About Face Theatre Presents FLOAT 11/11-12/12

About Face Theatre Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Executive Director Jason Held are pleased to announce the world premiere of FLOAT by AFT Artistic Associate Patricia Kane, directed by 500 Clown founder Leslie B. Danzig, with dramaturgy by Artistic Associate Jessica Thebus. FLOAT will run from November 11 - December 12 at Theater Wit (1229 W. Belmont).

First featured as a workshop in the XYZ Festival of New Work 2009,this new play is set in a fictionAl Small, Midwestern town, where the bonds between five women are tested as they grapple with religion, identity, sexuality, secrets, and the building of the holiday parade float.

"Pat Kane is one of the most exciting female playwrights working in Chicago today," says Metzgar. "As Pat's longtime artistic home, About Face is honored to present this emotionally rich and funny new play to her hometown audience."

After presenting the world premiere run and remount of Patricia Kane's smash hit PULP, About Face Theatre is proud to have Kane's latest work on the mainstage to celebrate its 15th Anniversary Season.

"It's been terrific to watch FLOAT make its journey to the mainstage," says Kane, "and I am honored to be working with such a talented and dedicated group of artists as About Face kicks-off its 15th anniversary season."

FLOAT features an all-star cast of prominent Chicago actresses, including Artistic Associate (and Windy City Queercast host) Amy Matheny, as well as Wendy Robie (Twin Peaks), Peggy Roeder, Rengin Altay, and Adrianne Cury.

A gala opening will be held for FLOAT on Friday, November 19th, and a press opening will follow on Saturday, November 20th at 7:30pm. FLOATruns from November 11 through December 12, 2010 at Theater Wit, located at 1229 W. Belmont. Shows are Wednesday - Saturday at 7:30pm,and Saturday and Sunday at 3pm. For show tickets, visit aboutfacetheatre.com or call (773)875-8150. For gala tickets, call (773)784-8565.

BIOS

Patricia Kane (Writer)Pat's play, PULP, premiered at About Face Theatre in 2004 (garnering Jeff & After Dark awards), was remounted by AFT in 2007, and has received numerous critically acclaimed productions across the country. Her other plays includeSEVEN MOVES(adapted from Carol Anshaw's novel and premiered at AFT) and CHORDS, which premiered at the Arts Club of Chicago in a co-production with AFT and Writer's Theatre. Currently, she is developing a new play for the educational outreach program at Writer's Theatre's. An Artistic Associate with AFT, Pat has appeared in many AFT productions including PULP, SEVEN MOVES, FASCINATION, THE GIFT & OTHER STORIES, THE TERRIBLE GIRLS, WHITMAN, DANCER FROM THE DANCE and CLOUD NINE. Other Chicago credits include FINDING THE SUN (Goodman Theatre), HANNAH FREE (Victory Gardens & the recent film of the same name), and UNDER MILK WOOD (Barto Productions).

Leslie B. Danzig (Director) Leslie Buxbaum Danzig is a founding member of the Chicago-based physical theater company 500 Clown, where she co-created and directed 500 CLOWN MACBETH, 500 CLOWN FRANKENSTEIN, 500 CLOWN CHRISTMAS, and 500 CLOWN AND THE ELEPHANT DEAL, which have had multiple runs at Chicago theaters including Steppenwolf and Lookingglass, and which tour regularly to theaters and universities throughout the US and abroad. Leslie directed Redmoon Theater's HUNCHBACK at Redmoon Central, NYC's New Victory Theater, and University of Chicago's Rockefeller Chapel, and co-directed Blair Thomas & Co.'s THE OX-HERDER'S TALE at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in MD. Leslie has toured nationally and internationally (as an actor) with NYC's Elevator Repair Service and was dramaturg with choreographer Molly Shanahan. Leslie trained in physical theater at Ecole Jacques Lecoq and in clown with Philippe Gaulier. She received her BA from Brown University and PhD in Performance Studies from Northwestern University. Leslie is a lecturer at University of Chicago, and also teaches at Northwestern University and Chicago High School for the Arts. Leslie is currently co-directing an original dance-theater production with Julia Rhoads/Lucky Plush Productions, which will premiere at the Museum of Contemporary Art in 2011, and helping launch the premiere of 500 CLOWN TRAPPED in Spring 2011.

