Chicago DCA Theater Announces Fall 2011 Season

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture announce the 2011 fall season of events at the Chicago DCA Theaters-the Storefront Theater, located at 66 E. Randolph Street, and the Studio Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street.

Chicago DCA Theater offers downtown audiences an off-Loop theater experience with an exciting look at the vibrant theater companies that call Chicago home. As an anchor of the downtown theater district, the DCA Storefront Theater schedule will feature two world premiere productions (one by Mortar Theatre Company and one by Strange Tree Group), and a Chicago premiere by Polarity Ensemble Theatre.

Continuing the Studio Theater Incubator Program, Chicago DCA Theater will host Bailiwick Chicago & Teatro Luna in a co-presentation, Halcyon Theatre, and Project 891 Theatre Company. Additionally, DCA Theater will present the AFTRA/SAG Senior Radio Players.

All tickets are available by calling 312.742.TIXS (8497), visiting www.dcatheater.org, or stopping by the DCA Box Office in the Chicago Cultural Center at 78 E. Washington Street, open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 pm and Sundays, noon to 4 pm. When available, tickets go on sale one hour before each performance at the Storefront Theater. Discounts are available for Chicago Cultural Center Mosaic Members, theater industry affiliates, military personnel, ADA companions, and large groups.

Discounted parking is once again available at Wabash Randolph Self Park at 20 E. Randolph. Patrons can receive the $10 rate by validating their ticket at the Storefront Theater box office.

CHICAGO DCA THEATER FALL 2011 SEASON

Corazón de Manzana by Dana Lynn Formby
World Premiere Production Presented by Mortar Theatre Company
Directed by Ann Filmer
Media Opening: Friday, August 26, at 7:30 pm
August 23 - September 25, 2011
Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm
Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph Street
Tickets: $20 for general admission; $15 for seniors and students; $15 for previews (8/23, 8/24 & 8/25)
www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

Mixing realism, fantasy, and stylized choreography, Corazón de Manzana intertwines the lives of three mother/daughter pairs living in Canada, the United States, and Mexico to the tragic femicide occurring in Juárez, Mexico. A desperate cry for help reaches across borders to begin an investigation into a mother's plea to find her missing daughter. As the discovery into the child's disappearance unfolds, the connections between suffering and privilege in the three countries come into dramatic and heart-wrenching clarity.

The Spirit Play by Emily Schwartz
World Premiere Production Presented by Strange Tree Group
Media Opening: Friday, October 7, at 7:30 pm
October 5 - November 6, 2011
Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm
Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph Street
Tickets: $20 for general admission; $15 for seniors and students; $10 for previews (10/5 & 10/6)
www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

Séances, spirit mediums, and supernatural occurrences took Victorian-era America by storm, as otherwise sensible people grasped at any means to reach out to their loved-ones on the other side. In the insular, upper-class world of 1880s Chicago, three scheming charlatans prey on the rich with elaborate tricks and magic during well-rehearsed séances. But when young Jane, the so-called medium, begins to receive unexpected communications from the dead, her world takes a stunning turn.

Related Programs
Thursday, October 13: Post-show discussion following the performance

Peer Gynt translated by Robert Bly from Henrik Ibsen
Chicago Premiere Production Presented by Polarity Ensemble Theatre
Directed by Jeremy Wechsler
Media Opening: Friday, November 18, at 7:30 pm
November 15 - December 18, 2011
Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm
No performance on Thursday, November 24.
Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph Street
Tickets: $20 for general admission; $15 for seniors; $10 for students; $10 for previews (11/15, 11/16 & 11/17)
www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

The wild, globe-trotting adventurer Peer Gynt barrels across the stage in the Chicago premiere of Robert Bly's high-energy translation of this seldom-performed Ibsen classic. In this adaptation, unencumbered by morals or a sense of responsibility, Peer's mythic journey is envisioned as that of America itself, from scrappy trickster to imperial power and beyond. The rustic settings and live music reminiscent of 19th and 20th Century Americana accompany Peer on a 150 year whirlwind tour of the American psyche.

