BERNARDA ALBA AND HER HOUSE Premieres Tonight at Redtwist Theatre

LORCA IN AMERICA, a project by Robert Eric Shoemaker and POETRY IS, presents the world premiere of BERNARDA ALBA AND HER HOUSE, from the play by Federico García Lorca. Opens tonight, December 5, 3:00 pm at Redtwist Theatre.

Lorca's masterpiece in this new translation and adaptation runs from December 5 thru January 3 at Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago, IL 60660.

Performances are Saturdays at 3:00pm, and Sundays, Tuesdays, & Wednesdays at 7:30pm. There is no performance Saturday, Dec 26. There is a performance on Monday, Dec 14, at 7:30pm. The production closes on Sun, Jan 3. Press Opening is Saturday, December 5 at 3:00 pm. For tickets, visit www.poetryis.org or call 270-577-7782. For more information, go to www.lorcainamerica.com.

ABOUT the PLAY: BERNARDA ALBA AND HER HOUSE tells about the secrets we keep from those closest to us- and about those closest to us. Bernadette Talbot-White, matriarch of her household in the depths of Louisiana, is losing her domineering grip on her daughters. The eldest, Augustina, recently inherited a fortune and has become a target; Marguerite is the only one mourning her father; Millie just doesn't know what to think; Martha is a well of venom, jealous of everyone; and Adelaide wants things covered up, the way they used to be. When a single man comes into the midst of these women, even fireworks won't stop the coming tide- that has to come!

Federico García Lorca's final and most poignant play is translated anew by Robert Eric Shoemaker, a Lorca aficionado whose undergraduate thesis spawned this translation. Shoemaker continues his work on Lorca texts through the project funding this production of BERNARDA ALBA- "Lorca in America", a DCASE Individual Artist Program Grant Recipient. This project promotes the translation and translocation of Lorca's work to American latitudes; in BERNARDA ALBA, the bayous of Louisiana.

Integrating movement and music, BERNARDA ALBA AND HER HOUSE interprets the work of Lorca as poetical and unique, with elements of Surrealism, Naturalism, and Flamenco weaving together. Shoemaker's unique staging in Louisiana recreates the localism of Lorca's work in the environs of America, closer to the audience- just as the actors are closer, close enough to grab on and never let go.

Shoemaker's previous works, including PLATH/HUGHES and WAR OF THE WORLDS have been praised for their originality and specificity, as well as their precise execution. BERNARDA ALBA AND HER HOUSE features the work of opera and theatre artists Sara Stern (as the title character) and Lauren Miller (as her counterpart, Cindy), as well as a host of up-and-coming actors and designers. BERNARDA ALBA will be accented by the original music of Przemeslaw Bosak, composer of Strawdog's ONE THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA.

BERNARDA ALBA AND HER HOUSE features the ensemble work of Sara Stern (BERNADETTE), Lauren Miller (CINDY), Elaine Small (ADELAIDE), Gilly Guire (MARTHA), Stacie Hauenstein (AUGUSTINA), Caitlin Connor (MARGUERITE), Maggie Vaughn (MILLIE), Denise Hoeflich (SANDY), and Nancy Wai (MARY JO, PRUDENCE, VAGABOND), with Shelley DeHosse, Kiersten Kolstad, Lora Miller, and Hannah Sawicki as the chorus of MOURNING AUNTIES.

The production staff includes Robert Eric Shoemaker (WRITER, DIRECTOR, FIGHT CONSULTANT), Sofia Johnson (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR), Przemeslaw Bosak (COMPOSER), Amanda Dittami (SCENIC & PROPS LEAD DESIGN), Robert Hornbostel (SOUND & LIGHTS DESIGN), Heather Scholten (COSTUME & MAKEUP DESIGN), Kathleen Qiu (MARKETING & PR CONSULTANT), Katie O'Shea (PROPERTIES ARTISAN & ARTISTIC CONSULTANT), Alec Long (MASTER CARPENTER & SCENIC CHARGE ARTIST), Amaia Gabantxo (ARTISTIC CONSULTANT), and Sarah Bernstein (ARTISTIC CONSULTANT).

The Redtwist Design Team will collaborate with the BERNARDA ALBA artistic staff to optimize the process of having two shows running in rep on the same stage. The concurrent Redtwist production of INCIDENT AT VICHY runs from Nov 21 to Dec 27, 2015.

ROBERT ERIC SHOEMAKER is a Chicago based poet-playwright, director, and arts journalist. Eric's work has been seen at Gorilla Tango Theatre, City Lit Theatre, American Theater Company, 3 Brothers Theatre, Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company, and others. He was awarded the 2014 Olga and Paul Menn Foundation Prize for Best Play for his musical PLATH/HUGHES, as well as a 2015 DCASE Individual Artist Program grant from the City of Chicago for his project "LORCA IN AMERICA". Eric's PLATH/HUGHES has been lauded by critics for its lyrical originality, immersive quality, and historical accuracy. In addition to making theatre, Eric is an arts journalist and poet published in Newcity, Evanston Now, Rollick Magazine, the Chicago After Dark Anthology, Literature Emitting Diodes, and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Upcoming publications include a book of poetry from Thought Collection Publishing. Eric is a graduate with honors from the University of Chicago, where he was Artistic Director of the Classical Entertainment Society. Eric is the current Artistic Director of Poetry Is. Follow his work at www.reshoemaker.com.

ABOUT POETRY IS. PRODUCTIONS: Poetry Is Productions brings poetry into all that we do, be it theatre, film, dance, publishing, or a new style of project. Our goal is to create art with a broadened sense of the definition of what "Poetry Is." Our first production, Robert Eric Shoemaker's duet musical PLATH/HUGHES, inspired rave reviews and intense audience reactions. We hope to bring a similarly thrilling and poetic experience to you with this production.

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