Babes With Blades Theatre Company's THE PROMISE OF A ROSE GARDEN Opens in August

Babes With Blades Theatre Company is proud to present the World Premiere of The Promise of a Rose Garden, written by Dustin Spence, to be performed at City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., in Chicago. Previews will be Saturday, July 30, Sunday, July 31, Thursday, August 4, and Friday, August 5. The press opening is Saturday, August 6 at 8PM, and the show will run Thursdays-Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 3 from August 6 - September 10.

The Promise of a Rose Garden is directed by BWBTC's incoming Co-Artistic Director Elyse Dawson, and the cast features Catherine Dvorak, Arti Ishak, Sam Long, Izis Mollinedo, Patti Moore*, Maureen Yasko*, Aaron Wertheim, and Kathrynne Wolf*.

The design and production team of 180 Degree Rule includes Leigh Barrett* (Production Manager), Milo Bue (Scenic Design), Brigidta De Souza (Stage Manager), Jason A. Fleece (Dialect Coach), Rachel Flesher (Violence Design), Barbara Lhota* (Props Design), Kimberly Morris* (Costume Design), Matthew Reich (Sound Design), and David Trudeau (Lighting Design).

*denotes BWBTC ensemble member

About the Play

The Promise of a Rose Garden explores the far-reaching effects of war and what it means to be a soldier. Captain Rockford, one of the first 3 women to pass the US Marine Infantry Officer Course, is instructing a new group of women hoping to become infantry officers themselves. She is being visited by angels who speak in riddles. She may be losing her mind...

"It's the story of a band of sisters and how they experience modern military combat." says director Elyse Dawson. "In particular, we share one character's experience with PTSD as Captain Josephine Rockford struggles with her demons, deals with her memories, and rejoins civilian society after combat. This play not only gives a hypothetical life to these women in combat, it casts a light on how ill-equipped our society is to receive all of our veterans upon their return home."

The Promise of a Rose Garden is the winner of Joining Sword & Pen, BWBTC's playwriting competition now celebrating its 10th anniversary. Sponsored since its inception by S.A.F.D. Fight Master David Woolley, the competition is free to enter, and features a completely blind judging process. Winning playwrights are guaranteed developmental readings, a full production with BWBTC, and a cash prize. Past winners have gone on to additional productions in Seattle, Los Angeles, New Zealand, and London; several have also been published.