AstonRep Theatre to Launch 2017-18 Season with 1984 This Fall

AstonRep Theatre Company will launch its 2017-18 season with 1984, a chilling view of a world controlled by a totalitarian government, based on George Orwell's classic novel, adapted for the stage by Robert Owens, Wilton E. Hall Jr. and William A. Miles and directed by Artistic Director Robert Tobin*.

1984 will play September 14 - October 8, 2017 at The Raven Theatre (West Stage), 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.astonrep.com or by calling (773) 828-9129. The press opening is Friday, September 15 at 8 pm.

1984 features Ray Kasper* as Winston Smith, Sarah Lo as Julia, Amy Kasper* as O'Brien, Alexandra Bennett* as Parsons and Tim Larson* as Syme with Lauren Demerath, Lorraine Freund, Rory Jobst and Nora Lise Ulrey.

Based on the novel by George Orwell, 1984 is a terrifying and breathtaking view of a world controlled by a totalitarian government. Orwell asks what is left when freedom of speech, the press, love, and even the past are subject to authoritarian whims? Big Brother is watching. A theatrical event that is both powerful and disturbingly provocative.

The production team for 1984 includes: Jeremiah Barr* (scenic design, props design, technical director), Aja Wiltshire* (costume design), Samantha Barr* (lighting design, sound design, production manager), Robert Tobin* (projection/video design), Ian Harris and Sara Pavlak McGuire* (voice overs), Matthew Hahn (dramaturg), Dana Anderson* (asst. director) and Heather Branham Green (stage manager). *Denotes AstonRep Company Members.

Director Robert Tobin is the Artistic Director of AstonRep Theatre Company and has been involved in some capacity with every one of AstonRep's 19 productions. Recent directing credits with AstonRep include the Chicago Premieres of The Women of Lockerbie and The Water's Edge, The Dumbwaiter/In The Moment, The Lover and The Erpingham Camp. In Chicago, Robert has worked as an actor, playwright and/or director with companies including Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, First Folio, Oak Park Festival Theatre and Redtwist, among many others. Regionally, he has worked with the Utah, Colorado and Montana Shakespeare Festivals, Festival 56, The MET Theatre (Los Angeles) and the Geffen Playhouse (Los Angeles), among others. As a playwright, he has had several critically acclaimed plays produced in Chicago, Los Angeles and regionally and recently won Best Literary Adaptation as part of the City Lit Theatre's "Art of Adaptation" Festival.

AstonRep Theatre Company was formed in the summer of 2008. Since then, the company has produced 19 full-length productions and eight annual Writers' Series. AstonRep Theatre Company is an ensemble of artists committed to creating exciting, intimate theatrical experiences that go beyond the front door to challenge audiences and spark discussion where the show is not the end of the experience: it is just the beginning.

Pictured: Ray Kasper and Amy Kasper in a publicity image for AstonRep Theatre Company's production of 1984. Photo by Gerard Jamroz.