Lookingglass Theatre to Open 30th Anniversary Season with Return of HARD TIMES

Lookingglass Theatre Company opens its 30th Anniversary Season with the return of the award-winning, circus-infused Hard Times, adapted and directed by Artistic Director and Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman from the book by Charles Dickens and in association with The Actors Gymnasium.

Hard Times runs October 4, 2017 - January 14, 2018 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N Michigan Ave at Pearson. The Press Opening is Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

A Dickensian carnival of characters inhabits the streets of smoke-choked Coketown: grim Mr. Gradgrind's school churns out joyless students; poor Stephen Blackpool toils in the nearby mines; and mill-owner Mr. Bounderby, full of bluster and bombast, presides over it all. Only when a traveling circus alights nearby, and young orphan Sissy Jupe enters their world, does a ray of hope shine through. Artistic Director Heidi Stillman adapts and directs this timeless love-letter to the power of beauty, hope, and imagination.

Returning to Hard Times are Ensemble Members David Catlin (returning to the role of Stephen and Sleary), Raymond Fox (returning to the role of Mr. Gradgrind, Sissy's Father and Slackbridge), Louise Lamson (in the role of Rachael, Mrs. Gradgrind and Scherezade through 12/17) and Artistic Associate Troy West (returning to the role of Mr. Bounderby). The cast also includes Artistic Associate Atra Asdou (Rachael, Mrs. Gradgrind and Scherezade beginning 12/19), with Audrey Anderson (Sissy), Amy J. Carle (Mrs. Sparsit, Drunk Woman and Pufflerumpus), Raphael Cruz (Bitzer and Le Papillon), Cordelia Dewdney (Louisa), Marilyn Dodds Frank (returning to the role of Mrs. Pegler), Nathan Hosner (Mr. Harthouse, Mr. M'Choakumchild and Kidderminster) and JJ Phillips (Tom).

The creative team for Hard Times includes Ensemble Members Daniel Ostling (returning scenic designer) and Mara Blumenfeld (returning costume designer), Artistic Associates Brian Sidney Bembridge (returning lighting designer), Andre Pluess (returning sound designer and original composition) and Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi (returning circus choreography) with Amanda Herrmann (props design), Isaac Schoepp (rigging) and Eva Breneman (dialect coach). The stage manager is Jeri Frederickson.

REFLECT Panels:

Lookingglass' REFLECT Series is a curated selection of post-show discussions featuring panelists with a range of viewpoints and expertise on the content and context of each production. These wide-ranging conversations, moderated by artistic staff, offer an opportunity for Lookingglass audiences and guests to engage with the vision and visionaries behind each show, get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the unique Lookingglass process, and hear from artists, academics and authorities with diverse perspectives on the material.

REFLECT post-show panel discussions take place directly following the 2:00 p.m.­ matinee on select Sundays at Lookingglass Theatre. The discussions are free and open to the public.

October 22: Hard Times/These Times: Hard Times for Truth

With scientific data being questioned and the recent emergence of "alternative facts," how do we determine the lines between fact and opinion, speculation and lie? Tackle this quandary with Lookingglass Artistic Director and Hard Times adaptor and director Heidi Stillman, and the Raven Foundation's Andrew McKenna.

October 29: Hard Times/These Times: The World of Work

The Industrial Revolution transformed Dickens' England, with new technologies bringing new jobs for some and eliminating others. How is the Information Age similarly changing our world today?

November 12: Hard Times/These Times: A Matter of Power

With income inequality on the rise and an increasingly polarized body politic, how do class, gender, race and other dividing lines intersect and align to keep us apart?

December 3: Hard Times/These Times: Behind the Scenes

Join Hard Times artists for a peek behind the curtain at the genesis of the production, and how it has changed from 2001 to 2017.

December 10: Hard Times/These Times: Charles Dickens and The Holiday Spirit

In Chicago and cities across the country, A Christmas Carol is an annual seasonal offering. What is it about Dickens' works that uniquely lends itself to holiday fare?

