Irish Theatre of Chicago to Stage THE WHITE ROAD, 4/30-6/13

Irish Theatre of Chicago, formerly Seanachaí Theatre Company, concludes its 20th anniversary season with the world premiere drama THE WHITE ROAD by founding ensemble member Karen Tarjan*, directed by ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric*, playing April 30 - June 13, 2015 at its resident home, The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Tickets go on sale Monday, March 9, 2015 at www.irishtheatreofchicago.org. The press opening is Tuesday, May 5 at 7:30 pm.

The cast of THE WHITE ROAD includes ensemble members Matthew Isler* and Kevin Theis* with Nicholas Bailey, Paul Dunckel, Steve Herson, Michael McKeogh, Neal Starbird, Joseph Stearns, Steve Walker and Gage Wallace.

THE WHITE ROAD is the story of Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica from sea to sea via the South Pole. The crew is forced to abandon their ship, The Endurance, having been crushed by pack ice. They have one path ahead -- The White Road. Experience an incredible story of survival, under near impossible conditions, and a display of the strength of the human spirit when all hope appears lost.

The production team for THE WHITE ROAD includes: Ira Amyx*, John Peplinski and Merje Veski (scenic design), Allison Amidei (costume design), Julian Pike (lighting design), Victoria DeIorio (sound design), John Medina (projections design), Amanda Brinton (props design), Elise Kauzlaric (dialect design), Annaliese McSweeney (dramaturg) and Jen Bukovsky (stage manager).

Performances play The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Previews: Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 pm, Friday, May 1 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, May 3 at 3 pm. Press performance: Tuesday, May 5 at 7:30 pm. Regular run: Thursday, May 7 - Saturday, June 13, 2015. Curtain Times: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm. Please note: there will be an added performance on Monday, June 8 at 7:30 pm. Tickets: Previews $12. Regular run $26 Thursdays & Fridays; $30 Saturdays & Sundays. Seniors/students $5 off. Tickets go on sale Monday, March 9, 2015 at www.irishtheatreofchicago.org.

*Denotes ensemble member of Irish Theatre of Chicago

About the Playwright - Karen Tarjan is a founding member of Seanachai Theatre and performed in many of their productions including And Neither Have I Wings to Fly, The Clearing, Chekhov in Yalta, Translations, Marked Tree, The Pagans and Dylan. Her adaptations of The Overcoat, The Two Towers (with James Sie), The Return of the King and The Killer Angels were all produced at Lifeline Theatre. This is her first original script.

About the Director - Robert Kauzlaric's directing credits include Cymbeline (2014 Wilde Award nomination: Best of the Bard), She Stoops To Conquer (2014 Wilde Award nomination: Best Comedy), Love's Labour's Lost (2013 Wilde Award: Best of the Bard), and Tartuffe (2012 Wilde Award: Best Comedy) for the Michigan Shakespeare Festival; and the world premiere of Chris Hainsworth's stage adaptation of Hunger (the debut novel by Elise Blackwell) and the world premiere of John Hildreth's adaptation of Treasure Island, both at Lifeline Theatre. As a playwright, Robert has written over a dozen theatrical adaptations which have been produced in nearly 40 U.S. states, as well as in England, Ireland and Canada, including Neverwhere (2011 Non-Equity Jeff Award: New Adaptation) and The Island of Dr. Moreau (2008 Non-Equity Jeff Awards: Production-Play and New Adaptation). As an actor, Robert has appeared in over 50 productions in the Chicago area, including work with Circle Theatre, City Lit, Goodman Theatre, Greasy Joan & Co., the Hypocrites, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Lakeside Shakespeare Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, New American Theater, Seanachaí Theatre Co., Strawdog Theatre Co. and Theatre at the Center.