Mortar Theatre Co Presents CORAZON DE MANZANA at Storefront Theater, 8/21 - 9/25

Mortar Theatre Company, in as sociation with the DCA Theater, presents the world premiere of "Corazón de Manzana" by Dana Lynn Formby. The bilingual production, directed by Jason Boat, runs at the DCA Theater's Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St., in the heart of Chicago's downtown theater district, from August 21 - September 25, 2011.

Mixing realism, fantasy and stylized choreography, "Corazón de Manzana" intertwines the lives of three mother/daughter pairs living in Canada, the United States and Mexico to the tragic femicide occurring in Juárez, Mexico. A desperate cry for help reaches across borders to begin an investigation into a mother's plea to find her missing daughter. As the discovery into the child's disappearance unfolds, the connections between suffering and privilege in the three countries come into dramatic and heart-wrenching clarity.

With a population of just 1.5 million, Juárez, Mexico holds one of the highest murder rates in the world. Referred to by some as "the capital of murdered women," Juárez has experienced an alarming number of sadistic and unsolved murders and sexual assaults against young women since 1993, which has been dubbed as ‘femicide.'

"2010 stats indicate that 3,100 women were killed in Ciudad Juárez and 300 more in the first month of 2011. Their ages ranged between 13 and 35. With that said, an accurate figure on the number of women killed in this region is impossible, since not even the Government of Mexico or the Attorney General's Office give actual stats involved in scandals of corruption and do all they can to keep these deaths from the light of day" (Relativityonline.com).

"As a company devoted to telling the stories of everyday heroes, we felt it was our duty to bring this play to the stage," said Derek Garza, Artistic Director at Mortar Theatre. "'Corazón de Manzana' uses innovative storytelling methods to connect us to the lives of women across our continent. It is a visceral experience that gives life to the statistics we can only read about," added Garza.

Dana Lynn Formby (Playwright) is a resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists and a founding member of Mortar Theatre Company. Her play "American Beauty Shop" will be read at the Illinois Shakespeare Fest in Bloomington this July and at Steep Theatre in October. Her plays have been read around the country at such places as New York Theatre Workshop, PICT, Victory Gardens, WordBRIDGE, Premiere Stages, ALLIANCE THEATRE of Atlanta and Steep Theatre. Dana is the 2008 recipient of the Scott McPherson Playwriting Award. She teaches playwriting at Chicago Dramatists and for the DCA's Vet Art Project at the Chicago Cultural Center. Formby describes herself as "a blue-collar playwright whose attitude was carved by the relentless Wyoming wind-lips tight, eyes squinted, legs crossed because god knows what could blow in." She holds an MFA in Playwriting from Ohio University.

Jason Boat (Director) is a founding member of Mortar Theatre Company. Boat has directed two world premiere plays for Mortar Theatre: "Mother Bear" by Jayme McGhan and "Inherit the Whole" by Dana Lynn Formby. His interests in new play development have led him to direct the readings of "Armed with Peanut Butter" with The Vet Art Project and "Mr. Welfare" withGraphite Series. As an actor, Jason was last seen in "Ivanov", directed by Sheldon Patinkin. He received his BFA in Acting from the University of Wyoming and a MFA in Acting from Penn State University.

The cast includes Mortar Theater Company member Stephanie Stroud (Callie) along with Yadira Correa (Denise), Ethan Weiss (Jake), Ilyssa Fradin (Mom), Cruz Gonzalez (Mazi), Katie Herbert (Sara), Erica Hernandez (Abby), Morgan McNaught (Arianna) and Josh Volkers (Ferdy).

The production and artistic team includes Kristin Toerpe (Production Manager), Erin Hoban (Stage Manager), Mary Siegel (Assistant Stage Manager), Benjamin Brownson (Dramaturg), Robert S. Kuhn (Costume Design), Nick Rastenis (Set Design), Kent Cubbage (Lighting Design), Jeff Shields (Properties Design), Heath Hays (Sound Design), Michelle Underwood (Projection Design) and Douglas Tyler (Projection Design).