Related Programs
Thursday, December 1: Post-show discussion following the performance

CHICAGO DCA'S STUDIO THEATER INCUBATOR FALL 2011 SEASON

The Studio Theater Incubator Series supports the creation of new work by emerging Chicago theater companies. Utilizing Chicago DCA Theater resources and rehearsal space in the Chicago Cultural Center, participants explore new projects, develop and refine styles, and share their process with the public during a special showcase event.

The evening showcase events offer a glimpse into the companies' projects through readings, performances, or works-in-process. The events are pay-what-you-can, but reservations are encouraged by calling 312.742.TIXS (8497) or by visiting www.dcatheater.org.

Bailiwick Chicago & Teatro Luna (co-presentation)
Incubator Showcase for The North/South Plays
Monday, August 29, at 7:30 pm
Studio Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, entrance at 77 E. Randolph Street
Pay-what-you-can: $5 suggested donation at the door
Reservations encouraged at www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

The North/South Plays is a co-developed, world premiere collaboration from Bailiwick Chicago and Teatro Luna that explores the varied notions of borders-both historic and modern day-as experienced from the diverse vantage points of the Latin Diaspora, Canadians and United States Citizens in a seemingly borderless world.

Halcyon Theatre
Incubator Showcase for The Americans by Coya Paz
Monday, September 26, at 7:30 pm
Studio Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, entrance at 77 E. Randolph Street
Pay-what-you-can: $5 suggested donation at the door
Reservations encouraged at www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

Halcyon Theatre is committed to making the stage as diverse as the city of Chicago by presenting new voices from inadequately represented communities, as well as recasting classic works to showcase their contemporary relevance. The company is developing The Americans by Coya Paz, an open and generous look at how diverse individuals define being American during a time of national crisis.

Project 891 Theatre Company
Incubator Showcase for Homefront
Monday, October 24, at 7:30 pm
Studio Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, entrance at 77 E. Randolph Street
Pay-what-you-can: $5 suggested donation at the door
Reservations encouraged at www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

Project 891 Theatre Company focuses on newer works and lesser-known and undiscovered plays. The company is developing Homefront, looking at a family in rural America with one son recently deployed to Afghanistan.

CHICAGO DCA THEATER SPECIAL EVENTS FALL 2011 SEASON

AFTRA/SAG Senior Radio Players
Audiences are invited to witness the performance of classic radio scripts by voice actors, sound effects artists and, often, live musicians. The AFTRA/SAG Players stay faithful to the original model by having to get it right the first time - no retakes permitted. Admission is Free

A Map of Gold and Dragnet episode: The Big Gap
Wednesday, October 12, at 7 pm
Claudia Cassidy Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street

Pinocchio
Wednesday, December 7, at 7 pm
Claudia Cassidy Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street

The Vet Art Project Performance Series

The Vet Art Project creates opportunities for veterans and their families to work in collaboration with artists from multiple disciplines to create new art about war. This unique performance series features several short works-in-progress with a brief discussion on the impact of art on the veteran community. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

Wednesday, July 20, 6:30-10 pm

1st floor Garland Room in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street

Wednesday, November 16, 6:30-10 pm

1st floor Garland Room in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street

About the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to promoting an ongoing celebration of the arts; supporting the people who create and sustain them; and marketing the city's abundant cultural resources to a worldwide audience. DCASE, in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, programs and promotes thousands of high-quality free festivals, exhibitions, performances and holiday celebrations each year at Millennium Park, Grant Park, the Chicago Cultural Center and other venues throughout the city.

About the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture
The Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture (COTC) is dedicated to promoting Chicago as a premier cultural destination to domestic and international leisure travelers, providing innovative visitor programs and services, and presenting free world-class public programs. COTC supports local artists through grants and other resources and creates vital opportunities for artists of all levels. For more information please visit www.ExploreChicago.org.

 

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