Writers' Theatre Presents TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, Closes 3/27

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the final selection for company's 19th season, Travels With My Aunt by Graham Greene, adapted for the stage by Giles Havergal. The production will be directed by Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden. The production will close on March 27. 

The season also includes the previously announced productions of Joe Masteroff, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick's She Loves Me, directed by Michael Halberstam with an all-star Chicago cast; the world premiere of Brett Neveu's Do The Hustle, also directed by William Brown; and George Bernard Shaw's Heartbreak House, directed by William Brown. As a limited engagement, currently available only to Writers' Theatre Subscribers and Members, Gary Griffin will direct the world premiere of Keith Huff's The Detective's Wife.

Writers' Theatre performs in two performance spaces in Glencoe-its 50-seat venue at Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Ave, and its 108-seat theatre at 325 Tudor Court in the Woman's Library Club. Subscriptions and Memberships are available at the Box Office, 376 Park Avenue, Glencoe, 847-242-6000 and www.writerstheatre.org.

Travels With My Aunt

By Graham Green

Adapted for the stage by Giles Havergal

Directed by Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden

November 9, 2010 - March 27, 2011

Performed at 664 Vernon Avenue 

Henry Pulling, a mild-mannered retired banker, leads a quiet life tending his beloved dahlias and never straying too far from his Southwood, England home. But when his eccentric and outrageous Aunt Augusta suddenly appears in his life with mysterious information about his past, Henry is drawn from the safety of his flower beds into a series of absurd and exotic international adventures. Henry, Aunt Augusta and more than 25 characters are brilliantly and inventively portrayed by just four actors who switch identities, nationalities, ages and genders in this exciting theatrical escapade. Adapted from the celebrated novel by Graham Green, Travels with My Aunt takes you on an irreverent, often hilarious and absolutely unforgettable adventure.

The previously announced season includes:

She Loves Me

Book by Joe Masteroff

Music by Jerry Bock

Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick

Musical Direction by Ben Johnson

Directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam

September 14 - November 21, 2010

Press Night is September 23, 2010

Performed at 325 Tudor Court
Featuring Guy Adkins, Heidi Kettenring, Sean Krill, Ross Lehman and Rod Thomas

Additional casting TBA.

Often considered the "perfect" musical by aficionados, She Loves Me delights audiences and critics alike. Set in a 1930's European perfumery, we meet shop clerks Amalia and Georg, who more often than not, don't see eye to eye. After both respond to a "lonely hearts" advertisement in the newspaper, they now live for the love letters they exchange, but the identity of their admirers remains unknown. Discover with Amalia and Georg the identity of their true loves and all the twists and turns along the way! Performed as an intimate chamber musical on the Tudor Court stage, She Loves Me appeals to all ages and is a romantic and charming musical adventure of the heart.
World Premiere

Do The Hustle

By Brett Neveu

Directed by William Brown
January 25 - March 20, 2011

Press night is February 3, 2011

Performed at 325 Tudor Court
Sam and Eddie Sisson are more than just father and son, they're a crack team of hustlers always looking for the next mark. Sam, just a teenager who has practically raised himself, now wants to distinguish himself from his father and strike out on his own. Eddie doesn't want to let his son go without one final hustle, which could bring in their biggest take yet, but could ultimately tear them apart. Celebrated director William Brown and acclaimed playwright Brett Neveu team up again to bring this thrilling world premiere to the Tudor Court stage.

Heartbreak House

By George Bernard Shaw

Directed by William Brown
April 19 - June 26, 2011

Press night is April 28, 2011

Performed at 325 Tudor Court
The nation is on the brink of massive change, but is its leadership up to the seemingly insurmountable challenges that lie ahead? Meanwhile in the English countryside on the estate of Captain Shotover, an extraordinary assemblage of guests gather to reunite and reacquaint. Affairs begin, engagements end and hearts and minds become irreparably ensnared in a young woman's dilemma-whether to marry for love or for money. George Bernard Shaw-the unequivocal master of wit and social thought-bitingly chronicles the demise of the leisure class in his favorite play Heartbreak House.

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT:

World Premiere

The Detective's Wife

By Keith Huff

Directed by Gary Griffin
May 24 - July 31, 2011

Press nights are June 1 & 2, 2011

Performed at 664 Vernon Avenue
Featuring Barbara Robertson
Three of Chicago's finest talents come together to create a tour-de-force evening of theatre: playwright Keith Huff, fresh from his box office record breaking Broadway debut of A Steady Rain and writer for AMC's award-winning drama Mad Men; Broadway director and multi award-winning favorite Gary Griffin and Barbara Robertson, one of Chicago's greatest actresses, bring you this exclusive special engagement.
Alice Conroy is the mother of two grown children, owner of a frame shop and the long-time wife of a Chicago homicide detective, but when her husband is gunned down on the job, she sets out to find out who did it...and why.

The Detective's Wife currently only available to Writers' Theatre Subscribers and Members.

Writers' Theatre season ticket packages provide a convenient theatergoing experience and guarantee access to all of Writers' highly-anticipated productions in the 2010/11 Season. The Writers' Theatre Membership is $185 and provides ultimate flexibility. The Subscription is $200 and offers patrons a preset schedule with the guarantee of the same seats for all of their originally scheduled performances in the Tudor Court venue.
Subscribers and Members receive exclusive benefits including free ticket exchanges by phone, mail and fax, show reminders by email before each scheduled performance, a one-year subscription to The Brief Chronicle newsmagazine and more. For a complete list of benefits visit writerstheatre.org.

Subscriptions and Memberships are available at the Box Office, 376 Park Avenue, Glencoe, 847-242-6000 and writerstheatre.org.

SPECIAL SERIES:

Pre-Show Lecture

Writers' Theatre guest artists will guide patrons through the inner-workings of each production. By providing details that enhance the Writers' Theatre experience, each lecture will increase audience appreciation for the production to follow. Pre-show lectures are offered free of charge and open to the public. See individual production schedules for pre-show lectures.
Post-Show Discussions

Writers' Theatre artistic staff and cast members will host lively post-show discussions. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions about the process, the characters and the production. Post-show discussions are offered at no additional cost after Wednesday evening performances.

About Writers' Theatre

Writers' Theatre is a professional company focusing on the Word and the Artist. Remaining true to the intention of the playwright and nurturing the artist stand at the center of the mission. Now in its 18th season, the company both revives classic scripts and cultivates new works and adaptations while invigorating them with fresh energy in the intimacy of its venues. Founded in 1992, Writers' Theatre performed exclusively at Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Avenue for the first 12 years. In the fall of 2003, the organization opened a new 108 seat performance venue at 325 Tudor Court. Today, Writers' Theatre continues to produce in both spaces, maintaining an intimate theatrical experience for audiences. Since 2000, the subscriber base has grown almost 250%, from 1,500 to more than 5,200 today. With an operating budget of $3.3 million, Writers' Theatre is supported by a staff of 18 full-time employees and a 31-member Board of Trustees.
You can find Writers' Theatre on Facebook or follow Writers' Theatre on Twitter at Twitter.com/WritersTheatre. For more information, visit www.writerstheatre.org.