Schedule & Ticket Information

Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors with ID; $15 for preview performances Sunday, August 21 and Thursday August 25. Discounted $15 tickets are available for every Thursday performance. The show runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. through September 25. There will be a post-show discussion after the Sunday, September 4 performance.

All tickets are available by calling 312.742.TIXS (8497), visiting www.dcatheater.org, or stopping by the Chicago Cultural Center Ticket Office in the Chicago Cultural Center at 78 E. Washington Street, open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. When available, tickets go on sale one hour before each performance at the DCA Storefront Theater.

Additional discounts are available for Chicago Cultural Center Mosaic Members, theater industry affiliates, military personnel, ADA companions and large groups.

Discounted parking is once again available at Wabash Randolph Self Park at 20 E. Randolph. Patrons can receive the $10 rate by validating their ticket at the Storefront Theater ticket office.

ABOUT DCA THEATER

The DCA Storefront Theater and the Studio Theater, its companion theater located in the Chicago Cultural Center at 78 E. Washington St., comprise DCA Theater, an anchor of the downtown theater district. DCA Theater offers downtown audiences an unforgettable off-Loop theater experience with an exciting look at the vibrant theater companies that call Chicago home. Featuring a state-of-the-art and easily accessible theater, located just steps away from Millennium Park, audiences enjoy high quality work from Chicago's most dynamic theater companies at an affordable ticket price.

Each season, the DCA Theater accepts proposals from the city's emerging and developing theater companies who wish to bring their innovative productions downtown. Presenting companies receive free performance space and resources, while theater-goers get an exciting glimpse into Chicago's world-renowned theater scene. In addition to fully staged productions, the DCA Theater presents many other programs that showcase the diverse Chicago theater community. Special limited-run and one-night-only events include staged readings, radio plays, directing workshops and festivals.

The DCA Studio Theater, housed in the Chicago Cultural Center just across the street from the DCA Storefront Theater, hosts the "Incubator Series," a program designed to support the creation of new work by emerging Chicago theater companies. Utilizing the generous offering of free rehearsal space and resources, participants explore new projects, develop and refine styles and share their process with the public during a special showcase event.

The upcoming "Incubator Series" hosts Bailiwick Chicago and Teatro Luna in a co-presentation of The North/South Plays, Monday, August 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center. For more information, and for the rest of the "Incubator Series" visit www.dcatheater.org.

Bring Your Show to the Loop

Proposals for creative and innovative productions for the DCA Theater's July 2011 to December 2012 season are being accepted now through October 15, 2011. As part of DCA Storefront Theater and at no cost, selected companies receive performance space, dressing rooms, lighting, sound equipment and technical support and instruction from a professional who is on-hand through the run of the show. Promotional support is also provided through individual show postcards, season materials and other citywide marketing pieces. Additionally, media relations assistance is offered in an effort to seek critical reviews and other publicity through the press. Box office and front-of-house staff are provided and 85% of all box-office proceeds go directly the theater company (the other 15% covers DCA Theater administrative costs). As part of the "Incubator Series" in DCA Studio Theater, selected companies receive free rehearsal space and resources, explore new projects, develop and refine styles and share their process with the public during a special showcase event. For more information and to apply to either space, visit http://www.dcatheater.org/yourshow/.

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to promoting an ongoing celebration of the arts; supporting the people who create and sustain them; and marketing the city's abundant cultural resources to a worldwide audience. DCASE, in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, programs and promotes thousands of high-quality free festivals, exhibitions, performances and holiday celebrations presented each year at Millennium Park, Grant Park, the Chicago Cultural Center and other venues throughout the city.

Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture

The Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture (COTC) is dedicated to promoting Chicago as a premier cultural destination to domestic and international leisure travelers, providing innovative visitor programs and services, and presenting free world-class public programs. COTC supports local artists through grants and other resources and creates vital opportunities for artists of all levels. For more information please visit www.ExploreChicago.org.