 30 minutes, and are free and open to all.

Sizwe Banzi is Dead is sponsored by the Marion M. Lloyd Court Theatre Fund

Court Theatre is the professional theatre in residence at the University of Chicago continuing to discover the power of classic theatre. Court Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Productions are made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and by a City Arts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. Court Theatre is a constituent of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the American Theatre; the League of Resident Theatres; the Illinois Humanities Council; the Illinois Arts Alliance; the League of Chicago Theatres; and Hyde Park Cultural Alliance.

Synopsis: Master playwright Fugard and the actors of the original South African cast collaboratively wrote the story of a man who pretends to be dead in order to live. This searing exploration of identity and the political power of storytelling is presented in a new, intimate staging by Court Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson.

Title: Sizwe Banzi is Dead
Directed by: Ron OJ Parson
Written by: Athol Fugard,
Featuring: Allen Gilmore and Chiké Johnson.
Dates: Previews: May 13 - May 21, 2010
Press opening: Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 8 PM
Regular run: May 23 - June 13, 2010
Schedule: Wednesdays & Thursdays: 7:30 p.m.
Fridays: 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sundays: 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Location: Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave.
Tickets: $32-$56
Box Office: Located at 5535 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago; (773) 753-4472 or online www.CourtTheatre.org

Notes of Interest:
Sizwe Banzi is Dead was written collaboratively by Athol Fugard and two South African actors, John Kani, and Winston Ntshona, both of whom appeared in the original Cape Town production.

The world première production of Sizwe Banzi is Dead opened on October 8, 1972 at the Space Theatre in Cape Town, South Africa. Its subsequent British première won a London Theatre Critics Award for the Best Play of 1974. It premiered in the United States at the Edison Theatre in New York City on November 13, 1974.

Sizwe Banzi is Dead was co-nominated with Fugard's The Island for a Tony Award for Best Play in 1974.