Rengin Altay (Performer) Goodman credits include Essie in HIGH HOLIDAYS, Jolly in JOLLY, Petra in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, Pearl in THE ICEMAN COMETH, ensemble in TIS PITY SHE'S A WHORE, and two seasons of A CHRISTMAS CAROL as Fred's wife and Belle. Other Chicago credits include THE MERCHANT OF VENICE and MACBETH with Chicago Shakespeare, CAT FEET with Northlight Theatre, the Chicago premier of A PRELUDE TO A KISS at the Wellington Theater, PRIVATE EYES, NECESSARY TARGETS, and ZORBA with Apple Tree Theatre, LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT with Irish Repertory, THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES at the Apollo, MOM'S THE WORD at Royal George Theatre, as well as appearances with Wisdom Bridge, Organic, Court, Victory Gardens Theatres, and numerous productions for the Poetry Foundation with Bernie Sahlins. Regional credits include: NORTHEAST LOCAL ( Trinity Repertory); AS YOU LIKE IT (Huntington Theater and Pittsburgh Public); ALL MY SONS and YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU (Penninsula Players); and ARMS AND THE MAN (Madison Rep.) Film credits include STRANGER THAN FICTION with Will Ferrel, LIGHT IT UP, CRUSH, and A PIECE OF EDEN. Television and voice-over credits include: E.R., EARLY EDITION, CUPID

Adrianne Cury (Performer) has had the privilege of working in Chicago with Writer's Theatre, Famous Door, Next, First Folio, Chicago Shakespeare, Chicago Shakespeare Project, Drury Lane Evergreen Park, Bailiwick, Strawdog, Apple Tree, National Jewish, Lifeline, and a dozen principal roles with both Organic/Touchstone and ShawChicago, where she is an associate artist. Her honors include: Jeff Award nomination (TWO BYSHAW - Writer's Theatre); a Jeff Citation (Maggie in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF - Zebra Crossing); and two After Dark Awards (SHRAPNEL IN THE HEART - Famous Door & DAVID'S REDHAIRED DEATH - Bailiwick). Regional theatre credits include: Indiana Repertory, BoarsHead, Human Race, New American, Artists Ensemble, and Wisconsin Shakespeare. Some favorites include both Masha and Arkadina in THE SEAGULL; L'il Bit in HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE; Angela in WONDERFUL TENNESSEE and Alma in SUMMER & SMOKE, and Rosemary in PICNIC. In 2009, Adrianne traveled to Konya, Turkey on ShawChicago's MacArthur Foundation Grant, playing Helen Alving in Ibsen's GHOSTS. Directing credits: the experiment -Stockyards Theatre Project; YOU NEVER CAN TELL - Village Players; SCOUNDREL TIME and THE THIN MAN - City Lit; and SENSE & SENSIBILITY - Theatre of Western Springs. Ms. Cury is a proud member of Actor's Equity & SAG, and teaches and coaches both adults and teens at Acting Studio Chicago. She was raised a Unitarian, and still managed to rebel!

Amy Matheny (Performer) An Artistic Associate of About Face Theatre, Amy has appeared in EXECUTION OF JUSTICE, FASCINATION, WHITMAN, SEVEN MOVES, THE GIFT, workshops of PULP and LATE: A COWBOY SONG, and as Gabrielle from the cult hit shows she conceived, XENA LIVE! Episode One and XENA LIVE! Episode 2 XENA LIVES: THE MUSICAL. In 2008, Amy produced THE LARAMIE PROJECT all star Chicago benefit for the About Face Youth Theatre at the Center on Halsted and she co-created AFT's annual FLIP FLOP cabaret benefit. Others Chicago shows include: THE PEOPLE'S TEMPLE (American Theatre Company), APPLE (Profiles Theatre), MEASURE FOR MEASURE (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE (Royal George) and THE IRISH AND HOW THEY GOT
THAT WAY (Mercury Theatre). Amy is a founding member of Greasy Joan & Company, where her credits include IPHIGENIA & OTHER DAUGHTERS, PERICLES, ARMS & THE MAN, and THERESE RAQUIN. Regional: Pennsylvania Center Stage, Playhouse on the Square, American Stage, Circa '21, and Utah Musical Theatre.

