Chicago DCA Theaters Announce Their Spring 2010 Season

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs announces its 2010 spring 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 emerging theater companies that call Chicago home. As an anchor of the downtown theater district, Chicago DCA Theater will present productions by six companies: WNEP Theater, Theater Mir, The Hypocrites, and Dog & Pony Theatre Company in its Storefront Theater; and James Anthony Zoccoli and Shaw Chicago in its smaller Studio Theater.

The Studio Theater space will also host two companies as part of its continued Incubator Program. The selected companies are Wishbone Theatre Collective and The New Colony. Additionally, DCA Theater presents several special theater events including the IN>TIME 2010 Showcase and the SKALD 11 Storytelling Festival.

All tickets are available by calling (312) 742-TIXS (8497), visiting www.dcatheater.org, or stopping by the box office, open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 4 p.m.; and one hour prior to each performance.

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 SPRING 2010 SEASON

The (edward) Hopper Project
Presented by WNEP Theater
Media Opening: Friday, January 15, at 7:30 pm
January 15 - February 21, 2010
Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm
No performance on Friday, February 12, due to the holiday
Post-show Discussion following the Thursday, January 21, performance
Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph Street
Tickets: $20 general admission; $15 for seniors and students
www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

WNEP Theater brings to life a mosaic of characters inspired by the paintings of American realist artist Edward Hopper. In a series of vignettes and short moments written by WNEP company members, a dozen actors follow Hopper's New York from dawn to dark and thrust the audience into the quiet desperation and dark comedy of the city.

Wiggerlover
Presented by James Anthony Zoccoli
Media Opening: Friday, February 5, at 7:30 pm
February 5 - February 22, 2010
Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm
No performances on Friday, February 12, or Monday, February 15, due to the holidays
Post-show Discussion following the Monday, February 8, performance
Studio Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, entrance at 77 E. Randolph Street
Tickets $20 general admission; $15 for seniors and students
www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

Part memoir, part editorial, all comedy, this is the totally too-good-to-be-true story of an interracial family in 1979 Chicago. Actor/writer James Anthony Zoccoli gives a retrospective account of his life as little Jimmy: a half-Italian, half-Polish kid who thinks he's all Black when his White mother remarries an African-American man.

Beautiful City
Presented by Theater Mir
Media Opening: Friday, March 5, at 7:30 pm
March 4 - April 3, 2010
Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm
Post-show Discussion following the Thursday, March 11, performance
Tickets: $25 general admission; $20 for seniors; $15 for students
www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

"This is the future" begins this darkly comic fable about urban developers, criminals, law enforcement, and even a witch, all fighting for the soul and vision of a city. Set in an urban landscape ripe for redevelopment, the parable blends off-kilter characters, fast-paced storytelling, and stinging social satire in a tale of greed, corruption, and civic responsibility. Theatre Mir's production marks the Chicago professional premiere of this work by George F. Walker, one of Canada's most prolific and celebrated playwrights.

Cabaret
Presented by The Hypocrites
Media Opening: Saturday, April 17, at 7:30 pm
April 15 - May 23, 2010
Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm
Post-show Discussion following the Thursday, April 22, performance
Tickets: $25 general admission; $15 for seniors and students; $15 for previews (4/15 & 4/16)
www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

Known for sexy, witty, and politically-charged numbers, Cabaret is also a backdrop for one of the darkest moments in world history. Set in Weimar Berlin just prior to Nazi rule, the play highlights the impact of global conflicts on the lives of everyday people. The Hypocrites, with guest director Matt Hawkins, circumvent the sometimes indulgent tradition of musicals, staging a more intimate production and depicting people in crisis struggling with the moments that define them.

The Doctor's Dilemma
Presented by ShawChicago
Media Opening: Monday, April 19, at 7 pm
April 17 - May 10, 2010
Mondays at 7 pm; Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm
Post-show Discussions following the Saturday, April 24, and Sunday, May 2, performances
Tickets: $22 general admission; $20 for seniors; $10 for students
www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

ShawChicago returns to the Studio Theater with a staged reading of Bernard Shaw's tale of Doctor Colenso Ridgeon. The newly knighted doctor has discovered a cure for tuberculosis but has only one slot left for the clinical trial. Should he choose a kindly medical colleague who ministers to the poor or a callous, amoral, but potentially great artist? And will his love for the artist's wife interfere with his decision? A fascinating tug-of-war between art and science...and love, as only Shaw could tell it.

Dead Letter Office
Presented by Dog & Pony Theatre Company
Media Opening: Friday, June 11, at 7:30 pm
June 9 - July 18, 2010
Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm
No performance on Sunday, July 4, due to the holiday
Post-show Discussion following the Thursday, June 17, performance
Tickets: $22 general admission; $17 for seniors and students
Patrons may pay-what-they-can at the door on Thursdays and Sundays
www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

In this world premier thriller written by Ben Viccellio, each staff member of the Dead Letter Office communicates in his or her own special manner. While examining the changing nature of language in our digital culture, the play surveys the staff sorting the backlog of the postal system and searching for anything of value among the written letters. But when a newcomer joins the group, she uncovers a secret - a secret buried deep within the walls of the post office and threatened to be lost with the buildings imminent destruction.

CHICAGO DCA'S STUDIO THEATER INCUBATOR SPRING 2010 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 free, but reservations are encouraged by calling 312.742.TIXS (8497) or by visiting www.dcatheater.org.

Wishbone Theatre Collective
Incubator Showcase for untitled (The Heroes Project)
Monday, January 25, 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)

Wishbone Theatre Collective produces original works of theatre that encourage diverse audiences to embrace the thrill of chance and the incredible possibilities that lie in the unknown. This ensemble-developed project will explore the complexities of heroism as it relates to the individual and societal perception.

The New Colony
Incubator Showcase for That Sordid Little Story
Monday, March 8, 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 New Colony strives to contribute original material to the American artistic canon and develop a new theater-going audience. Its new play, That Sordid Little Story, follows a man who believes that a 1963 concept album is really the story of his of his life.

CHICAGO DCA THEATER SPECIAL EVENTS SPRING 2010 SEASON

AFTRA/SAG Senior Radio Players
Claudia Cassidy Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street
Admission is Free

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.

Charity Never Began and Liz's Radio Script
Wednesday, February 10, at 7 pm

The War of the Worlds
Tuesday, May 18, at 7 pm

IN>TIME 2010 Showcase
Presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Chicago Performance Network
Saturday, March 27, 6-9 pm
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street
Admission is Free

Developed as a collaboration between DCA Theater and the Chicago Performance Network, IN>TIME is an annual Chicago performance series of local, national, and International Artists. The event features practitioners working with ideas of time and body, crossing the performing body with text, objects, sounds, visual art, and technology.

SKALD 11 Storytelling Festival
Presented by WNEP Theater
May 10 - May 15
Studio Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, entrance at 77 E. Randolph Street
Tickets will be on sale in March

This week-long event celebrating the art of storytelling includes workshops and competitions for children (KIDSKALD), adults (MAELSTROM), and professionals (SKALD 11).

MAELSTROM
Friday, May 14, at 7:30 pm
Tickets are $15 at www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

KIDSKALD
Saturday, May 15, at 3 pm
Free, but reservations are encouraged at www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

SKALD 11
Saturday, May 15, at 7:30 pm
Tickets are $20 at www.dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

Directors on Directing
Presented by DirectorsLabChicago
Monday, June 14, at 7 pm
Claudia Cassidy Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street
Admission is Free

DirectorsLabChicago brings a frank and in-depth conversation with some of the city's most prominent stage directors as they discuss their varied approaches to their work.

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