Lookingglass Theatre's LOOKINGGLASS ALICE To Close 8/1/2010

Lookingglass Theatre Company proudly announces the return of two of its most popular circus-inspired theatrical events: Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale, created by Artistic Associate Tony Hernandez, story and direction by Tony Hernandez and Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman and Lookingglass Alice, adapted and directed by Ensemble Member David Catlin. Hephaestus will run at the Goodman's Owen Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, April 7-May 23, 2010. Following productions in Louisville, Syracuse and Atlanta, Lookingglass Alice will run at Lookingglass Theatre Company, June 16-August 1, 2010.

Circus Subscriptions are now available, starting at $48 for tickets to both shows. Subscriptions can be purchased at www.lookingglasstheatre.org; by phone, (312) 337-0665; or at the Lookingglass Theatre box office, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. For more information and box office hours, visit www.lookingglasstheatre.org.

Family Packs of eight tickets (four for each show) cost as little as $190. The deep-discounted Family Packs are available through the end of 2009 only. Perfect for holiday gift giving, special holiday packaging is included with each family pack.

Individual tickets for Hephaestus will be on sale February 2010, and tickets for Lookingglass Alice go on sale April 2010.

About Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale
The world's elite circus performers, including veteran members of the Wallenda Family, Ringling Bros. and Cirque du Soleil, return to Chicago for Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale. A Silverguy Entertainment and Lookingglass Original 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 created by renowned circus artist Tony Hernandez and Lookingglass Artistic Director of New Work Heidi Stillman.

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.

 

"The return of Hephaestus and Lookingglass Alice celebrates Lookingglass' commitment to producing dynamic and daring physical works," says Lookingglass Artistic Associate and Hephaestus co-conceiver Tony Hernandez. "Hephaestus is a both beautiful, and literal, example of theatre without a net. We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Goodman as we perform in impressive Owen Theatre."

About Lookingglass Alice
Lookingglass Theatre Company's hit Lookingglass AlIce Tumbles its way down the rabbit-hole for its fourth smash-hit run at Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works. When it premiered in February 2005, Lookingglass Alice became an instant hit, played to sold-out audiences, and enjoyed two extensions. When the production returned home to Chicago in summer 2007 following a successful East Coast tour, it again played to sold-out houses and was twice extended. This year, the production traveled to The Actor's Theatre of Louisville, and will be seen later this season at the Syracuse Stage and the ALLIANCE THEATRE in Atlanta.

Adapted by Ensemble Member and Artistic Director David Catlin from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, Lookingglass Alice is a muscular, acrobatic, and dizzyingly playful show for all ages. This Alice falls, floats, flies, defies gravity and the rules of logic during her wonderland journey through the looking glass to become a queen. With a juggling Mad Hatter, a precariously balancing Humpty Dumpty, and a bumbling Knight who invents his way into Alice's heart, Lookingglass Alice revisits the stories that inspired the founding of Lookingglass Theatre Company twenty years ago. Lookingglass Alice is produced in association with The Actors Gymnasium.

"Lookingglass Alice is an amazing collaboration between inventive design, impossible physical performance and entirely unexpected storytelling. The show gets curiouser and curiouser each time we get to work on it," says Director David Catlin. "We have played to sold-out houses throughout the country with this production. We are thrilled to bring it back home again for its fourth Chicago run."

ComEd is the Production Sponsor for Lookingglass Alice. American Girl Place is the Opening Night Sponsor for Lookingglass Alice.

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 51 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. Lookingglass Alice played earlier this fall at The Actors Theatre of Louisville and will be seen later this season at the ALLIANCE THEATRE and Syracuse Stage; Around The World in 80 Days will be produced 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 and administrative staff a dedicated board of directors led by Lisa Narpastek Green. For more information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org.