IF YOU GO:

HARD TIMES

Adapted and Directed by: Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman
From the Book by: Charles Dickens
In Association with: The Actors Gymnasium

Dates:
Previews: October 4 - 13, 2017
Press opening: Saturday, October 14 at 7:30 pm
Regular run: October 15, 2017 - January 14, 2018

Times:
Tuesdays: 7:30 p.m. (Nov 21; Dec 12, 19; Jan 2 only)
Wednesdays: 7:30 p.m.
Thursdays: 2:00 p.m. (Oct 19, 26; Nov 16, 30; and Dec 21, 28 only) AND 7:30 p.m. (except Nov 23)
Fridays: 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. (except Oct 7, 14) AND 7:30 p.m.
Sundays: 2:00 p.m. (except Oct 15) AND 7:30 p.m. (except Oct 8, 15; Dec 24, 31)
*There are additional performances on Friday, November 24 and Wednesday, December 27 at 2:00 p.m.

Accessible Performances:
- Audio Described/Touch Tour performance, Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. (Touch Tour begins at 6 p.m.)
- Open Captioned performance, Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
Visit lookingglasstheatre.org/access for more information.

At Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N Michigan Ave at Pearson.

Prices:
Previews are $40 - $60
Regular Run is $50 - $85

Student tickets are available the day of the show for $20 with a valid student ID. Based on availability.

Groups of 8 or more patrons save up to 20%. Call 773-477-9257 X 125 or email groupsales@lookingglasstheatre.org for details.

Box Office:
Buy online at lookingglasstheatre.org or by phone at (312) 337-0665.
The Lookingglass box office is located at Water Tower Water Works, 821 N Michigan Ave.

Subscriptions:

Subscriptions are on sale for the 2017-2018 Season. Performances will be held at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N Michigan Ave at Pearson.

Subscribers can choose between a 3-play subscription, the Gglasspass program, or for those under 35, the Madhatter's Club. For the 2017-2018 Season, 3-play subscriptions range from $116-$170.

The Gglasspass is a flex pass available to all ages. For $150, Gglasspass holders receive 3 tickets that can be used in any combination and denomination for any Lookingglass production in the 2017-2018 Season.

The Madhatter's Club flex pass is available to those 35 or younger. The Madhatter's Club flex pass is $75 and includes 3 tickets that members can use in any combination and denomination for any Lookingglass production in the 2017-2018 Season.

Subscription benefits include access to the best seats in the house, pre-sale opportunities and savings before single tickets go on sale to the general public, special perks at restaurant partners, unlimited ticket exchanges, discounted parking at the nearby John Hancock Center, Water Tower Place and Olympia Centre Garage, reduced tuition for Lookingglass' renowned classes and summer camps, and access to exclusive subscriber-only events. For season subscription and ticket information, call the Lookingglass Theatre box office at (312) 337-0665 or visit lookingglasstheatre.org.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Heidi Stillman (Adaptor/Director/Artistic Director/Lookingglass Ensemble Member) has both written and directed productions for Lookingglass including: Cascabel (in collaboration with Tony Hernandez and Rick Bayless), The North China Lover, Hephaestus (in collaboration with Tony Hernandez), The Brothers Karamazov (2009 Raven Award), Hard Times (five Jeff Awards including Director, New Work, and Production; also produced at Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia), and The Master and Margarita (Jeff Nominated). Additional writing credits with Lookingglass include: The Last Act of Lilka Kadison with Nicola Behrman, David Kersnar, Abbie Phillips and Andy White, The Old Curiosity Shop with Laura Eason and Raymond Fox (Jeff Award for Adaptation), and The Baron in the Trees with Larry DiStasi (Jeff Nominated). Directing work with Lookingglass includes: Death Tax, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Trust, The Wooden Breeks, and Hillbilly Antigone. Heidi's adaptation of The Book Thief premiered at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. She directed Minita Gandhi's Muthaland for Silk Road Rising Solos and Victory Gardens' Ignition Festival, CAATA/ConFEST, and at 16th Street Theatre. Most recently, she co-wrote and directed The Year I Didn't Go to School at the Chicago Children's Theatre.

Audrey Anderson (Sissy) is making both her Lookingglass and Chicago professional debut in Hard Times. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Audrey moved to Chicago to study theatre at Loyola University where she is currently a senior. She has performed with numerous Minneapolis professional companies, including Children's Theatre Company and Classical Actors Ensemble, along with many collegiate productions while attending Loyola University, a few being columbinus, Elephant's Graveyard, and FML: How Carson McCullers saved my life. Audrey learned to ?y at Xelias Aerial Arts in Minneapolis, and continued her studies at The Actors Gymnasium upon moving to Chicago.

