Cast announced for Invictus LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST
Invictus Theatre, a theater company that emerged in November 2017 with an intimate production of OTHELLO, has announced cast and crew for its second production: Shakespeare's comedy LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST. The comedy will be performed at The Frontier, 1106 W. Thorndale Ave., Chicago from October 24 - November 18, 2018, with a press opening on Monday, October 29.
In Shakespeare's comedy, one of the Bard's earliest, The King of Navarre and his three friends make a vow to swear off food, fun, sleep, and women and instead focus their efforts on studying for three years. That is - until the Princess of France and her three friends come along on a political mission. What ensues is a hilarious battle of the wits where all parties learn about friendship, integrity, and love. The production will be directed by Dylan S. Roberts, who won raves for his direction of Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT for Midsommer Flight in the Lincoln Park Conservatory last holiday season.
Roberts's cast includes Chad Bay (Proteus in Midsommer Flight's TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA) as Ferdinand, King of Navarre. Raina Lynn, who played the leading role of Julia in WEDDING BAND with The Artistic Home in Fall 2017 will be the Princess of France. The King's three friends who all swear off love will be played by Charles Askenaizer (director, OTHELLO for Invictus) as Biron, Samual Cheeseman (TWELFTH NIGHT and HAMLET for Midsommer Flight) as Dumain, and Taylor Glowac (DANCING PLAGUE for Right Brain Project) as Longaville. The Frenchwomen who attract their attention will be played by Rachael Soglin (LOOSE KNIT for Public House Theater) as Rosaline, Amber Cartwright (THE TEMPEST, Janus Theatre, as Katherine) and Katherine Duffy (HAYMARKET for Underscore) as Maria.
Cast as Costard, the play's "fool," is Johnny Kalita (THE PILLOWMAN, Black Mamba Theatre). Jaquenetta, the bawdy female comic counterpart to Costard, will be played by Daniela Martinez (REVOLT. SHE SAID. REVOLT AGAIN. with Rose Bruford). Martin Diaz-Valdes (ARMS AND THE MAN, City Lit Theater) has been cast as the Spaniard Don Armado and Rae Hamilton-Vargo (SWEEP for Coffee and Whiskey) will play Armado's page, Moth. Completing the cast are Jack Morsovillo (MACHINAL at Greenhouse Theater Center) as Sir Nathaniel, Alisha Fabbi (HOLDING THE MAN, Pride Films and Plays) as Holofernes, Joseph Beal (OTHELLO, Invictus Theatre) as Boyet and Steven Hermez (THE ODD COUPLE, Oil Lamp Theatre) as Dull.
The production team will include Satoe Schechner (Costume Designer), Kevin Rolfs (Set/Props Designer), Becs Bartle (Lighting Designer), Stefanie Senior (Sound Designer), Paulette Hick (Text/Dialect Coach), Morgan Massaro (Assistant Director)
Previews are October 24 - 27 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, October 28 at 3 pm. The production will run through November 18 with performances Mondays, Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 pmand Sundays at 3 pm. All performances will be at The Frontier, 1106 W. Thorndale Avenue, Chicago. Purchase tickets at https://loveslabourslost.brownpapertickets.com/
Photo: Top L-R: Charles Askenaizer, Chad Bay, Joseph Beal, Amber Cartwright. Third Row L-R: Samual Cheeseman, Martin Diaz-Valdes, Katherine Duffy, Alisha Fabbi. Second Row L-R: Taylor Glowac, Rae Hamilton-Vargo, Steven Hermez, Johnny Kalita. Bottom Row L-R: Raina Lynn, Daniela Martinez, Jack Morsovillo, Rachael Soglin.
