Factory Theater Announces THE DARKNESS AFTER DAWN

The Factory Theater begins its 26th season with The Darkness After Dawn, October 19 - December 1, at the Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., Chicago. The play is written by Factory Theater Co-Artistic Director and Jeff Award-winning playwright Manny Tamayo and directed by Factory Theater Ensemble Member Mandy Walsh. Previews are Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct, 21 at 3 p.m. Opening night is Friday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. Performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for previews, $18 for students and seniors and $25 for general admission. Season tickets for all main stage shows may be purchased for $60 or $75 for main stage production and Factory Overtime programming. All tickets may be purchased through the Box Office by calling 866-811-4111 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.

An early morning home invasion becomes a murder, and that's just the start of a very bad day for Rosemary Ward. As the list of suspects dwindles, the motives multiply and the police aren't exactly helping. Rosemary finds herself in a battle of wits and cons with one man for survival - and it's a game neither of them plans to lose.

The cast for The Darkness After Dawn: Blake Dalzin+, (Renzo); Bradford Stevens, (Hughes); Allison Cain, (Rosemary); Samantha Newcomb, (Aurora); Jose Cervantes, (Jaimie). Understudies for the production include: Greg Wenz, (Renzo); James Allen Jr., (Hughes); Gina Phillips, (Rosemary); Brittney Brown, (Aurora) and Michael Meji, (Jaimie).

The production team includes: CW van Baale+, master electrician; Greg Caldwell+, production manager; Sarah Espinosa, sound designer; Morgan Gire, stage manager; David Goodman-Edberg, light designer; Victoria Jablonski, costumes; Sarah Lewis, scenic designer; Shea Messinger, technical director; Manny Tamayo+, playwright; Mandy Walsh+, director; Matt Engle+, fight choreographer; Jennifer Wernau, props designer and Isaiah J Williams, assistant director.

+Denotes Factory Theater Ensemble Member

ABOUT MANNY TAMAYO, playwright

Manny Tamayo has been an active Factory Ensemble Member since 2002 and was recently named co-artistic director. He has worked with the company in many capacities - as an actor, director, writer and production manager/producer. As an actor, some favorites include: Among the Dead, Here Comes a Regular, Toast of the Town and Easy Six. As a production manager, Tamayo has produced many of the all-time Factory classics: Siskel and Ebert Save Chicago, Hey Dancin'! Hey Musical! and Fight City. Tamayo has written four productions for the Factory utilizing his love of B-Movies, exploitation pictures and gritty noir. Most notably, he wrote Incident on Run #1217, which won the Joseph Jefferson Citation for Best New Play in 2014. Before devoting a massive chunk of his life to the Factory, Tamayo worked as an actor with several companies including The Hypocrites, Stage Left and Lifeline Theatre. Tamayo holds a bachelor's degree from Stephens College for Women in Columbia, MO and hails from Joliet.

ABOUT Mandy Walsh, director

Mandy Walsh has been a Factory Ensemble Member since 2015. On stage, she has appeared at Factory in The Next Big Thing, Captain Steve's Caring Kingdom, Fight City, Born Ready, Hotel Aphrodite, Street Justice: Condition Red and Incident on Run #1217. Chicago credits include Miss Holmes, Monstrous Regiment and Watership Down (Lifeline Theatre), Night in Alachua County and Carmilla (WildClaw Theatre), and The Ring Cycle (The Building Stage). She also has had the pleasure to work with Stage Left Theatre, A Red Orchid, Fine Print Theatre Co., Babes With Blades and Hobo Junction. Walsh is also a proud company member with WildClaw Theatre.

About The Factory Theater

For more than 25 years, The Factory has created its shows from scratch, doing exactly the kind of theater they wanted to do. From writing workshops to the closing night bash, Factory shows are a unique experience that fits its exacting standards: original, bold, and full-tilt. Its shameless ensemble are ambassadors of a good time, making certain that Chicago remains heartily entertained.

The Factory Theater begins its 26th season with The Darkness After Dawn, October 19 - December 1, at the Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., Chicago. The play is written by Factory Theater Co-Artistic Director and Jeff Award-winning playwright Manny Tamayo and directed by Factory Theater Ensemble Member Mandy Walsh. Previews are Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct, 21 at 3 p.m. Opening night is Friday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. Performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for previews, $18 for students and seniors and $25 for general admission. Season tickets for all main stage shows may be purchased for $60 or $75 for main stage production and Factory Overtime programming. All tickets may be purchased through the Box Office by calling 866-811-4111 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.