Mercy Street to Present the World Premiere of ROTPETER This Summer

Mercy Street Theatre continues its debut season with the world premiere of ROTPETER, a new play based on Franz Kafka's "A Report to an Academy" and adapted by resident playwright Rachel DuBose*. The show runs July 17 ­- August 1, 2015 at Hairpin Arts Center, 2810 N Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Tickets for ROTPETER are on sale now at brownpapertickets.org. The press performance is Friday, July 18 at 7:30 pm.

World­renowned performer and reformed ape, Rotpeter, has been asked to give an account of his past life as a monkey. He's been a scientific marvel since his first words and now boasts the cultural intelligence of the Average European. For the first time ever, Rotpeter will share the story of his journey from the jungles of Ghana to enlightenment in the world of Man.

"We're hoping to create a play­world brimming with tragedy, laughter, absurdity, and truth" comments Associate Artistic Director Jake L. Fruend. "That's what Kafka's all about!" ROTPETER is a twisted, intense, and darkly funny look at life in a world not built for you.

Directed by Jake L. Fruend*, the ensemble piece will star Courtney Abbott as the title role and feature Mark Maxwell, Nicholas Caeser, Andy Monson and Vince Williams.

The creative team includes Ryan Emens* (Scenic Design and Prop Design), Alaina Moore (Costume Design), Claire Murphy (Stage Manager), Mike Evans* (Composer), Charlie Davis (Foley Artist), Ian Michael James (Dramaturg) and Danielle Stack* (Production Manager).

Resident Playwright RACHEL DUBOSE returned to the Chicago area by way of Atlanta, GA. After finishing her undergraduate career at Spelman College, Rachel went on to work with NinaHoliday Productions and BET. Some of her work, Eve Within and Alkie's Anonymous have received stage readings at Spelman with the latter being showcased at The Alliance Theatre during the Spelman Salon. Most recently, Lonely Hearts participated in The Fade 2 Black Festival in Houston, TX. Rachel holds a Master of Fine Arts in Writing for the Screen and Stage from Northwestern University.

Associate Artistic Director JAKE L. FRUEND is a director and native of St. Louis. Credits include Liz Ellison's P?oint & Shoot, John Patrick Bray's Green Sound (Cold Basement Dramatics), Ike Holter's Dosvedanya, Noreen Cashman's Extinct (Nothing Without a Company), Cassandra Rose's The Dictionary Project (Abbie Fest 25), Mark Campbell's Songs from an Unmade Bed, Max Frisch's The Arsonists,Herman Melville's Moby Dick, Craig Lucas' Prayer for My Enemy (Columbia College Chicago). He has assisted director William Brown on his productions of Tom Jones (Northlight Theatre), and Port Authority (Writers Theatre). Dramaturgy credits include Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Lookingglass Theatre, director Heidi Stillman), and 4000 Miles (Northlight Theatre, director Kimberly Senior). He is an Artistic Associate with Nothing Without a Company. He also freelances as a graphic designer and art director and is Mercy Street's webmaster. He has a BA in Stage Directing from Columbia College Chicago.

Mercy Street Theatre (Julia Rohed, Artistic Director; Danielle Stack, Producing Director; Jake L. Fruend, Associate Artistic Director) is an ensemble driven theatre dedicated to telling stories that examine the modern myth; stories of everyday interaction with the epic, iconic and divine. Mercy Street seeks to produce work that transcends the familiar by bringing the spectacular to life on stage, and scrutinizes the orthodox by putting key ideas and events of our world on display. By providing stories from unfamiliar places, cultures and times, MSTC aims to cultivate unity. Finally, MSTC strives to bring the house down by presenting an entertaining theatrical experience. For more information, visit www.mercystreettheatre.org.

*Denotes Mercy Street Theatre Company Member