NPR's Peter Sagal to Join House Theatre of Chicago's THE IRON STAG KING Reading, 9/21

The House Theatre of Chicago presents a special staged reading of last season's The Iron Stag King this Saturday Sept 21 at 4pm before the 8pm evening performance of The Crownless King. The reading and performance will be at The Chopin Theatre (1543 W Division St.) on Saturday Sept 21st at 4pm.

NPR's Peter Sagal, the host of the news quiz show Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!will host the afternoon and join the cast as the narrator of the script. Nathan Allen, the company's Artistic Director and also the co-writer and director of the trilogy, will step in to read the role of Hap the Golden. This is Nathan's first appearance as an actor since 2010.

Staged Reading tickets are $20 for the public and can be reserved through The House Theatre of Chicago's website here or by calling 773-769-3832.

Tickets for Saturday's 8pm performance of The Crownless King are available herefor $30.

ABOUT THE PLAYS: Artistic Director Nathan Allen and frequent collaborator and Company MemberChris Mathews embark on the darkest chapter of their three-play journey in the continuing saga of Casper Kent and the kingdom he builds. Inspired by the legend of King Arthur, hero myths, and the rich tapestry of early American history, the trilogy explores themes of American identity, including the nature of leadership, governance, and the struggle to balance personal liberty with sacrifice for a greater good.

In the first installment last fall (The Iron Stag King), young Casper Kent (Brandon Ruiter) discovers he is heir to a magical hammer. Once lifted, the Hammer proves him King and unites the Land. But in achieving this destiny he learns he is ruler of all but his own story.

In this second installment, the Golden Age of the Iron Stag King has taken root. Yet King Casper soon finds himself buffeted by forces on all sides. Grappling for control, the exiled black dragon, Irek Obsidian (voiced once again by Pulitzer Prize and Tony winner Tracy Letts,) cunningly lures Casper away from the throne. Our band of heroes ventures to the sea where the hooded pirate Davy Boone (Blake Montgomery) commands a fleet of Crownless rebels. All the while, Hap the Golden (as reprised by company member Cliff Chamberlain) fights to maintain his hold over the royal tale. As storytellers Hap the Golden and Irek Obsidian each seek to impose their versions of the story, who will step forth to rule as the Crownless King?

This trilogy marks The House's first foray into the genre of High Fantasy. Most defined by Tolkien, Dungeons & Dragons gaming, and lately revived by the work of R.R. Martin, these tales are often set in a mythic, medieval world of European influence. But Allen and Mathews have aligned their story with our own evolving nation at the turn of the nineteenth century. Writers and ensemble alike have created a rich world with its own unique, deep history. Replete with magic, dragons, quests, and team-building, The Crownless King continues The House's work exploring the hero's journey through original, engaging myth.

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Staged Reading of last season's The Iron Stag King
Saturday 9/21 at 4pm
Audiences can immerse themselves in the world of The Folk, The Land, and the Hammer at this complete event! First, a re-visit of The Iron Stag King, followed by the evening performance of The Crownless King! Two epic events for this epic tale!

Friday 9/20/13 - Post-Play Talkback with the actors immediately follows the 8pmperformance. FREE.

Sunday 9/22/13 - Insider Intro: A pre-show conversation with writers Nathan Allen and Chris Mathews. Lots of references to Star Wars, Back to the Future, andLord of the Rings are guaranteed! Talk begins at 6:15 before the 7pm performance. FREE.

THE CROWNLESS KING by Chris Mathews and Nathan Allen, directed by Nathan Allen with original music by Kevin O'Donnell runs now through October 20, 2013. Showtimes: Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 7:00pm. The performance will run approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes with an intermission. The show runs at The Chopin Theatre, Upstairs Theatre (1543 W. Division St., Chicago, IL). Tickets: Previews (Aug 30 - Sept 7) are $15. Regular run (Sept 8 - Oct 20) $20-$40. On sale now at www.thehousetheatre.com or by phone at 773.769.3832, $10 Student and Industry Same-Day tickets available at all performances if seats are available. Tickets are on sale now.

The House is Chicago's premier home for original works of physical and spectacle storytelling. Founded and led by Artistic Director Nathan Allen and driven by an interdisciplinary ensemble of Chicago's next generation of great storytellers, The House aims to become a laboratory and platform for the evolution of the American theatre as an inclusive and popular artform.

The House was founded in 2001 by a group of friends to explore connections between Community and Storytelling through a unique theatrical experience. In 2002 The House was hailed by the Chicago press as "The Next Big Thing." In early 2007, following dozens of world premiere productions, and national attention from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Variety, and American Theatre Magazine, The House achieved even greater success with "The Sparrow," whichChicago Tribune theater critic Chris Jones called, "Among the very best original theater pieces I've ever seen."

Since becoming eligible in 2004, The House has been nominated for 60 Joseph Jefferson Awards (19 wins) and became the first recipient of Broadway in Chicago's Emerging Theater Award in 2007. Now entering its 11th year of original work, The House continues its mission to unite Chicago in the spirit of Community through amazing feats of Storytelling.

For more information, visit www.THEHOUSETHEATRE.com.

Photo Credit: Kyle Cassidy

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