Next Theatre Company's MAGICAL EXPLODING BOY Closes 4/3

Evanston's Next Theatre Company continues its 29th season with the second offering in their Dark Night Series. Magical Exploding Boy by Chicago-based writer and performer Dean Evans plays through April 3 at Evanston's Noyes Cultural Arts Center.

Darkly comical and completely wordless this one-person show reaches beyond the limits of language to turn the conventions of Mime and Clown on their heads. From a child with mind control powers, to an amoeba struggling for life, to a man cast helplessly adrift in outer space, this unique new show transforms space to present an original story. Magical Exploding Boy is physical comedy that transcends the need for written word with a refreshingly offbeat and existential voice of its own.

"I'm truly thrilled to introduce Dean and his fantastic work to Next's audiences," said Artistic Director Jason Southerland. "Our first Dark Night offering by Theatre Zarko this season opened whole new doors to our audience as well as introducing new audiences to our work. It's proven to be a fruitful collaboration for all and we believe that Magical Exploding Boy will continue that exciting trend."

Dean Evans is a professional Actor, Mime Artist, and Clown. He has studied Mime and Physical Theater at The School for Mime Theater, The Ohio State University, and with masters Marcel Marceau, and Stephen Niedzialkowsky. Additionally, he has trained in Clown and Eccentric Performance with Avner Eisenberg and Julie Goell. Evans is an ensemble member of The Neo-Futurists, with whom he created such original shows as Picked Up, Drag, and The Dean Evans Show. In 2006 he received the After Dark Award for his performance in company's production of The Santa Abductions. His work in 2009 included the critical-acclaimed production of Strange Interlude produced by The Goodman for their Eugene O'Neill Festival, as well as a trip to the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal with Second City's completely non-verbal show Reverie, directed by Dexter Bullard. Dean Evans has developed a distinctive style of performance that combines his twisted humor with mimetic techniques, clowning, and original sound. Visit Dean's personal website at www.DeanEvans.net. Dean teaches Clown, Mime, and Physical Performance through Chicago Physical Theatre which can be found online at www.ChicagoPhysicalTheater.com.

Next Theatre Company can be found online at www.NextTheatre.org

Magical Exploding Boy
By Dean Evans

Location: NEXT THEATRE COMPANY
Noyes Cultural Arts Center
927 Noyes Street
Evanston, IL 60201
Box Office: 847-475-1875
Tickets online at www.NextTheatre.org

Tickets: $25 for all Saturday performances, $20 for Friday and Sunday performances. Next Theatre subscribers receive a $5 discount. Tickets available at the Next Theatre Box Office, (847) 475-1875 x2 and at www.nexttheatre.org.

The theater is wheelchair accessible and climate-controlled.

About Next Theatre

Now in its 29th year, Next Theatre Company continues to thrill audiences with its risky brand of socially provocative, artistically adventurous work. A winner of over 30 Joseph Jefferson Awards - including an unprecedented string of Best Ensemble Awards for four years running - the Next has become a destination for artists and audiences who share the belief that theater can promote awareness and provoke change with more power than any other medium of expression.

Next Theatre is located inside the Noyes Cultural Arts Center at Noyes and Ridge in Evanston, right next to the Noyes street stop on the Evanston "el." Free parking is available in the lot adjacent to the theatre and the Evanston Civic Center.

About the Dark Night Series

Not to be confused with a certain summer blockbuster also set in Chicagoland, the series title refers to the performances' presentation at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center on the nights when the regular Next productions are not running. By utilizing the theater space on these 'dark nights', the company is able to present these shows with less financial risk. This will allow Next to keep the admission price low and give those involved the freedom to dedicate more attention to the artistic work, rather than the box office. The focus of the series will be on less traditional theater and more diverse performance arts including mime, puppetry, comedy/improv, music and other endeavors that will appeal to our core audience as well as expand our reach to new audiences.