Poetry Is. Productions Presents LORCA IN AMERICA This Season

POETRY IS. PRODUCTIONS and ROBERT ERIC SHOEMAKER are proud to announce LORCA IN AMERICA, a project partially funded by an Individual Artist Program Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, as well as a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Lorca in America is a project begun by Robert Eric Shoemaker to further the performance and knowledge of the artistic works of Federico Garcia Lorca in the United States.

Lorca In America will feature productions at various theaters, in conjunction with other companies, throughout the next year. For up to date information on the events associated with Lorca In America, visit the website.

A tentative production schedule is as follows:

"Buster Keaton Passes By" at the Abbie Hoffman Festival: August 14, 2015

o A short play by Lorca, translated and directed by Robert Eric Shoemaker, starring Ruben Lesnick as Buster Keaton

"Buster Keaton Passes By" at the Skokie Theatre Ten Minute Play Festival: August 15 & 16, 2015

o A short play by Lorca, translated and directed by Robert Eric Shoemaker, starring Ruben Lesnick as Buster Keaton

"The Theory and Play of Duende," a chapbook with Isabel Ochoa Gold: Release date TBA 2015

o A new translation and illustrated chapbook set of Lorca's most famous essay on the spirit of inspiration

"Mrs. Bernarda Alba" (Working Title) produced by Poetry Is. Productions in association with Redtwist Theatre: December 5, 2015 - January 3, 2016

o A radical retranslation of the classic "La casa de Bernarda Alba" by Lorca, set in America.

"Love in His Garden," a new opera, produced by Gorilla Tango Theatre: Dates TBA

o Based on a new translation of Lorca's one act work, featuring score by Maggie Mascal

• "Yerma" with the Comfort Station in Logan Square: Dates TBA

o A finale outdoor performance of Lorca's lesser-known full length play

ABOUT BUSTER KEATON PASSES BY at the SKOKIE THEATRE

"El paseo de Buster Keaton," a short surrealist play by Lorca, is translated into "Buster Keaton Passes By." The production will feature a bicycle on the run, puppeteering with parrots, and other delights.

RUBEN LESNICK stars as the titular comedy genius, with puppeteering by REBECCA SEGALL and ROBERT ERIC SHOEMAKER.

ABOUT MRS. BERNARDA ALBA in association with REDTWIST THEATRE

December 5th at 7:30 PM at Redtwist Theatre: Poetry Is. Productions in association with Redtwist Theatre present "MRS. BERNARDA ALBA," a Redtwist Guest Company production, translated and adapted by Robert Eric Shoemaker from the original by Federico Garcia Lorca. Directed by Robert Eric Shoemaker.

From "La casa de Bernarda Alba" comes the new adaptation, working title "MRS. BERNARDA ALBA." Concerning a domineering woman and her multitudinous daughters, this piece is relocated to the old money families of Georgia in prior centuries.

ABOUT the ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

ROBERT ERIC SHOEMAKER (Writer & Director): Robert Eric Shoemaker is a Chicago based poet-playwright, director, and arts journalist. Eric's work has been seen at Gorilla Tango Theatre, City Lit Theatre, American Theater Company, 3 Brothers Theatre, Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company, and others. He was awarded the 2014 Olga and Paul Menn Foundation Prize for Best Play for his musical PLATH/HUGHES, as well as a 2015 DCASE Individual Artist Program grant from the City of Chicago for his project "LORCA IN AMERICA". Eric's production of PLATH/HUGHES at Gorilla Tango Theatre was lauded by critics for its lyrical originality, immersive quality, and historical accuracy. Upcoming productions include WAR OF THE WORLDS at Gorilla Tango, LEAD ME INTO DARK with the Theatre of Western Springs, DEATH AT A READING as part of Dandelion Theatre's THE COAT CHECK, and a guest company production at Redtwist Theatre. In addition to making theatre, Eric is an arts journalist and poet published in Newcity, Evanston Now, Rollick Magazine, the Chicago After Dark Anthology, and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Upcoming publications include a book of poetry from Thought Collection Publishing. Eric is a graduate with honors from the University of Chicago, where he was Artistic Director of the Classical Entertainment Society. Follow his work at reshoemaker.com.

For more, go to www.LorcaInAmerica.com or www.PoetryIs.org.

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