About Face Theatre Announces 2011-12 Season

About Face Theatre (Bonnie Metzgar, Artistic Director and Jason L. Held, Executive Director) is pleased to announce its 2011-12 Season, which includes THE KID THING by AFT Artistic Associate Sarah Gubbins, RUN, MOURNER, RUN adapted by Tarell Alvin McCraney and a brand-new production of RENT with book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson. The season will conclude with a new youth-driven project by About Face Youth Theatre on trans identity entitled WHAT'S THE T? EXAMINING THE "T" IN LGBTQ.

"At this politically volatile time in history, About Face is eager to present theater that gets at today's big questions," comments Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar. "With all the greed and hatred, is it possible to create real community based on love, faith and tolerance? Why would anyone bring a child into this world? Can we reach across the divides of race and class to love each other? About Face is thrilled to embark on its 16th season with this exciting line-up of engaging works,world-class artists and new partnerships," adds Metzgar.

In the fall:
About Face Theatre/Chicago Dramatists Co-Production
THE KID THING
By AFT Artistic Associate Sarah Gubbins
Directed by Joanie Schultz
at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago

When two lesbian couples who have been close friends for years get together for a dinner party, the unexpected news of an impending pregnancy rocks their relationships and their understanding of the world. Building on its long history as a new play powerhouse in Chicago, About Face is excited to launch a partnership with Chicago Dramatists, home of over 200 Chicago-based playwrights.

In the winter:
RUN, MOURNER, RUN
Adapted by Tarell Alvin McCraney
This powerful play is adaptedfrom a short story in Randall Kenan's award-winning collection Let The Dead Bury Their Dead, an influential work of Southern African-American fiction. It engages the same electrifying ensemble narration that catapulted McCraney to national acclaim for his trilogy THE BROTHER/SISTER PLAYS. Referencing African-American storytelling, gospel revivals, Greek tragedy and blues, RUN, MOURNER, RUN marks the beginning of a relationship between About Face and one of American theatre's most compelling new voices.
Location TBA

In the spring:
About Face Theatre/American Theater Company Co-Production
RENT
Book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Co-directed by AFT Artistic Director Bonnie Metzger & ATC Artistic Director PJ Paparelli
at American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St., Chicago

1990. East Village. About Face teams up with American Theater Company to create a powerful re-imagining of the 1996 Pulitzer Prize-winning rock opera. At the end of the 1980s, a group of Bohemian artists struggle to find life, love and art in a brutal economy and the height of the AIDS crisis. Artistic Directors Bonnie Metzger and PJ Paparelli bring a staggering reality to this landmark musical. Parental discretion is advised.

In the summer:
About Face Youth Theatre presents
WHAT'S THE T? EXAMINING THE "T" IN LGBTQ
Directed bySara Kerastas
The latest project by About Face's groundbreaking Youth Theatre is an exploration and celebration of trans identity.
Location TBA

Tickets for all productions will go on sale at a later date. For updates, please visit www.aboutfacetheatre.com.

About Face Theatre (Bonnie Metzgar, Artistic Director; Jason L. Held, Executive Director) 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.

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