Wendy Robie (Performer) This is Wendy Robie's first appearance with About Face Theatre. Other Chicago credits include RICHARD III, PRIVATE LIVES, HAMLET,and HECUBA with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, MOTHER COURAGE with Steppenwolf Theatre, TROJAN WOMEN with The Goodman, A DELICATE BALANCE with Remy Bumppo, OMNIUM GATHERUM, FAR AWAY, THE LOVE SONG OF J. ROBERT OPPENHEIMER,and ENTERTAINING MR. SLOANEwith The Next Theatre. Outside the US, Robie appeared as "Regan" in Brian Bedford's KING LEAR at the 2007 Stratford Festival of Canada, and as "Bishop" in JOAN DARKwith the Linz, Austria 09 Kulturhouptstadt. Regional credits include TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD with Kansas City Repertory and Arizona Theatre Company, WHO'S AFRAID OF Virginia Woolf?with Phoenix Theatre, AZ, MACBETH at Los Angeles Theatre Center, REMBRANDT'S GIFT with Madison Repertory, WI, LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSESand THE LITTLE FOXES with Portland Repertory, OR. Film credits include Wes Craven's THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS and the recently released WERE THE WORLD MINE. TV credits include Star Trek DS9, Quantum Leap, Dark Skies, Any Day Now, Party of Five, A Place of Annie, and 2 seasons as the eye-patch wearing "Nadine" on David Lynch'sTwin Peaks. Robie received the Chicago After Dark Award for Outstanding Season for 2005.

Peggy Roeder (Performer) workshopped FLOAT last fall for the XYZ Festival, and is thrilled to be back in the barn. Chicago credits include CAPOTE'S HOLIDAY STORIES at Provision Theatre, BUSY WORLD IS HUSHED at Next Theatre, THE DRESSER at Steppenwolf, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK at Drury Lane Oakbrook, UNCLE VANYA at Court, HOW CAN YOU RUN WITH A SHELL? at Chicago Shakespeare, TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL at Goodman, and INDIAN INK at Apple Tree. Her work in Chicago theatre has garnered her four Jeff Awards, three Artisan Awards, and two After Dark Awards. Other theatre credits include CABARET, LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, and OVER THE TAVERN at Peninsula Players, CIDERHOUSE RULES at Atlantic Theatre Company and Mark Taper Forum, and CLEAN HOUSE at Milwaukee Rep. Her film work includes Road to Perdition, Stranger than Fiction, Groundhog Day, Eagle Eye, The Lakehouse, Baby on Board, and In Memoriam: A Comedy. On television, she has been seen on Law & Order, E.R., Star Trek:Deep Space Nine, Pennsylvania Miners Movie, Prison Break, and All My Children. Peggy has sung in concert at Ravinia and the Chicago Humanities Festival, and can be heard on both Second City Divas CDs. Peggy is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association.

About Face Theatre (Co-Producer)is one of Chicago's most acclaimed theatre companies, and is a national leader in the development of new work exploring gender and sexual identity. Since its founding by Kyle Hall and Eric Rosen in 1995, the company has premiered more than 30 new plays by writers and directors who have been recognized with several Tony Awards, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama, The MacArthur Fellowship and dozens of Joseph Jefferson Awards.

Landmark world premieres include Doug Wright's Pulitzer and Tony-winning I Am My Own Wife; Moisés Kaufman's production of Tennessee Williams' One Arm (a co-production with Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Tectonic Theatre Project); Mary Zimmerman's M. Proust, and, with Lookingglass Theatre, the famed Eleven Rooms of Proust; Frank Galati and Stephen Flaherty's Loving Repeating: A Musical of Gertrude Stein (a co-production with the Museum of Contemporary Art, Original Cast Album recorded by Jay Records); the multi-award winning musical Winesburg, Ohio by Eric Rosen, Andre Pluess, Ben Sussman and Jessica Thebus; and the cult hit Pulp by Patricia Kane.

In addition to its award-winning mainstage performances, About Face is known nationally for its ground-breaking Youth Theatre, which creates critically acclaimed new work by and about LGBTQ youth and their allies. The Youth Theatre has performed on major stages across the country, and, through its outreach tour, changes the lives of thousands of young people each year. Building on the success of The Youth Theatre model, About Face recently launched its corporate outreach program to provide diversity training and onsite workshops to the corporate community. About Face Theatre creates exceptional, innovative and adventurous plays to advance the national dialogue on gender and sexual identity, and to challenge and entertain audiences in Chicago, across the country and around the world.

FLOAT
By Patricia Kane
Directed by Leslie B. Danzig
November 11 - December 12, 2010
@ Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont
$25 Tickets/$15 Students
www.aboutfacetheatre.com or 773-975-8150 for tickets

Don't Miss a Chicago News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...