JESUS HOPPED THE 'A' TRAIN to Open Eclipse Theatre's Stephen Adly Guirgis Season

Eclipse Theatre Company, the only Midwest theatre company to feature oneplaywright in one season, opens their 24th anniversary, 2016 Stephen Adly Guirgis season with JESUS HOPPED THE 'A' TRAIN, with Eclipse ensemble member Anish Jethmalani directing.

At New York's Rikers Island, Angel Cruz is in prison awaiting trial for shooting Reverend Kim, where he walks a tightrope between salvation and the point of no return. While in jail he meets Lucius Jenkins, an inmate whose pride and religious zeal defy the bars that hold him prisoner, and their encounter will change each other forever. Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train is a brilliant, visceral examination of morality and justice, questioning the difference between true faith and self-serving religion.

The cast features Ensemble member Zach Bloomfield (D'Amico), with guest artists Elizabeth Birnkrant (Mary Jane), Christian Castro (Valdez), Johnathan Nieves (Angel), and D'Wayne Taylor (Lucius).

On the production team are: Eclipse Ensemble Members Anthony Conway (Assistant Director), Kathleen Dickinson (Production Manager), Kevin Hagan (Lighting Design), Anish Jethmalani (Director), Sarah Moeller (Dramaturg), JP Pierson (Casting Director), Kevin Scott (Co-Producer/Set Design), Nathaniel Swift (Co-Producer), and Vanessa Thomas (Props Design). Guest artists Zack Berinstein (Sound Design), Kathleen Gullion (Assistant Stage Manager), Chika Ike (Assistant Director), Emily Iopollo (Stage Manager), Rachel Lambert (Costume Design), and Kathy Logelin (Dialect Coach).

JESUS HOPPED THE 'A' TRAIN runs approximately two hours and fifteen minutes, with one ten-minute intermission. Post-show discussions with the cast and crew will be held following all Sunday matinees except opening and closing weekends (free with paid ticket).

Performances play the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60657. Some street parking; Wellington El stop (Brown). Pay and Display parking at Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church lots on Southport and on Oakdale. Disability accessible.

Media Opening: Sunday, April 17, 2016, at 3 p.m. (reception following). Public Opening: Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. (reception following). Previews Thursday-Saturday, April 14-16, at 7:30 p.m. Runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Closes Sunday, May 22, 2016

For tickets, call 773-935-6875, Athenaeum Box Office (open noon to last curtain, Wednesday-Sunday), or go online at www.eclipsetheatre.com. $30 for all regular performances (half-price rush tickets available). $20 for previews; $10 for industry members at previews with headshot/card. $20 for each ticket in groups of ten or more, and for seniors (with ID). $20 for students (with ID).

Eclipse Theatre Company presents the work of one playwright each season, offering audiences an opportunity, unique in the Midwest, to journey through the breadth and depth of an author's artistic worlds. One playwright, one season, one illuminating journey. For more, visit www.eclipsetheatre.com.