The Shakespeare Project Presents Chicago Premiere of Stoppard's DARKSIDE

The Shakespeare Project of Chicago is proud to announce that it will present a special live performance of Tom Stoppard's radio play DARKSIDE on Sunday, September 27 at 7 p.m. at The Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Avenue, Chicago.

The performance, which will be the Chicago premiere of the play, is a fundraiser for The Shakespeare Project's education outreach program. It will feature an all-Equity cast and will be directed by the company's artistic director, Peter Garino.

Tom Stoppard, a lifelong fan of the British progressive rock group Pink Floyd, wrote the play to commemorate the 40th anniversary in 2013 of the release of the group's iconic concept album "The Dark Side of the Moon." The album, with lyrics by Roger Waters, explores many themes, including greed, the passage of time, mortality, and mental illness. Stoppard's play, which incorporates the entire album in its narrative, tells the story of Emily McCoy, a student of moral philosophy, and her journey to self-enlightenment through a maze of thought experiments and other-worldly encounters.

DARKSIDE features Tony Dobrowolski as Mr. Baggott/Ethics Man; Chris Landis as the Boy; Doug MacKechnie as Dr. Atrobus/Witch Finder; David Skidmore as the Banker; Stephen Spencer as the Politician; Fredric Stone as Fat Man; Ashley Wickett as Emily McCoy; and Barbara Zahora as the Wise One, Commentator and Emily's Mother.

The creative team includes George Zahora (sound designer), John Slywka (visual designer), Gail Rastorfer (costume coordinator), Brenda Fournier (movement consultant), Christopher Prentice (assistant director/production stage manager) and Michelle Shupe (assistant director).

General admission tickets for the performance are $75. Doors open at 6 p.m. Food and beverage will be available for purchase at the event. There is a $10 minimum per person food/beverage charge. The running time for DARKSIDE is approximately one hour with no intermission.

All proceeds benefit The Shakespeare Project of Chicago's education outreach program.

Tickets can be requested by sending an email to darkside@shakespeareprojectchicago.org.

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