Greasy Joan Presents 'The Misanthrope' at the Athenaeum

Greasy Joan & Co. presents The Misanthrope, directed by Associate Artistic Director Libby Ford and translated by Ranjit Bolt. The Misanthrope will play the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport in Chicago, for a limited engagement March 5 through April 5, 2008.

Full of love triangles, lies and lots of laughs, The Misanthrope packs a social punch with its critique of corrupt society. Greasy Joan re-imagines Molière's classic comedy, turning the world of opulence into a maze of catastrophic illusion by setting the play in a dystopian environment. Molière sacrificed family and position in order to live for the theatre – in The Misanthrope he mocks the aristocratic life that he rejected. While Molière uses comedy to point to the ridiculous fashions of the upper class, the play strikes a chord when characters' deep-seated fears are realized. A humorous inquiry into what makes a man a misanthrope in a society that viciously struggles to maintain the status quo. Explore the power, delight and relevance of Molière's greatest masterpiece. 
 
The Misanthrope marks the first of two back-to-back classics on the Greasy Joan mainstage. William Shakespeare's MacBeth, directed by Artistic Director Julieanne Ehre, will play the Athenaeum Theatre for a limited engagement April 15 through May 25, 2008.

The cast of The Misanthrope includes:  Kevin Cox (Alceste), Dan Behrendt (Clitandre), Kate Cares (Celimene), Carol Enoch (Arsinoe), Alex Goodrich (Philinte), Kristina Klemetti (Eliante), Matthew Sherbach (Oronte) and Carlo Garcia (Acaste).
 
The Misanthrope is written by Molière, directed by Greasy Joan Associate Artistic Director Libby Ford and adapted by Ranjit Bolt. The design team includes: Kevin Depinet (set), Lindsey Pate (costumes); Ryan Davies (lights) and Victoria DeLorio (sound). 

Schedule:                  Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.**
                                  Sundays at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets:                     $10 - $20 ($10 for preview performances and students)
                                  Thursday $10 industry nights.
                                  Available by calling Ticketmaster at (312) 902-1500, at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Athenaeum Box Office. 
                                  Groups of 10 or more can receive a discount by calling (312) 458-0718.
 
**A special benefit performance of The Misanthrope will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.  Benefits tickets cost $30 and include a post-play reception at Lennox Lounge, 3032 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago.  Reservations can be made by calling (312) 458-0718.

Post-play discussions are held every Thursday and Sunday.
 
THE MISANTHROPE is sponsored by Flourish Bakery, Lennox Lounge, the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Richard Driehaus Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and the City of Chicago's  Department of Cultural Affairs.

Photo by: Michael Brosilow

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