THE IMPROVISED SONDHEIM PROJECT to Return to Stage 773 for 8-Week Run, Begin. 10/3

The acclaimed musical improv ensemble The Improvised Sondheim Project returns for an eight-week run of performances at Stage 773 (1225 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago) starting in October. The Improvised Sondheim Project runs Thursdays at 8 pm, October 3 through November 21, 2013. To purchase tickets, visit stage773.com or call 773.327.5252.

The Improvised Sondheim Project is a theatre ensemble that performs completely improvised, spontaneous musicals in the style of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. The ensemble is comprised of veteran performers, including Joey Bland, Jeff Bouthiette, Kate Cohen, Katie Dufresne, Erica Elam, Aaron Graham, Rebecca Hanson, Nicole C. Hastings, Sarah Hoffman, Amanda Murphy, and Tiffani Swalley. Musical direction is by Aaron Benham and Stephanie McCullough Vicek. The ensemble is self-directed, and this performance run is produced by Jeff Bouthiette and Aaron Graham.

This is The Improvised Sondheim Project's third performance run at Stage 773 after successful performances in December of 2012 and May of 2013, and a sold-out performance at the Chicago Improv Festival in April 2013.

The Improvised Sondheim Project's performances will be Thursday nights at 8pm, October 3 through November 21, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets cost $15. Tickets are available at stage773.com or by calling the box office at 773.327.5252.

The Improvised Sondheim Project performs completely improvised musicals in the style of Stephen Sondheim. No scripts. No sheet music. No pre-planning. Just a suggestion from the audience and the muse of Mr. Sondheim to guide them as they make up a brand new musical each night right before your eyes.

Having spent the two years rehearsing together and researching the work of Stephen Sondheim, the ensemble is able to create a completely new, spontaneous and hilarious show that sounds and feels like a show by Stephen Sondheim. Everything that The Improvised Sondheim Project creates on stage (including music, lyrics, dialogue, and "choreography") is completely spontaneous and based solely on the suggestion from that evening's audience.

The Improvised Sondheim Project began in the spring of 2012 when a handful of faculty members from the Music Program at The Second City Training Center in Chicago came together to explore the challenge of improvising musicals in the specific style of Stephen Sondheim. The founding members were Jeff Bouthiette, Erica Elam, Aaron Graham, Amanda Murphy, and Matthew Van Colton.

For more information on The Improvised Sondheim Project, please visit www.improvisedsondheim.com.

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