Bailiwick Chicago Announces 2011/12 Casting Auction Benefit

Bailiwick Chicago announces that it has assumed sponsorship of The Casting Auction, an annual fundraising event previously produced by the Victory Gardens Theatre for nearly 30 years. In this unique benefit, theatre supporters bid to participate in a fully staged production of a Broadway musical. The show to be featured this year is "Damn Yankees", a musical comedy with a book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop and music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The casting auction will take place during Bailiwick Chicago's annual benefit on November 5, 2011 in the Grand Ballroom of Dank Haus, the German American Cultural Center, located in Lincoln Square at 4740 N. Western Avenue, Chicago, IL. The production will take place in February 2012 at a theatre to be announced soon.

"We are very excited to include The Casting Auction as part of our annual fundraising event," said Artistic Director Kevin Mayes, "and are grateful to Dennis Zacek and the staff at Victory Gardens for allowing us to carry on this great Chicago theater tradition."

At The Casting Auction, individual roles in "Damn Yankees" are secured by the highest bidders in live and silent auctions. In addition, a preview of musical numbers from the show will be performed by artists of the Bailiwick Chicago Collective, along with abundant food and drink. Tickets for the benefit will be $60 in advance, $75 at the door, and will be on sale beginning September 19 via the company's website, www.bailiwickchicago.com.

For the actual production of "Damn Yankees", Bailiwick Chicago will provide the artistic vision, stage direction, choreography, music direction, rehearsal facilities, social activities, technical experience and theatre space for the public performance of this beloved musical show. All funds raised by the benefit will go towards the company's 2012 Season, which will include the Chicago premiere of the Broadway hit, "Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson".

At the opening of the show in February 2012, members of the cast and creative team will acknowledge the "passing of the baton" by honoring Dennis Zacek, the visionary leader of the Casting Auction from its inception in 1980. Since that time, Dennis directed all 29 productions on behalf of the Victory Gardens Theatre, culminating this past February with the delightful "Thoroughly Modern Millie", just prior to retiring as the theatre's Artistic Director.

"Damn Yankees", an oft-revived Broadway show and classic movie, is based on the story of Faust, where a middle-aged baseball fan agrees to trade his soul to the Devil in order to become a 22-year old baseball superstar, in hopes of thwarting the Yankees' domination of his beloved home baseball team. In doing so, he is temporarily forced to leave his faithful wife and ordinary life in order to enter the exciting, high-stakes world of major league baseball.

Production management of the Casting Auction will be provided by Robert Ollis (Music Director of the past three Casting Auction shows) and Deanna Fearnbaugh (Co-Producer), together with Kate Garassino (Managing Director), Kevin Mayes (Artistic Director) and Brian LaDuca (Executive Director) of Bailiwick Chicago, assisted by the company's Collective members.

Performances for Bailiwick Chicago's production of the musical "Violet" begin September 17 at the Mercury Theater. For dates, times, and ticket information, go to www.bailiwickchicago.com.

About Bailiwick Chicago

Bailiwick Chicago was formed by a group of dedicated actors, directors, and production professionals in September 2009. This group, called the "Collective," is responsible for developing, implementing, and upholding the artistic mission and vision of the company. Bailiwick Chicago's mission is to tell stories that stimulate our audience and celebrate our diverse community, enhancing our understanding of ourselves and others. For additional information, visit www.bailiwickchicago.com, or www.facebook.com/bailiwickchicago.