Atra Asdou (Rachael, Mrs. Gradgrind, Scherezade beginning Dec. 19/Lookingglass Artistic Associate) returns to Lookingglass now as an Artistic Associate, last appearing in Blood Wedding and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. Past performances include: 1984 (Steppenwolf for Young Adults), A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre), Heartbreak House (Writers Theatre), Dirty (The Gift Theatre), Seminar (Haven Theatre), and Inana (TimeLine Theatre). She is a graduate of Loyola University, Second City (where she is an understudy to the touring company), and iO (where she is on the Harold team, Lil' Tooties, and an ensemble member of Whirled News Tonight).

Amy J. Carle (Mrs. Sparsit, Drunk Woman, Puferumpus)'s previous Lookingglass credits include: North China Lover, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Peter Pan (A Play), and Trust. Other Chicago credits include: Harvey and Orlando (Court Theatre); The Book of Joseph (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Wonderful Town, The Sins of Sor Juana, Rock 'N' Roll, and Desire Under the Elms (Goodman Theatre); The Book Thief, The Internationalist, Animals Out of Paper, Sex With Strangers, and Hedda Gabler (Steppenwolf Theatre Company). Off-Broadway National Tour: The Vagina Monologues. Regional credits: The Profane (Chautauqua Theater Company); Fully Committed and The Diary of Anne Frank (Madison Repertory Theatre); Or, (Forward Theater); Morning Star (Kansas City Repertory Theatre). Television: Boss (STARZ), Chicago Code (FOX), Law & Order, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and CRISIS (NBC). Film: Who Gets the Dog? Amy coaches privately, and teaches at Vagabond School for the Arts.

David Catlin (Mr. Sleary, Stephen Blackpool/Lookingglass Ensemble Member)'s Lookingglass acting credits include: The Arabian Nights, Our Town, Argonautika, Summertime, La Luna Muda, Manuscript Found at Saragossa, The Vanishing Twin, The Scarlet Letter, The Odyssey, and The Jungle. Other Chicago performance credits include: Marnie & Phil: A Circus Love Letter, Lost & Found: A Recycled Circus and All the Time in the World (The Actors Gymnasium); The Elephant & The Whale (Chicago Children's Theatre/Redmoon Theater); The Nutcracker (The House Theatre of Chicago); The Midnight Circus. David is an artistic associate with The Actors Gymnasium and serves on the acting faculty for Northwestern University.

RAPHAEL CRUZ (Bitzer, Le Papillon), a native of San Francisco, began his journey into the circus arts at age six. Specializing in traditional Chinese acrobatics he studied with the Founder of the Nanjing acrobatic troupe, Master Trainer Lu Yi. At the age of 15, furthered his training at The National Circus School of Montreal. He specialized in Hand to Hand and after graduating, he became an original member and artistic collaborator of The 7 Fingers production of Traces. Raphael also studied music extensively and plays several instruments, which helped him land the role Buster in Cirque du Soleil's production of Iris (2012) in Los Angeles. Other credits include: Assistant Choreographer for the opening ceremonies of the Sochi Olympics; Associate Acrobatic Designer for Cirque du Soleil's Broadway production Paramour. Raphael is also a cast member of French contemporary dance company DCA's latest production Courte Pointe.

Cordelia Dewdney (Louisa) returns to Lookingglass after this summer's Moby Dick. She has worked with ALLIANCE THEATRE, Arena Stage, and South Coast Repertory for the National tour of Moby Dick and has appeared on Chicago Med. Cordelia is a graduate of Northwestern University with degrees in Theatre and English.

Marilyn Dodds Frank (Mrs. Pegler)'s credits with Lookingglass include: The Last Act of Lilka Kadison, Metamorphosis, Metamorphoses, Hard Times, George, and The Idiot. Broadway: Superior Donuts; The Clean House (Lincoln Center). Chicago: Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, Shaw Chicago, A Red Orchid Theatre, Court Theatre, Latino Chicago, Teatro Vista, Remains Theater, Next Theatre Company, New Criminals Theater Company, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble and Piven Theatre Workshop. New York: En Garde Arts and La MaMa. LA: The Actors' Gang and Padua Playwrights. Marilyn has performed in the premieres of four plays written and directed by Maria Irene Fornes and movies with Robert Altman, Judd Apatow, Michael Apted, and Stephen Frears, among others. Forthcoming movies directed by Chicago Independents: Our Father, What They Had, and Slice.

