Lookingglass Theatre Announces Return Engagement of HEPHAESTUS 4/7

Lookingglass Theatre Company proudly announces the return its popular circus-inspired production, Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale. Lookingglass Theatre Company's Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale will run April 7-May 23. 2010, at Goodman Theatre's Owen Bruner Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn. The press opening is April 15, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.

The production will feature a 7-person pyramid on a high wire. The cast, led by Lookingglass Artistic Associate Tony Hernandez, has been training and rehearsing for 6-7 hours a day, 6 days a week for the past few months in Sarasota, Florida with the famous Wallenda family.

"We always did a three person pyramid in Hephaestus, and I always had the dream that we could do the pyramid with seven people as a nod toward the seven gods of Mt. Olympus. Now that we are performing at the Goodman Theatre, we have the height and space to make that dream a reality," says Hernandez. "With the pyramid, we are pushing the limits of human achievement and storytelling. This is neither digital, nor CGI. There are no lines or magnets-it's pure balance, trust, training and teamwork."

Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale was created by Artistic Associate Tony Hernandez with story and direction by Tony Hernandez and Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman. Hephaestus, produced by Lookingglass Theatre and Silverguy Entertainment, will run at the Goodman's Owen Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, April 7-May 23, 2010. Previous productions of Hephaestus have sold out.

The world's elite circus performers, including veteran members of the Wallenda Family and Ringling Bros., return to Chicago for Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale. A Lookingglass Original and Silverguy Entertainment sold-out hit in 2005 and 2008, Hephaestus is a must-see circus theatre event. Evocative storytelling, amazing athleticism and the very highest levels of circus artistry bring the ancient Greek myth of Hephaestus to the high wire in this death-defying circus retelling.
The cast includes Tony Hernandez, Jarrett Dapier, Mike Duff, Khouri Daison, Jonah Finkelstein, Nich Galzin, Eva Hellman, Hannah Jarvis, Katie Kasper, Rick Kubes, Paul Matthew Lopez, Almas Meirmanov, Aislinn Mulligan, Tatiana Ranallo, Meredith Tomlins, Erendira Vasquez Wallenda, Lijana Wallenda-Hernandez, CJ Williams, Rani Waterman, Nik Wallenda, and Chris Ditton. Cast bios are available upon request.
Designers are Production Affiliates Brian Sidney Bembridge (scenic and lighting design), Ray Nardelli (sound design, co-composition) and Andre Pluess (co-composition). Kevin O'Donnell is the drum supervisor and Joel Lambie is the properties master. The stage manager is Production Affiliate Patia Bartlett.
Tony Hernandez (Creator/Hephaestus/Co-Director/Co-Writer/Artistic Associate) was most recently seen perched high on a ladder at Belmont Harbor in Redmoon Theatre's Last of My Species. After growing up in the circus, including a five year run with Ringling Bros., Tony moved to Chicago to pursue an acting career. He is currently a company member at Lookingglass Theatre Company where he has acted Argonautika, (Mary Zimmerman), Lookingglass Alice, (also at the McCarter Theatre in Princton, NJ ;and The New Victory Theatre, in New York City), Hard Times, (also at The Arden Theatre in Philidelphia, PA), La Luna Muda, The Old Curiosity Shop, The Baron in the Trees, and Hephaestus (which he also co-wrote & co-directed with Heidi Stillman in 2005 & 2008). Other Chicago onstage credits include Up at Steppenwolf Theatre (Anna Shapiro); All the Time in the World and The Flying Griffin Circus at Actors Gymnasium; The Midnight Circus and The Skriker with Defiant Theatre Company. Tony was also a part of the Wallenda's Guinness World Record on the highwire. Tony appeared on Captain Kangaroo, Kids World, On The Go and other children's TV programs at age six. Tony co-founded and runs Silverguy Entertainment.
Heidi Stillman (Co-Director/Co-Writer/Ensemble Member/Artistic Director of New Work) has directed Trust (co-directed with David Schwimmer), The Brothers Karamazov, The Wooden Breeks, Hillbilly Antigone, Hard Times (Jeff), and The Master and Margarita at Lookingglass. Adaptation/writing credits include The Brothers Karamazov, Hephaestus, The Old Curiosity Shop (Jeff), Hard Times (Jeff), The Baron in the Trees, and The Master and Margarita. Heidi was last seen on stage in The Arabian Nights. She lives in Chicago with her husband Rick and their six-year olds Sadie and Jude.
According to Greek Myth, Hephaestus was born weak, disfigured and crippled. Displeased by the sight of her son, Hera cast Hephaestus from the heavens, and he fell for an entire day before landing in the sea. On Earth, Hephaestus became a great artist, fashioning metal into beautiful works of art. Combining elements of circus, theatre, live music and dance, Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale follows the God of the Forge as he encounters sea nymphs, creates men out of steel and falls in love with the most beautiful goddess of all.

Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale

Created by: Tony Henandez

Written by: Tony Hernandez and Heidi Stillman

Directed by: Tony Hernandez and Heidi Stillman

Co-Produced by: Lookingglass Theatre and Silverguy Entertainment

Dates: Previews: April 7-14, 2010

Press opening: Thursday, April 15, 2010

Run dates: through May 23, 2010

Times: Tuesdays: 7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays: 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays: 7:30 p.m.

Fridays: 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays: 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

There will be no performances on April 10, 2010 due to Lookingglass' premier gala event, gglassquerade

Sundays: 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Location: Goodman Theatre's Owen Bruner Theatre,

170 N. Dearborn

Prices: Previews: $20 - $40

Regular run: $25 - $70

Box Office: Tickets available through GoodmanTheatre.org;

170 North Dearborn; 312.443.3800

Group Sales: call (312) 337-0665 (Lookingglass Box Office)

Mezztix are half-price mezzanine tickets available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online (promo code MEZZTIX) day of performance; Mezztix are not available by telephone.

10Tix are $10 mezzanine tickets for students available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online on the day of performance; 10Tix are not available by telephone. Valid student I.D. must be presented when picking up the tickets. Limit four per student with I.D. All tickets are subject to availability and handling fees apply.

About Lookingglass Theatre Company

Inventive. Collaborative. Transformative. Lookingglass Theatre Company was founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students. 2009-2010 marks the company's 22nd anniversary season. Lookingglass is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric. Lookingglass has staged 53 world premieres at 23 venues across Chicago, and garnered 42 Joseph Jefferson Awards and Citations.

Work premiered at Lookingglass has been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, Philadelphia, Princeton, Hartford, Kansas City, Washington D.C. and St. Louis. In the 2009-2010 season Lookingglass Alice will be seen at The Actors Theatre of Louisville, Alliance Theatre and Syracuse Stage; Around The World in 80 Days will be seen this season at Centerstage in Baltimore and Kansas City Repertory. Lookingglass Originals have been produced across the United States.

The Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago's landmark Water Tower Water Works opened in June 2003. In addition to developing and presenting ensemble work, Lookingglass Education and Community programs encourage creativity, teamwork and confidence with more than 15,000 community members each year.

Lookingglass Theatre Company continues to expand its artistic, financial and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Artistic Director David Catlin, Executive Director Rachel Kraft, Artistic Director Elect Andrew White, Producing Artistic Director Philip R. Smith, Artistic Director of New Work Heidi Stillman, a 22-member artistic ensemble, 15 artistic associates, 11 production affiliates, an administrative staff and a dedicated board of directors led by Lisa Naparstek Green. For more information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org.