Inertia Theatre Project To Produce Showcase THE MAN THAT CORRUPTED CHRISTMAS by Mark Twain

The Inertia Theatre Project will produce "The Man That Corrupted Christmas by Mark Twain" as an exclusive two-night-only acting/directing showcase at Strawdog Theatre Company the evenings of December 11 and 12, 2018, at 8pm. Adapted and directed by Corey Bradberry, the play's ensemble of ten features Annie Burnett, Kayla DeFrenza, Julia Germeroth, Nick Grischow, Eliott Johnson, Kirsten Linder, Cat McGee, Patrick O'Keefe, P. Cullen Ryan, and Talia Santia.

Play Synopsis: The inhabitants of fictional Christmas, Illinois are known for their unyielding honesty and incorruptibility... that is, until a stranger arrives hell-bent on destroying the town's reputation once and for all.

The performance will last approximately eighty minutes with no intermission. This showcase is the second production by the Inertia Theatre Project, which premiered Daniel Glenn's THE LAKES at Stage 773 this past October. The adaptation, based on Twain's short story "The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg", was originally workshopped at the University of Southern Mississippi by Bradberry in 2015.

"This script honors Twain's genius for satire while bringing his original tale into the here and now," says Bradberry. "Though Twain never specifically wrote for the theatre, this story in particular is well-suited for our time, when the holidays can sometimes become synonymous with artificiality and skin-deep intentions. Living through America's Gilded Age (a term he himself helped coin), Twain intentionally places the townspeople in peril's way, testing the true mettle of their character."

A short piece will open for the one-act both evenings, to be announced closer to the performance date. General admission is $10 cash / $12 card, with tickets available at the door only. Producers, Artistic Directors, and casting agents may contact Inertia Theatre Project for information on comp tickets. This show is recommended for ages 13+. More information is available at www.coreybradberry.com/christmas. Directions and more information about Strawdog Theatre Company can be found at its website.

Show Dates & Times: Tuesday, December 11 @ 8pm Wednesday, December 12 @ 8pm

About Inertia Theatre Project: the Inertia Theatre Project exists to foster momentum in original theatre programming for the Chicago theatre community, and to propel its artists to new levels of creativity.

Corey Bradberry (Director/Adapter) is an award winning, Chicago-based stage director committed to clear, efficient, and compelling storytelling. Corey holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in stage directing from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre & Performance Studies from Kennesaw State University, and additional training from Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre, the Kennedy Center M.F.A. Playwright's Workshop + Directing Intensive, and the Second City Training Center. He is also a seasoned producer, stage manager, performer, dramaturg, playwright, and arts educator, holding teaching positions with the Alliance Theatre, Swift School, Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, Atlanta Children's Theatre, University of Southern Mississippi, and Kennesaw State University. Corey was awarded a National Directing Fellowship through the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and is the recipient of the 2013 Emerging Artist Award (Theatre) from the City of Atlanta's Office of Cultural Affairs. www.coreybradberry.com