Raymond Fox (Mr. Gradgrind, Sissy's Father, Slackbridge, Lookingglass Ensemble Member) last appeared at Lookingglass in Moby Dick. Off-Broadway/Broadway: Metamorphoses (Second Stage Theatre, Circle in the Square Theatre). Regional Credits: Goodman Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, Arden Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, Route 66 Theatre, Hartford Stage, American Repertory Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, ALLIANCE THEATRE, Meadow Brook Theatre, The House Theatre of Chicago, Mark Taper Forum, Court Theatre, McCarter Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, First Folio Theatre, Canada's Stratford Festival and TimeLine Theatre (Blood and Gifts, 2013 Equity Jeff Award for Supporting Actor). Education: Northwestern University and the A.R.T. Institute at Harvard University.

Nathan Hosner (Mr. Harthouse, Mr. M'Choakumchild, Kidderminster) was last seen at Lookingglass as Captain Ahab in Moby Dick. He recently played Lord Aster in the first national tour of Peter and the Starcatcher. Chicago credits include productions with Writers Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Court Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Northlight Theatre, About Face Theatre, and First Folio Theatre. Regional credits include productions with American Players Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Indiana Repertory Theatre, New Theatre, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, Door Shakespeare, and The BoarsHead Theater. Nathan is a graduate of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Louise Lamson (Rachael, Mrs. Gradgrind, Scherezade through Dec. 17/Lookingglass Ensemble Member) returns to the Lookingglass stage and to Hard Times, where she originated the role of Louisa Gradgrind. Other Lookingglass credits include: The Idiot, The Secret in the Wings, The Wooden Breeks, Icarus (The Getty Villa, LA), The Brothers Karamazov, Our Town, The Arabian Nights, Ethan Frome, Metamorphoses, The Little Prince, and most recently Death Tax. Other Chicago credits include: About Face Theatre'sBash (After Dark Award and Jeff Award Nomination) and The Odyssey (Goodman Theatre). New York credits include: Metamorphoses (Second Stage Theatre and Broadway) andThe Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci (Second Stage Theatre). Louise is a graduate of Northwestern University. She joined the ensemble in 2016.

JJ Phillips (Tom) returns to Lookingglass where he previously appeared as Kev in Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Jeff Award Nominee, Actor in a Supporting Role-Play), as well as Paolo in The North China Lover, and the understudy for Ian in last season's Beyond Caring. Chicago: Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Next up: Fat Pig, Leveling Up), The House Theatre of Chicago (The Hammer Trinity), Griffn Theatre (Punk Rock). Regional: Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts (Miami). Film/TV: Chicago Fire, Thrill Ride, and the upcoming web series Kappa Force and Blame It On Toby.

Troy West (Mr. Bounderby/Lookingglass Artistic Associate) has been an Artistic Associate since 2002. Broadway: August: Osage County (also London & Sydney). Off-Broadway:Bug (Barrow Street Theatre) and The Execution (Nat Horne Theater). Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Linda Vista, The Berlin Circle, Terry Won't Talk and Picasso At The Lapin Agile(also San Francisco and LA), among others. Regional credits include: American Conservatory Theater, Arden Theatre Company, Geffen Playhouse, Indiana Repertory Theatre, and Portland Center Stage. Chicago credits: A Red Orchid Theatre, Famous Door Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Next Theatre Company, and Remains Theater, among others. Upcoming: The Boring Professor in the feature film, The Pages and recreating the role of Michael Stiles in Linda Vista at Center Theatre Group in LA.

Inventive. Collaborative. Transformative. Lookingglass Theatre Company, recipient of the 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award, was founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students. Now in its 30th season, Lookingglass is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric. The Company has staged 64 world premieres, received 144 Joseph Jefferson Awards and nominations, and work premiered at Lookingglass has been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, Philadelphia, Princeton, Hartford, Kansas City, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Louisville and St. Louis. Lookingglass original scripts have been produced across the United States. In 2016, Lookingglass received the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.

The Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago's landmark Water Tower Water Works opened in June 2003. In addition to developing and presenting ensemble work, Lookingglass Education and Community programs encourage creativity, teamwork and confidence with thousands of community members each year.

Lookingglass Theatre Company continues to expand its artistic, financial and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Artistic Director Heidi Stillman, Executive Director Rachel Kraft, Producing Director Philip R. Smith, Connectivity and Engagement Director Andrew White, Interim Managing Director Michele Anderson, a 24 member artistic ensemble, 23 artistic associates, an administrative staff and a dedicated board of directors led by Chairman John McGowan and President Nancy Timmers. For more information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org.