Jose Rivera's Sueño to Premiere in Chicago

 Sueño, an adaptation of Pedro Calderon de la Barca's play Life's a Dream by Obie-winner Jose Rivera (Marisol, References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, film The Motorcycle Diaries), will see its Chicago premiere at the Athenaeum Theater. Directed by Julieanne Ehre, the show is both a contemporary take on Calderon de Barca's classic and a faithful revision of the original. The show will play a limited engagement April 12 through May 20, 2007. The production will run as part of Greasy Joan and Co's 11th year producing plays.

"When King Basilio's son Segismundo is born, his horoscopes predict he will become a tyrant," state press notes.  "In an attempt to undo fate, the King locks his child in a tower for 25 years in hopes of preventing catastrophe. Twenty-five years later, Basilio decides to rewrite his son's destiny and hatches a plan for the young man to be released and crowned the new King of Spain.  If Prince Segismundo behaves like a tyrant, he will be brought back to prison and told that his newly found freedom was a dream."  

The cast of Sueño includes Madrid St. Angelo (Basilio), Jason Huysman (Don Clotaldo), Kristina Klemetti (Rosauro), Kelly Breheny (Estrella), Desmin Borges (Clarin), Carlo Garcia (Segismundo), Robert Kauzlaric (Astolfo) and Eric Evenskaas (Servant/Soldier).

The design team includes: Kevin Depinet (sets), Charles Cooper (lighting), Alison Heryer (costumes), Nick Keenan (sound, music), Leah Batt (stage manager) and Jaclynn Jutting (production manager).

Sueño plays at the Athenaeum Theater, 2936 N. Southport, April 12 through May 20, 2007.  The performance schedule is as follows: Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm. The press opening is Saturday, April 14.

Tickets for Sueño are $20 ($10 for preview performances on April 12 & 13) and are available by calling Ticketmaster at (312) 902-1500, by visiting ticketmaster.com or at the door.  Groups of 10 or more can receive a discount by calling (312) 458-0718.

A special benefit performance of Sueño will be held on Sunday, April 22 at 3 pm. Benefit tickets cost $40, and include a post-play discussion and reception with playwright José Rivera at Goose Island Brew Pub. 1800 N. Clybourn.

 Post-play discussions are held every Sunday.  On Sunday, April 29, the discussion will include Dr. Mark H. Stone of the Adler School of
Professional Psychology to discuss Alfred Adler and the relationship of dreams to waking life.

For more information on Greasy Joan & Co., call (312) 458-0718 or go to www.greasyjoan.org.

Need more Chicago Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...