Parasites of Apollo presents World Premiere of of HIT 'EM DOWN LOW!

Food, sex, and violence. Nothing says Chicago like the themes of Hit 'em Down Low!, the world premiere hip hopera being staged by Chicago's newest underground guerilla theatre company, Parasites of Apollo, on location, in a Home Depot parking lot.

The full-length musical follows Darnell, a struggling high school student, as he stumbles into Chicago's underground fight-club scene. He soon discovers that his school principal is the biggest moneyman in the game. After Darnell wins several fights, he finds himself getting called out of class to spar homeless drug addicts that his principal paid to be human punching bags. Not keen on partnering with such a psychopath, Darnell tries to back out, but his principal isn't just going to let his investment walk away that easy...

This high-energy hip-hop adventure will be staged in the Home Depot parking lot on West North Avenue, between Elston Avenue and North Sheffield Avenue. The artists behind this experience chose the site because they believe it captures the spirit of Chicago's fight club scene.

"I very much believe where the audience sits becomes a key part of the show," says Parasites of Apollo Artistic Director, and the show's creator, Willie Parker. "Performing arts centers are by their very nature classy places. I don't want that. I want the audience to actually experience this messed up world we're in. Sure, you can bring the audience into the script with sets, and costumes, and lighting, but another big way you can do that is to pull them directly into it. Make them stand in the ally where the fight is happening. Immerse them. And that's what Parasites of Apollo is all about."

Hit 'em Down Low! will run one night only at Home Depot, before moving to another space. Parker doesn't know where that will be yet.

"I only think we'll be able to swing the Home Depot thing for one night. There's no guarantee they'll let us do it there again. I'm always looking for a new place to stage my work. The only place that's off limits is a theatre. I've got my eyes on abandoned buildings, warehouses, railroad tracks, interesting places."

Hit 'em Down Low! opens and closes June 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets are pay what you can at the event. All proceeds go towards Parasites of Apollo's next production. Bring your lawn chair and snacks.

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